Into the blowing roses,
For the clear region where ’twas born,
Round in itself encloses;
And in its little globe’s extent
Frames as it can its native element.
How it the purple flower does slight,
But gazing back upon the skies,
Shines with a mournful light.
Like its own tear;
Because so long divided from the sphere!
Restless it rolls, and insecure,
So the soul—that drop, that ray
Of the clear fountain of eternal day—
Could it within the human flower be seen,
Remembering still its former height,
And recollecting6 its own light,
Does in its pure and circling thoughts express
The greater heaven in a heaven less.
In how coy a figure wound,
Every way it turns away;
So the world excluding round,
Yet receiving in the day,—
Dark beneath, but bright above,—
Here disdaining7, there in love:
How loose and easy hence to go!
Moving but on a point below,
In all about does upward bend.
ow quaintly9, yet how exquisitely10, in these lines has the old poet Marvell portrayed11 those who, in the world, are yet not of the world! How few, alas12! can read their own description in that of the pure bright dew-drop! How many, instead of resting even on the flower, “loose and easy hence to go,” waiting till the warm sun “exhales it back again,” have dropped from leaf to leaf, lower and lower, till, sinking at length to earth, and mingling13 with its dust, they are lost for evermore!
About a week after her arrival in Belgrave Square we will glance again at Clemence Effingham. She is in her husband’s quiet study—her favourite retreat. The ruddy fire-light falls cheerfully on the shelves of the well-filled book-case, which occupies almost an entire side of the small but comfortable apartment. Cheerfully glances that light on the expansive brow and handsome features of Mr. Effingham, cheerfully on the locks of shaded gold of her who sits at his feet. Clemence, still girlish in manner, and glad to throw off for a brief space the wearisome formality of etiquette14, has seated herself on a low footstool, and, resting her clasped hands on her husband’s knee, is looking up into his face with a look of earnest inquiry15.
“You see, my Vincent, that all is so new to me,—I am so fearful of making mistakes, so conscious of my own inexperience. You must guide and assist me, dearest. Ever since you told me what large sums—to me they seem startling sums—are constantly passing through Mrs. Ventner’s hands, I cannot help imagining that there must be strange waste in some quarter.”
“There always is waste in a large establishment; there is no necessity that we should mark the expenditure16 of every shilling, or enter into the details of every domestic arrangement.”
“But supposing that there should be something even worse than waste,” asked Clemence in a tone of hesitation17, “ought we to place temptations in the way of those who serve us, by exercising no watchfulness19 over them, by placing such unbounded confidence in them as may be, as is sometimes, abused?”
“Well, my love,” replied Mr. Effingham, “exercise as vigorous a superintendence as you will; keep the machinery20 in as perfect order as you like.”
“It is no question of liking21 with me,” cried Clemence, laughing a little, but not merrily; “for bills and books—tradesmen’s books, I mean—I have a horror; and, like Macbeth, I have to screw up my courage to the sticking-point before I venture on a colloquy22 with Mrs. Ventner. I never had a taste for governing, and the power intrusted to me is almost too heavy a weight for these poor little hands to grasp. I really need the support of my liege lord’s stronger arm! I am like a minister of state who has to manage a troublesome House of Commons, and,” she added, with a little hesitation, “rather a refractory23 House of Lords, and who cannot command a majority in either!” Clemence spoke24 gaily25 and lightly, but painful truth lay beneath the jest.
“Refractory House of Lords! I see—I see!” said Mr. Effingham, with a smile; “Louisa is a giddy child, and Arabella has a temper of her own. But all will come right—all will come right, with a little patience and firmness. I have the utmost confidence in your sense and judgment26, my love.”
“I wish that others had,” replied Clemence, speaking at first playfully, but her voice becoming earnest and almost agitated27 as she proceeded. “It is doubtless my own fault, Vincent, or perhaps the fault of my youth, but it seems to me that my wishes and opinions are of very little weight in this house. I want to consult you on so many points, that I may know whether I am right or wrong. Do you think it well that Louisa should be so constantly out, especially in the society of those from whom it seems to me, as far as I can judge, that she can only learn worldliness and levity28? Her studies are perpetually interrupted at an age when steady application is most valuable; and exposure to the night air really injures her health,—she could hardly sleep last night on account of her cough.”
“Forbid her, then, to go out again till she has lost it.”
“O Vincent, I shall be a dreadfully unpopular premier29!” exclaimed Clemence. Then she added, drawing her husband’s hand within her own, “If you, dearest—you, whose will should be law, to whose judgment all must defer—would only say a few words yourself, both on this subject and—”
“No, no!” interrupted Mr. Effingham quickly; “these trifles do not lie within my province. I make it a rule never to interfere30 with these petty domestic concerns. You will consult with Lady Selina, and then decide as seems best to yourself.”
“Lady Selina!” murmured Clemence, in a tone of disappointment; “oh, she never assists me at all I should be rather inclined”—the young wife looked up playfully but timidly as she spoke—“to call her the leader of the Opposition31!”
A slight frown passed across the brow of Mr. Effingham. He was by no means disposed to weaken, in any way, the connection of his family with a lady of rank and fashion, whose title gave a certain éclat to the establishment over which she so long had presided. The first time that the watchful18 eye of Clemence had ever perceived the slightest shade of displeasure towards her on the face of her husband was as he replied to her last observation,—
“I think, Clemence, that you do her injustice32. Lady Selina is a woman of sense, and a great deal of experience in the world—one not in the least likely to be influenced by petty jealousies33. I consider myself to be greatly indebted to her; and it is my wish that every member of my family should regard her in the same light that I do myself. As for little differences,” he continued, rising from his seat and standing34 with his back to the fire, “the thousand trifles which make up the sum of domestic life, I desire to hear nothing, know nothing, of them. My mind is occupied with affairs more important, and in my own home, at least, I look for peace and repose35.”
It is possible that Mr. Effingham observed by the fire-light something like glistening36 moisture on the downcast lashes37 of his wife; for, laying his hand kindly38 on her shoulder, he added in a gayer tone, “As long as my watch goes well, Clemence, I do not care to examine the works. I give you unlimited39 authority. Dissolve your whole House of Commons, if you please it; visit your peers with fine or imprisonment40; but don’t bring up appeals to me. A little time—a little judgment—they are all that is wanted; just act for the best, and take things easily.”
Act for the best, and take things easily! How many times Clemence Effingham repeated to herself these oracular words! How long she pondered over the possibility of reconciling with each other the two clauses of the sentence! She had become the mistress of a mansion where everything, beyond mere41 externals, was in a state of woeful neglect. Petty dishonesty was but one of the many evils which prevailed amongst the numerous members of the household; while, in the family, selfishness, worldliness, and vanity reigned42 uncontrolled and scarcely disguised. It was a Gordian knot, indeed, that the young wife was given to untie43, and she lacked strength to wield44 the conqueror’s sword! Into the ear of her husband Clemence would have loved to have poured all her difficulties and trials; his sympathy and counsel might have removed many of the former, and cheered and encouraged her under the latter; but, occupied by other cares, Mr. Effingham left his young partner to bear her burden alone. Clemence made more than one attempt to avail herself of the experience of Lady Selina; but the woman of the world was cautious not to compromise herself, or in the slightest degree to share the unpopularity which is the almost inevitable45 fate of reformers. Nor was she inclined to own the existence of evils that had chiefly arisen from her own neglect. Lady Selina, when consulted by Clemence, listened to her with the cold, impassive smile which seemed the stereotyped46 expression of her unuttered opinion, “You are such a poor, inexperienced child!” Clemence was left to fight her battles quite alone.
But was it not possible to “take things easily”—to close her eyes to everything that it might be disagreeable to see; to follow the example of Lady Selina, and let affairs take their own course; to enjoy the luxury, and brightness, and gaiety of her life, without examining too closely behind the scenes? Clemence was strongly tempted47 to do so—strongly tempted to swim with the tide; to fling from herself the burden of responsibility, and forget care in the pleasures of the hour.
It was well for her that she had not received a kinder welcome into the family. Had the path of Clemence been strewn with nothing but flowers, it would have been a path much more fraught48 with peril49. The unkindness and coldness which daily wounded her affectionate and sensitive spirit, were like thorny50 hedges which fenced her in from wandering from the narrow way. Had the cup of life been all sweetness, it is too probable that it might have intoxicated51; Lady Selina and her nieces were unconsciously mixing with it a bitter but salutary medicine. Safer, far safer is it to have the worldly as enemies than as friends. Nothing, perhaps, is more calculated to make a Christian52 walk carefully than the unavoidable companionship of those who dislike both himself and his religion. He feels that he must not disgrace his profession—that he must give no handle to the sharp blade of detraction53, no occasion for the enemy to blaspheme. His trials drive him to the footstool of grace; and while his patience and spirit of forgiveness find constant exercise, the evil from which he suffers makes him more keenly appreciate, more earnestly desire, the harmony, holiness, and happiness of heaven!
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1
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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impure
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| adj.不纯净的，不洁的；不道德的，下流的 | |
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shuns
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的第三人称单数 ) | |
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6
recollecting
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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7
disdaining
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| 鄙视( disdain的现在分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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8
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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9
quaintly
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| adv.古怪离奇地 | |
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10
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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portrayed
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| v.画像( portray的过去式和过去分词 )；描述；描绘；描画 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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14
etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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15
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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16
expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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17
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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19
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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20
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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21
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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22
colloquy
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| n.谈话，自由讨论 | |
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23
refractory
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| adj.倔强的，难驾驭的 | |
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24
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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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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26
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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28
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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29
premier
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| adj.首要的；n.总理，首相 | |
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30
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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31
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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32
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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33
jealousies
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| n.妒忌( jealousy的名词复数 )；妒羡 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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37
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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41
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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42
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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43
untie
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| vt.解开，松开；解放 | |
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44
wield
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| vt.行使，运用，支配；挥，使用(武器等) | |
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45
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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46
stereotyped
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| adj.(指形象、思想、人物等)模式化的 | |
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47
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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48
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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49
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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50
thorny
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| adj.多刺的，棘手的 | |
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51
intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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52
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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53
detraction
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| n.减损；诽谤 | |
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