“Dresden, however, detained me longer than I had expected. It was in August that I reached it: there were not many people in town, but I was delighted with the Gallery, with the picturesque2 sweep of the river, and with the green shade and good music of the Grosser Garten. There were several charming drives, too, in the neighbourhood; and as for the beer, it was really a revelation to a man who had never known anything less heavy and solid than Allsopp’s pale ale.
“I had put up at the Hotel de Saxe, a broadsided old building on one side of a large irregular ‘platz,’ called, I believe, the Neumarkt. My landlord, who was a young gentleman of great personal attractions, interested himself a good deal about my amusements; and one day he happened to ask me whether I had visited a region known as Saxon Switzerland. This, it appeared, was a mountainous district some twenty miles up the Elbe, in which was solved the problem of putting the greatest amount of romantic picturesqueness3 into the smallest possible compass. It was a land of savage4 rocks, wild precipices5, and profound gorges6, conveniently grouped within the limits of a good day’s tramp. It comprised all the sublime7 and startling features of your Yellowstone Valley in California with an area about equal to the summit of one of the table bluffs8 in that region.
“I packed my valise for a sojourn9 of two or three days among these pocket Alps, put my diamonds in that secure inner pocket, and took a droschkey for the railway station. The trip to Schandau (the principal village of Saxon Switzerland) can also be made by steamer; but after discussing the pros10 and cons11 of rival routes with my host of the hotel the evening previous, I had decided12 to go by rail, which provides nearly half as much pretty scenery as the river road, and takes up less than a fourth as much time. I alighted at the station door somewhat late, and having given my trunk in charge to a porter, was hurrying to get my ticket, when my attention was caught by a young lady, who was standing13 on the platform in an attitude that bespoke14 suspense16 and anxiety. Her veil was down, but from the slender elegance17 of her figure and the harmonious18 perfection of her costume, I could not doubt that her face was beautiful. Evidently she was not a German; had she been a thought less tastefully dressed, I should have said she was an English girl; as it was, she might be either an Austrian or an American. Even then, I rather inclined to the latter hypothesis.
“She appeared to be entirely20 alone; but she was scanning with ill-concealed eagerness the crowd that was entering the station, as if in search of a familiar face. When her glance fell upon me, I fancied that she took an impulsive21 step in my direction; but she checked herself immediately, and looked away. While I was hastily debating within myself whether or not it would be ‘the thing’ for me to go up and ask her if she needed any assistance, I saw a dientsman, or carrier, come up the steps, and taking off his cap, deliver her a note. She tore it nervously22 open, threw back her veil impatiently, and ran her eyes over the contents. Beautiful she was, indeed! My anticipations23 had been behind the truth on that score. Such strange, mystical, dark eyes underneath24 level black eyebrows25 I had never seen. But just then there was an expression of dismay and distress26 in them that made me half forget to remember their fascination27.
“She now addressed the carrier, seemingly in broken German, for he evidently did not well understand her, and the answer he made appeared to increase her embarrassment28. Her slender foot tapped the stone pavement; she read the note once more, crushed it up in her hand, and then her arms fell listlessly at her sides with an air almost of despair. She looked this way and that helplessly.
“By this time several persons besides myself had observed her bewilderment, and I thought I perceived that a certain fat old Jew, wearing a number of glittering rings and a very massive watch-chain, was inclined to take advantage of it. This decided me on my course of action: I came quickly forward, as if I had just caught sight of her, and lifting my hat with an air of respectful acquaintanceship, I said in French:
“‘If mademoiselle will permit me, I may perhaps be of some use.’
“Her veil, either accidentally or of design, dropped again over her face as she turned it towards me. I knew that she was scrutinising me with a woman’s intuitive insight, and I tried to look as guileless and respectful as I am sure I felt. In a moment she asked:
“‘Monsieur est-il Fran?ais?’
“‘I’m an Englishman,’ I answered, blushing a little, I dare say, at her implied criticism of my imperfect accent.
“‘Oh, I am glad! I, too, am almost English — I am American. But I don’t know how I can be helped, really!’
“‘Some friend has missed an appointment ——?’
“‘Yes, indeed! Oh dear! it’s worse than that. It’s my father.’
“‘You were going by the train ——’
“‘There has been some stupid mistake. I’m sure I don’t know what I shall do. We had arranged to start at ten o’clock this morning, and I started first, because I wanted to do some shopping on the way down. I understood that we were to rendezvous29 here. But he did not come at ten, and I sent a dientsman to the hotel; and now he has brought word from the hotel-keeper that papa started by the ten o’clock steamboat. I had not understood that it was to be the steamboat, you see; and I’m left here all alone.’
“‘But if you took the next train, you would still arrive two or three hours before him; that is — may I ask where you were going?’
“‘Oh, I think Schandau is the name of the place.’
“‘Schandau? Oh, then it’s all right. There is a train starts immediately.’
“‘Yes — but — no; I’m afraid I can’t do that.’
“I was puzzled. ‘Perhaps you would like to telegraph him to come back here for you?’
“‘I don’t know where to telegraph, so that he would get it; besides —— But, excuse me, sir. You are very kind; but I won’t trouble you with my affairs. I dare say I shall get on very well.’
“She turned away with a slight bow; but she was so evidently nonplussed30, that I determined31 to make another effort to gain her confidence. There was not much time to lose; the first bell was already ringing.
“‘I am going on to Schandau,’ I said. ‘If you like, I will send you back to your hotel in a droschkey; and when I get to Schandau, I will hunt up your father and tell him the mistake he has made. Here is my card.’
“She looked at it, and her manner at once changed. A half-repressed smile glimmered32 on her face. I felt that we were on a right footing at last, though I could not at the time understand how it had happened.
“‘I will confess to you, Mr. Gainsborough,’ she said, glancing up at me with a charming trustfulness in her manner. ‘My papa is so forgetful. We were not coming back to Dresden. After Schandau we were going on to Prague; and he has gone off with all our luggage, and — and he has left me without even any money to buy my ticket! At least, I did have enough, but I spent it all in my shopping.’
“This cleared up matters at once. ‘How stupid of me not to have seen it all before!’ I exclaimed. ‘Now, we have just time to get the train,’ I hurried her on with me as I spoke15, bought our tickets in the twinkling of an eye, and without waiting for the change, convoyed her rapidly across the platform, and, with the assistance of a guard, we found ourselves safely ensconced in a first-class carriage just as the train moved off. My beautiful companion, breathless, smiling, and yet seemingly a little frightened, sank back on the cushions, and felt for the fan at her girdle. I wished to give her plenty of time to recover her composure, and to feel assured that I had no intention of taking undue33 advantage of our position; so, having arranged the windows to suit her convenience, I betook myself to the other end of the carriage, and diligently34 stared at the prospect35 for fully19 five minutes. Nature could endure no more, and at the end of that time I was fain to change my posture36. I stole a glance at my fair American. She, too, was absorbed in the prospect on her side, which consisted at the moment of a perpendicular37 cutting about ten feet distant from her window. Her attitude as she sat there was the perfection of feminine grace. Her left hand, loosely holding the fan, drooped38 on her lap; her sleeve, slightly pushed up, revealed the lovely curve of her arm and wrist. I am a particular admirer of beautiful wrists and hands, and here I saw my ideal. How exquisitely39 the glove fitted! and how artistically40 the colour harmonised with the rest of her costume! The other little hand supported her chin: I could just see the rounded outline of her small cheek, and the movement of the dark eyelash projecting beyond it. Beneath her hat the black hair turned in a careless coil, and charming little downy curls nestled in the nape of her neck. She was a thorough brunette, pale, and yet pervaded41 with warm colour. Beneath the skirt of her crisp dress peeped the pointed42 toe of an ineffable43 little boot, which occasionally lifted itself and tapped the floor softly. Suddenly, in the midst of my admiring inspection44, she turned round upon me, and our eyes met. There was an instant’s constraint45, and then we both laughed, and the constraint passed away, not to return.
“‘I was going to ask you,’ said I, ‘whether you wouldn’t prefer sitting on this side. You will find the river better worth looking at than that stone wall.’
“‘I am under your orders, sir, for the present; you put me here; and now, if you tell me I am to go elsewhere, I shall obey.’
“She rose as she spoke; the jolting46 of the carriage caused her to lose her balance; I held out my hand to assist her, and so she tottered47 across and seated herself opposite me.
“‘Now are you satisfied?’ she asked demurely48, folding her hands in her lap, and sending a flash into me from those mystical eyes.
“‘Yes, indeed, if you are. Did you ever travel this way before?’
“‘If you mean, alone with a gentleman I never met before — no!’
“‘Oh, what I meant was ——’
“‘I know — I was only making fun. Yes, I believe I was in this part of the country once, when I was a very little girl; that was before I went to the Convent, you know.’
“‘To the Convent?’
“She gave a charming impromptu49 laugh. ‘I wasn’t quite a nun50 — I don’t want to make you believe that! Only I was brought up in a convent near Paris; educated there, as many young ladies are. I was there seven years — wasn’t that long? and I only got out a little while ago.’
“‘It must have been awfully51 dull.’
“‘Oh, I liked it in a sort of way; they were very kind to me there; but then I didn’t know how pleasant it was outside! You would never believe how delightful52 the world is, if you were only told about it. My papa used to tell me about it sometimes; and he is a great traveller — he has been everywhere. But I didn’t realise it until I saw for myself.’
“‘Have you been to America since leaving the Convent?’
“‘Oh yes. I went to New York, and saw my cousins there. Papa went with me, but he came back to Paris first, and I followed later. I met him again in Paris only a week ago. He will be surprised to see you here, Mr. Gainsborough. What a funny way you have chosen to go from Paris to Rome — through Dresden!’
“‘Yes, I— but, by-the-bye, how did you know I was going to Rome? and why will your papa be surprised ——?’
“Again she laughed, and regarded me with so delightfully53 mischievous54 a glance that I felt convinced I must in some way be making a fool of myself. What did it all mean? I bit my lip, and the colour came into my face from provocation55 at my own evident thick-headedness.
“‘If you had only waited a little longer in Paris,’ she continued, still smiling enigmatically, ‘perhaps we might have met in a more regular way, and perhaps, then, you would have let me have had a look at your — diamonds!’
“My diamonds! That explained the mystery in a flash.
“‘Is your father Mr. Birchmore?’
“‘I am Miss Birchmore, if you please, sir. You never asked me for my card, and I didn’t like to force it on you. It was so kind of you to take me on trust, without making sure that I was all right first. I thought Englishmen were more cautious and reserved.’
“I could now join in the laugh against myself with full appreciation56 of the excellence57 of the jest. Mr. Birchmore, then, had been a married man after all. Of course he was; why had I not before remarked the strong family likeness58 between him and his daughter? Take her on trust, forsooth! How I longed to retort that I was ready to take her for better for worse, then and there, if she would have me. If she were a fair specimen59 of American girls, what a nation of houris they must be, indeed! But, then, they were not all brought up in French convents. It was that that added to Miss Birchmore the last irresistible60 charm. That it was that gave her that na?veté, that innocent frankness, that unconscious freedom. And this lovely creature had actually known me, by report, before we met. Her father had told her of me, and evidently he had not given me a bad character. And this accounted for the favourable61 change in her manner when she saw my card. Well, it was altogether delightful; I had been guided by a happy destiny; thank fortune I had so conducted myself as at least not to prejudice Miss Birchmore against me. Verily, good manners are never thrown away; and, moreover, I prided myself (as I fancy most gentlemen do) on my ability to detect a true lady at a glance.
“We now resumed our conversation on a still more confidential62 footing than heretofore. Miss Birchmore related many amusing anecdotes63 of her late experience in New York, as well as of her earlier days in the Convent, and even some passages of her child-life previous to the latter epoch64. I observed, however, that ever and anon she would check herself, seeming to pass over certain passages in her history in silence; and this reminded me of the similar behaviour which I had noted65 in her father. That secret — that mystery, whatever it was, that weighed upon him — had cast its shadow over her young heart likewise. Honestly did I sympathise with her unknown trouble, and ardently66 did I long — all vulgar curiosity aside — to have the knowledge of it imparted to me. Few calamities67 are so heavy as that, by earnest and friendly help, they may not be lightened. What could it be? In vain I asked myself that question. Here was this lovely girl, in the first fresh bloom of existence, just beginning to taste, with eager uncloyed palate, all the sweet joys and novelties of life — health, youth, a happy temperament68, and ample wealth ranked on her side; and yet this bitterness of a misfortune, not by rights her own, must needs communicate its blighting69 influence to her! It was tragical70 to think of. Yes, ever and anon I could mark its traces in her vivid face and winning bearing. A passing gloom of sadness in those wonderful eyes; a quiver of apprehension71 about the lips; an involuntary gesture of nervousness or lassitude; many trifling72 signs, scarcely perceptible, perhaps, to a regard less keen and watchful73 than mine had already become. Already? — but time in an acquaintance like this is not to be measured by hours or minutes. It is a trite74 saying, and yet how true, that those who are under the influence of a strong emotion may live years in a few heart-beats.
“‘Please — oh, please don’t look so solemn, Mr. Gainsborough! What has happened? I should think, to look at you, that you had been robbed of your diamonds at the very least?’
“‘No; they are safe enough,’ said I, calling up as cheerful a tone and aspect as I could muster75, and putting my hand over the inner pocket as I spoke. ‘Are you fond of diamonds?’
“‘Oh, did you ever hear of a girl who wasn’t? I think there is nothing so beautiful. Papa has a great many, but he says I mustn’t wear them until after I am married. Isn’t that hard?’
“‘But perhaps you think of being married before long?’ I inquired, with positively76 a jealous throb77 at my heart.
“‘No; that’s the trouble; I know I shall never be married.’ These words were uttered in a lower and graver tone, and once more I thought I could discern the flitting traces of that mysterious melancholy78. But she brightened up when I said:
“‘Well, he won’t object to your seeing my diamonds, at any rate; not even to your putting them on, perhaps!’
“‘Just for a minute — may I? that will be splendid! Papa says that some of them are the finest he ever saw.’
“‘For longer than a minute, Miss Birchmore, if you are willing — I mean if he ——’ What did I mean, pray? Was I going to make an offer of my hand, heart, and diamonds, on less than an hour’s acquaintance, in a railway carriage? and was I going to forget that the diamonds did not belong to me at all, but to my respected mother, who would probably see me cut off with a shilling before granting me the disposal of them? Luckily for my self-possession and self-respect, the train drew up just then at the station known as Krippen, on the bank of the river immediately opposite Schandau. The guard opened the door; we alighted, and the first person we saw was Mr. Birchmore, and close behind him a short, ungainly, beetle-browed fellow, a valet or footman apparently79, with a campstool, an umbrella, and a small basket of fruit on his arm.
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1
eastwards
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| adj.向东方（的），朝东（的）；n.向东的方向 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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picturesqueness
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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gorges
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| n.山峡，峡谷( gorge的名词复数 )；咽喉v.（用食物把自己）塞饱，填饱( gorge的第三人称单数 )；作呕 | |
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sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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bluffs
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| 恐吓( bluff的名词复数 )； 悬崖； 峭壁 | |
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sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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pros
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| abbr.prosecuting 起诉；prosecutor 起诉人；professionals 自由职业者；proscenium （舞台）前部n.赞成的意见( pro的名词复数 )；赞成的理由；抵偿物；交换物 | |
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cons
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| n.欺骗，骗局( con的名词复数 )v.诈骗，哄骗( con的第三人称单数 ) | |
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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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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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bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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15
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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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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harmonious
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| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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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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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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anticipations
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| 预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物 | |
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underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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nonplussed
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| adj.不知所措的，陷于窘境的v.使迷惑( nonplus的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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glimmered
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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38
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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40
artistically
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| adv.艺术性地 | |
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41
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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43
ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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44
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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45
constraint
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| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
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46
jolting
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| adj.令人震惊的 | |
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47
tottered
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| v.走得或动得不稳( totter的过去式和过去分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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48
demurely
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| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
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49
impromptu
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| adj.即席的，即兴的；adv.即兴的(地)，无准备的(地) | |
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50
nun
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| n.修女，尼姑 | |
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51
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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52
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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53
delightfully
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| 大喜，欣然 | |
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54
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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55
provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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56
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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57
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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58
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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epoch
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| n.(新)时代；历元 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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blighting
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| 使凋萎( blight的现在分词 )； 使颓丧； 损害； 妨害 | |
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tragical
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| adj. 悲剧的, 悲剧性的 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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trite
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| adj.陈腐的 | |
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muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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