"I could cry as well as laugh," she said, looking at Antonia with tears springing to her eyes. "I have not behaved well about this ring, and I ought not to have it back like this. I ought to be properly punished. It does not seem fair that I should have the ring returned to me again in this easy manner."
"Undoubtedly1 you have been deceitful," replied Antonia, "and your conscience must feel ruffled2. I can stand most things, but a ruffled conscience, I confess, is too much for me. I suppose you will soothe3 it in the only possible way?"
[Pg 253]
"What do you mean?" asked Annie.
"Confession4 is good for the soul," replied Antonia, in a sing-song voice. She went to the window as she spoke5 and looked out into the sunlit street.
The two girls were standing6 in the room which Antonia was pleased to call her studio. It was an attic7 at the top of the house, and had a dormer window with a north light. The dormer window had sides which were curtained with green. In Annie's opinion this room was simply hideous8. Huge canvasses9 covered with great daubs of colour occupied the walls. A skeleton stood in one corner, and one or two draped figures were in others. Antonia had lured10 Annie up here for the purpose of taking her likeness11 in a white kerchief. Antonia was fired with an idea that Annie would look well as Marie Antoinette on her way to execution. She was not quite sure whether to make her Charlotte Corday or Marie Antoinette; but, on reflection, decided12 that the latter character would suit her best, as she did not think that Annie could ever get sufficient tragedy into her eyes for the former.
"I am going to paint myself some day for Charlotte," exclaimed Antonia. "I'll study before the glass whenever I've an odd moment, and I believe I shall do the fixity of purpose stare after another week of hard practice. Now, do stand still Annie—the bother of the ring is at an end, so you can forget it. Just turn your head a little to the left, I want to get a peep at your ear—you have got a good ear, quite shell-like. Now, for mercy's sake look tragical13! Think of the guillotine, and the crowd looking on, and La Belle14 France and the Tuileries, and the horrid15 feeling when your head is separated from your [Pg 254]trunk. Now, then, realise it—get it into your eyes. Are you realising it?"
"Frankly16, I'm not," replied Annie. "I can't sit for Marie Antoinette any longer to-day. I really can't, Antonia. This room is so stiflingly17 hot, and I want to go out. I want to get into one of the parks. Are there any near this?"
"Oh, yes! Hyde Park is quite close; but you'll find it as dry as chips. Remember, it is September now. Hyde Park is not pretty in September."
"I wonder anyone can live in London," replied Annie.
"Do you? I don't. I hate this poky little house in the centre of detestable fashion; but if I could have an atelier, or a studio, I ought to say, in Gower Street, it would be nearly as good as Paris. Well, if you won't sit any longer, I suppose you won't. Now let us come downstairs."
The girls left the studio and entered the drawing-room. Here they found Mrs. Bernard Temple and Nora. Nora was lying on a sofa looking tired and pale, and Mrs. Bernard Temple was moving about the room in a bustling18 sort of fashion arranging flowers. The drawing-room was small and crowded with knick-knacks. Antonia seldom swept across this room without knocking a table over or flicking19 a paper on to the floor.
"Now, my dear, be careful!" exclaimed her parent. "That papier-mâche table on which I have just arranged these lovely late roses, sent to me by dear Sir John, will not stand one of your lunges. I cannot imagine how you have got that peculiar20 walk, Antonia; its exactly as if you were on board ship."
[Pg 255]
Antonia lounged towards a chair, into which she flung herself.
"Dear me, it is hot!" she exclaimed, pushing back her thick black hair from her forehead. "Never mind about my walk, mother; let me hear the news. What did Sir Henry Fraser say of Nora?"
Mrs. Bernard Temple sank into another chair.
"The dear child!" she exclaimed. "She had a trying morning."
"Pray don't talk of it!" exclaimed Nora from her sofa. "It was too desperate."
"Why, did he hurt you?" exclaimed Antonia.
"Oh, no! he was kindness itself; but we had to wait so long before we saw him."
"Pooh!" answered Antonia. "Was that the dreadful part? Tell me what he said when you did see him? Are you likely soon to be quite well again?"
"With care," interrupted Mrs. Bernard Temple, "dear Nora will recover perfectly21. Her back is still very weak, but there is no injury. She may walk a little daily, but must lie down a good deal."
"You're quite sure he wasn't anxious about you?" asked Antonia, fixing her eyes on Nora.
Nora started.
"No; what do you mean?" she said. "You quite startle me. Why should he be anxious?"
"Well, I almost wish he were. It would suit my purpose to have him anxious for a day or two. However, if he isn't, he isn't, and there's an end of it. Nora, don't you want to see your father very badly?"
"Oh, yes!" replied Nora. Her face grew pink and red. "Of course I'd like to see him, but I have not an idea where he is."
"He's in London, close to you, you goose."
[Pg 256]
"Antonia!" interrupted Mrs. Bernard Temple.
"Mother, she is a goose not to remember that Squire22 Lorrimer is in town. You ought to write to him, Nora, and ask him to come to see you."
"If he's in London I don't know his address," answered Nora.
"You can write to his club—the Carlton. Here, I'll find you paper and pen, or, if you are too tired to write after the doctor's examination, you can dictate23 a letter to me. Here, what do you want to say? I'm not a good hand at letter-writing, but you must know the sort of thing. You had better ask him to dinner to-night; there's not an hour to be lost."
"You forget that we are going to the theatre to-night," said Mrs. Bernard Temple.
"Oh, what does that matter. Nora can't go, with her weak back."
"Yes she can. I have taken a box, and she shall have my air-cushion to lean against."
"And I want to go to a theatre awfully," said Nora.
"Well, well, so much for filial affection. Ask him to come to lunch to-morrow. Write any way—show that you're a daughter, a loving daughter."
"Of course I'm a loving daughter, but I——"
"For goodness sake don't have any more buts. Write or dictate, whichever you please."
"I'll write if I must, but really—I don't suppose father will care to come."
"Doesn't he care for you, then?"
"Care for me? What a thing to say. Of course he cares for me."
"Then he'll come. Now, I give you five minutes. Write the letter, and I'll take it out and post it."
[Pg 257]
Nora muttered and grumbled24, but Antonia's perfectly motionless figure, as she sat in an easy chair facing her, was too much to be resisted. She took up a pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write.
"Do it lovingly," said Antonia; "put heart into it; show that you're a daughter."
Mrs. Bernard Temple motioned Annie to come and sit near her.
"Really," she said in a whisper, "poor Antonia becomes more peculiar and trying each day. She simply bullies25 us all. Look at that poor dear little Nora, submitting to her caprice as gently as a lamb. I don't know why she wants Squire Lorrimer to come here. I am not acquainted with him, and it will be really painful for me to see him in his present afflicted26 condition. I am a very cheerful person by nature, and hate depressing circumstances."
"I am sorry you are not sympathetic," answered Annie.
Mrs. Bernard Temple raised her brows.
"Sympathetic," she exclaimed; "my dear, I'm the soul—the very soul of sympathy; but where's the use of wasting emotion? I can do nothing for Squire Lorrimer, and it will only pain poor Nora to see him. Really, really, Antonia is beyond anything afflicting27. Now, my love, where are you going?"
The latter part of this speech was addressed to Miss Bernard Temple, who was leaving the room. "Where are you going, Antonia, my love?" repeated her mother.
"Out, mother; to post this letter."
"I beg of you to do nothing of the kind. I can send it by William, when next he goes for a message."
[Pg 258]
William was a very diminutive28, and much overworked, page-boy.
"Thanks," said Antonia; "but I prefer to go myself."
She left the room, shutting the door rather noisily; and Mrs. Bernard Temple looked for sympathy to the two girls.
"Is not she trying?" she repeated. "With my mind so preoccupied29 with thoughts of my approaching marriage, and of dear Sir John, and those sweet girls, Hester and Nan; it is really too much to be worried by Antonia's whims30."
"Oh, but she means everything splendidly," said Annie. "I admire her beyond anything. If you will let me, Mrs. Bernard Temple, I will go out with her."
"Oh, certainly, my dear. I see you are under her spell, so I have nothing to say. Dear Nora and I will try to make ourselves happy together."
Annie left the room, and met Antonia in the hall.
"Wait one moment, Antonia," she said; "I'll go with you."
She ran upstairs, fetched her hat and gloves, and joined Antonia. The two girls went into the street.
"I'm determined31 that no pranks32 shall be played with this letter," said Antonia; "so I intend not to post it, but to take it to the Carlton myself."
"Antonia, is that right?"
"Right—what can there be wrong in it? There is no one who will eat me at the Carlton. I shall simply give the letter to the hall-porter, and desire him to put it into Mr. Lorrimer's hands the moment he appears. Now, come on, if you are coming. [Pg 259]You can stay in the street while I interview the porter."
"But the post seems safer and easier," said Annie.
"Well, I don't think so. Come, come; what are you loitering for?"
As was universally the case, Antonia's strong will prevailed.
She knew London thoroughly33, and followed by the somewhat breathless Annie, in due course reached the Carlton Club.
She had run up the steps, entered the hall, interviewed the porter, delivered her letter, and once more joined Annie, when the latter said to her in a voice of suppressed excitement—
"There is Squire Lorrimer; that man with the bent34 head and hat pushed over his eyes. He passed the club while you were within. There he is, just turning the corner."
"Run after him and stop him," exclaimed Antonia. "Quick, quick—I'll fetch the letter out while you're catching35 him up."
"Oh, I don't like to," said Annie.
"What a goose you are—then I'll do it—he'll be lost to view if we wait another instant arguing. Is it that rather old man who walks slowly? Yes, yes, I see him. Stay where you are and I'll bring him back to you."
Before Annie could interfere36, Antonia had hastened forward with long strides, which she soon quickened into a run. She reached Mr. Lorrimer, and gave one of his coat sleeves a fierce tug37.
He started, took off his hat instinctively38, and then stared in amazement39 at the wild-looking girl, whose face was completely unknown to him.
[Pg 260]
"Oh, yes, you think I'm mad," said Antonia, "but I'm not. I'm about as sane40 as anyone in England. You are Mr. Lorrimer, and you're afraid to go home, and your family are in dreadful trouble. I'm Antonia Bernard Temple; yes, it's a long unwieldy sort of name, but I have the misfortune to own it. If I'm a diamond at all, I'm a rough sort; very rough and uncouth41, but I mean well. My mother is engaged to Sir John Thornton, and we have been staying at the Grange, and I have seen your magnificent untrammelled old place, with its briars, and dragon china, and I, in short—I have seen Nell. Nell is in trouble, and my heart has gone out to her; and Nora is in town staying with us, with my mother and me, and she wants to see you, naturally; so please come home with me now. Please turn round and come to the Carlton first. There's a letter there for you from Nora. Come and see her, and hear about Nell and Molly."
There was the queerest mixture of every sort of emotion in Antonia's wild, disjointed speech; but above it all was an overpowering earnestness, which somehow attracted the poor, forlorn-looking Squire.
"You are a very queer young lady," he said.
"Oh, they all say that," exclaimed Antonia clasping her hands. "I beg of you not to be commonplace; do come home with me."
"But somehow you seem to know all about my people," he continued. "Is it possible that Nora is in town? Yes, I'll go and see her. Where is she?"
"Come with me and I'll take you to the house. It's in a most poky, fashionable part—an odious42 locality, where poor Art hides her head. Just walk [Pg 261]back with me to meet Annie Forest, and to get your letter. You know Annie Forest, don't you?"
"I have met her."
"Well, she's waiting close to the Carlton Club for us both; and we can't leave her there, you know; come quickly."
The Squire turned.
His step was slow. The look of depression on his face was painful; his grizzled hair was nearly white, and his once keen, hawk-like blue eyes were now dim and dull. Antonia had never seen him before, but Annie started when he held out his hand to her.
He walked in almost silence back with the two girls, and in a little more than half an hour, Antonia had the pleasure of introducing him to her mother and Nora, who were enjoying afternoon tea together in great contentment and peace of mind. Nora uttered a little shriek43 when she saw her father. He took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. Annie did not follow the Squire into the drawing-room.
"Come, mother," said Antonia, going up to her parent.
"Where?" asked Mrs. Bernard Temple in astonishment44.
"Out of the room—come."
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1
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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2
ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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3
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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4
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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5
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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6
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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7
attic
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| n.顶楼，屋顶室 | |
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8
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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9
canvasses
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| n.检票员，游说者，推销员( canvass的名词复数 )v.（在政治方面）游说( canvass的第三人称单数 )；调查（如选举前选民的）意见；为讨论而提出（意见等）；详细检查 | |
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10
lured
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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11
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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12
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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13
tragical
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| adj. 悲剧的, 悲剧性的 | |
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14
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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15
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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stiflingly
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| adv. 令人窒息地(气闷地，沉闷地) | |
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18
bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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19
flicking
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的现在分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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20
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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21
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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22
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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23
dictate
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| v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令 | |
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24
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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25
bullies
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| n.欺凌弱小者, 开球 vt.恐吓, 威胁, 欺负 | |
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26
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
afflicting
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| 痛苦的 | |
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28
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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29
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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30
WHIMS
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| 虚妄，禅病 | |
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31
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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32
pranks
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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33
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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34
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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35
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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36
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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37
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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38
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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39
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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40
sane
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| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
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41
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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42
odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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43
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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44
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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