He stood therefore idly upon the neglected turf, watching the ripple16 of the water as it lapped against the rough stones on the edge. The breadth of the loch was entirely17 hidden from him by the projection18 of the old tower, which descended19 into the water at the right, and almost shut off this highest corner of Loch Houran into a little lakelet of its own. Walter heard the sound of oars20 and voices from the loch without seeing any one: but that was usual enough, and few people invaded his privacy: so that he was taken by surprise when, suddenly raising his eyes, he was aware of the polished and gilded21 galley22 from Birkenbraes, in which already Mr. Williamson, seated in the stern, had perceived and was hailing him. “Hallo, my Lord Erradeen! Here we’ve all come to see ye this fine afternoon. I told them we should find ye under your own vine and your own fig-tree.” This speech was accompanied by a general laugh. The arrival of such a party, heralded23 by such laughter in a desolate24 house, with few servants and no readiness for any such emergency, to a young man in Walter’s confused and distracted condition would not, it may be supposed, have been very welcome in any case, and at present in his exhaustion25 and dismay he stood and gazed at them with a sort of horror. There was not even a ready servitor like Hamish to assist in the disembarkation. Duncan had rowed cheerfully off upon some other errand after landing his master, and old Symington and old Macalister were singularly ill-adapted for the service. Lord Erradeen did his best, with a somewhat bad grace, to receive the boat at the landing-place. The gravity of his countenance26 was a little chill upon the merry party, but the Williamsons were not of a kind that is easily discouraged.
“Oh, yes, here we all are,” said the millionnaire. “I would not let our English visitor, Mr. Braithwaite here, leave without showing him the finest thing on the loch. So I just told him I knew I might take the liberty. Hoot27! we know ye have not your household here, and that it is just an old family ruin, and not bound to produce tea and scones28 like the Forresters’ isle29. Bless me! I hope we have a soul above tea and scones,” Mr. Williamson cried with his hearty30 laugh.
By this time the young, hardy31, half-clad rowers had scrambled32 out, and grouped themselves in various attitudes, such as would suit a new and light-hearted Michael Angelo—one kneeling on the stones holding the bow of the boat, another with one foot on sea and one on shore helping33 the ladies out. Walter in his dark dress, and still darker preoccupied34 countenance, among all those bronzed and cheerful youths looked like a being from another sphere: but the contrast was not much to his advantage either in bodily or mental atmosphere. He looked so grave and so unlike the joyous35 hospitality of a young housekeeper36 surprised by a sudden arrival, that Katie, always more on her guard than her father, looked at him with a countenance as grave as his own.
“I am not the leader of this expedition, Lord Erradeen,” she said; “you must not blame me for the invasion. My father took it into his head, and when that happens there is nothing to be done. I don’t mean I was not glad to be brought here against my will,” she added, as his face, by a strain of politeness which was far from easy to him, began to brighten a little. Katie was not apt to follow the leading of another face and adopt the woman’s role of submission37, but she felt herself so completely in the wrong, an intruder where she was very sure she and her party, exuberant38 in spirits and gaiety, were not wanted, that she was compelled to watch his expression and make her apologies with a deference39 quite unusual to her. “I hope it will not be a very great—interruption to you,” she said after a momentary40 pause.
“That could never matter,” Walter said, with some stateliness. “I could have wished to have notice and to have received my friends at Auchnasheen rather than here. But being here—you must excuse the primitive41 conditions of the place.”
“Hoot! there is nothing to excuse—a fine old castle, older than the flood—just the very thing that is wanted for the picturesque42, ye see, Braithwaite; for as ye were remarking, we are in general too modern for a Highland43 loch. But you’ll not call this modern,” said Mr. Williamson. “Will that old body not open the door to ye when he sees ye have friends? Lord! that just beats all! That is a step beyond Caleb Balderstone.”
“Papa!” cried Katie in keen reproof44, “we have been quite importunate45 enough already. I vote we all go over to Auchnasheen—the view there is much finer, and we could send over for Oona——”
“Is it common in this country,” said the member of Parliament, “to have two residences so very near? It must be like going next door for change of air when you leave one for the other, Lord Erradeen.”
At this there was that slight stir among the party which takes place when an awkward suggestion is made; the young men and the girls began to talk hurriedly, raising up a sort of atmosphere of voices around the central group. This however was curiously46 and suddenly penetrated47 by the reply which—who?—was it Walter? made, almost as it seemed without a pause.
“Not common—but yet not unknown in a country which has known a great deal of fighting in its day. The old castle is our family resource in danger. We do our family business here, our quarrels: and afterwards retire to Auchnasheen, the house of peace (perhaps you don’t know that names have meanings hereabouts?) to rest.”
There was a pause as slight, as imperceptible to the ignorant, as evident to the instructed as had been the stir at the first sound of those clear tones. Walter himself to more than one observer had seemed as much startled as any of them. He turned quickly round towards the speaker with a sudden blanching48 of his face which had been pale enough before; but this was only momentary; afterwards all that was remarkable49 in him was a strange look of resolution and determined50 self-control. Perhaps the only one completely unmoved was the Englishman, who at once accepted the challenge, and stepped forward to the individual who it was evident to him was the only duly qualified51 cicerone in the party, with eager satisfaction.
“That is highly interesting. Of course the place must be full of traditions,” he said.
“With your permission, Walter, I will take the part of cicerone,” said the new voice. To some of the party it seemed only a voice. The ladies and the young men stumbled against each other in their eager curiosity about the stranger. “I will swear there was nobody near Erradeen when we landed,” said young Tom Campbell in the nearest ear that presented itself; but of course it was the number of people about which caused this, and it could be no shadow with whom the M.P. went forth52 delighted, asking a hundred questions. “You are a member of the family?” Mr. Braithwaite said. He was not tall, and his companion was of a splendid presence. The Englishman had to look up as he spoke53 and to quicken his somewhat short steps as he walked to keep up with the other’s large and dignified54 pace. Katie followed with Walter. There was a look of agitation55 and alarm in her face; her heart beat she could not tell why. She was breathless as if she had been running a race. She looked up into Lord Erradeen’s face tremulously, not like herself. “Is this gentleman—staying with you?” she said in a scarcely audible voice.
Walter was not agitated56 for his part, but he had little inclination57 to speak. He said “Yes” and no more.
“And we have been—sorry for you because you were alone? Is it a—relation? is it—? You have never,” said Katie, forcing the words out with a difficulty which astonished her, and for which she could not account, “brought him to Birkenbraes.”
Walter could not but smile. A sort of feeble amusement flew over his mind touching58 the surface into a kind of ripple. “Shall I ask him to come?” he said.
Katie was following in the very footsteps of this altogether new and unexpected figure. There was nothing like him, it seemed to her, in all the country-side. His voice dominated every other sound, not loud, but clear. It subdued59 her little being altogether. She would not lose a word, yet her breath was taken away by an inexplicable60 terror.
“He is—like somebody,” she said, panting, “out of a book,” and could say no more.
Old Macalister came towards them from the now open door, at which stood Symington in attendance. The servants had been disturbed by the unusual sounds of the arrival. Macalister’s old face was drawn61 and haggard.
“Where will ye be taking all thae folk?” he said, no doubt forgetting his manners in his bewilderment.
“Come back, ye’ll get into mischief62 that road,” he cried, putting out his hand to catch the arm of Braithwaite, who, guided by the stranger, was passing the ordinary entrance. He became quite nervous and angry when no heed63 was paid to him. “My lord, you’re no so well acquaint yourself. Will you let that lad just wander and break his neck?” he cried, with a kind of passion.
“Never mind,” said Walter, with a strange calm which was as unaccountable as all the rest. “Will you tell your wife to prepare for these ladies—when we come back.”
Here Symington too came forth to explain somewhat loudly, addressing his master and Braithwaite alternately, that the roads were not safe about the old castle, that the walls were crumbling64, that a person not acquaint might get a deadly fall, with unspeakable anxiety in his eyes. The party all followed, notwithstanding, led by the stranger, whom even the least of them now thought she could distinguish over Katie’s head, but of whom the servants took no notice, addressing the others in front as if he had not been there.
“My lord, ye’ll repent65 if ye’ll no listen to us,” Symington said, laying his hand in sudden desperation on Walter’s arm.
“You fool!” cried the young man, “can’t you see we have got a safe guide?”
Symington gave a look round him wildly of the utmost terror. His scared eyes seemed to retreat into deep caverns66 of anguish67 and fear. He stood back out of the way of the somewhat excited party, who laughed, and yet scarcely could laugh with comfort, at him. The youngsters had begun to chatter68: they were not afraid of anything—Still—: though it was certainly amusing to see that old man’s face.
Turning round to exchange a look with Macalister, Symington came in contact with Mr. Williamson’s solid and cheerful bulk, who brought up the rear. “I’m saying,” said the millionnaire confidentially69, “who’s this fine fellow your master’s got with him? A grand figure of a man! It’s not often you see it, but I always admire it. A relation, too; what relation? I would say it must be on the mother’s side, for I’ve never seen or heard tell of him. Eh? who’s staying with your master, I’m asking ye? Are ye deaf or doited that ye cannot answer a simple question?”
“Na, there is nothing the matter with me; but I think the rest of the world has just taken leave of their senses,” Symington said.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
strenuous
|
|
| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
indifference
|
|
| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
lessened
|
|
| 减少的，减弱的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
excellence
|
|
| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
climax
|
|
| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
motif
|
|
| n.(图案的)基本花纹，(衣服的)花边；主题 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
inscribed
|
|
| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
machinery
|
|
| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
dreariness
|
|
| 沉寂，可怕，凄凉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
tangible
|
|
| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
solely
|
|
| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
fable
|
|
| n.寓言；童话；神话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
parable
|
|
| n.寓言，比喻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
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： |
|
|
|
|
17
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
projection
|
|
| n.发射，计划，突出部分 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
descended
|
|
| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
oars
|
|
| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
gilded
|
|
| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
galley
|
|
| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
heralded
|
|
| v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
desolate
|
|
| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
exhaustion
|
|
| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
hoot
|
|
| n.鸟叫声，汽车的喇叭声； v.使汽车鸣喇叭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
scones
|
|
| n.烤饼，烤小圆面包( scone的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
isle
|
|
| n.小岛，岛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
hearty
|
|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
hardy
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
scrambled
|
|
| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
helping
|
|
| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
preoccupied
|
|
| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
joyous
|
|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
housekeeper
|
|
| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
submission
|
|
| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
exuberant
|
|
| adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
deference
|
|
| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
momentary
|
|
| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
primitive
|
|
| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
picturesque
|
|
| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
highland
|
|
| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
reproof
|
|
| n.斥责，责备 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
importunate
|
|
| adj.强求的；纠缠不休的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
curiously
|
|
| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
penetrated
|
|
| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
blanching
|
|
| adj.漂白的n.热烫v.使变白( blanch的现在分词 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
qualified
|
|
| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
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： |
|
|
|
|
54
dignified
|
|
| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
inclination
|
|
| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
touching
|
|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
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： |
|
|
|
|
60
inexplicable
|
|
| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
mischief
|
|
| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
crumbling
|
|
| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
repent
|
|
| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
caverns
|
|
| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
anguish
|
|
| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
chatter
|
|
| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
confidentially
|
|
| ad.秘密地，悄悄地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |