As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive2 if the news had not come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly poor. The cause of his misfortune—that is to say, his liability for his brother—was known, though all the circumstances were not fully3 understood.
As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a more retired4 life than ever, in order to avoid explanations. Resigned to his fate, he quietly awaited the day of sale; and, although his feelings often strove to master his resolution, the constant care and encouragement of his noble-hearted daughter enabled him to encounter the fatal hour with a degree of pride.
In the mean while he received a letter from Gustave at Rome, containing a few lines for his child. The young man declared that absence from Lenora had only increased his affection, and that his only consolation5 was the hope of future union with her by the bonds of marriage. But in other respects the letter was not encouraging. He said with pain that all his efforts to change his uncle's determination had, up to that time, been fruitless. De Vlierbeck did not conceal6 from Lenora that he no longer had a hope of her union with Gustave, and that she ought to strive against this unhappy love in order to escape from greater disappointment. Indeed, since her father's poverty had become publicly known, Lenora was convinced that duty commanded her to renounce7 every hope; yet she could not help feeling pleased and strengthened by the thought that Gustave still loved her, and that he, whose memory filled her heart, dreamed of her in his distant home and mourned her absence.
She kept her promises to him faithfully. How often did she pronounce his name in the solitude8 of that garden! How often did she sigh beneath the catalpa, as if anxious to trust the winds with a message of love to other lands! In her lonely walks she repeated his tender words; and often did she stop musingly9 at some well-remembered spot where he had blessed her with a tender word or look.
But poor De Vlierbeck was obliged to undergo additional pain; for, as if every misfortune that could assail10 him was to be accumulated at that moment on his devoted11 head, he received from America the news of his brother's death! The unfortunate wanderer died of exhaustion13 in the wilderness14 near Hudson's Bay. The poor gentleman wept long and bitterly for the loss of a brother whom he tenderly loved; but he was soon and roughly turned aside to encounter the catastrophe15 of his own fate.
The day of sale arrived. Early in the morning Grinselhof was invaded by all sorts of people, who, moved by curiosity or a desire to purchase, overran every nook and corner of the house, examining the furniture and estimating its value.
De Vlierbeck had caused every thing that was to be sold to be carried into the most spacious16 apartments, where, aided by his daughter, he passed the entire preceding night in dusting, cleaning, and polishing the various articles, so that they might prove more attractive to competitors. He had no personal interest in this labor17; for, his funded property having been sold some days before at great loss, it was certain that the sale of all his remaining possessions would not exceed the amount of his debts. It was a noble sentiment of honor and probity18 that compelled him to sacrifice his rest for his creditors19, so as to diminish as much as he could the amount of their losses. It was clear that De Vlierbeck did not intend to prolong his stay at Grinselhof after the sale; for among the articles to be offered were the only two bedsteads in the house, with their bedding, and a large quantity of clothes belonging to him and his daughter.
Very early in the day Lenora went to the farm-house, where she remained until all was over. At ten o'clock the saloon was full of people. Nobles and gentlefolks of both sexes were mixed up with brokers20 and second-hand21 dealers22 who had come to Grinselhof with the hope of getting bargains. Peasants might be seen talking together, in low voices, with surprise at Do Vlierbeck's ruin; and there were even some who laughed openly and joked as the auctioneer read the terms of sale!
As the salesman put up a very handsome wardrobe, De Vlierbeck himself entered the apartment and mingled24 with the bidders25. His appearance caused a general movement in the crowd; heads went together and men began to whisper, while the bankrupt was stared at with insolent26 curiosity or with pity, but by the greater part with indifference27 or derision. Yet, whatever malicious28 feeling existed in the assembly, it did not last long; for the firm demeanor29 and imposing30 countenance31 of De Vlierbeck was never on any occasion more instinct with that dignity which inspires respect. He was poor; fortune had struck him a cruel blow; but in his manly32 look and calm features there beamed a brave and independent soul which misfortune itself had been unable to crush.
The auctioneer went on with the sale, assisted in his description of the various articles by Monsieur De Vlierbeck, who informed the bidders of their origin, antiquity33, and value. Occasionally some gentleman of the neighborhood, who, in better days, had been on good terms with Lenora's father, approached him with words of sympathy; but he always managed to escape adroitly35 from these indiscreet attempts at consolation. Whenever it was necessary for him to speak, he showed so much self-command and composure that he was far above the idle compassion36 of that careless crowd; yet if his countenance was calm and dignified37, his heart was weighed down by absorbing grief. All that had belonged to his ancestors—articles that were emblazoned with the arms of his family and had been religiously preserved as heirlooms for several centuries—were sold at contemptible38 rates and passed into the hands of brokers. As each historical relic39 was placed on the table or held up by the auctioneer, the links of his illustrious race seemed to break off and depart. When the sale was nearly over, the portraits of the eminent40 men who had borne the name of De Vlierbeck were taken down from the walls and placed upon the stand. The first—that of the hero of St. Quentin—was knocked off to a dealer23 for little more than three francs! In the sale of this portrait, and the laughable price it brought, there was so much bitter irony41 that, for the first time, the agony that had been so long torturing De Vlierbeck's heart began to exhibit its traces in his countenance. No sooner had the hammer fallen, than, with downcast eyes and a sigh that was inaudible even to his nearest neighbor, the stricken nobleman turned from the crowd and left the saloon, so as not to witness the final sacrifice of the remaining memorials that bound him to his race.
The sun was but an hour or two above the horizon. A deathlike silence had taken the place of the noise, bustle42, and vulgarity that ruled at Grinselhof during the morning; the solitary43 garden-walks were deserted44, the house-door and gate were closed, and a stranger might have supposed that nothing had occurred to disturb the usual quiet of the spot. Suddenly the door of the dwelling45 opened, and two persons appeared upon the sill; one, a man advanced in life, the other, a pale and serious woman. Each carried a small package and seemed ready for travel. Lenora was dressed in a simple dark gown and bonnet46, her neck covered by a small square handkerchief. De Vlierbeck was buttoned up to the chin in a coarse black greatcoat, and wore a threadbare cap whose large visor nearly masked his features. Although it was evident that the homeless travellers had literally47 stripped themselves of all superfluities and had determined48 to go forth49 with the merest necessaries of decency50, there was something in the manner in which they wore their humble51 costumes that distinctly marked their birth and breeding. The old man's features were not changed; but it was difficult to say whether they expressed pleasure, pain, or indifference. Lenora seemed strong and resolute52, although she was about to quit the place of her birth and separate herself, perhaps forever, from all she had loved from infancy,—from those aged34 groves53 beneath whose shadows the dawn of love first broke upon her heart,—from that remembered tree at whose feet the timid avowal54 of Gustave's passion had fallen on her ear. But a sense of duty possessed55 and ruled her heart. Reason in her was not overmastered by sensibility; and, when she saw her father tottering56 at her side, all her energy was rallied in the effort to sustain him.
They did not linger at the door, but, crossing the garden rapidly, directed their steps toward the farm-house, which they entered to bid its occupants farewell. Bess and her servant-maid were in the first apartment below.
"Mother Bess," said Monsieur De Vlierbeck, calmly, "we have come to bid you good-by."
Bess stared a moment anxiously at the travellers, and, lifting her apron57 to her eyes, left the apartment; while the servant-maid leaned her head against the window-frame and began to sob58 as if her heart would break. In a short time Bess returned with her husband, whom she had found in the barn.
"Alas59! is it true, sir," said the farmer, in a stifled60 voice,—"is it true that you are going to leave Grinselhof, and that, perhaps, we shall never see you again?"
"Come, come, mother Bess," said the poor bankrupt, as he took and pressed her hand; "don't weep on that account; you see we bear our lot with resignation."
Bess raised her head, threw her eyes once more over the humble dress of her old master, and began to cry so violently that she could not utter a word. Her husband strove manfully to repress his emotion; and, after an effort or two, addressed Monsieur De Vlierbeck in a manly way:—
"May I ask the favor of you, sir, to let me say a word or two to you in private?"
De Vlierbeck entered the adjoining room, where he was followed by the farmer, who shut the door carefully.
"I hardly dare, sir," said he, "to mention my request; but will you pardon me if it displeases61 you?"
"Look you, sir," stammered63 the tender-hearted laborer64. "Every thing that I have earned I owe to you. I had nothing when I married Bess; and yet, with your kindness, we have managed to succeed. God's mercy and your favor have made us prosperous; while you, our benefactors65, have become unfortunate and are forced to wander away from their home,—God knows where! You may be forced to suffer privations and want; but that must not be: I would reproach myself as long as I live. Oh, sir!" continued he, as his voice faltered66 and his eyes filled with tears, "all that I have on earth is at your service!"
"You are a worthy68 man indeed, and I am, happy that it was once in my power to protect and serve you; but I cannot accept your offer, my friend: keep what you have earned by the sweat of your brow, and do not concern yourself for our future fate, for, with God's help, we shall find means to live."
"Oh, sir," said the farmer, beseechingly70, and clasping his hands in an attitude of entreaty71, "do not reject the trifle I offer you;"—he opened a drawer and pointed72 to a small heap of silver.—"See!" said he; "that is not the hundredth part of the good you have done us. Grant me this favor, I beseech69 you: take this money, sir; and if it spare you a single suffering or trial I shall thank God for it on my knees!"
"Thanks! thanks! my friend; but I must refuse it. All persuasion73 is useless. Let us leave this room!"
"But, sir," cried the farmer, in astonishment74, "where do you intend to go? Tell me, for God's sake!"
"I cannot," replied Monsieur De Vlierbeck, "for I don't know myself; and, even if I did, prudence75 would make me silent."
Uttering these words, he returned to the other room, where he found everybody in tears. He saw at once that for his own sake as well as his daughter's he must end these trying scenes; and accordingly, in a firm voice, he told her it was time to be gone. There were a few more tender and eager pressures of hands, a few more farewells, a few last looks at the old homestead and its surroundings, and the bankrupt pair sallied forth with their bundles, and, passing the bridge just at sunset, departed on foot across the desolate76 moor77.
It is hard to bid farewell and quit the spots with which, even in a summer's journey, we have formed agreeable associations: but harder far it is to bid adieu forever to the home of our ancestors and the haunts of our youth. This dreadful trial was passing in De Vlierbeck's heart. From a distant point on the road where the domain78 of Grinselhof was masked by thickets79, the wanderer turned his eyes once more in the direction of the old château. Big tears stood in his eyes and slowly rolled down his hollow cheeks as he stood there, silent and motionless, with clasped hands, gazing into vacancy80. But night was rapidly falling around the wayfarers81; and, recalling him to consciousness with a kiss, Lenora gently drew her father from the spot till they disappeared in the windings82 of the wood.
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1
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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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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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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7
renounce
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| v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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assail
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| v.猛烈攻击，抨击，痛斥 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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15
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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17
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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18
probity
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| n.刚直；廉洁，正直 | |
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19
creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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20
brokers
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| n.（股票、外币等）经纪人( broker的名词复数 )；中间人；代理商；（订合同的）中人v.做掮客（或中人等）( broker的第三人称单数 )；作为权力经纪人进行谈判；以中间人等身份安排… | |
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21
second-hand
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| adj.用过的，旧的，二手的 | |
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22
dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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bidders
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| n.出价者，投标人( bidder的名词复数 ) | |
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26
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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27
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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28
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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29
demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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32
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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antiquity
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| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
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34
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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adroitly
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| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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36
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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37
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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38
contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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39
relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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40
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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41
irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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42
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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43
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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44
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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45
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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46
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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47
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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48
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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49
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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50
decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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51
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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52
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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53
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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54
avowal
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| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
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55
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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56
tottering
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| adj.蹒跚的，动摇的v.走得或动得不稳( totter的现在分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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57
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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58
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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59
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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60
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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61
displeases
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| 冒犯，使生气，使不愉快( displease的第三人称单数 ) | |
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62
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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63
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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64
laborer
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| n.劳动者，劳工 | |
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benefactors
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| n.捐助者，施主( benefactor的名词复数 )；恩人 | |
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66
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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67
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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68
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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69
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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70
beseechingly
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| adv. 恳求地 | |
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71
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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72
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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73
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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74
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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75
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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76
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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77
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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78
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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79
thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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80
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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81
wayfarers
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| n.旅人，（尤指）徒步旅行者( wayfarer的名词复数 ) | |
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82
windings
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| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
参考例句： |
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