The door closed behind him, shutting off the last vestige2 of light; and we, with our eyes accustomed to the gloom, could mark his dim outline as he advanced toward us. His actions belied3 his words, for he moved with all his accustomed jauntiness4 along the uncertain foot-way, barely touching5 the top of the palisades with one hand to guide his progress. He was almost upon the girl before he perceived either of us; and then his earliest words surprised me into silence.
"Ah, Toinette!" he cried eagerly, "I fear I must have kept you waiting over-long; yet I was with Mrs. ? 134 ? Helm,—a most fair and charming bride,—and scarce noted6 the rapid passage of time."
"I naturally supposed it was a woman," she answered, with what I interpreted as a strained assumption of indifference7, "as that has ever been your sufficient reason for breaking faith with me."
"Do not interpret it so, I beg," he hastened to implore8. "Surely, my being a few moments in arrears9 is not a matter sufficiently10 serious to be called a breakage of faith. I do assure you, Toinette, you were never once absent from my thought."
"Indeed?" she exclaimed incredulously, and with an echo of suppressed laughter in her voice. "Then truly you are far more to be commiserated11 on this occasion than I, for in truth, Monsieur de Croix, I have not missed you over-much. I have enjoyed most excellent company."
"The mysterious spirits of the starry12 night?" he questioned, looking out into the darkness, "or the dim figures of your own imagination?"
"Very far from either," she retorted, with a laugh; "a most substantial reality, as you are bound to confess. Master Wayland, is it not time for you fitly to greet Captain de Croix? He may deem you lax in cordiality."
I can perceive now how dearly the laughing witch loved to play us one against the other, hiding whatever depth of feeling she may have had beneath the surface ? 135 ? of careless innocence13, and keeping us both in an uncertainty14 as aggravating15 as it was sweet. I could not read the expression upon De Croix's face in the gloom, yet I saw him start visibly at her almost mocking words, and there was a trace of ill-suppressed irritation16 in his voice.
"Saint Guise17! 'Twas for that, then, he left us so mysteriously," he exclaimed, unconsciously uttering his first thought aloud. "But how knew he you were to be here?"
Before she could answer, I spoke18, anxious to relieve her of embarrassment19; for 'twas ever my nature to yield much without complaint.
"As it chances, Captain de Croix, she did not know," I said, standing20 back from the palisades where he could see me more clearly. "I left the table below with no thought of meeting Mademoiselle, and came out on this platform for a different purpose. As you know, I am visiting Dearborn upon a special mission."
"Ah, true," and I could feel the trace of relief in his voice as he instantly recalled my story. "You also sought a girl in this wilderness,—may I ask, have you yet found trace of her?"
I heard Mademoiselle move quickly.
"A girl?" she asked in surprise. "Here, at Dearborn?"
"She was at Dearborn until very lately, but they tell me now I must seek for her at the Kinzie house, ? 136 ? It was for the purpose of marking its position from the Fort that I came up here."
For a moment no one of our voices broke the strained silence. I was troubled by this knowledge of a pre-arranged meeting between these two, yet felt it was nothing with which I had a right to interfere21. This careless French girl, whom I had known for scarcely two days, was not one to be easily guided, even had I either reason or excuse for attempting it.
"'Tis strange," she said, musingly22, "that she has never so much as spoken to me about it; yet she was always shy of speech in such matters."
"Of whom do you speak, Toinette?" questioned De Croix.
"Of Master Wayland's young friend with the Kinzies," she answered, the old sprightliness23 again in her voice. "I know her very well, Monsieur,—a dear, sweet girl,—and shall be only too glad to speed you on to her. Yet 'tis not so easy of accomplishment24, hemmed25 in as we are here now. Yonder is the light, Master Wayland; but much of peril26 may lurk27 between. 'Tis not far, were the way clear; indeed, in the old days of peace a rope ferry connected Fort and house, but now to reach there safely will require a wide detour28 and no little woodcraft. There were patrols of savages29 along the river bank at dusk, and it is doubtful if all have been withdrawn30."
I looked as she pointed31, and easily distinguished32 ? 137 ? the one glittering spark that pierced the darkness to the north and east. I wondered at her earlier words; yet they might all be true enough, for I knew nothing of this Elsa Matherson. Before I could question further, De Croix had interfered33, eager, no doubt, to be rid of me.
"Upon my soul!" he exclaimed recklessly, "if I could voyage here from Montreal to win but a smile, it should prove a small venture for our backwoods friend to cover yonder small distance. Sacre! I would do the deed myself for one kiss from rosy34 lips."
I have wondered since what there was about those words to anger me. It must have been their boastful tone, the sarcasm35 that underlay36 the velvet37 utterance38, which stung like salt in a fresh wound. I felt that from the summit of his own success he durst laugh at me; and my blood boiled instantly.
"You are wondrous39 bold, Monsieur," I retorted, "when the matter is wholly one of words. I regret I cannot pledge you such reward, so that I might learn how you would bear yourself in the attempt."
"You question my courage to venture it?"
"It has been my experience that the cock that crows the loudest fights the least."
"Oh, hush41, Messieurs!" broke in Mademoiselle, her voice showing suppressed amusement. "This ? 138 ? platform is far too narrow to quarrel upon; and, besides, the condition of the wager42 is most easily met,—that is, if my lips be deemed of sufficiently rosy hue43."
I know I stood with opened mouth, so astounded44 by these mocking words as to be stricken dumb; but not so De Croix. The audacity45 of his nature made eager response to the bold challenge.
"Do you mean what you say, Toinette?" he asked, striving to gain a view of her face in the darkness.
"Do I? And pray, why not?" she questioned lightly. "One kiss is not so very much to give, and I shall never miss it. 'Tis duller here than at Montreal, and no doubt 'twill greatly interest me to witness the race. Surely it will prove a better way to end your foolish quarrel than to shoot each other. But come, Messieurs, why do you hesitate so long? is not the prize enough?"
"'Twould be the ransom47 of a king," he answered; "though first I wish to know the terms of this contest more clearly."
She looked out into that silent and lonely night, her eyes upon the distant gleam, and instinctively48 our glances followed hers. It was a dull desolation, with no sound, no movement, in all the black void. The stars gleamed dull on the water of the river beneath us, and we could dimly see the denser49 shadow of the ? 139 ? opposite shore; beyond this, nothing was apparent save that distant candle flame. What lay between,—what strange obstruction50 of land, what ambushed51 foes,—neither of us had means of knowing. We could simply plunge52 into the mystery of it blindfolded53 by the fates. Yet to draw back now would brand either of us forever with the contempt of her who had challenged us so lightly.
"'Tis all simple enough," she said at last, her eyes glowing with quick excitement. "The goal is yonder where that light glows so clearly, though I warn you the longest way round may prove the surest in the end. To the one of you who reaches there first and returns here, I am to give one kiss as a measure of reward. I care not how it may be accomplished,—such minor54 matters rest with your own wits."
"But the young girl we seek," he insisted; "must she also be brought here upon the return?"
"Pish! what care I what may be done with the girl? Besides, she is far safer from the savages there than she would be here."
I saw De Croix lean far out over the sharpened palisades and peer downward. The movement gave me instantly a thought of his purpose, and, unnoticed, I loosened the pistol-belt about my waist and silently dropped it upon the platform. Whatever desperate chance he might choose to take, I was determined55 now to equal.
? 140 ?
"Doth the water of the river come to the very foot of these logs?" he asked, unable to determine in the darkness.
"No, Monsieur, the earth slopes downward for some feet, yet the current is at this bank, and gives much depth of water at the shore."
"But of what width is the strip of earth between?"
"Perhaps the length of a tall man."
"Saint Guise! 'tis well I thought to ask!" he explained jauntily56. "And now, Mademoiselle, if you will but kindly57 hold this coat and sword, I shall strive to show you how highly I value the prize offered, and what a French gentleman can do for love."
I fully1 grasped his purpose now, and even as he turned toward her, holding out the valuables he hesitated to lose, I scaled the low barrier in my front, planted my feet firmly between the pointed stakes, and sprang boldly into the darkness.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
vestige
|
|
| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
belied
|
|
| v.掩饰( belie的过去式和过去分词 )；证明（或显示）…为虚假；辜负；就…扯谎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
jauntiness
|
|
| n.心满意足；洋洋得意；高兴；活泼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
5
touching
|
|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
indifference
|
|
| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
implore
|
|
| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
arrears
|
|
| n.到期未付之债，拖欠的款项；待做的工作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
commiserated
|
|
| v.怜悯，同情( commiserate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
starry
|
|
| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
innocence
|
|
| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
uncertainty
|
|
| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
aggravating
|
|
| adj.恼人的，讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
irritation
|
|
| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
guise
|
|
| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
embarrassment
|
|
| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
interfere
|
|
| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
musingly
|
|
| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
23
sprightliness
|
|
| n.愉快，快活 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
accomplishment
|
|
| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
hemmed
|
|
| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
peril
|
|
| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
lurk
|
|
| n.潜伏，潜行；v.潜藏，潜伏，埋伏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
detour
|
|
| n.绕行的路，迂回路；v.迂回，绕道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
savages
|
|
| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
withdrawn
|
|
| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
interfered
|
|
| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
rosy
|
|
| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
sarcasm
|
|
| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
underlay
|
|
| v.位于或存在于（某物）之下( underlie的过去式 )；构成…的基础（或起因），引起n.衬垫物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
velvet
|
|
| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
utterance
|
|
| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
wondrous
|
|
| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
haughtily
|
|
| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
hush
|
|
| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
wager
|
|
| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
hue
|
|
| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
astounded
|
|
| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
audacity
|
|
| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
gallantly
|
|
| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
ransom
|
|
| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
instinctively
|
|
| adv.本能地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
denser
|
|
| adj. 不易看透的, 密集的, 浓厚的, 愚钝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
obstruction
|
|
| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
ambushed
|
|
| v.埋伏( ambush的过去式和过去分词 )；埋伏着 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
plunge
|
|
| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
blindfolded
|
|
| v.（尤指用布）挡住（某人）的视线( blindfold的过去式 )；蒙住（某人）的眼睛；使不理解；蒙骗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
minor
|
|
| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
jauntily
|
|
| adv.心满意足地；洋洋得意地；高兴地；活泼地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |