He woke to think of her of whom he had dreamed. The light had dawned on his soul. Coningsby loved.
Ah! what is that ambition that haunts our youth, that thirst for power or that lust8 of fame that forces us from obscurity into the sunblaze of the world, what are these sentiments so high, so vehement9, so ennobling? They vanish, and in an instant, before the glance of a woman!
Coningsby had scarcely quitted her side the preceding eve. He hung upon the accents of that clear sweet voice, and sought, with tremulous fascination10, the gleaming splendour of those soft dark eyes. And now he sat in his chamber11, with his eyes fixed12 on vacancy13. All thoughts and feelings, pursuits, desires, life, merge14 in one absorbing sentiment.
It is impossible to exist without seeing her again, and instantly. He had requested and gained permission to call on Lady Wallinger; he would not lose a moment in availing himself of it. As early as was tolerably decorous, and before, in all probability, they could quit their hotel, Coningsby repaired to the Rue de Rivoli to pay his respects to his new friends.
As he walked along, he indulged in fanciful speculations15 which connected Edith and the mysterious portrait of his mother. He felt himself, as it were, near the fulfilment of some fate, and on the threshold of some critical discovery. He recalled the impatient, even alarmed, expressions of Rigby at Montem six years ago, when he proposed to invite young Millbank to his grandfather’s dinner; the vindictive16 feud17 that existed between the two families, and for which political opinion, or even party passion, could not satisfactorily account; and he reasoned himself into a conviction, that the solution of many perplexities was at hand, and that all would be consummated18 to the satisfaction of every one, by his unexpected but inevitable19 agency.
Coningsby found Sir Joseph alone. The worthy20 Baronet was at any rate no participator in Mr. Millbank’s vindictive feelings against Lord Monmouth. On the contrary, he had a very high respect for a Marquess, whatever might be his opinions, and no mean consideration for a Marquess’ grandson.
Sir Joseph had inherited a large fortune made by commerce, and had increased it by the same means. He was a middle-class Whig, had faithfully supported that party in his native town during the days they wandered in the wilderness21, and had well earned his share of the milk and honey when they had vanquished22 the promised land. In the springtide of Liberalism, when the world was not analytical23 of free opinions, and odious24 distinctions were not drawn25 between Finality men and progressive Reformers, Mr. Wallinger had been the popular leader of a powerful body of his fellow-citizens, who had returned him to the first Reformed Parliament, and where, in spite of many a menacing registration26, he had contrived27 to remain. He had never given a Radical28 vote without the permission of the Secretary of the Treasury29, and was not afraid of giving an unpopular one to serve his friends. He was not like that distinguished30 Liberal, who, after dining with the late Whig Premier31, expressed his gratification and his gratitude32, by assuring his Lordship that he might count on his support on all popular questions.
‘I want men who will support the government on all unpopular questions,’ replied the witty33 statesman.
Mr. Wallinger was one of these men. His high character and strong purse were always in the front rank in the hour of danger. His support in the House was limited to his votes; but in other places equally important, at a meeting at a political club, or in Downing Street, he could find his tongue, take what is called a ‘practical’ view of a question, adopt what is called an ‘independent tone,’ reanimate confidence in ministers, check mutiny, and set a bright and bold example to the wavering. A man of his property, and high character, and sound views, so practical and so independent, this was evidently the block from which a Baronet should be cut, and in due time he figured Sir Joseph.
A Spanish gentleman of ample means, and of a good Catalan family, flying during a political convulsion to England, arrived with his two daughters at Liverpool, and bore letters of introduction to the house of Wallinger. Some little time after this, by one of those stormy vicissitudes34 of political fortune, of late years not unusual in the Peninsula, he returned to his native country, and left his children, and the management of that portion of his fortune that he had succeeded in bringing with him, under the guardianship35 of the father of the present Sir Joseph. This gentleman was about again to become an exile, when he met with an untimely end in one of those terrible tumults36 of which Barcelona is the frequent scene.
