He was desperately17 in love with this girl--this bright, brilliant, haughty18, wilful19 girl. Even in all the mad fervour of his passion he allowed to himself that she was haughty and wilful, and he loved her all the morel--loved her with a depth and earnestness, with a wild passionate20 longing21 such as he had never believed he could have felt. Haughty and wilful! were not these very qualities great ingredients in her charm? Had he not for nearly forty years been living with the tame and commonplace women among whom his lot had been cast, and had any of them ever had the slightest influence over him? had they ever caused his heart one extra vibration--his pulse one extra throb22? Why should he not enter the lists and tilt23 amongst the others for the hand of this Queen of Beauty, who sat smiling so superciliously24 in the balcony? It was an open course, and he brought amongst his attributes a stout25 heart and a willing hand to the encounter. In curvettings and caracoles, and all the dainty manoeuvres of the manège, in courtly skill and trick of fence, there might be his superiors; but when the issue of the combat came to sheer hard fighting, where courage and persistency26 won the day, he would give way to none. And, carelessly fluttering over the leaves of his ledger27, as in his dim City office he revolved28 all these thoughts within his mind, he felt--not without a blush of shame--that he had secured the services of a most potent29 ally within the citadel30. In these portentous31 leaves the name of Edward Guyon, Esquire, of Queen-Anne Street, now had a small space reserved to itself, the details covering which, though insignificant32 in such a business as that of Streightley and Son, were multiplied amazingly since the first "transaction" which had brought the siren to the abode33 of Plutus. Over Robert Streightley Mr. Guyon had obtained an extraordinary influence; due, let it be stated, of course to a certain extent to the young merchant's infatuation, but also in a great degree to his own admirable tact34. During the course of a life passed in business Robert had seen many specimens35 of tracasserie and humbug36, which his good nurse had enabled him to estimate at their real value; but he had never been brought in contact with any of their professors who had, or seemed to have, the real charm of social influence. In Mr. Guyon's society--and of late he had been admitted into a great deal of Mr. Guyon's society--Robert Streightley seemed to feel himself a different being. There was nothing rough or unpleasant in his new friend and those to whom his new friend introduced him; he became for the first time in his life aware of the existence of another world, where well-bred ease, polished manners, and refined conversation were substituted for that eternal strife37 and fight and wrangle38 for money-getting in which his whole previous existence had been passed.
And she--Katharine--his adoration--she was of this world, and yet not of it so much as she might be; held not that queenly position in it which she might hold, were circumstances different. It would have taken a mind much less acute than Robert Streightley's to perceive at once the influence which the possession of wealth had among those who affected39 to despise it. In an instant he saw--few so rapidly--how many of the new society into which he had been introduced, while merely electro-plated and veneered, were endeavouring to pass themselves off as the genuine article; and he ascribed, correctly enough, the sneers40 at money, in which most members of the society indulged, to their lack of it. Why should he not be the means of giving her the position which she would so thoroughly41 adorn42? She looked a duchess; why should he not give her the power of gratifying the tastes of a duchess? Robert Streightley, constantly engaged in the accumulation of money, had given very little thought to the amount that he had accumulated. Confident in the security of his investments, he left the heap to gather in rolling; his simple life and the even more simple life led by his mother and sister in the Brixton villa43 were provided for at a comparatively infinitesimal cost; and of the bulk of his possessions he had taken little heed44, knowing that it was there "to the good." But recently, within the last few days, he had looked through his accounts, and found that he was the possessor of what would be considered, even in "the City," to be a large fortune. Money he had in funds, and stocks, and securities of all kinds; money in ships bound on antipodean voyages, and in semi-cleared Canadian forests; money in loans to Egyptian viceroys and Nicaraguan republics; money in an English estate, "all that house and estate known as 'Middlemeads,' in the county of Bucks45, with five hundred acres of parklike land, well-preserved coverts46, lake with fishing-temple, large stabling, forcing-houses, hothouses, orangery, delightfully48 situate on the brow of Holcomb Hill, with the silver Thames winding49 in the distance," as it was described in the auctioneer's advertisement. The auctioneer, whose descriptive powers are here recorded, had not the opportunity of bringing this "lot" to the hammer; for finding the previous bidding dull, Robert Streightley, to whom the estate had reverted50 on the foreclosure of a mortgage which he held upon it, determined51 to withdraw it from public competition, wisely thinking that he could sell it a better bargain to some private purchaser. When the bold idea of asking for Miss Guyon's hand first entered his head, the recollection of this property flashed upon him at once. He had never seen the place, but he knew from his agent that it was essentially52 a gentleman's house, and that the entire estate was large, productive, and one of which any one might be proud. "Mrs. Streightley of Middlemeads;" "Middlemeads, August;" "Mrs. R. Streightley presents"--Robert Streightley found himself sketching53 these words on his blotting-pad as these thoughts passed through his mind; and though he gave a short laugh of semi-contempt at the wildness of his fancy, the idea had so far possessed him, that he wrote off to his old friend and legal adviser54 Charles Yeldham, begging him to be at the Great-Western station at a given hour on the next morning, and go with him to see a place down the line which he had purchased as an investment.
