We stand before a palace-like structure, fronting on Fifth Avenue, whose imposing3 exterior4 scarcely gives an adequate idea of the interior magnificence. But few homes, even in that aristocratic quarter, are more sumptuously5 furnished. Yet it would be difficult to say how far all this splendor6 contributes to the happiness of its owner. Happiness is quite independent of wealth, and what wealth can procure7. Of what avail is it, that curtains of the richest damask keep out the too intrusive8 sunlight, or that carpets of the finest texture9 cover the floors, since the shutters10 are always closed, and the magnificent parlors11 rarely echo the steps of a visitor? Of what avail is the gallery of really exquisite12 paintings, selected at an immense cost from European collections? Hidden from the curious eye, lest perchance some harm might come to them, never looked upon by the possessor, they might as well be buried under ground, so far as concerns the actual enjoyment13 derived14 from them.
Mr. Rand has never recovered from the loss of his son. Great as was the shock he experienced from that son’s plebeian15 choice, for such he considered it, he would have made 133advances towards a reconciliation16 long before, but for the vigilance and adroit17 man?uvring of his nephew Lewis. The latter well knew that this would be fatal to his hopes of succeeding as heir presumptive to his uncle’s immense wealth. Accordingly, as soon as his uncle’s first passionate18 anger began to show signs of abatement19, he was persuaded by Lewis to undertake a European tour. This occupied several years, during which they resided, for different lengths of time, in the principal European capitals. It was at this time that most of the articles of taste and luxury which now adorned20 the city mansion21 were first collected.
But there is nothing that can supply to the heart the place of a lost affection. Mr. Rand returned to America restless and unhappy for the lack of that which his own act had driven from him. Had his son been at hand, he would have offered to receive him back, but it was not till some time afterwards that he heard of his being in Chicago. Whether Lewis suspected any disposition22 to relent is not certain, but, as we have already seen, he thought it politic23 to give his uncle the impression that his cousin was dead. Of this he did not find it difficult then to convince him, and so, for a time, he breathed easier. But the recent glimpse of Robert had aroused in the father a hope which Lewis found it exceedingly difficult to stifle24. To this hope may be attributed the change in the phraseology of the will, which the nephew had taken such criminal pains to neutralize25. He was in perpetual apprehension26 that his cousin might, by some means, learn the fact of his father’s residence in the city, and, in consequence, make an attempt to obtain an interview. This must be avoided at all hazards. The quiet manner in which they lived rendered the chance of discovery a small one, and the present alarming illness of his uncle, which Lewis regarded as a fortunate circumstance, made that chance still smaller.
134On a bed in one of the most elegantly furnished chambers27 in his princely dwelling28, reposed30 Mr. Rand,—let me rather say reclined, for his quick, restless movements indicated anything but repose29. His white hair clung disordered about his temples, his features were thin and careworn31, and his whole aspect was that of a man whose life is ending in anxiety and disappointment.
Lewis sat by the bedside, coldly scrutinizing32 the wasted features, as if calculating how long life can retain its hold.
“Will he never die—never?” thus ran his thoughts. “It is strange with what tenacity33 he clings to life; but as long as he remains34 here, prostrated35 by sickness, I am tolerably safe. Still, it isn’t a bad plan, which I have in train through Sharp. Although the chances are a hundred to one in my favor, the bare possibility of miscarriage36 is sufficient to justify37 every precaution.”
“O that he might die at once!” he mentally resumed, looking impatiently at the wasted face. “Then alone will my doubts and anxieties be at an end. Then I shall care little how often I may meet my cousin Robert. He will have no further power to injure or thwart38 me. He cannot last long now. It is three days since he has been rational. He must die, and then——”
Lewis rose and paced the room with quick strides, while he indulged in dreams of the uses to which he would apply the rich inheritance, for which he had been plotting and scheming for so many years.
He was interrupted by a feeble voice from the bed.
