For four years, except from one twisted chimney in the far corner of the old house, no smoke had risen from its flues. Tufts of grass had grown up between the paving-stones of the silent stable-yard, grass had crept over the dark avenue, which, making a curve near the gate, is soon lost among the sombre trees that throw a perpetual shadow upon it; the groves4 of nettles5 had spread and thickened among their trunks; and in the signs of neglect and decay, the monastic old place grew more than ever triste.
The pretty little Welsh town of Cardyllian stands near the shingle6 of a broad estuary7, beyond which tower the noble Cambrian mountains. High and dim, tier above tier, undulating hills, broken by misty8 glens, and clothed with woods, rise from the opposite shore, and are backed, range behind range, by the dim outlines of Alpine9 peaks and slopes, and flanked by purple and gold-tinted11 headlands, rising dome-like from the sea.
Between the town and the gray shingle stretches a strip of bright green sward, the Green of Cardyllian, along which rows of pleasant houses, with little gardens in front, look over the sea to the mountains.
It is a town quaint12, old, and quiet. Many of the houses bear date anterior13 to the great civil wars of England, and on the oak beams of some are carved years of grace during which Shakespeare was still living among his friends, in Stratford-on-Avon.
At the end of long Castle Street rise the battlements and roofless towers of that grand old feudal14 fortress15 which helped to hold the conquest of Wales for the English crown in the days of tabards, lances, and the long-bow. Its other chief street strikes off at right angles, and up hill from this, taking its name from the ancient church, which, with its churchyard, stands divided from it by a low wall of red sandstone, surmounted16 by one of those tall and fanciful iron rails, the knack17 of designing which seems to be a lost art in these countries.
There are other smaller streets and by-lanes, some dark with a monastic stillness, others thinly built, with little gardens and old plum and pear trees peeping over grass-grown walls, and here and there you light upon a fragment of that ancient town wall from which, in the great troubles which have helped to build up the glory of England, plumed18 cavaliers once parleyed with steel-capped Puritans. Thus the tints19 and shadows of a great history rest faintly even upon this out-of-the-way and serene20 little town.
The permanent residents of Cardyllian for half the year are idle, and for mere21 occupation are led to inquire into and report one another’s sins, vanities, and mishaps22. Necessity thus educates them in that mutual23 interest in one another’s affairs, and that taste for narrative24, which pusillanimous25 people call prying26 and tattle. That the people now residing in Malory, scarcely a mile away, should have so totally defeated them was painful and even irritating.
It was next to impossible to take a walk near Cardyllian without seeing Malory; and thus their failure perpetually stared them in the face.
You can best see Malory from the high grounds which, westward27 of the town, overlook the estuary. About a mile away you descry28 a dark and rather wide-spread mass of wood, lying in a gentle hollow, which, I think, deepens its sombre tint10. It approaches closely to the long ripple29 of the sea, and through the foliage30 are visible some old chimneys and glimpses of gray gables. The refectory of the friary that once stood there, built of gray and reddish stones, half hid in ivy31, now does duty as a barn. It is so embowered in trees, that you can scarcely, here and there, gain a peep from without at its tinted walls; and the whole place is overhung by a sadness and silence that well accord with its cloistered32 traditions. That is Malory.
It was Sunday now. Over the graves and tombstones of those who will hear its sweet music no more, the bell had summoned the townsfolk and visitors to the old church of Cardyllian.
The little town boasts, indeed, a beautiful old church, Gothic, with side-aisles, and an antique stained window, from which gloried saints and martyrs34 look down, in robes as rich and brilliant as we see now-a-days only upon the kings and queens of our court cards. It has also some fine old monuments of the Verney family. The light is solemn and subdued35. There is a very sweet-toned organ, which they say is as old as the reign36 of Charles I., but I do not know how truly. In the porch are hung in chains two sacrilegious round-shot, which entered the church when Cromwell’s general opened his fire, in those days of sorrow when the liberties of England were in the throes of birth. Beside the brilliant stained window, engraven upon a brass37 plate, is a record of the same “solemn times,” relating how certain careful men, to whom we are obliged, had taken down, enclosed in boxes, and buried, in hope of a typical resurrection, the ancient window which had for so long beautified “this church,” and thus saved it from the hands of “violent and fanatical men.”
When “the season” is still flourishing at Cardyllian, the church is sometimes very full. On the Sunday I speak of it was so. One pew, indeed, was quite relieved from the general pressure. It was the large panelled enclosure which stands near the communion rails, at the right as you look up the aisle33 toward the glowing window. Its flooring is raised a full foot higher than the surrounding level. This is the seat of the Verney family.
But one person performed his devotions in it, upon the day of which I speak. This was a tall, elegantly slight young man, with the indescribable air of careless fashion; and I am afraid he was much more peeped at and watched than he ought to have been by good Christians38 during divine service.
Sometimes people saw but the edge of his black whisker, and the waves of his dark hair, and his lavender-gloved hand resting on the edge of the pew. At other times — when, for instance, during the Litany, he leaned over with his arms resting on the edge of the pew — he was very satisfactorily revealed, and elicited39 a considerable variety of criticism. Most people said he was very handsome, and so, I think, he was — a dark young man, with very large, soft eyes, and very brilliant even teeth. Some people said he was spoiled by an insolent40 and selfish expression of countenance41. Some ladies again said that his figure was perfect, while others alleged42 that there was a slight curve — not a stoop, but a bend at the shoulder, which they could not quite sanction.
The interest, and even anxiety with which this young gentleman was observed and afterwards discussed, were due to the fact that he was Mr. Cleve Verney, the nephew, not of the present Viscount Verney, but of the man who must very soon be so, and heir presumptive to the title — a position in the town of Cardyllian, hardly inferior to that of Prince of Wales.
But the title of Verney, or rather the right claimant of that title, was then, and had been for many years, in an extremely odd position. In more senses than one, a cloud rested upon him. For strong reasons, and great danger, he had vanished more than twenty years ago, and lived, ever since, in a remote part of the world, and in a jealous and eccentric mystery.
While this young gentleman was causing so many reprehensible43 distractions44 in the minds of other Christians, he was himself, though not a creature observed it, undergoing a rather wilder aberration45 of a similar sort himself.
In a small seat at the other side, which seems built for privacy, with a high panelling at the sides and back, sat a young lady, whose beauty riveted46 and engrossed47 his attention in a way that seemed to the young gentleman, of many London seasons, almost unaccountable.
There was an old lady with her — a lady-like old woman, he thought her — slight of figure, and rubrically punctual in her up-risings, and down-sittings. The seat holds four with comfort, but no more. The oak casing round it is high. The light visits it through the glorious old eastern window, mellowed48 and solemnized — and in this chiar’oscuro, the young lady’s beauty had a transparent49 and saddened character which he thought quite peculiar50. Altogether he felt it acting51 upon him with the insidious52 power of a spell.
The old lady — for the halo of interest of which the girl was the centre, included her — was dressed, he at first thought, in black, but now he was nearly sure it was a purple silk.
Though she wore a grave countenance, suitable to the scene and occasion, it was by no means sombre — a cheerful and engaging countenance on the contrary.
The young lady’s dress was one of those rich Welsh linseys, which exhibit a drapery of thick ribbed, dark gray silk, in great measure concealed53 by a short but ample cloak or coat of black velvet54 — altogether a costume, the gravity of which struck him as demure55 and piquant56.
Leaning over the side of his pew, Mr. Cleve Verney prayed with a remarkable57 persistence58 in the direction of this seat. After the Litany he thought her a great deal more beautiful than he had before it, and by the time the Communion service closed, he was sure he had never seen any one at all so lovely. He could not have fancied, in flesh and blood, so wonderful an embodiment of Guido’s portrait of Beatrice Cenci. The exquisite59 brow, and large hazel eye, so clear and soft, so bold and shy. The face voluptuous60, yet pure; funeste but innocent. The rich chestnut61 hair, the pearly whiteness, and scarlet62 lips, and the strange, wild, melancholy63 look — and a shadow of fate. Three-quarters, or full face, or momentary64 profile — in shade, now — in light — the same wonderful likeness65 still. The phantom66 of Beatrice was before him.
I can’t say whether the young lady or the old observed the irregular worship directed towards their pew. Cleve did not think they did. He had no particular wish that they should. In fact, his interest was growing so strangely absorbing that something of that jealousy67 of observation which indicates a deeper sentiment than mere admiration68, had supervened, and Mr. Cleve conducted his reconnoitring with slyness and caution.
That small pew over the way, he was nearly certain, belonged to Malory. Now Malory is a dower house of the Verneys. His own grandmother, the Venerable Dowager Lady Verney, as much to her annoyance69 the fashionable morning paper respectfully called her, was at that time the incumbent70. But though she held it with the inflexible71 grip of an old lady whose rights were not to be trifled with, she would not reside, and the place was, as I have said, utterly72 neglected, and the old house very much out of repair.
Why, then, should the Malory pew be thus tenanted? These ladies, he had no doubt, sat there of right — for if the seat had been opened to the congregation at large, in the then state of pressure, it would have been filled. Could they possibly be of kindred to the Verneys, and sit where they did by virtue73 of an order from the Dowager?
So Cleve Verney began to count up cousins whom he had never seen, and left off no wiser.
Close by this dark Malory pew, is a small side-door of the church. There is another like it, a little lower down, in the opposite wall, not far from the Verney pew, and through these emerge thin files of worshippers, while the main column shuffles74 and pushes through the porch. So, when the Rector had pronounced his final blessing75, Cleve Verney having improved the little silence that followed to get his hat and cane76 into his hand, glided77 from his seat before the mass of the congregation were astir, and emerging on the little gravel78 walk, stepped lightly down to the stone stile, from whence you command a view of every exit from the churchyard.
He stood with one foot upon it, like a man awaiting a friend, and looking listlessly toward the church. And as he loitered, a friend did turn up whom he very little expected to see. A young man, though hardly so young as Cleve — good-looking, decidedly, with light golden moustache, and a face so kind, frank, and merry, it made one happy to look at it.
“Ah! Sedley! I had not an idea. What brings you here?” said Cleve, smiling, and shaking his hand moderately, but keeping his large eyes steadily79 on the distant point at which he expected to see the unknown ladies emerge.
“Down here just for a day or two,” answered Tom Sedley. “I was above you in the gallery. Did you see that beautiful creature in the Malory seat, right before you? By Jove, she’s a stunning80 girl. There was an old woman with her. I think I never saw so beautiful a being.”
“Well, I did see a pretty girl at the other side of the church, I think; isn’t that she?” said Cleve, as he saw the two ladies — the younger with one of those short black veils which nearly obliterate81 the face of the wearer behind the intricacies of a thick lace pattern.
“By Jove! so it is,” said Sedley; “come along — let us see where they go.”
They were walking almost solitarily82, followed only by an old servant who carried their books, toward the entrance at the further side of the churchyard, a small door opening upon a flight of steps by which you descend83 into one of the deserted84 back streets of Cardyllian.
Cleve and Sedley pursued as little conspicuously85 as possible. The quaint street, into which the stone stairs led them, follows the mouldering86 shelter of the old town wall.
Looking along the perspective of this street, if such the single row of small old houses confronting the dark ivied wall may be termed, the two young gentlemen saw the figures in pursuit of which they had entered it, proceeding87 in the direction of Malory.
“We mustn’t get too near; let us wait a little, and let them go on,” suggested Sedley in a whisper, as if the ladies could have overheard them.
Cleve laughed. He was probably the more eager of the two; but some men have no turn for confidences, and Cleve Verney was not in the habit of opening either his plans or his feelings to anyone.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
tenants
|
|
| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
piqued
|
|
| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
mortified
|
|
| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
groves
|
|
| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
nettles
|
|
| n.荨麻( nettle的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
shingle
|
|
| n.木瓦板；小招牌(尤指医生或律师挂的营业招牌)；v.用木瓦板盖（屋顶）；把（女子头发）剪短 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
estuary
|
|
| n.河口，江口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
misty
|
|
| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
alpine
|
|
| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
tint
|
|
| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
tinted
|
|
| adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
quaint
|
|
| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
anterior
|
|
| adj.较早的；在前的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
feudal
|
|
| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
fortress
|
|
| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
surmounted
|
|
| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
knack
|
|
| n.诀窍，做事情的灵巧的，便利的方法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
plumed
|
|
| 饰有羽毛的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
tints
|
|
| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
serene
|
|
| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
mishaps
|
|
| n.轻微的事故，小的意外( mishap的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
mutual
|
|
| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
narrative
|
|
| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
pusillanimous
|
|
| adj.懦弱的，胆怯的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
prying
|
|
| adj.爱打听的v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的现在分词 )；撬开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
westward
|
|
| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
descry
|
|
| v.远远看到；发现；责备 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
ripple
|
|
| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
foliage
|
|
| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
ivy
|
|
| n.常青藤，常春藤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
cloistered
|
|
| adj.隐居的，躲开尘世纷争的v.隐退，使与世隔绝( cloister的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
aisle
|
|
| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
martyrs
|
|
| n.martyr的复数形式；烈士( martyr的名词复数 )；殉道者；殉教者；乞怜者（向人诉苦以博取同情） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
reign
|
|
| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
brass
|
|
| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
Christians
|
|
| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
elicited
|
|
| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
insolent
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
alleged
|
|
| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
reprehensible
|
|
| adj.该受责备的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
distractions
|
|
| n.使人分心的事[人]( distraction的名词复数 )；娱乐，消遣；心烦意乱；精神错乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
aberration
|
|
| n.离开正路，脱离常规，色差 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
riveted
|
|
| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
engrossed
|
|
| adj.全神贯注的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
mellowed
|
|
| （使）成熟( mellow的过去式和过去分词 )； 使色彩更加柔和，使酒更加醇香 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
transparent
|
|
| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
insidious
|
|
| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
velvet
|
|
| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
demure
|
|
| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
piquant
|
|
| adj.辛辣的，开胃的，令人兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
persistence
|
|
| n.坚持，持续，存留 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
exquisite
|
|
| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
voluptuous
|
|
| adj.肉欲的，骄奢淫逸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
chestnut
|
|
| n.栗树，栗子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
scarlet
|
|
| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
momentary
|
|
| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
likeness
|
|
| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
phantom
|
|
| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
annoyance
|
|
| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
incumbent
|
|
| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
inflexible
|
|
| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
virtue
|
|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
shuffles
|
|
| n.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的名词复数 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的第三人称单数 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
blessing
|
|
| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
cane
|
|
| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
glided
|
|
| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
gravel
|
|
| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
stunning
|
|
| adj.极好的；使人晕倒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
obliterate
|
|
| v.擦去，涂抹，去掉...痕迹，消失，除去 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
solitarily
|
|
| adv.独自一人地，寂寞地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
descend
|
|
| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
conspicuously
|
|
| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
mouldering
|
|
| v.腐朽( moulder的现在分词 )；腐烂，崩塌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
proceeding
|
|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |