MAJOR MALTRAVERS had taken a “hunting-box” early in the year in perilous1 proximity2 to Gabingly Castle. Maltravers had remained a god above the clouds through the autumn and early winter, both for expediency’s sake and to prevent any unnecessary linking-up of incidents. His name had not appeared in the cause of justice, for Gabriel’s undefended suit had led to no ransacking3 of evidence on Ophelia’s side. The soldier had soon become popular in the neighborhood, and he was even formally introduced to Ophelia on the hunting-field by Miss Mabel Saker, who posed as a mutual4 friend. Maltravers, being an excellent horseman and a good man at the flask5, had soon won the esteem6 of the “young bloods” of the neighborhood. His keen, jockey-like face and trim, tailor-made figure were to the fore7 in many a gusty8 gallop9, and his voice rang as clear as the huntsman’s horn.
Ophelia had ridden to many a meet, sitting her thoroughbred like a queen, and staring full in the whole world’s face. There was no wavering of her vivid eyes, no tinge10 of discomfort11 upon her cheeks. Had she not been proved an honest woman, one who had been wronged and whom the law had righted? A fair dame12 she seemed with her coat buttoned tight over her smooth, full bust13, her rich hair closely plaited under her hat. Men saw that Maltravers was often beside her, twirling his mustachios, staring in her face. Her friends whispered that she would soon be comforted for the loss of a husband and a home.
Yet human schemes come often to naught14 when the raw elements are in the ascendant. As the year wore on towards the spring a pair of brown eyes had challenged the blue. Miss Mabel Saker had been established at Gabingly since the autumn as Ophelia Gusset’s bosom15 friend. It was noted16 by the vigilant17 at the “meets” that Maltravers’ black horse stood more often beside Miss Saker’s bay mare18. The soldier was one of those mutable beings whose honor was “blinkered” by an immoderate vanity. As for Miss Saker, she was his very twin in such sentiments as cheated the heart.
Possibly none of the sweet gossips of the neighborhood saw much in the drama to point a moral, for, superficial as is the veil that covers deceit, it is rarely rent by the professional gossip, but rather by the hand that scorns all guile19. There is more error in habitual20 prejudice than in that calm sincerity21 which is slow to condemn22, and the pessimist23 sees his own sour face reflected in all things, be they foul24 or clean. Maltravers’ name had never entered the zone of scandal that had played about Gabriel’s honor. He was considered to be a mere25 sportsman who had heard of the excellence26 of the Rilchester pack and had come for a gallop over the Mallan meadows.
Whatever the reasons might be, the fact remained that Maltravers was less Ophelia’s hero than he had been when she was Gabriel’s wife. Possibly she had expected too much from a man whose vigorous egoism clashed with her own. Such a passion as theirs was utterly27 selfish, and as such was doomed28 to no true consummation.
Ophelia was the last woman in the world to abide29 a rival, even in the minor30 matter of dress. Moreover, she had always considered Miss Mabel Saker as a protégée and a disciple31, a foil to her own more lavish32 beauty. She had never been jealous of her friend, for the simple reason that she had never possessed33 sufficient respect for Miss Saker’s fascination34 to inspire the passion. Hence she had been slow at first to realize the change in Maltravers’ humor, nor did she suspect him of any inward disloyalty to herself.
There was no great vice35 in Mabel Saker. She was mischief36 personified, a vain, merry creature, with a mind like a spice-box and eyes like amber37. If a man admired her, she had neither the heart nor the character to treat him with surliness. Being so inured38 to sentimental39 pleasantries, she was not easily frightened by anything she might see in a man’s eyes. Flirtation40 was merely a recreation with her, an amusement no more serious than fly-fishing or the aesthetic41 appreciation42 of a musical comedy. She was a woman of no ideals, few convictions. She lived her sensuous43, merry existence in the sun, and never delved44 around her for the problems that yawn like primeval forests about the fair meads of life.
Maltravers jested with her, and she took his jests as she would have taken a flask of scent45 or many such trifles, in delicate acknowledgment of her own charms. She did not consider Ophelia’s powerful pride or her aggressive egoism that could suffer no shadow. Hence she was unable at first to comprehend Ophelia’s change of temper, her petulance46, the true reason of their frequent bickerings. Miss Saker had much of the vixen in her, in the spiteful sense. She was too shallow and boisterous47 to appreciate the negative passions in a friend; she had too little sympathy to treat seriously and honorably the injured pride of a fellow-woman. Hence she tossed her head and bridled48 at what she was pleased to call Ophelia’s “whims.” And, being a creature of contradictory49 impulses, she took pleasure in aggravating50 her friend’s impatience51 and in playing the tormentor52 with true feminine agility53.
Gay swimmer that she was, Miss Saker soon discovered herself beyond the shallows of her frivolous54 philosophy. The climax55 came with an abruptness56 that startled even her futile57 soul. And since Mabel Saker was a woman who heartily58 detested59 any troubling of her sensuous good-humor, she was soon every whit60 as bitter as Ophelia and as reasonless as a frightened ape.
The storm broke one evening after a dinner-party at the castle. Maltravers had lavished61 his fascinations62 in Miss Saker’s service and had left Ophelia to a casual friend. By the fatefulness of coincidence, Ophelia had come upon the pair seated under the palms in a corner of the conservatory63. Moreover, she had seen Maltravers take the flower the brunette had pinned over her heart.
About midnight, the very night after Joan had taken lodging64 in Widow Milton’s cottage, Mabel Saker was in her bedroom unravelling65 her dark hair. To her came Ophelia fully66 dressed, her face pale as china, her lips almost bloodless, her eyes peculiarly bright. There was a restrained fury in her look, an atmosphere about her that boded67 ill for the friendship between the two.
It was a woman’s quarrel that night, swift, malicious68, and contemptible69. As is the case in some such feminine fracas70, the disputants grew the more bitter, the more icily eager with every word. Gibe71 stabbed at gibe and taunt72 at taunt. There was no generosity73 in their passion to give human pathos74 to the scene.
Ophelia leaned against an escritoire and watched with her hard blue eyes the flushed and dishevelled woman before her. They were both breathless for the moment, like two duellists who shrink back dazed after some fierce locking of their swords. The younger woman tossed back her hair, her bosom rising and falling rapidly as in an ecstasy75 of unspeakable anger.
“Are you mad?” she said. “This is too utterly ridiculous.”
Ophelia laughed, her white face shining with her scorn.
“It is the fashion to think others ridiculous,” she retorted, “when all the folly76 is one’s own.”
“Tell me, whose fault is it?”
“I am asking you the same question.”
“Because a man pays me small attentions am I to snub him like a barmaid?”
“Small attentions—well phrased, indeed!”
“Is it my fault if he prefers me to you?”
“Is it his fault if you throw yourself under his feet every hour of the day? Leave him alone, or you shall pay for it.”
Miss Saker sat up stiffly in her chair, her face quivering as the words smote77 her.
“This is your gratitude78 after I have been such a friend to you! Oh, my God, I will be even with you, and that quickly. What of Gabriel Strong, and the girl you ruined? What of Jim’s cunning and bribery79? Don’t I know all about this? Pay for it, indeed!”
Miss Saker recovered her composure of a sudden, went to the glass and began to braid her hair. She held the pins between her quivering lips, her hands working feverishly80, her eyes hot and strained. Ophelia watched her as though half repentant81, more from fear of what might follow than out of pity for her friend.
“What are you doing, Mab?”
Mabel Saker paid no heed82 to her, but went to the wardrobe, drew out a morning gown and coat, donned them, and took a hat from the bonnet83 rack.
“Have I hurt you, Mab?”
The brunette turned on her with eyes afire. She was a woman out of whose heart all pity and forgiveness had fled. Nothing but infinite resentment84 ruled her impulses.
“I will not stay in this house another hour.”
“But it is midnight; what will people say?”
“I don’t care. You have insulted me too badly, and you shall pay for it.”
She started aside towards the wall and seized the bell-rope that hung beside the bed. Ophelia moved towards her with hand outstretched. She was too late, however, either for penitence85 or intimidation86. Ten times or more Mabel Saker had jerked at the cord, and the bell clamored distantly in the silence of the house.
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1
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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ransacking
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| v.彻底搜查( ransack的现在分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
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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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flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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gusty
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| adj.起大风的 | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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dame
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| n.女士 | |
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bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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16
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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guile
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| n.诈术 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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21
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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22
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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pessimist
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| n.悲观者；悲观主义者；厌世 | |
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24
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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25
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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29
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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30
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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disciple
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| n.信徒，门徒，追随者 | |
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32
lavish
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| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
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33
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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34
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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35
vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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36
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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inured
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| adj.坚强的，习惯的 | |
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sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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flirtation
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| n.调情，调戏，挑逗 | |
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aesthetic
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| adj.美学的，审美的，有美感 | |
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42
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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43
sensuous
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| adj.激发美感的；感官的，感觉上的 | |
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44
delved
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| v.深入探究，钻研( delve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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46
petulance
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| n.发脾气，生气，易怒，暴躁，性急 | |
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47
boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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48
bridled
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| 给…套龙头( bridle的过去式和过去分词 )； 控制； 昂首表示轻蔑（或怨忿等）； 动怒，生气 | |
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49
contradictory
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| adj.反驳的，反对的，抗辩的；n.正反对，矛盾对立 | |
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50
aggravating
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| adj.恼人的，讨厌的 | |
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51
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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52
tormentor
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| n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter | |
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53
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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54
frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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55
climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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56
abruptness
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| n. 突然，唐突 | |
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57
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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58
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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59
detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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61
lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
fascinations
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| n.魅力( fascination的名词复数 )；有魅力的东西；迷恋；陶醉 | |
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63
conservatory
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| n.温室，音乐学院；adj.保存性的，有保存力的 | |
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64
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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65
unravelling
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| 解开，拆散，散开( unravel的现在分词 )； 阐明； 澄清； 弄清楚 | |
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66
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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67
boded
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| v.预示，预告，预言( bode的过去式和过去分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
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68
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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70
fracas
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| n.打架；吵闹 | |
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71
gibe
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| n.讥笑；嘲弄 | |
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72
taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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73
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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pathos
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| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
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ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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77
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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bribery
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| n.贿络行为，行贿，受贿 | |
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80
feverishly
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| adv. 兴奋地 | |
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81
repentant
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| adj.对…感到悔恨的 | |
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82
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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83
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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84
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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85
penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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86
intimidation
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| n.恐吓，威胁 | |
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