Mr. Temple possessed7 a small estate of about five hundred pounds a year; and with that he resolved to preserve independence, to marry where the feelings of his heart should direct him, and to confine his expenses within the limits of his income. He had a heart open to every generous feeling of humanity, and a hand ready to dispense8 to those who wanted part of the blessings9 he enjoyed himself.
As he was universally known to be the friend of the unfortunate, his advice and bounty10 was frequently solicited11; nor was it seldom that he sought out indigent12 merit, and raised it from obscurity, confining his own expenses within a very narrow compass.
“You are a benevolent13 fellow,” said a young officer to him one day; “and I have a great mind to give you a fine subject to exercise the goodness of your heart upon.”
“You cannot oblige me more,” said Temple, “than to point out any way by which I can be serviceable to my fellow creatures.”
“Come along then,” said the young man, “we will go and visit a man who is not in so good a lodging14 as he deserves; and, were it not that he has an angel with him, who comforts and supports him, he must long since have sunk under his misfortunes.” The young man's heart was too full to proceed; and Temple, unwilling15 to irritate his feelings by making further enquiries, followed him in silence, til they arrived at the Fleet prison.
The officer enquired16 for Captain Eldridge: a person led them up several pair of dirty stairs, and pointing to a door which led to a miserable, small apartment, said that was the Captain's room, and retired17.
The officer, whose name was Blakeney, tapped at the door, and was bid to enter by a voice melodiously18 soft. He opened the door, and discovered to Temple a scene which rivetted him to the spot with astonishment19.
The apartment, though small, and bearing strong marks of poverty, was neat in the extreme. In an arm-chair, his head reclined upon his hand, his eyes fixed20 on a book which lay open before him, sat an aged21 man in a Lieutenant's uniform, which, though threadbare, would sooner call a blush of shame into the face of those who could neglect real merit, than cause the hectic22 of confusion to glow on the cheeks of him who wore it.
Beside him sat a lovely creature busied in painting a fan mount. She was fair as the lily, but sorrow had nipped the rose in her cheek before it was half blown. Her eyes were blue; and her hair, which was light brown, was slightly confined under a plain muslin cap, tied round with a black ribbon; a white linen23 gown and plain lawn handkerchief composed the remainder of her dress; and in this simple attire24, she was more irresistibly25 charming to such a heart as Temple's, than she would have been, if adorned26 with all the splendor27 of a courtly belle28.
When they entered, the old man arose from his seat, and shaking Blakeney by the hand with great cordiality, offered Temple his chair; and there being but three in the room, seated himself on the side of his little bed with evident composure.
“This is a strange place,” said he to Temple, “to receive visitors of distinction in; but we must fit our feelings to our station. While I am not ashamed to own the cause which brought me here, why should I blush at my situation? Our misfortunes are not our faults; and were it not for that poor girl—”
Here the philosopher was lost in the father. He rose hastily from his seat, and walking toward the window, wiped off a tear which he was afraid would tarnish29 the cheek of a sailor.
Temple cast his eye on Miss Eldridge: a pellucid30 drop had stolen from her eyes, and fallen upon a rose she was painting. It blotted31 and discoloured the flower. “'Tis emblematic,” said he mentally: “the rose of youth and health soon fades when watered by the tear of affliction.”
“My friend Blakeney,” said he, addressing the old man, “told me I could be of service to you: be so kind then, dear Sir, as to point out some way in which I can relieve the anxiety of your heart and increase the pleasures of my own.”
“My good young man,” said Eldridge, “you know not what you offer. While deprived of my liberty I cannot be free from anxiety on my own account; but that is a trifling32 concern; my anxious thoughts extend to one more dear a thousand times than life: I am a poor weak old man, and must expect in a few years to sink into silence and oblivion; but when I am gone, who will protect that fair bud of innocence33 from the blasts of adversity, or from the cruel hand of insult and dishonour34.”
“Oh, my father!” cried Miss Eldridge, tenderly taking his hand, “be not anxious on that account; for daily are my prayers offered to heaven that our lives may terminate at the same instant, and one grave receive us both; for why should I live when deprived of my only friend.”
Temple was moved even to tears. “You will both live many years,” said he, “and I hope see much happiness. Cheerly, my friend, cheerly; these passing clouds of adversity will serve only to make the sunshine of prosperity more pleasing. But we are losing time: you might ere this have told me who were your creditors35, what were their demands, and other particulars necessary to your liberation.”
“My story is short,” said Mr. Eldridge, “but there are some particulars which will wring36 my heart barely to remember; yet to one whose offers of friendship appear so open and disinterested37, I will relate every circumstance that led to my present, painful situation. But my child,” continued he, addressing his daughter, “let me prevail on you to take this opportunity, while my friends are with me, to enjoy the benefit of air and exercise.”
“Go, my love; leave me now; to-morrow at your usual hour I will expect you.”
Miss Eldridge impressed on his cheek the kiss of filial affection, and obeyed.
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收听单词发音
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1
antiquity
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| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
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grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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prop
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| vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山 | |
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4
beheld
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| 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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affluence
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| n.充裕，富足 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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9
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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bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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solicited
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| v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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12
indigent
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的 | |
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13
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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14
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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15
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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16
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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17
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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melodiously
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19
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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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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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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hectic
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| adj.肺病的；消耗热的；发热的；闹哄哄的 | |
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23
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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28
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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29
tarnish
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| n.晦暗，污点；vt.使失去光泽；玷污 | |
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pellucid
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| adj.透明的，简单的 | |
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31
blotted
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| 涂污( blot的过去式和过去分词 )； （用吸墨纸）吸干 | |
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32
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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33
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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34
dishonour
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| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
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35
creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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36
wring
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| n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭 | |
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37
disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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