The younger Wallinger was touched by the charms of one of his father’s wards37. Her beauty of a character to which he was unaccustomed, her accomplishments38 of society, and the refinement39 of her manners, conspicuous40 in the circle in which he lived, captivated him; and though they had no heir, the union had been one of great felicity. Sir Joseph was proud of his wife; he secretly considered himself, though his ‘tone’ was as liberal and independent as in old days, to be on the threshold of aristocracy, and was conscious that Lady Wallinger played her part not unworthily in the elevated circles in which they now frequently found themselves. Sir Joseph was fond of great people, and not averse41 to travel; because, bearing a title, and being a member of the British Parliament, and always moving with the appendages42 of wealth, servants, carriages, and couriers, and fortified43 with no lack of letters from the Foreign Office, he was everywhere acknowledged, and received, and treated as a personage; was invited to court-balls, dined with ambassadors, and found himself and his lady at every festival of distinction.
The elder Millbank had been Joseph Wallinger’s youthful friend. Different as were their dispositions44 and the rate of their abilities, their political opinions were the same; and commerce habitually45 connected their interests. During a visit to Liverpool, Millbank had made the acquaintance of the sister of Lady Wallinger, and had been a successful suitor for her hand. This lady was the mother of Edith and of the schoolfellow of Coningsby. It was only within a very few years that she had died; she had scarcely lived long enough to complete the education of her daughter, to whom she was devoted46, and on whom she lavished47 the many accomplishments that she possessed48. Lady Wallinger having no children, and being very fond of her niece, had watched over Edith with infinite solicitude49, and finally had persuaded Mr. Millbank, that it would be well that his daughter should accompany them in their somewhat extensive travels. It was not, therefore, only that nature had developed a beautiful woman out of a bashful girl since Coningsby’s visit to Millbank; but really, every means and every opportunity that could contribute to render an individual capable of adorning50 the most accomplished51 circles of life, had naturally, and without effort, fallen to the fortunate lot of the manufacturer’s daughter. Edith possessed an intelligence equal to those occasions. Without losing the native simplicity52 of her character, which sprang from the heart, and which the strong and original bent53 of her father’s mind had fostered, she had imbibed54 all the refinement and facility of the polished circles in which she moved. She had a clear head, a fine taste, and a generous spirit; had received so much admiration55, that, though by no means insensible to homage56, her heart was free; was strongly attached to her family; and, notwithstanding all the splendour of Rome, and the brilliancy of Paris, her thoughts were often in her Saxon valley, amid the green hills and busy factories of Millbank.
Sir Joseph, finding himself alone with the grandson of Lord Monmouth, was not very anxious that the ladies should immediately appear. He thought this a good opportunity of getting at what are called ‘the real feelings of the Tory party;’ and he began to pump with a seductive semblance57 of frankness. For his part, he had never doubted that a Conservative government was ultimately inevitable; had told Lord John so two years ago, and, between themselves, Lord John was of the same opinion. The present position of the Whigs was the necessary fate of all progressive parties; could not see exactly how it would end; thought sometimes it must end in a fusion58 of parties; but could not well see how that could be brought about, at least at present. For his part, should be happy to witness an union of the best men of all parties, for the preservation59 of peace and order, without any reference to any particular opinions. And, in that sense of the word, it was not at all impossible he might find it his duty some day to support a Conservative government.
Sir Joseph was much astonished when Coningsby, who being somewhat impatient for the entrance of the ladies was rather more abrupt60 than his wont61, told the worthy Baronet that he looked, upon a government without distinct principles of policy as only a stop-gap to a wide-spread and demoralising anarchy62; that he for one could not comprehend how a free government could endure without national opinions to uphold it; and that governments for the preservation of peace and order, and nothing else, had better be sought in China, or among the Austrians, the Chinese of Europe. As for Conservative government, the natural question was, What do you mean to conserve63? Do you mean to conserve things or only names, realities or merely appearances? Or, do you mean to continue the system commenced in 1834, and, with a hypocritical reverence64 for the principles, and a superstitious65 adhesion to the forms, of the old exclusive constitution, carry on your policy by latitudinarian practice?
Sir Joseph stared; it was the first time that any inkling of the views of the New Generation had caught his ear. They were strange and unaccustomed accents. He was extremely perplexed66; could by no means make out what his companion was driving at; at length, with a rather knowing smile, expressive67 as much of compassion68 as comprehension, he remarked,
‘Ah! I see; you are a regular Orangeman.’
‘I look upon an Orangeman,’ said Coningsby, ‘as a pure Whig; the only professor and practiser of unadulterated Whiggism.’
This was too much for Sir Joseph, whose political knowledge did not reach much further back than the ministry69 of the Mediocrities; hardly touched the times of the Corresponding Society. But he was a cautious man, and never replied in haste. He was about feeling his way, when he experienced the golden advantage of gaining time, for the ladies entered.
The heart of Coningsby throbbed70 as Edith appeared. She extended to him her hand; her face radiant with kind expression. Lady Wallinger seemed gratified also by his visit. She had much elegance71 in her manner; a calm, soft address; and she spoke72 English with a sweet Doric irregularity. They all sat down, talked of the last night’s ball, of a thousand things. There was something animating73 in the frank, cheerful spirit of Edith. She had a quick eye both for the beautiful and the ridiculous, and threw out her observations in terse74 and vivid phrases. An hour, and more than an hour, passed away, and Coningsby still found some excuse not to depart. It seemed that on this morning they were about to make an expedition into the antique city of Paris, to visit some old hotels which retained their character; especially they had heard much of the hotel of the Archbishop of Sens, with its fortified courtyard. Coningsby expressed great interest in the subject, and showed some knowledge. Sir Joseph invited him to join the party, which of all things in the world was what he most desired.
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1
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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subdue
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| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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7
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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12
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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13
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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14
merge
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| v.(使)结合，(使)合并，(使)合为一体 | |
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speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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feud
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| n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇 | |
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18
consummated
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| v.使结束( consummate的过去式和过去分词 )；使完美；完婚；（婚礼后的）圆房 | |
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19
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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20
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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21
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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22
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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23
analytical
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| adj.分析的；用分析法的 | |
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odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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registration
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| n.登记，注册，挂号 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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28
radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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30
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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premier
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| adj.首要的；n.总理，首相 | |
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32
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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33
witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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34
vicissitudes
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| n.变迁，世事变化；变迁兴衰( vicissitude的名词复数 )；盛衰兴废 | |
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35
guardianship
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| n. 监护, 保护, 守护 | |
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36
tumults
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| 吵闹( tumult的名词复数 )； 喧哗； 激动的吵闹声； 心烦意乱 | |
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37
wards
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| 区( ward的名词复数 )； 病房； 受监护的未成年者； 被人照顾或控制的状态 | |
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38
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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39
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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40
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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41
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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42
appendages
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| n.附属物( appendage的名词复数 )；依附的人；附属器官；附属肢体（如臂、腿、尾等） | |
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43
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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44
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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45
habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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46
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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47
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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48
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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49
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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50
adorning
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| 修饰，装饰物 | |
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51
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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52
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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53
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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54
imbibed
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| v.吸收( imbibe的过去式和过去分词 )；喝；吸取；吸气 | |
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55
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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56
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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57
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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58
fusion
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| n.溶化；熔解；熔化状态，熔和；熔接 | |
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59
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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60
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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61
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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62
anarchy
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| n.无政府状态；社会秩序混乱，无秩序 | |
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63
conserve
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| vt.保存，保护，节约，节省，守恒，不灭 | |
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64
reverence
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| 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 | |
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65
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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66
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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68
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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69
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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70
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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71
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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72
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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73
animating
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| v.使有生气( animate的现在分词 )；驱动；使栩栩如生地动作；赋予…以生命 | |
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terse
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| adj.(说话，文笔)精炼的，简明的 | |
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