“I’ve met him a hundred times in Piccadilly!” was Jill’s comment on the stranger, and indeed he had far more the air of a fashionable Londoner than of a miner from the far-off wilds of Mexico. As tall as Miles, though of a more slender build, showing in the same eloquent3 fashion the marks of recent shaving, rather handsome than plain, rather dark than fair, there seemed at first sight little to distinguish him from a hundred other men of the same age. On a closer acquaintance, however, a further attraction was found in the grave, steady glance of the eyes, and in a rare smile, lighting4 up somewhat careworn5 features into a charming flash of gaiety. Mr Gerard was evidently unused to laughter—with all his sterling6 qualities Miles could not be described as a humorous companion!—and the programme of the past years had been all work and no play. As he sat in Mrs Trevor’s drawing-room that first afternoon, he listened in a somewhat dazed fashion to the banter7 which went on between Jack8 and his sisters; but after some time had passed his face began to soften9, the corners of his mouth twitched10, and presently out flashed that delightful11, whole-hearted smile, and Betty, meeting it, buried at once and for ever all lingering prejudices against her brother’s friend.
It was fortunate that Mr Gerard had made a favourable12 impression on the young people, for, at Miles’ earnest request, he was invited to take up his quarters at Brompton Square for the next few weeks.
“His own people live in the country; he has no friends that he cares about in town, and I hate the thought of him moping alone in an hotel after all he has done for me. Besides, we ought to be together just now. There will be business to talk over every night until we get this company floated, and if he were not here I should always have to be going over to him—”
The last argument settled the matter in Mrs Trevor’s eyes. Truth to tell, she was not too anxious to introduce a stranger into her reunited family circle, but if it were easier and more convenient for Miles, and ensured for herself a greater amount of his society, it was impossible to refuse. She reaped the reward of merit in a growing liking13 and admiration14 for her guest, who was even pathetically grateful for her hospitality, and appreciative15 of the home atmosphere to which he had so long been a stranger.
Business engrossed16 the greater part of the time, but there were odd hours of leisure when the girls were suddenly commanded to get ready with all possible speed, and spirited off for an afternoon on the river, or on bicycle expeditions to the country, ending up with an evening meal at some old-fashioned country inn. They were treated to concerts also, and to entertainments of all sorts, including welcoming parties at friends’ houses, and when they bemoaned17 the speedy wearing out of evening dresses, Miles insisted upon providing new ones, regardless of expense.
“It’s most grateful and comforting to have a gold-mine in the family,” cried Jill, making languishing18 eyes at the senior partner. Of course she flirted19 with him—Jill flirted with everything in the shape of a man—monopolising his attention on all occasions in a manner which would have been somewhat trying to most elder sisters.
“But I know you don’t mind. You like best of all to be with Miles,” said Jill easily, when some remark of the sort was made, and Betty’s reply held an unexpected tartness20.
“I don’t mind in the least. It is a matter of perfect unconcern to me how Mr Gerard behaves; but you are my sister. I am sorry to see you lowering your dignity, by being so silly, and flighty, and ridiculous! I am sure he must laugh at you in private?”
“He laughs to my face, dear. I amuse him wonderfully. He told me yesterday that I was as good as a tonic21. Such a pity you should bother your poor old head about me! I understand men, my dear!”
The insinuation of that emphasised “I” was unmistakable. Jill began to hum—an aggravating22 habit of hers when she felt the mistress of a situation—and tripped lightly out of the room.
And Betty sat and thought. Burning like a furnace, throbbing23 in every nerve, shaking her even as she sat, came a sudden fierce heat of anger such as she had not experienced for many a long year. She had been accustomed to regard Jill’s flirtation24 from a mental height of affectionate disdain25, to laugh with purest amusement at her assumption of superiority, but now of a sudden indifference26 had changed to anger and a sore rankling27 of jealousy28, which puzzled as much as it disturbed. It could not be that she herself coveted29 Mr Gerard’s attention! Cynthia, Nan Vanburgh, all her friends had remarked times and again upon her indifference to masculine admiration, for, strange as it might seem, that romantic interview in the fog six years before had linked her sympathies so strangely with one man’s lot that she had had none to spare for later comers. Under God’s providence30 she had saved a life, and while those voiceless messengers told of its preservation31, it must remain the one supreme32 interest of life. Some day “Ralph” would come home. Some day he would appear before her to announce his task completed, and to claim her friendship as his reward. Her mother pleaded with her not to allow a romantic fancy to ruin her life, pointed33 out that “Ralph” might have married long before now, that even if he returned she might be bitterly disappointed in his identity. In vain! Betty could not argue. She felt—and that was the end of the matter. The sympathetic attraction was too strong to be one-sided. At the other side of the ocean “Ralph” was waiting for her, even as she for him, and the meeting would surely come. It might be years hence, but—marvellous thought!—it might be to-day. Each fresh awakening34 brought with it a thrill and a hope.
All these long years had this fantasy lasted; it was not possible that it was beginning to fade at the sight of a pair of grave grey eyes, at the sound of a man’s deep-toned voice!
Betty sat and thought. Ten minutes passed, twenty minutes, half an hour.
Jill thrust her head round the corner of the door to give a careless invitation.
“No, thank you. I’d rather not.”
“Sulking still? Goodness, I thought you’d have recovered by this time! Bye-bye, my dear. Hope you’ll get it over before dinner.”
She was humming again as she made her way to the door, where, no doubt, Mr Gerard waited to accompany her. The invitation had been a polite matter of form to which an acceptance was not desired. Betty leant her head on the table and lived through a moment of bitterness before the door opened once more, and a voice said—
“If you are not going out, may I come in for a few minutes? Miles has not yet—” Then, in a tone of startled concern, “I beg your pardon! I am interrupting you. You are in trouble?”
Betty straightened herself with a nervous laugh.
“Oh, please come in! It’s nothing. I only felt rather—upset. Something vexed36 me, but it’s nothing of any importance. Can I do anything for you? Are you expecting Miles? He said he would be home quite early. Were you going out together?”
“Yes, we have some calls to pay, but there’s still half an hour to spare. He will be up to time, I’m sure. Miles is always punctual.”
Mr Gerard seated himself, and looked with concern at Betty’s face, on which the signs of her mental conflict were clearly printed. It was almost the first time that they had been alone together, for tête-à-têtes were of rare occurrence in the doctor’s busy household, and there was a perceptible hesitation37 on both sides.
“No, thank you! You can do nothing for me, but I wish I could help you,” said Gerard. “Can’t I pummel somebody? Miles will tell you I have a good fighting arm. If anyone has been annoying you—”
That made Betty laugh, with a quick wonder as to what Mr Gerard would say if he knew the identity of his proposed opponent.
“No, no, thank you! I must fight my own battles. As a matter of fact, it’s more temper than anything else. I have a most intrusive38 temper. It is always pushing itself forward—”
She expected the usual polite disclaimer, but it did not come. Will Gerard looked at her for a minute, as if thoughtfully weighing her in the balance, and then the delightful irradiating smile passed over his features.
“And it is more difficult to fight now than in the old days, when you could let yourself go, have a grand rampage, and trust to time and the aroma39 of roast chestnuts40 to make the peace!” he said mischievously41; and when Betty started in dismay—
“Oh, I know all about it! The subject of home is very attractive when one is alone in exile. I could hardly know more about you if I’d been a member of your schoolroom party. I used to lure43 Miles on to talk of old days. It kept us both occupied. Do you remember the occasion when you decided44 to starve yourself to death, because you imagined that you had been unjustly treated, and then got up in the middle of the first night to raid a cold chop from the larder45? Or the time you vowed46 vengeance47 on Miles for cutting off the ends of your hair to make paint brushes, repented48 after you went to bed, and went to make it up, when he concluded you were playing ghosts, and nearly throttled49 you as a welcome?”
Betty laughed, undecided between amusement and vexation.
“It’s too bad! He seems to have given me away all round. If he was going to tell tales, he might have told flattering ones. I am sure I was often very nice, or I was always sorry if I wasn’t. I used to roast chestnuts and muffins, and eat oranges and peppermints50 with the door wide open to lure him back. They were dear old days! I am glad he remembered them, but it must have been boring for you. Did he—did he tell you—more things about me?”
“Many more!”
“Principally about me? More than about the others?”
“You were his special chum. It was natural that he should speak most of you.”
“And—er—my letters! Did he read those aloud?”
“Parts of them. I never saw them, of course, except—”
“Except when?”
“When he was ill. He could not read himself, and was anxious to hear the news. Three letters from you arrived during that time. He said it did not matter. That there would be no secrets in them—nothing you would not wish me to know.”
Betty flushed, cast an agonised thought back through the years, to try to remember the gist51 of those three missives, failed completely, and nervously52 twisted her fingers together.
“There was one thing they would show you pretty plainly, which I’d rather have kept secret.”
“Yes?”
“Myself?”
She looked across the room with a flickering53 glance, and met Will Gerard’s steady gaze.
“Yes,” he said slowly. “They showed me yourself!”
That was all. Not another word, either of praise or blame. Did he hate her then—think her altogether flighty and contemptible54, or had the letters been by chance good specimens55 of their number, and did he like them, and think her “nice”? The face told her nothing in its grave impenetrability. She felt herself blushing more deeply than ever, rallied all her powers with the determination that she would not be stupid, and cried gaily—
“Well, after all, the confidence was not all on one side! We heard enough about you. ‘My chum Gerard’ has been a household word among us for years past. You were such a paragon56 that we were quite bored with the list of your perfections.” She raised her hands and began checking off his characteristics on the different fingers in charming, mischievous42 fashion. “My chum Gerard is so clever,—so industrious,—so far-seeing,—so thoughtful,—so generous,—so kind,—so helpful—no! I am not going to stop; I’ve not half-finished yet.—All that he does is wise; all that he tries, succeeds; all that he has, he shares; and when he speaks, let no dog bark! When we read about impossible heroes in books we called them ‘Gerard’; when we wanted to express the acme57 of perfection, we called a thing ‘Gerardy.’ Jill read aloud the Swiss Family Robinson to Pam, and called the good proper papa ‘Mr Gerard’ all the way through. So now!”
“Now, indeed!” echoed the real Mr Gerard, laughing. “You are certainly revenged, Miss Trevor. I don’t know anything more trying than to be preceded by an impossibly exaggerated character! The reality is bound to be a disappointment. Miles has credited me with his own virtues58, for in reality I am a very faulty person; not in the least like that paragon, Robinson Papa, of whom I have a vivid remembrance. He would have been a useful person out in Mexico, all the same. That convenient habit of discovering every necessity for the table or the toilet on the nearest bush would have helped us out of many a dilemma59.”
They laughed together over the old-time memory, and then, suddenly sobering, Mr Gerard continued—
“At any rate, Miss Trevor, the fact remains60, that by ‘good report or ill,’ even by sight, so far as photographs can reproduce us, we have been intimately acquainted with each other for the last six years. Six years is a long time. It ought to enable us to meet as friends rather than acquaintances?”
The last sentence was uttered more as a question than a fact, and Betty answered with eager acquiescence61.
“Oh yes, as friends, quite old friends. It is far better so—”
“Yet there are times when you treat me like the veriest stranger! It must be my own fault. Have I done or said anything since my arrival which has displeased62 you?”
“Oh no! Please don’t think so. It was nothing at all, not a thing, except only that—”
She could not say, “Except that you seemed to prefer Jill’s society to mine,” and so complete the sentence; so she subsided63 into blushing silence, and Mr Gerard tactfully forbore to question.
