Gradually she revived in the fresh morning air.
Then she adjusted the telescope and focussed it on the dark head in the water.
The powerful lens brought the swimmer so near, that it seemed as if she had but to put out her hand to touch him.
He was swimming in direct line between herself and the rising sun. The water through which he moved, sparkled and glittered. She could see every strand1 of his 166wet hair, her wedding-ring on his brown finger.
She marked the strong, quick strokes. Rapidly he put distance between himself and the shore. She had to keep adjusting the focus to hold him near.
“Oh God,” she prayed, “do not let him do this thing. Do not let him drown. If a life must be given, my life for his. Oh, by the mercy of Christ, my life for his!”
After a while he began to flag. She watched him fold his arms, turn upon his back, and lie, like a tired child, upon the bosom3 of the sparkling ocean.
Then she could see his face, ghastly in the sunlight. There was madness in it—madness.
“O God of infinite mercy! My punishment is greater than I can bear. I bow to Thy Divine Will. I give up my belovèd; I give him up, if need be, for all eternity4; but save him from the doom5 of the suicide. My life for his, O Lord, my life for his!”
167He had turned, and was swimming on; but his movements were vague and uncertain. He clove6 the water feebly, pausing between each stroke and raising his head.
Suddenly he disappeared. The sparkling highway held no sign of him.
The brown hands reappeared; the dark head rose out of the sea. But making no attempt to swim, he lifted his face to the sun, then raised his arms and went down again.
“O God, have mercy!”
She held her breath and watched.
Ah! His hands again! His face—the eyes now wide and staring. He gasped9; his chest heaved. He raised his head and shoulders out of the water; then slowly clasped his hands, lifted them above his head, and sank instantly.
She was silent in her agony; yet, speechless, her heart still cried to God.
168“Save him! Save him! My soul for his! O God, my soul for his!”
O empty, sunlit sea!
The floor rocked and swayed beneath her feet. She clung to the telescope, striving to keep in view the rippling10 surface where last she had seen him.
No sign, no hope. This was the end.
An awful calmness held her. “Fifty fathoms11 deep,” and this time no return. She and Despair must company together through all the years to come, and after.
He fought and struck the water, then straightened out and lay upon his back, heaving, breathing; breathing, heaving; gasping with closed eyes; then quite still, resting; a weary child upon its mother’s breast; a lover in the tender arms of his belovèd. The water rocked him gently. So near he seemed. She clung to the telescope, speaking softly to him.
“Nigel, my dearest, God has heard my 169prayer. Rest there, dear Heart. The arms of Eternal Love are beneath you. Oh, if the wish to live returns, you will be given strength to reach the shore. Heart of my heart, my life for yours; my soul for yours, if need be.”
“Oh, what does he see? Visions of God? Promise of life and peace and joy restored? Or is he dying; dying there, before my eyes? Nigel, my own, what is it?”
Slowly he turned and looked toward the shore; then started swimming, a steady breast stroke, slow but sure.
Her trembling fingers adjusted the focus, keeping pace with him.
His eyes met hers. A glory of love was on his face. He waved his arm and smiled. His lips moved and formed a word.
Yes, it was her name!
“Miriam,” he said; and again, “Miriam!”
“Oh, wonder beyond belief. He has remembered 170and is coming back to me; coming back a second time from the dead; but this time God-sent, God-given.”
She laughed softly and whispered tender words.
“Yes, darling, I know. Yes, your wife is here; just waiting here, as on those dear mornings long ago.... Swim carefully, my dearest boy. I do so dread14 the sea—so deep and treacherous15.... Yes, I see the ring.... Oh, is that how you love me? No, don’t stop to answer ... Nigel, it takes so long.... Are you exhausted16, darling? Oh, turn again and rest.... Nigel, you make no progress. Oh, my God, he is swimming, but he is not moving! He is caught by the current!... Ah!... No!... Yes! He is gone!”
She flew into her room and pealed17 the bell. Then back to the balcony, shrieking18 wildly. So near the shore, but gone.
An empty sea; a cruel, sparkling, empty sea!
The sound of hurrying feet within. She 171staggered back into the room, clutching at the window-frame and curtains.
“Quick, Thomas, quick! Sir Nigel—drowning—below the cliff—a boat—a rope—”
Then she fell forward on her face.
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收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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swoop
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| n.俯冲，攫取；v.抓取，突然袭击 | |
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3
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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4
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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5
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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6
clove
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| n.丁香味 | |
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7
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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9
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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10
rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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11
fathoms
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| 英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
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12
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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13
ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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14
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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15
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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16
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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17
pealed
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| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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