Lawyer Larkin’s mind was working more diligently1 than anyone suspected upon this puzzle of Mark Wylder. The investigation2 was a sort of scientific recreation to him, and something more. His sure instinct told him it was a secret well worth mastering.
He had a growing belief that Lake, and perhaps he only — except Wylder himself — knew the meaning of all this mysterious marching and counter-marching. Of course, all sorts of theories were floating in his mind; but there was none that would quite fit all the circumstances. The attorney, had he asked himself the question, what was his object in these inquisitions, would have answered —‘I am doing what few other men would. I am, Heaven knows, giving to this affair of my absent client’s, gratuitously3, as much thought and vigilance as ever I did to any case in which I was duly remunerated. This is self-sacrificing and noble, and just the conscientious4 conduct I should expect from myself.’
But there was also this consideration, which you failed to define.
‘Yes; my respected client, Mr. Mark Wylder, is suffering under some acute pressure, applied5 perhaps by my friend Captain Lake. Why should not I share in the profit — if such there be — by getting my hand too upon the instrument of compression? It is worth trying. Let us try.’
The Reverend William Wylder was often at the Lodge6 now. Larkin had struck out a masterly plan. The vicar’s reversion, a very chimerical7 contingency8, he would by no means consent to sell. His little man — little Fairy — oh! no, he could not. The attorney only touched on this, remarking in a friendly way —
‘But then, you know, it is so mere9 a shadow.’
This indeed, poor William knew very well. But though he spoke10 quite meekly11, the attorney looked rather black, and his converse12 grew somewhat dry and short.
This sinister13 change was sudden, and immediately followed the suggestion about the reversion; and the poor vicar was a little puzzled, and began to consider whether he had said anything gauche14 or offensive —‘it would be so very painful to appear ungrateful.’
The attorney had the statement of title in one hand, and leaning back in his chair, read it demurely15 in silence, with the other tapping the seal-end of his gold pencil-case between his lips.
‘Yes,’ said Mr. Larkin, mildly, ‘it is so very shadowy — and that feeling, too, in the way. I suppose we had better, perhaps, put it aside, and maybe something else may turn up.’ And the attorney rose grandly to replace the statement of title in its tin box, intimating thereby16 that the audience was ended.
But the poor vicar was in rather urgent circumstances just then, and his troubles had closed in recently with a noiseless, but tremendous contraction17, like that iron shroud18 in Mr. Mudford’s fine tale; and to have gone away into outer darkness, with no project on the stocks, and the attorney’s countenance19 averted20, would have been simply despair.
‘To speak frankly,’ said the poor vicar, with that hectic21 in his cheek that came with agitation22, ‘I never fancied that my reversionary interest could be saleable.’
‘Neither is it, in all probability,’ answered the attorney. ‘As you are so seriously pressed, and your brother’s return delayed, it merely crossed my mind as a thing worth trying.’
‘It was very kind and thoughtful; but that feeling — the — my poor little man! However, I may be only nervous and foolish, and I think I’ll speak to Lord Chelford about it.’
The attorney looked down, and took his nether23 lip gently between his finger and thumb. I rather think he had no particular wish to take Lord Chelford into council.
‘I think before troubling his lordship upon the subject — if, indeed, on reflection, you should not think it would be a little odd to trouble him at all in reference to it — I had better look a little more carefully into the papers, and see whether anything in that direction is really practicable at all.’
‘Do you think, Mr. Larkin, you can write that strong letter to stay proceedings24 which you intended yesterday?’
The attorney shook his head, and said, with a sad sort of dryness —‘I can’t see my way to it.’
The vicar’s heart sank with a flutter, and then swelled25, and sank another bit, and his forehead flushed.
There was a silence.
‘You see, Mr. Wylder, I relied, in fact, altogether upon this a — arrangement; and I don’t see that any thing is likely to come of it.’
The attorney spoke in the same dry and reserved way, and there was a shadow on his long face.
‘I have forfeited26 his good-will somehow — he has ceased to take any interest in my wretched affairs; I am abandoned, and must be ruined.’
These dreadful thoughts filled in another silence; and then the vicar said —
‘I am afraid I have, quite unintentionally, offended you, Mr. Larkin — perhaps in my ignorance of business; and I feel that I should be quite ruined if I were to forfeit27 your good offices; and, pray tell me, if I have said anything I ought not.’
‘Oh, no — nothing, I assure you,’ replied Mr. Larkin, with a lofty and gentle dryness. ‘Only, I think, I have, perhaps, a little mistaken the relation in which I stood, and fancied, wrongly, it was in the light somewhat of a friend as well as of a professional adviser28; and I thought, perhaps, I had rather more of your confidence than I had any right to, and did not at first see the necessity of calling in Lord Chelford, whose experience of business is necessarily very limited, to direct you. You remember, my dear Mr. Wylder, that I did not at all invite these relations; and I don’t think you will charge me with want of zeal29 in your business.’
‘Oh! my dear Mr. Larkin, my dear Sir, you have been my preserver, my benefactor30 — in fact, under Heaven, very nearly my last and only hope.’
‘Well, I had hoped I was not remiss31 or wanting in diligence.’
And Mr. Larkin took his seat in his most gentlemanlike fashion, crossing his long legs, and throwing his tall head back, raising his eyebrows32, and letting his mouth languidly drop a little open.
‘My idea was, that Lord Chelford would see more clearly what was best for little Fairy. I am so very slow and so silly about business, and you so much my friend — I have found you so — that you might think only of me.’
‘I should, of course, consider the little boy,’ said Mr. Larkin, condescendingly; ‘a most interesting child. I’m very fond of children myself, and should, of course, put the entire case — as respected him as well as yourself — to the best of my humble33 powers before you. Is there any thing else just now you think of, for time presses, and really we have ground to apprehend34 something unpleasant to-morrow. You ought not, my dear Sir — pray permit me to say — you really ought not to have allowed it to come to this.’
The poor vicar sighed profoundly, and shook his head, a contrite35 man. They both forgot that it was arithmetically impossible for him to have prevented it, unless he had got some money.
‘Perhaps,’ said the vicar, brightening up suddenly, and looking in the attorney’s eyes for answer, ‘Perhaps something might be done with the reversion, as a security, to borrow a sufficient sum, without selling.’
The attorney shook his high head, and whiskers gray and foxy, and meditated36 with the seal of his pencil case between his lips.
‘I don’t see it,’ said he, with another shake of that long head.
‘I don’t know that any lender, in fact, would entertain such a security. If you wish it I will write to Burlington, Smith, and Company, about it — they are largely in policies and post-obits.’
‘It is very sad — very sad, indeed. I wish so much, my dear Sir, I could be of use to you; but you know the fact is, we solicitors37 seldom have the command of our own money; always in advance — always drained to the uttermost shilling, and I am myself in the predicament you will see there.’
And he threw a little note from the Dollington Bank to Jos. Larkin, Esq., The Lodge, Gylingden, announcing the fact that he had overdrawn38 his account certain pounds, shillings, and pence, and inviting39 him forthwith to restore the balance.
The vicar read it with a vague comprehension, and in his cold fingers shook the hand of his fellow sufferer. Less than fifty pounds would not do! Oh, where was he to turn? It was quite hopeless, and poor Larkin pressed too!
Now, there was this consolation40 in ‘poor Larkin’s case,’ that although he was quite run aground, and a defaulter in the Dollington Bank to the extent of 7_l. 12_s. 4_d., yet in that similar institution, which flourished at Naunton, only nine miles away, there stood to his name the satisfactory credit of 564_l. 11_s. 7_d. One advantage which the good attorney derived41 from his double account with the rival institutions was, that whenever convenient he could throw one of these certificates of destitution42 and impotence sadly under the eyes of a client in want of money like poor Will Wylder.
The attorney had no pleasure in doing people ill turns. But he had come to hear the distresses43 of his clients as tranquilly44 as doctors do the pangs45 of their patients. As he stood meditating46 near his window, he saw the poor vicar, with slow limbs and downcast countenance, walk under his laburnums and laurustinuses towards his little gate, and suddenly stop and turn round, and make about a dozen quick steps, like a man who has found a bright idea, towards the house, and then come to a thoughtful halt, and so turn and recommence his slow march of despair homeward.
At five o’clock — it was dark now — there was a tread on the door-steps, and a double tattoo47 at the tiny knocker. It was the ‘lawyer.’
Mr. Larkin entered the vicar’s study, where he was supposed to be busy about his sermon.
‘My dear Sir; thinking about you — and I have just heard from an old humble friend, who wants high interest, and of course is content to take security somewhat personal in its nature. I have written already. He’s in the hands of Burlington, Smith, and Company. I have got exactly 55_l. since I saw you, which makes me all right at Dollington; and here’s my check for 50_l. which you can send — or perhaps I had better send by this night’s post — to those Cambridge people. It settles that; and you give me a line on this stamp, acknowledging the 50_l. on account of money to be raised on your reversion. So that’s off your mind, my dear Sir.’
‘Oh, Mr. Larkin — my — my — you don’t know, Sir, what you have done for me — the agony — oh, thank God! what a friend is raised up.’
And he clasped and wrung48 the long hands of the attorney, and I really think there was a little moisture in that gentleman’s pink eyes for a moment or two.
When he was gone the vicar returned from the door-step, radiant — not to the study but to the parlour.
‘Oh, Willie, darling, you look so happy — you were uneasy this evening,’ said his little ugly wife, with a beautiful smile, jumping up and clasping him.
‘Yes, darling, I was — very uneasy; but thank God, it is over.’
And they cried and smiled together in that delightful49 embrace, while all the time little Fairy, with a paper cap on his head, was telling them half-a-dozen things together, and pulling Wapsie by the skirts.
Then he was lifted up and kissed, and smiled on by that sunshine only remembered in the sad old days — parental50 love. And there was high festival kept in the parlour that night. I am told six crumpets, and a new egg apiece besides at tea, to make merry with, and stories and little songs for Fairy. Willie was in his old college spirits. It was quite delightful; and little Fairy was up a great deal too late; and the vicar and his wife had quite a cheery chat over the fire, and he and she both agreed he would make a handsome sum by Eusebius.
Thus, if there are afflictions, there are also comforts: great consolations51, great chastisements. There is a comforter, and there is a chastener. Every man must taste of death: every man must taste of life. It shall not be all bitter nor all sweet for any. It shall be life. The unseen ministers of a stupendous equity52 have their eyes and their hands about every man’s portion; ‘as it is written, he that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.’
It is the same earth for all; the same earth for the dead, great and small; dust to dust. The same earth for the living. ‘Thorns, also, and thistles shall it bring forth,’ and God provides the flowers too.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
diligently
|
|
| ad.industriously;carefully | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
investigation
|
|
| n.调查，调查研究 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
gratuitously
|
|
| 平白 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
conscientious
|
|
| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
lodge
|
|
| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
chimerical
|
|
| adj.荒诞不经的，梦幻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
contingency
|
|
| n.意外事件，可能性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
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： |
|
|
|
|
11
meekly
|
|
| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
converse
|
|
| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
sinister
|
|
| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
gauche
|
|
| adj.笨拙的，粗鲁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
demurely
|
|
| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
thereby
|
|
| adv.因此，从而 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
contraction
|
|
| n.缩略词，缩写式，害病 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
shroud
|
|
| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
averted
|
|
| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
hectic
|
|
| adj.肺病的；消耗热的；发热的；闹哄哄的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
nether
|
|
| adj.下部的，下面的；n.阴间；下层社会 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
proceedings
|
|
| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
swelled
|
|
| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
forfeited
|
|
| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
forfeit
|
|
| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
adviser
|
|
| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
zeal
|
|
| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
benefactor
|
|
| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
remiss
|
|
| adj.不小心的，马虎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
eyebrows
|
|
| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
apprehend
|
|
| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
contrite
|
|
| adj.悔悟了的，后悔的，痛悔的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
meditated
|
|
| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
solicitors
|
|
| 初级律师( solicitor的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
overdrawn
|
|
| 透支( overdraw的过去分词 )； (overdraw的过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
inviting
|
|
| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
consolation
|
|
| n.安慰，慰问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
derived
|
|
| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
destitution
|
|
| n.穷困，缺乏，贫穷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
distresses
|
|
| n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 )；痛苦；贫困；危险 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
tranquilly
|
|
| adv. 宁静地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
pangs
|
|
| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
meditating
|
|
| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
tattoo
|
|
| n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
wrung
|
|
| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
parental
|
|
| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
consolations
|
|
| n.安慰，慰问( consolation的名词复数 )；起安慰作用的人（或事物） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
equity
|
|
| n.公正，公平，（无固定利息的）股票 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |