Once it was otherwise; once the people recognised a party in the state whose principles identified them with the rights and privileges of the multitude: but when they found the parochial constitution of the country sacrificed without a struggle, and a rude assault made on all local influences in order to establish a severely14 organised centralisation, a blow was given to the influence of the priest and of the gentleman, the ancient champions of the people against arbitrary courts and rapacious15 parliaments, from which they will find that it requires no ordinary courage and wisdom to recover.
The unexpected termination of the events of May, 1839, in the re-establishment in power of a party confessedly too weak to carry on the parliamentary government of the country, was viewed however by the chartists in a very different spirit to that with which they had witnessed the outbreak of these transactions. It had unquestionably a tendency to animate16 their efforts, and imparted a bolder tone to their future plans and movements. They were encouraged to try a fall with a feeble administration. Gerard from this moment became engrossed17 in affairs; his correspondence greatly increased; and he was so much occupied that Sybil saw daily less and less of her father.
It was on the morning after the day that Hatton had made his first and unlooked-for visit in Smith’s Square, some of the delegates who had caught the rumour18 of the resignation of the whigs had called early on Gerard, and he had soon after left the house in their company; and Sybil was alone. The strange incidents of the preceding day were revolving19 in her mind, as her eye wandered vaguely20 over her book. The presence of that Hatton who had so often and in such different scenes occupied their conversation; the re-appearance of that stranger, whose unexpected entrance into their little world had eighteen months ago so often lent interest and pleasure to their life—these were materials for pensive21 sentiment. Mr Franklin had left some gracious memories with Sybil; the natural legacy22 of one so refined, intelligent, and gentle, whose temper seemed never ruffled23, and who evidently so sincerely relished24 their society. Mowedale rose before her in all the golden beauty of its autumnal hour; their wild rambles25 and hearty26 greetings and earnest converse27, when her father returned from his daily duties and his eye kindled28 with pleasure as the accustomed knock announced the arrival of his almost daily companion. In spite of the excitement of the passing moment, its high hopes and glorious aspirations29, and visions perchance of greatness and of power, the eye of Sybil was dimmed with emotion as she recalled that innocent and tranquil dream.
Her father had heard from Franklin after his departure more than once; but his letters, though abounding30 in frank expressions of deep interest in the welfare of Gerard and his daughter, were in some degree constrained31: a kind of reserve seemed to envelope him; they never learnt anything of his life and duties: he seemed sometimes as it were meditating32 a departure from his country. There was undoubtedly33 about him something mysterious and unsatisfactory. Morley was of opinion that he was a spy; Gerard, less suspicious, ultimately concluded that he was harassed34 by his creditors35, and when at Mowedale was probably hiding from them.
And now the mystery was at length dissolved. And what an explanation! A Norman, a noble, an oppressor of the people, a plunderer36 of the church—all the characters and capacities that Sybil had been bred up to look upon with fear and aversion, and to recognise as the authors of the degradation37 of her race.
Sybil sighed: the door opened and Egremont stood before her. The blood rose to her cheek, her heart trembled; for the first time in his presence she felt embarrassed and constrained. His countenance38 on the contrary was collected; serious and pale.
“I am an intruder,” he said advancing, “but I wish much to speak to you,” and he seated himself near her. There was a momentary39 pause. “You seemed to treat with scorn yesterday,” resumed Egremont in accents less sustained, “the belief that sympathy was independent of the mere40 accidents of position. Pardon me, Sybil, but even you may be prejudiced.” He paused.
“I should be sorry to treat anything you said with scorn,” replied Sybil in a subdued41 tone. “Many things happened yesterday,” she added, “which might be offered as some excuse for an unguarded word.”
“Would that it had been unguarded!” said Egremont in a voice of melancholy42. “I could have endured it with less repining. No, Sybil, I have known you, I have had the happiness and the sorrow of knowing you too well to doubt the convictions of your mind, or to believe that they can be lightly removed, and yet I would strive to remove them. You look upon me as an enemy, as a natural foe43, because I am born among the privileged. I am a man, Sybil, as well as a noble.” Again he paused; she looked down, but did not speak.
“And can I not feel for men, my fellows, whatever be their lot? I know you will deny it; but you are in error, Sybil; you have formed your opinions upon tradition, not upon experience. The world that exists is not the world of which you have read; the class that calls itself your superior is not the same class as ruled in the time of your fathers. There is a change in them as in all other things, and I participate that change. I shared it before I knew you, Sybil; and if it touched me then, at least believe it does not influence me less now.”
“If there be a change,” said Sybil, “it is because in some degree the People have learnt their strength.”
“Ah! dismiss from your mind those fallacious fancies,” said Egremont. “The People are not strong; the People never can be strong. Their attempts at self-vindication will end only in their suffering and confusion. It is civilisation44 that has effected, that is effecting this change. It is that increased knowledge of themselves that teaches the educated their social duties. There is a dayspring in the history of this nation which those who are on the mountain tops can as yet perhaps only recognize. You deem you are in darkness, and I see a dawn. The new generation of the aristocracy of England are not tyrants45, not oppressors, Sybil, as you persist in believing. Their intelligence, better than that, their hearts are open to the responsibility of their position. But the work that is before them is no holiday-work. It is not the fever of superficial impulse that can remove the deep-fixed46 barriers of centuries of ignorance and crime. Enough that their sympathies are awakened47; time and thought will bring the rest. They are the natural leaders of the People, Sybil; believe me they are the only ones.”
“And who may betray them,” said Egremont.
“Betray them!” exclaimed Sybil. “And can you believe that my father—”
“No, no; you can feel, Sybil, though I cannot express, how much I honour your father. But he stands alone in the singleness and purity of his heart. Who surround him?”
“Those whom the People have also chosen; and from a like confidence in their virtues49 and abilities. They are a senate supported by the sympathy of millions, with only one object in view—the emancipation50 of their race. It is a sublime51 spectacle, these delegates of labour advocating the sacred cause in a manner which might shame your haughty52 factions53. What can resist a demonstration54 so truly national! What can withstand the supremacy55 of its moral power!”
Her eye met the glance of Egremont. That brow full of thought and majesty56 was fixed on his. He encountered that face radiant as a seraph’s; those dark eyes flashing with the inspiration of the martyr57.
Egremont rose, moved slowly to the window, gazed in abstraction for a few moments on the little garden with its dank turf that no foot ever trod, its mutilated statue and its mouldering58 frescoes59. What a silence; how profound! What a prospect60: how drear! Suddenly he turned, and advancing with a more rapid pace: he approached Sybil. Her head was averted61, and leaning on her left arm she seemed lost in reverie. Egremont fell upon his knee and gently taking her hand he pressed it to his lips. She started, she looked round, agitated62, alarmed, while he breathed forth63 in tremulous accents, “Let me express to you my adoration64!
“Ah! not now for the first time, but for ever; from the moment I first beheld65 you in the starlit arch of Marney has your spirit ruled my being and softened66 every spring of my affections. I followed you to your home, and lived for a time content in the silent worship of your nature. When I came the last morning to the cottage, it was to tell, and to ask, all. Since then for a moment your image has never been absent from my consciousness; your picture consecrates67 my hearth68 and your approval has been the spur of my career. Do not reject my love; it is deep as your nature, and fervent69 as my own. Banish70 those prejudices that have embittered71 your existence, and if persisted in may wither72 mine. Deign73 to retain this hand! If I be a noble I have none of the accidents of nobility: I cannot offer you wealth, splendour, or power; but I can offer you the devotion of an entranced being—aspirations that you shall guide—an ambition that you shall govern!”
“These words are mystical and wild,” said Sybil with an amazed air; “they come upon me with convulsive suddenness.” And she paused for an instant, collecting as it were her mind with an expression almost of pain upon her countenance. “These changes of life are so strange and rapid that it seems to me I can scarcely meet them. You are Lord Marney’s brother; it was but yesterday—only but yesterday—I learnt it. I thought then I had lost your friendship, and now you speak of—love!
“Love of me! Retain your hand and share your life and fortunes! You forget what I am. But though I learnt only yesterday what you are, I will not be so remiss74. Once you wrote upon a page you were my faithful friend: and I have pondered over that line with kindness often. I will be your faithful friend; I will recall you to yourself. I will at least not bring you shame and degradation.”
“O! Sybil, beloved, beautiful Sybil—not such bitter words; no, no!”
“No bitterness to you! that would indeed be harsh,” and she covered with her hand her streaming eyes.
“Why what is this?” after a pause and with an effort she exclaimed. “An union between the child and brother of nobles and a daughter of the people! Estrangement75 from your family, and with cause, their hopes destroyed, their pride outraged76; alienation77 from your order, and justly, all their prejudices insulted. You will forfeit78 every source of worldly content and cast off every spring of social success. Society for you will become a great confederation to deprive you of self-complacency. And rightly. Will you not be a traitor79 to the cause? No, no, kind friend, for such I’ll call you. Your opinion of me, too good and great as I feel it, touches me deeply. I am not used to such passages in life; I have read of such. Pardon me, feel for me, if I receive them with some disorder80. They sound to me for the first time—and for the last. Perhaps they ought never to have reached my ear. No matter now—I have a life of penitence81 before me, and I trust I shall be pardoned.” And she wept.
“You have indeed punished me for the fatal accident of birth, if it deprives me of you.”
“Not so,” she added weeping; “I shall never be the bride of earth; and but for one whose claims though earthly are to me irresistible82, I should have ere this forgotten my hereditary83 sorrows in the cloister84.”
All this time Egremont had retained her hand, which she had not attempted to withdraw. He had bent85 his head over it as she spoke—it was touched with his tears. For some moments there was silence; then looking up and in a smothered86 voice Egremont made one more effort to induce Sybil to consider his suit. He combated her views as to the importance to him of the sympathies of his family and of society; he detailed87 to her his hopes and plans for their future welfare; he dwelt with passionate88 eloquence89 on his abounding love. But with a solemn sweetness, and as it were a tender inflexibility90, the tears trickling91 down her beautiful cheek, and pressing his hand in both of hers, she subdued and put aside all his efforts.
END OF THE FOURTH BOOK
点击收听单词发音
1 agitation | |
n.搅动;搅拌;鼓动,煽动 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 catastrophe | |
n.大灾难,大祸 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 tranquil | |
adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 honourable | |
adj.可敬的;荣誉的,光荣的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 factious | |
adj.好搞宗派活动的,派系的,好争论的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 embroilment | |
n.搅乱,纠纷 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 distinctive | |
adj.特别的,有特色的,与众不同的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 opposition | |
n.反对,敌对 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 stimulate | |
vt.刺激,使兴奋;激励,使…振奋 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 hustings | |
n.竞选活动 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 conscientious | |
adj.审慎正直的,认真的,本着良心的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 wail | |
vt./vi.大声哀号,恸哭;呼啸,尖啸 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 frenzied | |
a.激怒的;疯狂的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 severely | |
adv.严格地;严厉地;非常恶劣地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 rapacious | |
adj.贪婪的,强夺的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 animate | |
v.赋于生命,鼓励;adj.有生命的,有生气的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 engrossed | |
adj.全神贯注的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 rumour | |
n.谣言,谣传,传闻 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 revolving | |
adj.旋转的,轮转式的;循环的v.(使)旋转( revolve的现在分词 );细想 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 vaguely | |
adv.含糊地,暖昧地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 pensive | |
a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 legacy | |
n.遗产,遗赠;先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 ruffled | |
adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 relished | |
v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 );从…获得乐趣;渴望 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 rambles | |
(无目的地)漫游( ramble的第三人称单数 ); (喻)漫谈; 扯淡; 长篇大论 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 hearty | |
adj.热情友好的;衷心的;尽情的,纵情的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 converse | |
vi.谈话,谈天,闲聊;adv.相反的,相反 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 kindled | |
(使某物)燃烧,着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 ); 激起(感情等); 发亮,放光 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 aspirations | |
强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 ); 志向; 发送气音; 发 h 音 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 abounding | |
adj.丰富的,大量的v.大量存在,充满,富于( abound的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 constrained | |
adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 meditating | |
a.沉思的,冥想的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 undoubtedly | |
adv.确实地,无疑地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 harassed | |
adj. 疲倦的,厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 creditors | |
n.债权人,债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 plunderer | |
掠夺者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 degradation | |
n.降级;低落;退化;陵削;降解;衰变 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 momentary | |
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 mere | |
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 subdued | |
adj. 屈服的,柔和的,减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 foe | |
n.敌人,仇敌 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 civilisation | |
n.文明,文化,开化,教化 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 tyrants | |
专制统治者( tyrant的名词复数 ); 暴君似的人; (古希腊的)僭主; 严酷的事物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 fixed | |
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 awakened | |
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 haughtily | |
adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 virtues | |
美德( virtue的名词复数 ); 德行; 优点; 长处 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 emancipation | |
n.(从束缚、支配下)解放 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 sublime | |
adj.崇高的,伟大的;极度的,不顾后果的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 haughty | |
adj.傲慢的,高傲的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 factions | |
组织中的小派别,派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 demonstration | |
n.表明,示范,论证,示威 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 supremacy | |
n.至上;至高权力 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 majesty | |
n.雄伟,壮丽,庄严,威严;最高权威,王权 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 martyr | |
n.烈士,殉难者;vt.杀害,折磨,牺牲 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 mouldering | |
v.腐朽( moulder的现在分词 );腐烂,崩塌 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 frescoes | |
n.壁画( fresco的名词复数 );温壁画技法,湿壁画 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 averted | |
防止,避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 ); 转移 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 agitated | |
adj.被鼓动的,不安的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 adoration | |
n.爱慕,崇拜 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 beheld | |
v.看,注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 );瞧;看呀;(叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现)哎哟 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 softened | |
(使)变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 ); 缓解打击; 缓和; 安慰 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 consecrates | |
n.把…奉为神圣,给…祝圣( consecrate的名词复数 );奉献v.把…奉为神圣,给…祝圣( consecrate的第三人称单数 );奉献 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 hearth | |
n.壁炉炉床,壁炉地面 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 fervent | |
adj.热的,热烈的,热情的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 banish | |
vt.放逐,驱逐;消除,排除 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 embittered | |
v.使怨恨,激怒( embitter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 wither | |
vt.使凋谢,使衰退,(用眼神气势等)使畏缩;vi.枯萎,衰退,消亡 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 deign | |
v. 屈尊, 惠允 ( 做某事) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74 remiss | |
adj.不小心的,马虎 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75 estrangement | |
n.疏远,失和,不和 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
76 outraged | |
a.震惊的,义愤填膺的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
77 alienation | |
n.疏远;离间;异化 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
78 forfeit | |
vt.丧失;n.罚金,罚款,没收物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
79 traitor | |
n.叛徒,卖国贼 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
80 disorder | |
n.紊乱,混乱;骚动,骚乱;疾病,失调 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
81 penitence | |
n.忏悔,赎罪;悔过 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
82 irresistible | |
adj.非常诱人的,无法拒绝的,无法抗拒的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
83 hereditary | |
adj.遗传的,遗传性的,可继承的,世袭的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
84 cloister | |
n.修道院;v.隐退,使与世隔绝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
85 bent | |
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
86 smothered | |
(使)窒息, (使)透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 ); 覆盖; 忍住; 抑制 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
87 detailed | |
adj.详细的,详尽的,极注意细节的,完全的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
88 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: |
|
|
89 eloquence | |
n.雄辩;口才,修辞 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
90 inflexibility | |
n.不屈性,顽固,不变性;不可弯曲;非挠性;刚性 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
91 trickling | |
n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 );淌;使)慢慢走;缓慢移动 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
92 gulf | |
n.海湾;深渊,鸿沟;分歧,隔阂 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |