“Confessed from yonder slow extinguished clouds,
Her wonted station in the middle air;
A thousand shadows at her back.”—Thomson.
Castle Carberry, to which our travellers were going, was a large gothic pile, erected2 in the rude and distant period when strength more than elegance3 was deemed necessary in a building. The depredations4 of war, as well as time, were discernible on its exterior5; some of its lofty battlements were broken, and others mouldering6 to decay, while about its ancient towers
“The rank grass waved its head,
It stood upon a rocky eminence8 overhanging the sea, and commanding a delightful9 prospect10 of the opposite coast of Scotland; about it were yet to be traced irregular fortifications, a moat, and remains11 of a drawbridge, with a well, long since dry, which had been dug in the rock to supply the inhabitants in time of siege with water. On one side rose a stupendous hill, covered to the very summit with trees, and scattered12 over with relics13 of druidical antiquity14; before it stretched an exten[Pg 138]sive and gently swelling15 lawn, sheltered on each side with groves16 of intermingled shade, and refreshed by a clear and meandering19 rivulet20, that took its rise from the adjoining hill, and murmured over a bed of pebbles22.
After a pleasant journey, on the evening of the fourth day, our travellers arrived at their destined23 habitation. An old man and woman, who had the care of it, were apprised24 of their coming, and on the first approach of the carriage, opened the massy door, and waited to receive them: they reached it when the sober gray of twilight25 had clad every object. Amanda viewed the dark and stupendous edifice26, whose gloom was now heightened by the shadows of evening, with venerable awe27. The solitude28, the silence which reigned29 around, the melancholy30 murmur21 of the waves as they dashed against the foot of the rocks, all heightened the sadness of her mind; yet it was not quite an unpleasing sadness, for with it was now mingled18 a degree of that enthusiasm which plaintive31 and romantic spirits are so peculiarly subject to feel in viewing the venerable grandeur32 of an ancient fabric33 renowned34 in history. As she entered a spacious35 hall, curiously36 wainscoted with oak, ornamented37 with coats of arms, spears, lances, and old armor, she could not avoid casting a retrospective eye to former times, when, perhaps, in this very hall, bards38 sung the exploits of those heroes, whose useless arms now hung upon the walls. She wished, in the romance of the moment, some gray bard39 near her, to tell the deeds of other times—of kings renowned in our land—of chiefs we behold40 no more. In the niches41 in the hall were figures of chieftains, large as life, and rudely carved in oak. Their frowning countenances42 struck a sudden panic upon the heart of Ellen. “Cot pless their souls,” she said, “what the tefil did they do there, except to frighten the people from going into the house.”
They were shown into a large parlor43, furnished in an old-fashioned manner, and found a comfortable supper prepared for them. Oppressed with fatigue44, soon after they had partaken of it, they retired45 to rest. The next morning, immediately after breakfast, Amanda, attended by the old woman and Ellen, ranged over the castle. Its interior was quite as gothic as its exterior; the stairs were winding47, the galleries intricate, the apartments numerous, and mostly hung with old tapestry48, representing Irish battles, in which the chiefs of Castle Carberry were particularly distinguished49. Their portraits, with those of their ladies, occupied a long gallery, whose arched windows cast a dim religious light upon them. This was termi[Pg 139]nated by a small apartment in the centre of one of the towers that flanked the building. The room was an octagon, and thus commanded a sea and land prospect, uniting at once the sublime50 and beautiful in it. The furniture was not only modern but elegant, and excited the particular attention and inquiries51 of Amanda. The old woman informed her this had been the dressing-room of the late Countess of Cherbury, both before and after her marriage: “one of the sweetest, kindest ladies,” continued she, “I ever knew; the castle has been quite deserted52 since she died—alack-a-day! I thought my poor heart would have broke when I heard of her death. Ah! I remember the night I heard the Banshee crying so pitifully.” “And pray what is that?” interrupted Amanda. “Why, a little woman, no higher than a yard, who wears a blue petticoat, a red cloak, and a handkerchief round her head; and when the head of any family, especially a great family, is to die, she is always heard, by some of the old followers53, bemoaning54 herself.” “Lort save us!” cried Ellen, “I hope his lortship, the earl, won’t take it into his head to die while we are here, for I’d as lief see one of the fairies of Penmaenmawr, as such a little old witch.” “Well, proceed,” said Amanda. “So, as I was saying, I heard her crying dismally55 one night in a corner of the house. So, says I to my husband, Johnaten, says I, I am sure we shall hear something about my good lord or lady. And sure enough we did the next day, and ever since we have seen none of the family.” “Did you ever see the young lord?” asked Amanda, with involuntary precipitation. “See him! aye, that I did, when he was about eight years old; there is his picture (pointing to one which hung over the chimney); my lady had it done by a fine English painter, and brought it over with her. It is the moral of what he then was.” The eager eyes of Amanda were instantly turned to it, and she traced, or at least imagined she did so, a resemblance still between it and him. The painter seemed as if he had had the description of Pity in his mind when he drew the picture; for Lord Mortimer was portrayed56, as she is represented in the beautiful allegory, sheltering a trembling dove in his bosom57 from a ferocious58 hawk59. Oh! Mortimer! thought Amanda, thy feeling nature is here ably delineated! The distressed60, or the helpless, to the utmost of your power, you would save from the gripe of cruelty and oppression. Her father had desired her to choose pleasant apartments for her own immediate46 use, and she accordingly fixed61 on this and the room adjoining it, which had been Lady Cherbury’s chamber62. Her things[Pg 140] were brought hither, and her books, works, and implements63 for drawing, deposited in rich inlaid cabinets. Pleased with the arrangements she had made, she brought her father, as soon as he was at leisure, to view them. He was happy to find her spirits somewhat cheerful and composed, and declared in future he would call this Amanda’s Tower. Accompanied by him, she ascended64 to the battlements of the castle, and was delighted with the extensive and variegated65 prospect she beheld66 from them. A spacious edifice, at some distance, embowered in a grove17 of venerable oaks, attracted her admiration67. Her father told her that was Ulster Lodge68, a seat belonging to the Marquis of Roslin, who was an Irish as well as a Scotch69 Peer, and had very extensive possessions in Ireland. Fitzalan added, he had been inquiring of the old man about the neighborhood, and learned from him that, at the expiration70 of every three or four years, the Marquis usually came over to Ulster Lodge, but had never yet been accompanied by the Marchioness, or Lady Euphrasia Sutherland, who was his only child.
The domestic economy of Castle Carberry was soon settled. A young man and woman were hired, as Johnaten and his wife, Kate, were considered little more than supernumeraries. Ellen was appointed to attend Amanda, and do whatever plain work was required. Fitzalan felt a pleasing serenity72 diffused73 over his mind, from the idea of being in some degree independent, and in the way of making some provision for his children. The first shock of a separation from Lord Mortimer being over, the cheerfulness of Amanda gradually returned, the visions of hope again revived in her mind, and she indulged a secret pleasure at living in the house he had once occupied. She considered her father as particularly connected with his family, and doubted not, from this circumstance, she should sometimes hear of him. She judged of his constancy by her own, and believed he would not readily forget her. She acknowledged her father’s motives74 for separating them were equally just and delicate; but firmly believed, if Lord Mortimer (as she flattered herself he would) confessed a partiality in her favor to his father, that, influenced by tenderness for his son, friendship for her father, and the knowledge of her descent, he would immediately give up every idea of another connection, and sanction theirs with his approbation75. No obstacle appeared to such an union but want of fortune, and that want she could never suppose would be considered as one by the liberal-minded Lord Cherbury, who had himself an income sufficient to gratify even luxurious76 wishes. Her time was[Pg 141] agreeably diversified77 by the sources of amusements she drew from herself. Her father, whose supreme78 felicity consisted in contributing to her pleasure, purchased a delightful harp79 for her in Dublin, which arrived a few days after them, at Castle Carberry, and with its dulcet80 lays she often charmed, not only his spirit, but her own, from every mortal care. She loved to rise early, and catch the first beams of the sun, as she wandered over the dewy lawn, where the lowing cattle cropped the flowery herbage, and the milkmaid sung her plaintive ditty.
With her father she took long walks about the adjacent country. He had visited every scene before, and now pointed71 out whatever was worthy81 her attention: the spots where the heroes of former ages had fallen, where the mighty82 stones of their fame were raised, that the children of the North might hereafter know the places where their fathers fought; that the hunter, as he leaned upon a mossy tomb, might say, here fought the heroes of other years, and their fame shall last forever!
Amanda, too, often rambled83 by herself, particularly among the rocks, where were several natural grottos84, strewed85 with shells and seaweeds. Here, of a mild day, she loved to read, and listen to the low murmurs86 of the tide. The opposite Scottish hills, among which her mother first drew breath, often attracted and fixed her attention, frequently drawing tears from her eyes, by awaking in her mind the recollection of that mother’s sufferings.
On a morning, when she sat at work in her apartment, Ellen, who was considered more as a friend than a servant, sometimes sat with her; the conversation not unfrequently turned on nurse Edwin’s cottage, from which Ellen, with an arch simplicity87, would advert88 to Tudor Hall, thence naturally to Lord Mortimer, and conclude with poor Chip, exclaiming: “What a pity true love should ever be crossed!”
点击收听单词发音
1 softening | |
变软,软化 | |
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2 ERECTED | |
adj. 直立的,竖立的,笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立,建立 | |
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3 elegance | |
n.优雅;优美,雅致;精致,巧妙 | |
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4 depredations | |
n.劫掠,毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
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5 exterior | |
adj.外部的,外在的;表面的 | |
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6 mouldering | |
v.腐朽( moulder的现在分词 );腐烂,崩塌 | |
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7 moss | |
n.苔,藓,地衣 | |
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8 eminence | |
n.卓越,显赫;高地,高处;名家 | |
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9 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
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10 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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11 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
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12 scattered | |
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的 | |
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13 relics | |
[pl.]n.遗物,遗迹,遗产;遗体,尸骸 | |
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14 antiquity | |
n.古老;高龄;古物,古迹 | |
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15 swelling | |
n.肿胀 | |
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16 groves | |
树丛,小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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17 grove | |
n.林子,小树林,园林 | |
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18 mingled | |
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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19 meandering | |
蜿蜒的河流,漫步,聊天 | |
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20 rivulet | |
n.小溪,小河 | |
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21 murmur | |
n.低语,低声的怨言;v.低语,低声而言 | |
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22 pebbles | |
[复数]鹅卵石; 沙砾; 卵石,小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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23 destined | |
adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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24 apprised | |
v.告知,通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 );评价 | |
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25 twilight | |
n.暮光,黄昏;暮年,晚期,衰落时期 | |
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26 edifice | |
n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿,教室) | |
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27 awe | |
n.敬畏,惊惧;vt.使敬畏,使惊惧 | |
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28 solitude | |
n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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29 reigned | |
vi.当政,统治(reign的过去式形式) | |
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30 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
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31 plaintive | |
adj.可怜的,伤心的 | |
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32 grandeur | |
n.伟大,崇高,宏伟,庄严,豪华 | |
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33 fabric | |
n.织物,织品,布;构造,结构,组织 | |
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34 renowned | |
adj.著名的,有名望的,声誉鹊起的 | |
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35 spacious | |
adj.广阔的,宽敞的 | |
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36 curiously | |
adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地 | |
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37 ornamented | |
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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38 bards | |
n.诗人( bard的名词复数 ) | |
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39 bard | |
n.吟游诗人 | |
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40 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
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41 niches | |
壁龛( niche的名词复数 ); 合适的位置[工作等]; (产品的)商机; 生态位(一个生物所占据的生境的最小单位) | |
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42 countenances | |
n.面容( countenance的名词复数 );表情;镇静;道义支持 | |
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43 parlor | |
n.店铺,营业室;会客室,客厅 | |
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44 fatigue | |
n.疲劳,劳累 | |
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45 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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46 immediate | |
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的 | |
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47 winding | |
n.绕,缠,绕组,线圈 | |
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48 tapestry | |
n.挂毯,丰富多采的画面 | |
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49 distinguished | |
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
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50 sublime | |
adj.崇高的,伟大的;极度的,不顾后果的 | |
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51 inquiries | |
n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 );疑问;探究;打听 | |
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52 deserted | |
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的 | |
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53 followers | |
追随者( follower的名词复数 ); 用户; 契据的附面; 从动件 | |
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54 bemoaning | |
v.为(某人或某事)抱怨( bemoan的现在分词 );悲悼;为…恸哭;哀叹 | |
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55 dismally | |
adv.阴暗地,沉闷地 | |
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56 portrayed | |
v.画像( portray的过去式和过去分词 );描述;描绘;描画 | |
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57 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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58 ferocious | |
adj.凶猛的,残暴的,极度的,十分强烈的 | |
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59 hawk | |
n.鹰,骗子;鹰派成员 | |
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60 distressed | |
痛苦的 | |
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61 fixed | |
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
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62 chamber | |
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 | |
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63 implements | |
n.工具( implement的名词复数 );家具;手段;[法律]履行(契约等)v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 );执行;贯彻;使生效 | |
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64 ascended | |
v.上升,攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65 variegated | |
adj.斑驳的,杂色的 | |
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66 beheld | |
v.看,注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 );瞧;看呀;(叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现)哎哟 | |
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67 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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68 lodge | |
v.临时住宿,寄宿,寄存,容纳;n.传达室,小旅馆 | |
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69 scotch | |
n.伤口,刻痕;苏格兰威士忌酒;v.粉碎,消灭,阻止;adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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70 expiration | |
n.终结,期满,呼气,呼出物 | |
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71 pointed | |
adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
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72 serenity | |
n.宁静,沉着,晴朗 | |
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73 diffused | |
散布的,普及的,扩散的 | |
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74 motives | |
n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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75 approbation | |
n.称赞;认可 | |
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76 luxurious | |
adj.精美而昂贵的;豪华的 | |
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77 diversified | |
adj.多样化的,多种经营的v.使多样化,多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 );进入新的商业领域 | |
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78 supreme | |
adj.极度的,最重要的;至高的,最高的 | |
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79 harp | |
n.竖琴;天琴座 | |
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80 dulcet | |
adj.悦耳的 | |
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81 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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82 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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83 rambled | |
(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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84 grottos | |
n.(吸引人的)岩洞,洞穴,(人挖的)洞室( grotto的名词复数 ) | |
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85 strewed | |
v.撒在…上( strew的过去式和过去分词 );散落于;点缀;撒满 | |
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86 murmurs | |
n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 );低语声;怨言;嘀咕 | |
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87 simplicity | |
n.简单,简易;朴素;直率,单纯 | |
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88 advert | |
vi.注意,留意,言及;n.广告 | |
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