At the appointed time Mr. Streightley walked on to the platform, and found his friend already awaiting him. Mr. Charles Yeldham was indeed instantly recognisable. In all the crowd of pushing anxious passengers he stood perfectly55 calm and self-possessed, heeding56 neither the porters wheeling heavy barrows, who shouted to him "By your leave!" and charged straight at him with the obvious intention of grinding him to powder; the grooms57, vainly endeavouring to hold their braces58 of pointers, which invariably came to grief through disinclination to go the same side of the columns supporting the roof; the helpless female, or the excited male passengers. There were men in every variety of travelling-dress, in wide-awakes, and pork-pie hats, and cloth caps, and fezzes; in suits of dittoes in every conceivable variety of check, in knickerbockers and gaiters, in tightly-fitting 'horsy' trousers, and wearing couriers' bags or slung59 race-glasses. But among them placidly60 walked Charles Yeldham, in his broadish-brimmed chimney-pot, his high-buttoning black waistcoat, his Oxford-mixture trousers very baggy61 at the knees, and his Wellington boots--among them, but not of them--with a pleasant smile on his cheery face, and with his head full of the case of Marshland versus62 the Bagglehole Improvement Company, the pleadings in which he had to draw. But he saw Streightley at once, and as he caught sight of him he again noticed the change in his friend's style of dress, which he had not thought of since their meeting at the Botanical Gardens, and laughed quietly to himself.
"This is good, Yeldham; I knew you would come," said Streightley, as the train moved out of the station. "You're just the man I want for a sound practical opinion."
"On an estate which you've bought, Robert? Yes; my knowledge of the value of land, derived63 from occasionally looking out on to and running round the Temple Gardens; the quick eye with which, from constant practice, I shall be able to detect any shortcomings in the building, and suggest improvements; my general acquaintance with farming-stock and agricultural produce, will enable me to give you some very valuable advice."
"You're laughing at me, old friend; but it don't much matter; and I know of old that you always will have your joke. No; it was not exactly on these points that I wanted to consult you,--in fact, not at all upon them. With all your pretended ignorance, you are a country-bred man, and one able to give a thoroughly practical opinion on the value of Middlemeads and its capabilities65; and moreover, by this means I get you out quietly into the air and away from these stivy chambers67, and have the opportunity of a long quiet talk with you about--about any subject that may turn up, without the risk of your being worried by perpetual visits of attorneys' clerks, or the annoyance69 of seeing you constantly fidgetting to get to your desk again and get to work at something else."
"O ho, Master Robert! then this is a trap, is it? a kind of perforce holiday into which you have led me?"
"Not at all. Wait until the day is over, until I've said all I've got to say, and you've heard it, before you complain. And even if it were--supposing it were a holiday, you don't take so many of them that you need grudge70 yourself this outing."
"So far as that goes we're both in the same boat, I think; but I have had a holiday, and only a couple of days ago, when I was at the Botanical--Why, by Jove! you were there too."
"Of course I was. That is good! our each giving the other credit for constant industry, and then recollecting71 that we had lapsed72 into idleness together. By the way, that Mr. Frere--who lives with you, doesn't he?--what sort of fellow is he?"
"A capital fellow," said honest old Charley Yeldham; "a good deal younger than we are, you know, Robert, and consequently more impulsive73, and what he would call 'gushing'--and yet older in some respects too; older in cynicism and so-called knowledge of life, and--; but a very good fellow, a capital youngster. I've known him since he was a boy. He was a pupil of my father's."
"O, indeed! Has he--has he been very long intimate with Mr. Guyon's family, do you know?"
"No, not very long, I should say. By the way, I did not know until I met you with him that you knew Mr. Guyon, Robert."
"Didn't you? Q yes; a business acquaintance of mine."
"Business acquaintance? Hem2! I can understand Mr. Guyon's popularity from a social point of view, but in matters of business I confess I think that----"
"Don't you fear, dear old Charley; I know all about that; and--and does Frere go often to the Guyons'?"
"N-no; not very often, I think. He's been once or twice lately; but he's not likely to see much more of them this season, as he's gone out of town--down to his father's--on a matter of business. What do you think of Miss Guyon?"
"She is very handsome--at least I suppose so; I'm not much of a judge in those matters. And how are we getting on with Hamilton's action?"
Upon which question the gentlemen plunged75 into a conversation full of business details, which occupied them until they arrived at their station, where alighting, they hired a trap and drove over to Middlemeads.
Passing through a little village, and turning sharply to the right after sighting the old church, they came upon a quaint64 one-storied stone lodge76. Standing77 out from the ivy66, in which it otherwise was buried, stood a sculptured knight78 in fall armour79 treading on a serpent, the well-known crest80 of the Chevers of Middlemeads, the glorious old family whose ancestral seat had passed to strangers, and whose last scion81 was now dwelling82 in a little cottage at Capécure near Boulogne. A few short words of explanation to the old portress gained them admission, and they entered a long drive leading through groves83 of noble trees and over undulating ground--where the deer, half hidden in the deep fern, were quietly feeding--to the house. Then under the principal gateway84 with its long range of gables and unrelieved wall, through the double arch in the first court, which was carpeted with greensward, to the second or paved court, fronted with its pure Ionic colonnade85, where the old housekeeper86, already apprised87 of their coming, was in readiness to receive them. Charles Yeldham's heart, albeit88 somewhat incrusted with legal formul? and a long course of Doe and Roe89, yet filled with reverence90 for antiquity91 and appreciation92 of architectural beauty, thrilled within him as, preceded by the old housekeeper, they walked through the great hall, now denuded93 of its glorious family pictures, its Holbeins and Lelys, its Jansens and Knellers, its grand Vandyke, its "Animals reposing94" by Snyders, and its "Riding-party" by Wouvermans--all long since dispersed95 at the hands of Christie and Manson, but still retaining its fireplace with the ornamental96 fire-dogs bearing the arms and initials H. A. of Henry VIII. and Anne Boleyn, royal guests of the Chevers in the good old days. Through the Brown Gallery and Lady Betty Chiddingstone's chamber68, through the Spangled Bedroom, and the King's Room, where James I. had passed a night, through the Organ Room, where still stood the ancient instrument which had been used for divine service in connection with the adjoining chapel98, long since dismantled99 and half in ruins, they passed; and in each the old cicerone poured forth100 her oft-told tale of byegone glories.
While in each of these rooms, Yeldham indulged in retrospect101, peopling them according to his fancy with those who might have inhabited them, picturing to himself how the stately lords and ladies lived and moved and had their being; and smiled half-cynically to himself in the thought that, other differences allowed, they were doubtless swayed by the same passions, victims of the same hopes and fears and doubts, moved by the same temptations, and acted on by the same impulses as we of these degenerate102 days. He was surprised to find that his companion was going through the house in the most practical manner, apportioning103 the rooms one by one to their several purposes, deciding upon the Brown Gallery for a drawing-room, the King's Chamber for the principal bedroom, planning the furniture and fittings for the great hall, and altogether comporting104 himself as though he were the head of a large family come down to make the necessary arrangements for its immediate105 induction106. This notion struck him at first comically, but when he saw it persevered107 in in every detail, he began to think more seriously of it; and after they had left the house, and were again in the trap driving back to the station, he turned to his friend and said,
"Why, Robert, what on earth is in your head now? I've been perfectly astonished in watching you ever since we entered Middlemeads."
"Have you? In what way have I excited your astonishment108? Did I swagger too much about my purchase? did I what they call 'gush74' about my place?"
"Not a bit; and if you had, there would have been every excuse for you. A more delightful47 old house and more perfect grounds never were seen."
"Well, then, what did I do?"
"Well, it seemed to me that you didn't regard the place from a bachelor point of view. You were planning drawing-rooms, and bedrooms, and dining-halls, and----"
"You know that my mother and sister form part of my belongings109?"
"Ye-es; but I didn't hear any mention of your mother and sister, and----"
"Speak plainly, Charley, and say that you think I contemplate4 matrimony."
"And suppose I were to say so?"
"Suppose you were? Well, then, all I could say would be--that I felt myself a sneak110 for not having owned the fact before to you, my dear old friend. But in any thing out of my regular routine of business I'm as shy as a great schoolgirl; and I could not bring myself to tell even you about it."
"Then it's a case, Robert. A case at last with you, of all men in the world. I feel now that even I myself am not impregnable, after 'Bob Sobersides' has surrendered at discretion111."
"Chat away, old fellow. I've no reply to make, save that the opposing force was irresistible--as I think you'll allow."
"My dear Streightley, I hope I'm a true friend, but I don't think you could have a worse confidant in an affair of this kind, so far as giving any opinion on an unknown young lady is concerned----"
"But suppose the young lady is not unknown to you?"
"Not unknown to me! Well, that alters the case of course. But, God bless my soul, who can--who can have won your love in this sudden way, Robert? You're not a man of impulse; you're accustomed to think deeply, and weigh and balance before committing yourself--you would not do any thing rash. Who on earth can it be?"
"I'm a bad hand at concealing112 any thing of this sort," said Streightley with a half-rueful smile. "Indeed, I think I must seem awkward about the whole business; but the truth of it is, old friend--I'm madly in love with Miss Guyon, and I hope to make her my wife."
"Miss Guyon?"
"Ay, Miss Guyon. It has not been a long acquaintance, I know; but I believe those things never are--I mean that--you know what I mean. But you know her; at least you've seen her, and--that must be my excuse for the rashness, and the folly113, and whatever the world chooses to call it. For she is very lovely, isn't she, Charley?"
"Very lovely, indeed!" said Yeldham.
And then, as though by a tacit understanding, both men leaned back in the carriage, and delivered themselves up to their own reflections.
Needless to say what were Robert Streightley's. Vague desires to call up well-remembered expressions of Katharine's faze, which yet refused to be recalled at the moment; dim distrusts and doubts of his own chance of winning her hand; soul-disturbing thoughts of her friendship with Gordon Frere; wild plots of laying Mr. Guyon under even greater obligations to him, and thus making sure of his alliance and support; dreamy reminiscences of how she had looked and moved, and what she had done and said on the several occasions when he had seen her.
Charles Yeldham's thoughts were of a very different kind. Here was this simple girl, of whose existence he had scarcely known a few days ago, now exercising influence over the future fate of three--no, of two men: as for himself--bah! the chambers and the pleadings, the hard work which was to make up little Clare's dowry,--that was his fate, and there was an end of it so far as he was concerned. But Gordon? Poor Gordon, who had gone off full of life and hope to urge upon his father the necessity of "doing something for him," actuated thereto solely114 by the hope of propitiating115 Mr. Guyon by being able to show himself in a position to ask for Katharine's hand; poor Gordon, who was at that moment doubtless promising116 and vowing117 all sorts of things in his own name to his father, and who, if he succeeded in getting promise of an appointment, would write off triumphantly118 in prosecution119 of his suit, or who, if he failed, would come back to town and try and pursue it without the necessary qualification, but who in either case would have a cold shoulder turned upon him and the door shut in his face so soon as a suitor of Streightley's calibre was known to have entered the lists. "I hope to make her my wife." Those were Robert Streightley's words; and from them Yeldham could not gather whether or not the final question had been asked; but be that as it might, he knew sufficiently120 of Mr. Guyon to feel certain that Gordon's hopes were destined121 to suffer utter wreck122. Would not the girl herself be true to the--to the what? What could this poor lad adduce in support of the flame which he had nourished but the ordinary flirtation-phrases indulged in night after night in hundreds of London ball-rooms? How could he (Yeldham) tell whether Katharine loved Gordon or not? He had no clearer indication than the readiness of a joyous123, enthusiastic, rather trivial nature to believe in the existence of what it hoped and desired; he shrunk from the idea of the lad's disappointment, but, after all, he knew Gordon Frere too well to suppose that he would be unlike the remainder of mankind, that he would not get over it in time--in perhaps no very long time. Had it been himself now,--had he loved Katharine Guyon and another came to win her from him by his superior wealth--but he would not pursue so futile124 a thought as that,--he had nothing to do with love. Hard work, and not the indulgence of fancy, was his lot; and he was content. He wished it was over though, and that Gordon knew the worst.
These and many other thoughts resembling them chased each other through Yeldham's brain, and rendered it difficult to him to keep up even the desultory125 conversation for which only Streightley was disposed. The friends parted at the railway station, and Yeldham betook himself at once to his chambers. It was a still, hot evening, and the airlessness of the rooms oppressed him. He was a man little influenced by such things ordinarily; yet this evening the grim cheerlessness, the dust, the ungentle disarray126, in whose disorderliness there was a kind of order, of which he held the key; the harsh bundles of papers, the very fittings of the rooms, in which all was scrupulously127 designed for use, and as devoid128 of ornament97 as only true British business upholstery knows how to be,--all these things made themselves suddenly apparent. He revolted against them, against his life in general. It suddenly seemed alike hard and useless: what was he grinding away like this for? supposing his object accomplished129, cui bono? An unwholesome frame of mind to be betrayed into, even for a little while--a relaxation130, a renunciation of the great principle of duty which had upheld and guided him so long; and Charles Yeldham knew that it was so, and felt afraid of himself. He shrank from the first insidious131 chill of the advancing tide of discontent; he recognised the deadliness of it.
"Yes, that's it," he said thoughtfully, when, having emptied his letter-box, and looked over the memoranda132 left for his inspection133 by his clerk, he sat moodily134 by the open window, through which faint sounds from the river reached his ears: "Yes, that's it. I have seen a fine place to-day, and talked with a rich man--a man who hardly knows how rich he really is, I fancy--about what he is to do with his money; and I suppose I am actually envious135, cut up by the sight of something desirable that never can be mine. He is going to invest in happiness, is he?--to buy a beautiful idol136, and set her up in a splendid shrine137? he's rich enough to do it, if he likes. I wonder how it is really. I wonder whether he will be as happy as he believes. But no--I don't wonder any thing of the kind, of course; no one ever was or will be, since life is limited, and faith is infinite. It's a dull business, I fancy, even at the best--as dull perhaps as it is to me, who am so very far off the best."
And then Charles Yeldham rose, shook off the unusual and perilous138 mood which had held him already too long, and sat down resolutely139 to his work. It was very late that night when he went to bed; and sleep kept away from him in a harassing140 manner. The events of the day reproduced themselves in his thoughts, which escaped his control, and dragged him in their course. The strange imbroglio141 in which he found himself engaged; the clashing interests of two friends, in whom he was greatly though not equally interested; the certain crash of the hopes and projects of one of them; his uncertainty142 of the extent to which Streightley had received encouragement, but which his knowledge of Robert's real diffidence of character and unconsciousness of his own value in the eyes of a scheming and mercenary society, induced him to believe must have been considerable; his doubts as to the course he ought to pursue towards Gordon;--no wonder he could not sleep while these conflicting thoughts battled with each other in his mind.
The practical result of his cogitations was, that Charles Yeldham decided143 on postponing144 any communication with Frere until his return. Gordon was not likely to write to him--he hated letter-writing rather more than he hated any other kind of mental exertion145; and whether his application to his father might have good results or not, he would no doubt return without delay. On the other perplexing question--had Streightley proposed to Miss Guyon?--Yeldham ardently146 desired information; but for the present there was no means of attaining147 it within his reach. He must wait like the others--only not like them in this, that he did not wait and hope. He was only an outsider, an inconsiderable person, the recipient148 of half-confidence on one side, the confidant of baseless hopes, as he feared, upon the other; while to one principally concerned he was nothing. No conjuncture of affairs could make him an object of importance in the life of the proud beautiful girl, whose fair face came between him and every thing on which he strove to fix his attention; the only woman's face which had ever charmed Charles Yeldham.
Hester Gould had seen a good deal of her friends at Hampstead since the evening on which she had made so favourable149 an impression on Mr. Daniel Thacker. She had accompanied her dear Rachel and Rebecca to the Botanical promenade150, whither they had repaired arrayed in much splendour, and with the gorgeousness of colouring and richness of material affected by their nation. Mr. Thacker had joined the party, and had exerted himself to the utmost to be agreeable to Miss Gould, whom he admired more than ever, when he contrasted the taste and propriety151 of her dress with the splendid array of his sisters, from which he shrunk with dismay. As it suited Hester's plans for obtaining information that Daniel Thacker should succeed in these efforts, he did succeed, and she had enjoyed an opportunity of observing Miss Guyon closely and attentively152, during her animated153 conversation with Gordon Frere, and also during her father's empressé introduction of Streightley to her notice. She had decided, with characteristic readiness, on entering the grounds, that she would tell Thacker that she wished to see Miss Guyon; and she had done so. Mr. Thacker had entertained a distinct purpose of business, in addition to that of pleasure, in coming to the fête; and it was a source of conscientious154 gratification to him that he found himself enabled to serve both. He had been informed by Mr. Guyon that Streightley would be there, and he resolved to see for himself how that gentleman stood with Miss Guyon. Thus he and Hester were each bent155 upon a similar object. There was, however, one material difference between their modes of pursuing it. Mr. Thacker did not begin to watch Katharine until Streightley joined her. Hester Gould watched her from the first moment she distinguished156 her figure amid the gay group, which was one of the most conspicuous157 in the gardens. She watched her, not with the jealous gaze of an angry woman watching a dangerous rival, but with unclouded, unprejudiced senses, with close admiring attention, and the keen perception of a woman gifted with intuitive knowledge of the world, a cool temper, and unusual discretion. She had seen expectation and pleasure in every line of Miss Guyon's expressive158 face, as Gordon joined her; she had marked the heightened colour, the brightened eye, as they passed and repassed each other; she had heard the note of irrepressible gladness in the sweet musical voice; and Hester Gould knew that Katharine Guyon loved the fair-haired young man, in whose air and figure she recognised the ease and self-possession, the simplicity159 and frankness, which made Gordon so attractive, as well as the girl who was giving herself up to all the unrestrained happiness of young love knew it. Hester did not ask her companion who Gordon Frere was; she did not attract his attention to the young gentleman at all; on the contrary, she engrossed160 it so completely, that when she said quietly, "There is Ellen Streightley's brother talking to your friend's daughter now, Mr. Thacker," Daniel looked round with a start, and felt that he had almost forgotten the business part of his purpose.
A bow of recognition had passed between Mr. Guyon and Mr. Daniel Thacker, but Robert Streightley had not seen Miss Gould. It had not been her intention that he should see her; her purpose was to observe him closely, and she had effected it. She was no more mistaken in her estimate of his sentiments than in that of Katharine's; and it vas characteristic of her that, though her observations changed a vague surmise161 into a positive certainty, a threatening risk into a certain present danger, she betrayed not a sign of uneasiness or discouragement. Neither her colour nor her countenance162 changed, though she saw before her eyes the overthrow163 of a scheme cherished long and deeply--though she could only calculate the chances in her favour by a vague speculation164 on the possible fortune and position of the young man she had seen with Katharine; or, supposing he had neither, on Katharine's strength of determination in opposition165 to her father. It was also characteristic of Hester Gould that, though she had determined to marry Streightley without permitting herself to love him, she told herself that night that she felt a degree of dislike to Katharine Guyon, which might, if she did not take care, grow into hatred166.
"She is my unconscious and involuntary rival," said the strange woman, whose candour towards herself was never laid aside, "and I must not hate her; for hatred is troublesome--a passion--and I will never put myself under the tyranny of a passion."
Hester Gould was at the Brixton Villa when Robert returned from his visit to Middlemeads. Mrs. Streightley and his sister were aware that he had gone into the country, but they knew no more. When he examined the letters sent by his orders from the City, he found among them one from Mr. Guyon, requesting him, if possible, to call on him on the following day, leaving the hour to his selection, but urging his attention to the request. The letter was a dainty missive, with a fine coloured monogram167 on the seal, and expressing in its appearance as wide a difference between itself and Robert's ordinary correspondence as it was in the power of stationery168 to convey. Ellen Streightley was one of those young ladies blessed with a taste for simple pleasures, and who rated the possession of crests169 and monograms170 very high among them. Accordingly she exclaimed,
"O Robert, that's something in my line. Do let me have it!"
He handed her the envelope.
"O, how delightfully intricate! I can't make it out. What are the letters, Robert? Whose name is it?"
"The letters are K.S.G.," said Robert, rather reluctantly.
Hester watched him closely: "O, that's it, is it? but what is the name?"
"Katharine Sibylla Guyon," replied Robert; and still Hester watched his embarrassment171. "But the note is from Mr. Guyon--he wants to see me. I suppose he wrote it at his daughter's desk."
Ellen perceived nothing of her brother's embarrassment, and went on:
"Robert, you never saw Hester the other day at the Botanical Fête, but she saw you; and you were talking to such a beautiful girl; she says she is sure it was Miss Guyon,--was it?"
"Yes," returned her brother, "that was Miss Guyon; it must have been, for I did not know any other lady who was there. I am sorry I did not see you, Miss Gould. Did you enjoy the fête?"
"Very much indeed," said Hester. "I was particularly struck with Miss Guyon. She seems to be very much admired. I saw a gentleman with her before you arrived,--a very young man with fair hair, very handsome. He seemed completely captivated, I thought. You must excuse my talking such nonsense, ma'am; but I really was amused looking at them. Do you know who he is, Mr. Streightley?"
"I fancy from your description the gentleman in question is a Mr. Gordon Frere," Robert answered in a formal tone, whose bitterness and displeasure Hester Gould did not fail to recognise. She turned the conversation at once, and took her leave early, having received all Ellen's confidences before Robert's return, and having duly admired the mingled172 piety173 and sentiment of the Reverend Decimus Dutton's latest letter.
Ellen retired174 immediately after Hester's departure, and was soon fast asleep, with a neat packet of the missionary's love-letters under her pillow, and a locket containing a photographic likeness175 of that apostle, which might have taken a prize for feebleness, resting upon her innocent breast.
Robert Streightley sat up late with his mother, and told her of his visit to Middlemeads, his purposes respecting the estate, and the hopes which had led to their formation.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
hem
|
|
| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
previously
|
|
| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
contemplate
|
|
| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
contemplated
|
|
| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
straightforward
|
|
| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
mania
|
|
| n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
irresistibly
|
|
| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
impelled
|
|
| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
pang
|
|
| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
steered
|
|
| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
prudence
|
|
| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
foresight
|
|
| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
acumen
|
|
| n.敏锐，聪明 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
desperately
|
|
| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
haughty
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
wilful
|
|
| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
passionate
|
|
| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
longing
|
|
| n.（for）渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
throb
|
|
| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
tilt
|
|
| v.(使)倾侧；(使)倾斜；n.倾侧；倾斜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
superciliously
|
|
| adv.高傲地；傲慢地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
persistency
|
|
| n. 坚持(余辉, 时间常数) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
ledger
|
|
| n.总帐，分类帐；帐簿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
revolved
|
|
| v.（使）旋转( revolve的过去式和过去分词 )；细想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
potent
|
|
| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
citadel
|
|
| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
portentous
|
|
| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
insignificant
|
|
| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
tact
|
|
| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
specimens
|
|
| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
humbug
|
|
| n.花招，谎话，欺骗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
strife
|
|
| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
wrangle
|
|
| vi.争吵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
affected
|
|
| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
sneers
|
|
| 讥笑的表情（言语）( sneer的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
adorn
|
|
| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
villa
|
|
| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
bucks
|
|
| n.雄鹿( buck的名词复数 )；钱；（英国十九世纪初的）花花公子；（用于某些表达方式）责任v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的第三人称单数 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
coverts
|
|
| n.隐蔽的，不公开的，秘密的( covert的名词复数 )；复羽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
delightfully
|
|
| 大喜，欣然 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
winding
|
|
| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
reverted
|
|
| 恢复( revert的过去式和过去分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
essentially
|
|
| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
sketching
|
|
| n.草图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
adviser
|
|
| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
heeding
|
|
| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
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： |
|
|
|
|
58
braces
|
|
| n.吊带，背带；托架( brace的名词复数 )；箍子；括弧；（儿童）牙箍v.支住( brace的第三人称单数 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
slung
|
|
| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
placidly
|
|
| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
baggy
|
|
| adj.膨胀如袋的，宽松下垂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
versus
|
|
| prep.以…为对手，对；与…相比之下 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
derived
|
|
| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
quaint
|
|
| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
capabilities
|
|
| n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
ivy
|
|
| n.常青藤，常春藤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
chambers
|
|
| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
annoyance
|
|
| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
grudge
|
|
| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
recollecting
|
|
| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
lapsed
|
|
| adj.流失的，堕落的v.退步( lapse的过去式和过去分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
impulsive
|
|
| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
gush
|
|
| v.喷，涌；滔滔不绝(说话)；n.喷，涌流；迸发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
lodge
|
|
| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
knight
|
|
| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
armour
|
|
| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
crest
|
|
| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
scion
|
|
| n.嫩芽，子孙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
dwelling
|
|
| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
groves
|
|
| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
gateway
|
|
| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
colonnade
|
|
| n.柱廊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
housekeeper
|
|
| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
apprised
|
|
| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
albeit
|
|
| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
roe
|
|
| n.鱼卵；獐鹿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
reverence
|
|
| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
antiquity
|
|
| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
appreciation
|
|
| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
denuded
|
|
| adj.[医]变光的，裸露的v.使赤裸( denude的过去式和过去分词 )；剥光覆盖物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
reposing
|
|
| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
dispersed
|
|
| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
ornamental
|
|
| adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
ornament
|
|
| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
chapel
|
|
| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
dismantled
|
|
| 拆开( dismantle的过去式和过去分词 )； 拆卸； 废除； 取消 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
retrospect
|
|
| n.回顾，追溯；v.回顾，回想，追溯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
degenerate
|
|
| v.退步，堕落；adj.退步的，堕落的；n.堕落者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
apportioning
|
|
| vt.分摊，分配（apportion的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
comporting
|
|
| v.表现( comport的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
105
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
induction
|
|
| n.感应，感应现象 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
persevered
|
|
| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
belongings
|
|
| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
sneak
|
|
| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
discretion
|
|
| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
concealing
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
folly
|
|
| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
solely
|
|
| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
propitiating
|
|
| v.劝解，抚慰，使息怒( propitiate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
116
promising
|
|
| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
vowing
|
|
| 起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
triumphantly
|
|
| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
prosecution
|
|
| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
destined
|
|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
wreck
|
|
| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
joyous
|
|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
futile
|
|
| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
desultory
|
|
| adj.散漫的，无方法的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
disarray
|
|
| n.混乱，紊乱，凌乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
scrupulously
|
|
| adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
devoid
|
|
| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
relaxation
|
|
| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
insidious
|
|
| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
memoranda
|
|
| n. 备忘录, 便条 名词memorandum的复数形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
inspection
|
|
| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
moodily
|
|
| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
envious
|
|
| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
idol
|
|
| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
shrine
|
|
| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
perilous
|
|
| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
resolutely
|
|
| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
harassing
|
|
| v.侵扰，骚扰( harass的现在分词 )；不断攻击（敌人） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
imbroglio
|
|
| n.纷乱，纠葛，纷扰，一团糟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
uncertainty
|
|
| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
postponing
|
|
| v.延期，推迟( postpone的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
exertion
|
|
| n.尽力，努力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
ardently
|
|
| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
attaining
|
|
| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
recipient
|
|
| a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
favourable
|
|
| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
promenade
|
|
| n./v.散步 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
propriety
|
|
| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
attentively
|
|
| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
animated
|
|
| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
conscientious
|
|
| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
conspicuous
|
|
| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
expressive
|
|
| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
simplicity
|
|
| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
engrossed
|
|
| adj.全神贯注的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
surmise
|
|
| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
overthrow
|
|
| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
speculation
|
|
| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
monogram
|
|
| n.字母组合 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
stationery
|
|
| n.文具；(配套的)信笺信封 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
crests
|
|
| v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的第三人称单数 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
monograms
|
|
| n.字母组合( monogram的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
embarrassment
|
|
| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
piety
|
|
| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
174
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
likeness
|
|
| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |