If Seymour could have voiced his thought, he would have said that the earth itself did not afford a fairer picture than that which lay within the level radius1 of his vision, and which had imprinted2 itself so powerfully upon his impressionable and youthful heart. It was not the scenery of Virginia either, the landscape on the Potomac, of which he would have spoken so enthusiastically, though even that were a thing not to be disdained3 by such a lover of the beautiful as Seymour had shown himself to be,—the dry brown hills rising in swelling4 slopes from the edge of the wide quiet river; the bare and leafless trees upon their crests5, now scarce veiling the comfortable old white house, which in the summer they quite concealed6 beneath their masses of foliage7; and all the world lying dreamy and calm and still, in the motionless haze8 of one of those rare seasons in November which so suggests departed days that men name it summer again. For all that he then saw in nature was but a setting for a woman; even the sun itself, low in the west, robbed of its glory, and faded into a dull red ball seeking to hide its head, but served to throw into high relief the noble and beautiful face of the girl upon whom he gazed,—the girl who was sun and life and light and world for him.
The most confirmed misogynist9 would have found it difficult to challenge her claim to beauty; and yet it would require a more severe critic or a sterner analyst10 than a lover would be likely to prove, to say in just what point could be found that which would justify11 the claim. Was it in the mass of light wavy12 brown hair, springing from a low point on her forehead and gently rippling13 back, which she wore plaited and tied with a ribbon and destitute14 of powder? How sweetly simple it looked to him after the bepowdered and betowered misses of the town with whom he was most acquainted! Was it in the broad low brow, or the brown, almost black eyes which laughed beneath it; or the very fair complexion15, which seemed to him a strangely delightful16 and unusual combination? Or was it in the perfection of a faultless, if somewhat slender and still undeveloped figure, half concealed by the vivid "Cardinal17" cloak she wore, which one little hand held loosely together about her, while the other dabbled18 in the water by her side?
Be this as it may, the whole impression she produced was one which charmed and fascinated to the last degree, and Mistress Katharine Wilton's sway among the young men of the colony was-well-nigh undisputed. A toast and a belle19 in half Virginia, Seymour was not the first, nor was he destined20 to be the last, of her adorers.
The strong, steady, practised stroke, denoting the accomplished21 oarsman, with which he had urged the little boat through the water, had given way to an idle and purposeless drift. He longed to cast himself down before the little feet, in their smart high-heeled buckled24 shoes and clocked stockings, which peeped out at him from under her embroidered25 camlet petticoat in such a maliciously26 coquettish manner; he longed to kneel down there in the skiff, at the imminent27 risk of spoiling his own gay attire28, and declare the passion which consumed him; but something—he did not know what it was, and she did not tell him—constrained him, and he sat still, and felt himself as far away as if she had been in the stars.
In his way he was quite as good to look at as the young maiden29; tall, blond, stalwart, blue-eyed, pleasant-featured, with the frank engaging air which seems to belong to those who go down to the sea in ships, Lieutenant30 John Seymour Seymour was an excellent specimen31 of that hardy32, daring, gallant33 class of men who in this war and in the next were to shed such imperishable lustre34 upon American arms by their exploits in the naval35 service. Born of an old and distinguished36 Philadelphia family, so proud of its name that in his instance they had doubled it, the usual bluntness and roughness of the sea were tempered by this gentle birth and breeding, and by frequent attrition with men and women of the politest society of the largest and most important city of the colonies. Offering his services as soon as the news of Lexington precipitated37 the conflict with the mother country, he had already made his name known among that gallant band of seamen38 among whom Jones, Biddle, Dale, and Conyngham were pre-eminent.
The delicious silence which he had been unwilling39 to break, since it permitted him to gaze undisturbed upon his fair shipmate, was terminated at last by that lady herself.
She looked up from the water with which she had been playing, and then appearing to notice for the first time his steady ardent40 gaze, she laughed lightly and said,—
"Well, sir, it grows late. When you have finished contemplating41 the scenery, perhaps you will turn the boat, and take me home; then you can feast your eyes upon something more attractive."
"And what is that, pray?" he asked.
"Your supper, sir. You must be very anxious for it by this time, and really you know you look quite hungry. We have been out so long; but I will have pity on you, and detain you no longer here. Turn the boat around, Lieutenant Seymour, and put me on shore at once. I will stand between no man and his dinner."
"Hungry? Yes, I am, but not for dinner,—for you, Mistress Katharine," he replied.
"Oh, what a horrid42 appetite! I don't feel safe in the boat with you.
Are you very hungry?"
"Really, Miss Wilton, I am not jesting at all," he said with immense dignity.
"Oh! oh! He is in earnest. Shall I scream? No use; we are a mile from the house, at least."
"Oh, Miss Wilton—Katharine," he replied desperately43, "I am devoured44 by my—"
"Lieutenant Seymour!" She drew herself up with great hauteur45, letting the cloak drop about her waist.
"Madam!"
"Only my friends call me Katharine."
"And am I not, may I not be, one of your friends?"
"Well, yes—I suppose so; but you are so young."
"I am just twenty-seven, madam, and you, I suppose, are—"
"Never be ungallant enough to suppose a young lady's age. You may do those things in Philadelphia, if you like, but 't is not the custom here. Besides, I mean too young a friend; you have not known me long enough, that is."
"Long enough! I have known you ever since Tuesday of last week."
"And this is Friday,—just ten days, ten long days!" she replied triumphantly46.
"Long days!" he cried. "Very short ones, for me."
"Long or short, sir, do you think you can know me in that period? Is it possible I am so easily fathomed47?" she went on, smiling.
Now it is ill making love in a rowboat at best, and when one is in earnest and the other jests it is well-nigh impossible; so to these remarks Lieutenant Seymour made no further answer, save viciously to ply48 the oars23 and drive the boat rapidly toward the landing.
Miss Katharine gazed vacantly about the familiar river upon whose banks she had been born and bred, and, finally noticing the sun had gone down, closing the short day, she once more drew her cloak closely about her and resumed the neglected conversation.
"Won't you please stop looking at me in that manner, and won't you please row harder, or is your strength all centred in your gaze?"
"I am rowing as fast as I can, Miss Wilton, especially with this—"
"Oh, I forgot your wounded shoulder! Does it hurt? Does it pain you?
I am so sorry. Let me row."
"Thank you, no. I think I can manage it myself. The only pain I have is when you are unkind to me."
At that moment, to his great annoyance49, his oar22 stuck fast in the oar-lock, and he straightway did that very unsailorly thing known as catching50 a crab51.
Katharine Wilton laughed. There was music in her voice, but this time it did not awaken52 a responsive chord in the young man. Extricating53 his oar violently, he silently resumed his work.
"Do you like crabs54, Mr. Seymour?" she said with apparent irrelevance55.
"I don't like catching them, Miss Wilton," he admitted ruefully.
"Oh, I mean eating them! We were talking about your appetite, were we not? Well, Dinah devils them deliciously. I 'll have some done for you," she continued with suspicious innocence56.
Seymour groaned57 in spirit at her perversity58, and for the first time in his life felt an intense sympathy with devilled crabs; but he continued his labor59 in silence and with great dignity.
"What am I to infer from your silence on this important subject, sir? The subject of edibles60, which everybody says is of the first importance—to men—does not appear to interest you at all!"
He made no further reply.
The young girl gazed at his pale face at first in much amusement; but the laughter gradually died away, and finally her glance fell to the water by her side. A few strong strokes, strong enough, in spite of a wounded shoulder, to indicate wrathful purpose and sudden determination to the astute61 maiden, and the little boat swung in beside the wharf62. Throwing the oars inboard with easy skill, Seymour sat motionless while the boat glided63 swiftly down toward the landing-steps, and the silence was broken only by the soft, delicious lip, lip, lip of the water, which seemed to cling to and caress64 the bow of the skiff until it finally came to rest. The man waited until the girl looked up at him. She saw in his resolute65 mien66 the outward and visible sign of his inward determination, and she realized that the game so bravely and piquantly67 played since she met him was lost. They had nearly arrived at the foregone conclusion.
"Well, Mr. Seymour," she said finally, "we are here at last; for what are you waiting?"
"Waiting for you."
"For me?"
"Ay, only for you."
"I—I—do not understand you."
"You understand nothing apparently68, but I will explain." He stepped out on the landing-stage, and after taking a turn or two with the painter to secure the boat, he turned toward his captive with a ceremonious bow.
"Permit me to help you ashore69."
"Oh, thank you, Lieutenant Seymour; if I only could, in this little boat, I would courtesy in return for that effort," she answered with tremulous and transparent70 bravery. But when the little palm met his own brown one, it seemed to steal away some of the bitterness of the moment. After he had assisted her upon the shore and up the steps into the boathouse, he held her hand tight within his own, and with that promptitude which characterized him he made the plunge71.
"Oh, Miss Wilton—Katharine—it is true I have known you only a little while, but all that time—ever since I saw you, in fact, and even before, when your father showed me your picture—I have loved you. Nay72, hear me out." There was an unusual sternness in his voice. My lord appeared to be in the imperative73 mood,—something to which she had not been accustomed. He meant to be heard, and with beating heart perforce she listened. "Quiet that spirit of mockery but a moment, and attend my words, I pray you. No, I will not release you until I have spoken. These are troublous times. I may leave at any moment—must leave when my orders come, and I expect them every day, and before I go I must tell you this."
Her downcast eyes could still see him blush and then pale a little under the sunburn and windburn of his face, as he went on speaking.
"I have no one; never had I a sister, I can remember no mother; believe me, I entreat74 you, when I tell you that to no woman have I ever said what I have just said to you. We sailors think and speak and act quickly, it is a part of our profession; but if I should wait for years I should think no differently and act in no other way. I love you! Oh, Katharine, I love you as my soul."
There was a note of passion in his voice which thrilled her heart with ecstasy75; the others had not made love this way.
"You seem to me like that star I have often watched in the long hours of the night, which has shown me the way on many a trackless sea. I know I am as far beneath you as I am beneath that star. But though the distance is great, my love can bridge it, if you will let me try. Katharine—won't you answer me, Katharine? Is there nothing you can say to me? 'Dost thou love me, Kate?'" he quoted softly, taking her other hand. How very fair, but how very far away she looked! The color came and went in her cheek. He could see her breast rise and fall under the mad beating of a heart which had escaped her control, though hitherto she had found no difficulty in keeping it well in hand. There was a novelty, a difference, in the situation this time, a new and unexpected element in the event. She hesitated. Why was it no merry quip came to the lips usually so ready with repartee76? Alas77, she must answer.
"I—I—oh, Mr. Seymour," she said softly and slowly, with a downcast face she fain would hide, he fain would see. "I—yes," she murmured with great reluctance78; "that is—I think so. You see, when you defended father, in the fight with the brig, you know, and got that bullet in your shoulder you earned a title to my gratitude79, my—"
"I don't want a title to your gratitude," he interrupted. "I want your love, I want you to love me for myself alone."
"And do you think you are worthy80 that I should?" she replied with a shadow of her former archness.
He gravely bent81 his head and kissed her hand. "No, Katharine, I do not. I can lay no claim to your hand, if it is to be a reward of merit, but I love you so—that is the substance of my hope."
"Oh, Mr. Seymour, Mr. Seymour, you overvalue me. If you do that with all your possessions, you will be— Oh, what have I said?" she cried in sudden alarm, as he took her in his arms.
"My possessions! Katharine, may I then count you so? Oh, Kate, my lovely Kate—" It was over, and over as she would have it; why struggle any longer? The landing was a lonely little spot under the summer-house, at the end of the wharf; no one could see what happened. This time it was not her hand he kissed. The day died away in twilight82, but for those two a new day began.
The army might starve and die, battles be lost or won, dynasties rise and fall, kingdoms wax and wane83, causes tremble in the balances,—what of that? They looked at each other and forgot the world.
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收听单词发音
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1
radius
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| n.半径，半径范围；有效航程，范围，界限 | |
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imprinted
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| v.盖印（imprint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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disdained
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| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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crests
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| v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的第三人称单数 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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misogynist
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| n.厌恶女人的人 | |
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analyst
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| n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家 | |
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justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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wavy
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| adj.有波浪的，多浪的，波浪状的，波动的，不稳定的 | |
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rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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dabbled
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| v.涉猎( dabble的过去式和过去分词 )；涉足；浅尝；少量投资 | |
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belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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buckled
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| a. 有带扣的 | |
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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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maliciously
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| adv.有敌意地 | |
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imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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41
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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42
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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44
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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45
hauteur
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| n.傲慢 | |
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46
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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47
fathomed
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| 理解…的真意( fathom的过去式和过去分词 )； 彻底了解； 弄清真相 | |
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48
ply
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| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
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49
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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50
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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51
crab
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| n.螃蟹，偏航，脾气乖戾的人，酸苹果；vi.捕蟹，偏航，发牢骚；vt.使偏航，发脾气 | |
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52
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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53
extricating
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的现在分词 ) | |
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54
crabs
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| n.蟹( crab的名词复数 )；阴虱寄生病；蟹肉v.捕蟹( crab的第三人称单数 ) | |
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55
irrelevance
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| n.无关紧要；不相关；不相关的事物 | |
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56
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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57
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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perversity
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| n.任性；刚愎自用 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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60
edibles
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| 可以吃的，可食用的( edible的名词复数 )； 食物 | |
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astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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64
caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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piquantly
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68
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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69
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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71
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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74
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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75
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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76
repartee
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| n.机敏的应答 | |
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77
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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78
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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79
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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80
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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81
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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82
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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83
wane
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| n.衰微，亏缺，变弱；v.变小，亏缺，呈下弦 | |
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