Only half a dozen people knew that this was a grand inquest and farewell, but many of the men with whom Haversham spoke7 realised they would not see him again. Their affection appeared in a solicitude8 clumsily expressed, but Haversham encouraged no sentiment, and with easy simplicity9 checked in his visitors any dwelling10 upon their personal loss.
Peter especially remembered the last time he sat in the small hut. Instinctively11 he avoided the thing that filled his mind. Not a word was spoken to suggest that Haversham was an invalid12. When Peter came to recall their conversation, he realised that he had talked exclusively of himself under Haversham's quiet prompting. He still saw the interested smile, lighting13 the face of his host—now brilliant with fever and eloquent14 with the gesture of his spirit. Long afterwards, Peter shamefully15 realised how this man, already in the shadow of death, had, in perfect sincerity16, bent17 as from the clouds to encourage his young egoism and to listen.
A few days later, Peter attended a mass meeting of Marbury's opponents. It was Wenderby's meeting, held in the western corner of the constituency, in contempt of landowners. Peter knew nothing of Wenderby beyond his public reputation. He saw in Wenderby only the brass18 and swagger which, for political purposes, he chose to affect. Peter was deceived. Wenderby was a politician[Pg 210] of exquisite19 finesse20, playing the political bruiser partly out of genuine love for his country, partly from a deeply calculated personal ambition. His speech in this by-election well illustrated21 the intricacy of modern politics under their superficial simplicity. Ostensibly it denounced all Tories and pleaded for economy in naval22 expenditure23. Actually it was Wenderby's cover for a set campaign for extorting24 as much money out of his own party for the Service as he dared.
Wenderby's position in Marbury's constituency was every way a snare25 for the politically innocent. He was a friend of Haversham, and usually a guest at Highbury. But, as he wrote to Haversham, to stay at Highbury in the present crisis would perhaps be regarded as a breach26 of political decency27. Peter, seeing in Wenderby the public enemy of a nobleman whose hospitality the speaker had himself enjoyed, could not contain his rage. Wenderby's rhetorical periods were launched with deadly effect at a simmering audience.
At the close of the meeting, Peter, red with anger, rose to ask whether certain remarks concerning the landlords of England were intended to have a personal and local application. Wenderby, seeing he had only to do with a youngster who had lost his temper, smoothly28 evaded29 him. Peter sprang to his feet:
"Sir—" he began.
Immediately there were shouts of "Order!"[Pg 211] and "Turn him out!" Peter obstinately30 stood.
"I insist," he shouted, "that my question be answered. An infamous31 insinuation——"
At this point Peter was choked by half a dozen dirty hands grabbing from all quarters at his neck. He was thrust gasping32 and struggling from the hall—his coat in ribbons. His battered33 hat and collar were derisively34 thrown after him, as he bitterly explained to the police that he was not drunk and disorderly.
Peter showed himself that night to Marbury and stormily told his tale. Marbury, to his mortification35, only laughed.
"What is amusing you?" asked Peter, very short and stony36.
"Everything."
"For example?"
"I don't know where to begin. First, you were shouting at the wrong man. Wenderby is the favourite godson of Uncle Eustace. He's the only man we can trust."
"But he's on the other side."
"In a way he is."
"He will lose you the seat."
"Perhaps. This by-election is only an incident. Wenderby's speech to-night was one of a series. Unfortunately it happens to lie in our constituency. Wenderby has to manage his own people."
Peter flung up his hands. "I don't understand these politics."
[Pg 212]
Marbury looked affectionately at Peter. Peter had met Marbury going to his room. He was without a collar, and he looked forlorn. Marbury put a hand on his arm:
"Wenderby shall apologise," he said gravely. "He's a charming fellow, and he is very fond of young people."
Lady Mary, fresh from canvassing37, shared a late supper with Marbury and Peter. She joined with her brother to wring38 from Peter a full account of his adventure. Peter began sorely, but at last detected in Lady Mary an unconfessed approval. Clearly she liked him for his protest. He even dared to think that she admired. Peter was gradually more happy, and soon was enjoying his escapade. He even displayed, in mock heroism, the large blue marks upon his neck.
Later, in his room, Peter found in the events of the day a consecration39 of his devotion to Eustace Haversham. Unessential incidents fell away, and he was glad of his protest—mistaken though it seemed, and ridiculous.
Next day was Sunday, and meetings were suspended. The house was very quiet, and Haversham was not in his usual place. Marbury told Peter he might not again come down.
After dinner, Peter slipped on to the terrace and faced the shadowy moor40, lifting his head to a faint breeze from the sea. He stood beside the bronze figure he had so often admired. Before him was the wilderness41, but civilisation42 was behind[Pg 213] in the murmured voices from the drawing-room and those harsher cries Peter had lately heard from men made selfish and bitter.
Surely it was well that this triumphant43 figure should brave the desert, and that in its shadow a beautiful life should be passing. It flung out the challenge of art and wisdom. It was a consummation for which millions worked, and now it confidently stood, as though aware of what it had cost, resolved that it was well worth the price. Peter wondered whether it were justified44.
His dreaming was broken. Lady Mary rustled45 beside him.
"You have found this place?" she said after a silence. They watched the superb silhouette46 of the statue fading as the light emptied rapidly from the sky.
"I am wondering whether he is worth while?" said Peter, waving his hand at the figure between them.
"What is your riddle47?"
"He has cost a thousand lives."
"You are talking like a Socialist," said Lady Mary curtly48.
Peter felt in her a coldness that passed. She was looking over the moors49 as though she followed the blind eyes of the naked boy. Her attitude suggested that she, too, was part of this challenge. Her dress, conveying to Peter an impression of complicated and finished art, fell away from her shoulders as, with head flung back, she filled her[Pg 214] eyes with the beauty of earth and sky. She interpreted in radiant life the cold metal of the statue. Civilisation was justified in her, or it could not be justified.
"Have you never any doubt?" said Peter, wistfully impulsive50.
Lady Mary turned slowly from the moor. Her calm eyes swept over him.
"Doubt?" she echoed.
"Do you never wonder whether all this"—Peter made one of the large gestures of his mother—"is worth the noise and the dirt over there? Have you no doubt at all?"
"How is it possible to doubt?" she calmly responded. She stood proudly facing him. But she read perplexity in his face and, as it seemed to Peter, she stooped to him.
"Don't you see," she almost pleaded, "that either we must believe in ourselves or make way; and we do believe. I believe in all this"—she faintly parodied51 Peter's large gesture—"and I believe in myself."
There was a pause, and it was Lady Mary who spoke again. Almost it seemed that she wanted to make her point.
"You, at any rate," she urged him, "have learned to believe a little." She looked towards the hut on the terrace, and Peter followed her thoughts.
The trees stirred a moment, and laughter came from the open room. But these two heard only[Pg 215] the voice of Eustace Haversham, and saw his lighted features vivid in memory. The last colour of the sunset was full upon her as she faced her uncle's empty place. Its emptiness to-night was an omen52 of the eternal emptiness to come. Her mouth quivered, and tears shone suddenly under her lids as she turned again to Peter.
"I believe he is worth the whole world," she said, and her voice broke.
Her tears seemed to remove every barrier. Peter saw in her eyes an appeal for an equal faith. She felt the drops on her cheek, and turned away into the shadow.
"I, too, believe," Peter deeply whispered.
Then he noticed how her hand lay unprotected upon the pedestal of the statue, vaguely53 delicate upon the hard metal.
He impulsively54 bent and touched it with his lips. She did not start or cry out, but turned again slowly towards him. She read in his eyes faith merely and dedication55.
"I am glad you did that," she said in a level voice.
Then they went, as by consent, towards the lighted windows of the drawing-room.
Next morning, ten days before polling day at Sandhaven, Peter was summoned away by telegram to Hamingburgh. His uncle had suddenly been stricken seriously ill. Peter bade his friends a quick farewell and caught the first train from York.
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1
squires
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| n.地主，乡绅( squire的名词复数 ) | |
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heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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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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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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shamefully
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| 可耻地； 丢脸地； 不体面地； 羞耻地 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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finesse
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| n.精密技巧，灵巧，手腕 | |
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illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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24
extorting
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| v.敲诈( extort的现在分词 )；曲解 | |
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25
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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26
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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27
decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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29
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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31
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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32
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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33
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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34
derisively
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| adv. 嘲笑地，嘲弄地 | |
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35
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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36
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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37
canvassing
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| v.（在政治方面）游说( canvass的现在分词 )；调查（如选举前选民的）意见；为讨论而提出（意见等）；详细检查 | |
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38
wring
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| n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭 | |
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39
consecration
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| n.供献，奉献，献祭仪式 | |
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40
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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41
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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42
civilisation
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| n.文明，文化，开化，教化 | |
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43
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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44
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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45
rustled
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| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
silhouette
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| n.黑色半身侧面影，影子，轮廓；v.描绘成侧面影，照出影子来，仅仅显出轮廓 | |
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47
riddle
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| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
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48
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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49
moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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50
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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51
parodied
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| v.滑稽地模仿，拙劣地模仿( parody的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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53
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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54
impulsively
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| adv.冲动地 | |
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55
dedication
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| n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞 | |
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