At Mr. Effingham’s desire, Clemence, early in December, issued cards of invitation for that most formal, and, to a young housewife, most formidable of entertainments—a grand dinner party. She was almost ashamed to find how much her thoughts were occupied by earthly cares, how large a share of her anxious attention was given to preparations for an event of such comparatively trivial importance. Lady Selina, indeed, regarded such arrangements as part of the chief business of life, and did her best to wind up to nervous anxiety Clemence’s desire to order all things so as to do credit to her husband’s establishment. The favourite topic of Lady Selina now appeared to be the strange mistakes, the unpardonable blunders which had occurred within, and far beyond, the limits of her experience, at parties given by the uninitiated. She also delighted to expatiate7 on such qualities in the expected guests as might render them formidable to their young hostess. Lord Vaughan was a connoisseur8 in the culinary art, and paid an unheard-of salary to his French cook; Lady Praed always detected at a glance the smallest error in matters of form; Colonel Parsons and Sir William Page were keen opponents in politics, and it would require much tact9 and management on the part of Mrs. Effingham to ward10 off any unpleasant discussion. Clemence listened, sighed, and heartily11 wished that the dreaded12 evening were over.
Then serious cares disturbed her. The more the young wife entered into the details of her establishment, the more she became aware of the difficulties which surrounded her at every step. Her servants appeared in a combination to overreach and deceive her. Every effort to introduce greater order and economy into her household was met with dogged opposition13, and Mrs. Ventner resented all interference on the part of her mistress as a personal injury. The annoyance15 which Clemence had to endure from the members of her family was of a more painful nature. Arabella and Louisa never forgot—their aunt would never have suffered them to forget—that if Mrs. Effingham was placed above them by marriage, by birth she was not their equal. Clemence, inexperienced as she was, had sufficient natural powers of observation to detect the radical16 errors in the education of the daughters of her husband. But while she perceived the evil, she sought in vain for its cure; and the joyous17 hopes with which she had commenced her married life, like the fabled18 wings of Icarus melting in the sultry beams of the sun, no longer bore her buoyantly aloft!
It is, perhaps, only those who have known little of common cares who can smile on them as a trifling19 burden. To the young and the sensitive, who have hitherto trodden earth almost as free from petty anxieties as the bird on the wing, or the blossom on the tree, the sudden pressure of new responsibilities is sometimes almost overwhelming. They could better endure hardship and pain; human compassion20 might then bring them relief, and they would more fully21 realize the blessed consolations22 of religion. And yet, is the command which embodies23 a precious privilege—the command to cast all our cares upon One who careth for us—limited only to that class of trials which man recognizes as afflictions? All earthly events in the sight of our Great Master must appear in themselves to be but trifles; but when connected with their effects upon immortal24 beings, when made a means to train and discipline souls, the merest trifles assume weight and importance. A teacher’s anxieties, a housewife’s cares, the responsibilities of the mistress of an establishment, seem of too trivial and uninteresting a nature even for the light pages of a fiction; but yet they, in the history of thousands and tens of thousands, form “the sum of human things.” A decisive battle may be fought even in the narrow limits of a home. Solomon prayed for wisdom from above to direct aright the affairs of a kingdom; the same wisdom in kind, though not in degree, is required by the humblest matron who would rule her household in the fear of God; and where Solomon sought, she must seek it.
“I could wish that I were ten years older!” said Clemence to herself, as, seated in a large arm-chair, she nervously26 awaited the appearance of a servant whose conduct had given just subject for displeasure, and to whom she felt it necessary to administer rebuke27. “I almost think that Vincent and I would enjoy life more in some country cottage, with just one maid to attend on us, away from all this grandeur28 and state, contented29 and happy in each other. Money does not seem worth all the care and trouble that it brings. I was much merrier last Christmas time, when, with my well-filled basket on my arm, I trod over the crisp snow on my way from cottage to cottage, sure of a welcome everywhere from lips that would not flatter and hearts that would not deceive! I have, perhaps, larger means of usefulness here, but not of that kind of work which would most warm and gladden my own spirit! It is pleasanter to build up than to pull down—to do good than to oppose evil—to serve God by winning blessings31 from man, than to serve Him by drawing on one’s self the anger and dislike of others. But what is clear duty must be done, whether it be painful or pleasant. We are not left to choose our own work, but we must trust to be given strength to perform it bravely.”
A few days before the one fixed32 upon for the party, Mr. Effingham left Belgrave Square for a short period upon business. It was Clemence’s first separation from her husband since their marriage, and she felt that during his absence all the sunshine of her life would be gone. To have been left quite alone would have been less painful; it was far worse than solitude33 to be left with her step-daughters and Lady Selina.
The haughty34 shyness which Arabella and Louisa had at first displayed before Mrs. Effingham had entirely35 worn away. They rather now, at least while their father was absent, made a parade of their perfect ease, and on the evening preceding his return chatted together with Mademoiselle Lafleur, as if scarcely aware of their step-mother’s presence. Clemence sat quietly at her work, a pained listener to a flow of folly36 and gossip. Lady Selina appeared to be dozing37 in her arm-chair before the fire.
At length the conversation turned upon the clergyman whose ministry38 the family regularly attended—an earnest, good, but eccentric man. Arabella began turning him into ridicule39, to the great amusement of her sister and governess, but the indignation of Mrs. Effingham.
“He ought to be elected preacher to the blind,” laughed Louisa; “it would be so much better not to be able to see him!”
“They would make him over to the deaf and dumb,” rejoined her sister; “for it would be better still not to be able to hear him!”
Clemence felt that she should no longer keep silence—she felt that she was bound to bear her witness to what was right in the presence of the children of her husband; and yet, reluctant as she was to give pain or offence, her reproof40 was couched in the mildest language, and uttered in the most gentle tone.
“Do you not think, dear Arabella,” said the step-mother, “that when we listen to the preaching of the Word, it is rather upon the message than the messenger that we should fix our earnest attention?”
It was the first time that Clemence Effingham had ventured on anything approaching to a rebuke to her step-daughters. Her words, so strongly contrasting with the tone of the preceding conversation, had the effect of instantaneously silencing it; and such an uncomfortable stillness succeeded that Clemence at last felt herself forced to break it.
“I think that I must propose a little sociable41 reading,” she said, “to make the evenings pass pleasantly while my husband is away. It will give us subjects to think of and talk over. I remember that my dear father used often to say that it is far safer and better, as a general rule, to converse42 about things than about persons.”
“Had his unfortunate patients to take his precepts43 as well as his physic?” cried Arabella, with a pert insolence44 which was intended to “put down” the first attempt of her step-mother to interfere14 with her perfect freedom.
If Lady Selina was asleep, her dreams must have been of a pleasing nature, for they called up a smile on her face. Louisa and mademoiselle glanced at each other, and then at Mrs. Effingham, to see how the insult would be taken.
A burning flush rose to the cheek of Clemence,—she had been touched in a most tender part; not that she was so keenly sensible to the allusion45 to her own humble25 parentage intended to be conveyed in the flippant remark, but anything like disrespect to the memory of her venerated46 father stung her to the quick. Her heart glowed with angry resentment47; it was with a painful effort that she repressed the expression of it. Clemence paused for a few seconds till she could speak calmly, then, with a quiet dignity, said, “Arabella Effingham, you appear scarcely to recollect48 that you address yourself to the wife of your father.”
Arabella started from her seat, and hastily left the room, shutting the door violently behind her. Not another word was spoken for some time in the drawing-room, and Louisa and her governess took the first opportunity of quietly following Arabella, and leaving Mrs. Effingham to that which was ever to her most depressing—a tête-à-tête with Lady Selina.
“She has thrown down the gauntlet! she has chosen to commence the war!” exclaimed Arabella, as, pacing up and down her room, with all her proud spirit flashing from her eyes, she poured out her indignation to her sister and mademoiselle. “If she expects that she’s to rule and dictate49 here, she’ll find herself very much mistaken; the daughters of Lady Arabella Effingham never will bow to the control of the orphan50 of an apothecary51!”
“We must take care, though, that we do not bring ourselves to grief,” said Louisa, who was, if not more cautious, yet less irritable52 by nature; “she has papa’s ear, and may set him against us. I dare say she’s as spiteful as a toad—those meek53, sanctified creatures always are!”
Clemence went early to her own room, but it was very long before she retired54 to rest. Her spirits were fluttered and agitated55. In vain had been all her efforts to conciliate, all her attempts to win for herself the affections of her husband’s daughters. She saw stretching before her, in endless perspective, a prospect1 of disunion and dissension, proud insolence and malicious56 enmity. Clemence leaned her brow on her clasped hands, and the hot tears trickled57 slowly down her cheeks, as she repeated to herself the words of the wise king: Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred58 therewith.
“And how will it all end?” she murmured. “Is it not hard that I, who never willingly offended a human being, should be the object of such determined60 dislike, should find hatred where I proffer61 love, and be regarded as an enemy by those whom I would sacrifice much to serve? Is it not hard?”—the words died upon her lips, a feeling of self-reproach arose in the young wife’s breast. What was she, that she should look for exemption62 from the common lot of her Master’s followers63? Had she any right to murmur59 under the pressure of a daily cross? Hard!—and had it ever been promised that life should be all softness and enjoyment64? Would it not be folly to expect it? would it not be cowardice65 to desire it? If the Christian66, overlooking second causes, fix his thoughts on an all-directing Providence67, he will see how that Providence, working by earthly means, makes even the unkindness that wounds, and the malice68 that injures, important aids in forming the characters of the heirs of glory. It was from the elements of chaos69 that God drew forth70 a world of beauty; and some of His children’s fairest virtues71 spring, as it were, from the evil around them. Patience could not have birth in heaven, nor forgiveness in the society of angels; without opposition Christian firmness could not appear, nor without trials be shown resignation.
Clemence pondered over the words, If ye love them which love you, what reward have you? do not even the publicans the same? and a clearer light than had ever been granted to her before fell on the command, Love your enemies—that divine command, enforced by a divine Example, and requiring divine aid to fulfil. Her hopes of overcoming the prejudices of her husband’s family were now becoming faint; but a nobler hope had succeeded—the hope of overcoming her own feelings of resentment towards them, and of pleasing her heavenly Master by a meek endeavour to fulfil His will. Were not the hearts of all in His hands?
While Arabella and Louisa were revolving72 schemes of opposition, and their aunt was secretly rejoicing in the disunion, which had chiefly resulted from her own malicious efforts, Clemence knelt down and earnestly, fervently73 prayed in the silence of her chamber74. Nor prayed she alone for herself, or the husband dearer than self, but separately and by name for each of the members of her family. If the prayer was not answered for all, was it not returned in blessings into her own bosom—the blessing30 of that peace in the heart which is even more priceless than peace in the home?
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1
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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3
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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bonnets
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| n.童帽( bonnet的名词复数 )；（烟囱等的）覆盖物；（苏格兰男子的）无边呢帽；（女子戴的）任何一种帽子 | |
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relinquishing
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的现在分词 )； 放弃 | |
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respite
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| n.休息，中止，暂缓 | |
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expatiate
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| v.细说，详述 | |
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connoisseur
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| n.鉴赏家，行家，内行 | |
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tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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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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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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fabled
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| adj.寓言中的，虚构的 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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consolations
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| n.安慰，慰问( consolation的名词复数 )；起安慰作用的人（或事物） | |
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embodies
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| v.表现( embody的第三人称单数 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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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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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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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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33
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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dozing
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| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
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ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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sociable
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| adj.好交际的，友好的，合群的 | |
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42
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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precepts
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| n.规诫，戒律，箴言( precept的名词复数 ) | |
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44
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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46
venerated
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| 敬重（某人或某事物），崇敬( venerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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48
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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49
dictate
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| v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令 | |
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50
orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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apothecary
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| n.药剂师 | |
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52
irritable
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| adj.急躁的；过敏的；易怒的 | |
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53
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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54
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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57
trickled
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| v.滴( trickle的过去式和过去分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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proffer
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| v.献出，赠送；n.提议，建议 | |
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exemption
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| n.豁免，免税额，免除 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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73
fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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