At about two o’clock Buddle was called up, and spirited away to Brandon in a dog-cart. A haemorrhage, perhaps, a sudden shivering, and inflammation — a sinking, maybe, or delirium1 — some awful change, probably — for Buddle did not return.
Old Major Jackson heard of it, in his early walk, at Buddle’s door. He had begun to grow more hopeful. But hearing this he walked home, and replaced the dress-coat and silk stockings he had ventured to remove, promptly2 in his valise, which he buckled3 down and locked — swallowed with agitated4 voracity5 some fragments of breakfast — got on his easy boots and gaiters — brushed his best hat, and locked it into its leather case — placed his rug, great-coat, and umbrella, and a rough walking-stick for service, and a gold-tipped, exquisite6 cane7, for duty on promenades8 of fashion, neatly9 on top of his valise, and with his old white hat and shooting-coat on, looking and whistling as much as possible as usual, he popped carelessly into John Hobbs’s stable, where he was glad to see three horses standing10, and he mentally chose the black cob for his flight to Dollington.
‘A bloodthirsty rascal11 that Bracton,’ muttered the major. The expenses were likely to be awful, and some allowance was to be made for his state of mind.
He was under Doctor Buddle’s porch, and made a flimsy rattle12 with his thin brass13 knocker. ‘Maybe he has returned?’ He did not believe it, though.
Major Jackson was very nervous, indeed. The up trains from Dollington were ‘few and far between,’ and that diddled Crutchleigh would be down on him the moment the breath was out of poor Lake. ‘It was plain yesterday at the sessions that infernal woman (his wife) had been at him. She hates Bracton like poison, because he likes the Brandon people; and, by Jove, he’ll have up every soul concerned. The Devil and his wife I call them. If poor Lake goes off anywhere between eleven and four o’clock, I’m nabbed, by George!’
The door was opened. The doctor peeped out of his parlour.
‘Well?’ enquired14 the major, confoundedly frightened.
‘Pretty well, thank ye, but awfully15 fagged — up all night, and no use.’
‘But how is he?’ asked the major, with a dreadful qualm of dismay.
‘Same as yesterday — no change — only a little bleeding last night — not arterial; venous you know — only venous.’
The major thought he spoke16 of the goddess, and though he did not well comprehend, said he was ‘glad of it.’
‘Think he’ll do then?’
‘He may — very unlikely though. A nasty case, as you can imagine.’
‘He’ll certainly not go, poor fellow, before four o’clock P.M. I dare say — eh?’
The major’s soul was at the Dollington station, and was regulating poor Lake’s departure by ‘Bradshaw’s Guide.’
‘Who knows? We expect Sir Francis this morning. Glad to have a share of the responsibility off my shoulders, I can tell you. Come in and have a chop, will you?’
‘No, thank you, I’ve had my breakfast.’
‘You have, have you? Well, I haven’t,’ cried the doctor, with an agreeable chuckle17, shaking the major’s hand, and disappearing again into his parlour.
I found in my lodgings18 in London, on my return from Doncaster, some two months later, a copy of the county paper of this date, with a cross scrawled19 beside the piece of intelligence which follows. I knew that tremulous cross. It was traced by the hand of poor old Miss Kybes — with her many faults always kind to me. It bore the Brandon postmark, and altogether had the impress of authenticity20. It said:—
‘We have much pleasure in stating that the severe injury sustained four days since by Captain Stanley Lake, at the time a visitor at the Lodge21, the picturesque22 residence of Josiah Larkin, Esq., in the vicinity of Gylingden, is not likely to prove so difficult of treatment or so imminently23 dangerous as was at first apprehended24. The gallant25 gentleman was removed from the scene of his misadventure to Brandon Hall, close to which the accident occurred, and at which mansion26 his noble relatives, Lord Chelford and the Dowager Lady Chelford, are at present staying on a visit. Sir Francis Seddley came down express from London, and assisted by our skilful27 county practitioner28, Humphrey Buddle, Esq., M.D. of Gylingden, operated most successfully on Saturday last, and we are happy to say the gallant patient has since been going on as favourably29 as could possibly have been anticipated. Sir Francis Seddley returned to London on Sunday afternoon.’
Within a week after the operation, Buddle began to talk so confidently about his patient, that the funereal30 cloud that overhung Brandon had almost totally disappeared, and Major Jackson had quite unpacked31 his portmanteau.
About a week after the ‘accident’ there came one of Mr. Mark Wylder’s strange letters to Mr. Jos. Larkin. This time it was from Marseilles, and bore date the 27th November. It was much the longest he had yet received, and was in the nature of a despatch32, rather than of those short notes in which he had hitherto, for the most part, communicated.
Like the rest of his letters it was odd, but written, as it seemed, in better spirits.
‘Dear Larkin — You will be surprised to find me in this port, but I think my secret cruise is nearly over now, and you will say the plan was a master-stroke, and well executed by a poor devil, with nobody to advise him. I am coiling such a web round them, and making it fast, as you may see a spider, first to this point and then to the other, that I won’t leave my persecutors one solitary33 chance of escape. I’ll draw it quietly round and round — closer and closer — till they can neither blow nor budge34, and then up to the yardarm they go, with what breath is left in them. You don’t know yet how I am dodging35, or why my measures are taken; but I’ll shorten your long face a good inch with a genuine broad grin when you learn how it all was. I may see you to tell the story in four weeks’ time; but keep this close. Don’t mention where I write from, nor even so much as my name. I have reasons for everything, which you may guess, I dare say, being a sharp chap; and it is not for nothing, be very sure, that I am running this queer rig, masquerading, hiding, and dodging, like a runaway36 forger37, which is not pleasant anyway, and if you doubt it, only try; but needs must when the old boy drives. He is a clever fellow, no doubt, but has been sometimes out-witted before now. You must arrange about Chelford and Lake. I don’t know where Lake is staying. I don’t suppose at Brandon; but he won’t stay in the country nor spend his money to please you or I. Therefore you must have him at your house — be sure — and I will square it with you; I think three pounds a week ought to do it very handsome. Don’t be a muff and give him expensive wines — a pint38 of sherry is plenty between you; and when he dines at his club half-a-pint does him. I know; but if he costs you more, I hereby promise to pay it. Won’t that do? Well, about Chelford: I have been thinking he takes airs, and maybe he is on his high-horse about that awkward business about Miss Brandon. But there is no reason why Captain Lake should object. He has only to hand you a receipt in my name for the amount of cheques you may give him, and to lodge a portion of it where I told him, and the rest to buy Consols; and I suppose he will expect payment for his no-trouble. Every fellow, particularly these gentlemanlike fellows, they have a pluck at you when they can. If he is at that, give him at the rate of a hundred a-year, or a hundred and fifty if you think he won’t do for less; though 100_l. ought to be a good deal to Lake; and tell him I have a promise of the adjutancy of the county militia39, if he likes that; and I am sure of a seat in Parliament either for the county or for Dollington, as you know, and can do better for him then; and I rely on you, one way or another, to make him undertake it. And now for myself: I think my vexation is very near ended. I have not fired a gun yet, and they little think what a raking broadside I’ll give them. Any of the county people you meet, tell them I’m making a little excursion on the Continent; and if they go to particularise, you may say the places I have been at. Don’t let anyone know more. I wish there was any way of stopping that old she’—(it looked like dragon or devil — but was traced over with a cloud of flourishes, and only ‘Lady Chelford’s mouth’ was left untouched). ‘Don’t expect to hear from me so long a yarn40 for some time again; and don’t write. I don’t stay long anywhere, and don’t carry my own name — and never ask for letters at the post. I’ve a good glass, and can see pretty far, and make a fair guess enough what’s going on aboard the enemy.
‘I remain always,
‘Dear Larkin,
‘Ever yours truly,
‘MARK WYLDER.’
‘He hardly trusts Lake more than he does me, I presume,’ murmured Mr. Larkin, elevating his tall bald head with an offended and supercilious41 air; and letting the thin, open letter fall, or rather throwing it with a slight whisk upon the table.
‘No, I take leave to think he certainly does not. Lake has got private directions about the disposition42 of a portion of the money. Of course, if there are persons to be dealt with who are not pleasantly approachable by respectable professional people — in fact it would not suit me. It is really rather a compliment, and relieves me of the unpleasant necessity of saying — no.’
Yet Mr. Larkin was very sore, and curious, and in a measure, hated both Lake and Wylder for their secret confidences, and was more than ever resolved to get at the heart of Mark’s mystery.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
delirium
|
|
| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
buckled
|
|
| a. 有带扣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
voracity
|
|
| n.贪食，贪婪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
exquisite
|
|
| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
cane
|
|
| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
promenades
|
|
| n.人行道( promenade的名词复数 )；散步场所；闲逛v.兜风( promenade的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
neatly
|
|
| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
rascal
|
|
| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
rattle
|
|
| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
brass
|
|
| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
enquired
|
|
| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
awfully
|
|
| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
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： |
|
|
|
|
17
chuckle
|
|
| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
lodgings
|
|
| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
scrawled
|
|
| 乱涂，潦草地写( scrawl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
authenticity
|
|
| n.真实性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
lodge
|
|
| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
picturesque
|
|
| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
imminently
|
|
| 迫切地，紧急地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
apprehended
|
|
| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
mansion
|
|
| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
skilful
|
|
| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
practitioner
|
|
| n.实践者，从事者；(医生或律师等)开业者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
favourably
|
|
| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
funereal
|
|
| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
unpacked
|
|
| v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的过去式和过去分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
despatch
|
|
| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
budge
|
|
| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
dodging
|
|
| n.避开，闪过，音调改变v.闪躲( dodge的现在分词 )；回避 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
runaway
|
|
| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
forger
|
|
| v.伪造；n.（钱、文件等的）伪造者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
pint
|
|
| n.品脱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
militia
|
|
| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
yarn
|
|
| n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
supercilious
|
|
| adj.目中无人的，高傲的；adv.高傲地；n.高傲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |