Wondering that she should be invited into Mammon's Shrine10, the girl walked across the lawn. In her white dress, with her beautiful face shaded by a coarse straw hat, she appeared the embodiment of youth and grace, contrasting markedly with the senile old villain11, who croaked12 out his orders.
"Come in," said Alpenny testily14, and with the screech15 of a peacock, as he pointed16 to the open door. "I wish to speak to you seriously."
Beatrice, ever sparing of words with crabbed17 age, nodded and entered the counting-house, glancing comprehensively around to take in her surroundings--as a woman always does--with a single look. The space naturally was limited. All the windows had been boarded up save one, which opened immediately over a rather large desk of mahogany which was piled with papers. The walls were hung with faded red rep. In one corner stood a large green-painted safe; in another stood a pile of tin boxes which reached quite to the roof. A paraffin lamp dangled18 by brass19 chains from a somewhat smoky ceiling; and at the far end of the carriage, in front of a dilapidated bookcase, was an oil stove, crudely set on a sheet of galvanised tin. A ragged20 carpet, disorderly in colour and much faded, covered the floor; and there were only two chairs, one before the desk, and another beside it, probably for the use of clients. The one window was barred, but not covered with any curtain; the others were sheathed21 in iron and barred strongly outside. From without, as has been said, the carriage looked like a dungeon: within, its appearance suggested the home of a recluse22, who cared very little for the pomps and vanities of civilisation23. This barren room represented very fairly the bare mind of the miser24, who cared more for money itself, than for what money could do.
Motioning Beatrice to the client's chair, Alpenny seated himself before his desk, and from habit presumably, began to fiddle25 with some legal looking documents. Apparently27 he had got over the shock caused by Vivian's strange speech, and looked much the same as he always did--cold, unsympathetic, and cunning as an old monkey. In the dungeon Beatrice bloomed like a rose, while Alpenny resembled a cold, clammy toad28, uncanny and repulsive. He began to speak almost immediately, and his first words amazed the girl. They were the last she expected to hear from the lips of one who had always treated her with indifference29, and almost with hostility30.
"Have you ever thought of marriage?" asked the usurer, examining his visitor's face with two small sharp eyes, chilly31 and grey.
"Marriage!" she gasped32, doubting if she had heard aright.
"Yes, marriage. Young girls think of such things, do they not?"
Wishing to find out what he meant, Beatrice fenced. "I have no chance of marrying, father," she observed, regaining33 her composure.
"I grant that, unless you have fallen in love with Jerry Snow; and I credit you with too much sense, to think you could love a fool."
"Mr. Snow is to marry Miss Paslow," announced Beatrice coldly, and kept her eyes on the wizen face before her.
"Oh," sneered34 Alpenny, "Hunger wedding Thirst. And how do they intend to live, may I ask?"
"That is their business, and not ours."
"Paslow hasn't a penny to give to his giggling35 sister, and very soon he won't have a roof over his head."
"What do you mean by that, father?"
"Mean!" The usurer stretched out a skinny hand, which resembled the claw of a bird of preys36 as he looked like. "Why, I mean, my girl, that I hold Vivian Paslow there," and he tapped his palm.
"Still I don't understand," said Beatrice, her blood running cold at the malignant37 look on his face.
"There is no need you should," rejoined her stepfather coolly. "He is not for you, and you are not for him. Do you understand that?"
It was unwise for Alpenny to meddle38 with a maiden's fancies, for the girl's outraged39 womanhood revolted. "I understand that you mean to be impertinent, Mr. Alpenny," she said, with a flaming colour.
"'Mr. Alpenny'? Why not 'father,' as usual?"
"Because you are no father of mine, and I thank God for it."
He gave her a vindictive40 look, and rubbed his hands together, with the croak13 of a hungry raven41. "I brought you up, I educated you, I fed you, I housed you, I----"
Beatrice waved her hand impatiently. "I know well what you have done," said she; "as little as you could."
"Here's gratitude42!"
"And common sense, Mr. Alpenny. I know nothing, save that you married my mother and promised to look after me when she died."
"I promised nothing," snapped Alpenny.
"Durban says that you did."
"Durban is, what he always was, a fool. I promised nothing to your mother--at all events, concerning you. Why should I? You are not my own flesh and blood."
"Anyone can tell that," said Beatrice disdainfully.
"No impertinence, miss. I have fed and clothed you, and educated you, and housed you----"
"You said that before."
"All at my own expense," went on the miser imperturbably43, "and out of the kindness of my heart. This is the return you make, by giving me sauce! But you had better take care," he went on menacingly, and shaking a lean yellow finger, "I am not to be trifled with."
"Neither am I," retorted Beatrice, who felt in a fighting humour. "I am sorry to have been a burden to you, and for what you have done I thank you; but I am weary of stopping here. Give me a small sum of money and let me go."
"Money!" screeched44 the miser, touched on his tenderest point. "Money to waste?"
"Money to keep me in London until I can obtain a situation as a governess or as a companion. Come, father," she went on coaxingly45, "you must be sick of seeing me about here. And I am so tired of this life!"
"It's the wickedness in your blood, Beatrice. Just like your mother--oh, dear me, how very like your mother!"
"Leave my mother's character alone!" said Beatrice impatiently, "she is dead and buried."
"She is--in Hurstable churchyard, under a beautiful tomb I got second-hand46 at a bargain. See how I loved her."
"You never loved anyone in your life, Mr. Alpenny," said the girl, freezing again.
Alpenny's brow grew black, and he looked at her with glittering eyes. "You are mistaken, child," he said, quietly. "I have loved and lost."
"My mother----?"
"Perhaps," said he enigmatically, and passed his hand over his bald head in a weary manner. Then he burst out unexpectedly: "I wish I had never set eyes on your mother. I wish she had been dead and buried before she crossed my path!"
"She is dead, so----"
"Yes, she is dead, stone dead," he snarled47, rising, much agitated48, "and don't think you'll ever see her again. If I----" He was about to speak further; then seeing from the wondering look on the girl's face that he was saying more than was wise, he halted, stuttered, and sat down again abruptly49, moving the papers with trembling hands. "Leave the past alone," he said hoarsely50. "I can't speak of it calmly. It is the past that makes the future," he continued, drumming feverishly51 on the table with his fingers, "the past that makes the future."
Beatrice wondered what he meant, and noticed how weary and worn and nervous he seemed. The man did not love her; he had not treated her as he should have done; and between them there was no feeling in common. Yet he was old, and, after all, had sheltered her in his own grudging52 way, so Beatrice laid a light hand on his arm. "Mr. Alpenny, you are not young----"
"Eighty and more, my dear."
The term startled her, and she began to think he must indeed be near the borders of the next world when he spoke53 so gently.
"Well, then, why don't you go to church, and feed the hungry, and clothe the naked? Remember, you have to answer for what you have done, some day soon."
Alpenny rose vehemently54 and flung off her arm. "I don't ask you to teach me my duty, girl," he said savagely55. "What I have done is done, and was rightly done. Everyone betrayed me, and money is the only thing that did not. Money is power, money is love, money is joy and life and hope and comfort to me. No! I keep my money until I die, and then----" He cast a nervous look round, only to burst out again with greater vehemence56. "Why do you talk of death? I am strong; I eat heartily57. I drink little. I sleep well. I shall live for many a long day yet. And even if I die," he snapped, "don't expect to benefit by my death. You don't get that!" and he snapped his fingers within an inch of her nose.
"I don't want your money," said Beatrice quietly; "Durban will look after me. Still, you might let me have enough to keep me while I try to find work."
"I won't!"
"But if you die, I'll be a pauper58."
"Without a sixpence!" said Alpenny exultingly59.
"Have I no relatives who will help me?"
"No. Your mother came from I know not where, and where she has gone I don't exactly know. She married me and then died. I have kept you----"
"Yes--yes. But if my mother was poor and came from where you knew not, why did you marry her?"
"My kind heart----"
"You haven't got one; it's in your money-chest"
"It might be in a woman's keeping, which is a much worse place."
Beatrice grew weary of this futile60 conversation, and rose. "You asked me to see you," she said, with a fatigued61 air; "what is it you have to say?"
"Oh yes." He seemed to arouse himself from a fit of musing62. "Yes! I have found a husband for you."
Beatrice started. He announced this startling fact as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "You--have--found--a--husband--for--me?" she drawled slowly.
"Yes. You won't have my money, and I may die." He cast a look over his shoulder nervously63. "I don't want to, but I may: one never knows, do they? You will be poor, so I think it best to get you married and settled in life."
"Thank you," she returned icily. "It is very good of you to take so much trouble. And my future husband?"
"Ruck! Major Ruck--Major Simon Ruck, a retired64 army officer, and a handsome man of fifty, very well preserved, and with a fine fortune."
"How alluring65! And suppose I refuse?"
"You can't--you daren't!" He grasped her arm entreatingly66. "Don't be a fool, my dear. Ruck is handsome and well off. He is coming down on Saturday to see you. This is Wednesday, so you will have time to think over the matter. You must marry him--you must, I tell you!" and he shook her arm in his agitation67.
Beatrice removed her arm in a flaming temper. "Must I indeed?" said she, flashing up into righteous anger. "Then I won't!"
"Beatrice!"
"I won't. I have never seen the man, and I don't wish to see him. You have no right to make any arrangements about my marriage without consulting me. You are neither kith nor kin26 of mine, and I am of age. I deny your right to arrange my future."
"Do you wish to be left to starve?"
"I shall not starve; but I would rather do so, than marry a man of fifty, whom I have never set eyes on."
"If you don't marry Ruck, you'll be a pauper sooner than you expect, my girl. Marry him for my sake?"
"No! You have done as little as you could for me: you have always hated me. I decline."
Alpenny rose in his turn--Beatrice had already risen to her feet--and faced her in a black fury, the more venomous for being quiet. "You shall marry him!"
"I shall not."
They faced one another, both angry, both determined68, both bent69 upon gaining the victory. But if Alpenny had an iron will, Beatrice had youth and outraged womanhood on her side, and in the end his small cruel eyes fell before her flashing orbs70.
"I want you to marry Ruck--really I do," he whimpered piteously.
"Why?"
"Because"---- he swallowed something, and told what was evidently a lie, so glibly71 did it slip out. "Because I should be sorry to leave you to starve."
"I shall not starve. I am well educated, and can teach. At the worst I can become a nursery governess, or be a companion."
"Better marry Major Ruck."
"No. It is foolish of you to ask me."
"If you don't marry him I shall be ruined. I shall be killed. No"--he broke off suddenly--"I don't mean that. Who would kill a poor old man such as I am? But"--his voice leaped an octave--"you must marry the husband I chose for you."
"I chose for myself."
"Ah!"--the miser was shaking with rage--"it's Vivian Paslow: no denial--I can see he is the man; a penniless scoundrel, who is at my mercy!"
"Don't dare to speak of him like that," flamed out Beatrice. "As to marrying him--he has not asked me yet."
"And never will, if I can stop him. I know how to do so--oh yes, I do. He will not dare to go against me. I can ruin him. He----" At this moment there came a sharp rap at the door, which made Alpenny's face turn white and his lips turn blue.
"Who is there?"
"A telegram," said the voice of Durban; and Alpenny, with a smothered72 ejaculation of pleasure, went to open the door. As he did so, Beatrice noticed on the wall near the desk two keys, one large and one small. The little one she knew to be the key of the postern gate, and without hesitation73 she took it down and slipped it into her pocket. As Alpenny turned round with the telegram and no very pleasant expression of countenance74, she felt that she would at least be able to see Vivian Paslow on that evening without arousing the suspicions of her stepfather. It was unlikely that any one would come that night, and he would not miss the key, which she could get Durban to replace the next day. As this thought flashed into her mind, she saw the face of the servant at the door. He looked puzzled, but probably that was because he beheld75 her in the sanctum of his master, hitherto forbidden ground both to him and to her. The next moment Alpenny had closed the door, and Durban went away.
"This telegram is from Major Ruck," said Alpenny. "He is coming down on Saturday, so be ready to receive him."
"I shall leave the place if he comes."
"You won't: you'll wait and see him--and accept him also. If you don't, I'll make things hot for Vivian Paslow."
This was, as Beatrice conceived, a game of bluff76; so she replied boldly enough, "Mr. Paslow is able to look after himself. I decline to speak to Major Ruck, whosoever he may be, or even to see him."
"Saturday! Saturday!" said Alpenny coldly, and opened the door. "Now you can go. If you leave The Camp, or if you refuse Ruck as your husband, Vivian Paslow will reap the reward of his crimes." And he pushed her out, locking the door after her with a sharp click.
Crimes! Beatrice stood in the sunlight, stunned77 and dazed. What did Alpenny mean? What crimes could the man she loved have committed? Almost before she could collect her thoughts she felt a light touch on her shoulder, and turned to behold78 Durban.
"Wasn't master in his counting-house all this afternoon?" asked the servant. "You should know, missy, as the parlour is opposite."
"Yes, he was," she replied with an effort. "I never saw him come out."
Durban wrinkled his dark brows. "Then how did he send the telegram, to which he has just now had an answer?" he demanded.
"How do you know that this wire is an answer, Durban?"
"The reply was prepaid, missy. How did master do it?"
Beatrice was equally puzzled. Alpenny had not been away from The Camp all the afternoon, yet had contrived79 to send a telegram, and prepay the reply.
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1
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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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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beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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decrepit
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| adj.衰老的，破旧的 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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antiquity
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| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
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juvenility
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| n.年轻，不成熟 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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croaked
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的过去式和过去分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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croak
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| vi.嘎嘎叫，发牢骚 | |
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testily
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| adv. 易怒地, 暴躁地 | |
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screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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crabbed
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| adj.脾气坏的；易怒的；（指字迹）难辨认的；（字迹等）难辨认的v.捕蟹( crab的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dangled
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| 悬吊着( dangle的过去式和过去分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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recluse
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| n.隐居者 | |
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civilisation
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| n.文明，文化，开化，教化 | |
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miser
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| n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly) | |
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fiddle
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| n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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toad
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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giggling
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的现在分词 ) | |
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preys
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| v.掠食( prey的第三人称单数 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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meddle
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| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
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outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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raven
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| n.渡鸟，乌鸦；adj.乌亮的 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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imperturbably
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| adv.泰然地，镇静地，平静地 | |
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screeched
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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coaxingly
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| adv. 以巧言诱哄，以甘言哄骗 | |
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second-hand
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| adj.用过的，旧的，二手的 | |
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snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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feverishly
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| adv. 兴奋地 | |
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52
grudging
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| adj.勉强的，吝啬的 | |
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53
spoke
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| 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 | |
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54
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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pauper
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| n.贫民，被救济者，穷人 | |
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exultingly
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| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
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futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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61
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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alluring
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| adj.吸引人的，迷人的 | |
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entreatingly
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| 哀求地，乞求地 | |
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67
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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68
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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69
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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70
orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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71
glibly
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| adv.流利地，流畅地；满口 | |
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72
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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73
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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74
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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75
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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76
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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77
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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78
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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79
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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