“Don’t let there be any more ‘excepts’ or ‘buts,’ please! Take me on trust as Miles’ friend and—if you will allow me—your own. That is all I request.”
At this interesting moment the sound of a latchkey was heard in the front door, followed by voices and footsteps in the hall. Mr Gerard muttered something under his breath. What the exact words were Betty did not know, but they were certainly not indicative of pleasure. Then the door opened, and Miles entered, followed by Jill, who had met her brother soon after starting for her walk, and had escorted him back to the house.
She raised her eyebrows64 at the sight of Mr Gerard. Had he not refused to go out with her a few minutes before, on the score of letters to be written? Yet here he was, talking to Betty, with never a pretence65 of paper or ink in the room.
Jill came down to dinner an hour or two later, attired66 in her prettiest dress, with the little curl, which Jack naughtily termed the “War Cry,” artlessly displayed on her forehead. She did not care two pins about her brother’s partner, but it was her nature to wish to reign67 supreme with any man with whom she was brought into contact, so she was her most captivating self all the evening, and Will Gerard laid his hand on his heart and bowed before her, laughed at her sallies, and applauded her songs, as he had done every evening since his arrival, and Betty laughed and applauded in her turn, without a trace of the old rankling jealousy. “He talks to her, but he looks at me. He wants me to be his friend!” she told herself with a proud content.
For the first time for many a long year her dreams that night were in the present, instead of in the past.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
irreproachable
|
|
| adj.不可指责的，无过失的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
attire
|
|
| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
eloquent
|
|
| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
lighting
|
|
| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
careworn
|
|
| adj.疲倦的，饱经忧患的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
sterling
|
|
| adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
banter
|
|
| n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
jack
|
|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
soften
|
|
| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
twitched
|
|
| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
favourable
|
|
| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
liking
|
|
| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
appreciative
|
|
| adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
engrossed
|
|
| adj.全神贯注的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
bemoaned
|
|
| v.为（某人或某事）抱怨( bemoan的过去式和过去分词 )；悲悼；为…恸哭；哀叹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
languishing
|
|
| a. 衰弱下去的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
flirted
|
|
| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
tartness
|
|
| n.酸，锋利 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
tonic
|
|
| n./adj.滋补品，补药，强身的，健体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
aggravating
|
|
| adj.恼人的，讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
throbbing
|
|
| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
flirtation
|
|
| n.调情，调戏，挑逗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
disdain
|
|
| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
indifference
|
|
| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
rankling
|
|
| v.（使）痛苦不已，（使）怨恨不已( rankle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
coveted
|
|
| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
providence
|
|
| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
preservation
|
|
| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
supreme
|
|
| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
awakening
|
|
| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
trot
|
|
| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
vexed
|
|
| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
intrusive
|
|
| adj.打搅的；侵扰的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
aroma
|
|
| n.香气，芬芳，芳香 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
chestnuts
|
|
| n.栗子( chestnut的名词复数 )；栗色；栗树；栗色马 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
mischievously
|
|
| adv.有害地；淘气地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
mischievous
|
|
| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
lure
|
|
| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
larder
|
|
| n.食物贮藏室，食品橱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
vowed
|
|
| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
repented
|
|
| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
throttled
|
|
| v.扼杀( throttle的过去式和过去分词 )；勒死；使窒息；压制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
peppermints
|
|
| n.薄荷( peppermint的名词复数 )；薄荷糖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
gist
|
|
| n.要旨；梗概 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
nervously
|
|
| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
flickering
|
|
| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
contemptible
|
|
| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
specimens
|
|
| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
paragon
|
|
| n.模范，典型 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
acme
|
|
| n.顶点，极点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
virtues
|
|
| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
dilemma
|
|
| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
acquiescence
|
|
| n.默许；顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
displeased
|
|
| a.不快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
subsided
|
|
| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
eyebrows
|
|
| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
pretence
|
|
| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
attired
|
|
| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
reign
|
|
| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |