According to the suggestion his father had made, when dinner was over, at which both Jasper and his father had exerted themselves to be particularly agreeable, the former, turning to his cousin, said:
"If you like, I will take you out in the carriage. You might like to see something of the country round here."
"I should like it very much," said Gilbert, "but I hope you won't put yourself to too much trouble."
"It will be no trouble. I shall enjoy driving with some one who is new to the country. It is dull work driving alone."
"I will go with pleasure, then, and thank you for the offer."
James Grey listened with complacent7 approval.
"Really," he thought, "I didn't imagine Jasper could be so polite and agreeable. He doesn't often show these qualities in his intercourse8 with me."
When Gilbert went up to prepare for the excursion, Jasper lingered behind.
"If I am going to do the agreeable to your company, father," he said, "I shall need some money. I am cleaned out."
Without a word of remonstrance9 his father drew thirty dollars from his pocket-book, and placed the money in his son's hands.
"Do it up handsomely, Jasper," he said. "Don't be unnecessarily extravagant10, of course, but spend your money like a gentleman."
"Yes, father," answered Jasper, as his fingers closed with satisfaction upon the bills.
The carriage drove up to the door, and the two young men entered. During the drive that ensued, Jasper showed himself very social and communicative. He was unwearied in pointing out objects of interest, and, in fact, by his easy and genial11 manners almost conquered the antipathy12 which Gilbert secretly felt.
"I wonder," he said, at length, leaning back in the carriage and surveying Gilbert with curiosity, "I wonder you never visited us before."
"I did not know where you lived."
"Yet we are relations—distant relations, are we not?"
"I have reason to think that we are related."
"I have very few relations—none that I know. I believe there is a brother of my mother living somewhere in New Mexico, but with that exception, I know of no relations except you. Where do you live?"
"In Cincinnati."
"I used to live there. Why did we not meet then?"
"I have only been there for the last three years—that is, lately. I have been in Australia, and later in New York."
"In Australia!" echoed Jasper, in considerable surprise.
"Yes, I was there for a while."
"You have been quite a traveler. How nearly are you related to us?"
"That matter is not settled yet. I am not quite sure whether your father would like me to tell."
Gilbert said this, understanding the embarrassment13 of intimating to a son that his father had defrauded14 him of the property that was rightfully his. He thought it best to let his uncle reveal the secret himself.
They drove ten miles, reaching a considerable town, boasting a large hotel.
"Let us go in and have a game of billiards," suggested Jasper.
"Very well, but you won't find me much of a player."
"I must get father to put a billiard table in the house. I like the game, but I get no chance to practice."
They adjourned15 to the bar-room, in which there was a solitary16 table. This happened to be unoccupied, and they accordingly played two games, which lasted about an hour and a half. The reader will judge that neither was very expert in the game.
"Now," said Jasper, who paid for both games, despite Gilbert's remonstrances17, "we will order a little lunch, and then start for home."
"I don't feel hungry."
"Nonsense! one can always eat. Besides, I want to patronize the hotel."
"Did you have a pleasant drive?" asked James Grey, meeting them on their return.
"Very pleasant," responded Gilbert.
"He could not have been more so. I am much obliged to him."
"I am glad enough to have company," said Jasper, with an assumption of frank cordiality. "I don't often enjoy a drive, but I did this afternoon."
"I think I shall have to invite Gilbert to stay here as our permanent guest," said Mr. Grey, pleasantly.
While he spoke19 Gilbert could not help wondering what had come over him to make him so different from what he was in Cincinnati. There he was rough, insulting, and abusive. Now he was the model of courtesy. It was hard to believe him the same man. Gilbert was not very credulous20, but he was thoroughly deceived by his altered manner.
"I suppose he really believed me an impostor when we met in Cincinnati," said he to himself. "Now he begins to think that he was mistaken, and is trying to make it up to me."
Nevertheless, there were one or two things which interfered21 with this view. Why should his uncle have schemed so eagerly to get dishonest possession of the confession22 unless he believed it to be genuine, and therefore dangerous? That did not seem honorable. What had happened since to change him?
After reflection, this was the conclusion to which our hero came: His uncle had made up his mind that he (Gilbert) had a strong case, and meant to conciliate him in the hope of a favorable compromise. Otherwise what object could he have in treating him with so much politeness and attention?
Gilbert was a smart boy, or perhaps I should say, young man, but he was not yet acquainted with the "ways that are dark, and the tricks that are vain," to which human craft is often led to resort. Least of all did he suspect any danger to himself from the uncle and cousin, who seemed to vie with each other in ministering to his enjoyment23.
"Well, Jasper," said his father, the next morning, as they were seated at breakfast, "what plans have you for the enjoyment of our guest?"
"You ride on horseback, don't you, Gilbert?" inquired his cousin.
"Yes, I can ride a little."
Gilbert responded readily in the affirmative. He had taken riding lessons in the city, and was accustomed to ride, whenever he had a chance, in the environs of the city. He was, in truth, an excellent rider, having taken lessons of an accomplished25 teacher, who often referred to him as one of the most proficient26 of his pupils. But when Jasper questioned him he only answered that he rode a little, having a strong disinclination to boast.
"I should think that would be an agreeable plan," said Mr. Grey. "What horses shall you take?"
"I will ride on my own. I am used to her, and don't like to change."
"How will you mount Gilbert?"
"He might ride on Bucephalus."
"That is what they say at the stable; but I am not so easily scared."
"Why not use Sidney?"
"Sidney is not very well; he has had a bad cold. Still, if Gilbert is afraid of mounting Bucephalus"—there was an intentional28 covert29 sneer30 in Jasper's tone—"he can try Sidney."
Now Gilbert was not timid, and did not like to be considered so. Had he really known the character of the horse designed for him, his cousin's words would still have decided31 him to take the risk.
"I am not in the least afraid," he said. "I'll ride Bucephalus."
"Don't you think you had better take the other horse?" urged James Grey, hypocritically.
"No, sir," said Gilbert, with decision. "If Sidney is sick I would much rather try Bucephalus, even if he is a trifle spirited."
"A trifle spirited," thought his uncle. "I wouldn't trust myself on the brute32 for ten thousand dollars."
"If you're ready, Gilbert, we'll go out to the stable," said Jasper.
They left the house and proceeded in the direction of the stable.
"Ten to one he'll come back hurt," James Grey said to himself, "if he comes back at all," he added, with an evil smile.
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1
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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2
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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3
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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4
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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5
impended
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| v.进行威胁，即将发生( impend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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6
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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7
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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8
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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9
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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10
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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11
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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12
antipathy
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| n.憎恶；反感，引起反感的人或事物 | |
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13
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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14
defrauded
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| v.诈取，骗取( defraud的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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16
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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17
remonstrances
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| n.抱怨，抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
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18
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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19
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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20
credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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21
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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22
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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23
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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24
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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25
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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26
proficient
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| adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家 | |
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27
skittish
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| adj.易激动的，轻佻的 | |
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28
intentional
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| adj.故意的，有意（识）的 | |
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29
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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30
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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31
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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32
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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