But then, after that, had come Miss Bodkin's frequent invitations to Rhoda, which had greatly mollified the old man. And presently it appeared as if Mrs. Errington had forgotten all about General Indigo16's daughters, and the heiress of the eminent17 drysalter. At all events, she said no more on the subject of those ladies. And old Max gradually, and not slowly, recurred18 to his former persuasion19 that the Erringtons would be very glad to secure Rhoda's hand for Algernon, being well aware that her money would balance her birth and connections. True, the young man had, as yet, said nothing explicit20. But, of course, he would feel it necessary to have some settled prospect9 before asking permission to engage himself formally to Rhoda.
"He is connected with the great ones of the earth, to be sure!" reflected Mr. Maxfield, with some exultation21. "And he is a comely22 young chap to look upon, and full of all kinds of book-learning and accomplishments—talks foreign tongues, and sings, and plays upon instruments, and draws pictures!"
An uneasy thought crossed his mind at this point, that David Powell would consider these things as leading to reprehensible23 frivolity24 and worldliness; and that, moreover, most of his (Maxfield's) old friends would agree with the preacher in so deeming. It was not to be expected that the thoughts and habits of a lifetime could be so eradicated25 from old Max's mind by the mere fact of going to worship at St. Chad's, as to leave his conscience absolutely free on these and similar points. But the ultimate effect of such inward feelings was always to embitter26 the old man against Powell, and to make him clutch eagerly at any circumstance which should tend to prove that Powell had been wrong and himself right in their differing views of the Erringtons' intentions. He was inexpressibly loath27 to consider himself mistaken. Indeed, for him to be mistaken seemed to argue a general dislocation and turning topsy-turvy of things, and a terrible unchaining of the powers of darkness. If, after walking all his life in the paths of wisdom and prosperity, he were to find himself suddenly astray, and blundering on a point which nearly concerned the only tender feelings of his nature, such a phenomenon must clearly be due to the direct interposition of Satan. However, as he stood one evening in his storehouse, tying up a great parcel of sugar in blue paper, Jonathan Maxfield was feeling neither discontented nor self-distrustful. Mrs. Errington had just been speaking to Rhoda in his presence, and had said:
"Well, little one, you have quite made a conquest of Mrs. Bodkin, as well as Miss Minnie. She was praising you up to me the other day. She particularly remarked your nice manners, and attributed them to my influence——"
"I'm sure, ma'am, if there is anything nice in my manners, it was you who taught it to me," Rhoda had said simply. Upon which Mrs. Errington had been very gracious, and, without at all disclaiming28 the credit of Rhoda's nice manners, had mellifluously29 assured Mr. Maxfield that his little girl was wonderfully teachable, and had become a general favourite amongst her (Mrs. Errington's) friends.
Now all this had seemed to Maxfield to be of good augury30, and an additional testimony—if any such were needed—to his own sagacity and prudent31 behaviour.
"It'll come right, as I foresaw," thought he triumphantly32. "Another man might have been over hasty, and spoiled matters like a fool. But not me!"
Some one pushed the half-door between the shop and the storehouse, and set the bell jingling33. Maxfield looked up and saw Algernon Errington, bright, smiling, and debonair34, as usual.
The ordinary expression of old Max's face was not winning; and now, as he looked up with his grey eyebrows35 drawn36 into a shaggy frown, and his jaws37 clenched38 so as to hold the end of a string which he had just drawn into a knot round the parcel of sugar, he presented a countenance39 ill-calculated to reassure40 a stranger or invite his confidence. But Algy was not a stranger, and did not intend to bestow12 any confidence, so he came forward with the graceful41 self-possession which sat so well on him, and said, "How are you, Mr. Maxfield? I have not seen you for ever so long!"
"It doesn't seem very long ago to me, since we spoke42 together," returned old Max, tugging43 at the string of his parcel.
"You know I'm off to-morrow, Mr. Maxfield?"
The old man shot a hard keen glance at him from beneath the shaggy eyebrows, and nodded.
"I go by the early coach in the morning, so I must say all my farewells to-day."
Maxfield gave a sound like a grunt44, and nodded again.
"It's a wonderful piece of luck, Lord Seely's taking me up so, isn't it?"
"Ah! if he means to do anything for you in earnest. So far as I can learn, his taking you up hasn't cost him much yet."
Algernon laughed frankly45. "Not a bit of it, Mr. Maxfield!" he cried. "And, after all, why should he do anything that would cost him much, for a poor devil like me? No; the beauty of it is, that he can do great things for me which shall cost him nothing! He is hand and glove with the present ministry46, and a regular big-wig at court, and all that sort of thing. The fact of my having good blood in my veins47, and being called Ancram Errington, is no merit of mine, of course—just an accident; but it's a deuced lucky accident. I daresay Lord Seely is a stupid old hunks, but then he is Lord Seely, you see. I don't mind saying all this to you, Mr. Maxfield, because you know the world, and you and I are old friends."
It was certainly rather hard on Lord Seely to be spoken of as a stupid old hunks by this lively young gentleman, who knew little more of him than of his great-grandfather, deceased a century ago. But his lordship did not hear the artless little speech, so it did not annoy him; whereas old Max did hear it, and it gratified him considerably48 for several reasons. It gratified him to be addressed confidentially49 as one who knew the world; it gratified him to be called an old friend by this relation of the great Lord Seely. And, oddly enough, whilst he was mentally bowing down before the aristocratic magnificence of that nobleman, it gratified him to be told that the bowing down was being performed to a "stupid old hunks," altogether devoid50 of that wisdom which had been so largely bestowed on himself, the Whitford grocer.
Pleasant and unaffected as was the young fellow's manner to his landlord, there was a nonchalance51 about it which conveyed that he was quite aware of the social distance between them. And this assumption of superiority—never coarse or ponderous52, like his mother's, but worn with the airiest lightness—was far from displeasing53 to old Max. The more of a gentleman born and bred Algernon Errington showed himself to be, the higher would Rhoda's position be, if—but old Max had almost discarded that form of presenting the future to his own mind; and was apt to say to himself, "when Rhoda marries young Errington." And then the solid advantages of the position were, so far at least, on old Max's side. Wealth and wisdom made a powerful combination, he reflected. And he was not at all afraid of being borne down or overwhelmed by any amount of gentility. Nevertheless, his spirit was in some subjection to this patrician54 youth, who sat opposite to him on a tea-chest, swinging his legs so affably.
There was a pause. At length Maxfield said, "And how long do you think o' being away? Or are you going to say good-bye to Whitford for evermore?"
"Indeed I hope not!"
"Oh! Then there is some folks here as you would care to see again?" said Maxfield slowly, beginning to tie up another parcel with sedulous55 care, and not raising his eyes from it.
"Of course there are! I—I should think you must know that, Mr. Maxfield! But I want to put myself in a better position with the world before I can—before I come back to the people I most care for."
"Very good. But it's like to be some time first, I'm afraid."
"As to seeing dear old Whitford again, you know I mean to run down here in the summer; or at least early in the autumn, when Parliament rises."
"Oh, you do?"
"To be sure! And then I hope to—to settle several things."
"Ah!"
"To a man of your experience, Mr. Maxfield, I needn't say how important it is for me to go to Lord Seely, ready and willing to undertake any employment he may offer me."
"Ah!"
"I mean, of course, that I should be absolutely free and unfettered, and ready to—to—to avail myself of opportunities. You see that, of course?"
Maxfield looked sage56, and nodded. But he also looked a little glum57. The conversation had not taken the turn he expected.
"Once let me get something definite—a Government post, you know, such as my cousin could get for me as easily as you could take an apprentice—and then I may please myself. I may consider myself on the first round of the ladder. And there won't be the same necessity for deferring58 to this person and that person. But I don't know why I'm saying all this to you, Mr. Maxfield. You understand the whole matter better than I do. By Jove, I wish I'd some of your ballast in my noddle. I'm such a feather-headed fellow!"
"You are young, Algernon, you are young," returned old Max, from whose brow the frown had cleared away entirely59. "I have had a special gift of wisdom vouchsafed60 to me for many years past. It has been, I believe, a peculiar61 grace, and it is the Lord's doing, thanks be! I am not easy deceived."
"I shouldn't like to try it on, that's all I know!" exclaimed Algernon, pleasantly smiling and nodding his head.
"Albeit there is some as mistrust my judgment62; young and raw men without much gift of clear-headedness, and puffed63 up with spiritual pride."
"Are there, really?" said Algernon, feeling somewhat at a loss what to say.
"Yes, there are. I should like such to be convinced of error. It would be a wholesome64 lesson."
"Not a doubt of it."
"I should like such to know—for their own soul's sake, and to teach 'em Christian65 humility—as you and I quite understand each other, my young friend; and as all is clear between us."
Algernon had a constitutional dislike to "clear understandings," except such as were limited to his clear understanding of other people. So he broke in at this point with one of his impulsive66 speeches about his prospects, and his conviction of Mr. Maxfield's wisdom, and his regrets at leaving Whitford, and his settled purpose to come back at the end of the summer and have a look at the dear old place, and the one or two persons in it who were still dearer to him. And he contrived—"contrived," indeed, is too cold-blooded and Machiavelian a word to express Algy's rapid mental process—to convey to old Max the idea that he was on the high road to fortune; that he had a warm and constant attachment67 to a certain person whom it was needless to name, seeing that the certain person could be no other than his playmate, pretty Rhoda; and that Mr. Jonathan Maxfield was so sagacious and keen-sighted a personage as to require no wordy explanations such as might have been needful for feebler intelligences. And then Algy said, with a rueful sort of candour, and arching those fair childlike eyebrows of his: "I say, Mr. Maxfield, I shall be awfully68 short of cash just at first!"
The two hands of Jonathan Maxfield, which had been laid open, and palm downwards69, on the counter before him, as he listened, instinctively70 doubled themselves into fists. He put them one on the top of the other, and rested his chin on them.
"I don't bother my mother about it, poor dear soul, because I know she has done all she can already. Of course, if I were to hint anything to my cousin—to Lord Seely, you know—I might get helped directly. But I don't want to begin with that, exactly."
"H'm! It 'ud be a test of how much he really does mean, though!"
"Yes; but you know what you said about Lord Seely's doing great things for me which shall cost him nothing. And I felt how true your view was, directly. By George, if I want any advice between now and next August, I shall be tempted71 to write and ask you for it!"
Maxfield gave a little rasping cough.
"Of course I know the manners and customs of high-bred people well enough. A fellow who comes of an old family like mine seems to suck all that in with his mother's milk, somehow. But that's a mere surface knowledge, after all. And some circumstance might turn up in which I should want a more solid judgment to help my own."
Maxfield coughed again, a little less raspingly. One of his doubled-up hands unclasped itself, and he began to pass it across his stubbly chin.
"By-the-by—what an ass4 I was not to think of that before—would you mind lending me twenty pounds till August, Mr. Maxfield?"
"I—I'm not given to lending, Algernon; nor to borrowing either, I thank the Lord."
"Borrowing! No; you're one of the lucky folks of this world, who can grant favours instead of asking them. But it really is of small consequence, after all; I'll manage somehow, if you have any objection. I believe I have a nabob of a godfather, General Indigo, as yellow as a guinea and as rich as a Jew. My mother was talking of him the other day, and, perhaps, it would be better to ask such a little favour of one's own people. I'll look up the nabob, Mr. Maxfield."
It must not be supposed that Algy, in bringing out the name of General Indigo, had any thought of the three lovely Miss Indigos72 in his mind. He was quite unconscious of the existence of those young ladies; if, indeed, they were not entirely the figments of Mrs. Errington's fertile fancy. Algy had laid no deep plans. He was simply quick at seizing opportunity. The opportunity had presented itself, of dazzling old Max with his nabob godfather, and of—perhaps—inducing the stingy old fellow to lend him what he wanted, by dint73 of conveying that he did not want it particularly. Algy had availed himself of the opportunity, and the shot had told very effectually.
Old Max never swore. Had he been one of the common and profane74 crowd of worldlings, it may be that some imprecation on General Indigo would have issued from his lips; for the mention of that name made him very angry. But old Max had a settled conviction of the probable consignment75 to perdition of the rich nabob—who was doubtless a purse-proud, tyrannous, godless old fellow—which far surpassed, in its comforting power, the ephemeral satisfaction of an oath. He struck his clenched hand on the counter, and said, testily76, "You have not heard what I had it in my mind to say! You are too rash, young man, and broke in on my discourse77 before it was finished!"
"I beg pardon. Did I?"
"I say that I am not given to lending nor to borrowing; and it is most true. But I have not said that I will refuse to assist you. This is a special case, and must be judged of specially78 as between you and me."
"Why, of course, I would rather be obliged to you than to the general, who is a stranger to me, in fact, though he is my godfather."
"There's nearer ties than godfathers, Algernon."
Algernon burst into a peal79 of genuine laughter. "Why, yes," said he, wiping his eyes, "I hope so!"
Old Max did not move a muscle of his face. "What was the sum you named?" he asked, solemnly.
"Oh, I don't know—twenty or thirty pounds would do. Something just to keep me going until my mother's next quarter's money comes in."
"I will lend you twenty pounds, Algernon, for which you will write me an acknowledgment."
"Certainly!"
"Being under age, your receipt is valueless in law. But I wish to have it as between you and me."
"Of course; as between you and me."
Maxfield unlocked a strong-box let into the wall. Algernon—who had often gazed at the outside of it rather wistfully—peeped into it with some eagerness when it was opened; but its contents were chiefly papers and a huge ledger80. There was, however, in one corner a well-stuffed black leather pocket-book, from which old Max slowly extracted a crisp, fresh Bank of England note for twenty pounds.
"I'm sure I'm ever so much obliged to you, Mr. Maxfield," said Algernon, taking the note. He spoke without any over-eagerness, but the gleam of boyish delight in his eyes would not be suppressed.
"And now come into the parlour with me, and write the acknowledgment."
"I say, Mr. Maxfield," said Algernon, when the receipt had been duly written and signed, "you won't say anything to my mother about this?"
"Do you mean to keep it a secret?" asked the old man, sharply.
"Oh, of course I don't mind all the world knowing, as far as I'm concerned. But the dear old lady might worry herself at not being able to do more for me. Let it be just simply as between you and me," said Algernon, repeating Maxfield's words, but, truth to say, without attaching any very definite meaning to them. The old man pursed up his mouth and nodded.
"Aye, aye," he said, "as between you and me, Algernon; as between you and me."
"Upon my word, that formula of old Max's seems to be a kind of open sesame to purses and strong-boxes and cheque-books! 'As between you and me.' I wonder if it would answer with Lord Seely? Who'd have thought of old Max doing the handsome thing? Well, it's all right enough. I do mean to stick to little Rhoda, especially since her father seems to hint his approbation81 so very plainly. But it wouldn't do to bind82 myself just now—for her sake, poor little pet! 'As between you and me!' What a character the old fellow is! I wish he'd made it fifty while he was about it!"
Such was Algernon's mental soliloquy as he walked jauntily83 down the street, with his hand in his pocket, and the crisp bank-note between his finger and thumb.
点击收听单词发音
1 manifestations | |
n.表示,显示(manifestation的复数形式) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 maternal | |
adj.母亲的,母亲般的,母系的,母方的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 monotonous | |
adj.单调的,一成不变的,使人厌倦的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 ass | |
n.驴;傻瓜,蠢笨的人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 mere | |
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 albeit | |
conj.即使;纵使;虽然 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 varied | |
adj.多样的,多变化的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 overflowing | |
n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的,充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 prospects | |
n.希望,前途(恒为复数) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 imminent | |
adj.即将发生的,临近的,逼近的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 bestow | |
v.把…赠与,把…授予;花费 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 bestowed | |
赠给,授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 eloquence | |
n.雄辩;口才,修辞 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 mortified | |
v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 );伤害(人的感情);克制;抑制(肉体、情感等) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 indigo | |
n.靛青,靛蓝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 eminent | |
adj.显赫的,杰出的,有名的,优良的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 recurred | |
再发生,复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 ); 治愈 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 persuasion | |
n.劝说;说服;持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 explicit | |
adj.详述的,明确的;坦率的;显然的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 exultation | |
n.狂喜,得意 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 comely | |
adj.漂亮的,合宜的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 reprehensible | |
adj.该受责备的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 frivolity | |
n.轻松的乐事,兴高采烈;轻浮的举止 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 eradicated | |
画着根的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 embitter | |
v.使苦;激怒 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 loath | |
adj.不愿意的;勉强的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 disclaiming | |
v.否认( disclaim的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 mellifluously | |
adj.声音甜美的,悦耳的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 augury | |
n.预言,征兆,占卦 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 prudent | |
adj.谨慎的,有远见的,精打细算的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 triumphantly | |
ad.得意洋洋地;得胜地;成功地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 jingling | |
叮当声 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 debonair | |
adj.殷勤的,快乐的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 eyebrows | |
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 jaws | |
n.口部;嘴 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 clenched | |
v.紧握,抓紧,咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 reassure | |
v.使放心,使消除疑虑 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 graceful | |
adj.优美的,优雅的;得体的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 spoke | |
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 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 tugging | |
n.牵引感v.用力拉,使劲拉,猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 grunt | |
v.嘟哝;作呼噜声;n.呼噜声,嘟哝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 frankly | |
adv.坦白地,直率地;坦率地说 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 ministry | |
n.(政府的)部;牧师 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 veins | |
n.纹理;矿脉( vein的名词复数 );静脉;叶脉;纹理 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 considerably | |
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 confidentially | |
ad.秘密地,悄悄地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 devoid | |
adj.全无的,缺乏的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 nonchalance | |
n.冷淡,漠不关心 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 ponderous | |
adj.沉重的,笨重的,(文章)冗长的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 displeasing | |
不愉快的,令人发火的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 patrician | |
adj.贵族的,显贵的;n.贵族;有教养的人;罗马帝国的地方官 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 sedulous | |
adj.勤勉的,努力的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 sage | |
n.圣人,哲人;adj.贤明的,明智的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 glum | |
adj.闷闷不乐的,阴郁的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 deferring | |
v.拖延,延缓,推迟( defer的现在分词 );服从某人的意愿,遵从 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 vouchsafed | |
v.给予,赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 );允诺 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 peculiar | |
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 judgment | |
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 puffed | |
adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 );喷着汽(或烟)移动;吹嘘;吹捧 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 wholesome | |
adj.适合;卫生的;有益健康的;显示身心健康的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 impulsive | |
adj.冲动的,刺激的;有推动力的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 attachment | |
n.附属物,附件;依恋;依附 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 awfully | |
adv.可怕地,非常地,极端地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 downwards | |
adj./adv.向下的(地),下行的(地) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 instinctively | |
adv.本能地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 tempted | |
v.怂恿(某人)干不正当的事;冒…的险(tempt的过去分词) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 indigos | |
n.靛蓝色( indigo的名词复数 );溶靛素 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 dint | |
n.由于,靠;凹坑 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74 profane | |
adj.亵神的,亵渎的;vt.亵渎,玷污 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75 consignment | |
n.寄售;发货;委托;交运货物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
76 testily | |
adv. 易怒地, 暴躁地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
77 discourse | |
n.论文,演说;谈话;话语;vi.讲述,著述 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
78 specially | |
adv.特定地;特殊地;明确地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
79 peal | |
n.钟声;v.鸣响 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
80 ledger | |
n.总帐,分类帐;帐簿 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
81 approbation | |
n.称赞;认可 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
82 bind | |
vt.捆,包扎;装订;约束;使凝固;vi.变硬 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
83 jauntily | |
adv.心满意足地;洋洋得意地;高兴地;活泼地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |