The good vicar was not only dismayed but endangered by his brother’s protracted1 absence. It was now the first week in November. Bleak2 and wintry that ungenial month set in at Gylingden; and in accord with the tempestuous3 and dismal4 weather the fortunes of the Rev5. William Wylder were darkened and agitated6.
This morning a letter came at breakfast, by post, and when he had read it, the poor vicar grew a little white, and he folded it very quietly and put it in his waistcoat pocket, and patted little Fairy on the head. Little Fairy was asking him a question all this time, very vehemently7, ‘How long was Jack’s sword that he killed the giants with?’ and several times to this distinct question he received only the unsatisfactory reply, ‘Yes, my darling;’ and at last, when little Fairy mounted his knee, and hugging the abstracted vicar round the neck, urged his question with kisses and lamentations, the parson answered with a look of great perplexity, and only half recalled, said, ‘Indeed, little man, I don’t know. How long, you say, was Jack’s sword? Well, I dare say it was as long as the umbrella.’ He got up, with the same perplexed8 and absent look, as he said this, and threw an anxious glance about the room, as if looking for something he had mislaid.
‘You are not going to write now, Willie, dear?’ expostulated his good little wife, ‘you have not tasted your tea yet.’
‘I have, indeed, dear; haven’t I? Well, I will.’
And, standing9, he drank nearly half the cup she had poured out for him, and set it down, and felt in his pocket, she thought, for his keys.
‘Are you looking for anything, Willie, darling? Your keys are in my basket.’
‘No, darling; no, darling — nothing. I have everything I want. I think I must go to the Lodge10 and see Mr. Larkin, for a moment.’
‘But you have eaten nothing,’ remonstrated11 his partner; ‘you must not go until you have eaten something.’
‘Time enough, darling; I can’t wait — I sha’n’t be away twenty minutes — time enough when I come back.’
‘Have you heard anything of Mark, darling?’ she enquired12 eagerly.
‘Of Mark? Oh, no! — nothing of Mark.’ And he added with a deep sigh, ‘Oh, dear! I wonder he does not write — no, nothing of Mark.’
She followed him into the hall.
‘Now, Willie darling, you must not go till you have had your breakfast — you will make yourself ill — indeed you will — do come back, just to please me, and eat a little first.’
‘No, darling; no, my love — I can’t, indeed. I’ll be back immediately; but I must catch Mr. Larkin before he goes out. It is only a little matter — I want to ask his opinion — and — oh! here is my stick — and I’ll return immediately.’
‘And I’ll go with you,’ cried little Fairy.
‘No, no, little man; I can’t take you — no, it is business — stay with mamma, and I’ll be back again in a few minutes.’
So, spite of Fairy’s clamours and the remonstrances13 of his fond, clinging little wife, with a hurried kiss or two, away he went alone, at a very quick pace, through the high street of Gylingden, and was soon in the audience chamber14 of the serious, gentleman attorney.
The attorney rose with a gaunt and sad smile of welcome — begged Mr. Wylder, with a wave of his long hand, to be seated — and then seating himself and crossing one long thigh15 over the other, he threw his arm over the back of his chair, and leaning back with what he conceived to be a graceful16 and gentlemanly negligence17 — with his visitor full in the light of the window and his own countenance18 in shadow, the light coming from behind — a diplomatic arrangement which he affected19 — he fixed20 his small, pink eyes observantly upon him, and asked if he could do anything for Mr. William Wylder.
‘Have you heard anything since, Mr. Larkin? Can you conjecture21 where his address may now be?’ asked the vicar, a little abruptly22.
‘Oh! Mr. Mark Wylder, perhaps, you refer to?’
‘Yes; my brother, Mark.’
Mr. Larkin smiled a sad and simple smile, and shook his head.
‘No, indeed — not a word — it is very sad, and involves quite a world of trouble — and utterly23 inexplicable24; for I need not tell you, in my position, it can’t be pleasant to be denied all access to the client who has appointed me to act for him, nor conducive25 to the apprehension26 of his wishes upon many points, which I should much prefer not being left to my discretion27. It is really, as I say, inexplicable, for Mr. Mark Wylder must thoroughly28 see all this: he is endowed with eminent29 talents for business, and must perfectly30 appreciate the embarrassment31 in which the mystery with which he surrounds the place of his abode32 must involve those whom he has appointed to conduct his business.’
‘I have heard from him this morning,’ resumed the lawyer; ‘he was pleased to direct a power of attorney to me to receive his rents and sign receipts; and he proposes making Lord Viscount Chelford and Captain Lake trustees, to fund his money or otherwise invest it for his use, and’—
‘Has he — I beg pardon — but did he mention a little matter in which I am deeply — indeed, vitally interested?’ The vicar paused.
‘I don’t quite apprehend33; perhaps if you were to frame your question a little differently, I might possibly — a — you were saying’—
‘I mean a matter of very deep interest to me,’ said the poor vicar, colouring a little, ‘though no very considerable sum, viewed absolutely; but, under my unfortunate circumstances, of the most urgent importance — a loan of three hundred pounds — did he mention it?’
Again Mr. Larkin shook his head, with the same sad smile.
‘But, though we do not know how to find him, he knows very well where to find us — and, as you are aware, we hear from him constantly — and no doubt he recollects34 his promise, and will transmit the necessary directions all in good time.’
‘I earnestly hope he may,’ and the poor cleric lifted up his eyes unconsciously and threw his hope into the form of a prayer. ‘For, to speak frankly35, Mr. Larkin, my circumstances are very pressing. I have just heard from Cambridge, and find that my good friend, Mr. Mountain, the bookseller, has been dead two months, and his wife — he was a widower36 when I knew him, but it would seem has married since — is his sole executrix, and has sold the business, and directed two gentlemen — attorneys — to call in all the debts due to him — peremptorily37 — and they say I must pay before the 15th; and I have, absolutely, but five pounds in the world, until March, when my half-year will be paid. And indeed, only that the tradespeople here are so very kind, we should often find it very difficult to manage.’
‘Perhaps,’ said Mr. Larkin, blandly38, ‘you would permit me to look at the letter you mention having received from the solicitors39 at Cambridge?’
‘Oh, thank you, certainly; here it is,’ said William Wylder, eagerly, and he gazed with his kind, truthful41 eyes upon the attorney’s countenance as he glanced over it, trying to read something of futurity therein.
‘Foukes and Mauley,’ said Mr. Larkin. ‘I have never had but one transaction with them; they are not always pleasant people to deal with. Mind, I don’t say anything affecting their integrity — Heaven forbid; but they certainly did take rather what I would call a short turn with us on the occasion to which I refer. You must be cautious; indeed, my dear Sir, very cautious. The fifteenth — just ten clear days. Well, you know you have till then to look about you; and you know we may any day hear from your brother, directing the loan to be paid over to you. And now, my dear and reverend friend, you know me, I hope,’ continued Mr. Larkin, very kindly42, as he handed back the letter; ‘and you won’t attribute what I say to impertinent curiosity; but your brother’s intended advance of three hundred pounds can hardly have had relation only to this trifling43 claim upon you. There are, no doubt — pardon me — several little matters to be arranged; and considerable circumspection44 will be needed, pending45 your brother’s absence, in dealing46 with the persons who are in a position to press their claims unpleasantly. You must not trifle with these things. And let me recommend you seeing your legal adviser47, whoever he is, immediately.’
‘You mean,’ said the vicar, who was by this time very much flushed, ‘a gentleman of your profession, Mr. Larkin. Do you really think — well, it has frequently crossed my mind — but the expense, you know; and although my affairs are in a most unpleasant and complicated state, I am sure that everything would be perfectly smooth if only I had received the loan my kind brother intends, and which, to be sure, as you say, any day I may receive.’
‘But, my dear Sir, do you really mean to say that you would pay claims from various quarters — how old is this, for instance? — without examination!’
The vicar looked very blank.
‘I— this — well, this I certainly do owe; it has increased a little with interest, though good Mr. Mountain never charged more than six per cent. It was, I think, about fifteen pounds — books — I am ashamed to say how long ago; about a work which I began then, and laid aside — on Eusebius; but which is now complete, and will, I hope, eventually repay me.’
‘Were you of age, my dear Sir, when he gave you these books on credit? Were you twenty-one years of age?’
‘Oh! no; not twenty; but then I owe it, and I could not, as s a Christian48 man, you know, evade49 my debts.’
‘Of course; but you can’t pay it at present, and it may be highly important to enable you to treat this as a debt of honour, you perceive. Suppose, my dear Sir, they should proceed to arrest you, or to sequestrate the revenue of your vicarage. Now, see, my dear Sir, I am, I humbly50 hope, a Christian man; but you will meet with men in every profession — and mine is no exception — disposed to extract the last farthing which the law by its extremest process will give them. And I really must tell you, frankly, that if you dream of escaping the most serious consequences, you must at once place yourself and your affairs in the hands of a competent man of business. It will probably be found that you do not in reality owe sixty pounds of every hundred claimed against you.’
‘Oh, Mr. Larkin, if I could induce you.’
Mr. Larkin smiled a melancholy51 smile, and shook his head.
‘My dear Sir, I only wish I could; but my hands are so awfully52 full,’ and he lifted them up and shook them, and shook his tall, bald head at the same time, and smiled a weary smile. ‘Just look there,’ and he waved his fingers in the direction of the Cyclopean wall of tin boxes, tier above tier, each bearing, in yellow italics, the name of some country gentleman, and two baronets among the number; ‘everyone of them laden54 with deeds and papers. You can’t have a notion — no one has — what it is.’
‘I see, indeed,’ murmured the honest vicar, in a compassionating55 tone, and quite entering into the spirit of Mr. Larkin’s mournful appeal, as if the being in large business was the most distressing56 situation in which an attorney could well find himself.
‘It was very unreasonable57 of me to think of troubling you with my wretched affairs; but really I do not know very well where to turn, or whom to speak to. Maybe, my dear Sir, you can think of some conscientious58 and Christian practitioner59 who is not so laden with other people’s cares and troubles as you are. I am a very poor client, and indeed more trouble than I could possibly be gain to anyone. But there may be some one; pray think; ten days is so short a time, and I can do nothing.’
Mr. Larkin stood at the window ruminating60, with his left hand in his breeches pocket, and his right, with finger and thumb pinching his under lip, after his wont61, and the despairing accents of the poor vicar’s last sentence still in his ear.
‘Well,’ he said hesitatingly, ‘it is not easy, at a moment’s notice, to point out a suitable solicitor40; there are many, of course, very desirable gentlemen, but I feel it, my dear Sir, a very serious responsibility naming one for so peculiar62 a matter. But you shall not, in the meantime, go to the wall for want of advice. Rely upon it, we’ll do the best we can for you,’ he continued, in a patronising way, with his chin raised, and extending his hand kindly to shake that of the parson. ‘Yes, I certainly will — you must have advice. Can you give me two hours to-morrow evening — say to tea — if you will do me the honour. My friend, Captain Lake, dines at Brandon to-morrow. He’s staying here with me, you are aware, on a visit; but we shall be quite by ourselves, say at seven o’clock. Bring all your papers, and I’ll get at the root of the business, and see, if possible, in each particular case, what line is best to be adopted.’
‘How can I thank you, my dear Sir,’ cried gentle William Wylder, his countenance actually beaming with delight and gratitude63 — a brighter look than it had worn for many weeks.
‘Oh, don’t — pray don’t mention it. I assure you, it is a happiness to me to be of any little use; and, really, I don’t see how you could possibly hold your own among the parties who are pressing you without professional advice.’
‘I feel,’ said the poor vicar, and his eyes filled as he smiled, and his lip quivered a little —‘I feel as if my prayer for direction and deliverance were answered at last. Oh! my dear Sir, I have suffered a great deal; but something assures me I am rescued, and shall have a quiet mind once more — I am now in safe and able hands.’ And he shook the safe and able, and rather large, hands of the amiable64 attorney in both his.
‘You make too much of it, my dear Sir. I should at any time be most happy to advise you,’ said Mr. Larkin, with a lofty and pleased benevolence65, ‘and with great pleasure, provisionally, until we can hit upon a satisfactory solicitor with a little more time at his disposal, I undertake the management of your case.’
‘Thank Heaven!’ again said the vicar, who had not let go his hands. ‘And it is so delightful66 to have for my guide a Christian man, who, even were I so disposed, would not lend himself to an unworthy or questionable67 defence; and although at this moment it is not in my power to reward your invaluable68 assistance ——’
‘Now really, my dear Sir, I must insist — no more of this, I beseech69 you. I do most earnestly insist that you promise me you will never mention the matter of professional remuneration more, until, at least, I press it, which, rely upon it, will not be for a good while.’
The attorney’s smile plainly said, that his ‘good while’ meant in fact ‘never.’
‘This is, indeed, unimaginable kindness. How have I deserved so wonderful a blessing70!’
‘And I have no doubt,’ said the attorney, fondling the vicar’s arm in his large hand, ‘that these claims will ultimately be reduced fully53 thirty per cent. I had once a good deal of professional experience in this sort of business; and, oh! my dear Sir, it is really melancholy!’ and up went his small pink eyes in a pure horror, and his hands were lifted at the same time; ‘but we will bring them to particulars; and you may rely upon it, you will have a much longer time, at all events, than they are disposed to allow you.’
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1
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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2
bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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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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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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11
remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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12
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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13
remonstrances
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| n.抱怨，抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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15
thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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16
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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17
negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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20
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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21
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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22
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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23
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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25
conducive
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| adj.有益的，有助的 | |
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26
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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31
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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32
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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34
recollects
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的第三人称单数 ) | |
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35
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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widower
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| n.鳏夫 | |
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peremptorily
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| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
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blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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39
solicitors
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| 初级律师( solicitor的名词复数 ) | |
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40
solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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41
truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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42
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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43
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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44
circumspection
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| n.细心，慎重 | |
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45
pending
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| prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的 | |
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46
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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47
adviser
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| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
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48
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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49
evade
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| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
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50
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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51
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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52
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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53
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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54
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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55
compassionating
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| v.同情（compassionate的现在分词形式） | |
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56
distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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57
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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58
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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59
practitioner
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| n.实践者，从事者；(医生或律师等)开业者 | |
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60
ruminating
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| v.沉思( ruminate的现在分词 )；反复考虑；反刍；倒嚼 | |
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61
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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62
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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63
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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64
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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65
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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66
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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67
questionable
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| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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68
invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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69
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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70
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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