He dressed himself mechanically and went down stairs. A letter was on the hall rack which had been sent by a messenger. He broke the seal with nervous haste. It was from Bivens asking him to call his office telephone at eleven o'clock.
He tore the note into tiny pieces, stepped into the parlour and threw them into the grate. He stood for a moment gazing into the glowing coals in brooding anger. Slowly he became conscious of music. Some one was playing an old-fashioned Southern melody, and the tenderest voice accompanied the piano. He walked to the door of the music-room.
It was Harriet.
As he listened, the frown died from his face and the anger melted out from his heart. The music ceased. Harriet looked up with a start.
"Oh, Jim, I didn't know you were there!"
"It was beautiful, little pal1."
"Yes, I knew you'd like that piece. I heard you humming it one day. That's why I got it."
"What a sweet voice you have, child, so clear, so deep and rich and full of feeling. I didn't know you could sing."
"I didn't either until I tried."
"You must study music," he said, with enthusiasm.
The girl clapped her hands and leaped to her feet, exclaiming:
"Will you be proud of me, Jim, if I can sing?"
"Indeed I will," was the earnest answer.
The laughing eyes grew serious as she slowly said:
"Then, I'll do my level best. I'm off—good-bye."
With a wave of her hand she was gone, and Stuart hurried to his office, whistling the old tune2 she had just sung.
What curious, sensitive things—these souls of ours! An idea enters and blackens the sky, makes sick the body, kills hope and faith. The soft strains of an old piece of music steals into the darkened spirit, the shadows lift, the sun shines, the heart beats with life and the world is new again.
On reaching his office on lower Broadway, Stuart rang Bivens's telephone, and the president of the American Chemical Company made an engagement to call at once.
Stuart would not have stooped to the trick of keeping his young millionaire visitor waiting, on imaginary business, but he was grateful for the timely call of a client who kept him in consultation3 for fifteen minutes while Bivens patiently waited his turn in the reception-room, his wealth and prestige all lost on the imperturbable4 office boy, who sat silently chewing gum and reading a serial5.
The first view of Bivens was always unimpressive. He was short, thin, and looked almost frail6 at first glance. A second look gave the impression of wiry reserve force in his compact frame. His hair was jet black and thinning slightly on top which gave him the appearance of much greater age than he could really claim. His thin features were regular, and his face was covered with a thick black beard which he kept trimmed to a keen point on the chin. His most striking features were a high massive forehead, abnormally long for the size of his body, and a pair of piercing, bead-like black eyes. These eyes were seldom still, but when they rested on an object they fairly bored through it with their penetrating7 light.
He rarely spoke8 except to a purpose, and his manners were quiet, almost furtive9. He had thus early in his career gained a nickname that was peculiarly significant in Wall Street. He was known as The Weasel.
His whole makeup10, physical and mental, was curiously11 complex—a mixture of sobriety and greed, piety12 and cruelty, tenderness and indomitable will, simplicity13 of tastes with boundless14 ambition.
His friendship for Stuart and his deference15 to him personally and socially dated from their boyhood in North Carolina—and particularly from an incident which occurred in their college days. Bivens's father had been a notorious coward in the Confederate army and had at last deserted16 the service. A number of very funny stories about his actions in battle had become current everywhere. On Bivens's arrival at college, a particularly green freshman17, Stuart had discovered a group of his classmates hazing18 him. They had forced the coward's son to mount a box and repeat to the crowd the funny stories about the "valour" of his father. The boy, scared half out of his wits, stood stammering19 and perspiring20 and choking with shame as he tried to obey his tormentors.
Stuart protested vigorously, and a fight ensued in which he was compelled to thrash the ring-leader and rescue the victim by force of arms. From that day Stuart was Bivens's beau-ideal of a gentleman. He had tolerated rather than enjoyed this friendship, but it was so genuine he couldn't ignore the little dark-eyed taciturn fellow who was destined21 to play so tremendous a r?le in his future life.
Bivens sat patiently waiting for the young lawyer, his black eyes gazing dreamily over the roofs of the houses. He was smoking a huge black cigar. He was always smoking. The brighter his eyes gleamed the harder he smoked until the fire-tipped tobacco seemed a spark from smouldering volcanoes somewhere below. The one overwhelming impression which Bivens's personality first gave was that he was made out of tobacco. His fingers were stained with nicotine22, and his teeth yellow from it. He had smoked so fast and furiously the room was soon fog-bound. The boy looked up from his paper with a gasp23 and hastened inside to see if he could get rid of his obnoxious24 presence. In a moment he ushered25 out the client and showed Bivens into the office.
He shook hands quietly and took a seat beside Stuart's desk.
"Well?" said the lawyer at length.
"I've come to make you an important proposition, Jim," Bivens began slowly, while his restless eyes looked up at the ceiling, and he pulled at the point of his beard. "We need another attorney. The business of the company is increasing so rapidly our force can't handle it. I need a big man close to me. If you'll take the place I'll give you a salary that will ultimately be as big as the President gets in the White House. Twenty thousand to start with."
Stuart looked at his visitor curiously.
"Why do you want me, Cal? There are thousands of lawyers here who would jump at the chance. Many of them are better equipped for such work than I am."
"Because I know that you won't lie to me, you won't swindle or take advantage of me——"
"Why not?" Stuart asked with a smile. "Isn't that the game? Why shouldn't I learn the tricks?"
"Because it's not in you."
"I see. You want to capitalize my character and use me to ambush26 the other fellow?"
"That's one way to look at it—yes."
"But that's not the real reason you come to me to-day with this proposition—is it?"
"Not the only one. You know my friendship for you is genuine. You know there's not a man in New York for whom I'd do as much as I will for you if you'll let me. Isn't that true?"
"I believe it—yes. And yet—there must be another reason. What is it?"
"Does it matter? I've made you the offer. If the salary isn't enough, name your figure."
"You're not afraid of Woodman and wish to reach him through me?" Stuart continued, ignoring his last answer.
The ghost of a smile flitted around the shining little black eyes.
"Afraid?" he asked contemptuously. "I'm not even interested in him. The old fossil's a joke. He thinks he can stop the progress of the world to attend a case of measles27 in Mott Street."
The financier leisurely28 lifted his right hand, removed the cigar from his mouth, and struck the ashes lightly with his finger. Stuart noticed how small his hand, how delicately shaped, how smooth and careful its movements. Beyond a doubt it was the hand of an expert thief. And yet this man, by an accident of birth, was a devout29 member of the church and complied with the written laws of modern society.
Stuart was silent a moment, watching the dark masked face before him. At last he blurted30 out:
"Well, Cal, what's the real reason you make me this offer to-day?"
Bivens moved uneasily in his chair, fidgeted, hesitated and finally leaned close, speaking in a whisper:
"You can keep a little secret?"
"You ought to know that before making me such an offer."
"Yes. Yes, of course I know you will." Bivens paused and resumed his cigar. "The fact, is—Jim—I'm in love——"
Stuart cleared his throat to strangle an exclamation31.
"In love?" he echoed in a tone of light banter32.
"Hopelessly, desperately33 in love!"
"Then you need a minister, not a lawyer," Stuart said, with quiet sarcasm34.
"It's no joke, old man," Bivens went on soberly. "It's the most serious thing I was ever up against. Fell in love at first sight."
"But where do I come into this affair?" Stuart interrupted, maintaining his self-control with an effort.
"Simple enough. The Primroses——"
"Oh, it's Miss Primrose35?"
"Yes—Miss Nan. You see, they think the world of you. She said you grew up together in the same town. I was telling her about my business. I must have been bragging36 about what we were going to do. I was crazy, just looking at her. Her beauty made me drunk. I told her we needed a new attorney. She said you were the man. I told her I'd offer you the place. She seemed pleased. When I told her I was afraid you wouldn't take a place under my direction, she laughed at the idea—said she knew you would accept. And so you've got the whole truth now, Jim. You've got to accept, old man. I want to make her feel that her word is law with me. Don't you think that would please her?"
"It ought to please any woman," was the slow, thoughtful reply.
"Tell me, do you think I've got a chance with a girl like that? You know I've never gone with girls much. I'm timid and awkward. I don't know what to do or what to say. But my money will help, won't it?"
"Money always helps in this town, Cal."
"And it means so much to a woman too,—don't it?"
"Yes. Have you said anything to Miss Nan yet?"
"Lord, no! Haven't dared. Just get drunk looking at her every time I see her, but I couldn't open my mouth if I tried. I'm kinder shying up to the old lady to get her on my side. She seems awfully37 friendly. I think she likes me. Don't you think it a good plan to cultivate her?"
"By all means," was the dry reply.
"Say, for God's sake, Jim, help me. Take this attorneyship. It will please her and I'll make you rich. Come in with me and you'll never regret it. I know my folks were not your social equals in the old days down South. But you know as well as I do that money talks here. Have common sense. Look at things as they are. Come in with me and let's get at these Yankees. They left you and me cradles of poverty. They owe us something. Come in with me and we'll get it!"
There was no mistaking the genuineness of Bivens's feelings. Stuart knew that he felt deeply and sincerely every word that he uttered. The first rush of his anger had died away and he begun to realize the pathos38 of the little man's appeal. He forgot for the moment that he was a millionaire and had made his money by devious39 tricks with that smooth, delicately moulded hand. He only saw that Bivens, his old schoolmate, had unconsciously fallen into a trap. A word from him—the word he wished spoken, and the woman he loved would be lost. He had but to speak that word, accept the generous offer made in good faith, and every cloud between him and Nan would vanish! They could be married at once and the future was secure. All he had to do was to keep silent for the moment as to his real relations to Nan and compromise his sense of honour by accepting the wages of a man whose principles he despised. His decision was made without a moment's hesitation40. It was yet the morning of life.
"I refuse the offer, Cal," he said firmly.
Bivens rose quickly and placed his smooth hand on his friend's.
"I won't take that answer now. Think it over. I'll see you again."
He turned and left the room before Stuart could reply.
The lawyer drew a photograph from his desk and looked at it, smiling tenderly.
"I wonder, Nan! I wonder!"
The smile slowly faded, and a frown clouded his brow. The lines of his mouth suddenly tightened41.
"I'll settle it to-day," he said with decision, as he rose, took his hat and left for Gramercy Park.
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收听单词发音
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1
pal
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| n.朋友，伙伴，同志；vi.结为友 | |
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tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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3
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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serial
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| n.连本影片，连本电视节目；adj.连续的 | |
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frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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7
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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8
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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9
furtive
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| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
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makeup
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| n.组织；性格；化装品 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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12
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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13
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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14
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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16
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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17
freshman
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| n.大学一年级学生(可兼指男女) | |
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18
hazing
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| n.受辱，被欺侮v.（使）笼罩在薄雾中( haze的现在分词 )；戏弄，欺凌（新生等，有时作为加入美国大学生联谊会的条件） | |
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19
stammering
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 ) | |
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20
perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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21
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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22
nicotine
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| n.(化)尼古丁，烟碱 | |
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23
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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24
obnoxious
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| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
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ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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measles
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| n.麻疹，风疹，包虫病，痧子 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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29
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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30
blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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32
banter
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| n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑 | |
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33
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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34
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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35
primrose
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| n.樱草，最佳部分， | |
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36
bragging
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| v.自夸，吹嘘( brag的现在分词 )；大话 | |
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37
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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pathos
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| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
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39
devious
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| adj.不坦率的，狡猾的；迂回的，曲折的 | |
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40
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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41
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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