She puzzled long and anxiously over the papers and over my enlarged part copy of them. Finally she shook her head and gave it up for the time. Then I told her the chief of the surmises6 which I had made regarding the means by which the biliteral cipher7, did such exist, might be expressed. That it must be by marks of some sort was evident; but which of those used were applied8 to this purpose I could not yet make out. When I had exhausted9 my stock of surmises she said:
“More than ever I am convinced that you must begin by reducing the biliteral cipher. Every time I think of it, it seems plainer to me that Bacon, or any one else[105] using such a system, would naturally perfect it if possible. And now let us forget this for the present. I am sure you must want a rest from thinking of the cipher, and I feel that I do. Dinner is ready; after it, if you will, I should like another run down to the beach.”
“Another” run to the beach! then she remembered our former one as a sort of fixed10 point. My heart swelled11 within me, and my resolution to take my own course, even if it were an unwise one, grew.
After dinner, we took our way over the sandhills and along the shore towards the Hawklaw, keeping on the line of hard sand just below high-water mark.
The sun was down and the twilight13 was now beginning. In these northern latitudes14 twilight is long, and at the beginning differs little from the full light of day. There is a mellowed15 softness over everything, and all is grey in earth and sea and air. Light, however, there is in abundance at the first. The mystery of twilight, as Southerns know it, comes later on, when the night comes creeping up from over the sea, and the shadows widen into gloom. Still twilight is twilight in any degree of its changing existence; and the sentiment of twilight is the same all the world over. It is a time of itself; between the stress and caution of the day, and the silent oblivion of the night: It is an hour when all living things, beasts as well as human, confine themselves to their own business. With the easy relaxation16 comes something of self-surrender; soul leans to soul and mind to mind, as does body to body in moments of larger and more complete intention. Just as in the moment after sunset, when the earth is lit not by the narrow disc of the sun but by the glory of the wide heavens above, twin shadows merge17 into one, so in the twilight two natures which are akin18 come closer to the identity of one. Between daylight and dark as the myriad19 sounds[106] of life die away one by one, the chirp20 of birds, the lowing of cattle, the bleating21 of sheep, the barking of dogs, so do the natural sounds such as the rustle22 of trees, the plash of falling water, or the roar of breaking waves wake into a new force that strikes on the ear with a sense of intention or conscious power. It is as though in all the wide circle of nature’s might there is never to be such a thing as stagnation23; no moment of poise24, save when the spirits of nature proclaim abnormal silence, such as ruled when earth stood “at gaze, like Joshua’s moon on Ajalon.”
The spirits of my companion and myself yielded to this silent influence of the coming night. Unconsciously we walked close together and in step; and were silent, wrapt in the beauty around us. To me it was a gentle ecstasy25. To be alone with her in such a way, in such a place, was the good of all heaven and all earth in one. And so for many minutes we went slowly on our way along the deserted26 sand, and in hearing of the music of the sounding sea and the echoing shore.
But even Heaven had its revolt. It seems that whether it be on Earth or in Heaven intelligence is not content to remain in a condition of poise. Ever there are heights to be won. Out of my own very happiness and the peace that it gave me, came afresh the wild desire to scale new heights and to make the present altitude which I had achieved a stepping-off place for a loftier height. All arguments seemed to crowd in my mind to prove that I was justified27 in asking Marjory to be my wife. Other men had asked women whom they had known but a short time to marry them; and with happy result. It was apparent that at the least she did not dislike me. I was a gentleman, of fair stock, and well-to-do; I could offer her a true and a whole heart. She, who was seemingly only companion to a wealthy woman, could[107] not be offended at a man’s offering to her all he had to give. I had already approached the subject, and she had not warned me off it; she had only given me in a sweetly artful way advice in which hope held a distinct place. Above all, the days and hours and moments were flying by. I did not know her address or when I should see her again, or if at all. This latest thought decided28 me. I would speak plainly to-night.
Oh, but men are dull beside women in the way of intuition. This girl seemed to be looking over the sea, and yet with some kind of double glance, such as women have at command, she seemed to have been all the time looking straight through and through me and getting some idea of her own from my changing expression. I suppose the appearance of determination frightened her or set her on guard, for she suddenly said:
“Ought we not to be turning home?”
“Not yet!” I pleaded, all awake in a moment from my dreams. “A few minutes, and then we can go back.”
“Very well,” she said with a smile, and then added demurely29; “we must not be long.” I felt that my hour had come and spoke30 impulsively32:
“Marjory, will you be my wife?” Having got out the words I stopped. My heart was beating so heavily that I could not speak more. For a few seconds, which seemed ages to me, we were both silent. I daresay that she may have been prepared for something; from what I know now I am satisfied that her own intention was to ward12 off any coming difficulty. But the suddenness and boldness of the question surprised her and embarrassed her to silence. She stopped walking, and as she stood still I could see her bosom33 heave—like my own. Then with a great effort, which involved a long breath and the pulling up of her figure and the setting back of her shoulders, she spoke:
[108]
“But you know nothing of me!”
“I know all of you that I want to know!” This truly Hibernian speech amused her, even through her manifest emotion and awkwardness, if one can apply the word to one compact of so many graces. I saw the smile, and it seemed to set us both more at ease.
“That sounds very rude,” she said “but I understand what you mean, and take it so.” This gave me an opening into which I jumped at once. She listened, seeming not displeased34 at my words; but on the whole glad of a moment’s pause to collect her thoughts before again speaking:
“I know that you are beautiful; the most beautiful and graceful35 girl I ever saw. I know that you are brave and sweet and tender and thoughtful. I know that you are clever and resourceful and tactful. I know that you are a good comrade; that you are an artist with a poet’s soul. I know that you are the one woman in all the wide world for me; that having seen you there can never be any one else to take your place in my heart. I know that I would rather die with you in my arms, than live a king with any other queen!”
“But you have only seen me twice. How can you know so many nice things about me. I wish they were all true! I am only a girl; and I must say it is sweet to hear them, whether they be true or not. Anyhow, supposing them all true, how could you have known them?”
Hope was stepping beside me now. I went on:
“I did not need a second meeting to know so much. To-day was but a repetition of my joy; an endorsement36 of my judgment37; a fresh rivetting of my fetters38!” She smiled in spite of herself as she replied:
“You leave me dumb. How can I answer or argue[109] with such a conviction.” Then she laid her hand tenderly on my arm as she went on:
“Oh, I know what you mean, my friend. I take it all in simple truth; and believe me it makes me proud to hear it, though it also makes me feel somewhat unworthy of so much faith. But there is one other thing which you must consider. In justice to me you must.” She paused and I felt my heart grow cold. “What is it?” I asked. I tried to speak naturally but I felt that my voice was hoarse39. Her answer came slowly, but it seemed to turn me to ice:
“But I don’t know you!”
There was a pity in her eyes which gave me some comfort, though not much; a man whose soul is crying out for love does not want pity. Love is a glorious self-surrender; all spontaneity; all gladness, all satisfaction, in which doubt and forethought have no part. Pity is a conscious act of the mind; wherein is a knowledge of one’s own security of foothold. The two can no more mingle40 than water and oil.
The shock had come, and I braced41 myself to it. I felt that now if ever I should do my devoir as a gentleman. It was my duty as well as my privilege to shield this woman from unnecessary pain and humiliation42. Well I knew, that it had been pain to her to say such a thing to me; and the pain had come from my own selfish impulse. She had warned me earlier in the day, and I had broken through her warning. Now she was put in a false position through my act; it was necessary I should make her feelings as little painful as I could. I had even then a sort of dim idea that my best plan would have been to have taken her in my arms and kissed her. Had we both been older I might have done so; but my love was not built in this fashion. Passion was so mingled43 with respect that the other course, recognition of, and[110] obedience44 to, her wishes seemed all that was open to me. Besides it flashed across me that she might take it that I was presuming on her own impulsive31 act on the rock. I said with what good heart I could:
“That is an argument unanswerable, at present. I can only hope that time will stand my friend. Only” I added and my voice choked as I said it “Do, do believe that I am in deadly earnest; that all my life is at stake; and that I only wait, and I will wait loyally with what patience I can, in obedience to your will. My feelings and my wish, and—and my request will stand unaltered till I die!” She said not a word, but the tears rose up in her beautiful eyes and ran down her blushing cheeks as she held out her hand to me. She did not object when I raised it to my lips and kissed it with all my soul in the kiss!
We turned instinctively45 and walked homewards. I felt dejected, but not broken. At first the sand seemed to be heavy to my feet; but when after a little I noticed that my companion walked with a buoyancy unusual even to her, I too became gay again. We came back to the hotel much in the spirit in which we had set out.
We found Mrs. Jack dressed, all but her outer cloak, and ready for the road. She went away with Marjory to finish her toilet, but came back before her younger companion. When we were alone she said to me after a few moments of ’hum’ing and ’ha’ing and awkward preparation of speech:
“Oh Mr. Hunter, Marjory tells me that she intends to ride on her bicycle down to Aberdeen from Braemar where we are going on Friday. I am to drive from Braemar to Ballater and then go on by train so that I shall be in before her, though I am to leave later. But I am fearful about the girl riding such a journey by herself. We have no gentleman friend here, and it[111] would be so good of you to take charge of her, if you happened to be anywhere about there. I know I can trust you to take care of her, you have been so good to her, and to me, already.”
My heart leaped. Here was an unexpected chance come my way. Time was showing himself to be my friend already.
“Be quite assured,” I said as calmly as I could “I shall be truly glad to be of the least service. And indeed it will just suit my plans, as I hoped to go to Braemar on my bicycle one day very soon and can arrange to go just as may suit you. But of course you understand that I must not go unless Miss Anita wishes it. I could not presume to thrust myself upon her.”
“Oh that is all right!” she answered quickly, so quickly that I took it that she had already considered the matter and was satisfied about it. “Marjory will not object.” Just then the young lady entered the room and Mrs. Jack turning to her said:
“I have asked Mr. Hunter my dear to ride down with you from Braemar; and he says that as it just suits his plans as he was going there he will be very happy if you ask him.” She smiled as she said:
“Oh since you asked him and he had said yes I need not ask him too; but I shall be very glad!” I bowed. When Mrs. Jack went out, Marjory turning to me said:
“When did you plan to go to Braemar?”
“When Mrs. Jack told me you were going” I answered boldly.
“Oh! I didn’t mean that,” she said with a slight blush “but at what time you were to be there.” To which I said:
“That will be just to suit your convenience. Will you write and let me know?” She saw through my[112] ruse46 of getting a letter, and smilingly held up a warning finger.
As we strolled up the road, waiting for the dog-cart to be got ready, she said to me:
“Now you can be a good comrade I know; and you said that, amongst other things, I was a good comrade. So I am; and between Braemar and Aberdeen we must both be good comrades. That and nothing more! Whatever may come after, for good or ill, that time must be kept apart.”
“Agreed!” I said and felt a secret exultation47 as we joined Mrs. Jack. Before they started Marjory said:
“Mrs. Jack I also have asked Mr. Hunter to come on the ride from Braemar. I thought it would please him if we both asked him, since he is so diffident and unimpulsive!”
With a smile she said good-bye and waved it with her whip as they started.
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1
misgiving
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕 | |
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2
zigzag
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| n.曲折，之字形；adj.曲折的，锯齿形的；adv.曲折地，成锯齿形地；vt.使曲折；vi.曲折前行 | |
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3
mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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4
sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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5
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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6
surmises
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的第三人称单数 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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7
cipher
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| n.零；无影响力的人；密码 | |
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8
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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9
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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10
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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11
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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12
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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13
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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14
latitudes
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| 纬度 | |
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15
mellowed
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| （使）成熟( mellow的过去式和过去分词 )； 使色彩更加柔和，使酒更加醇香 | |
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16
relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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17
merge
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| v.(使)结合，(使)合并，(使)合为一体 | |
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18
akin
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| adj.同族的，类似的 | |
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myriad
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| adj.无数的；n.无数，极大数量 | |
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20
chirp
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| v.(尤指鸟)唧唧喳喳的叫 | |
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21
bleating
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| v.（羊，小牛）叫( bleat的现在分词 )；哭诉；发出羊叫似的声音；轻声诉说 | |
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22
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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23
stagnation
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| n. 停滞 | |
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24
poise
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| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
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25
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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26
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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27
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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28
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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29
demurely
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| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
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30
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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31
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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32
impulsively
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| adv.冲动地 | |
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33
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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34
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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35
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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36
endorsement
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| n.背书；赞成，认可，担保；签(注)，批注 | |
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37
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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38
fetters
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| n.脚镣( fetter的名词复数 )；束缚v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的第三人称单数 ) | |
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39
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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40
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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41
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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42
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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43
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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44
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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45
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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46
ruse
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| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
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47
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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