The grand stand—a permanent building of white freestone—looked very grand to Justina's eyes, as the family ark blundered and jingled7 into a place exactly opposite: one of the best places on that106 privileged piece of ground, for which James paid three shining sovereigns. Temporary stands of woodwork bordered the course, crowded with warm humanity. Justina wondered where so many people came from, and how it was so few of them came to the theatre, and sighed to think that the drama has never taken a grip upon the public mind as a thoroughly8 national amusement. See how the people congregated9 to-day, tier above tier on yonder fragile stages, pressed together with scarce breathing-room; and yet there would be room to spare in the little theatre to-night, Justina feared, despite immense attractions and an unparalleled combination of talent, as advertised in the playbills.
But after this one sigh for the neglected drama, Justina abandoned herself to the delight of the hour, and was supremely10 content. James told her all about the horses; how that one had done great things at Newmarket, how the other was winner of the Chester Cup. He showed her the colours, explained everything, and the race assumed a new interest. Mr. Dempson left the carriage to stretch his legs a bit, he said, and see who was on the107 course; but in reality because he was of a roving disposition11 and soon tired of repose12. Mr. Elgood devoted13 himself exclusively to Mrs. Dempson, 'Villeroy,' as he called her, being more accustomed to her professional alias14 than the name she rendered illustrious in domestic life. So James and Justina were left to themselves, and behaved very much as if they had been plighted15 lovers ever so long, quite unconsciously upon Justina's part, for she knew little of real lovers and their ways.
Presently there was a sudden stir, a dispersement of pedestrians16 from the racecourse, as a policeman or two galloped17 up and down, and the clerk of the course, in his scarlet18 coat and buckskins, cantered briskly over the grass; then a dog driven past with hootings and ignominy, then more ringing of bells, the preliminary canter, and then the race.
A few minutes of breathless attention, a thundering rush past all the carriages and the eager a-tiptoe spectators, and white jacket with red spots had pulled off the first stakes.
'Did you see it?' asked James, turning to the girl's bright face, glowing with excitement.
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'Oh! it was beautiful. I don't wonder at people coming to races now. I feel as if I had never been quite alive before. Just that one moment when the horses were tearing past. It was wonderful.'
'A very fair race,' said James, with a patronizing air, 'but there were some wretched screws among them. You'll see a better set by and by, for the cup. Iphianassa, the Oak's winner, is first favourite. The bookmen call her Free-and-Easy, for short. And now we'll have a bottle of cham.'
'Not a bad move,' said Mr. Elgood, approvingly. 'That kind of thing makes a fellow dryish.'
He made himself very useful in helping19 to open the baskets; there were two hampers20, one for wine and the other for comestibles, the 'Waterfowl' having done things handsomely. Mr. Elgood took one of the golden-necked bottles out of the rush case, found the glasses, the nippers, and opened the bottle as neatly21 as a waiter. He had the lion's share of the wine for his trouble.
James and Justina had only one glass between them. They could very easily have had two, but109 they liked this mutual22 goblet23, and sipped24 the bright wine gaily25, Justina taking about as much as Titania might have consumed from a chalice26 made of a harebell.
The champagne27 bottle was hardly open when a gipsy appeared at the carriage door, as if attracted by the popping of the cork28, an elderly gipsy, with an orange silk handkerchief tied across her black hair, amongst which a few silver threads were visible. She was the identical gipsy woman who had stopped James Penwyn and his companions, yesterday afternoon, by the river.
'Give the poor old gipsy woman a little drop of wine, kind gentleman,' she asked, insinuatingly29.
Justina drew back shuddering30, drew nearer her companion, till her slight form pressed against his shoulder, and he could feel that she trembled.
'Why, what's the matter, you timid bird?' he whispered tenderly, drawing his arm round her by an instinctive31 movement. They were standing32 up in the carriage as they had stood to see the race, Mrs. Dempson with her face towards the box, whence110 Mr. Elgood was pointing out features of interest on the course.
'It's the same woman,' exclaimed Justina, in a half-whisper.
'What woman, my pet?'
It had come to this already, and Justina at this particular moment was too absorbed to remonstrate33.
'The woman who told you about the mark on your hand.'
'Is it really? I didn't notice,' answered James, smiling at her concern. The gipsy had gone to the next carriage, whose occupants were in the act of discussing a bottle of sherry and a packet of appetising sandwiches. Thin and daintily trimmed sandwiches, made to provoke rather than appease34 appetite.
'Upon my word I didn't notice,' repeated James. 'All gipsies are alike to my eye, the same tawny35 skins, the same shiny black hair. But why should you be frightened at her, pretty one? She prophesied36 no evil about me.'
'No, but she looked at you so curiously37; and111 then a line across the line of life—that must mean something dreadful.'
'My dearest, do you think any reasonable being believes in lines of life or any such bosh? Gipsies must have some kind of jargon38, or they would get no dupes. But I think you and I are too wise to believe in their nonsense. We'll give the harridan39 a tumbler of fiz, and I'll warrant she'll prophesy40 smooth things. Hi! mistress, this way.'
The gipsy, having paid unfruitful homage41 to the carriage of sandwich consumers, came quickly at James Penwyn's bidding.
'Let me drink your health, pretty gentleman, she pleaded, 'and the health of the young lady that loves you best, and I know of one that loves you well, and a beautiful young lady, and is well beloved by you. You've courted a many, young gentleman, in your time, the old gipsy knows, for you've a wicked eye and a wanton 'art, but the most fickle42 must fix at last, and may you never rove no more, for you've fixed43 upon one as can be constant to you. Thank you, sir, and here's health and happiness to you and the young lady, and a short112 courtship and a long fambly; and give the poor gipsy a mossel of somethink to eat, like a dear young lady,' appealing to the blushing Justina, 'for fear the wine should turn acid upon my inside.'
The picnic basket had to be opened in order to meet this judicious44 demand, and this being done, the Sibyl was gratified with a handsome wedge of veal45 pie. This partly despatched and partly pocketed, she made the familiar request for a piece of silver to cross the young lady's palm, which charm being performed she could tell things that would please her. James complied, and Justina surrendered her hand, most unwillingly46, to the gipsy's brown claw.
The Sibyl told the usual story—happy wooing, prosperous wedded47 life—all things were to go smoothly48 for the blue-eyed lady and the blue-eyed gentleman.
'But beware of a dark man,' said the witch, who felt it necessary to introduce some shadow in her picture, 'beware of a dark-complexioned man. I won't say as he's spades; better call him clubs, perhaps. Be on your guard against a club man, my113 sweet young lady and gentleman, for he bears a jealous heart towards you both, and he stands to do you harm, if he has the power.'
'That will do,' said James, 'we've had enough for our money, thank you, old lady; you can move on to the next carriage.'
'Don't be offended with the poor gipsy, your honour. She's truth-spoken and plain-spoken, and she sees deeper into things than some folks would give her credit for.'
And thus, after an affectionate farewell, the prophetess pursued her way. Other prophetesses followed in her wake, all begging for food and wine, and James lavished49 more champagne in this direction than Mr. Elgood approved, but even his good nature wore out at last, and he grew tired of these copper-skinned mendicants, some with babies in arms, for whom they begged a little drop of champagne or the claw of a lobster50.
The races went on. The great race was at hand. 'Now, then, Justina, we must have something on,' said James. 'You don't mind me calling you Justina, do you?'
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'I don't mind,' the girl answered simply, 'if father doesn't.'
'Well, you see, I can't ask him now, but I will by and by. We can let the question stand over, and I may call you Justina meanwhile, mayn't I, Justina?' he asked softly.
'If you like,' she answered almost in a whisper. They stood so near together that there was no need for either of them to speak loud, even amidst the noise of the racecourse.
'Look here, now, Justina. I'll bet you a dozen gloves, even money, that Free-and-Easy doesn't win. That's giving you a great advantage, for they are laying three to two on the favourite.'
'I don't think I can bet,' said Justina, embarrassed. 'If I were to lose I could not pay you.'
'Ladies never pay debts. Come, if Iphianassa wins you shall have a dozen pairs of the prettiest gloves I can buy, straw-coloured, pink, pearl-grey—which is your favourite colour?'
'I like any kind of gloves,' answered the girl, remembering two wretched pairs which had been to115 the cleaner's so often that their insides were all over numbers, like a multiplication51 table.
Now came the start, breathlessness, attention strained almost to agony, a hoarse52 clamour yonder in and about the ring, one big man, wearing a white hat with a black hat-band, offering frantically53 to bet ten to one against anything, bar one; then a shout as of universal victory, for Free-and-Easy has shot suddenly to the front, after having been tenderly nursed during the first half-mile or so; and now she comes along gallantly54, with a great lead, and her backers tremble, and now cold dews break out upon the foreheads of those eager backers, for another horse, almost an unknown animal, creeps up to Iphianassa, gallops55 shoulder to shoulder with the Oaks winner, passes her, and wins by a neck, while a suppressed groan56 from the many losers mingles57 with the hurrahs of that miserable58 outside public which never stakes more than half a sovereign, and is ready to cheer any horse. Only among the bookmen is there real rejoicing, for they have been betting against the favourite.
'You've lost your gloves, Justina. Never mind,116 we'll have another venture on the next race. It's a selling stake; and we can go and see the auction59 afterwards—such fun. And now for the basket.—Make yourself useful, Elgood.—Mrs. Dempson, you must be famishing.'
Mrs. Dempson, upon being pressed, owned to feeling a little faint. A lady of Mrs. Dempson's calibre never confesses to being hungry; with her want of food only produces a genteel faintness.
The basket was emptied—lobster, chicken, pie, set out upon a tablecloth60, laid on the front seat of the carriage. Then the scrambling61 meal began—the ladies seated with plates in their laps, the gentlemen standing. Again James and Justina shared the same glass of champagne, while Mr. Elgood obligingly held on by the bottle, and filled his own glass by instalments, so that it was never empty, and never full. Mr. Dempson was moderate, but jovial62; Mrs. Dempson protested vehemently63 every time her glass was replenished64, but contrived65 to drink the wine, out of politeness.
James was the gayest of Amphitryons. He kept117 on declaring that he had never enjoyed himself so much—never had such a jolly day.
'I am sorry your friend is not with us,' remarked Mr. Elgood, with his mouth full of lobster. 'He has lost a treat.'
'His loss is our gain,' observed Mr. Dempson. 'There'd have been less champagne for the rest of us if he'd been here.'
'My friend is an ass,' said James, carelessly. His errant fancy, so easily caught, was quite enchained by this time. He had been growing fonder of Justina all day, and, with the growth of his boyish passion, his anger against Maurice increased. He had almost made up his mind to do the very thing which Clissold had stigmatised as madness. He had almost made up his mind to marry the actor's daughter. He was in love with her, and how else should his love end? He came of too good a stock, had too good a heart, to contemplate66 a dishonourable ending. It only remained for him to discover if he really loved her—if this fancy that had but dawned upon him yesterday were indeed the beginning of his fate, or that considerable part of a man's destiny118 which is involved in his marriage. He had been very little in the society of women since his mother's death. His brief, harmless flirtations had been chiefly with damsels of the barmaid class; and, after these meretricious68 charmers, Justina, with her wild-rose tinted69 cheeks and innocent blue eyes, seemed youth and purity personified.
Justina looked shyly up at her admirer, happier than words could have told. Little had she ever tasted of pleasure's maddening cup before to-day. The flavour of the wine was not stranger to her lips than the flavour of joy to her soul. For her, girlhood had meant hard work and deprivation70. Since she had been young enough to play hop-scotch on the door-step with a neighbour's children, and think it happiness, she had hardly known what it was to be glad. To-day life brimmed over with enchantment—a carriage, a picnic, races, all the glad, gay world smiling at her. She looked at James with a grateful smile when he asked her if she was enjoying herself.
'How can I help enjoying myself?' she said. 'I never had such a day in my life. It will all be over to-night, and to-morrow the world will look119 just as it does when one awakens71 from a wonderful dream. I have had dreams just like to-day,' she added, simply.
'Might we not lengthen72 the dream, find some enjoyment73 for to-morrow?' asked James. 'We might even come to the races again, if you like.'
'We couldn't come. There will be a long rehearsal74 to-morrow. We play the new burlesque75 to-morrow night. And I thought you were going away to-morrow. Your friend said so.'
'My friend would have been wiser had he spoken for himself, and not for me. I shall stay till the races are over; longer perhaps. How long do you stay?'
'Till next Saturday week, unless the business should get too bad.'
'Then I think I shall stay till next Saturday week. I can read a Greek play at Eborsham as well as anywhere else, and I don't see why I should be hurried from place to place to please Clissold,' added the young man, rebelliously76.
There had been no hurrying from place to place hitherto. They had done a good deal of Wales,120 and the English lakes, by easy stages, stopping at quiet inns, and reading hard in the intervals77 of their pedestrianism, and James had been completely happy with the bosom78 friend of his youth. It was only since yesterday that the bosom friend had been transformed into a tyrant79. Clissold had warned and reproved before to-day; he had spoken with the voice of wisdom when James seemed going a little too far in some village flirtation67; and James had listened meekly80 enough. But this time James Penwyn's soul rejected counsel. He was angry with his friend for not thinking it the most natural thing in the world that he, Squire81 Penwyn, of Penwyn, should fall head over ears in love with a country actor's daughter.
'I may come behind the scenes to-night, mayn't I, Justina?' asked James by and by, when the last race was over, and he and Justina had seen the winner disposed of to the highest bidder82, and the patriarchal tub was rolling swiftly, oh, too swiftly, back to the town; back to common life, and the old dull world.
'You must ask father, or Mr. Dempson,'121 Justina answered meekly. 'Sometimes they make a fuss about any one coming into the green-room, but I don't suppose they would about you. It would be very ungrateful if they did.'
James asked the question of Mr. Elgood, and was answered heartily83. He was to consider the Eborsham green-room an adjunct to his hotel, and the Eborsham Theatre as open to him as his club, without question of payment at the doors.
'Your name shall be left with the money-taker, the heavy father said, somewhat thickly.
Mr. Dempson laughed.
'Our friend is a trifle screwed,' he said, 'but I dare say he'll get through Sir Oliver pretty well.'
The play was the 'School for Scandal,' a genteel entertainment in honour of the patrons of the races.
The roomy travelling carriage was blundering through one of the narrower streets near the cathedral, when James Penwyn stood up suddenly and looked behind him.
'What's the matter?' asked Mr. Dempson.
'Nothing. I thought I saw a fellow I know122 that's all. He's just gone into that public-house—the quiet-looking little place at the corner. I fancied I saw him on the course, but I don't see how it could be the man,' added James, dubiously84. 'What should bring him down here? It isn't in his line?'
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收听单词发音
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1
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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browse
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| vi.随意翻阅，浏览；(牛、羊等)吃草 | |
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pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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jingled
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| 喝醉的 | |
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8
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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9
congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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supremely
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| adv.无上地，崇高地 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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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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alias
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| n.化名；别名；adv.又名 | |
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plighted
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| vt.保证，约定（plight的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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pedestrians
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| n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 ) | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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hampers
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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sipped
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip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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chalice
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| n.圣餐杯；金杯毒酒 | |
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champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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insinuatingly
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shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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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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remonstrate
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| v.抗议，规劝 | |
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appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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prophesied
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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harridan
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| n.恶妇；丑老大婆 | |
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prophesy
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| v.预言；预示 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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fickle
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| adj.(爱情或友谊上)易变的，不坚定的 | |
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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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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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veal
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| n.小牛肉 | |
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unwillingly
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| adv.不情愿地 | |
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wedded
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| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
lobster
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| n.龙虾，龙虾肉 | |
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51
multiplication
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| n.增加，增多，倍增；增殖，繁殖；乘法 | |
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hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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55
gallops
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| （马等）奔驰，骑马奔驰( gallop的名词复数 ) | |
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56
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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mingles
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| 混合，混入( mingle的第三人称单数 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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59
auction
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| n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖 | |
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60
tablecloth
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| n.桌布，台布 | |
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61
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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62
jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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replenished
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| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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66
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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flirtation
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| n.调情，调戏，挑逗 | |
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68
meretricious
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| adj.华而不实的，俗艳的 | |
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69
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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70
deprivation
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| n.匮乏；丧失；夺去，贫困 | |
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71
awakens
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的第三人称单数 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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72
lengthen
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| vt.使伸长，延长 | |
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73
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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74
rehearsal
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| n.排练，排演；练习 | |
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75
burlesque
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| v.嘲弄，戏仿；n.嘲弄，取笑，滑稽模仿 | |
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76
rebelliously
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| adv.造反地，难以控制地 | |
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77
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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78
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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81
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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82
bidder
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| n.(拍卖时的)出价人，报价人，投标人 | |
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83
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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84
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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