Chapter 22

      Meanwhile poor Grace had fared badly at thepoorhouse in Crawford. It was a sad contrast to thegentle and kindly¹ circle at Mr. Pomeroy's. Whatmade it worse for Grace was, that she could hearnothing of Frank. She feared he was sick, or hadmet with some great misfortune, which preventedhis writing.

　　One day a handsome carriage drove up to the door.

　　From it descended² our hero, elegantly attired³. Heknocked at the door.

　　Mrs. Chase, who was impressed by wealth, cameto the door in a flutter of respect, induced by thehandsome carriage.

　　``What do you wish, sir?'' she asked, not recognizingFrank.

　　``Miss Grace Fowler!'' repeated Mrs. Chase,almost paralyzed at Grace being called for by suchstylish acquaintances``Yes, my sister Grace.''

　　``What! are you Frank Fowler?''

　　``Yes. I have come to take Grace away.''

　　``I don't know as I have the right to let her go,''

　　said Mrs. Chase, cautiously, regretting that Gracewas likely to escape her clutches.

　　``Here is an order from Deacon Pinkerton, chairmanof the overseers of the poor.''

　　``That is sufficient. She can go. You look as ifyou had prospered⁴ in the city,'' she added, with curiosity.

　　``Yes. I have found my grandfather, who is verywealthy.''

　　``You don't say!'' ejaculated Mrs. Chase. ``I'll tellGrace at once.''

　　Grace at work in the kitchen had not heard of thearrival. What was her surprise when Mrs. Chase,entering the room, said, graciously:

　　``Go up at once, Grace, and change your clothes.

　　Your brother has come for you. He is going to takeyou away.''

　　Grace almost gasped⁵ for breath.

　　``Is it true?''

　　``It is indeed. Your brother looks remarkablywell. He is rich. He has found a rich grandfather,and has come for you in a carriage.''

　　In amazed bewilderment Grace went upstairs andput on her best dress, poor enough in comparisonwith her brother's clothes, and was soon happy inhis embrace.

　　``I am glad to see you, my dear child,'' said Mr.

　　Wharton, who had accompanied Frank. ``Will youcome to the city and live with me and your brother?''

　　``Oh, sir, I shall be glad to be wherever Frank is.''

　　``Good-bye, my dear child,'' sand Mrs. Chase, whosefeelings were very much changed, now that Gracewas a rich young lady. ``Come and see me sometime.''

　　``Thank you, Mrs. Chase. Good-bye!''

　　The carriage rolled on.

　　* * * * * * *A few words only remain. Our hero was placedat a classical school, and in due time entered college,where he acquitted⁶ himself with distinction. He isnow making a tour of Europe. Grace was alsoplaced at an excellent school, and has developed intoa handsome and accomplished⁷ young lady. It isthought she will marry Sam Pomeroy, who obtaineda place in a counting-room through Mr. Wharton'sinfluence, and is now head clerk, with a prospect⁸ ofpartnership. His father received a gift of fivethousand dollars from Mr. Wharton as an acknowledgmentof his kindness to Frank. Tom Pinkerton holdsa subordinate clerkship in the same house, and isobliged to look up to Sam as his superior. It chafeshis pride, but his father has become a poor man, andTom is too prudent⁹ to run the risk of losing hissituation. John Wade¹⁰ draws his income regularly, buthe is never seen at his uncle's house.

　　Mr. Wharton is very happy in his grandson, andmade happier by the intelligence just received fromEurope of Frank's engagement to a brilliant youngNew York lady whom he met in his travels. Hebids fair, though advanced in age, to live some yearsyet, to witness the happiness of his dear grandson,once a humble¹¹ cash-boy.

1 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

2 descended   

a.为...后裔的，出身于...的

参考例句：

• A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
• The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。

3 attired   

adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The bride was attired in white. 新娘穿一身洁白的礼服。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It is appropriate that everyone be suitably attired. 人人穿戴得体是恰当的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 prospered   

成功，兴旺( prosper的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The organization certainly prospered under his stewardship. 不可否认，这个组织在他的管理下兴旺了起来。
• Mr. Black prospered from his wise investments. 布莱克先生由于巧妙的投资赚了不少钱。

5 gasped   

v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要

参考例句：

• She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
• People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 acquitted   

宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现

参考例句：

• The jury acquitted him of murder. 陪审团裁决他谋杀罪不成立。
• Five months ago she was acquitted on a shoplifting charge. 五个月前她被宣判未犯入店行窃罪。

7 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

8 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

9 prudent   

adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的

参考例句：

• A prudent traveller never disparages his own country.聪明的旅行者从不贬低自己的国家。
• You must school yourself to be modest and prudent.你要学会谦虚谨慎。

10 wade   

v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉

参考例句：

• We had to wade through the river to the opposite bank.我们只好涉水过河到对岸。
• We cannot but wade across the river.我们只好趟水过去。

11 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。