"Not in those visions, to the heart displaying
Forms which it sighs but to have only dream'd,
Hath aught like thee in truth or fancy seem'd;
Or, having seen thee, shall I vainly seek
To paint those charms which, imaged as they beam'd,
To such as see thee not, my words were weak;
To those who gaze on thee, what language could they speak?"
Delme had long designed some internal improvements in the mansion1; and as workmen would necessarily be employed, had proposed that our family party should pass a few weeks at a watering place, until these were completed. They were not without hopes, that George might there join them, as Emily had written to Malta, pressing him to be present at her wedding.
We have elsewhere said, that Sir Henry had arrived at middle age, before one feeling incompatible2 with his ambitious thoughts arose. It was at Leamington this feeling had imperceptibly sprung up; and to Leamington they were now going.
Is there an electric chain binding3 hearts predestined to love?
Hath Providence4 ordained5, that on our first interview with that being, framed to meet our wishes and our desires--the rainbow to our cloud, and the sun to our noon-day--hath it ordained that there should also be given us some undefinable token--some unconscious whispering from the heart's inmost spirit?
Who may fathom6 these inscrutable mysteries?
Sir Henry had been visiting an old schoolfellow, who had a country seat near Leamington. He was riding homewards, through a sequestered7 and wooded part of the park, when he was aware of the presence of two ladies, evidently a mother and daughter. They sate8 on one side of the rude path, on an old prostrate9 beech10 tree. The daughter, who was very beautiful, was sketching11 a piece of fern for a foreground: the mother was looking over the drawing. Neither saw the equestrian12.
It was a fair sight to regard the young artist, with her fine profile and drooping13 eyelid14, bending over the drawing, like a Grecian statue; then to note the calm features upturn15, and forget the statue in the breathing woman. At intervals16, her auburn tresses would fall on the paper, and sweep the pencil's efforts. At such times, she would remove them with her small hand, with such a soft smile, and gentle grace, that the very action seemed to speak volumes for her feminine sympathies. Delme disturbed them not, but making a tour through the grove17 of beech trees, reached Leamington in thoughtful mood.
It was not long before he met them in society. The mother was a Mrs. Vernon, a widow, with a large family and small means. Of that family Julia was the fairest flower. As Sir Henry made her acquaintance, and her character unfolded itself, he acknowledged that few could study it without deriving18 advantage; few without loving her to adoration19. That character it would be hard to describe without our description appearing high-flown and exaggerated. It bore an impress of loftiness, totally removed from pride; a moral superiority, which impressed all. With this was united an innate20 purity, that seemed her birthright; a purity that could not for an instant be doubted. If the libertine21 gazed on her features, it awoke in him recollections that had long slumbered22; of the time when his heart beat but for one. If, in her immediate23 sphere, any littleness of feeling was brought to her notice, it was met with an intuitive doubt, followed by painful surprise, that such feeling, foreign as she felt it to be to her own nature, could really have existence in that of another.
Thank God! she had seen few of the trickeries of this restless world, in which most of us are struggling against our neighbours; and, if we could look forward with certainty, to the nature of the world beyond this, it is most likely that we should breathe a fervent24 prayer that she should never witness more.
Her person was a fit receptacle for such a mind. A face all softness, seemed and was the index to a heart all pity. Taller than her compeers,--in all she said or did, a native dignity and a witching grace were exquisitely25 blended. She was one not easily seen without admiration26; but when known, clung Cydippe-like to the heart's mirror, an image over which neither time nor absence possessed27 controul.
The Delmes resided at Leamington the remainder of the winter, which passed fleetly and happily. Emily, for the first time, gave way to that one feeling, which, to a woman, is the all-important and engrossing28 one, enjoying her happiness in that full spirit of content, which basking29 in present joys, attempts not to mar30 them by ideal disquietudes. The Delmes cultivated the society of the Vernons; Emily and Julia became great friends; and Sir Henry, with all his stoicism, was nourishing an attachment31, whose force, had he been aware of it, he would have been at some pains to repress. As it was, he totally overlooked the possibility of his trifling32 with the feelings of another. He had a number of sage33 aphorisms34 to urge against his own entanglement35, and, with a moral perverseness36, from which the best of us are not free, chose to forget that it was possible his convincing arguments, might neither be known to, nor appreciated by one, on whom their effect might be far from unimportant.
At this stage, Clarendon thought it his duty to warn Delme; and, to his credit be it said, shrunk not from it.
"Excuse me, Delme," said he, "will you allow me to say one word to you on a subject that nearly concerns yourself?"
Sir Henry briefly37 assented38.
"You see a great deal of Miss Vernon. She is a very fascinating and a very amiable39 person; but from something you once said to me, it has struck me that in some respects she might not suit you."
"I like her society," replied his friend; "but you are right. She would not suit me. You know me pretty well. My hope has ever been to increase, and not diminish the importance of my house. It once stood higher both in wealth and consideration. I see many families springing up around me, that can hardly lay claim to a descent so unblemished I speak not in a spirit of intolerance, nor found my family claim solely40 on its pedigree; but my ancestors have done good in their generation, and it is a proud thing to be 'the scion41 of a noble race!'"
"It may be;" said Clarendon quietly, "but I cannot help thinking, that with your affluence42, you have every right to follow your own inclination43. I know that few of my acquaintances are so independent of the world."
Sir Henry shook his head.
