[47]
During Frank's absence abroad Fred had been a great deal at Lowndes Square, and had, at least so Alice thought, tried hard to gain the place of first favourite with Captain Bradshaw. In this he had not succeeded. At present, however, while his uncle was still smarting under the overthrow34 of his pet plans, Alice had fears that Fred Bingham's attention and adroit35 flatteries were attaining36 their effect. Indeed, for the time being, he became prime favourite with his uncle, and in his absence Captain Bradshaw would sound his praises loudly to his ward6, generally coupling them with disparaging37 remarks of the disgraced Frank. At first Alice had listened in silence, but finding that it was becoming a favourite theme with her uncle, she spoke out warmly in Franks defence, declaring roundly that there was more truth and honesty in his little finger than in his cousin's whole composition. Her uncle, as was his wont38, although nowise convinced, was yet fain to let the matter drop for the present. In addition to her championship of Frank, Alice had another reason for speaking out so decidedly. She had for some time felt that Fred was endeavouring to make [48] himself specially39 agreeable to her, and she now thought that her uncle was inclined to favour his efforts. Now Alice had, as has been said, a positive dislike to Fred Bingham, and although she could not help being amused by his talk, she yet believed that all this jesting and fun was a mere40 cloak which concealed41 a scheming and crafty42 disposition43. After all these years of careful watching, she was convinced he was playing a deep game for his uncle's fortune, and she now saw at once that in the same way he was wishing to add her fortune to his pile. That he cared in the slightest degree for herself she did not for a moment believe.
Now of all these thoughts, suspicions, and opinions on the part of Alice Heathcote, Fred Bingham had not the remotest conception. Shrewd as he was, keenly alive to everything which concerned his own interests, he was yet completely in the dark as to Alice Heathcote's sentiments regarding him. Women in general he knew but little of, and understood even less: beside this he was intensely vain. He had been made a little god of at home, his mother and sisters looked up to him as the best of human [49] beings, and were never tired of doing him homage44. Over and over again his mother had said in his hearing that Freddy ought to marry well, for that any girl must feel flattered by his attentions, and Fred's own experience when he did go into society was that girls were amused by his fun and caustic45 humour. He was profoundly ignorant of the fact that girls very seldom do fall in love with men who amuse them.
Fred Bingham then had long looked upon his success with Alice Heathcote as a certainty, only awaiting his making up his mind. Before Frank had left England, indeed, Fred had rather doubted whether Alice Heathcote did not prefer his cousin to himself, but he believed that his long absence had quite put him beyond the pale as a rival; and when, upon Frank's return, he had observed that there was a sort of reserve on Alice's part towards him, and that this reserve apparently46 increased rather than lessened47 with time, he considered his own success as secured. Then, too, with great pleasure he had seen that Frank was somehow in disgrace, and took the opportunity of his absence to make the greatest progress possible. What was the cause [50] of Frank's disgrace, Fred was ignorant, as Captain Bradshaw had upon no occasion even hinted the cause of his displeasure. Had he done so, Fred would have done all in his power to keep them apart: as it was, he was obliged to let matters take their course. The sole reason why Fred Bingham had not long before proposed to Alice Heathcote, was because he was doubtful about himself. Not doubtful as to whether he loved her, for upon that point he had no question at all; indeed, he had no belief whatever in love, and looked upon it as an absurdity48 quite out of place in business. If two people liked each other, and could get on well together, and the match was mutually advantageous50, what more could be desired? The question in his mind was, should he get on well with Alice Heathcote? He liked her well enough, yes, he really liked her very much, and the match would be an advantageous one, but he was not quite so easy in his mind as to whether he should get on well with her. Now Fred's idea of a wife who would get on well with him was a woman who would do just as she was told, who would never set up her opinion against his, who would [51] in fact be a species of bond slave to his will. Now he had great doubts whether Alice Heathcote would do all this. He was in fact a little afraid of her. There was a quiet decision and firmness about her which made him feel uncomfortably that the combat between them would be a hard fought one; then too she was tall, and Fred did not like tall women. He fancied sometimes that if he got into a passion with her—and he allowed himself that he had a hasty temper—she would look down coldly contemptuous at him. There was another difficulty which presented itself, and which had for some time kept Fred Bingham in a state of uncertainty51. Alice Heathcote's fortune was he knew about ￡50,000, and also that it was her own absolutely, and Fred felt certain that Captain Bradshaw would see that the greater part, if not the whole of it, were settled upon herself at her marriage. Now Fred Bingham was very much pressed for ready money; he was embarking52 with his father in several extensive affairs in which capital was all-essential. More than once his thoughts had turned to a young lady he had met near Manchester, who had lost her father, whose mother was old [52] and weak, and who had a fortune of about half the amount of that of Alice Heathcote at her own disposal. Miss Farrer was pretty, but with a weak prettiness which would not stand time. Her appearance did not belie17 her character; she was an affectionate and amiable53, but weak girl. Fred had been very attentive54 to her, and had completely won her mother's heart by playing many games of cribbage with her, and losing almost invariably. So that altogether he felt sure of his ground there. It was not that he had actually any idea of marrying Miss Farrer, he felt too sure of success with Alice to think seriously of the other; but he was a cautious man, and liked to have a second string to his bow in case of accidents.
It was one morning after breakfast, about three weeks after Frank's return from the country, that Fred Bingham made up his mind to propose formally to Alice. He had been chatting with his father as to a contract, concerning which they were in treaty.
[53]
“The margin55 of profit is not as large as we could wish, Fred. If we were working with our own capital it would be different, but all this discount and advance work makes a large hole in the margin of profit.”
“I should think it did,” Fred said, shortly, “it is not to-day that we have found that out.”
“I think, Fred, that if I were you I should bring your affair with Miss Heathcote to a head. You have been going there now for a very long time; you tell me that you think you are pretty safe, and even if you do not touch any of her fortune, you would be able to borrow upon better terms as the husband of a rich woman; and, however things went, you would fall upon your feet. Besides, as the husband of Miss Heathcote, you would stand better with Captain Bradshaw.”
“Yes, that's all true enough,” Fred said, “and I've thought it all over a thousand times. I suppose it ought to be done, but I would rather remain as I am. However, needs must, I won't put it off any longer. I will settle it this afternoon. There, don't talk about it, it's bad enough to have to do it.”
Half an hour afterwards Fred Bingham went out. First down to New Street, where he bought some cigars, as usual, and stayed for some time [54] in the shop smoking and talking with Carry. Then he went out and turned towards Knightsbridge. “She is an awfully56 nice child,” he thought to himself. “I wish to goodness she was in Alice's place, and Alice in hers. I shouldn't mind even if she had that girl Farrer's money, I would marry her to-morrow. I wish I had never seen her, it would have been better for both of us. Well, it's no use thinking of that now, I must go through with this other business. The old man will have gone up to his club by this time. The sooner it is over the better.” And so he went on to the house in Lowndes Square, where, as he expected, he found Alice Heathcote alone.
“Good morning, Alice, I have not gone up to town to-day, so I thought I would come in for a chat. You are not looking very well this morning. I miss the usual roses—I do not mean that lilies are less becoming—I only notice the change of flowers.”
“My uncle is out,” Alice said, ignoring the compliment. “He started for the club rather earlier than usual.”
[55]
“I rather hoped he would be gone, Alice, for I was anxious to see you alone.”
Alice saw what was coming, but her mind being fully57 made up upon the subject, she felt no nervousness, as she would have felt had she had the slightest belief that he really cared for her.
“The fact is, Alice, I want to ask you to marry me. I don't know how it's usually done, but that's what it comes to whichever way it's put. I have liked you very much for years now, I am sure we should suit each other very well, and I don't think the old gentleman would make any objection. What do you say, Alice?”
Fred Bingham had spoken in his usual off-hand way, but there was a little nervousness in his tone which showed that he felt distrust as to the result of his question.
“You put it in a very straightforward way, Fred,” Alice said quietly, but with a little tinge58 of sarcasm59; “and I am glad that you do so, as it makes it easier for me to say that I differ from you entirely60 as to our mutual49 suitability; and, therefore, must decline the honour you propose doing me.”
[56]
“But I am quite in earnest, Alice; it is only my way, you know.”
“I suppose you are in earnest, Fred, and I can assure you that I am at least equally so.”
Fred Bingham paused for a moment, and then said, much more earnestly than he had spoken before,—
“I am afraid, Alice, that I am not going the right way about this. I love you very much, and have done so for years. You must have seen it. I know that usually men put all this in a sentimental61 sort of way, but that is quite out of my line. But I am not the less in earnest. I do love you very much, Alice. I always thought you knew it.”
[57]
“I will be as frank with you, Fred, as you are with me. I have had an idea for some time past that you intended some day or other to make me an offer. Had you made love to me in the usual sort of way I should assuredly at once have shown you by my manner that the thing was out of the question. But you have never done so. You have been very often here. You have been very chatty and amusing. I could not show you that I did not wish you to come so often. I was obliged to wait. Had I believed, or did I now believe that you loved me, I should feel very great pain in refusing you; but, although I did, and do believe that you wish to marry me, I do not believe that you have the slightest love for me in the real meaning of the word any more than I have for you.”
“But I tell you I do love you, Alice, and I suppose I know my own heart.”
A little scornful smile crossed Alice's face.
“You may think you do, Fred. If it is so I am sorry; but I do not think that your heart has taken any share whatever in the proceeding63. Neither of our hearts are in the slightest degree affected7 in the question, and there is, therefore, no occasion for me to feel sorrow, or for you to feel pain. It is a simple matter of opinion. You are of opinion that we should suit each other well, and that a marriage between us would be for our mutual benefit and gratification. I differ from you entirely upon both these points.”
Alice was so perfectly cool and composed that Fred felt that any further urging would be useless. His rage and mortification64 were excessive, and he was far more angry at having been so completely read and seen through by Alice, [58] when he had believed himself so safe, than at the overthrow of his plans.
“May I ask,” he said, bitterly, “if you have any other reasons beyond those you have given?”
“You certainly may not,” Alice said, with spirit. “I have already given you for answer that I do not love you, and I conceive that to be quite sufficient answer for any gentleman.”
Fred Bingham stood irresolute65 for a moment, and then turned to go; but his temper got the better of him, and he said, with a sneer,—
“I was a fool to have asked for the reason, Alice, when I know it as well as you do yourself. If it had been Frank——”
He did not continue, for Alice Heathcote leaped from her seat as if she had been struck with a blow, her cheeks flushed with a sudden flame of colour and her eyes flashing, but before she could speak Fred Bingham was gone. His last hit had been almost a random66 one, for he had never really suspected Alice of caring for Frank. He had been too well satisfied with his own chance to imagine that he had a serious rival in Frank. Even now he was not sure. Alice's indignant look might be explained by her natural [59] anger at his own taunt67. “I was a fool to let my beastly temper get the better of me,” he said to himself; “the matter was bad enough as it stood without making an enemy of her. Not that she'll do me any harm. She can't well go and tell my uncle what I said. However, it was a foolish thing to do. It's been a nice morning's work altogether. To think she should have been all this time laughing at me. Evidently I don't understand women. I believe she cares for Frank. That's another notch68 to your score, Master Frank. If I ever get a chance to wipe them out, look out, that's all.”
It was with bitter mortification and anger that Fred Bingham returned to Hans Place, and briefly69 told his father that Alice Heathcote had refused him. He gave no details, nor did Mr. Bingham ask for any, for he saw that Fred was in one of those moods when he was better left alone.
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1
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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2
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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3
endorsing
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| v.赞同( endorse的现在分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品 | |
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4
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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5
straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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6
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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7
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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8
flirtation
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| n.调情，调戏，挑逗 | |
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9
anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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10
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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11
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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12
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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13
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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14
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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15
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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16
supplant
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| vt.排挤；取代 | |
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17
belie
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| v.掩饰，证明为假 | |
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18
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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19
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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20
suavity
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| n.温和；殷勤 | |
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21
dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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heartiness
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| 诚实，热心 | |
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vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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24
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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25
aggrieved
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| adj.愤愤不平的，受委屈的；悲痛的；（在合法权利方面）受侵害的v.令委屈，令苦恼，侵害( aggrieve的过去式)；令委屈，令苦恼，侵害( aggrieve的过去式和过去分词) | |
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26
scouted
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| 寻找，侦察( scout的过去式和过去分词 )； 物色（优秀运动员、演员、音乐家等） | |
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27
heresies
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| n.异端邪说，异教( heresy的名词复数 ) | |
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28
radicalism
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| n. 急进主义, 根本的改革主义 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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30
buckled
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| a. 有带扣的 | |
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31
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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32
sneering
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| 嘲笑的，轻蔑的 | |
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33
slashing
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| adj.尖锐的；苛刻的；鲜明的；乱砍的v.挥砍( slash的现在分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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34
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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35
adroit
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| adj.熟练的，灵巧的 | |
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36
attaining
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| （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） | |
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37
disparaging
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| adj.轻蔑的，毁谤的v.轻视( disparage的现在分词 )；贬低；批评；非难 | |
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38
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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39
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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40
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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41
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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42
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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43
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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44
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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45
caustic
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| adj.刻薄的，腐蚀性的 | |
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46
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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47
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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48
absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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49
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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50
advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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51
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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52
embarking
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| 乘船( embark的现在分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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53
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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54
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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55
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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56
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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57
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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58
tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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59
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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60
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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61
sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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62
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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63
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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64
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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65
irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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66
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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67
taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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68
notch
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| n.(V字形)槽口，缺口，等级 | |
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69
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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