Bessy--upon whom, from her isolated5 position, having no lady about her, the arrangements fell--was desired to fix a day. She named the twenty-ninth of June, her birthday. After July should come in, there was no certainty about madam's movements; she might come home, or she might not, and it was necessary that all should be over by that time, if it was to be gone through in peace. The details of the ceremony were to be of the simplest nature: Edmund North's recent death and the other attendant and peculiar6 circumstances forbidding the usual gaiety. The bridal party would go to church with as little ceremony as they went to service on Sundays, Bessy in a plain silk dress and a plain bonnet7. Mr. North would give his daughter away, if he were well enough; if not, Richard. Ellen Adair was to be bridesmaid; Arthur Bohun had offered himself to Dr. Rane as best man. It might be very undutiful, but Arthur enjoyed stealing a march on madam as much as the best of them.
Mrs. Cumberland was no doubt satisfied with regard to the scruples8 she had raised, since she intended to countenance9 the wedding, and go to church. Dr. Rane and his bride would drive away from the church-door to the railway-station at Whitborough. The bridal tour was to last one week only. The doctor did not care to be longer away from his patients, and Bessy confessed that she would rather be at home, setting her house in order, than prolonging her stay at small inns in Wales. But for the disconcerting fact of madam's being in Paris, Dr. Rane would have liked to take Bessy across the Channel and give her her first glimpse of the French capital. Under madam's unjust rule, poor Bessy had never gone anywhere: Matilda North had been taken half over the world.
The new household arrangements at Dr. Rane's were to be accomplished10 during their week's absence: the articles of furniture--that Mr. North chose to consider belonged to Bessy--to be taken there from the Hall; the new carpet, Mrs. Cumberland's present, to be laid down in the drawing-room; Molly Green to enter as helpmate to Phillis. Surely madam would not grumble11 at that? Molly Green, going into a temper one day at some oppression of madam's, had given warning on the spot. Bessy liked the girl, and there could be no harm in engaging her as her own housemaid.
One of those taken into the secret had been Mrs. Gass. Richard, who greatly respected her in spite of her grammar, and liked her also, unfolded the news. She received it in silence: a very rare thing for Mrs. Gass to do. Just as it had struck Richard in regard to Mrs. Cumberland, so it struck him now--Mrs. Gass did not quite like the tidings.
"Well, I hope they'll be happy," she said at length, breaking the silence, "and I hope he deserves to be. I hope it with all my heart. Do you think he does, Mr. Richard?"
"Rane? Deserves to be happy? For all I see, he does. Why should he not?"
"I don't know," answered Mrs. Gass, looking into Richard's face. "Oliver Rane is my late husband's nephew, but he's three parts a stranger to me, except as a doctor; for he attends here, you know, sir,--as is natural--and not Alexander. Is he truthful12, Mr. Richard? Is he trustworthy?"
"He is, for anything I know to the contrary," replied Richard North, a little wondering at the turn the conversation was taking. "If I thought he was not, I should be very sorry to give Bessy to him."
"Then let us hope that he is, Mr. Richard, and wish 'em joy with all our hearts."
That a doubt was lying on Mrs. Gass's mind, in regard to the scrap13 of paper found in her room, was certain. Being a sensible woman, it could only be that--when surrounding mists had cleared away--she should see that the only likely place for it to have dropped from, was Dr. Rane's pocketbook. Molly Green had been subjected to a cross-examination, very cleverly conducted, as Mrs. Gass thought, which left the matter exactly as it was before. But the girl's surprise was so genuine, at supposing any receipt for making plum-pudding (for thus had Mrs. Gass put it) could have been dropped by her, that Mrs. Gass's mind could only revert14 to the pocketbook. How far Oliver Rane was guilty, whether guilty at all, she was quite unable to decide. A doubt remained in her mind, though she was glad enough to put it from her. One thing struck her as curious, if not suspicious--that from the hour she had handed him over the paper to this, Dr. Rane had never once spoken of the subject to her. It almost seemed to Mrs. Gass that an innocent man would have done so, though it had only been to say, I have found no clue to the writer.
And if a little of the same doubt rose to Richard North during his interview with Mrs. Gass, it was due to her manner. But he was upright himself, unsuspicious as the day. The impression faded again; and he came away believing that Mrs. Gass, zealous16 for the Norths' honours, rather disapproved17 of the marriage for Bessy, on account of the doctor's poverty.
And so, there was no one to give a word of warning where it might have been effectual, and the day fixed18 for the wedding drew on. After all, the programme was not strictly19 carried out, for Mr. North had one of his nervous attacks, and could not go to church.
At five minutes past nine o'clock, in the warm bright June morning, the Dallory Hall carriage drove up to Dallory Church. Richard North, his sister, and Arthur Bohun were within it. The forms and etiquette20 usually observed at weddings were slighted here, else how came Arthur Bohun, the bridegroom's best man, to come to church with the bride? What did it matter? Closely in its wake came up the other carriage--which ought to have been the first. In after days, when a strange ending had come to the marriage life of Oliver Rane and his wife, and Oliver was regarded with dread, assailed21 with reproach, people said the marriage had been the Norths' doings more than his. At any rate, Bessy was first at church, and both were a little late.
But Mr. North was not the only one who failed them; the other was Mrs. Cumberland. She assigned no reason for absenting herself from the ceremony, excepting a plea that she did not feel equal to it--which her son believed or not, as he pleased. Her new bright dress and bonnet were spread out on the bed; but she never as much as looked at them: and Ellen Adair found that she and Dr. Rane had to drive to church alone, in the hired carriage, arriving there almost simultaneously22 with the other party.
Richard North conducted his sister up the aisle23, the bridegroom following close on their steps. Ellen Adair and Captain Bohun, left behind, walked side by side. Bessy wore a pretty grey silk and plain white bonnet: she had a small bouquet24 in her hand that the gardener, Williams, had arranged for her, Ellen Adair was in a similar dress, and looked altogether lovely. Mr. Lea, the clergyman, stood ready, book in hand. The spectators in the church--for the event had got wind at the last moment, as these events almost always do, and many came--rose up with expectation.
Of all the party, the bridegroom alone seemed to suffer from nervousness. His answering voice was low, his words were abrupt25. It was the more remarkable26, because he was in general so self-contained and calm a man. Bessy, always timid and yielding, spoke15 with gentle firmness; not a shade of doubt or agitation27 seemed to cross her. But there occurred a frightful28 contretemps.
"The ring, if you please," whispered the officiating clergyman to the bridegroom at that part of the service where the ring was needed.
The ring! Oliver Rane felt in his waistcoat-pocket, and went into an agony of consternation29. The ring was not there. He must have left it on his dressing-table. The little golden symbol had been wrapped in white tissue paper, and he certainly remembered putting it into his waistcoat-pocket. It was as certainly not there now: and he supposed he must have put it out again.
"I have not got the ring!" he exclaimed hurriedly.
To keep a marriage ceremony waiting while a messenger ran a mile off for the ring and then ran a mile back again, was a thing that had never been heard of by the clergyman or any other of the startled individuals around him. What was to be done? It was suggested that perhaps some one present could furnish a ring that might suffice. Ellen Adair, standing30 in her beauty behind the bride, gently laid down the glove and bouquet she was holding, took off her own glove, and gave Oliver Rane a plain gold ring from her finger: one she always wore there. Arthur Bohun alone knew the history of the ring; the rest had never taken sufficient interest in her to inquire it; perhaps had never noticed that she wore one.
The service proceeded to its end. Had Oliver Rane gone a pilgrimage to all the jewellers' shops in Whitborough, he could not have chosen a more perfectly31 fitting wedding-ring than this. When they went into the vestry, Bessy, agitated32 by the mishap33 and the emotional position altogether, burst into tears, asking Ellen how she came by a wedding-ring.
The history was very simple. It arose--that is the possession of the ring--through the foolish romance of two young girls. Ellen and one of her schoolfellows named Maria Warne had formed a sincere and lasting34, attachment35 to each other. At the time of parting, when Ellen was leaving school for Mrs. Cumberland's, each had bought a plain gold ring to give the other, over which eternal friendship had been vowed36, together with an undertaking37 to wear the ring always. Alas38, for time and change! In less than six months afterwards, Ellen Adair received notice of the death of Maria Warne. The ring had in consequence become really precious to Ellen; but in this emergency she had not scrupled39 to part with it.
As they came out of the vestry, Ellen found herself face to face with Jelly. The clerk, and the two women pew-openers, and the sexton, considering themselves privileged people, pressed up where they chose: Jelly, who of course--living with Mrs. Cumberland--could not be at all confounded with the common spectators, chose to press with them. Her face was long and serious, as she caught "hold of Miss Adair.
"How could you, Miss Ellen?" she whispered. "Don't you know that nothing is more unlucky than for a bride to be married with anybody else's wedding-ring?"
"But it was not a wedding-ring, Jelly. Only a plain gold one."
"Anyway it was unlucky for you. We have a superstition40 in these parts, Miss Ellen, that if a maid takes off a ring from her own finger to serve at a pinch for a bride, she will never be a wife herself. I wouldn't have risked it, miss."
Ellen laughed gaily41, Jelly's dismay was so real and her face so grave. But there was no time for more. Richard held out his arm to her; and Oliver Rane was already taking out his bride. Close up against the door stood Mr. North's carriage, into which stepped the bride and bridegroom.
"My shawl! where's the shawl?" asked Bessy, looking round.
She had sat down upon it; and laughed gaily when Oliver drew it out. This shawl--a thin cashmere of quiet colours--was intended to be thrown on ere they reached the station. Her silk dress covered with that, and a black lace veil substituted for the white one on her bonnet, the most susceptible42 maid or matron who might happen to be travelling, would never take her for a bride.
Arthur Bohun deliberately43 flung an old white satin slipper44 after the carriage--it struck the old coachman's head, and the spectators shouted cheerily. Richard was going to the works. He placed Ellen in the carriage that had brought her.
"Will you pardon me, if I depute Captain Bohun to see you safely home instead of myself, Miss Adair? It is a very busy day at the works, and I must go there. Arthur, will you take charge of this young lady?"
What Ellen answered, she scarcely knew. Captain Bohun entered the carriage. The situation was wholly unexpected: and if their hearts beat a little faster in the tumult45 of the moment's happiness, Richard at least was unconscious of it.
"It is the first wedding I ever was at," began Ellen, feeling that she must talk to cover the embarrassment46 of the position. Both were feeling it: and moved as far apart from each other as if they had quarrelled: she in one corner, he in the further one opposite. "Of course it had been arranged that I should go home with Mrs. Cumberland."
"Is she ill?"
"Dr. Rane thinks it is only nervousness: he said so as we came along. I had to come with him alone. I am sure the people we passed on the road, who had not heard about Bessy thought it was I who was going to be married to him, they stared so into the carriage."
Ellen laughed as she said it. Arthur Bohun, drinking in draughts47 of her wondrous48 beauty, glanced at her meaningly, his blue eyes involuntarily betraying his earnest love.
"It may be your turn next, Ellen."
She blushed vividly49, and looked from the window as though she saw something passing. He felt tempted50 there and then to speak of his love. But he had a keen sense of the fitness of time and place; and she had been placed for these few minutes under his protection: it seemed like putting him on his honour, as schoolboys say. Besides, he had fully51 made up his mind not to speak until he saw his way clear to marry.
Ellen Adair brought her face round again. "Jelly is in a terrible way about the ring, foretelling52 all sorts of ill-luck to every one concerned, and is thankful it did not happen to her. Will Bessy keep my ring always, do you think? Perhaps she would not be legally married if she gave it me back and took to her own--when it is found?"
Arthur Bohun's eyes danced a little. "Perhaps not," he replied in the gravest tones. "I don't know what they, would have done without it, Ellen."
"I did not tell Bessy one thing, when she asked me about it in the vestry. I will never tell her if I can help it--that Maria Warne is dead. How was it Mr. North did not come?"
"Nervousness too, in my opinion. He said he was ill."
"Why should he be nervous?"
"Lest it should come to his wife's ears that he had so far countenanced53 the marriage as to be present at it."
"Can you tell why Mrs. North should set her face against it?"
"No. Unless it is because other people have wished it. I should only say as much to you, though, Ellen: she is my mother."
The implied confidence sounded very precious in her ears. She turned to the window again.
"I hope they will be happy. I think there is no doubt of it. Bessy is very sweet-tempered and gentle."
"He is good-tempered too."
"Yes, I think so. I have seen very little of him. There's Mrs. Gass!"
They were passing that lady's house. She sat at the open window; a grand amber54 gown on, white satin ribbons in her cap. Leaning out, she shook her handkerchief at them in violent greeting, just as though they had been the bride and bridegroom. As Ellen drew back in her corner after bowing, her foot touched something on the carpet at the bottom of the carriage.
"Why! what is this?"
They both stooped at once. It was the wedding-ring enclosed in its tissue paper. Captain Bohun unfolded the paper.
"Dr. Rane must have lost it out of his pocket as we went along," cried Ellen. "He said, you know, that he felt so sure he had put it in. What is to be done with it?"
"Wear it instead of your own until they come back again," said Arthur. "Bessy can then take her choice of the two."
Accepting the suggestion without thought of dissent55, Ellen took off her right glove and held out the other hand for the ring. He did not give it. Bending forward, he took her right hand and put it on for her.
"It fits as well as my own did."
Their eyes met. He had her hand still, as if trying how far the ring fitted. Her sweet face was like a damask rose.
"I trust I may put one on to better purpose some day, Ellen," came the murmuring, whispered, tremulous words. "Meanwhile--if Bessy does not claim this, remember that I have placed it on your finger."
Not another syllable56, not another look from either. Captain Bohun sat down in his corner; Ellen in hers, her hot face bent57 over the glove she was putting on, and fully believing that earth had changed to Paradise.
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1
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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7
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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8
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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9
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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10
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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12
truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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revert
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| v.恢复，复归，回到 | |
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15
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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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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disapproved
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| v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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bouquet
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| n.花束，酒香 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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30
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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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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32
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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36
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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39
scrupled
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| v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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41
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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42
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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43
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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44
slipper
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| n.拖鞋 | |
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45
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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46
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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47
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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48
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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49
vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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50
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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51
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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52
foretelling
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| v.预言，预示( foretell的现在分词 ) | |
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53
countenanced
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| v.支持，赞同，批准( countenance的过去式 ) | |
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54
amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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55
dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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56
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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57
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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