Now naught1 but ghosts among a world of ghosts.
Who knows--we may but shadows be on earth
And act the other life's realities.
Miss Cassy was greatly excited over the afternoon tea to which she had bidden Mrs. Larcher and the rest of the vicarage inmates2. It was a long time since she had taken part in a little social festivity such as she had been accustomed to in London, so both herself and Una determined3 it should be a success. In the dreary4 dismal5 life they led this was a little mild excitement, consequently, it was to them as great an event as the ball of the season to a Town belle6.
Reginald and Pumpkin7 walked over to the Grange, but Mrs. Larcher was driven over in state by Dick Pemberton, who drove at such a speed that he nearly rattled8 the vicar's wife into hysterics. Consequently on arriving at her destination, Mrs. Larcher was severely9 under the sway of "The Affliction" and had to be at once comforted with strong tea. Cecilia had also been invited, and arrived at the Grange under the guardianship10 of Miss Busky, who bounced the blind girl so rapidly along the road that she entered the Park in a state of exhaustion11.
The party all assembled in Una's private room, where they were shortly afterwards joined by bluff12 Dr. Larcher and Beaumont. Jellicks, having wriggled13 in with the tea-cake and muffins, was dismissed altogether, as Mrs. Larcher, under the influence of "The Affliction," declared the old woman made her feel creepy.
"She's so twisty, my dear," she observed to Una, "like a sea-serpent you know--even the vicar has noticed her."
"Qui siccis oculis monstra natantia," roared the vicar, quoting from his favourite poet, "though to be sure, I speak of her in the singular."
"Of course," said Dick slily, "she's singular in any case:"
"So very odd," giggled14 Miss Cassy, who was making the tea, "I don't mean Jellicks, but what you say--puns you know--like what's his name, Byron, had in his burlesques--not the Don Juan one you know, but the other--so odd, wasn't he?"
"Not half so odd as Miss Cassy," whispered Dick to Reginald, but the latter young gentleman, being engaged with Una, did not reply.
"I don't know if I ought to eat muffins," said Mrs. Larcher darkly, as Miss Busky bounced up to her with a plate of those edibles15. "So very buttery--make me bilious16--I've been bilious often, have I not Eleanora Gwendoline?"
"Yes, often, Mama," assented17 the obedient Pumpkin.
"I hope you're better now?" observed Beaumont politely, seeing the lady's eyes fixed18 upon him.
"Ah, yes, now," sighed Mrs. Larcher, stirring her tea, "but will it last? the question is will it endure? my affliction is so capricious--I'm very weak--quite a Hindoo."
"Why a Hindoo, my dear?" asked the vicar, rather puzzled.
"Because they are weak--die if you look at them," explained Mrs. Larcher, "rice of course--they live on it and there's no nourishment19 in it."
"By the way, Miss Challoner, how is the Squire20?" asked Beaumont, who was leaning up against the mantelpiece looking rather bored.
"He's not at all strong," replied Miss Cassy, taking the remark to herself, "quite like a candle you know--so odd--might go out at any moment--but Dr. Nestley is doing him good; but I don't think the dear doctor is well himself."
Beaumont smiled slightly at this, guessing the cause of the doctor's illness, and glancing at Cecilia, saw the blind girl was trembling violently.
"I hope he is not very ill," she said in her low, clear voice.
"Oh no--he'll be all right soon--I think it's overwork," said Una hastily, anxious to avoid any discussion of the doctor's complaint, the cause of which she, with her feminine shrewdness, half guessed. "Cecilia, will you play something?"
The blind girl assented, and was led by Una to the quaint21 old spinet22 which stood in the corner. With the true feelings of an artist Cecilia did not play anything noisy on the delicate instrument, but a dainty old gavotte which sounded faint and clear like the sound of a silver bell. All the company were charmed with the delicacy23 of the music except Miss Cassy and Mrs. Larcher who were conversing24 about dress.
"I hope you like mine," observed Miss Cassy, looking at the gown she wore, which was of white muslin dotted with pink bows. "I was afraid I'd make it dabby--I'm afraid I have made it dabby--do you think so?"
Mrs. Larcher eyed the production of Miss Cassy's artistic25 nature with a critical eye, and pronounced her opinion that it was dabby, thus reducing poor Miss Cassy to the verge26 of tears. When Cecilia finished the gavotte all present urged her to play something else.
"It's like fairy music," said Beaumont. "I love to hear those old airs of Purcell and Arne played upon such an instrument. It's so thoroughly27 in keeping with the idea. The lyrics28 in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' set to the old-fashioned music and played on a spinet, gives one a charming idea of the court of Oberon and Titania."
"And Miss Mosser plays so charmingly," said Reginald, gaily29.
"'O testudinis aure?
Dulcem qu? strepitum Pieri temperas,'"
quoted the vicar, in his rolling bass30.
"I prefer the sweet harmony of the spinet to the lyre," said Beaumont, smiling.
"Dear me, vicar," observed Mrs. Larcher angrily. "I wish you wouldn't be always talking Latin. No one understands it."
"That's hardly a compliment to the gentlemen present, my dear," said Dr. Larcher in his most stately manner, "but, as Horace says, 'Oh, mater pulchra'----I beg your pardon, I will refrain from the bard31."
"Now, Mr. Blake, I want you to sing something," said Una, crossing over to Pumpkin.
"Certainly--some old English melody, I suppose, to match the spinet. 'Phyllida flouts32 me,' or 'Mistress mine where are you roaming?'"
"Let us have them both," said Beaumont, lazily. "Very likely the ghosts of the old Elizabethan lyrists will come and listen."
"You'll see a real ghost shortly," said Una mysteriously, as she and Pumpkin, after a whispered consultation33, moved to the door.
"The ghost of whom?" asked Reginald, who was standing34 by the spinet.
"Lady Betty Modish35 or Sophia Western--which ever you like--town or country," replied Una, laughing, and thereupon vanished with Miss Larcher.
"What does she mean?" demanded the vicar in astonishment36.
"Something very odd," said Miss Cassy, shaking her girlish head. "Yes, quite like a play. The School for what's-it's-name. Sheridan, you know--quite lovely."
And now Reginald began to sing the quaint old song "Phyllida flouts me," while Cecilia, who knew the music off by heart, played the accompaniment. The night was beginning to close in, and the room was full of shadows, lighted in a fantastic manner by the red glare of the fire, which flashed on the tarnished37 gilded38 frames of the pictures and the sombre faces looking from the walls. Beaumont, leaning his elbow on the mantelpiece, listened quietly, while opposite to him the vicar, ensconced in a great arm-chair, crossed his legs and kept time to the music with his spectacles.
So gay and charming the old song sounded. Nothing of the sickly sentimentality of the modern drawing-room ballad39--nothing of the florid passion of the Italian school--but all fresh and wholesome40, like a gentle wind blowing freely over an English meadow, white with daisies. Reginald sang the complaint of the unhappy lover charmingly, and ended amid a subdued41 murmur42 of satisfaction, even Mrs. Larcher being pleased.
"So simple," she said, nodding her head. "Quite soothing43, like a cradle. Ah, there are no songs now-a-days like the old ones."
"My dear, we are past the age of Corydon and Chloe," replied the vicar. "Virgil and Horace would find no Arcady to sing about now."
"Well, I don't suppose that Imperial Rome was more Arcadian than London," said Beaumont, lazily, "but I'm afraid we've lost the charm of simplicity44."
"Ah, you've never heard 'Lady Bell,'" said Dick wisely.
"No. I must confess my ignorance," replied the artist. "Who or what is Lady Bell?"
"It's a song--simplicity, if you like. Reggy found it among some old music at the vicarage."
"Did he indeed?" observed the vicar placidly45. "No doubt it belonged to my grandfather. I thought that music was all burnt. Damnosa quid non imminuit dies?"
"He spared this, sir, at all events," said Reginald gaily. "Miss Mosser, you can play 'Lady Bell'?"
"Yes, I think so," replied Cecilia, striking a chord. "It haunted me when I first heard it. Sing it now, Mr. Blake."
Whereupon she played a prelude46 of silvery-sounding chords, and Reginald sang the old ballad of "Lady Bell." How, despising all the beaux, she gave her heart to a plain young country squire, and left the delights of Ranelagh for the quiet of a village. So dainty and crisp rang the music to the simple story with its Arcadian end.
"My Lady Bell in gold brocade,
Looked not so fair or trim a maid
As when in linsey woollen gown,
She left for love the noisy town."
And then the door opened as Reginald ended the delightful47 old song, and surely on the threshold stood my Lady Bell as she appeared at Ranelagh, in powdered hair, in shimmer48 of gold brocade, with wide hoops49 and patches on her arch-looking face, with dainty red-heeled shoes and skilfully50 manipulated fan. It was surely Lady Bell that stepped so stately into the room in the red glare of the fire to the melodious51 clearness of the gavotte played by Cecilia, who, being whispered to by Reginald, at once seized the spirit of the jest. Or perchance one of the old Garsworth dames52 had stepped down from her gilt53 frame, and, attracted by the familiar tinkle54 of the spinet, come to look at what gay company were assembled in the oak parlour; but no, it was to their eyes Lady Bell, fair and dainty as of old, who swept into the firelight with tapping of high heels and sweep of stiff brocade.
"We must have lights to see this," cried Dick, jumping up from his chair.
"No, no, I protest!" said Beaumont, lifting up his hand. "It will spoil all. This is not Miss Challoner, but Lady Bell--a ghost from the days of powder and patches come to visit us. She moves in mysterious shadows--a light will cause her to melt away."
"I'm too substantial for that, I'm afraid," laughed Una, waving her fan. "But isn't this a charming dress? I found it the other day, and thought I would give you all a fright."
"I don't think you could give any one a fright," whispered Reginald, whereupon she flashed a saucy55 look at him out of the shadows. The sweet, clear music was still stealing through the room, and Beaumont, in his low, languid voice, talked idly.
"Lady Bell, I admire you vastly. How have you left London and the modish company at Soho? Surely no highwayman stayed you on the way hither in your coach and six? And what of my Lord Mohun? Is there any news at Will's coffee-house, and do the belles56 admire the new opera of Mr. Handel? Come, tell us the news."'
"I would need to be a gazette to do so."
"And you are not--only a fair dead woman from the perished past, come to show us what wit and beauty went out with powder and patches. Ah, my dear Lady Bell----"
At this moment he was interrupted, for a wild shriek57 rang through the house, and all present sprang to their feet, looking at one another in wild surmise58.
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1
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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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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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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pumpkin
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| n.南瓜 | |
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rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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9
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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10
guardianship
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| n. 监护, 保护, 守护 | |
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11
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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12
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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13
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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14
giggled
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
edibles
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| 可以吃的，可食用的( edible的名词复数 )； 食物 | |
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bilious
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| adj.胆汁过多的；易怒的 | |
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17
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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19
nourishment
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| n.食物，营养品；营养情况 | |
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20
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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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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22
spinet
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| n.小型立式钢琴 | |
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23
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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24
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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25
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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26
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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27
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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28
lyrics
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| n.歌词 | |
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29
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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30
bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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31
bard
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| n.吟游诗人 | |
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32
flouts
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| v.藐视，轻视( flout的第三人称单数 ) | |
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consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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34
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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35
modish
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| adj.流行的，时髦的 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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37
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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38
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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ballad
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| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
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40
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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41
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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42
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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43
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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44
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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46
prelude
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| n.序言，前兆，序曲 | |
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47
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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48
shimmer
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| v./n.发微光，发闪光；微光 | |
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49
hoops
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| n.箍( hoop的名词复数 )；（篮球）篮圈；（旧时儿童玩的）大环子；（两端埋在地里的）小铁弓 | |
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50
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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51
melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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52
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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53
gilt
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| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
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54
tinkle
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| vi.叮当作响；n.叮当声 | |
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55
saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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56
belles
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| n.美女( belle的名词复数 )；最美的美女 | |
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57
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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58
surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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