Sylvia was awakened1 on her wedding morning by a curious choking sound, and starting up found Prue crying over her as if her heart were broken.
"What has happened? Is Geoffrey ill? Is all the silver stolen? Can't the Bishop2 come?" she asked, wondering what calamity3 could move her sister to tears at such a busy time.
Prue took Sylvia in her arms, and rocking to and fro as if she were still a baby, poured forth4 a stream of words and tears together.
"Nothing has happened; I came to call you, and broke down because it was the last time I should do it. I've been awake all night, thinking of you and all you've been to me since I took you in my arms nineteen years ago, and said you should be mine. My little Sylvia, I've been neglectful of so many things, and now I see them all; I've fretted6 you with my ways, and haven't been patient enough with yours; I've been selfish even about your wedding, and it won't be as you like it; you'll reproach me in your heart, and I shall hate myself for it when you are gone never to be my care and comfort any more. And--oh, my dear, my dear, what shall I do without you?"
This unexpected demonstration7 from her prosaic8 sister touched Sylvia more than the most sentimental9 lamentations from another. It brought to mind all the past devotion, the future solitude10 of Prue's life, and she clung about her neck tearless but very tender.
"I never shall reproach you, never cease to love and thank you for all you've been to me, my dear old girl. You mustn't grieve over me, or think I shall forget you, for you never shall be forsaken11; and very soon I shall be back, almost as much your Sylvia as ever. Mark will live on one side, I shall live on the other, and we'll be merry and cosy12 together. And who knows but when we are both out of your way you will learn to think of yourself and marry also."
At this Prue began to laugh hysterically13, and exclaimed, with more than her usual incoherency--
"I must tell you, it was so very odd! I didn't mean to do so, because you children would tease me; but now I will to make you laugh, for it's a bad omen14 to cry over a bride, they say. My dear, that gouty Mr. MacGregor, when I went in with some of my nice broth15 last week (Hugh slops so, and he's such a fidget, I took it myself), after he had eaten every drop before my eyes, wiped his mouth and asked me to marry him."
"And you would not, Prue?"
"Bless me, child, how could I? I must take care of my poor dear father, and he isn't pleasant in the least, you know, but would wear my life out in a week. I really pitied him, however, when I refused him, with a napkin round his neck, and he tapped his waistcoat with a spoon so comically, when he offered me his heart, as if it were something good to eat."
"How very funny! What made him do it, Prue?"
"He said he'd watched the preparations from his window, and got so interested in weddings that he wanted one himself, and felt drawn16 to me I was so sympathetic. That means a good nurse and cook, my dear. I understand these invalid17 gentlemen, and will be a slave to no man so fat and fussy18 as Mr. Mac, as my brother calls him. It's not respectful, but I like to refresh myself by saying it just now."
"Never mind the old soul, Prue, but go and have your breakfast comfortably, for there's much to be done, and no one is to dress me but your own dear self."
At this Prue relapsed into the pathetic again, and cried over her sister as if, despite the omen, brides were plants that needed much watering.
The appearance of the afflicted19 Maria, with her face still partially20 eclipsed by the chamomile comforter, and an announcement that the waiters had come and were "ordering round dreadful," caused Prue to pocket her handkerchief and descend21 to turn the tables in every sense of the word.
The prospect22 of the wedding breakfast made the usual meal a mere23 mockery. Every one was in a driving hurry, every one was very much excited, and nobody but Prue and the colored gentlemen brought anything to pass. Sylvia went from room to room bidding them good-by as the child who had played there so long. But each looked unfamiliar24 in its state and festival array, and the old house seemed to have forgotten her already. She spent an hour with her father, paid Mark a little call in the studio where he was bidding adieu to the joys of bachelorhood, and preparing himself for the jars of matrimony by a composing smoke, and then Prue claimed her.
The agonies she suffered during that long toilet are beyond the powers of language to portray25, for Prue surpassed herself and was the very essence of fussiness26. But Sylvia bore it patiently as a last sacrifice, because her sister was very tender-hearted still, and laughed and cried over her work till all was done, when she surveyed the effect with pensive27 satisfaction.
"You are very sweet, my dear, and so delightfully28 calm, you really do surprise me. I always thought you'd have hysterics on your wedding-day, and got my _vinaigrette_ all ready. Keep your hands just as they are, with the handkerchief and bouquet29, it looks very easy and rich. Dear me, what a spectacle I've made of myself! But I shall cry no more, not even during the ceremony as many do. Such displays of feeling are in very bad taste, and I shall be firm, perfectly30 firm, so if you hear any one sniff31 you'll know it isn't me. Now I must go and scramble32 on my dress; first, let me arrange you smoothly33 in a chair. There, my precious, now think of soothing34 things, and don't stir till Geoffrey comes for you."
Too tired to care what happened just then, Sylvia sat as she was placed, feeling like a fashion-plate of a bride, and wishing she could go to sleep. Presently the sound of steps as fleet as Mark's but lighter35, waked her up, and forgetting orders, she rustled36 to the door with an expression which fashion-plates have not yet attained37.
"Good morning, little bride."
"Good morning, bonny bridegroom."
Then they looked at one another, and both smiled. But they seemed to have changed characters, for Moor38's usually tranquil39 face was full of pale excitement; Sylvia's usually vivacious40 one, full of quietude, and her eyes wore the unquestioning content of a child who accepts some friendly hand, sure that it will lead it right.
"Prue desires me to take you out into the upper hall, and when Mr. Deane beckons41, we are to go down at once. The rooms are full, and Jessie is ready. Shall we go?"
"One moment: Geoffrey, are you quite happy now?"
"Then it shall be the first duty of my life to keep you so," and with a gesture soft yet solemn, Sylvia laid her hand in his, as if endowing him with both gift and giver. He held it fast and never let it go until it was his own.
In the upper hall they found Mark hovering44 about Jessie like an agitated45 bee, about a very full-blown flower, and Clara Deane flapping him away, lest he should damage the effect of this beautiful white rose. For ten minutes, ages they seemed, the five stood together listening to the stir below, looking at one another, till they were tired of the sight and scent46 of orange blossoms, and wishing that the whole affair was safely over. But the instant a portentous47 "Hem5!" was heard, and a white glove seen to beckon42 from the stair foot, every one fell into a flutter. Moor turned paler still, and Sylvia felt his heart beat hard against her hand. She herself was seized with a momentary48 desire to run away and say "No" again; Mark looked as if nerving himself for immediate49 execution, and Jessie feebly whispered--
"Oh, Clara, I'm going to faint!"
"Good heavens, what shall I do with her? Mark, support her! My darling girl, smell this and bear up. For mercy sake do something, Sylvia, and don't stand there looking as if you'd been married every day for a year."
In his excitement, Mark gave his bride a little shake. Its effect was marvellous. She rallied instantly, with a reproachful glance at her crumpled50 veil and a decided--
"Come quick, I can go now."
Down they went, through a wilderness51 of summer silks, black coats, and bridal gloves. How they reached their places none of them ever knew; Mark said afterward52, that the instinct of self preservation53 led him to the only means of extrication54 that circumstances allowed. The moment the Bishop opened his book, Prue took out her handkerchief and cried steadily55 through the entire ceremony, for dear as were the proprieties56, the "children" were dearer still.
At Sylvia's desire, Mark was married first, and as she stood listening to the sonorous57 roll of the service falling from the Bishop's lips, she tried to feel devout58 and solemn, but failed to do so. She tried to keep her thoughts from wandering, but continually found herself wondering if that sob59 came from Prue, if her father felt it very much, and when it would be done. She tried to keep her eyes fixed60 timidly upon the carpet as she had been told to do, but they would rise and glance about against her will.
One of these derelictions from the path of duty, nearly produced a catastrophe61. Little Tilly, the gardener's pretty child, had strayed in from among the servants peeping at a long window in the rear, and established herself near the wedding group, looking like a small ballet girl in her full white frock and wreath pushed rakishly askew62 on her curly pate63. As she stood regarding the scene with dignified64 amazement65, her eye met Sylvia's. In spite of the unusual costume, the baby knew her playmate, and running to her, thrust her head under the veil with a delighted "Peep a bo!" Horror seized Jessie, Mark was on the brink66 of a laugh, and Moor looked like one fallen from the clouds. But Sylvia drew the little marplot close to her with a warning word, and there she stayed, quietly amusing herself with "pooring" the silvery dress, smelling the flowers and staring at the Bishop.
After this, all prospered67. The gloves came smoothly off, the rings went smoothly on; no one cried but Prue, no one laughed but Tilly; the brides were admired, the grooms68 envied; the service pronounced impressive, and when it ended, a tumult69 of congratulations arose.
Sylvia always had a very confused idea of what happened during the next hour. She remembered being kissed till her cheeks burned, and shaken hands with till her fingers tingled70; bowing in answer to toasts, and forgetting to reply when addressed by the new name; trying to eat and drink, and discovering that everything tasted of wedding cake; finding herself up stairs hurrying on her travelling dress, then down stairs saying good by; and when her father embraced her last of all, suddenly realizing with a pang71, that she was married and going away, never to be little Sylvia any more.
Prue _was_ gratified to her heart's content, for, when the two bridal carriages had vanished with handkerchiefs flying from their windows, in answer to the white whirlwind on the lawn, Mrs. Grundy, with an approving smile on her aristocratic countenance72, pronounced this the most charming affair of the season.
点击收听单词发音
1 awakened | |
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到 | |
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2 bishop | |
n.主教,(国际象棋)象 | |
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3 calamity | |
n.灾害,祸患,不幸事件 | |
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4 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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5 hem | |
n.贴边,镶边;vt.缝贴边;(in)包围,限制 | |
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6 fretted | |
焦躁的,附有弦马的,腐蚀的 | |
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7 demonstration | |
n.表明,示范,论证,示威 | |
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8 prosaic | |
adj.单调的,无趣的 | |
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9 sentimental | |
adj.多愁善感的,感伤的 | |
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10 solitude | |
n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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11 Forsaken | |
adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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12 cosy | |
adj.温暖而舒适的,安逸的 | |
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13 hysterically | |
ad. 歇斯底里地 | |
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14 omen | |
n.征兆,预兆;vt.预示 | |
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15 broth | |
n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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16 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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17 invalid | |
n.病人,伤残人;adj.有病的,伤残的;无效的 | |
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18 fussy | |
adj.为琐事担忧的,过分装饰的,爱挑剔的 | |
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19 afflicted | |
使受痛苦,折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20 partially | |
adv.部分地,从某些方面讲 | |
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21 descend | |
vt./vi.传下来,下来,下降 | |
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22 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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23 mere | |
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过 | |
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24 unfamiliar | |
adj.陌生的,不熟悉的 | |
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25 portray | |
v.描写,描述;画(人物、景象等) | |
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26 fussiness | |
[医]易激怒 | |
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27 pensive | |
a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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28 delightfully | |
大喜,欣然 | |
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29 bouquet | |
n.花束,酒香 | |
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30 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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31 sniff | |
vi.嗅…味道;抽鼻涕;对嗤之以鼻,蔑视 | |
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32 scramble | |
v.爬行,攀爬,杂乱蔓延,碎片,片段,废料 | |
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33 smoothly | |
adv.平滑地,顺利地,流利地,流畅地 | |
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34 soothing | |
adj.慰藉的;使人宽心的;镇静的 | |
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35 lighter | |
n.打火机,点火器;驳船;v.用驳船运送;light的比较级 | |
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36 rustled | |
v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37 attained | |
(通常经过努力)实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 ); 达到; 获得; 达到(某年龄、水平、状况) | |
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38 moor | |
n.荒野,沼泽;vt.(使)停泊;vi.停泊 | |
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39 tranquil | |
adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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40 vivacious | |
adj.活泼的,快活的 | |
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41 beckons | |
v.(用头或手的动作)示意,召唤( beckon的第三人称单数 ) | |
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42 beckon | |
v.(以点头或打手势)向...示意,召唤 | |
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43 supremely | |
adv.无上地,崇高地 | |
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44 hovering | |
鸟( hover的现在分词 ); 靠近(某事物); (人)徘徊; 犹豫 | |
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45 agitated | |
adj.被鼓动的,不安的 | |
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46 scent | |
n.气味,香味,香水,线索,嗅觉;v.嗅,发觉 | |
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47 portentous | |
adj.不祥的,可怕的,装腔作势的 | |
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48 momentary | |
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的 | |
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49 immediate | |
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的 | |
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50 crumpled | |
adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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51 wilderness | |
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等,荒漠 | |
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52 afterward | |
adv.后来;以后 | |
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53 preservation | |
n.保护,维护,保存,保留,保持 | |
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54 extrication | |
n.解脱;救出,解脱 | |
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55 steadily | |
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地 | |
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56 proprieties | |
n.礼仪,礼节;礼貌( propriety的名词复数 );规矩;正当;合适 | |
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57 sonorous | |
adj.响亮的,回响的;adv.圆润低沉地;感人地;n.感人,堂皇 | |
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58 devout | |
adj.虔诚的,虔敬的,衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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59 sob | |
n.空间轨道的轰炸机;呜咽,哭泣 | |
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60 fixed | |
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
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61 catastrophe | |
n.大灾难,大祸 | |
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62 askew | |
adv.斜地;adj.歪斜的 | |
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63 pate | |
n.头顶;光顶 | |
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64 dignified | |
a.可敬的,高贵的 | |
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65 amazement | |
n.惊奇,惊讶 | |
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66 brink | |
n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘,边沿 | |
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67 prospered | |
成功,兴旺( prosper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68 grooms | |
n.新郎( groom的名词复数 );马夫v.照料或梳洗(马等)( groom的第三人称单数 );使做好准备;训练;(给动物)擦洗 | |
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69 tumult | |
n.喧哗;激动,混乱;吵闹 | |
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70 tingled | |
v.有刺痛感( tingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71 pang | |
n.剧痛,悲痛,苦闷 | |
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72 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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