Now the dream of travel was to Adrian what the love of woman is to the race of young men. It supplanted32 that foolishness. It was his Romance, as we say; that buoyant anticipation33 on which in youth we ride the airs, and which, as we wax older and too heavy for our atmosphere, hardens to the Hobby, which, if an obstinate34 animal, is a safer horse, and conducts man at a slower pace to the sexton. Adrian had never travelled. He was aware that his romance was earthly and had discomforts35 only to be evaded37 by the one potent38 talisman39 possessed40 by his patron. His Alp would hardly be grand to him without an obsequious41 landlord in the foreground: he must recline on Mammon’s imperial cushions in order to moralize becomingly on the ancient world. The search for pleasure at the expense of discomfort36, as frantic42 lovers woo their mistresses to partake the shelter of a hut and batten on a crust, Adrian deemed the bitterness of beggarliness. Let his sweet mistress be given him in the pomp and splendour due to his superior emotions, or not at all. Consequently the wise youth had long nursed an ineffectual passion, and it argued a great nature in him, that at the moment when his wishes were to be crowned, he should look with such slight touches of spleen at the gorgeous composite fabric43 of Parisian cookery and Roman antiquities44 crumbling45 into unsubstantial mockery. Assuredly very few even of the philosophers would have turned away uncomplainingly to meaner delights the moment after.
Hippias received the first portion of the cake.
He was sitting by the window in his hotel, reading. He had fought down his breakfast with more than usual success, and was looking forward to his dinner at the Foreys’ with less than usual timidity.
“Ah! glad you’ve come, Adrian,” he said, and expanded his chest. “I was afraid I should have to ride down. This is kind of you. We’ll walk down together through the park. It’s absolutely dangerous to walk alone in these streets. My opinion is, that orange-peel lasts all through the year now, and will till legislation puts a stop to it. I give you my word I slipped on a piece of orange-peel yesterday afternoon in Piccadilly, and I thought I was down! I saved myself by a miracle.”
“You have an appetite, I hope?” asked Adrian.
“I think I shall get one, after a bit of a walk,” chirped46 Hippias. “Yes. I think I feel hungry now.”
“Charmed to hear it,” said Adrian, and began unpinning his parcel on his knees. “How should you define Folly47?” he checked the process to inquire.
“Hm!” Hippias meditated48; he prided himself on being oracular when such questions were addressed to him. “I think I should define it to be a slide.”
“Very good definition. In other words, a piece of orange-peel; once on it, your life and limbs are in danger, and you are saved by a miracle. You must present that to the PILGRIM. And the monument of folly, what would that be?”
Hippias meditated anew. “All the human race on one another’s shoulders.” He chuckled49 at the sweeping50 sourness of the instance.
“Very good,” Adrian applauded, “or in default of that, some symbol of the thing, say; such as this of which I have here brought you a chip.”
Adrian displayed the quarter of the cake.
“This is the monument made portable — eh?”
“Cake!” cried Hippias, retreating to his chair to dramatize his intense disgust. “You’re right of them that eat it. If I— if I don’t mistake,” he peered at it, “the noxious51 composition bedizened in that way is what they call wedding-cake. It’s arrant52 poison! Who is it you want to kill? What are you carrying such stuff about for?”
Adrian rang the bell for a knife. “To present you with your due and proper portion. You will have friends and relatives, and can’t be saved from them, not even by miracle. It is a habit which exhibits, perhaps, the unconscious inherent cynicism of the human mind, for people who consider that they have reached the acme53 of mundane54 felicity, to distribute this token of esteem55 to their friends, with the object probably” (he took the knife from a waiter and went to the table to slice the cake) “of enabling those friends (these edifices56 require very delicate incision57 — each particular currant and subtle condiment58 hangs to its neighbour — a wedding-cake is evidently the most highly civilized59 of cakes, and partakes of the evils as well as the advantages of civilization!)— I was saying, they send us these love-tokens, no doubt (we shall have to weigh out the crumbs60, if each is to have his fair share) that we may the better estimate their state of bliss61 by passing some hours in purgatory62. This, as far as I can apportion63 it without weights and scales, is your share, my uncle!”
He pushed the corner of the table bearing the cake towards Hippias.
“Get away!” Hippias vehemently64 motioned, and started from his chair. “I’ll have none of it, I tell you! It’s death! It’s fifty times worse than that beastly compound Christmas pudding! What fool has been doing this, then? Who dares send me cake? Me! It’s an insult.”
