THE man who kissed and bore away the prostrate1 girl was George Mullholland.
"Oh! George-George!" she whispers imploringly2, as her eyes meet his; and turning upon the couch of her chamber3, where he hath lain her, awakes to consciousness, and finds him watching over her with a lover's solicitude4. "I was not cold because I loved you less-oh no! It was to propitiate5 my ambition-to be free of the bondage6 of this house-to purge7 myself of the past-to better my future!" And she lays her pale, nervous hand gently on his arm-then grasps his hand and presses it fervently8 to her lips.
Though placed beyond the pale of society-though envied by one extreme and shunned9 by the other-she finds George her only true friend. He parts and smooths gently over her polished shoulders her dishevelled hair; he watches over her with the tenderness of a brother; he quenches10 and wipes away the blood oozing11 from her wounded breast; he kisses and kisses her flushed cheek, and bathes her Ion-like brow. He forgives all. His heart would speak if his tongue had words to represent it. He would the past were buried-the thought of having wronged him forgotten. She recognizes in his solicitude for her the sincerity12 of his heart. It touches like sweet music the tenderest chords of her own; and like gushing13 fountains her great black eyes fill with tears. She buries her face in her hands, crying, "Never, never, George, (I swear it before the God I have wronged, but whose forgiveness I still pray,) will I again forget my obligation to you! I care not how high in station he who seeks me may be. Ambitious!--I was misled. His money lured14 me away, but he betrayed me in the face of his promises. Henceforth I have nothing for this deceptive16 world; I receive of it nothing but betrayal--"
"The world wants nothing more of either of us," interrupts George.
More wounded in her feelings than in her flesh, she sobs17 and wrings18 her hands like one in despair.
"You have ambition. I am too poor to serve your ambition!"
That word, too "poor," is more than her already distracted brain can bear up under. It brings back the terrible picture of their past history; it goads19 and agonizes20 her very soul. She throws her arms frantically21 about his neck; presses him to her bosom22; kisses him with the fervor23 of a child. Having pledged his forgiveness with a kiss, and sealed it by calling in a witness too often profaned24 on such occasions, George calms her feelings as best he can; then he smooths with a gentle hand the folds of her uplifted dress, and with them curtains the satin slippers25 that so delicately encase her small feet. This done, he spreads over her the richly-lined India morning- gown presented to her a few days ago by the Judge, who, as she says, so wantonly betrayed her, and on whom she sought revenge. Like a Delian maid, surrounded with Oriental luxury, and reclining on satin and velvet26, she flings her flowing hair over her shoulders, nestles her weary head in the embroidered27 cushion, and with the hand of her only true friend firmly grasped in her own, soothes28 away into a calm sleep-that sovereign but too transient balm for sorrowing hearts.
Our scene changes. The ghost hath taken himself to the grave-yard; the morning dawns soft and sunny on what we harmlessly style the sunny city of the sunny South. Madame Flamingo29 hath resolved to nail another horse-shoe over her door. She will propitiate (so she hath it) the god of ghosts.
George Mullholland, having neither visible means of gaining a livelihood30 nor a settled home, may be seen in a solitary31 box at Baker's, (a coffee-house at the corner of Meeting and Market streets,) eating an humble32 breakfast. About him there is a forlornness that the quick eye never fails to discover in the manners of the homeless man. "Cleverly done," he says, laying down the Mercury newspaper, in which it is set forth15 that "the St. Cecilia, in consequence of an affliction in the family of one of its principal members, postponed34 its assembly last night. The theatre, in consequence of a misunderstanding between the manager and his people, was also closed. The lecture on comparative anatomy35, by Professor Bones, which was to have been delivered at Hibernian Hall, is, in consequence of the indisposition of the learned Professor, put off to Tuesday evening next, when he will have, as he deserves, an overflowing36 house. Tickets, as before, may be had at all the music and bookstores." The said facetious37 journal was silent on the superior attractions at the house of the old hostess; nor did it deem it prudent38 to let drop a word on the misunderstanding between the patrons of the drama and the said theatrical39 manager, inasmuch as it was one of those that are sure to give rise to a very serious misunderstanding between that functionary40 and his poor people.
In another column the short but potent41 line met his eye: "An overflowing and exceedingly fashionable house greeted the Negro Minstrels last night. First-rate talent never goes begging in our city." George sips42 his coffee and smiles. Wonderfully clever these editors are, he thinks. They have nice apologies for public taste always on hand; set the country by the ears now and then; and amuse themselves with carrying on the most prudent description of wars.
His own isolated43 condition, however, is uppermost in his mind. Poverty and wretchedness stare him in the face on one side; chivalry44, on the other, has no bows for him while daylight lasts. Instinct whispers in his ear-where one exists the other is sure to be.
To the end that this young man will perform a somewhat important part in the by-ways of this history, some further description of him may be necessary. George Mullholland stands some five feet nine, is wiry-limbed, and slender and erect45 of person. Of light complexion46, his features are sharp and irregular, his face narrow and freckled47, his forehead small and retreating, his hair sandy and short-cropped. Add to these two small, dull, gray eyes, and you have features not easily described. Nevertheless, there are moments when his countenance48 wears an expression of mildness-one in which the quick eye may read a character more inoffensive than intrusive49. A swallow-tail blue coat, of ample skirts, and brass50 buttons; a bright-colored waistcoat, opening an avalanche51 of shirt-bosom, blossoming with cheap jewelry52; a broad, rolling shirt-collar, tied carelessly with a blue ribbon; a steeple-crowned hat, set on the side of his head with a challenging air; and a pair of broadly-striped and puckered53 trowsers, reaching well over a small-toed and highly-glazed boot, constitutes his dress. For the exact set of those two last-named articles of his wardrobe he maintains a scrupulous54 regard. We are compelled to acknowledge George an importation from New York, where he would be the more readily recognized by that vulgar epithet55, too frequently used by the self-styled refined--"a swell56."
Life with George is a mere57 drift of uncertainty58. As for aims and ends, why he sees the safer thing in having nothing to do with them. Mr. Tom Toddleworth once advised this course, and Tom was esteemed59 good authority in such matters. Like many others, his character is made up of those yielding qualities which the teachings of good men may elevate to usefulness, or bad men corrupt60 by their examples. There is a stage in the early youth of such persons when we find their minds singularly susceptible61, and ready to give rapid growth to all the vices62 of depraved men; while they are equally apt in receiving good, if good men but take the trouble to care for them, and inculcate lessons of morality.
Not having a recognized home, we may add, in resuming our story, that George makes Baker's his accustomed haunt during the day, as do also numerous others of his class-a class recognized and made use of by men in the higher walks of life only at night.
"Ah! ha, ha! into a tight place this time, George," laughs out Mr. Soloman, the accommodation man, as he hastens into the room, seats himself in the box with George, and seizes his hand with the earnestness of a true friend. Mr. Soloman can deport63 himself on all occasions with becoming good nature. "It's got out, you see."
"What has got out?" interrupts George, maintaining a careless indifference64.
"Come now! none of that, old fellow."
"If I understood you--"
"That affair last night," pursues Mr. Soloman, his delicate fingers wandering into his more delicately-combed beard. "It'll go hard with you. He's a stubborn old cove33, that Sleepyhorn; administers the law as C'sar was wont65 to. Yesterday he sent seven to the whipping-post; to-day he hangs two 'niggers' and a white man. There is a consolation66 in getting rid of the white. I say this because no one loses a dollar by it."
George, continuing to masticate67 his bread, says it has nothing to do with him. He may hang the town.
"If I can do you a bit of a good turn, why here's your man. But you must not talk that way--you must not, George, I assure you!" Mr. Soloman assumes great seriousness of countenance, and again, in a friendly way, takes George by the hand. "That poignard, George, was yours. It was picked up by myself when it fell from your hand--"
"My hand! my hand!" George quickly interposes, his countenance paling, and his eyes wandering in excitement.
"Now don't attempt to disguise the matter, you know! Come out on the square-own up! Jealousy68 plays the devil with one now and then. I know-I have had a touch of it; had many a little love affair in my time--"
George again interrupts by inquiring to what he is coming.
"To the attempt (the accommodation man assumes an air of sternness) you made last night on the life of that unhappy girl. It is needless," he adds, "to plead ignorance. The Judge has the poignard; and what's more, there are four witnesses ready to testify. It'll go hard with you, my boy." He shakes his head warningly.
"I swear before God and man I am as innocent as ignorant of the charge. The poignard I confess is mine; but I had no part in the act of last night, save to carry the prostrate girl-the girl I dearly love-away. This I can prove by her own lips."
Mr. Soloman, with an air of legal profundity69, says: "This is all very well in its way, George, but it won't stand in law. The law is what you have got to get at. And when you have got at it, you must get round it; and then you must twist it and work it every which way-only be careful not to turn its points against yourself; that, you know, is the way we lawyers do the thing. You'll think we're a sharp lot; and we have to be sharp, as times are."
"It is not surprising," replies George, as if waking from a fit of abstraction, "that she should have sought revenge of one who so basely betrayed her at the St. Cecilia--"
"There, there!" Mr. Soloman interrupts, changing entirely70 the expression of his countenance, "the whole thing is out! I said there was an unexplained mystery somewhere. It was not the Judge, but me who betrayed her to the assembly. Bless you, (he smiles, and crooking71 his finger, beckons72 a servant, whom he orders to bring a julep,) I was bound to do it, being the guardian73 of the Society's dignity, which office I have held for years. But you don't mean to have it that the girl attempted--(he suddenly corrects himself)--Ah, that won't do, George. Present my compliments to Anna--I wouldn't for the world do aught to hurt her feelings, you know that--and say I am ready to get on my knees to her to confess myself a penitent74 for having injured her feelings. Yes, I am ready to do anything that will procure75 her forgiveness. I plead guilty. But she must in return forgive the Judge. He is hard in law matters--that is, we of the law consider him so--now and then; but laying that aside, he is one of the best old fellows in the world, loves Anna to distraction77; nor has he the worst opinion in the world of you, George. Fact is, I have several times heard him refer to you in terms of praise. As I said before, being the man to do you a bit of a good turn, take my advice as a friend. The Judge has got you in his grasp, according to every established principle of law; and having four good and competent witnesses, (you have no voice in law, and Anna's won't stand before a jury,) will send you up for a twelve-months' residence in Mount Rascal78."
It will be almost needless here to add, that Mr. Soloman had, in an interview with the Judge, arranged, in consideration of a goodly fee, to assume the responsibility of the betrayal at the St. Cecilia; and also to bring about a reconciliation79 between him and the girl he so passionately80 sought.
"Keep out of the way a few days, and everything will blow over and come right. I will procure you the Judge's friendship--yes, his money, if you want. More than that, I will acknowledge my guilt76 to Anna; and being as generous of heart as she is beautiful, she will, having discovered the mistake, forgive me and make amends81 to the Judge for her foolish act.
It is almost superfluous82 to add, that the apparent sincerity with which the accommodation man pleaded, had its effect on the weak-minded man. He loved dearly the girl, but poverty hung like a leaden cloud over him. Poverty stripped him of the means of gratifying her ambition; poverty held him fast locked in its blighting83 chains; poverty forbid his rescuing her from the condition necessity had imposed upon her; poverty was goading84 him into crime; and through crime only did he see the means of securing to himself the cherished object of his love.
"I am not dead to your friendship, but I am too sad at heart to make any pledge that involves Anna, at this moment. We met in wretchedness, came up in neglect and crime, sealed our love with the hard seal of suffering. Oh! what a history of misery85 my heart could unfold, if it had but a tongue!" George replies, in subdued86 accents, as a tear courses down his cheek.
Extending his hand, with an air of encouragement, Mr. Soloman says nothing in the world would so much interest him as a history of the relations existing between George and Anna. Their tastes, aims, and very natures, are different. To him their connection is clothed in mystery.
收听单词发音 |
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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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imploringly
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| adv. 恳求地, 哀求地 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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propitiate
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| v.慰解，劝解 | |
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bondage
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| n.奴役，束缚 | |
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purge
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| n.整肃，清除，泻药，净化；vt.净化，清除，摆脱；vi.清除，通便，腹泻，变得清洁 | |
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fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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shunned
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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quenches
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| 解（渴）( quench的第三人称单数 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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oozing
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| v.（浓液等）慢慢地冒出，渗出( ooze的现在分词 )；使（液体）缓缓流出；（浓液）渗出，慢慢流出 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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gushing
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| adj.迸出的；涌出的；喷出的；过分热情的v.喷，涌( gush的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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lured
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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wrings
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| 绞( wring的第三人称单数 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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goads
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| n.赶牲口的尖棒( goad的名词复数 )v.刺激( goad的第三人称单数 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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agonizes
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| v.使（极度）痛苦，折磨( agonize的第三人称单数 )；苦斗；苦苦思索；感到极度痛苦 | |
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frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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fervor
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| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
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profaned
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| v.不敬( profane的过去式和过去分词 )；亵渎，玷污 | |
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slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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soothes
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| v.安慰( soothe的第三人称单数 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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flamingo
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| n.红鹳，火烈鸟 | |
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livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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anatomy
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| n.解剖学，解剖；功能，结构，组织 | |
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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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facetious
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| adj.轻浮的，好开玩笑的 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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functionary
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| n.官员；公职人员 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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42
sips
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| n.小口喝，一小口的量( sip的名词复数 )v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的第三人称单数 ) | |
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isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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freckled
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| adj.雀斑；斑点；晒斑；（使）生雀斑v.雀斑，斑点( freckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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intrusive
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| adj.打搅的；侵扰的 | |
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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avalanche
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| n.雪崩，大量涌来 | |
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52
jewelry
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| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
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puckered
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| v.（使某物）起褶子或皱纹( pucker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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epithet
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| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
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swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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corrupt
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| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
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susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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vices
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| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
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deport
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| vt.驱逐出境 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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masticate
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| v.咀嚼 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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profundity
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| n.渊博；深奥，深刻 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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crooking
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| n.弯曲（木材等的缺陷）v.弯成钩形( crook的现在分词 ) | |
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72
beckons
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的第三人称单数 ) | |
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73
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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74
penitent
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| adj.后悔的；n.后悔者；忏悔者 | |
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75
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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76
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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77
distraction
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| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
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78
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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79
reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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80
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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81
amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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82
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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83
blighting
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| 使凋萎( blight的现在分词 )； 使颓丧； 损害； 妨害 | |
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84
goading
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| v.刺激( goad的现在分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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85
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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