Fran. de Med.
Your unhappy husband
Is dead.
Vit. Cor.
Oh, he's a happy husband!
Now he owes nature nothing.
Mon.
And look upon this creature as his wife.
She comes not like a widow--she comes armed
The White Devil.
The progress of our narrative2 demands our presence in another apartment of the hall--a large, lonesome chamber3, situate in the eastern wing of the house, already described as the most ancient part of the building--the sombre appearance of which was greatly increased by the dingy4, discolored tapestry5 that clothed its walls; the record of the patience and industry of a certain Dame6 Dorothy Rookwood, who flourished some centuries ago, and whose skilful7 needle had illustrated8 the slaughter9 of the Innocents, with a severity of gusto, and sanguinary minuteness of detail, truly surprising in a lady so amiable10 as she was represented to have been. Grim-visaged Herod glared from the ghostly woof, with his shadowy legions, executing their murderous purposes, grouped like a troop of Sabbath-dancing witches around him. Mysterious twilight11, admitted through the deep, dark, mullioned windows, revealed the antique furniture of the room, which still boasted a sort of mildewed12 splendor13, more imposing14, perhaps, than its original gaudy15 magnificence; and showed the lofty hangings, and tall, hearse-like canopy16 of a bedstead, once a couch of state, but now destined17 for the repose18 of Lady Rookwood. The stiff crimson19 hangings were embroidered20 in gold, with the arms and cipher21 of Elizabeth, from whom the apartment, having once been occupied by that sovereign, obtained the name of the "Queen's Room."
The sole tenant22 of this chamber was a female, in whose countenance23, if time and strong emotion had written strange defeatures, they had not obliterated24 its striking beauty and classical grandeur25 of expression. It was a face majestical and severe. Pride was stamped in all its lines; and though each passion was, by turns, developed, it was evident that all were subordinate to the sin by which the angels fell. The contour of her face was formed in the purest Grecian mould, and might have been a model for Medea; so well did the gloomy grandeur of the brow, the severe chiselling26 of the lip, the rounded beauty of the throat, and the faultless symmetry of her full form, accord with the beau ideal of antique perfection. Shaded by smooth folds of raven27 hair, which still maintained its jetty dye, her lofty forehead would have been displayed to the greatest advantage, had it not been at this moment knit and deformed29 by excess of passion, if that passion can be said to deform28 which only calls forth30 strong and vehement31 expression. Her figure, which wanted only height to give it dignity, was arrayed in the garb32 of widowhood; and if she exhibited none of the desolation of heart which such a bereavement33 might have been expected to awaken34, she was evidently a prey35 to feelings scarcely less harrowing. At the particular time of which we speak, Lady Rookwood, for she it was, was occupied in the investigation36 of the contents of an escritoire. Examining the papers which it contained with great deliberation, she threw each aside, as soon as she had satisfied herself of its purport37, until she arrived at a little package, carefully tied up with black ribbon, and sealed. This, Lady Rookwood hastily broke open, and drew forth a small miniature. It was that of a female, young and beautiful, rudely, yet faithfully, executed--faithfully, we say, for there was an air of sweetness and simplicity--and, in short, a look of reality and nature about the picture (it is seldom, indeed, that we mistake a likeness38, even if we are unacquainted with the original) that attested39 the artist's fidelity40. The face was as radiant with smiles as a bright day with sunbeams. The portrait was set in gold, and behind it was looped a lock of the darkest and finest hair. Underneath41 the miniature was written, in Sir Piers42's hand, the words "Lady Rookwood." A slip of folded paper was also attached to it.
Lady Rookwood scornfully scrutinized43 the features for a few moments, and then unfolded the paper, at the sight of which she started, and turned pale. "Thank God!" she cried, "this is in my possession--while I hold this, we are safe. Were it not better to destroy this evidence at once? No, no, not now--it shall not part from me. I will abide44 Ranulph's return. This document will give me a power over him such as I could never otherwise obtain." Placing the marriage certificate, for such it was, within her breast, and laying the miniature upon the table, she next proceeded, deliberately45, to arrange the disordered contents of the box.
All outward traces of emotion had, ere this, become so subdued46 in Lady Rookwood, that although she had, only a few moments previously47, exhibited the extremity48 of passionate49 indignation, she now, apparently50 without effort, resumed entire composure, and might have been supposed to be engaged in a matter of little interest to herself. It was a dread51 calm, which they who knew her would have trembled to behold52. "From these letters I gather," exclaimed she, "that their wretched offspring knows not of his fortune. So far, well. There is no channel whence he can derive53 information, and my first care shall be to prevent his obtaining any clue to the secret of his birth. I am directed to provide for him--ha! ha! I will provide--a grave! There will I bury him and his secret. My son's security and my own wrong demand it. I must choose surer hands--the work must not be half-done, as heretofore. And now, I bethink me, he is in the neighborhood, connected with a gang of poachers--'tis as I could wish it."
At this moment a knock at the chamber-door broke upon her meditations54. "Agnes, is it you?" demanded Lady Rookwood.
Thus summoned, the old attendant entered the room.
"Why are my orders disobeyed?" asked the lady, in a severe tone of voice. "Did I not say, when you delivered me this package from Mr. Coates, which he himself wished to present, that I would not be disturbed?"
"You did, my lady, but----"
"Speak out," said Lady Rookwood, somewhat more mildly, perceiving, from Agnes's manner, that she had something of importance to communicate. "What is it brings you hither?"
"I am sorry," returned Agnes, "to disturb your ladyship, but--but----"
"But what?" interrupted Lady Rookwood, impatiently.
"I could not help it, my lady--he would have me come; he said he was resolved to see your ladyship, whether you would or not."
"Would see me, ha! is it so? I guess his errand, and its object--he has some suspicion. No, that cannot be; he would not dare to tamper55 with these seals. Agnes, I will not see him."
"But he swears, my lady, that he will not leave the house without seeing you--he would have forced his way into your presence, if I had not consented to announce him."
"Insolent56!" exclaimed Lady Rookwood, with a glance of indignation; "force his way! I promise you he shall not display an equal anxiety to repeat the visit. Tell Mr. Coates I will see him."
"Mr. Coates! Mercy on us, my lady, it's not he. He'd never have intruded57 upon you unasked. No such thing. He knows his place too well. No, no; it's not Mr. Coates----"
"If not he, who is it?"
"Luke Bradley; your ladyship knows whom I mean."
"He here--now?----"
"Yes, my lady; and looking so fierce and strange, I was quite frightened to see him. He looked so like his--his----"
"His father, you would say. Speak out."
"No, my lady, his grandfather--old Sir Reginald. He's the very image of him. But had not your ladyship better ring the alarm-bell? and when he comes in, I'll run and fetch the servants--he's dangerous, I'm sure."
"I have no fears of him. He will see me, you say----"
"Ay, will!" exclaimed Luke, as he threw open the door, and shut it forcibly after him, striding towards Lady Rookwood, "nor abide longer delay."
It was an instant or two ere Lady Rookwood, thus taken by surprise, could command speech. She fixed58 her eyes with a look of keen and angry inquiry59 upon the bold intruder, who, nothing daunted60, confronted her glances with a gaze as stern and steadfast61 as her own.
"Who are you, and what seek you?" exclaimed Lady Rookwood, after a brief pause, and, in spite of herself, her voice sounded tremulously. "What would you have, that you venture to appear before me at this season and in this fashion?"
"I might have chosen a fitter opportunity," returned Luke, "were it needed. My business will not brook62 delay--you must be pleased to overlook this intrusion on your privacy, at a season of sorrow like the present. As to the fashion of my visit, you must be content to excuse it. I cannot help myself. I may amend63 hereafter. Who I am, you are able, I doubt not, to divine. What I seek, you shall hear, when this old woman has left the room, unless you would have a witness to a declaration that concerns you as nearly as myself."
An indefinite feeling of apprehension64 had, from the first instant of Luke's entrance crossed Lady Rookwood's mind. She, however, answered, with some calmness:
"What you can have to say is of small moment to me--nor does it signify who may hear it. It shall not, however, be said that Lady Rookwood feared to be alone, even though she endangered her life."
"I am no assassin," replied Luke, "nor have sought the destruction of my deadliest foe--though 'twere but retributive justice to have done so."
Lady Rookwood started.
"Go," said Lady Rookwood to Agnes; "yet--stay without, in the antechamber."
"My lady," said Agnes, scarcely able to articulate, "shall I----"
"Hear me, Lady Rookwood," interrupted Luke. "I repeat, I intend you no injury. My object here is solely67 to obtain a private conference. You can have no reason for denying me this request. I will not abuse your patience. Mine is no idle mission. Say you refuse me, and I will at once depart. I will find other means of communicating with you--less direct, and therefore less desirable. Make your election. But we must be alone--undisturbed. Summon your household--let them lay hands upon me, and I will proclaim aloud what you would gladly hide, even from yourself."
"Leave us, Agnes," said Lady Rookwood. "I have no fear of this man. I can deal with him myself, should I see occasion."
"Agnes," said Luke, in a stern, deep whisper, arresting the ancient handmaiden as she passed him, "stir not from the door till I come forth. Have you forgotten your former mistress!--my mother? Have you forgotten Barbara Lovel, and that night?"
"Let that be fresh in your memory. Move not a footstep, whatever you may hear," added he, in the same tone as before.
"I will not--I will not." And Agnes departed.
Luke felt some wavering in his resolution when he found himself alone with the lady, whose calm, collected, yet haughty71 demeanor72, as she resumed her seat, prepared for his communication, could not fail to inspire him with a certain degree of awe73. Not unconscious of her advantage, nor slow to profit by it, Lady Rookwood remained perfectly74 silent, with her eyes steadily75 fixed upon his face, while his embarrassment76 momentarily increased. Summoning, at length, courage sufficient to address her, and ashamed of his want of nerve, he thus broke forth:
"When I entered this room, you asked my name and object. As to the first, I answer to the same designation as your ladyship. I have long borne my mother's name. I now claim my father's. My object is, the restitution77 of my rights."
"Soh!--it is as I suspected," thought Lady Rookwood, involuntarily casting her large eyes down. "Do I hear you rightly?" exclaimed she, aloud; "your name is----"
"Sir Luke Rookwood. As my father's elder born; by right of his right to that title."
If a glance could have slain78 him, Luke had fallen lifeless at the lady's feet. With a smile of ineffable79 disdain80, she replied, "I know not why I hesitate to resent this indignity81, even for an instant. But I would see how far your audacity82 will carry you. The name you bear is Bradley?"
"In ignorance I have done so," replied Luke. "I am the son of her whose maiden68 name was Bradley. She was----"
"'Tis false--I will not hear it--she was not," cried Lady Rookwood, her vehemence83 getting the master of her prudence84.
"Your ladyship anticipates my meaning," returned Luke. "Susan Bradley was the first wife of Sir Piers Rookwood."
"His minion--his mistress if you will; nought85 else. Is it new to you, that a village wench, who lends herself to shame, should be beguiled86 by such shallow pretences87? That she was so duped, I doubt not. But it is too late now to complain, and I would counsel you not to repeat your idle boast. It will serve no other purpose, trust me, than to blazon88 forth your own--your mother's dishonor."
"Lady Rookwood," sternly answered Luke, "my mother's fame is as free from dishonor as your own. I repeat, she was the first wife of Sir Piers; and that I, her child, am first in the inheritance; nay, sole heir to the estates and title of Rookwood, to the exclusion89 of your son. Ponder upon that intelligence. Men say they fear you, as a thing of ill. I fear you not. There have been days when the Rookwoods held their dames90 in subjection. Discern you nought of that in me?"
Once or twice during this speech Lady Rookwood's glances had wandered towards the bell-cord, as if about to summon aid; but the intention was abandoned almost as soon as formed, probably from apprehension of the consequences of any such attempt. She was not without alarm as to the result of the interview, and was considering how she could bring it to a termination without endangering herself, and, if possible, secure the person of Luke, when the latter, turning sharply round upon her, and drawing a pistol, exclaimed,--
"Follow me!"
"Whither?" asked she, in alarm.
"To the chamber of death!"
"Why there? what would you do? Villain91! I will not trust my life with you. I will not follow you."
"Hesitate not, as you value your life. Do aught to alarm the house, and I fire. Your safety depends upon yourself. I would see my father's body ere it be laid in the grave. I will not leave you here."
"Go," said Lady Rookwood; "if that be all, I pledge myself you shall not be interrupted."
"I will not take your pledge; your presence shall be my surety. By my mother's unavenged memory, if you play me false, though all your satellites stand around you, you die upon the spot! Obey me, and you are safe. Our way leads to the room by the private staircase--we shall pass unobserved--you see I know the road. The room, by your own command, is vacant--save of the dead. We shall, therefore, be alone. This done, I depart. You will then be free to act. Disobey me, and your blood be upon your own head."
"Lead on!" said Lady Rookwood, pressing towards the antechamber.
"The door I mean is there," pointing to another part of the room--"that panel,--"
"Ha! how know you that?"
"No matter; follow."
Luke touched a spring, and the panel flying open, disclosed a dim recess92, into which he entered; and, seizing Lady Rookwood's hand, dragged her after him.
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收听单词发音
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1
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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2
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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3
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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4
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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5
tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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6
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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7
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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8
illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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9
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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10
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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11
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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12
mildewed
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| adj.发了霉的，陈腐的，长了霉花的v.（使）发霉，（使）长霉( mildew的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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13
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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14
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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15
gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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16
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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17
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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18
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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19
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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21
cipher
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| n.零；无影响力的人；密码 | |
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22
tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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23
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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24
obliterated
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| v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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25
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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26
chiselling
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| n.錾v.凿，雕，镌( chisel的现在分词 ) | |
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27
raven
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| n.渡鸟，乌鸦；adj.乌亮的 | |
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28
deform
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| vt.损坏…的形状；使变形，使变丑；vi.变形 | |
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29
deformed
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| adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的 | |
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30
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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31
vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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32
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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bereavement
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| n.亲人丧亡，丧失亲人，丧亲之痛 | |
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34
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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35
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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36
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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38
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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attested
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| adj.经检验证明无病的，经检验证明无菌的v.证明( attest的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；声称…属实；使宣誓 | |
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40
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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41
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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42
piers
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| n.水上平台( pier的名词复数 )；（常设有娱乐场所的）突堤；柱子；墙墩 | |
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43
scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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45
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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46
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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47
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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48
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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49
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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50
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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51
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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52
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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53
derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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54
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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55
tamper
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| v.干预，玩弄，贿赂，窜改，削弱，损害 | |
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56
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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57
intruded
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| n.侵入的，推进的v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的过去式和过去分词 )；把…强加于 | |
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58
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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59
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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60
daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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62
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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63
amend
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| vt.修改，修订，改进；n.[pl.]赔罪，赔偿 | |
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64
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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65
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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66
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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67
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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68
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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69
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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70
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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71
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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72
demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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73
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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74
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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75
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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76
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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77
restitution
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| n.赔偿；恢复原状 | |
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78
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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79
ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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80
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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81
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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82
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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83
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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84
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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85
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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86
beguiled
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| v.欺骗( beguile的过去式和过去分词 )；使陶醉；使高兴；消磨（时间等） | |
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87
pretences
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| n.假装( pretence的名词复数 )；作假；自命；自称 | |
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88
blazon
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| n.纹章，装饰；精确描绘；v.广布；宣布 | |
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89
exclusion
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| n.拒绝，排除，排斥，远足，远途旅行 | |
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90
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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91
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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92
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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