"You needn't tell me you slept," I growled6. "You snored like a whole sty-full of hogs7" (which was a lie). "It's a wonder to me you did not wake yourself."
"Why didn't you shy a boot at my head?" he asked. "I'm awfully8 sorry, Pinsent. I can see I kept you awake. You look quite washed out."
"Oh! I'm alright, or will be after a hot bath," I replied ungraciously, and left the room.
[Pg 185]
When I returned he had a bottle of champagne9 ready for me, as a pick-me-up; and he was hard at work polishing my boots—all this by way of apology. I swallowed some wine and allowed myself to unbend. I suggested a ride to work up an appetite for breakfast. He joyously10 agreed, so we dressed and went out. A gallop11 in the park made us as jolly as a pair of sand boys. We had déjeuner at Verrey's, and then went to call on Miss Ottley. She was out, however, so I dragged my charge to an eye specialist in Harley Street. I pretended an eyeache and had my eyes thoroughly12 examined. The specialist could find nothing wrong with them. On the contrary, he congratulated me on a singularly perfect vision. After that we went to Weldon's club, dawdled13 there for a hour and then on the suggestion of Lord William Hurlingham, commonly known as "Bill," we ran down to Maidenhead for a row on the river. It was a perfect day and we enjoyed ourselves amazingly, so much so that we lost count of time and were obliged to dine at a Maidenhead hotel. It thus came about that it was after nine when we strolled to the station to return to town. There was a considerable crowd of holiday-makers on the platform, and one party gave us much amusement. These details are important to explain what followed. The party consisted of half a dozen Jews and as many Jewesses. They were all as gorgeously attired14 as if they had been attending a regal audience. But[Pg 186] their conversation, conducted in tones loud enough to provoke general attention, informed us that they had been spending the day on the houseboat of a certain well-known nobleman of notorious impecuniousness15.
Lord Bill, a bit of a wag, made a remark that I did not catch, about the Jews and their nobleman, which sent Weldon into a convulsion of laughter. He then turned to me and began to repeat it for my benefit. Just at that moment the train came rushing into the station. Weldon stood near the edge of the platform with his back to the line, glancing sideways at the Jews and trying to restrain his mirth. I had bent16 my head the better to hear Lord Bill, who was a short man, but my eyes were on Weldon. Conceive my surprise to observe him stagger backwards17 of a sudden, as though he had been struck on the forehead. He uttered a startled cry and clawed the air with both hands. For a brief second he tottered18 at an angle as though he held on to something which supported him. But next instant, as if carried off his feet by a great rush of wind, he went back, back—over the edge of the platform, and before I could move a muscle or utter a word he had fallen and was lying on the rails under the very wheels of the onrushing engine. Men shouted, women shrieked19. I sprang forward, and hardly aware of the peril20 would have leaped upon the line, but that a dozen hands restrained me. It would have meant infallibly my death as well as[Pg 187] Weldon's, for the train was not more than a dozen feet off. But I was incapable21 of reasoning at the moment. I struggled like a madman with my captors and broke away from them at last—to stand dazedly22 staring at the engine for some horrid23 seconds. It had stopped. But had it——? With a great effort I dragged myself forward. The edge of the platform was lined with a crowd of white-faced, silent people. They made room for me. Several railway officials were stooping over a frightful24 object lying between the pavement and the nearest iron rail. One of them shouted for a doctor, and there was an immediate2 movement in the crowd. Two or three men set off through the station at a run. I closed my eyes. I had never been so shaken in my life. I had never lost my self-control so utterly25. The wheels of the engine had completely amputated both poor Weldon's legs midway between the knee and trunk. There followed a hiatus in my reckoning. When I came properly to my senses I was hard at work tying up the arteries26, assisted by a medical student who had been a passenger in the fatal train, and a nurse who had apparently27 been holiday-making on the river. I remember how anxious she was to save her pretty muslin gown from the spouting28 blood. Presently a surgeon who had been called, appeared armed with proper instruments. With his aid I hastily replaced the imperfect tourniquets29 I had improvised30 out of kerchiefs and neckcloths with gutta percha[Pg 188] bandages, and we removed poor Weldon from the station to the villa31 of a gentleman who had charitably placed his house at our disposal. From the very first I felt that there was no hope. Not only had my luckless friend lost his limbs and an immense quantity of blood, but he had suffered internal injuries and a severe occipital concussion32. Within an hour, in spite of all we could do, symptoms of lung congestion33 supervened. When it became manifest that no human skill could save, I wrote a note to Miss Ottley and sent Lord Bill to London to escort her to her lover's bedside.
After that there was nothing to do but wait. Weldon was deep in a state of coma34. I sat down beside him and watched his poor, wan35 face. Every few minutes I administered a stimulant36, yet each time asked myself what use? And were it not better to let him cross the bar in painless sleep than try to bring him back for a few moments to the agony of suffering and hopeless separation? Yet I was plagued with the most hateful doubts and ideas, and so, beyond expression miserable37 that when two hours had gone and I marked his pulse failing visibly with the fleeting38 minutes, I did that at length which, perhaps, I should have postponed39 till Miss Ottley's arrival. But then, it might have been too late. Who knows? He opened his eyes and looked at me. I could hardly see for sudden womanish tears.
"Give me your hand!" he whispered. I did so,[Pg 189] and he pressed within it a hard, bulbous object. "Put in—in your pocket. Keep it safe!" he gasped40. "It will—ah."
I obeyed him without glancing at what he had given me. Then I got up and rang the bell. A great change had come over him. The surgeon responded to my call.
"It is the end!" he said.
Weldon broke into a fit of coughing and beat the bedclothes with his hands. We bent over him, seeking to help and soothe41 him. The paroxysm passed and for a moment he seemed to sleep. Soon, however, he gave a strong shudder42 and opened his eyes again. "Pinsent—you will avenge43 me—you have the clue," he said. It was but a breath, but I heard. Yet I cannot say I comprehended. Indeed, I thought he wandered. But I answered softly: "Trust me, lad!" And at that he smiled and lay still, gazing up at me with eyes of deep affection.
"I have sent for her," I whispered.
"Yes," he sighed. "I know; but she will be too late. Tell her—not to fret44!" and at the last word the light faded from his eyes and he was dead.
Long afterwards Miss Ottley came into the room. She was pale, but invincibly45 composed. I gave her his message and left her alone with the dead. The owner of the house, Lord Bill and the surgeon led me out into the garden. They spoke46 to me in decorous hushed voices for a while, then let[Pg 190] me be. I walked up and down the pathway till break of day, and what I thought about I cannot tell. I remember being closely questioned by a policeman. Then Miss Ottley took my arm and we walked to the station. I thought it my place to be kind to her, yet she was kind to me.
"One might think you cared," she said, and smiled into my face. We got into a train and as soon as it started Lord Bill broke out crying. He declared that Weldon was the best fellow in the world and that he would miss him dreadfully. Then he said in the midst of life we are in death, and laughed, and without asking permission, he began to smoke a cigarette. It is strange how differently people are affected47 by emotion. I was mentally dazed, and I fancy part of my brain was benumbed. Miss Ottley was poignantly48 awake, but her pride, and her strength of mind served her for a mask. Lord Bill, on the other hand, acted as responsively to his feelings as an infant. And yet each of us behaved naturally. I reflected on these things all the way to town. Lord Bill bade us farewell at the station. Miss Ottley and I drove to her home in a hansom. During the drive she spoke about the funeral quite calmly and mentioned poor Weldon's love for big, red roses. His coffin49 should be smothered50 in roses, she declared.
When I helped her to the pavement, she pointed51 up at a window that was open. "Dr. Belleville's room," she said, and smiled. "He is enjoying[Pg 191] his triumph. He kept his word to the letter. It is the seventh day. The seventh day, Hugh Pinsent; that is a terrible man. How shall I possibly withstand him?"
I shook my head. "You are wrong," I answered dully. "He is not responsible for this. It was an accident."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"I am sure of nothing," I replied. "But it seems to me an accident—and yet. But there. I am incapable of reasoning in my present mood. I shall see you again. In the meanwhile—think of Weldon's last words to you and do not grieve too much!"
"And you?"
I shrugged52 my shoulders. "I have never felt more miserable. And already I am beginning to fancy I might have saved him."
"How?"
"By going yesterday to your father and Dr. Belleville and forcing them at the muzzle53 of a revolver to tell me things they know and which I want to know."
"You rave," she muttered coldly, and slowly climbed the steps.
I followed her and rang the bell.
"If you persist in thinking my father a bad man, I never want to speak to you again," she whispered.
There were steps in the passage. I took off[Pg 192] my hat to her. "I must mend my thoughts," I said.
The door opened and Dr. Belleville appeared upon the threshold.
The girl gave him a quick look before which he quailed54. But he recovered quickly. "I sincerely trust you bring good news," he said, in tones of deep concern.
"The best," answered Miss Ottley, and drawing in her gown she swept past him with a glance of bitter hate, into the house.
Belleville looked after her, then turned to me, plucking at his jetty beard and frowning heavily.
"Weldon is better?" he inquired.
"He is dead," I said.
"Poor, poor fellow," sighed Dr. Belleville. "I am greatly pained to hear it. You were his friend, were you not, Pinsent? I can see that you are upset. Won't you come in and have a glass of brandy? you look quite done up."
"No, thank you," I answered. "I must get home and change these bloodstained clothes—there is to be an inquest this afternoon. Good-morning."
"Good-morning!" he replied. He was staring at the bloodstains to which I had purposely directed his attention. But he did not give a sign of agitation55. His face remained as expressionless as wood.
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1
badinage
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| n.开玩笑，打趣 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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7
hogs
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| n.（尤指喂肥供食用的）猪( hog的名词复数 )；（供食用的）阉公猪；彻底地做某事；自私的或贪婪的人 | |
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8
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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9
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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10
joyously
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| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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11
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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12
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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13
dawdled
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| v.混（时间）( dawdle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
impecuniousness
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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17
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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18
tottered
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| v.走得或动得不稳( totter的过去式和过去分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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19
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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21
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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dazedly
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| 头昏眼花地，眼花缭乱地，茫然地 | |
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23
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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24
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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arteries
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| n.动脉( artery的名词复数 )；干线，要道 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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28
spouting
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| n.水落管系统v.（指液体）喷出( spout的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
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29
tourniquets
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| n.止血带( tourniquet的名词复数 ) | |
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30
improvised
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| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
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31
villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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32
concussion
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| n.脑震荡；震动 | |
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33
congestion
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| n.阻塞，消化不良 | |
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coma
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| n.昏迷，昏迷状态 | |
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35
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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36
stimulant
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| n.刺激物，兴奋剂 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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39
postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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40
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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41
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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42
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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43
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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44
fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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45
invincibly
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| adv.难战胜地，无敌地 | |
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46
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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47
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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48
poignantly
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49
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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50
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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51
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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52
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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53
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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54
quailed
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| 害怕，发抖，畏缩( quail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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