The dews of heaven refined,
After tea Amanda asked little Betsey to accompany her in a walk; for Ellen (dressed in all her rural finery) had gone earlier in the evening to the dance. But Amanda did not begin her walk with her usual alacrity3: her bonnet4 was so heavy, and then it made her look so ill, that she could not go out till she had made some alterations5 in it; still it would not do; a hat was tried on; she liked it better, and at last set out; but not as usual did she pause, whenever a new or lovely feature in the landscape struck her view, to express her admiration6: she was often indeed so absorbed in thought, as to start when Betsey addressed her, which was often the case: for little Betsey delighted to have Miss Amanda to trace figures for her in the clouds, and assist her in gathering7 wild flowers. Scarcely knowing which way they went, Amanda rambled8 to the village; and feeling herself fatigued9, turned into the church-yard to rest upon one of the raised flags.
The graves were ornamented10 with garlands of cut paper, interwoven with flowers: tributes of love from the village maids to the memory of their departed friends.
As Amanda rested herself, she twined a garland of the wild flowers she had gathered with Betsey, and hung it over the[Pg 43] grave of Lady Malvina: her fine eyes raised to heaven, as if invoking11 at that moment the spirit of her mother, to regard the vernal offering of her child; while her white hands were folded on her heart, and she softly exclaimed, “Alas, is this the only tribute for me to pay!”
A low murmur12, as if from voices near, startled her at the instant; she turned with quickness, and saw Lord Mortimer, with a young clergyman, half hid by some trees, attentively13 observing her. Blushing and confused, she drew her hat over her face, and catching14 Betsey’s hand, hastened to the cottage.
Lord Mortimer had wandered about the skirts of the cottage, in hopes of meeting her in the evening; on seeing the direction she had taken from it, he followed her, and just as she entered the church-yard, unexpectedly met the curate. His company, at a moment so propitious15 for joining Amanda, he could well have dispensed16 with; for he was more anxious than he chose to acknowledge to himself, to become acquainted with her.
Lord Mortimer was now in the glowing prime of life: his person was strikingly elegant, and his manners insinuatingly17 pleasing; seducing18 sweetness dwelt in his smile, and, as he pleased, his expressive19 eyes could sparkle with intelligence, or beam with sensibility; and to the eloquence20 of his language, the harmony of his voice imparted a charm that seldom failed of being irresistible21; his soul was naturally the seat of every virtue22; but an elevated rank, and splendid fortune, had placed him in a situation somewhat inimical to their interests, for he had not always strength to resist the strong temptations which surrounded him; but though he sometimes wandered from the boundaries of virtue, he had never yet entered upon the confines of vice—never really injured innocence23, or done a deed which could wound the bosom24 of a friend: his heart was alive to every noble propensity25 of nature; compassion26 was one of its strongest feelings, and never did his hand refuse obedience27 to the generous impulse. Among the various accomplishments28 he possessed29, was an exquisite30 taste for music, which, with every other talent, had been cultivated to the highest degree of possible perfection; his spending many years abroad had given him every requisite31 advantage for improving it. The soft, melodious32 voice of Amanda would of itself almost have made a conquest of his heart; but aided by the charms of her face and person, altogether were irresistible.
He had come into Wales on purpose to pay a visit to an old friend in the Isle33 of Anglesey: he did not mean to stop at Tudor Hall; but within a few miles of it the phaeton, in which[Pg 44] he travelled (from the fineness of the weather), was overturned, and he severely34 hurt. He procured35 a hired carriage, and proceeded to the hall, to put himself into the hands of the good old housekeeper36, Mrs. Abergwilly; who, possessing as great a stock of medical knowledge as Lady Bountiful herself, he believed would cure his bruises37 with as much, or rather more expedition, than any country surgeon whatever. He gave strict orders that his being at the hall should not be mentioned, as he did not choose, the few days he hoped and believed he should continue there, to be disturbed by visits which he knew would be paid if an intimation of his being there was received. From an apartment adjoining the music-room he had discovered Amanda. Though scarcely able to move, at the first sound of her voice he stole to the door, which being a little open, gave him an opportunity of seeing her perfectly38; and nothing but his situation prevented his immediately appearing before her, and expressing the admiration she had inspired him with. As soon as she departed he sent for the housekeeper, to inquire who the beautiful stranger was. Mrs. Abergwilly only knew she was a young lady lately come from London, to lodge39 at David Edwin’s cottage, whose wife had entreated40 permission for her to read in the library, which, she added, she had given, seeing that his lordship read in his dressing-room; but, if he pleased, she would send Miss Dunford word not to come again—“By no means,” his lordship said. Amanda therefore continued her visits as usual, little thinking with what critical regard and fond admiration she was observed. Lord Mortimer daily grew better; but the purpose for which he had come into Wales seemed utterly41 forgotten; he had a tincture of romance in his disposition42, and availed himself of his recovery to gratify it, by taking a lute43 and serenading his lovely cottage girl. He could no longer restrain his impatience44 to be known to her; and the next day, stealing from his retirement45, surprised her as already related.
As he could not, without an utter violation46 of good manners, shake off Howel, he contented47 himself with following Amanda into the church-yard, where, shaded by trees, he and his companion stood watching her unnoticed, till an involuntary exclamation48 of rapture49 from his lordship discovered their situation. When she departed, he read the inscription50 on the tombstone; but, from the difference of names, this gave no insight into any connection between her and the person it mentioned. Howel could give no information of either; he was but a young man, lately appointed to the parsonage, and had never seen Amanda till that evening.
[Pg 45] Lord Mortimer was solicitous51, even to a degree of anxiety, to learn the real situation of Amanda. As Howel, in his pastoral function, had free access to the houses of his parishioners, it occurred to him that he would be an excellent person to discover it; he therefore, as if from curiosity alone, expressed his wish of knowing who she was, and requested Howel, if convenient, to follow her directly to Edwin’s cottage (where, he said, by chance, he heard she lodged), and endeavor to find out from the good people everything about her. This request Howel readily complied with; the face, the figure, the melancholy52, and, above all, the employment of Amanda, had interested his sensibility and excited his curiosity.
He arrived soon after her at the cottage, and found her laughing at her nurse, who was telling her she was certain she should see her a great lady. Amanda rose to retire at his entrance; but he, perceiving her intention, declared if he disturbed her, he would immediately depart; she accordingly reseated herself, secretly pleased at doing so, as she thought, either from some look or word of the curate’s, she might discover if he really was the person who had serenaded her; from this idea she showed no aversion to enter into conversation with him.
The whole family, nurse excepted, had followed Ellen to the dance; and that good woman thought she could do no less, for the honor of Howel’s visit, than prepare a little comfortable supper for him. The benevolence53 of his disposition, and innocent gayety of his temper, had rendered him a great favorite amongst his rustic54 neighbors, whom he frequently amused with simple ballads57 and pleasant tales. Amanda and he were left tete-??-tete while the nurse was busied in preparing her entertainment; and she was soon as much pleased with the elegance58 and simplicity59 of his manners, as he was with the innocence and sweetness of hers. The objects about them naturally led to rural subjects, and from them to what might almost be termed a dissertation60 on poetry: this was a theme peculiarly agreeable to Howel, who wooed the pensive61 muse55 beneath the sylvan62 shade; nor was it less so to Amanda—she was a zealous63 worshipper of the muses64, though diffidence made her conceal65 her invocations to them. She was led to point out the beauties of her favorite authors, and the soft sensibility of her voice raised a kind of tender enthusiasm in Howel’s soul; he gazed and listened, as if his eye could never be satisfied with seeing, or his ear with hearing. At his particular request, Amanda recited the pathetic description of the curate and his lovely daughter from the “Deserted Village"—a tear stole down her cheek as[Pg 46] she proceeded. Howel softly laid his hand on hers, and exclaimed, “Good heavens, what an angel!”
“Come, come,” said Amanda, smiling at the energy with which he spoke66, “you, at least, should have nothing to do with flattery.”
“Flattery!” repeated he, emphatically; “Oh heavens! did you but know my sincerity——”
“Well, well,” cried she, wishing to change the subject, “utter no expression in future which shall make me doubt it.”
“To flatter you,” said he, “would be impossible, since the highest eulogium must be inadequate67 to your merits.”
“Again!” said Amanda.
“Believe me,” he replied, “flattery is a meanness I abhor68; the expressions you denominate as such proceed from emotions I should contemn69 myself for want of sensibility if I did not experience.”
The nurse’s duck and green peas were now set upon the table, but in vain did she press Howel to eat; his eyes were too well feasted to allow him to attend to his palate. Finding her entreaties70 ineffectual in one respect, she tried them in another, and begged he would sing a favorite old ballad56; this he at first hesitated to do, till Amanda (from a secret motive71 of her own) joined in the entreaty72; and the moment she heard his voice, she was convinced he was not the person who had been at the outside of her window. After his complaisance73 to her, she could not refuse him one song. The melodious sounds sunk into his heart; he seemed fascinated to the spot, nor thought of moving till the nurse gave him a hint for that purpose, being afraid of Amanda sitting up too late.
He sighed as he entered his humble74 dwelling75; it was perhaps the first sigh he had ever heaved for the narrowness of his fortune. “Yet,” cried he, casting his eyes around, “in this abode76, low and humble as it is, a soul like Amanda’s might enjoy felicity.”
The purpose for which Lord Mortimer sent him to the cottage, and Lord Mortimer himself, were forgotten. His lordship had engaged Howel to sup with him after the performance of his embassy, and impatiently awaited his arrival: he felt displeased77, as the hours wore away without bringing him; and, unable at last to restrain the impetuosity of his feelings, proceeded to the parsonage; which he entered a few minutes after Howel. He asked, with no great complacency, the reason he had not fulfilled his engagement. Absorbed in one idea, Howel felt confused, agitated78, and unable to frame any excuse; he[Pg 47] therefore simply said, what in reality was true, “that he had utterly forgotten it.”
“I suppose, then,” exclaimed Lord Mortimer, in a ruffled79 voice, “you have been very agreeably entertained?”
“Delightfully,” said Howel.
Lord Mortimer grew more displeased, but his anger was now levelled against himself as well as Howel. He repented80 and regretted the folly81 which had thrown Howel in the way of such temptation, and had perhaps raised a rival to himself.
“Well,” cried he, after a few hasty paces about the room, “and pray, what do you know about Miss Dunford?”
“About her!” repeated Howel, as if starting from a reverie; “why—nothing.”
“Nothing!” re-echoed his lordship.
“No,” replied Howel, “except that she is an angel.”
Lord Mortimer was now thoroughly82 convinced all was over with the poor parson; and resolved, in consequence of this conviction, to lose no time himself. He could not depart without inquiring how the evening had been spent, and envied Howel the happy minutes he had so eloquently83 described.
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1
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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emulate
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| v.努力赶上或超越，与…竞争；效仿 | |
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alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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alterations
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| n.改动( alteration的名词复数 )；更改；变化；改变 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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8
rambled
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的过去式和过去分词 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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9
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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invoking
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| v.援引( invoke的现在分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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12
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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13
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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14
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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15
propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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16
dispensed
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| v.分配( dispense的过去式和过去分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
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insinuatingly
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seducing
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| 诱奸( seduce的现在分词 )； 勾引； 诱使堕落； 使入迷 | |
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19
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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24
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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28
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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29
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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30
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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31
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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32
melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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35
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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37
bruises
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| n.瘀伤，伤痕，擦伤( bruise的名词复数 ) | |
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38
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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40
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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42
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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43
lute
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| n.琵琶，鲁特琴 | |
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44
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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45
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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47
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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49
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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50
inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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51
solicitous
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| adj.热切的，挂念的 | |
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52
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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53
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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54
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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55
muse
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| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
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56
ballad
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| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
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57
ballads
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| 民歌，民谣，特别指叙述故事的歌( ballad的名词复数 )； 讴 | |
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58
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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59
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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60
dissertation
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| n.（博士学位）论文，学术演讲，专题论文 | |
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61
pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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62
sylvan
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| adj.森林的 | |
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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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64
muses
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的第三人称单数 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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66
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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67
inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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68
abhor
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| v.憎恶；痛恨 | |
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contemn
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| v.蔑视 | |
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70
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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71
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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72
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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73
complaisance
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| n.彬彬有礼，殷勤，柔顺 | |
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74
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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75
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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76
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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77
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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79
ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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80
repented
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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82
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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83
eloquently
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| adv. 雄辩地(有口才地, 富于表情地) | |
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