"The day is not very distant, Gage44, when a Dacre would hardly have returned two members for my county, if a Delme had willed it otherwise. But there is little occasion for me to have said thus much. Miss Vernon, I trust, has other plans; and I believe my own feelings are not enlisted45 deep enough, to make me forget the hopes and purposes of half a life-time."
It was some few days after this, when Emily had almost given up looking with interest to the postman's visit, that a letter at last came, directed to Sir Henry; not indeed in George's hand-writing, but with the Malta post mark. Delme read it over thoughtfully, and, assuring Emily that there was nothing to alarm her, left the room to consider its contents.
By the way, we have thought over heartless professions, and cannot help conceiving that of a postman, (it may be conceit46!) the most callous47 and unfeeling of all. He is waited for with more anxiety than any guest of the morning; for his visits invariably convey something new to the mind. He is not love! but he bears it in his pocket; he cannot be friendship! but he daily hawks48 about its assurances. With all this, knowing his importance, aware of the sensation his appearance calls forth49, his very knock is heartless--the tones of his voice cold. Feeling seems denied him; his head is a debtor50 and creditor51 account, his departure the receipt, and time alone can say, whether your bargain has been a good or a bad one. He has certainly no assumption--it is one of his few good traits; he walks with his arms in motion, but attempts not a swagger; his knock is unassuming, and his words, though much attended to, are few, and to the point. Why, then, abuse him? We know not, but believe it originates in fear. An intuitive feeling of dread52--a rushing presentiment53 of evil--crosses our mind, as our eye dwells on his thread-bare coat, with its capacious pockets. News of a death--or a marriage--the tender valentine--the remorseless dun--your having been left an estate, or cut off with a shilling--fortune, and misfortune--- he quietly dispenses54, as if totally unconscious. Surely such a man--his round performed--cannot quietly sink to the private individual. Can such a man caress55 his wife, or kiss his child, when he knows not how many hearts are bursting with joy, or breaking with sorrow, from the tidings he has conveyed? To our mind, a postman should be an abstracted visionary being, endowed with a peculiar56 countenance57, betraying the unnatural58 sparkle of the opium-eater, and evincing intense anxiety at the delivery of each sheet. But these,--they wait not to hear the joyful59 shout, or heart-rending moan--to know if hope deferred60 be at length joyful certainty, or bitter only half-expected woe61. We dread a postman. Our hand shook, as we last year paid the man of many destinies his demanded Christmas box.
The amount was double that we gave to the minister of our corporeal62 necessities--the butcher's boy--not from a conviction of the superior services or merit of the former, but from an uneasy desire to bribe63, if we could, that Mercury of fate.
The letter to Sir Henry, was from the surgeon of George's regiment64. It stated that George had been severely65 ill, and that connected with his illness, were symptoms which made it imperative66 on the medical adviser67, to recommend the immediate presence of his nearest male relative. Apologies were made for the apparent mystery of the communication, with a promise that this would be at once cleared up, if Sir Henry would but consent to make the voyage; which would not only enable him to be of essential service to his brother, but also to acquire much information regarding him, which could only be obtained on the spot. A note from George was enclosed in this letter. It was written with an unsteady hand, and made no mention of his illness. He earnestly begged his brother to come to Malta, if he could possibly so arrange it, and transmitted his kindest love and blessing68 to Emily.
Sir Henry at once made up his mind, to leave Leamington for town on the morrow, trusting that he might there meet with information which would be more satisfactory. He concealed69 for the time the true state of the case from all but Clarendon; nor did he even allude70 to his proposed departure.
It was Emily's birth-day, and Gage had arranged that the whole party should attend a little fete on that night. Sir Henry could not find it in his heart to disturb his sister's dream of happiness.
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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incompatible
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| adj.不相容的，不协调的，不相配的 | |
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binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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sequestered
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| adj.扣押的；隐退的；幽静的；偏僻的v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 )；扣押 | |
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sate
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| v.使充分满足 | |
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prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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sketching
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| n.草图 | |
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equestrian
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| adj.骑马的；n.马术 | |
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drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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eyelid
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| n.眼睑，眼皮 | |
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upturn
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| n.情况好转 | |
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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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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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deriving
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| v.得到( derive的现在分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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adoration
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| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
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innate
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| adj.天生的，固有的，天赋的 | |
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libertine
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| n.淫荡者；adj.放荡的，自由思想的 | |
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slumbered
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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26
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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27
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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28
engrossing
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| adj.使人全神贯注的，引人入胜的v.使全神贯注( engross的现在分词 ) | |
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29
basking
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| v.晒太阳，取暖( bask的现在分词 )；对…感到乐趣；因他人的功绩而出名；仰仗…的余泽 | |
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30
mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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aphorisms
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| 格言，警句( aphorism的名词复数 ) | |
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entanglement
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| n.纠缠，牵累 | |
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perverseness
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| n. 乖张, 倔强, 顽固 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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scion
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| n.嫩芽，子孙 | |
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affluence
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| n.充裕，富足 | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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gage
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| n.标准尺寸，规格；量规，量表 [=gauge] | |
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enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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callous
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| adj.无情的，冷淡的，硬结的，起老茧的 | |
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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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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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debtor
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| n.借方，债务人 | |
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creditor
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| n.债仅人，债主，贷方 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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presentiment
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| n.预感，预觉 | |
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dispenses
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| v.分配，分与；分配( dispense的第三人称单数 )；施与；配（药） | |
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caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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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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unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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deferred
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| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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corporeal
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| adj.肉体的，身体的；物质的 | |
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bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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adviser
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| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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