Ushered22 into the parlor23 of the hotel, apparently24 set apart for their reception, they were embarrassed at not finding their host present. But they were still more disconcerted when a tall full-bearded stranger, with a shrewd amused-looking face, rose from a chair by the window, and stepping forward, saluted25 them in fluent Spanish with a slight American accent.
"I have to ask you, gentlemen and ladies," he began, with a certain insinuating26 ease and frankness that alternately aroused and lulled27 their suspicions, "to pardon the absence of our friend Don Jose Sepulvida at this preliminary greeting. For to be perfectly28 frank with you, although the ultimate aim and object of our gathering29 is a social one, you are doubtless aware that certain infelicities and misunderstandings—common to most families—have occurred, and a free, dispassionate, unprejudiced discussion and disposal of them at the beginning will only tend to augment30 the goodwill31 of our gathering."
"The Senor without doubt is"—suggested the padre, with a polite interrogative pause.
"Pardon me! I forgot to introduce myself. Colonel Parker—entirely32 at your service and that of these charming ladies."
The ladies referred to allowed their eyes to rest with evident prepossession on the insinuating stranger. "Ah, a soldier," said Don Vincente.
"Formerly," said the American lightly; "at present a lawyer, the counsel of Don Jose."
A sudden rigor33 of suspicion stiffened34 the company; the ladies withdrew their eyes; the priest and the Sepulvidas exchanged glances.
"Come," said Colonel Parker, with apparent unconsciousness of the effect of his disclosure, "let us begin frankly35. You have, I believe, some anxiety in regard to the mental condition of Don Jose."
"That is your opinion; good," said the lawyer quietly.
"And ours too," clamored the party, "without doubt."
"Good," returned the lawyer with perfect cheerfulness. "As his relations, you have no doubt had superior opportunities for observing his condition. I understand also that you may think it necessary to have him legally declared non compos, a proceeding38 which, you are aware, might result in the incarceration39 of our distinguished40 friend in a mad-house."
"Pardon, Senor," interrupted Dona Maria proudly, "you do not comprehend the family. When a Sepulvida is visited of God we do not ask the Government to confine him like a criminal. We protect him in his own house from the consequences of his frenzy."
"From the machinations of the worldly and heretical," broke in the priest, "and from the waste and dispersion of inherited possessions."
"Very true," continued Colonel Parker, with unalterable good-humor; "but I was only about to say that there might be conflicting evidence of his condition. For instance, our friend has been here three days. In that time he has had three interviews with three individuals under singular circumstances." Colonel Parker then briefly41 recounted the episodes of the landlord, the gambler, Miss Jenkinson and the poetess, as they had been related to him. "Yet," he continued, "all but one of these individuals are willing to swear that they not only believe Don Jose perfectly sane42, but endowed with a singularly sound judgment43. In fact, the testimony44 of Mr. Hamlin and Miss Jenkinson is remarkably45 clear on that subject."
The company exchanged a supercilious46 smile. "Do you not see, O Senor Advocate," said Don Vincente compassionately47, "that this is but a conspiracy48 to avail themselves of our relative's weakness. Of a necessity they find him sane who benefits them."
"I have thought of that, and am glad to hear you say so," returned the lawyer still more cheerfully, "for your prompt opinion emboldens49 me to be at once perfectly frank with you. Briefly then, Don Jose has summoned me here to make a final disposition50 of his property. In the carrying out of certain theories of his, which it is not my province to question, he has resolved upon comparative poverty for himself as best fitted for his purpose, and to employ his wealth solely51 for others. In fact, of all his vast possessions he retains for himself only an income sufficient for the bare necessaries of life."
"And you have done this?" they asked in one voice.
"Not yet," said the lawyer.
"Blessed San Antonio, we have come in time!" ejaculated Dona Carmen. "Another day and it would have been too late; it was an inspiration of the Blessed Innocents themselves," said Dona Maria, crossing herself. "Can you longer doubt that this is the wildest madness?" said Father Felipe with flashing eyes.
"Yet," returned the lawyer, caressing52 his heavy beard with a meditative53 smile, "the ingenious fellow actually instanced the vows54 of YOUR OWN ORDER, reverend sir, as an example in support of his theory. But to be brief. Conceiving, then, that his holding of property was a mere55 accident of heritage, not admitted by him, unworthy his acceptance, and a relic56 of superstitious57 ignorance"—
"This is the very sacrilege of Satanic prepossession," broke in the priest indignantly.
"He therefore," continued the lawyer composedly, "makes over and reverts58 the whole of his possessions, with the exceptions I have stated, to his family and the Church."
A breathless and stupefying silence fell upon the company. In the dead hush59 the sound of Polly Jenkinson's piano, played in a distant room, could be distinctly heard. With their vacant eyes staring at him the speaker continued:
"That deed of gift I have drawn up as he dictated60 it. I don't mind saying that in the opinion of some he might be declared non compos upon the evidence of that alone. I need not say how relieved I am to find that your opinion coincides with my own."
"But," gasped61 Father Felipe hurriedly, with a quick glance at the others, "it does not follow that it will be necessary to resort to these legal measures. Care, counsel, persuasion—"
"The general ministering of kinship—nursing, a woman's care—the instincts of affection," piped Dona Maria in breathless eagerness.
"Any light social distraction—a harmless flirtation—a possible attachment," suggested Dona Carmen shyly.
"Change of scene—active exercise—experiences—even as those you have related," broke in Don Vincente.
"I for one have ever been opposed to LEGAL measures," said Don Victor. "A mere consultation62 of friends—in fact, a fete like this is sufficient."
"Good friends," said Father Felipe, who had by this time recovered himself, taking out his snuff-box portentously63, "it would seem truly, from the document which this discreet64 caballero has spoken of, that the errors of our dear Don Jose are rather of method than intent, and that while we may freely accept the one"—
"Pardon," interrupted Colonel Parker with bland65 persistence66, "but I must point out to you that what we call in law 'a consideration' is necessary to the legality of a conveyance67, even though that consideration be frivolous68 and calculated to impair69 the validity of the document."
"Truly," returned the good padre insinuatingly70; "but if a discreet advocate were to suggest the substitution of some more pious71 and reasonable consideration"—
"But that would be making it a perfectly sane and gratuitous72 document, not only glaringly inconsistent with your charges, my good friends, with Don Jose's attitude towards you and his flight from home, but open to the gravest suspicion in law. In fact, its apparent propriety73 in the face of these facts would imply improper74 influence."
The countenances75 of the company fell. The lawyer's face, however, became still more good-humored and sympathizing. "The case is simply this. If in the opinion of judge and jury Don Jose is declared insane, the document is worthless except as a proof of that fact or a possible indication of the undue76 influence of his relations, which might compel the court to select his guardians77 and trustees elsewhere than among them."
"Friend Abogado," said Father Felipe with extraordinary deliberation, "the document thou hast just described so eloquently78 convinces me beyond all doubt that Don Jose is not only perfectly sane but endowed with a singular discretion79. I consider it as a delicate and high-spirited intimation to us, his friends and kinsmen80, of his unalterable and logically just devotion to his family and religion, whatever may seem to be his poetical81 and imaginative manner of declaring it. I think there is not one here," continued the padre, looking around him impressively, "who is not entirely satisfied of Don Jose's reason and competency to arrange his own affairs."
"Entirely," "truly," "perfectly," eagerly responded the others with affecting spontaneity.
"Nay82, more. To prevent any misconception, we shall deem it our duty to take every opportunity of making our belief publicly known," added Father Felipe.
The padre and Colonel Parker gazed long and gravely into each other's eyes. It may have been an innocent touch of the sunlight through the window, but a faint gleam seemed to steal into the pupil of the affable lawyer at the same moment that, probably from the like cause, there was a slight nervous contraction83 of the left eyelid84 of the pious father. But it passed, and the next instant the door opened to admit Don Jose Sepulvida.
He was at once seized and effusively85 embraced by the entire company with every protest of affection and respect. Not only Mr. Hamlin and Mr. Jenkinson, who accompanied him as invited guests, but Roberto, in a new suit of clothes and guiltless of stain or trace of dissipation, shared in the pronounced friendliness86 of the kinsmen. Padre Felipe took snuff, Colonel Parker blew his nose gently.
Nor were they less demonstrative of their new convictions later at the banquet. Don Jose, with Jenkinson and the padre on his right and left, preserved his gentle and half-melancholy dignity in the midst of the noisy fraternization. Even Padre Felipe, in a brief speech or exhortation87 proposing the health of their host, lent himself in his own tongue to this polite congeniality. "We have had also, my friends and brothers," he said in peroration88, "a pleasing example of the compliment of imitation shown by our beloved Don Jose. No one who has known him during his friendly sojourn89 in this community but will be struck with the conviction that he has acquired that most marvelous faculty90 of your great American nation, the exhibition of humor and of the practical joke."
Every eye was turned upon the imperturbable91 face of Don Jose as he slowly rose to reply. "In bidding you to this fete, my friends and kinsmen," he began calmly, "it was with the intention of formally embracing the habits, customs, and spirit of American institutions by certain methods of renunciation of the past, as became a caballero of honor and resolution. Those methods may possibly be known to some of you." He paused for a moment as if to allow the members of his family to look unconscious. "Since then, in the wisdom of God, it has occurred to me that my purpose may be as honorably effected by a discreet blending of the past and the present—in a word, by the judicious92 combination of the interests of my native people and the American nation. In consideration of that purpose, friends and kinsmen, I ask you to join me in drinking the good health of my host Senor Jenkinson, my future father-in-law, from whom I have to-day had the honor to demand the hand of the peerless Polly, his daughter, as the future mistress of the Rancho of the Blessed Innocents."
The marriage took place shortly after. Nor was the free will and independence of Don Jose Sepulvida in the least opposed by his relations. Whether they felt they had already committed themselves, or had hopes in the future, did not transpire93. Enough that the escapade of a week was tacitly forgotten. The only allusion94 ever made to the bridegroom's peculiarities95 was drawn from the demure96 lips of the bride herself on her installation at the "Blessed Innocents."
"And what, little one, didst thou find in me to admire?" Don Jose had asked tenderly.
"Don Quixote," repeated Don Jose with gentle gravity. "But, my child, that was only a mere fiction—a romance, of one Cervantes. Believe me, of a truth there never was any such person!"
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收听单词发音
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1
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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2
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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3
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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4
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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5
conclave
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| n.秘密会议，红衣主教团 | |
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6
expounded
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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alienated
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| adj.感到孤独的，不合群的v.使疏远( alienate的过去式和过去分词 )；使不友好；转让；让渡（财产等） | |
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8
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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9
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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10
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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11
blasphemous
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| adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的 | |
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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
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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14
coeval
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| adj.同时代的；n.同时代的人或事物 | |
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15
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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16
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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17
gaudily
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| adv.俗丽地 | |
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18
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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19
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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veranda
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| n.走廊；阳台 | |
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22
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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24
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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25
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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26
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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27
lulled
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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29
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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augment
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| vt.(使)增大，增加，增长，扩张 | |
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goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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32
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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33
rigor
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| n.严酷，严格，严厉 | |
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34
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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incarceration
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| n.监禁，禁闭；钳闭 | |
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40
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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41
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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42
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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43
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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44
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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45
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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46
supercilious
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| adj.目中无人的，高傲的；adv.高傲地；n.高傲 | |
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47
compassionately
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| adv.表示怜悯地，有同情心地 | |
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48
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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49
emboldens
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| v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的第三人称单数 ) | |
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50
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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51
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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52
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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53
meditative
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| adj.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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54
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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55
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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56
relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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58
reverts
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| 恢复( revert的第三人称单数 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
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59
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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60
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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61
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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62
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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portentously
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64
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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65
bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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66
persistence
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| n.坚持，持续，存留 | |
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67
conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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68
frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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69
impair
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| v.损害，损伤；削弱，减少 | |
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70
insinuatingly
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71
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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72
gratuitous
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| adj.无偿的，免费的；无缘无故的，不必要的 | |
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73
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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74
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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75
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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76
undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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77
guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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78
eloquently
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| adv. 雄辩地(有口才地, 富于表情地) | |
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79
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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80
kinsmen
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| n.家属，亲属( kinsman的名词复数 ) | |
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81
poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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82
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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83
contraction
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| n.缩略词，缩写式，害病 | |
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84
eyelid
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| n.眼睑，眼皮 | |
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85
effusively
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| adv.变溢地，热情洋溢地 | |
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86
friendliness
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| n.友谊，亲切，亲密 | |
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87
exhortation
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| n.劝告，规劝 | |
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88
peroration
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| n.（演说等之）结论 | |
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89
sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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90
faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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91
imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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92
judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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93
transpire
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| v.(使)蒸发，(使)排出 ；泄露，公开 | |
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94
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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95
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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96
demure
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| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
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97
demurely
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| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
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