There was a kindness in the sound, that seemed to proclaim the speaker to be of her own kindred; she felt as if suddenly rescued by a brother; and dropping her head on his bosom8, a shower of grateful tears relieved her heart, and prevented her fainting. Aware that no time was to be lost, that the enemy might soon be on him again, he clasped her in his arms, and with the activity of a mountain deer, crossed two rushing streams; leaping from rock to rock, even under the foam9 of their flood; and then treading with a light and steady step, an alpine10 bridge of one single tree, which arched the cataract11 below, he reached the opposite side, where, spreading his plaid upon the rock, he laid the trembling Helen upon it. Then softly breathing his bugle12, in a moment he was surrounded by a number of men, whose rough gratulations might have reawakened the alarm of Helen, had she not still heard his voice. There was graciousness and balm-distilling sweetness in every tone; and she listened in calm expectation.
He directed the men to take their axes, and cut away, on their side of the fall, the tree which arched it. It was probable the villian he had just assailed13, or his followers14, might pursue him; and he thought it prudent15 to demolish16 the bridge.
The men obeyed, and the warrior17 returned to his fair charge. It was raining fast; and fearful of further exposing her to the inclemencies of the night, he proposed leading her to shelter. “There is a hermit18’s cell on the northern side of this mountain. I will conduct you thither19 in the morning as to the securest asylum20; but meanwhile we must seek a nearer refuge.”
“Anywhere, sir, with honor my guide,” answered Helen, timidly.
“You are safe with me, lady,” returned he, “as in the arms of the Virgin21. I am a man who can now have no joy in womankind, but when as a brother I protect them. Whoever you are, confide22 in me, and you shall not be betrayed.”
Helen confidently gave him her hand, and strove to rise; but at the first attempt, the shackles23 piercing her ankles, she sunk again on the ground. The cold iron on her wrists touched the hand of her preserver. He now recollected24 his surprise on hearing the clank of chains, when carrying her over the bridge. “Who” inquired he, “could have done this unmanly deed?”
“The wretch25 from whom you rescued me-to prevent my escape from a captivity26 worse than death.”
While she spoke27, he wrenched28 open the manacles from her wrists and ankles, and threw them over the precipice. As she heard them dash into the torrent29, an unutterable gratitude30 filled her heart; and again giving her hand to him to lead her forward, she said with earnestness, “O sir, if you have a wife or sister-should they ever fall into the like peril31 with mine; for in these terrific times, who is secure? may Heaven reward your bravery, by sending them such a preserver!”
The stranger sighed deeply: “Sweet lady,” returned he, “I have no sister, no wife. But my kindred is nevertheless very numerous, and I thank thee for thy prayer.” The hero sighed profoundly again, and led her silently down the windings32 of the declivity33. Having proceeded with caution, they descended34 into a little wooded dell, and soon approached the half-standing remains35 of what had once been a shepherd’s hut.
“This,” said the knight, as they entered, “was the habitation of a good old man, who fed his flock on these mountains; but a band of Southron soldiers forced his only daughter from him, and, plundering36 his little abode37, drove him out upon the waste. He perished the same night, by grief, and the inclemencies of the weather. His son, a brave youth, was left for dead by his sister’s ravishers; but I found him in this dreary38 solitude39, and he told me the too general story of his wounds and his despair. Indeed, lady, when I heard your shrieks40 from the opposite side of the chasm41, I thought they might proceed from this poor boy’s sister, and I flew to restore them to each other.”
Helen shuddered42, as he related a tale so near resembling her own; and trembling with weakness, and horror of what might have been her fate had she not been rescued by this gallant stranger, she sunk exhausted43 upon a turf seat. The chief still held her hand. It was very cold, and he called to his men to seek fuel to make a fire. While his messengers were exploring the crannies of the rocks for dried leaves and sticks, Helen, totally overcome, leaned almost motionless against the wall of the hut. Finding, by her shortened breath, that she was fainting, the knight took her in his arms, and supporting her on his breast, chafed44 her hands and her forehead. His efforts were in vain; she seemed to have ceased to breathe; hardly a pulse moved her heart. Alarmed at such signs of death, he spoke to one of his men who remained in the hut.
The man answered his master’s inquiry45 by putting a flash into his hand. The knight poured some of its contents into her mouth. Her streaming locks wetted his cheek. “Poor lady!” said he, “she will perish in these forlorn regions, where neither warmth nor nourishment46 can be found.”
To his glad welcome, several of his men soon after entered with a quantity of withered47 boughs48, which they had found in the fissures49 of the rock at some distance. With these a fire was speedily kindled50; and its blaze diffusing51 comfort through the chamber52, he had the satisfaction of hearing a sigh from the breast of his charge. Her head still leaned on his bosom when she opened her eyes. The light shone full on her face.
“Lady,” said he, “I bless God you are revived.” Her delicacy53 shrunk at the situation in which she found herself; and raising herself, though feebly, she thanked him, and requested a little water. It was given to her. She drank some, and would have met the fixed54 and compassionate55 gaze of the knight, had not weakness cast such a film before her eyes that she scarcely saw anything. Being still languid, she leaned her head on the turf seat. Her face was pale as marble, and her long hair, saturated56 with wet, by its darkness made her look of a more deadly hue57.
“Death! how lovely canst thou be!” sighed the knight to himself-he even groaned58. Helen started, and looked around her with alarm. “Fear not,” said he, “I only dreaded59 your pale looks; but you revive, and will yet bless all that are dear to you. Suffer me, sweet lady, to drain the dangerous wet from these tresses?” He took hold of them as he spoke. She saw the water running from her hair over his hands, and allowing his kind request, he continued wiping her glossy60 locks with his scarf, till, exhausted by fatigue61, she gradually sunk into a profound sleep.
Dawn had penetrated62 the ruined walls of the hut before Lady Helen awoke. But when she did, she was refreshed; and opening her eyes-hardly conscious where she was, or whether all that floated in her memory were not the departing vapors63 of a frightful64 dream-she turned her head and fixed them upon the figure of the knight, who was seated near her. His noble air; and the pensive65 expression of his fine features, struck like a spell upon her gathering66 recollections; she at once remembered all she had suffered, all that she owed to him. She moved. Her preserver turned his eyes toward her; seeing she was awake, he rose from the side of the dying embers he had sedulously67 kept alive during her slumber68, and expressed his hopes that she felt restored. She returned him a grateful reply, in the affirmative; and he quitted her, to rouse his men for their journey to the hermit’s cell.
When he re-entered, he found Helen braiding up the fine hair which had so lately been scattered69 by the elements. She would have risen at his approach, but he seated himself on a stone at her feet. “We shall be detained here a few minutes longer,” said he; “I have ordered my men to make a litter of crossed branches, to bear you on their shoulders. Your delicate limbs would not be equal to the toil70 of descending71 these heights, to the glen of stones. The venerable man who inhabits there will protect you until he can summon your family, or friends, to receive his charge.”
At these words, which Helen thought were meant to reprove her for not having revealed herself, she blushed; but fearful of breathing a name under the interdict72 of the English governors, and which had already spread devastation73 over all with whom it had been connected; fearful of involving her preserver’s safety, by making him aware of the persecuted74 creature he had rescued; she paused for a moment, and then, with the color heightening on her cheeks, replied: “For your humanity, brave sir, shown this night to a friendless woman, I must be ever grateful; but not even to the hermit may I reveal my name. It is fraught75 with danger to every honest Scot who should know that he protects one who bears it; and therefore, least of all, noble stranger, would I breathe it to you.” She averted76 her face, to conceal77 the emotions she could not subdue78.
The knight looked at her intensely, and profoundly sighed. Half her unbraided locks lay upon her bosom, which now heaved with suppressed feelings; and the fast-falling tears, gliding79 through her long eyelashes dropped upon his hand; he sighed again, and tore his eyes from her countenance80. “I ask not, madam, to know what you think proper to conceal; but danger has no alarms for me, when, by incurring81 it, I serve those who need a protector.”
A sudden thought flashed across her mind; might it not be possible that this tender guardian82 of her safety, this heroic profferer of service, was the noble Wallace? But the vain idea fled. He was pent up amidst the beleaguered83 defiles84 of Cartland Craigs, sworn to extricate2 the helpless families of his followers, or to perish with them. This knight was accompanied by none but men; and his kind eyes shone in too serene85 a luster86 to be the mirrors of the disturbed soul of the suffering chief of Ellerslie. “Ah! then,” murmured she to herself, “are there two men in Scotland who will speak thus?” She looked up in his face. The plumes87 of his bonnet88 shaded his features; but she saw they were paler than on his entrance, and a strange expression of distraction89 agitated their before composed lines. His eyes were bent90 to the ground as he proceeded:
“I am the servant of my fellow-creatures — command me and my few faithful followers; and if it be in the power of such small means to succor91 you or yours, I am ready to answer for their obedience92. If the villain93 from whom I had the happiness to release you be yet more deeply implicated94 in your sorrows, tell me how they can be relieved, and I will attempt it. I shall make no new enemies by the deed, for the Southrons and I are at eternal enmity.”
Helen could not withdraw her eyes from his varying countenance, which, from underneath95 his dark plumes, seemed like a portentous96 cloud, at intervals97 to emit the rays of the cheering sun, or the lightning of threatening thunder. “Alas!” replied she, “ill should I repay such nobleness were I to involve it in the calamities98 of my house. No, generous stranger, I must remain unknown. Leave me with the hermit; and from his cell I will send to some relation to take me thence.”
“I urge you no more, gentle lady,” replied the knight, rising; “were I at the head of an army, instead of a handful of men, I might then have a better argument for offering my services; but as it is, I feel my weakness, and seek to know no further.”
Helen trembled with unaccountable emotion. “Were you at the head of an army, I might then dare to reveal the full weight of my anxieties; but Heaven has already been sufficiently99 gracious to me by your hands, in redeeming100 me from my cruelest enemy; and for the rest, I put my trust in the same overruling Providence101.” At this moment a man entered and told the knight the vehicle was finished, the morning fine, and his men ready to march. He turned toward Helen: “May I conduct you to the rude carriage we have prepared?”
Helen gathered her mantle102 about her; and the knight, throwing his scarf over her head-it had no other covering-she gave him her hand, and he led her out on the hut to the side of the bier. It was overlaid with the men’s plaids. The knight placed her on it; and the carriers raising it on their shoulders, her deliverer led the way, and they took their course down the mountain.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
extricate
|
|
| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
extricated
|
|
| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
precipice
|
|
| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
persecutor
|
|
| n. 迫害者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
knight
|
|
| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
foam
|
|
| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
alpine
|
|
| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
cataract
|
|
| n.大瀑布，奔流，洪水，白内障 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
bugle
|
|
| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
assailed
|
|
| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
prudent
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
demolish
|
|
| v.拆毁(建筑物等)，推翻(计划、制度等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
hermit
|
|
| n.隐士，修道者；隐居 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
asylum
|
|
| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
virgin
|
|
| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
confide
|
|
| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
shackles
|
|
| 手铐( shackle的名词复数 )； 脚镣； 束缚； 羁绊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
recollected
|
|
| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
wretch
|
|
| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
captivity
|
|
| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
wrenched
|
|
| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
torrent
|
|
| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
peril
|
|
| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
windings
|
|
| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
declivity
|
|
| n.下坡，倾斜面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
descended
|
|
| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
plundering
|
|
| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
dreary
|
|
| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
solitude
|
|
| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
shrieks
|
|
| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
chasm
|
|
| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
shuddered
|
|
| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
exhausted
|
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
chafed
|
|
| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
inquiry
|
|
| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
nourishment
|
|
| n.食物，营养品；营养情况 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
withered
|
|
| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
boughs
|
|
| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
fissures
|
|
| n.狭长裂缝或裂隙( fissure的名词复数 )；裂伤；分歧；分裂v.裂开( fissure的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
kindled
|
|
| （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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
diffusing
|
|
| （使光）模糊，漫射，漫散( diffuse的现在分词 )； （使）扩散； （使）弥漫； （使）传播 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
delicacy
|
|
| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
compassionate
|
|
| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
saturated
|
|
| a.饱和的，充满的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
hue
|
|
| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
groaned
|
|
| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
dreaded
|
|
| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
glossy
|
|
| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
fatigue
|
|
| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
penetrated
|
|
| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
vapors
|
|
| n.水汽，水蒸气，无实质之物( vapor的名词复数 )；自夸者；幻想 [药]吸入剂 [古]忧郁（症）v.自夸，（使）蒸发( vapor的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
frightful
|
|
| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
pensive
|
|
| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
sedulously
|
|
| ad.孜孜不倦地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
slumber
|
|
| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
scattered
|
|
| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
toil
|
|
| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
interdict
|
|
| v.限制；禁止；n.正式禁止；禁令 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
devastation
|
|
| n.毁坏；荒废；极度震惊或悲伤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
persecuted
|
|
| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
fraught
|
|
| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
averted
|
|
| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
conceal
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
subdue
|
|
| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
gliding
|
|
| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
incurring
|
|
| 遭受，招致，引起( incur的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
guardian
|
|
| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
beleaguered
|
|
| adj.受到围困[围攻]的；包围的v.围攻( beleaguer的过去式和过去分词)；困扰；骚扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
defiles
|
|
| v.玷污( defile的第三人称单数 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
serene
|
|
| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
luster
|
|
| n.光辉；光泽，光亮；荣誉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
plumes
|
|
| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
bonnet
|
|
| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
distraction
|
|
| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
succor
|
|
| n.援助，帮助；v.给予帮助 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
obedience
|
|
| n.服从，顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
implicated
|
|
| adj.密切关联的；牵涉其中的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
underneath
|
|
| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
portentous
|
|
| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
intervals
|
|
| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
calamities
|
|
| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
redeeming
|
|
| 补偿的，弥补的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
providence
|
|
| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
mantle
|
|
| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |