Which holds within its breast eternal fire
This woman cold and pale with face of woe3
Yet feels at heart an unappeased desire.
Reginald Blake walked briskly up the avenue. It had an excessively dreary4 appearance, for the black looking trees with their angular branches seemed starved and attenuated5 while the leaves underfoot were sodden6 with rain. The marble statues which were standing7 here and there, wore a disconsolate8 look, as if they longed for the sunny skies of their native Italy, and mutely protested against this misty9 climate which discoloured and marred10 their beauty.
When he arrived at the terrace, the long white fa?ade of the house seemed grim and uninviting. No smoke ascended11 from the slender chimneys, no face appeared at the bare staring windows, and the terrace, which should have been thronged12 with gay company, was silent and deserted13, chilling the very soul with its mute sense of desolation.
The young man rang the bell in the monstrous14 porch, and before the harsh jangling had ceased to echo through the dreary house, the door was opened by Jellicks. On recognising Blake, she wriggled15 a welcome and admitted him into the vault-like hall which still retained the musty smell observed by Nestley. Outside the grey sky, inside the grey twilight16, it seemed as though the sun had not warmed this dismal17 place with his cheerful beams for centuries.
"I want to see Miss Challoner," said Reginald, when the heavy door was once more closed, "is she at home?"
Jellicks replied that she was, in a serpent-like hiss18, and then, still more like a serpent, she wriggled along the dark corridor on the ground floor followed by Blake, who felt depressed19 by the surrounding atmosphere of decay.
At length she stopped midway in the passage and on knocking at a door was bidden by a thin voice, seemingly that of Miss Cassy, to enter.
Reginald did so, and Jellicks having twisted herself apologetically out of the room, he stepped forward to greet Una and Cassandra, who were seated in the wide window looking out on to the white terrace and dreary landscape.
Una, flushed with life and beauty, seemed somewhat out of place in this charnel house though, truth to tell, the room had a more homelike appearance than the rest of the Grange. Not very large, panelled with carved oak, dark and solemn-looking, it was hung round with pictures in tarnished20 gilt21 frames, the floor being covered with a comfortable-looking carpet of reddish tint22. In the huge fireplace burned a goodly fire, which somewhat warmed the chill atmosphere. The furniture was quaint23 and old-fashioned, of all dates, ranging from heavy oak tables of Tudor days to spindle-legged Chippendale chairs and curiously24 inlaid cabinets of more modern construction. There was only one window in the room, a deep oriel with benches set in its depths and its diamond panes25 rich with brightly tinted26 escutcheons of the Garsworth family. A quaint room of ancient and incongruous appearance, yet having withal a quiet beauty of its own, a tone of intense restfulness, which was not without charm.
"Good morning, Miss Challoner," said Reginald politely, mindful of the presence of Miss Cassy. "I have called by the desire of Dr. Larcher to see how the squire27 is."
"Oh, better, much better," interposed Miss Cassy before Una could speak. "I said it was nerves all along--so very odd--quite excitable he was, but the dear doctor's medicine you know--so soothing28, really very soothing--I don't know what the dear squire will do without the dear doctor."
"He's not going to do without him, aunt," said Una with a smile; "my cousin is afraid of getting ill again, so has asked Dr. Nestley to stay down here for a few weeks to complete the cure."
"What about his own practice?" asked Reginald.
"Oh, he says that will be all right, as he has left it in charge of his partner. Have you met Dr. Nestley?"
"Yes, at the gates; he has gone back to Garsworth with Mr. Beaumont."
"Beaumont," said Miss Cassy with vivacity29, "that is the painter, very odd, isn't it? he's going to paint the dear squire's picture--how nice."
"Why does the squire want his picture painted?" inquired Blake.
Una laughed.
"Not for his beauty, at all events," she said mischievously30, "but, you know, there is only one picture of him in the gallery--as a young man. I presume this will be for the sake of contrast. Do you know Mr. Beaumont?"
"Slightly. He's a stranger here," replied Blake, a little coldly. "I should say he was a very clever man--but he is hardly the style I care about."
"He looks wicked," said Miss Cassy, nodding her head sagely31; "worn, you know--oh, shocking!--but very handsome--just the kind of man I would like for a son."
"Oh, aunt!" said Una, slightly shocked.
"Well, I would, Una. You know I should like to have been married--I'm sure I don't know why I haven't been married," said the poor lady, pathetically. "I'm sure anyone can see I'm not made for a spinster--it's so odd, isn't it?"
Blake, being directly appealed to, suppressed a smile, and, and assented32 politely; whereupon Miss Cassy resumed:
"It's so hard for an unmarried girl to know when to leave off being a girl--I'm sure I don't know--ivy, you know, I feel like it; I'm made to cling to a manly33 oak--no, I mean an oakly man--no! not that--mixed, you see! I mean a man like an oak--yes, that's it, and then I might have had twelve stalwart sons--all oaks! Odd, isn't it?--most peculiar34."
"My dear aunt, what curious things you say!" said Una, looking reproachfully at Reggy, who was trying to smother35 his laughter.
"Yes, I know, dear," replied Miss Cassy, complacently36, "we're all odd--nerves--quite chronic37; anyone can see that it comes of being an ivy--I mean a woman--so very nice--yes, I always say so--don't you, Mr. Blake?"
Reginald could not exactly say he did, as he was in doubt as to what Miss Cassy meant, but made some confused answer, and then asked to see Patience Allerby.
"She's in the housekeeper38's room, I think," said Una. "Auntie will take you there, and when you are done with her I'll go to Garsworth with you."
"Will you, really? I'm so glad!" said Reginald, eagerly.
"I want to see Cecilia in the church," replied Miss Challoner, "about the concert."
"What concert?"
"Don't you know? Oh, we're going to have a concert in the school-room shortly. You are to be asked to sing."
"Delighted."
"Cecilia will play a piece--she doesn't like the piano as much as the organ, but we can hardly get that out of the church."
"I'm going to sing also," said Miss Cassy, shaking her curls, "so nice--quite operatic. I'll sing a duet with you, Mr. Blake, if you like."
Blake hastily excused himself, as he had great dread39 of Miss Cassy's vocal40 performances, which were, to say the least, somewhat screechy41. The lady accepted his apology graciously, and then led him out of the room to find the housekeeper, leaving Una to get ready for the walk.
Miss Cassy, being delighted to have a charming young man for audience, chattered42 all the way in a disconnected fashion.
"So damp, isn't it--quite chilly43. I never did like the weather. Very watery--rheumatic, you know. I mean the weather, of course--not myself! I think Patience is in her room--so kind of you to see your old nurse--quite delightful44! Light of what's his name, you know--Moore--exactly; Irish melodies--so pretty! This is the door. Oh, Patience--you are in--so glad--here is Mr. Blake to see you! The squire's easier--yes, nerves, of course--I knew it. I'll go back to Una, Mr. Blake, and see you later on--very pleased, indeed--quite a treat to see a male. Sounds like the post--very odd, isn't it?--yes!"
And Miss Cassy, closing the door after her, departed leaving Reginald alone with his old nurse.
The tall, placid45 woman, standing near the fireplace, made a step forward, as if to embrace Reginald, but restrained herself, as though doubtful how to proceed. Blake, however, crossed over to her and kissed her affectionately, which seemed to awaken46 a feeling of emotion in her breast, for she flushed a little at the caress47, and smiled lovingly at him. In her demure48, slate-coloured dress, with the white apron49 and pale, rigid50 face, she looked like a woman who had never known what it was to love or be loved; but every now and then a flash in the sombre depths of her eloquent51 eyes betrayed the fiery52 nature hidden beneath that calm exterior53. The young man's kiss seemed to warm her frozen soul to life, and, as she resumed her seat, her face was rose-flushed, her eyes soft, and the hard lines about her mouth disappeared under the magic of Reginald Blake's presence. He, dark and handsome, leaned against the mantelpiece, looking down at her curiously, as if puzzled how to begin the conversation.
"I am so glad to see you, Master Reginald," she said, the hard voice in which she habitually54 spoke55 becoming soft and tender. "I have not seen you for a long time."
"A whole week, Patience, that's all," he replied, carelessly. "You see I'm busy with my studies."
"That's right, dear!" she said, eagerly. "Work--work hard, and make a name in the world.
"For whose sake?" he asked, a little bitterly.
"For mine!"
There was a world of tenderness in the way in which she spoke the words, and her eyes seemed to devour56 him as she gazed. He moved restlessly, and with a supreme57 effort plunged58 straight into the object of his visit.
"Why not for my parents' sake?"
The woman's face lost its look of tenderness, and became hard and rigid as she pressed the arms of her chair convulsively, and looked up into his face.
"Who has been speaking to you about them," she asked fiercely.
"Doctor Larcher."
"And the reason?"
"Simply this: I am two-and-twenty years of age, so it's time I had some aim in life. Before I do this I want to know all about my parentage. Are my parents alive or dead?--who are they?--why was I placed in your charge?--can they, or their relations, assist me to get on in the world? I cannot move until I know who and what I am."
He spoke vehemently59, and as he did so the woman seemed to shrink back into her chair with a nameless dread in her eyes. There was no sound for a moment. At last she broke the silence.
"Your parents were my master and mistress," she said at length, in a low, harsh voice, "married against their parents' wish."
"They were married, then?"
"Who said they were not?" she demanded, fiercely.
"No one. But the mystery of my birth led me to think there might be----"
"Shame!" she interrupted, vehemently. "You are wrong. There was no shame--they kept the marriage secret, for if known they would have lost their property. When you were born, they went over to France for the sake of your father's health, leaving you in my charge. I was to keep you till they could acknowledge you as their son; but before they could do so they died."
"Died!"
"Yes. Your father died of phthisis at Cannes six months after he left England, and your mother very soon followed him to the grave."
"She died of what?"
"A broken heart," replied Patience, in a low voice, "a broken heart, poor soul."
"Good God!"
"I heard of it shortly afterwards," she went on, rapidly, "and as your birth had never been acknowledged I determined60 to bring you up without letting anyone know the truth. After staying some time in London, I brought you to Doctor Larcher, and he has had charge of you since."
"Why did you come here?"
"Because it is my native place. I only intended to stay for a time, and then return to service in London, but Squire Garsworth wanted a housekeeper, so I took the situation in order to remain near you."
"Why did you not tell me this before."
"There was no need to," she answered, coldly, "and even now it is useless. Your parents are dead, and the property has gone to distant heirs."
"But I am the heir."
She shook her head.
"No, the property was not entailed--it was left by will, and you have no claim on the present holder61."
"Who was my father?"
"He had been in the army, but sold out when he married, and became a writer."
"What was his name?"
"Reginald Blake--the same as your own."
"It's my real name, then?"
She looked at him in surprise.
"Of course! Why should you not take your father's name? There was no reason."
"So I am alone in the world?"
"Yes, except for me."
He stepped over to her, and placed his arm caressingly62 on her shoulder.
"Ah, you have been a mother to me," he said quickly, "and I shall never forget it. No one could have acted with more kindness and fidelity63."
Patience winced64 and shrank away from his caress while he walked up and down the room, talking cheerfully.
"Now my mind is at rest," he said, with a sigh of relief. "I thought the mystery of my birth involved some stain, but since I have the right to bear my father's name, why! I feel quite happy. I can make my way in the world by myself, can ask the girl I love to be my wife."
"The girl you love," she repeated jealously.
"Yes, I will tell you her name, though no one else knows it--Una."
"Miss Challoner," said the woman, starting up; "impossible!"
"Why impossible?" he retorted gaily65. "You think I am not rich enough. Never mind; I carry a fortune in my throat, and will soon be able to keep her in comfort. She loves me and I love her, so we shall be quite happy."
"I hope so," she said fervently66. "May God's blessing67 rest on your efforts. Yes, marry Una Challoner if she loves you, and make your own way without troubling about the dead."
"I never knew my parents," said Reginald, sighing, "so I can hardly regret them, but with Una to work for I will forget the past and look forward to the future. I have nothing to offer her now but a stainless68 name. Never mind; ambition can perform miracles. Now, good-bye, nurse; I must get back to Garsworth."
"Good-bye," she said, kissing him eagerly. "Come again soon, my dear boy; and although Una Challoner loves you, do not forget your old nurse."
"Of course not," he replied gaily, and walked away humming an air. Patience Allerby waited till the door was closed and the sound of his voice had died away, then fell on her knees, beating her breast with her hands and weeping bitterly.
"God! God!" she cried, amid convulsive sobs69, "pardon my sin. It was for his sake, for his dear sake, not for my own. Let the dead past be forgotten. Let him never know anything but what I have told him, and bless him, oh God, in his future life."
There was a crucifix of black ebony against the wall, and from it, with pitying eyes, looked down the face of the Lord at the stricken woman kneeling before him. The ineffable70 sorrow of the sacred face seemed to calm her spirit, for she ceased to weep and her lips moved in a prayer which seemed to come from her heart.
"Forgive us our trespasses72, as we forgive them that trespass71 against us."
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收听单词发音
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1
lone
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| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
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virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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3
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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attenuated
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| v.（使）变细( attenuate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）变薄；（使）变小；减弱 | |
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sodden
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| adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑 | |
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7
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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8
disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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9
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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11
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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14
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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wriggled
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等） | |
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16
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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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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hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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tarnished
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| （通常指金属）（使）失去光泽，（使）变灰暗( tarnish的过去式和过去分词 )； 玷污，败坏 | |
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gilt
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| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
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tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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panes
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| 窗玻璃( pane的名词复数 ) | |
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tinted
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| adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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mischievously
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| adv.有害地；淘气地 | |
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sagely
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| adv. 贤能地，贤明地 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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smother
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| vt./vi.使窒息；抑制；闷死；n.浓烟；窒息 | |
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complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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chronic
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| adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的 | |
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housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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vocal
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| adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
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screechy
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| adj.声音尖锐的，喜欢尖声喊叫的 | |
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chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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demure
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| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
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apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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51
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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52
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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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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56
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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holder
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| n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物 | |
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caressingly
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| 爱抚地，亲切地 | |
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fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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64
winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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67
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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68
stainless
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| adj.无瑕疵的，不锈的 | |
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69
sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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70
ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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71
trespass
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| n./v.侵犯，闯入私人领地 | |
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72
trespasses
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| 罪过( trespass的名词复数 )； 非法进入 | |
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