"You mentioned that you wished to buy some things; why not come with us?" she said to Ethel. "We could drop you going out and call for you coming home. Susan will have the big car full, so she couldn't take you, and it's a long drive to the station and the trains run awkwardly."
Sylvia's motive2 was easy to discern, but Ethel agreed. She was, on the whole, inclined to pity Captain Bland; but he was a stranger and George was a friend. If Sylvia must choose between them, it would be much better that she should take the soldier. For all that, Ethel had an uncomfortable feeling that she was assisting in a piece of treachery when she set off soon after lunch on a fine autumn day; and the car had gone several miles before she began to enjoy the ride.
For a while the straight white road, climbing steadily3, crossed a waste of moors5. The dry grass gleamed gray and silver among the russet fern; rounded, white-edged clouds floated, scarcely moving, in a sky of softest blue. The upland air was gloriously fresh, and the speed exhilarating.
By and by they ran down into a narrow dale in the depths of which a river brawled6 among the stones, and climbed a long ascent7, from which they could see a moving dust-cloud indicating that Mrs. Kettering's car was only a mile or two behind. After that there was a league of brown heath, and then they sped down to a wide, wooded valley, in the midst of which rose the gray walls of an ancient town. On reaching it, Ethel alighted in the market-square, hard by the lofty abbey, and turned to Bland.
"I have one or two calls to make after I've finished shopping, but if it takes longer than I expected or you can't get here in time, I'll go back by train," she said. "In that case, you must bring me home from the station."
Bland promised, and Ethel watched the car with a curious expression until it vanished under a time-worn archway. She was vexed8 with herself for playing into Sylvia's hands, though she had only done so in what she regarded as George's interest. If Sylvia married Bland, the blow would no doubt be a heavy one to George, but it would be better for him in the end.
In the meanwhile, the car sped on up the valley until it reached an ancient house built on to a great square tower, where Bland was welcomed by a lady of high importance in the district. Afterward9 he was familiarly greeted by several of her guests, which Sylvia, who had strong ambitions, duly noticed; these people occupied a different station from the one in which she had hitherto moved. When Bland was called away from her, she was shown to a place at some distance from Mrs. Kettering's party, and she sat down and looked about with interest. From the smooth lawn and still glowing borders before the old gray house, a meadow ran down to the river that wandered, gleaming, through the valley, and beyond it the brown moors cut against the clear blue sky. In the meadow, a large, oval space was lined with groups of smartly-dressed people, and in its midst rose trim pavilions outside which grooms10 stood holding beautiful glossy11 horses. Everything was prettily12 arranged; the scene, with its air of gayety, appealed to Sylvia, and she enjoyed it keenly, though she was now and then conscious of her somber13 attire14.
Then the entertainment began, and she admitted that Bland, finely-mounted, was admirable. He took his part in several competitions, and through them all displayed a genial15 good-humor and easy physical grace. He had for the most part younger men as antagonists16, but Sylvia thought that none of them could compare with him in manner or bearing.
After a while Sylvia noticed with a start of surprise and annoyance17 that Herbert Lansing was strolling toward her. He took an unoccupied chair at her side.
"What brought you here?" she asked.
"That," he said, "is easily explained. I got a kind of circular of invitation, and as I've had dealings with one or two of these people, I thought it advisable to make an appearance and pay my half-guinea. Then there's a man I want a talk with, and I find that the atmosphere of an office has often a deterrent19 effect on those unused to it. But I didn't expect to find you here."
"Susan and some of the others have come; I've no doubt you'll meet her."
The explanation appeared adequate on the face of it, but a moment later Herbert glanced at Bland, who was dexterously20 controlling his restive21 horse.
"The man looks well in the saddle, doesn't he?" he said.
"Yes," assented22 Sylvia in an indifferent tone, though she was slightly disturbed. Herbert was keen-witted, and she would rather not have had him take an interest in her affairs.
"I'm inclined to think it's fortunate I didn't bring Muriel," he resumed with a smile. "She's rather conventional, and has stricter views than seem to be general nowadays."
"I can't see why I should remain in complete seclusion23; it's an irrational24 idea. But I've no intention of concealing25 anything I think fit to do."
"Of course not. Are you going to mention that you attended this entertainment when you write to Muriel?"
Sylvia pondered her reply. In spite of its dullness, Mrs. Lansing's house was a comfortable and secure retreat. She would have to go back to it presently, and it was desirable that she should avoid any cause of disagreement with her hostess.
"No," she said candidly26; "I don't see any need for that; and I may not write for some time. Of course, Muriel doesn't quite look at things as I do, and on one or two points she's unusually sensitive."
Herbert looked amused.
"You're considerate; and I dare say you're right. There doesn't seem to be any reason why Muriel should concern herself about the thing, particularly as you're in Susan's hands."
The implied promise that he would not mention his having seen her afforded Sylvia some relief, but when he went away to speak to Mrs. Kettering, she wished she had not met him. Herbert was troubled by none of his wife's prejudices, but on another occasion he had made her feel that she owed him something for which he might expect some return, and now the impression was more marked; their secret, though of no importance, had strengthened his position. Herbert seldom granted a favor without an end in view; and she did not wish him to get too firm a hold on her. The feeling, however, wore off, and she had spent a pleasant afternoon when Bland came for her as the shadows lengthened27.
He reminded her of Ethel:
"We'll have to get off, if we're to pick up Miss West."
Sylvia said that she was ready, though she felt it would have been more satisfactory had Ethel been allowed to go back by train. They began the journey, but after a few miles the car stopped on a steep rise. The driver with some trouble started the engine, but soon after they had crossed the crest28 of the hill it stopped again, and he looked grave as he supplied Bland with some details that Sylvia found unintelligible29.
"You must get her along another mile; then you can go back on a bicycle for what you want," Bland told him, and turned to Sylvia. "We'll be delayed for an hour or so, but he can leave word for Miss West, and there's an inn not far off where they'll give us tea while we're waiting."
They reached it after turning into another road, though the car made alarming noises during the journey. Sylvia viewed the old building with appreciation30. It stood, long and low and cleanly white-washed, on the brink31 of a deep ghyll filled with lichened32 boulders33 and russet ferns, with a firwood close behind it, and in front a wide vista34 of moors and fells that stood out darkly blue against the evening light. Near the stone porch, a rustic35 table stood beside a row of tall red hollyhocks.
"It's a charming spot," Sylvia exclaimed. "Can't we have tea outside?"
Bland ordered it and they sat down to a neatly-served meal. The evening was warm and very still and clear. A rattle36 of wheels reached them from somewhere far down the road and they could hear the faint splash of water in the depths of the ravine.
"This is really delightful," murmured Sylvia, when the table had been cleared. "I like the quietness of the country when it comes as a contrast, after, for example, such an afternoon as we have spent."
"Then you're not sorry you came?"
"Sorry? You wouldn't suggest it, if you knew how dull my days often are. But I mustn't be doleful. You may smoke, if you like."
Bland did not particularly wish to smoke, but he lighted a cigarette.
It seemed to banish37 formality, to place them on more familiar terms.
"What is the matter with the car?" Sylvia asked.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you. It can't be got along without something the man has gone back for."
"They do stop sometimes. Is this one in the habit of doing so?"
"I can't say, as it isn't mine. Why do you ask?"
"Oh!" said Sylvia, "I had my suspicions. The man didn't seem in the least astonished or annoyed, for one thing. Then it broke down in such a convenient place."
Bland laughed; her boldness appealed to him.
"Well," he declared, "I'm perfectly38 innocent; though I can't pretend
I'm sorry."
"You felt you had to say that."
"No," he declared, with a direct glance; "I meant it."
Sylvia leaned back in her chair and glanced appreciatively at the moor4.
"After all," she said, "it's remarkably39 pretty here, and a change is nice. I'll confess that I find Susan's friends a little boring."
The implication was that she preferred Bland's society, and he was gratified.
"That struck me some time ago," he rejoined. "I wonder if you can guess why I thought it worth while to put up with them?"
Sylvia smiled as she looked at him. She liked the man; she thought that he had a good deal she valued to offer her; but as yet she desired only his captivation. She must not allow him to go too far.
"You might have had a number of motives," she said carelessly. "I don't feel much curiosity about them."
Bland bore the rebuff good-humoredly. Patience was one of his strong points, and since his conversation with Ethel West on the terrace he had made up his mind. In arriving at a decision, the man was honest and ready to make some sacrifice. He had been strongly impressed by Sylvia on their first meeting, but he had realized that it would be a mistake to marry her unless she had some means. Hitherto he had found it difficult to meet his expenses, which were large. He did not believe now that Sylvia was rich, and he had seen enough of her to suspect that she was extravagant40, but this did not deter18 him. She had undoubtedly41 some possessions, and he was prepared to retrench42 and deny himself a number of costly43 pleasures. Indeed, he had once or twice thought of leaving the army.
"Then I won't force an explanation on you," he said, and lighting44 another cigarette, lazily watched her and tried to analyze45 her charm.
He failed to do so. Sylvia was a born coquette, and most dangerous in that her power of attraction was natural, and as a rule she appealed to the better and more chivalrous46 feelings of her victims. Fragile, and delicately pretty, she looked as if she needed some one to shelter and defend her from all troubles. Bland decided47 that, although she rarely said anything brilliant, and he had seen more beautiful women, he had not met one who, taken all round, could compare with Sylvia.
"What are you thinking of?" she asked at length, with a gleam of mischief48 in her eyes.
"Oh," he answered, slightly confused, "my mind was wandering. I believe I was trying to explain a thing that's wrapped in impenetrable mystery."
"One wouldn't have imagined you were given to that kind of amusement, and it's obviously a waste of time. Wouldn't it be wiser to accept the object that puzzles you for what it seems, if it's nice?"
"It is," he declared, wondering whether this was a random49 shot on her part or one of the flashes of penetration50 with which she sometimes surprised him.
"Your advice is good."
"I believe so," responded Sylvia. "If a thing pleases you, don't try to find out too much about it. That's the way to disappointment."
She was a little astonished at his reply.
"Perhaps it's a deserved penalty. One should respect a beautiful mystery—unquestioning faith is a power. It reacts upon its object as well as upon its possessor."
"Even if it's mistaken?"
"It couldn't be altogether so," Bland objected. "Nothing that was unworthy could inspire real devotion."
"All this is far too serious," said Sylvia, petulantly51; for her companion's moralizing had awakened52 a train of unpleasant reflections.
She did not think unquestioning faith was common, but she knew of one man who was endowed with it, and he was toiling53 for her sake on the desolate54 western prairie. Once or twice his belief in her had roused angry compunction, and she had revealed the more unfavorable aspects of her character, but he had refused to see them.
"Then what shall we talk about?" Bland inquired.
"Anything that doesn't tax one's brain severely55. Yourself, for example."
"I'm not sure that's flattering, and it's an indifferent topic; but I won't back out. As I gave you your choice, I must take the consequences."
"Are you always ready to do that?" There was a tiny hint of seriousness in her voice.
"Well," he said with some dryness, "I generally try."
There was something that reminded her of George in his expression. The man, she thought, would redeem56 what pledge he gave; he might be guilty of rashness, but he would not slink away when the reckoning came. Then she became conscious of a half-tender regret. It was a pity that George was so fond of the background, and left it only when he was needed, while Brand was a prominent figure wherever he went, and this was, perhaps, the one of his characteristics which most impressed her. Then he rather modestly began the brief account of his career, adding scraps57 of information about his relatives, who were people of station. He did not enlarge upon several points that were in his favor, but he omitted to state that he had now and then been on the verge58 of a financial crisis.
Sylvia listened with keen interest, and asked a few questions to help him on; but when he finished she let the subject drop. Soon afterward she glanced down the road, which was growing dim.
"I wish your man would come. It's getting late," she said.
"He can't be much longer. I don't think you need be disturbed."
"I am disturbed," Sylvia declared. "I really shouldn't have come to-day; you will remember I hesitated."
"Then it was a temptation?"
Sylvia smiled rather wistfully. "That must be confessed; I need a little stir and brightness and I so seldom get it. You know Muriel; I owe her a good deal, but she's so dull and she makes you feel that everything you like to do is wrong."
"But you haven't been very long with Mrs. Lansing. Wasn't it different in Canada?" Bland had a reason for venturing on the question, though it was rather a delicate one.
"I can hardly bear to think of it! For four months in the year I was shut up, half-frozen, in a desolate homestead. There was deep snow all round the place; nobody came. It was a day's drive to a forlorn settlement; nothing ever broke the dreary59 monotony. In summer one got worn out with the heat and the endless petty troubles. There was not a moment's rest; the house was filled with plowmen and harvesters, uncouth60 barbarians61 who ate at our table and must be waited on."
Bland was moved to pity; but he was also consoled. As she had not mentioned Marston, she could not greatly have felt his loss. Sylvia must have married young; no doubt, before she knew her mind.
"I wish," he said quietly, "I could do something to make your life a little brighter."
"But you can't. I've had one happy day—and I'm grateful. It must last me a while."
He leaned forward, looking at her with an intent expression.
"Sylvia, give me the right to try."
She shrank from him with a start that was partly natural, for she was not quite prepared for a bold avowal62.
"No," she said in alarm. "How can I do that?"
"Don't you understand me, Sylvia? I want the right to take care of you."
She checked him with a gesture.
"It is you who can't understand. Do you think I'm heartless?"
"Nothing could make me think hardly of you," he declared.
"Then show me some respect and consideration. It was what I looked for; I felt I was safe with you."
Though he had not expected strong opposition63, he saw that she was determined64. He had been too precipitate65, and while he had no idea of abandoning his purpose, he bowed.
"If I've offended, you must forgive me—I thought of nothing beyond my longing66 for you. That won't change or diminish, but I've been rash and have startled you. I must wait."
He watched her in keen anxiety, but Sylvia gave no hint of her feelings. As a matter of fact, she was wondering why she had checked and repulsed67 him. She could not tell. A sudden impulse had swayed her, but she was not sorry she had yielded to it. Her hold on the man was as strong as ever; the affair was not ended.
There was silence for the next few minutes. It was growing dark; the hills had faded to blurs68 of shadows, and the moor ran back, a vast, dim waste. Then a twinkling light moved toward them up the ascending69 road. Bland rose and pointed70 to it.
"I dare say the man has got the things he needed. We'll be off again shortly," he said in his usual manner; and Sylvia was grateful.
In another half-hour the car was ready, and when Bland helped Sylvia in and wrapped the furs about her, there was something new in his care for her comfort. It was a kind of proprietary71 gentleness which she did not resent. Then they sped away across the dusky moor.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
bland
|
|
| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
motive
|
|
| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
moor
|
|
| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
moors
|
|
| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
brawled
|
|
| 打架，争吵( brawl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
ascent
|
|
| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
vexed
|
|
| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
grooms
|
|
| n.新郎( groom的名词复数 )；马夫v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的第三人称单数 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
glossy
|
|
| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
prettily
|
|
| adv.优美地；可爱地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
somber
|
|
| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
attire
|
|
| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
genial
|
|
| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
antagonists
|
|
| 对立[对抗] 者，对手，敌手( antagonist的名词复数 )； 对抗肌； 对抗药 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
annoyance
|
|
| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
deter
|
|
| vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
deterrent
|
|
| n.阻碍物，制止物；adj.威慑的，遏制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
dexterously
|
|
| adv.巧妙地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
restive
|
|
| adj.不安宁的，不安静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
assented
|
|
| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
seclusion
|
|
| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
irrational
|
|
| adj.无理性的，失去理性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
concealing
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
candidly
|
|
| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
lengthened
|
|
| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
crest
|
|
| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
unintelligible
|
|
| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
appreciation
|
|
| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
brink
|
|
| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
lichened
|
|
| adj.长满地衣的，长青苔的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
33
boulders
|
|
| n.卵石( boulder的名词复数 )；巨砾；（受水或天气侵蚀而成的）巨石；漂砾 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
vista
|
|
| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
rustic
|
|
| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
rattle
|
|
| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
banish
|
|
| vt.放逐，驱逐；消除，排除 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
remarkably
|
|
| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
extravagant
|
|
| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
undoubtedly
|
|
| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
retrench
|
|
| v.节省，削减 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
costly
|
|
| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
lighting
|
|
| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
analyze
|
|
| vt.分析，解析 (=analyse) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
chivalrous
|
|
| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
mischief
|
|
| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
random
|
|
| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
penetration
|
|
| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
petulantly
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
toiling
|
|
| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
desolate
|
|
| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
severely
|
|
| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
redeem
|
|
| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
scraps
|
|
| 油渣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
verge
|
|
| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
dreary
|
|
| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
uncouth
|
|
| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
barbarians
|
|
| n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 )；外国人；粗野的人；无教养的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
avowal
|
|
| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
precipitate
|
|
| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
longing
|
|
| n.（for）渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
repulsed
|
|
| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
blurs
|
|
| n.模糊( blur的名词复数 )；模糊之物；（移动的）模糊形状；模糊的记忆v.（使）变模糊( blur的第三人称单数 )；（使）难以区分 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
ascending
|
|
| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
proprietary
|
|
| n.所有权，所有的；独占的；业主 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |