I perceive, with joy, my most valued friend, that the cloud of your displeasure has passed away; the light of your countenance1 blesses me once more, and you desire the continuation of my story: therefore, without more ado, you shall have it.
I think the day I last mentioned was a certain Sunday, the latest in the October of 1827. On the following Tuesday I was out with my dog and gun, in pursuit of such game as I could find within the territory of Linden-Car; but finding none at all, I turned my arms against the hawks2 and carrion4 crows, whose depredations5, as I suspected, had deprived me of better prey6. To this end I left the more frequented regions, the wooded valleys, the corn-fields, and the meadow-lands, and proceeded to mount the steep acclivity of Wildfell, the wildest and the loftiest eminence7 in our neighbourhood, where, as you ascend8, the hedges, as well as the trees, become scanty9 and stunted10, the former, at length, giving place to rough stone fences, partly greened over with ivy11 and moss12, the latter to larches13 and Scotch14 fir-trees, or isolated15 blackthorns. The fields, being rough and stony16, and wholly unfit for the plough, were mostly devoted17 to the posturing18 of sheep and cattle; the soil was thin and poor: bits of grey rock here and there peeped out from the grassy19 hillocks; bilberry-plants and heather - relics20 of more savage21 wildness - grew under the walls; and in many of the enclosures, ragweeds and rushes usurped22 supremacy23 over the scanty herbage; but these were not my property.
Near the top of this hill, about two miles from Linden-Car, stood Wildfell Hall, a superannuated24 mansion25 of the Elizabethan era, built of dark grey stone, venerable and picturesque26 to look at, but doubtless, cold and gloomy enough to inhabit, with its thick stone mullions and little latticed panes27, its time-eaten air-holes, and its too lonely, too unsheltered situation, - only shielded from the war of wind and weather by a group of Scotch firs, themselves half blighted28 with storms, and looking as stern and gloomy as the Hall itself. Behind it lay a few desolate29 fields, and then the brown heath-clad summit of the hill; before it (enclosed by stone walls, and entered by an iron gate, with large balls of grey granite30 - similar to those which decorated the roof and gables - surmounting31 the gate-posts) was a garden, - once stocked with such hard plants and flowers as could best brook32 the soil and climate, and such trees and shrubs33 as could best endure the gardener's torturing shears34, and most readily assume the shapes he chose to give them, - now, having been left so many years untilled and untrimmed, abandoned to the weeds and the grass, to the frost and the wind, the rain and the drought, it presented a very singular appearance indeed. The close green walls of privet, that had bordered the principal walk, were two-thirds withered35 away, and the rest grown beyond all reasonable bounds; the old boxwood swan, that sat beside the scraper, had lost its neck and half its body: the castellated towers of laurel in the middle of the garden, the gigantic warrior36 that stood on one side of the gateway37, and the lion that guarded the other, were sprouted38 into such fantastic shapes as resembled nothing either in heaven or earth, or in the waters under the earth; but, to my young imagination, they presented all of them a goblinish appearance, that harmonised well with the ghostly legions and dark traditions our old nurse had told us respecting the haunted hall and its departed occupants.
I had succeeded in killing39 a hawk3 and two crows when I came within sight of the mansion; and then, relinquishing40 further depredations, I sauntered on, to have a look at the old place, and see what changes had been wrought41 in it by its new inhabitant. I did not like to go quite to the front and stare in at the gate; but I paused beside the garden wall, and looked, and saw no change - except in one wing, where the broken windows and dilapidated roof had evidently been repaired, and where a thin wreath of smoke was curling up from the stack of chimneys.
While I thus stood, leaning on my gun, and looking up at the dark gables, sunk in an idle reverie, weaving a tissue of wayward fancies, in which old associations and the fair young hermit42, now within those walls, bore a nearly equal part, I heard a slight rustling43 and scrambling44 just within the garden; and, glancing in the direction whence the sound proceeded, I beheld46 a tiny hand elevated above the wall: it clung to the topmost stone, and then another little hand was raised to take a firmer hold, and then appeared a small white forehead, surmounted47 with wreaths of light brown hair, with a pair of deep blue eyes beneath, and the upper portion of a diminutive48 ivory nose.
The eyes did not notice me, but sparkled with glee on beholding49 Sancho, my beautiful black and white setter, that was coursing about the field with its muzzle50 to the ground. The little creature raised its face and called aloud to the dog. The good-natured animal paused, looked up, and wagged his tail, but made no further advances. The child (a little boy, apparently51 about five years old) scrambled52 up to the top of the wall, and called again and again; but finding this of no avail, apparently made up his mind, like Mahomet, to go to the mountain, since the mountain would not come to him, and attempted to get over; but a crabbed53 old cherry- tree, that grew hard by, caught him by the frock in one of its crooked54 scraggy arms that stretched over the wall. In attempting to disengage himself his foot slipped, and down he tumbled - but not to the earth; - the tree still kept him suspended. There was a silent struggle, and then a piercing shriek55; - but, in an instant, I had dropped my gun on the grass, and caught the little fellow in my arms.
I wiped his eyes with his frock, told him he was all right and called Sancho to pacify56 him. He was just putting little hand on the dog's neck and beginning to smile through his tears, when I heard behind me a click of the iron gate, and a rustle57 of female garments, and lo! Mrs. Graham darted58 upon me - her neck uncovered, her black locks streaming in the wind.
'Give me the child!' she said, in a voice scarce louder than a whisper, but with a tone of startling vehemence59, and, seizing the boy, she snatched him from me, as if some dire45 contamination were in my touch, and then stood with one hand firmly clasping his, the other on his shoulder, fixing upon me her large, luminous60 dark eyes - pale, breathless, quivering with agitation61.
'I was not harming the child, madam,' said I, scarce knowing whether to be most astonished or displeased62; 'he was tumbling off the wall there; and I was so fortunate as to catch him, while he hung suspended headlong from that tree, and prevent I know not what catastrophe63.'
'I beg your pardon, sir,' stammered64 she; - suddenly calming down, - the light of reason seeming to break upon her beclouded spirit, and a faint blush mantling65 on her cheek - 'I did not know you; - and I thought - '
She stooped to kiss the child, and fondly clasped her arm round his neck.
'You thought I was going to kidnap your son, I suppose?'
She stroked his head with a half-embarrassed laugh, and replied, - 'I did not know he had attempted to climb the wall. - I have the pleasure of addressing Mr. Markham, I believe?' she added, somewhat abruptly66.
I bowed, but ventured to ask how she knew me.
'Your sister called here, a few days ago, with Mrs. Markham.'
'Is the resemblance so strong then?' I asked, in some surprise, and not so greatly flattered at the idea as I ought to have been.
'There is a likeness67 about the eyes and complexion68 I think,' replied she, somewhat dubiously69 surveying my face; - 'and I think I saw you at church on Sunday.'
I smiled. - There was something either in that smile or the recollections it awakened70 that was particularly displeasing71 to her, for she suddenly assumed again that proud, chilly72 look that had so unspeakably roused my aversion at church - a look of repellent scorn, so easily assumed, and so entirely73 without the least distortion of a single feature, that, while there, it seemed like the natural expression of the face, and was the more provoking to me, because I could not think it affected74.
'Good-morning, Mr. Markham,' said she; and without another word or glance, she withdrew, with her child, into the garden; and I returned home, angry and dissatisfied - I could scarcely tell you why, and therefore will not attempt it.
I only stayed to put away my gun and powder-horn, and give some requisite75 directions to one of the farming-men, and then repaired to the vicarage, to solace76 my spirit and soothe77 my ruffled78 temper with the company and conversation of Eliza Millward.
I found her, as usual, busy with some piece of soft embroidery79 (the mania80 for Berlin wools had not yet commenced), while her sister was seated at the chimney-corner, with the cat on her knee, mending a heap of stockings.
'Mary - Mary! put them away!' Eliza was hastily saying, just as I entered the room.
'Not I, indeed!' was the phlegmatic81 reply; and my appearance prevented further discussion.
'You're so unfortunate, Mr. Markham!' observed the younger sister, with one of her arch, sidelong glances. 'Papa's just gone out into the parish, and not likely to be back for an hour!'
'Never mind; I can manage to spend a few minutes with his daughters, if they'll allow me,' said I, bringing a chair to the fire, and seating myself therein, without waiting to be asked.
'Well, if you'll be very good and amusing, we shall not object.'
'Let your permission be unconditional82, pray; for I came not to give pleasure, but to seek it,' I answered.
However, I thought it but reasonable to make some slight exertion83 to render my company agreeable; and what little effort I made, was apparently pretty successful, for Miss Eliza was never in a better humour. We seemed, indeed, to be mutually pleased with each other, and managed to maintain between us a cheerful and animated84 though not very profound conversation. It was little better than a TETE- E-TETE, for Miss Millward never opened her lips, except occasionally to correct some random85 assertion or exaggerated expression of her sister's, and once to ask her to pick up the ball of cotton that had rolled under the table. I did this myself, however, as in duty bound.
'Thank you, Mr. Markham,' said she, as I presented it to her. 'I would have picked it up myself; only I did not want to disturb the cat.'
'Mary, dear, that won't excuse you in Mr. Markham's eyes,' said Eliza; 'he hates cats, I daresay, as cordially as he does old maids - like all other gentlemen. Don't you, Mr. Markham?'
'I believe it is natural for our unamiable sex to dislike the creatures,' replied I; 'for you ladies lavish86 so many caresses87 upon them.'
'Bless them - little darlings!' cried she, in a sudden burst of enthusiasm, turning round and overwhelming her sister's pet with a shower of kisses.
'Don't, Eliza!' said Miss Millward, somewhat gruffly, as she impatiently pushed her away.
But it was time for me to be going: make what haste I would, I should still be too late for tea; and my mother was the soul of order and punctuality.
My fair friend was evidently unwilling88 to bid me adieu. I tenderly squeezed her little hand at parting; and she repaid me with one of her softest smiles and most bewitching glances. I went home very happy, with a heart brimful of complacency for myself, and overflowing89 with love for Eliza.
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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hawks
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| 鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物 | |
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hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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carrion
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| n.腐肉 | |
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depredations
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| n.劫掠，毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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ivy
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| n.常青藤，常春藤 | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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larches
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| n.落叶松（木材）( larch的名词复数 ) | |
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scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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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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posturing
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| 做出某种姿势( posture的现在分词 ) | |
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grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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usurped
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| 篡夺，霸占( usurp的过去式和过去分词 )； 盗用； 篡夺，篡权 | |
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supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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superannuated
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| adj.老朽的，退休的；v.因落后于时代而废除，勒令退学 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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panes
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| 窗玻璃( pane的名词复数 ) | |
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blighted
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| adj.枯萎的，摧毁的 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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surmounting
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| 战胜( surmount的现在分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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33
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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shears
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| n.大剪刀 | |
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withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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sprouted
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| v.发芽( sprout的过去式和过去分词 )；抽芽；出现；（使）涌现出 | |
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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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relinquishing
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的现在分词 )； 放弃 | |
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41
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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hermit
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| n.隐士，修道者；隐居 | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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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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dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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46
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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49
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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50
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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51
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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52
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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53
crabbed
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| adj.脾气坏的；易怒的；（指字迹）难辨认的；（字迹等）难辨认的v.捕蟹( crab的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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55
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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56
pacify
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| vt.使(某人)平静(或息怒)；抚慰 | |
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57
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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62
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mantling
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| 覆巾 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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70
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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71
displeasing
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| 不愉快的，令人发火的 | |
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chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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73
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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74
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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75
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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76
solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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80
mania
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| n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好 | |
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phlegmatic
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| adj.冷静的，冷淡的，冷漠的，无活力的 | |
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unconditional
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| adj.无条件的，无限制的，绝对的 | |
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83
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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84
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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85
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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86
lavish
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| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
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87
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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88
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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89
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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