“I have not been more affected,” said she, wiping the glasses of her spectacles, “by any novel, excepting the ‘Tale of Jemmy and Jenny Jessamy’, which is indeed pathos8 itself; but your plan of omitting a formal conclusion will never do. You may be as harrowing to our nerves as you will in the course of your story, but, unless you had the genius of the author of ‘Julia de Roubignd,’ never let the end be altogether overclouded. Let us see a glimpse of sunshine in the last chapter; it is quite essential.”
“Nothing would be more easy for me, madam, than to comply with your injunctions; for, in truth, the parties in whom you have had the goodness to be interested, did live long and happily, and begot9 sons and daughters.”
“It is unnecessary, sir,” she said, with a slight nod of reprimand, “to be particular concerning their matrimonial comforts. But what is your objection to let us have, in a general way, a glimpse of their future felicity?”
“Really, madam,” said I, “you must be aware that every volume of a narrative5 turns less and less interesting as the author draws to a conclusion — just like your tea, which, though excellent hyson, is necessarily weaker and more insipid10 in the last cup. Now, as I think the one is by no means improved by the luscious11 lump of half-dissolved sugar usually found at the bottom of it, so I am of opinion that a history, growing already vapid12, is but dully crutched13 up by a detail of circumstances which every reader must have anticipated, even though the author exhaust on them every flowery epithet14 in the language.”
“This will not do, Mr. Pattieson,” continued the lady; “you have, as I may say, basted15 up your first story very hastily and clumsily at the conclusion; and, in my trade, I would have cuffed16 the youngest apprentice17 who had put such a horrid18 and bungled19 spot of work out of her hand. And if you do not redeem20 this gross error by telling us all about the marriage of Morton and Edith, and what became of the other personages of the story, from Lady Margaret down to Goose-Gibbie, I apprise21 you that you will not be held to have accomplished22 your task handsomely.”
“Well, madam,” I replied, “my materials are so ample that I think I can satisfy your curiosity, unless it descend23 to very minute circumstances indeed.”
“First, then,” said she, “for that is most essential — Did Lady Margaret get back her fortune and her castle?”
“She did, madam, and in the easiest way imaginable, as heir, namely, to her worthy24 cousin, Basil Olifant, who died without a will; and thus, by his death, not only restored, but even augmented25, the fortune of her, whom, during his life, he had pursued with the most inveterate26 malice27. John Gudyill, reinstated in his dignity, was more important than ever; and Cuddie, with rapturous delight, entered upon the cultivation28 of the mains of Tillietudlem, and the occupation of his original cottage. But, with the shrewd caution of his character, he was never heard to boast of having fired the lucky shot which repossessed his lady and himself in their original habitations. ‘After a’,’ he said to Jenny, who was his only confidant, ‘auld Basil Olifant was my leddy’s cousin and a grand gentleman; and though he was acting29 again the law, as I understand, for he ne’er showed ony warrant, or required Lord Evandale to surrender, and though I mind killing30 him nae mair than I wad do a muircock, yet it ‘s just as weel to keep a calm sough about it.’ He not only did so, but ingeniously enough countenanced31 a report that old Gudyill had done the deed — which was worth many a gill of brandy to him from the old butler, who, far different in disposition33 from Cuddie, was much more inclined to exaggerate than suppress his exploits of manhood. The blind widow was provided for in the most comfortable manner, as well as the little guide to the Linn; and —”
“But what is all this to the marriage — the marriage of the principal personages?” interrupted Miss Buskbody, impatiently tapping her snuff-box.
“The marriage of Morton and Miss Bellenden was delayed for several months, as both went into deep mourning on account of Lord Evandale’s death. They were then wedded34.”
“I hope not without Lady Margaret’s consent, sir?” said my fair critic. “I love books which teach a proper deference35 in young persons to their parents. In a novel the young people may fall in love without their countenance32, because it is essential to the necessary intricacy of the story; but they must always have the benefit of their consent at last. Even old Delville received Cecilia, though the daughter of a man of low birth.”
“And even so, madam,” replied I, “Lady Margaret was prevailed on to countenance Morton, although the old Covenanter, his father, stuck sorely with her for some time. Edith was her only hope, and she wished to see her happy; Morton, or Melville Morton, as he was more generally called, stood so high in the reputation of the world, and was in every other respect such an eligible36 match, that she put her prejudice aside, and consoled herself with the recollection that marriage went by destiny, as was observed to her, she said, by his most sacred Majesty37, Charles the Second of happy memory, when she showed him the portrait of her grand-father Fergus, third Earl of Torwood, the handsomest man of his time, and that of Countess Jane, his second lady, who had a hump-back and only one. eye. This was his Majesty’s observation, she said, on one remarkable38 morning when he deigned39 to take his disjune —”
“Nay,” said Miss Buskbody, again interrupting me, “if she brought such authority to countenance her acquiescing40 in a misalliance, there was no more to be said. — And what became of old Mrs. What’s her name, the housekeeper41?”
“Mrs. Wilson, madam?” answered I. “She was perhaps the happiest of the party; for once a year, and not oftener, Mr. and Mrs. Melville Morton dined in the great wainscotted chamber42 in solemn state, the hangings being all displayed, the carpet laid down, and the huge brass43 candlestick set on the table, stuck round with leaves of laurel. The preparing the room for this yearly festival employed her mind for six months before it came about, and the putting matters to rights occupied old Alison the other six, so that a single day of rejoicing found her business for all the year round.”
“And Niel Blane?” said Miss Buskbody.
“Lived to a good old age, drank ale and brandy with guests of all persuasions44, played Whig or Jacobite tunes45 as best pleased his customers, and died worth as much money as married Jenny to a cock laird. I hope, ma’am, you have no other inquiries46 to make, for really —”
“Goose-Gibbie, sir?” said my persevering47 friend — “Goose-Gibbie, whose ministry48 was fraught49 with such consequences to the personages of the narrative?”
“Consider, my dear Miss Buskbody, (I beg pardon for the familiarity) — but pray consider, even the memory of the renowned50 Scheherazade, that Empress of Tale-tellers, could not preserve every circumstance. I am not quite positive as to the fate of Goose-Gibbie, but am inclined to think him the same with one Gilbert Dudden, alias51 Calf-Gibbie, who was whipped through Hamilton for stealing poultry52.”
Miss Buskbody now placed her left foot on the fender, crossed her right leg over her knee, lay back on the chair, and looked towards the ceiling. When I observed her assume this contemplative mood, I concluded she was studying some farther cross-examination, and therefore took my hat and wished her a hasty good-night, ere the Demon53 of Criticism had supplied her with any more queries54. In like manner, gentle Reader, returning you my thanks for the patience which has conducted you thus far, I take the liberty to withdraw myself from you for the present.
The End
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
waive
|
|
| vt.放弃，不坚持(规定、要求、权力等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
precedents
|
|
| 引用单元； 范例( precedent的名词复数 )； 先前出现的事例； 前例； 先例 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
dilemma
|
|
| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
narrative
|
|
| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
narratives
|
|
| 记叙文( narrative的名词复数 )； 故事； 叙述； 叙述部分 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
complimentary
|
|
| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
pathos
|
|
| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
begot
|
|
| v.为…之生父( beget的过去式 )；产生，引起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
insipid
|
|
| adj.无味的，枯燥乏味的，单调的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
luscious
|
|
| adj.美味的；芬芳的；肉感的，引与性欲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
vapid
|
|
| adj.无味的；无生气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
crutched
|
|
| 用拐杖支持的，有丁字形柄的，有支柱的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
14
epithet
|
|
| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
basted
|
|
| v.打( baste的过去式和过去分词 )；粗缝；痛斥；（烤肉等时）往上抹[浇]油 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
cuffed
|
|
| v.掌打，拳打( cuff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
apprentice
|
|
| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
horrid
|
|
| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
bungled
|
|
| v.搞糟，完不成( bungle的过去式和过去分词 )；笨手笨脚地做；失败；完不成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
redeem
|
|
| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
apprise
|
|
| vt.通知，告知 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
descend
|
|
| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
Augmented
|
|
| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
inveterate
|
|
| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
malice
|
|
| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
cultivation
|
|
| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
killing
|
|
| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
countenanced
|
|
| v.支持，赞同，批准( countenance的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
32
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
wedded
|
|
| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
deference
|
|
| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
eligible
|
|
| adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
deigned
|
|
| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
acquiescing
|
|
| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
housekeeper
|
|
| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
brass
|
|
| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
persuasions
|
|
| n.劝说，说服（力）( persuasion的名词复数 )；信仰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
tunes
|
|
| n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
inquiries
|
|
| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
persevering
|
|
| a.坚忍不拔的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
ministry
|
|
| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
fraught
|
|
| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
renowned
|
|
| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
alias
|
|
| n.化名；别名；adv.又名 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
poultry
|
|
| n.家禽，禽肉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
demon
|
|
| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
queries
|
|
| n.问题( query的名词复数 )；疑问；询问；问号v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的第三人称单数 )；询问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |