It was dark when the Doctor entered the town, and he proceeded immediately to the inn where the coach was expected, with some faint hope that the fugitive6 might be discovered abiding7 within its walls; but, to all his inquiries8 about young gentlemen and ponies9, he received very unsatisfactory answers; so, reconciling himself as well as he could to the disagreeable posture10 of affairs, he settled himself in the parlour of the inn, with a good fire, and, lighting11 his pipe, desired his servant to keep a sharp look-out.
In due time a great uproar12 in the inn-yard announced the arrival of the stage, an unwieldy machine, carrying six inside, and dragged by as many horses. The Doctor, opening the door of his apartment, which led on to a gallery that ran round the inn-yard, leaned over the balustrade with his pipe in his mouth, and watched proceedings13. It so happened that the stage was to discharge one of its passengers at this town, who had come from the north, and the Doctor recognised in him a neighbour and brother magistrate14, one Squire15 Mountmeadow, an important personage in his way, the terror of poachers, and somewhat of an oracle16 on the bench, as it was said that he could take a deposition17 without the assistance of his clerk. Although, in spite of the ostler’s lanterns, it was very dark, it was impossible ever to be unaware18 of the arrival of Squire Mountmeadow; for he was one of those great men who take care to remind the world of their dignity by the attention which they require on every occasion.
‘Coachman!’ said the authoritative19 voice of the Squire. ‘Where is the coachman? Oh! you are there, sir, are you? Postilion! Where is the postilion? Oh! you are there, sir, are you? Host! Where is the host? Oh! you are there, sir, are you? Waiter! Where is the waiter? I say where is the waiter?’
‘Coming, please your worship!’
‘How long am I to wait? Oh! you are there, sir, are you? Coachman!’
‘Your worship!’
‘Postilion!’
‘Yes, your worship!’
‘Host!’
‘Your worship’s servant!’
‘Waiter!’
‘Your worship’s honour’s humble20 servant!’
‘I am going to alight!’
All four attendants immediately bowed, and extended their arms to assist this very great man; but Squire Mountmeadow, scarcely deigning21 to avail himself of their proffered22 assistance, and pausing on each step, looking around him with his long, lean, solemn visage, finally reached terra firma in safety, and slowly stretched his tall, ungainly figure. It was at this moment that Dr. Masham’s servant approached him, and informed his worship that his master was at the inn, and would be happy to see him. The countenance23 of the great Mountmeadow relaxed at the mention of the name of a brother magistrate, and in an audible voice he bade the groom24 ‘tell my worthy25 friend, his worship, your worthy master, that I shall be rejoiced to pay my respects to an esteemed26 neighbour and a brother magistrate.’
With slow and solemn steps, preceded by the host, and followed by the waiter, Squire Mountmeadow ascended27 the staircase of the external gallery, pausing occasionally, and looking around him with thoughtful importance, and making an occasional inquiry28 as to the state of the town and neighbourhood during his absence, in this fashion: ‘Stop! where are you, host? Oh! you are there, sir, are you? Well, Mr. Host, and how have we been? orderly, eh?’
‘Quite orderly, your worship.’
‘Hoh! Orderly! Hem29! Well, very well! Never easy, if absent only four-and-twenty hours. The law must be obeyed.’
‘Yes, your worship.’
‘Lead on, sir. And, waiter; where are you, waiter? Oh, you are there, sir, are you? And so my brother magistrate is here?’
‘Yes, your honour’s worship.’
‘Hem! What can he want? something in the wind; wants my advice, I dare say; shall have it. Soldiers ruly; king’s servants; must be obeyed.’
‘Yes, your worship; quite ruly, your worship,’ said the host.
‘As obliging and obstreperous30 as can be,’ said the waiter.
‘Well, very well;’ and here the Squire had gained the gallery, where the Doctor was ready to receive him.
‘It always gives me pleasure to meet a brother magistrate,’ said Squire Mountmeadow, bowing with cordial condescension31; ‘and a gentleman of your cloth, too. The clergy32 must be respected; I stand or fall by the Church. After you, Doctor, after you.’ So saying, the two magistrates33 entered the room.
‘An unexpected pleasure, Doctor,’ said the Squire; ‘and what brings your worship to town?’
‘A somewhat strange business,’ said the Doctor; ‘and indeed I am not a little glad to have the advantage of your advice and assistance.’
‘Hem! I thought so,’ said the Squire; ‘your worship is very complimentary34. What is the case? Larceny35?’
‘Nay, my good sir, ’tis a singular affair; and, if you please, we will order supper first, and discuss it afterwards. ’Tis for your private ear.’
‘Oh! ho!’ said the Squire, looking very mysterious and important. ‘With your worship’s permission,’ he added, filling a pipe.
The host was no laggard36 in waiting on two such important guests. The brother magistrates despatched their rump-steak; the foaming37 tankard was replenished38; the fire renovated39. At length, the table and the room being alike clear, Squire Mountmeadow drew a long puff40, and said, ‘Now for business, Doctor.’
His companion then informed him of the exact object of his visit, and narrated41 to him so much of the preceding incidents as was necessary. The Squire listened in solemn silence, elevating his eyebrows42, nodding his head, trimming his pipe, with profound interjections; and finally, being appealed to for his opinion by the Doctor, delivered himself of a most portentous43 ‘Hem!’
‘I question, Doctor,’ said the Squire, ‘whether we should not communicate with the Secretary of State. ’Tis no ordinary business. ’Tis a spiriting away of a Peer of the realm. It smacks44 of treason.’
‘Egad!’ said the Doctor, suppressing a smile, ‘I think we can hardly make a truant45 boy a Cabinet question.’
The Squire glanced a look of pity at his companion. ‘Prove the truancy46, Doctor; prove it. ’Tis a case of disappearance47; and how do we know that there is not a Jesuit at the bottom of it?’
‘There is something in that,’ said the Doctor.
‘There is everything in it,’ said the Squire, triumphantly48. ‘We must offer rewards; we must raise the posse comitatus.’
‘For the sake of the family, I would make as little stir as necessary,’ said Dr. Masham.
‘For the sake of the family!’ said the Squire. ‘Think of the nation, sir! For the sake of the nation we must make as much stir as possible. ’Tis a Secretary of State’s business; ’tis a case for a general warrant.’
‘He is a well-meaning lad enough,’ said the Doctor.
‘Ay, and therefore more easily played upon,’ said the Squire. ‘Rome is at the bottom of it, brother Masham, and I am surprised that a good Protestant like yourself, one of the King’s Justices of the Peace, and a Doctor of Divinity to boot, should doubt the fact for an instant.’
‘We have not heard much of the Jesuits of late years,’ said the Doctor.
‘The very reason that they are more active,’ said the Squire.
‘An only child!’ said Dr. Masham.
‘A Peer of the realm!’ said Squire Mountmeadow.
‘I should think he must be in the neighbourhood.’
‘More likely at St. Omer’s.’
‘They would scarely take him to the plantations49 with this war?’
‘Let us drink “Confusion to the rebels!”’ said the Squire. ‘Any news?’
‘Howe sails this week,’ said the Doctor.
‘May he burn Boston!’ said the Squire.
‘I would rather he would reduce it, without such extremities,’ said Dr. Masham.
‘Nothing is to be done without extremities,’ said Squire Mountmeadow.
‘But this poor child?’ said the Doctor, leading back the conversation. ‘What can we do?’
‘The law of the case is clear,’ said the Squire; ‘we must move a habeas corpus.’
‘But shall we be nearer getting him for that?’ inquired the Doctor.
‘Perhaps not, sir; but ’tis the regular way. We must proceed by rule.’
‘I am sadly distressed,’ said Dr. Masham. ‘The worst is, he has gained such a start upon us; and yet he can hardly have gone to London; he would have been recognised here or at Southport.’
‘With his hair cropped, and in a Jesuit’s cap?’ inquired the Squire, with a slight sneer50. ‘Ah! Doctor, Doctor, you know not the gentry51 you have to deal with!’
‘We must hope,’ said Dr. Masham. ‘To-morrow we must organise52 some general search.’
‘I fear it will be of no use,’ said the Squire, replenishing his pipe. ‘These Jesuits are deep fellows.’
‘But we are not sure about the Jesuits, Squire.’
‘I am,’ said the Squire; ‘the case is clear, and the sooner you break it to his mother the better. You asked me for my advice, and I give it you.’
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1
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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2
conveyances
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| n.传送( conveyance的名词复数 )；运送；表达；运输工具 | |
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waggon
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| n.运货马车，运货车；敞篷车箱 | |
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4
metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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5
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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6
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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7
abiding
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| adj.永久的，持久的，不变的 | |
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8
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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ponies
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| 矮种马，小型马( pony的名词复数 )； ￡25 25 英镑 | |
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10
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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11
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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12
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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13
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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14
magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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15
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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16
oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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17
deposition
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| n.免职，罢官；作证；沉淀；沉淀物 | |
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18
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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19
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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20
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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21
deigning
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的现在分词 ) | |
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22
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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24
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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25
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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26
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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27
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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29
hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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30
obstreperous
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| adj.喧闹的，不守秩序的 | |
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31
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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32
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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33
magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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34
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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35
larceny
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| n.盗窃（罪） | |
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36
laggard
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| n.落后者；adj.缓慢的，落后的 | |
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37
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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38
replenished
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| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
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39
renovated
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| 翻新，修复，整修( renovate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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41
narrated
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| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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43
portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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44
smacks
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| 掌掴（声）( smack的名词复数 )； 海洛因； （打的）一拳； 打巴掌 | |
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45
truant
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| n.懒惰鬼，旷课者；adj.偷懒的，旷课的，游荡的；v.偷懒，旷课 | |
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46
truancy
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| n.逃学，旷课 | |
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47
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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48
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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49
plantations
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| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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50
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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51
gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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52
organise
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| vt.组织，安排，筹办 | |
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