The first warm days of summer found Irene back again in her home at Ivy Cliff. Her visit in New York had been prolonged far beyond the limit assigned to it in the beginning, but Rose would not consent to an earlier return. This winter of daily life with Mrs. Everet, in the unreserved intercourse6 of home, was of great use to Irene. Affliction had mellowed7 all the harder portions of her disposition9, which the trouble and experiences of the past few years could not reach with their softening10 influences. There was good soil in her mind, well prepared, and the sower failed not in the work of scattering11 good seed upon it with a liberal hand—seed that felt soon a quickening life and swelled12 in the delight of coming germination13.
It is not our purpose to record the history of Irene during the years of her discipline at Ivy Cliff, where she lived, nun-like, for the larger part of her time. She had useful work there, and in its faithful performance peace came to her troubled soul. Three or four times every year she paid a visit to Rose, and spent on each occasion from one to three or four weeks. It could not but happen that in these visits congenial friendship would be made, and tender remembrances go back with her into the seclusion14 of her country home, to remain as sweet companions in her hours of loneliness.
It was something remarkable15 that, during the six or seven years which followed Irene's separation from her husband, she had never seen him. He was still a resident of New York, and well known as a rapidly advancing member of the bar. Occasionally his name met her eyes in the newspapers, as connected with some important suit; but, beyond this, his life was to her a dead letter. He might be married again, for all she knew to the contrary. But she never dwelt on that thought; its intrusion always disturbed her, and that profoundly.
And how was it with Hartley Emerson? Had he again tried the experiment which once so signally failed? No; he had not ventured upon the sea whose depths held the richest vessel16 he had freighted in life. Visions of loveliness had floated before him, and he had been lured17 by them, a few times, out of his beaten path. But he carried in his memory a picture that, when his eyes turned inward, held their gaze so fixedly18 that all other images grew dim or unlovely. And so, with a sigh, he would turn again to the old way and move on as before.
But the past was irrevocable. "And shall I," he began to say to himself, "for this one great error of my youth—this blind mistake—pass a desolate20 and fruitless life?"
Oftener and oftener the question was repeated in his thoughts, until it found answer in an emphatic21 No! Then he looked around with a new interest, and went more into society. Soon one fair face came more frequently before the eyes of his mind than any other face. He saw it as he sat in his law-office, saw it on the page of his book as he read in the evening, lying over the printed words and hiding from his thoughts their meaning; saw it in dreams. The face haunted him. How long was this since that fatal night of discord22 and separation? Ten years. So long? Yes, so long. Ten weary years had made their record upon his book of life and upon hers. Ten weary years! The discipline of this time had not worked on either any moral deterioration23. Both were yet sound to the core, and both were building up characters based on the broad foundations of virtue24.
Steadily25 that face grew into a more living distinctness, haunting his daily thoughts and nightly visions. Then new life-pulses began to throb26 in his heart; new emotions to tremble over its long calm surface; new warmth to flow, spring-like, into the indurated soil. This face, which had begun thus to dwell with him, was the face of a maiden27, beautiful to look upon. He had met her often during a year, and from the beginning of their acquaintance she had interested him. If he erred28 not, the interest was mutual29. From all points of view he now commenced studying her character. Having made one mistake, he was fearful and guarded. Better go on a lonely man to the end of life than again have his love-freighted bark buried in mid-ocean.
At last, Emerson was satisfied. He had found the sweet being whose life could blend in eternal oneness with his own; and it only remained for him to say to her in words what she had read as plainly as written language in his eyes. So far as she was concerned, no impediment existed. We will not say that she was ripe enough in soul to wed8 with this man, who had passed through experiences of a kind that always develop the character broadly and deeply. No, for such was not the case. She was too young and inexperienced to understand him; too narrow in her range of thought; too much a child. But something in her beautiful, innocent, sweet young face had won his heart; and in the weakness of passion, not in the manly30 strength of a deep love, he had bowed down to a shrine31 at which he could never worship and be satisfied.
But even strong men are weak in woman's toils32, and Hartley Emerson was a captive.
There was to be a pleasure-party on one of the steamers that cut the bright waters of the fair Hudson, and Emerson and the maiden, whose face was now his daily companion, were to be of the number. He felt that the time had come for him to speak if he meant to speak at all—to say what was in his thought, or turn aside and let another woo and win the lovely being imagination had already pictured as the sweet companion of his future home. The night that preceded this excursion was a sleepless33 one for Hartley Emerson. Questions and doubts, scarcely defined in his thoughts before, pressed themselves upon him and demanded a solution. The past came up with a vividness not experienced for years. In states of semi-consciousness—half-sleeping, half-waking—there returned to him such life-like realizations34 of events long ago recorded in his memory, and covered over with the dust of time, that he started from them to full wakefulness, with a heart throbbing35 in wild tumult36. Once there was presented so vivid a picture of Irene that for some moments he was unable to satisfy himself that all these ten years of loneliness were not a dream. He saw her as she stood before him on that ever-to-be-remembered night and said, "I go!" Let us turn back and read the record of her appearance as he saw her then and now:
"She had raised her eyes from the floor, and turned them full upon her husband. Her face was not so pale. Warmth had come back to the delicate skin, flushing it with beauty. She did not stand before him an impersonation of anger, dislike or rebellion. There was not a repulsively37 attitude or expression. No flashing of the eyes, nor even the cold, diamond glitter seen a little while before. Slowly turning away, she left the room. But to her husband she seemed still standing38 there, a lovely vision. There had fallen, in that instant of time, a sunbeam, which fixed19 the image upon his memory in imperishable colors."
Emerson groaned39 as he fell back upon his pillow and shut his eyes. What would he not then have given for one full draught40 of Lethe's fabled41 waters.
Morning came at last, its bright beams dispersing42 the shadows of night; and with it came back the warmth of his new passion and his purpose on that day, if the opportunity came, to end all doubt, by offering the maiden his hand—we do not say heart, for of that he was not the full possessor.
The day opened charmingly, and the pleasure-party were on the wing betimes. Emerson felt a sense of exhilaration as the steamer passed out from her moorings and glided43 with easy grace along the city front. He stood upon her deck with a maiden's hand resting on his arm, the touch of which, though light as the pressure of a flower, was felt with strange distinctness. The shadows of the night, which had brooded so darkly over his spirit, were gone, and only a dim remembrance of the gloom remained. Onward44 the steamer glided, sweeping45 by the crowded line of buildings and moving grandly along, through palisades of rock on one side and picturesque46 landscapes on the other, until bolder scenery stretched away and mountain barriers raised themselves against the blue horizon.
There was a large number of passengers on board, scattered47 over the decks or lingering in the cabins, as inclination48 prompted. The observer of faces and character had field enough for study; but Hartley Emerson was not inclined to read in the book of character on this occasion. One subject occupied his thoughts to the exclusion49 of all others. There had come a period that was full of interest and fraught50 with momentous51 consequences which must extend through all of his after years. He saw little but the maiden at his side—thought of little but his purpose to ask her to walk with him, a soul-companion, in the journey of life.
During the first hour there was a constant moving to and fro and the taking up of new positions by the passengers—a hum and buzz of conversation—laughing—exclamations—gay talk and enthusiasm. Then a quieter tone prevailed. Solitary52 individuals took places of observation; groups seated themselves in pleasant circles to chat, and couples drew away into cabins or retired53 places, or continued the promenade54.
Among the latter were Emerson and his companion. Purposely he had drawn55 the fair girl away from their party, in order to get the opportunity he desired. He did not mean to startle her with an abrupt56 proposal here, in the very eye of observation, but to advance toward the object by slow approaches, marking well the effect of his words, and receding57 the moment he saw that, in beginning to comprehend him, her mind showed repulsion or marked disturbance58.
Thus it was with them when the boat entered the Highlands and swept onward with wind-like speed. They were in one of the gorgeously furnished cabins, sitting together on a sofa. There had been earnest talk, but on some subject of taste. Gradually Emerson changed the theme and began approaching the one nearest to his heart. Slight embarrassment59 followed; his voice took on a different tone; it was lower, tenderer, more deliberate and impressive. He leaned closer, and the maiden did not retire; she understood him, and was waiting the pleasure of his speech with heart-throbbings that seemed as if they must be audible in his ears as well as her own.
The time had come. Everything was propitious60. The words that would have sealed his fate and hers were on his lips, when, looking up, he knew not why, but under an impulse of the moment, he met two calm eyes resting upon him with an expression that sent the blood leaping back to his heart. Two calm eyes and a pale, calm face were before him for a moment; then they vanished in the crowd. But he knew them, though ten years lay between the last vision and this.
The words that were on his lips died unspoken. He could not have uttered them if life or death hung on the issue. No—no—no. A dead silence followed.
"Are you ill?" asked his companion, looking at him anxiously.
"No, oh no," he replied, trying to rally himself.
"But you are ill, Mr. Emerson. How pale your face is!"
"It will pass off in a moment." He spoke61 with an effort to appear self-possessed. "Let us go on deck," he added, rising. "There are a great many people in the cabin, and the atmosphere is oppressive."
A dead weight fell upon the maiden's heart as she arose and went on deck by the side of Mr. Emerson. She had noticed his sudden pause and glance across the cabin at the instant she was holding her breath for his next words, but did not observe the object, a sight of which had wrought62 on him so remarkable a change. They walked nearly the entire length of the boat, after getting on deck, before Mr. Emerson spoke. He then remarked on the boldness of the scenery and pointed63 out interesting localities, but in so absent and preoccupied64 a way that his companion listened without replying. In a little while he managed to get into the neighborhood of three or four of their party, with whom he left her, and, moving away, took a position on the upper deck just over the gangway from which the landings were made. Here he remained until the boat came to at a pier65 on which his feet had stepped lightly many, many times. Ivy Cliff was only a little way distant, hidden from view by a belt of forest trees. The ponderous66 machinery67 stood still, the plunging68 wheels stopped their muffled69 roar, and in the brooding silence that followed three or four persons stepped on the plank70 which had been thrown out and passed to the shore. A single form alone fixed the eyes of Hartley Emerson. He would have known it on the instant among a thousand. It was that of Irene. Her step was slow, like one abstracted in mind or like one in feeble health. After gaining the landing, she stood still and turned toward the boat, when their eyes met again—met, and held each other, by a spell which neither had power to break. The fastenings were thrown off, the engineer rung his bell; there was a clatter71 of machinery, a rush of waters and the boat glanced onward. Then Irene started like one suddenly aroused from sleep and walked rapidly away.
And thus they met for the first time after a separation of ten years.
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1
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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2
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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3
well-being
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| n.安康，安乐，幸福 | |
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4
ivy
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| n.常青藤，常春藤 | |
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awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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6
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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mellowed
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| （使）成熟( mellow的过去式和过去分词 )； 使色彩更加柔和，使酒更加醇香 | |
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wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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10
softening
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| 变软，软化 | |
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11
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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12
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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13
germination
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| n.萌芽，发生；萌发；生芽；催芽 | |
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14
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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15
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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lured
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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21
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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22
discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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23
deterioration
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| n.退化；恶化；变坏 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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25
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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28
erred
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| 犯错误，做错事( err的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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30
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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31
shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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32
toils
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| 网 | |
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sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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34
realizations
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| 认识，领会( realization的名词复数 )； 实现 | |
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throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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36
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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repulsively
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| adv.冷淡地 | |
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38
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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39
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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40
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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41
fabled
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| adj.寓言中的，虚构的 | |
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42
dispersing
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| adj. 分散的 动词disperse的现在分词形式 | |
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43
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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44
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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45
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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46
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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47
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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48
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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49
exclusion
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| n.拒绝，排除，排斥，远足，远途旅行 | |
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50
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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51
momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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52
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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53
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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54
promenade
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| n./v.散步 | |
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55
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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56
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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57
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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58
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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59
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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60
propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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61
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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62
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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63
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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64
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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65
pier
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| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
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66
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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67
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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68
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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69
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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70
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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71
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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