Lewis turned quickly towards the bed, and the face of the cunning dissembler at once assumed the expression of profound sorrow and sympathy.
“My dear uncle,” he said, “I am rejoiced to find that you are once more yourself. How do you feel?”
“Weak, Lewis, very weak,” returned the sick man, speaking 135with difficulty. “I feel that my life is nearing its close.”
“Don’t say that, uncle,” said Lewis, with well dissembled emotion; “I cannot bear to part with you. Live for me, if not for yourself. If you should die, what is there left to me? Through so many years I have renounced39 all other ties, and devoted40 myself to you. You must not leave me now.”
The artful dissembler applied41 his handkerchief to his eyes, possibly to hide the gleam of joyful42 anticipation43 which he could with difficulty conceal44.
“Yes, Lewis,” said Mr. Rand, affected45 by his nephew’s apparent emotion; “you have indeed been devoted to me. You will find, after my death, that I have not been ungrateful. Your affection leads you to wish my life prolonged, but when the tongue falters46, and the pulse grows weak, and the throbbing47 heart is almost still, man should not presumptuously48 strive to call back the gift which God is about to take away.”
“My dear uncle, I am convinced that you are unnecessarily alarmed. You will yet live many years.”
“Hope it not, Lewis,” said the sick man, who was far from suspecting how unnecessary this admonition was; “hope it not. I know my time is short. At such a time, Lewis, our past actions assume a very different aspect from that in which we have been wont49 to regard them. Now when it is too late, I can see how by my foolish pride, I have wrecked50 my own happiness, and perhaps—God forgive me—that of him I loved best in life, my son Robert.”
Lewis was uneasy at the turn the conversation was taking, and made an effort to divert it.
“I think, sir,” he said, “that you are blaming yourself without adequate cause. Much as I loved my cousin, I am 136forced to acknowledge that he justly forfeited51 his claims to your favor and affection.”
“Forfeited my affection! And shall we, weak, erring52 mortals, in our presumption53 dare to affix54 such a penalty to what may after all be only an offence against our own unworthy pride? I feel that I was wrong. I should not have condemned56 Robert’s choice without having seen his wife, and if she was really worthy55, I should have given my consent.”
“But, consider her birth.”
“When you come to lie on your death-bed as I do now,” said the sick man, solemnly, “such considerations will dwindle57 into their proper insignificance58. Why should I claim superiority over any being whom the same kind Father has made? When death is near us, our vision becomes clearer. The scales of prejudice are rent away, and we see things as they are.”
Lewis was silent. He was seeking some way of diverting the conversation into a less dangerous channel.
“While I have been lying here,” resumed Mr. Rand, “I have been haunted by a conviction that Robert is still living, or that he may have left issue.”
“My dear uncle,” interrupted Lewis; in alarm, “let me entreat59 you not to disturb yourself by such thoughts; call to mind how direct were the proofs of his death.”
“I know all that you would urge, Lewis, but there have been cases where the death of a person of similar name has led to a misapprehension. It may have been so in this case.”
“It is scarcely possible.”
“Perhaps you are right. My conviction is based rather upon my feelings than upon my reason.”
137“Have I not done so? For eighteen years I have been striving to drive away the thoughts of my injustice61. But it will not do. I must think of it, and thinking finds relief in speaking.”
“But, even admitting that you have wronged my cousin Robert, which, in justice to yourself I am not willing to allow, consider that your will, by its provisions, makes ample reparation for that wrong.”
“Poor, at best, Lewis. Will it make reparation for the estrangement62 which for eighteen years has kept apart father and son? That cannot be. And yet I would fain see even this poor atonement made.”
“You may rely upon my being guided by your wishes, uncle.”
“I doubt it not. Yet it would be a satisfaction if I, who have done the wrong, could have the privilege of repairing it during my life. Oh, that I might have the joy and blessing63 of seeing my son once more if he yet lives—that I might ask his forgiveness for the wrong I have done him!”
Lewis was seriously troubled at his uncle’s pertinacity64, and still more by the inquiry65 which followed.
“Don’t you think, Lewis, it would be well to advertise in the daily papers, for Robert Rand or his descendants, if he should have any?”
“It would be useless,” said Lewis, shaking his head. “It would only be throwing the money away.”
“And what is money to me? Nothing, nothing, compared with the thought I have done something, however little, towards expiating66 my injustice. I wish, Lewis, you would draw up an advertisement, and see it inserted.”
However distasteful this proposal was to Lewis, it would not do to object. He therefore, with an appearance of alacrity67, procured68 writing materials, and prepared such an advertisement as his uncle desired. He read it to the sick 138man who signified his approval, and requested Lewis to procure its insertion in the principal daily papers forthwith. This Lewis undertook to do.
But the advertisement never appeared!
Lewis dared not permit this, knowing that his cousin was actually in the city, and that it would be likely to meet his eye.
Had his uncle been in the habit of reading the daily papers, it could not safely have been suppressed. But he was too sick for that, and there was no prospect69 of his becoming better. He had of course no suspicion of Lewis’s double dealing70, but trusted implicitly71 to him. Day after day he inquired anxiously if there was any answer to the advertisement. As often Lewis replied in the negative, and Mr. Rand would sink back upon his pillow with a sigh of disappointment.
Once Lewis ventured to suggest that it would be well to discontinue the advertisement.
“No, no,” said his uncle, “let it be continued while I live. And after that I depend upon you to leave no effort unmade to discover some trace of my lost son.”
“You know me too well, to doubt that I will follow your instructions to the letter.”
“Yes, Lewis,” said his uncle. “You have been very kind to me. You deserve all my confidence, and you possess it.”
So Lewis continued to keep watch by his uncle’s bedside, a daily witness of his restlessness and unhappiness, and knowing full well that in an hour’s space, he could bring peace and comfort to the dying man by restoring his son to him; even at the eleventh hour, he refused to speak the word that could have wrought72 the blessed change.
God grant that there be not many hearts as hard!
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1
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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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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imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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sumptuously
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| 奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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intrusive
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| adj.打搅的；侵扰的 | |
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texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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parlors
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| 客厅( parlor的名词复数 )； 起居室； （旅馆中的）休息室； （通常用来构成合成词）店 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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15
plebeian
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| adj.粗俗的；平民的；n.平民；庶民 | |
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reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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adroit
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| adj.熟练的，灵巧的 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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abatement
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| n.减(免)税，打折扣，冲销 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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politic
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| adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政 | |
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stifle
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| vt.使窒息；闷死；扼杀；抑止，阻止 | |
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neutralize
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| v.使失效、抵消，使中和 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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careworn
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| adj.疲倦的，饱经忧患的 | |
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scrutinizing
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的现在分词 ) | |
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33
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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36
miscarriage
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| n.失败，未达到预期的结果；流产 | |
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37
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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39
renounced
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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40
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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42
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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43
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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44
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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46
falters
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的第三人称单数 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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47
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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48
presumptuously
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| adv.自以为是地，专横地，冒失地 | |
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49
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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50
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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51
forfeited
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
erring
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| 做错事的，错误的 | |
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53
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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54
affix
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| n.附件，附录 vt.附贴，盖(章)，签署 | |
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55
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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56
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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57
dwindle
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| v.逐渐变小（或减少） | |
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58
insignificance
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| n.不重要；无价值；无意义 | |
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59
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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60
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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61
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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estrangement
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| n.疏远，失和，不和 | |
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63
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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64
pertinacity
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| n.执拗，顽固 | |
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65
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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66
expiating
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| v.为（所犯罪过）接受惩罚，赎（罪）( expiate的现在分词 ) | |
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67
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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68
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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69
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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70
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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71
implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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