“You are not compelled to eat any before dinner,” said Adrian, pointing the corner of the table after him, “but your share you must take, and appear to consume. One who has done so much to bring about the marriage cannot in conscience refuse his allotment of the fruits. Maidens65, I hear, first cook it under their pillows, and extract nuptial66 dreams therefrom — said to be of a lighter67 class, taken that way. It’s a capital cake, and, upon my honour, you have helped to make it — you have indeed! So here it is.”
The table again went at Hippias. He ran nimbly round it, and flung himself on a sofa exhausted68, crying: “There! . . . My appetite’s gone for today!”
“Then shall I tell Richard that you won’t touch a morsel69 of his cake?” said Adrian, leaning on his two hands over the table and looking at his uncle.
“Richard?”
“Yes, your nephew: my cousin: Richard! Your companion since you’ve been in town. He’s married, you know. Married this morning at Kensington parish church, by licence, at half-past eleven of the clock, or twenty to twelve. Married, and gone to spend his honeymoon70 in the Isle71 of Wight: a very delectable72 place for a month’s residence. I have to announce to you that, thanks to your assistance, the experiment is launched, sir!”——
“Richard married!”
There was something to think and to say in objection to it, but the wits of poor Hippias was softened73 by the shock. His hand travelled half-way to his forehead, spread out to smooth the surface of that seat of reason, and then fell.
“Surely you knew all about it? you were so anxious to have him in town under your charge.”
“Married?” Hippias jumped up — he had it. “Why, he’s under age! he’s an infant.”
“So he is. But the infant is not the less married. Fib like a man and pay your fee — what does it matter? Any one who is breeched can obtain a licence in our noble country. And the interests of morality demand that it should not be difficult. Is it true — can you persuade anybody that you have known nothing about it?”
“Ha! infamous74 joke! I wish, sir, you would play your pranks75 on somebody else,” said Hippias, sternly, as he sank back on the sofa. “You’ve done me up for the day, I can assure you.”
Adrian sat down to instil76 belief by gentle degrees, and put an artistic77 finish to the work. He had the gratification of passing his uncle through varied78 contortions79, and at last Hippias perspired80 in conviction, and exclaimed, “This accounts for his conduct to me. That boy must have a cunning nothing short of infernal! I feel . . . I feel it just here,” he drew a hand along his midriff.
“I’m not equal to this world of fools,” he added faintly, and shut his eyes. “No, I can’t dine. Eat? ha! . . . no. Go without me!”
Shortly after Hippias went to bed, saying to himself, as he undressed, “See what comes of our fine schemes! Poor Austin!” and as the pillow swelled81 over his ears, “I’m not sure that a day’s fast won’t do me good.” The Dyspepsy had bought his philosophy at a heavy price; he had a right to use it.
Adrian resumed the procession of the cake.
He sighted his melancholy82 uncle Algernon hunting an appetite in the Row, and looking as if the hope ahead of him were also one-legged. The Captain did not pass without querying83 the ungainly parcel.
“I hope I carry it ostentatiously enough?” said Adrian. “Enclosed is wherewithal to quiet the alarm of the land. Now may the maids and wives of Merry England sleep secure. I had half a mind to fix it on a pole, and engage a band to parade it. This is our dear Richard’s wedding-cake. Married at half-past eleven this morning, by licence, at the Kensington parish church; his own ring being lost he employed the ring of his beautiful bride’s lachrymose84 landlady85, she standing86 adjacent by the altar. His farewell to you as a bachelor, and hers as a maid, you can claim on the spot, if you think proper, and digest according to your powers.”
Algernon let off steam in a whistle. “Thompson, the solicitor’s daughter!” he said. “I met them the other day, somewhere about here. He introduced me to her. A pretty little baggage.”
“No.” Adrian set him right. “’Tis a Miss Desborough, a Roman Catholic dairymaid. Reminds one of pastoral England in the time of the Plantagenets! He’s quite equal to introducing her as Thompson’s daughter, and himself as Beelzebub’s son. However, the wild animal is in Hymen’s chains, and the cake is cut. Will you have your morsel?”
“Oh, by all means! — not now.” Algernon had an unwonted air of reflection. —“Father know it?”
“Not yet. He will to-night by nine o’clock.”
“Then I must see him by seven. Don’t say you met me.” He nodded, and pricked88 his horse.
“Wants money!” said Adrian, putting the combustible89 he carried once more in motion.
The women were the crowning joy of his contemplative mind. He had reserved them for his final discharge. Dear demonstrative creatures! Dyspepsia would not weaken their poignant90 outcries, or self-interest check their fainting fits. On the generic91 woman one could calculate. Well might THE PILGRIM’S SCRIP say of her that, “She is always at Nature’s breast”; not intending it as a compliment. Each woman is Eve throughout the ages; whereas the PILGRIM would have us believe that the Adam in men has become warier92, if not wiser; and weak as he is, has learnt a lesson from time. Probably the PILGRIM’S meaning may be taken to be, that Man grows, and Woman does not.
At any rate, Adrian hoped for such natural choruses as you hear in the nursery when a bauble93 is lost. He was awake to Mrs. Doria’s maternal94 predestinations, and guessed that Clare stood ready with the best form of filial obedience95. They were only a poor couple to gratify his Mephistophelian humour, to be sure, but Mrs. Doria was equal to twenty, and they would proclaim the diverse ways with which maidenhood96 and womanhood took disappointment, while the surrounding Forey girls and other females of the family assembly were expected to develop the finer shades and tapering97 edges of an agitation98 to which no woman could be cold.
All went well. He managed cleverly to leave the cake unchallenged in a conspicuous99 part of the drawing-room, and stepped gaily100 down to dinner. Much of the conversation adverted101 to Richard. Mrs. Doria asked him if he had seen the youth, or heard of him.
“Seen him? no! Heard of him? yes!” said Adrian. “I have heard of him. I heard that he was sublimely102 happy, and had eaten such a breakfast that dinner was impossible; claret and cold chicken, cake and”——
“Cake at breakfast!” they all interjected.
“That seems to be his fancy just now.”
“What an extraordinary taste!”
“You know, he is educated on a System.”
One fast young male Forey allied103 the System and the cake in a miserable104 pun. Adrian, a hater of puns, looked at him, and held the table silent, as if he were going to speak; but he said nothing, and the young gentleman vanished from the conversation in a blush, extinguished by his own spark.
Mrs. Doria peevishly105 exclaimed, “Oh! fish-cake, I suppose! I wish he understood a little better the obligations of relationship.”
“Whether he understands them, I can’t say,” observed Adrian, “but I assure you he is very energetic in extending them.”
The wise youth talked innuendoes106 whenever he had an opportunity, that his dear relative might be rendered sufficiently inflammable by and by at the aspect of the cake; but he was not thought more than commonly mysterious and deep.
“Was his appointment at the house of those Grandison people?” Mrs. Doria asked, with a hostile upper-lip.
Adrian warmed the blindfolded107 parties by replying, “Do they keep a beadle at the door?”
Mrs. Doria’s animosity to Mrs. Grandison made her treat this as a piece of satirical ingenuousness108. “I daresay they do,” she said.
“And a curate on hand?”
“Oh, I should think a dozen!”
Old Mr. Forey advised his punning grandson Clarence to give that house a wide berth109, where he might be disposed of and dished-up at a moment’s notice, and the scent110 ran off at a jest.
The Foreys gave good dinners, and with the old gentleman the excellent old fashion remained in permanence of trooping off the ladies as soon as they had taken their sustenance111 and just exchanged a smile with the flowers and the dessert, when they rose to fade with a beautiful accord, and the gallant112 males breathed under easier waistcoats, and settled to the business of the table, sure that an hour for unbosoming and imbibing114 was their own. Adrian took a chair by Brandon Forey, a barrister of standing.
“I want to ask you,” he said, “whether an infant in law can legally bind115 himself.”
“If he’s old enough to affix116 his signature to an instrument, I suppose he can,” yawned Brandon.
“Is he responsible for his acts?”
“I’ve no doubt we could hang him.”
“Then what he could do for himself, you could do for him?”
“Not quite so much; pretty near.”
“For instance, he can marry?”
“That’s not a criminal case, you know.”
“And the marriage is valid117?”
“You can dispute it.”
“Yes, and the Greeks and the Trojans can fight. It holds then?”
“Both water and fire!”
The patriarch of the table sang out to Adrian that he stopped the vigorous circulation of the claret.
“Dear me, sir!” said Adrian, “I beg pardon. The circumstances must excuse me. The fact is, my cousin Richard got married to a dairymaid this morning, and I wanted to know whether it held in law.”
It was amusing to watch the manly118 coolness with which the announcement was taken. Nothing was heard more energetic than, “Deuce he has!” and, “A dairymaid!”
“I thought it better to let the ladies dine in peace,” Adrian continued. “I wanted to be able to console my aunt”——
“Well, but — well, but,” the old gentleman, much the most excited, puffed119 —“eh, Brandon? He’s a boy, this young ass25! Do you mean to tell me a boy can go and marry when he pleases, and any trull he pleases, and the marriage is good? If I thought that I’d turn every woman off my premises120. I would! from the housekeeper121 to the scullery-maid. I’d have no woman near him till — till”——
“Till the young greenhorn was grey, sir?” suggested Brandon.
“Till he knew what women are made of, sir!” the old gentleman finished his sentence vehemently. “What, d’ye think, will Feverel say to it, Mr. Adrian?”
“He has been trying the very System you have proposed, sir — one that does not reckon on the powerful action of curiosity on the juvenile122 intelligence. I’m afraid it’s the very worst way of solving the problem.”
“Of course it is,” said Clarence. “None but a fool!”——
“At your age,” Adrian relieved his embarrassment123, “it is natural, my dear Clarence, that you should consider the idea of an isolated124 or imprisoned125 manhood something monstrous126, and we do not expect you to see what amount of wisdom it contains. You follow one extreme, and we the other. I don’t say that a middle course exists. The history of mankind shows our painful efforts to find one, but they have invariably resolved themselves into asceticism127, or laxity, acting128 and reacting. The moral question is, if a naughty little man, by reason of his naughtiness, releases himself from foolishness, does a foolish little man, by reason of his foolishness, save himself from naughtiness?”
A discussion, peculiar129 to men of the world, succeeded the laugh at Mr. Clarence. Then coffee was handed round and the footman informed Adrian, in a low voice, that Mrs. Doria Forey particularly wished to speak with him. Adrian preferred not to go in alone. “Very well,” he said, and sipped130 his coffee. They talked on, sounding the depths of law in Brandon Forey, and receiving nought131 but hollow echoes from that profound cavity. He would not affirm that the marriage was invalid132: he would not affirm that it could not be annulled133. He thought not: still he thought it would be worth trying. A consummated134 and a non-consummated union were two different things. . . .
“Dear me!” said Adrian, “does the Law recognize that? Why, that’s almost human!”
Another message was brought to Adrian that Mrs. Doria Forey very particularly wished to speak with him.
“What can be the matter?” he exclaimed, pleased to have his faith in woman strengthened. The cake had exploded, no doubt.
So it proved, when the gentlemen joined the fair society. All the younger ladies stood about the table, whereon the cake stood displayed, gaps being left for those sitting to feast their vision, and intrude135 the comments and speculations136 continually arising from fresh shocks of wonder at the unaccountable apparition137. Entering with the half-guilty air of men who know they have come from a grosser atmosphere, the gallant males also ranged themselves round the common object of curiosity.
“Here! Adrian!” Mrs. Doria cried. “Where is Adrian? Pray, come here. Tell me! Where did this cake come from? Whose is it? What does it do here? You know all about it, for you brought it. Clare saw you bring it into the room. What does it mean? I insist upon a direct answer. Now do not make me impatient, Adrian.”
Certainly Mrs. Doria was equal to twenty. By her concentrated rapidity and volcanic138 complexion139 it was evident that suspicion had kindled140.
“I was really bound to bring it,” Adrian protested.
“Answer me!”
The wise youth bowed: “Categorically. This cake came from the house of a person, a female, of the name of Berry. It belongs to you partly, partly to me, partly to Clare, and to the rest of our family, on the principle of equal division: for which purpose it is present. . . . ”
“Yes! Speak!”
“It means, my dear aunt, what that kind of cake usually does mean.”
“This, then, is the Breakfast! And the ring! Adrian! where is Richard?”
Mrs. Doria still clung to unbelief in the monstrous horror.
But when Adrian told her that Richard had left town, her struggling hope sank. “The wretched boy has ruined himself!” she said, and sat down trembling.
Oh! that System! The delicate vituperations gentle ladies use instead of oaths, Mrs. Doria showered on that System. She hesitated not to say that her brother had got what he deserved. Opinionated, morbid141, weak, justice had overtaken him. Now he would see! but at what a price! at what a sacrifice!
Mrs. Doria commanded Adrian to confirm her fears.
Sadly the wise youth recapitulated142 Berry’s words. “He was married this morning at half-past eleven of the clock, or twenty to twelve, by licence, at the Kensington parish church.”
“Then that was his appointment!” Mrs. Doria murmured.
“That was the cake for breakfast!” breathed a second of her sex.
“And it was his ring!” exclaimed a third.
The men were silent, and made long faces.
Clare stood cold and sedate7. She and her mother avoided each other’s eyes.
“Is it that abominable143 country person, Adrian?”
“The happy damsel is, I regret to say, the Papist dairymaid,” said Adrian, in sorrowful but deliberate accents.
Then arose a feminine hum, in the midst of which Mrs. Doria cried, “Brandon!” She was a woman of energy. Her thoughts resolved to action spontaneously.
“Brandon,” she drew the barrister a little aside, “can they not be followed, and separated? I want your advice. Cannot we separate them? A boy! it is really shameful144 if he should be allowed to fall into the toils145 of a designing creature to ruin himself irrevocably. Can we not, Brandon?”
The worthy146 barrister felt inclined to laugh, but he answered her entreaties147: “From what I hear of the young groom148 I should imagine the office perilous149.”
“I’m speaking of law, Brandon. Can we not obtain an order from one of your Courts to pursue them and separate them instantly?”
“This evening?”
“Yes!”
Brandon was sorry to say she decidedly could not.
“You might call on one of your Judges, Brandon.”
Brandon assured her that the Judges were a hard-worked race, and to a man slept heavily after dinner.
“Will you do so tomorrow, the first thing in the morning? Will you promise me to do so, Brandon? — Or a magistrate150! A magistrate would send a policeman after them. My dear Brandon! I beg — I beg you to assist us in this dreadful extremity151. It will be the death of my poor brother. I believe he would forgive anything but this. You have no idea what his notions are of blood.”
Brandon tipped Adrian a significant nod to step in and aid.
“What is it, aunt?” asked the wise youth. “You want them followed and torn asunder152 by wild policemen?”
“To-morrow;” Brandon queerly interposed.
“Won’t that be-just too late?” Adrian suggested.
Mrs. Doria sighed out her last spark of hope.
“You see,” said Adrian. . . .
“Yes! yes!” Mrs. Doria did not require any of his elucidations. “Pray be quiet, Adrian, and let me speak. Brandon! it cannot be! it’s quite impossible! Can you stand there and tell me that boy is legally married? I never will believe it! The law cannot be so shamefully153 bad as to permit a boy — a mere154 child — to do such absurd things. Grandpapa!” she beckoned155 to the old gentleman. “Grandpapa! pray do make Brandon speak. These lawyers never will. He might stop it, if he would. If I were a man, do you think I would stand here?”
“Well, my dear,” the old gentleman toddled156 to compose her, “I’m quite of your opinion. I believe he knows no more than you or I. My belief is they none of them know anything till they join issue and go into Court. I want to see a few female lawyers.”
“To encourage the bankrupt perruquier, sir?” said Adrian. “They would have to keep a large supply of wigs157 on hand.”
“And you can jest, Adrian!” his aunt reproached him. “But I will not be beaten. I know — I am firmly convinced that no law would ever allow a boy to disgrace his family and ruin himself like that, and nothing shall persuade me that it is so. Now, tell me, Brandon, and pray do speak in answer to my questions, and please to forget you are dealing158 with a woman. Can my nephew be rescued from the consequences of his folly? Is what he has done legitimate159? Is he bound for life by what he has done while a boy?”
“Well — a,” Brandon breathed through his teeth. “A— hm! the matter’s so very delicate, you see, Helen.”
“You’re to forget that,” Adrian remarked.
“A— hm! well!” pursued Brandon. “Perhaps if you could arrest and divide them before nightfall, and make affidavit160 of certain facts”. . . .
“Yes?” the eager woman hastened his lagging mouth.
“Well . . . hm! a . . . in that case . . . a. . . . Or if a lunatic, you could prove him to have been of unsound mind.” . . .
“Oh! there’s no doubt of his madness on my mind, Brandon.”
“Yes! well! in that case. . . . Or if of different religious persuasions”. . . .
“She is a Catholic!” Mrs. Doria joyfully161 interjected.
“Yes! well! in that case . . . objections might be taken to the form of the marriage. . . . Might be proved fictitious162. . . . Or if he’s under, say, eighteen years.”
“He can’t be much more,” cried Mrs. Doria. “I think,” she appeared to reflect, and then faltered163 imploringly164 to Adrian, “What is Richard’s age?”
The kind wise youth could not find it in his heart to strike away the phantom165 straw she caught at.
“Oh! about that, I should fancy,” he muttered, and found it necessary at the same time to duck and turn his head for concealment166. Mrs. Doria surpassed his expectations.
“Yes! well, then. . . . ” Brandon was resuming with a shrug167, which was meant to say he still pledged himself to nothing, when Clare’s voice was heard from out the buzzing circle of her cousins: “Richard is nineteen years and six months old today, mama.”
“Nonsense, child.”
“He is, mama.” Clare’s voice was very steadfast168.
“Nonsense, I tell you. How can you know?”
“Richard is one year and nine months older than me, mama.”
Mrs. Doria fought the fact by years and finally by months. Clare was too strong for her.
“Singular child!” she mentally apostrophized the girl who scornfully rejected straws while drowning.
“But there’s the religion still!” she comforted herself, and sat down to cogitate169.
The men smiled and looked vacuous170.
Music was proposed. There are times when soft music hath not charms; when it is put to as base uses as Imperial C?sar’s dust and is taken to fill horrid171 pauses. Angelica Forey thumped172 the piano, and sang: “I’m a laughing Gitana, ha — ha! ha — ha!” Matilda Forey and her cousin Mary Bransburne wedded173 their voices, and songfully incited174 all young people to Haste to the bower175 that love has built, and defy the wise ones of the world; but the wise ones of the world were in a majority there, and very few places of assembly will be found where they are not; so the glowing appeal of the British ballad-monger passed into the bosom113 of the emptiness he addressed. Clare was asked to entertain the company. The singular child calmly marched to the instrument, and turned over the appropriate illustrations to the ballad-monger’s repertory.
Clare sang a little Irish air. Her duty done, she marched from the piano. Mothers are rarely deceived by their daughters in these matters; but Clare deceived her mother; and Mrs. Doria only persisted in feeling an agony of pity for her child, that she might the more warrantably pity herself — a not uncommon176 form of the emotion, for there is no juggler14 like that heart the ballad-monger puts into our mouths so boldly. Remember that she saw years of self-denial, years of a ripening177 scheme, rendered fruitless in a minute, and by the System which had almost reduced her to the condition of constitutional hypocrite. She had enough of bitterness to brood over, and some excuse for self-pity.
Still, even when she was cooler, Mrs. Doria’s energetic nature prevented her from giving up. Straws were straws, and the frailer178 they were the harder she clutched them.
She rose from her chair, and left the room, calling to Adrian to follow her.
“Adrian,” she said, turning upon him in the passage, “you mentioned a house where this horrible cake . . . where he was this morning. I desire you to take me to that woman immediately.”
The wise youth had not bargained for personal servitude. He had hoped he should be in time for the last act of the opera that night, after enjoying the comedy of real life.
“My dear aunt” . . . he was beginning to insinuate179.
“Order a cab to be sent for, and get your hat,” said Mrs. Doria.
There was nothing for it but to obey. He stamped his assent180 to the PILGRIM’S dictum, that Women are practical creatures, and now reflected on his own account, that relationship to a young fool may be a vexation and a nuisance. However, Mrs. Doria compensated181 him.
What Mrs. Doria intended to do, the practical creature did not plainly know; but her energy positively182 demanded to be used in some way or other, and her instinct directed her to the offender183 on whom she could use it in wrath184. She wanted somebody to be angry with, somebody to abuse. She dared not abuse her brother to his face: him she would have to console. Adrian was a fellow-hypocrite to the System, and would, she was aware, bring her into painfully delicate, albeit185 highly philosophic186, ground by a discussion of the case. So she drove to Bessy Berry simply to inquire whither her nephew had flown.
When a soft woman, and that soft woman a sinner, is matched with a woman of energy, she does not show much fight, and she meets no mercy. Bessy Berry’s creditor187 came to her in female form that night. She then beheld188 it in all its terrors. Hitherto it had appeared to her as a male, a disembodied spirit of her imagination possessing male attributes, and the peculiar male characteristic of being moved, and ultimately silenced, by tears. As female, her creditor was terrible indeed. Still, had it not been a late hour, Bessy Berry would have died rather than speak openly that her babes had sped to make their nest in the Isle of Wight. They had a long start, they were out of the reach of pursuers, they were safe, and she told what she had to tell. She told more than was wise of her to tell. She made mention of her early service in the family, and of her little pension. Alas189! her little pension! Her creditor had come expecting no payment — come, as creditors190 are wont87 in such moods, just to take it out of her — to employ the familiar term. At once Mrs. Doria pounced191 upon the pension.
“That, of course, you know is at an end,” she said in the calmest manner, and Berry did not plead for the little bit of bread to her. She only asked a little consideration for her feelings.
True admirers of women had better stand aside from the scene. Undoubtedly192 it was very sad for Adrian to be compelled to witness it. Mrs. Doria was not generous. The PILGRIM may be wrong about the sex not growing; but its fashion of conducting warfare193 we must allow to be barbarous, and according to what is deemed the pristine194, or wild cat, method. Ruin, nothing short of it, accompanied poor Berry to her bed that night, and her character bled till morning on her pillow.
The scene over, Adrian reconducted Mrs. Doria to her home. Mice had been at the cake during her absence apparently195. The ladies and gentlemen present put it on the greedy mice, who were accused of having gorged196 and gone to bed.
“I’m sure they’re quite welcome,” said Mrs. Doria. “It’s a farce197, this marriage, and Adrian has quite come to my way of thinking. I would not touch an atom of it. Why, they were married in a married woman’s ring! Can that be legal, as you call it? Oh, I’m convinced! Don’t tell me. Austin will be in town tomorrow, and if he is true to his principles, he will instantly adopt measures to rescue his son from infamy198. I want no legal advice. I go upon common sense, common decency199. This marriage is false.”
Mrs. Doria’s fine scheme had become so much a part of her life, that she could not give it up. She took Clare to her bed, and caressed200 and wept over her, as she would not have done had she known the singular child, saying, “Poor Richard! my dear poor boy! we must save him, Clare! we must save him!” Of the two the mother showed the greater want of iron on this occasion. Clare lay in her arms rigid201 and emotionless, with one of her hands tight-locked. All she said was: “I knew it in the morning, mama.” She slept clasping Richard’s nuptial ring.
By this time all specially202 concerned in the System knew it. The honeymoon was shining placidly203 above them. Is not happiness like another circulating medium? When we have a very great deal of it, some poor hearts are aching for what is taken away from them. When we have gone out and seized it on the highways, certain inscrutable laws are sure to be at work to bring us to the criminal bar, sooner or later. Who knows the honeymoon that did not steal somebody’s sweetness? Richard Turpin went forth204, singing “Money or life” to the world: Richard Feverel has done the same, substituting “Happiness” for “Money,” frequently synonyms205. The coin he wanted he would have, and was just as much a highway robber as his fellow Dick, so that those who have failed to recognize him as a hero before, may now regard him in that light. Meanwhile the world he has squeezed looks exceedingly patient and beautiful. His coin chinks delicious music to him. Nature and the order of things on earth have no warmer admirer than a jolly brigand206 or a young man made happy by the Jews.
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1
disinterestedness
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2
repression
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| n.镇压，抑制，抑压 | |
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3
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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felicitous
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| adj.恰当的，巧妙的；n.恰当，贴切 | |
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diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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sedate
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| adj.沉着的，镇静的，安静的 | |
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sedateness
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| n.安详，镇静 | |
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frenzies
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| 狂乱( frenzy的名词复数 )； 极度的激动 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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juggler
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| n. 变戏法者, 行骗者 | |
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precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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17
beholds
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| v.看，注视( behold的第三人称单数 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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18
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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21
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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22
serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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23
vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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24
hunch
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| n.预感，直觉 | |
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ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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28
lapsing
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| v.退步( lapse的现在分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
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29
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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30
ignoble
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| adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的 | |
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31
fascinations
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| n.魅力( fascination的名词复数 )；有魅力的东西；迷恋；陶醉 | |
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32
supplanted
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| 把…排挤掉，取代( supplant的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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discomforts
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| n.不舒适( discomfort的名词复数 )；不愉快，苦恼 | |
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36
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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40
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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41
obsequious
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| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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42
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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43
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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44
antiquities
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| n.古老( antiquity的名词复数 )；古迹；古人们；古代的风俗习惯 | |
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45
crumbling
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| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
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chirped
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| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的过去式 ) | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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48
meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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49
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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51
noxious
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| adj.有害的，有毒的；使道德败坏的，讨厌的 | |
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52
arrant
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| adj.极端的；最大的 | |
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53
acme
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| n.顶点，极点 | |
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mundane
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| adj.平凡的；尘世的；宇宙的 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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56
edifices
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| n.大建筑物( edifice的名词复数 ) | |
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57
incision
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| n．切口，切开 | |
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58
condiment
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| n.调味品 | |
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59
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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60
crumbs
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| int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式 | |
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61
bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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62
purgatory
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| n.炼狱；苦难；adj.净化的，清洗的 | |
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63
apportion
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| vt.（按比例或计划）分配 | |
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64
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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65
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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66
nuptial
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| adj.婚姻的，婚礼的 | |
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67
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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68
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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70
honeymoon
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| n.蜜月（假期）；vi.度蜜月 | |
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isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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72
delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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73
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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74
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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pranks
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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76
instil
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| v.逐渐灌输 | |
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artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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contortions
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| n.扭歪，弯曲；扭曲，弄歪，歪曲( contortion的名词复数 ) | |
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80
perspired
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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82
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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83
querying
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的现在分词 )；询问 | |
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84
lachrymose
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| adj.好流泪的，引人落泪的；adv.眼泪地，哭泣地 | |
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85
landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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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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87
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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88
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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89
combustible
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| a. 易燃的,可燃的; n. 易燃物,可燃物 | |
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poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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91
generic
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| adj.一般的，普通的，共有的 | |
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92
warier
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| 谨慎的，小心翼翼的( wary的比较级 ) | |
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93
bauble
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| n.美观而无价值的饰物 | |
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94
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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maidenhood
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| n. 处女性, 处女时代 | |
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tapering
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| adj.尖端细的 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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99
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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101
adverted
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| 引起注意（advert的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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102
sublimely
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| 高尚地，卓越地 | |
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103
allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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104
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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105
peevishly
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| adv．暴躁地 | |
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106
innuendoes
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| n.影射的话( innuendo的名词复数 )；讽刺的话；含沙射影；暗讽 | |
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107
blindfolded
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| v.（尤指用布）挡住（某人）的视线( blindfold的过去式 )；蒙住（某人）的眼睛；使不理解；蒙骗 | |
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108
ingenuousness
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| n.率直；正直；老实 | |
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109
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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110
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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111
sustenance
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| n.食物，粮食；生活资料；生计 | |
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112
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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113
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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114
imbibing
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| v.吸收( imbibe的现在分词 )；喝；吸取；吸气 | |
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115
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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116
affix
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| n.附件，附录 vt.附贴，盖(章)，签署 | |
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117
valid
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| adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的 | |
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118
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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119
puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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120
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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121
housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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122
juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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123
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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124
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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125
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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126
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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127
asceticism
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| n.禁欲主义 | |
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128
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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129
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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130
sipped
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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132
invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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133
annulled
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| v.宣告无效( annul的过去式和过去分词 )；取消；使消失；抹去 | |
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134
consummated
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| v.使结束( consummate的过去式和过去分词 )；使完美；完婚；（婚礼后的）圆房 | |
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135
intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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136
speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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137
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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138
volcanic
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| adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的 | |
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139
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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140
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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141
morbid
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| adj.病的；致病的；病态的；可怕的 | |
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142
recapitulated
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| v.总结，扼要重述( recapitulate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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143
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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144
shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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145
toils
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| 网 | |
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146
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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147
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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148
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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149
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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150
magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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151
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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152
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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153
shamefully
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| 可耻地； 丢脸地； 不体面地； 羞耻地 | |
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154
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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155
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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156
toddled
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| v.（幼儿等）东倒西歪地走( toddle的过去式和过去分词 )；蹒跚行走；溜达；散步 | |
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157
wigs
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| n.假发，法官帽( wig的名词复数 ) | |
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158
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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159
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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160
affidavit
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| n.宣誓书 | |
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161
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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162
fictitious
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| adj.虚构的，假设的；空头的 | |
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163
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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164
imploringly
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| adv. 恳求地, 哀求地 | |
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165
phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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166
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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167
shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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168
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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169
cogitate
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| v.慎重思考，思索 | |
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170
vacuous
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| adj.空的，漫散的，无聊的，愚蠢的 | |
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171
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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172
thumped
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| v.重击， （指心脏）急速跳动( thump的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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173
wedded
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| 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 ) | |
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174
incited
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| 刺激，激励，煽动( incite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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175
bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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176
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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177
ripening
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的现在分词 )；熟化；熟成 | |
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178
frailer
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| 脆弱的( frail的比较级 )； 易损的； 易碎的 | |
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179
insinuate
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| vt.含沙射影地说，暗示 | |
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180
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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181
compensated
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| 补偿，报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款） | |
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182
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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183
offender
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| n.冒犯者，违反者，犯罪者 | |
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184
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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185
albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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186
philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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187
creditor
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| n.债仅人，债主，贷方 | |
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188
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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189
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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190
creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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191
pounced
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| v.突然袭击( pounce的过去式和过去分词 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
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192
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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193
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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194
pristine
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| adj.原来的，古时的，原始的，纯净的，无垢的 | |
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195
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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196
gorged
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| v.（用食物把自己）塞饱，填饱( gorge的过去式和过去分词 )；作呕 | |
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197
farce
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| n.闹剧，笑剧，滑稽戏；胡闹 | |
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198
infamy
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| n.声名狼藉，出丑，恶行 | |
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199
decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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200
caressed
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| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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201
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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202
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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203
placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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204
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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205
synonyms
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| 同义词( synonym的名词复数 ) | |
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206
brigand
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| n.土匪，强盗 | |
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