Bella felt remarkably7 uneasy, and on the face of it had great cause to be so. Apparently9, and she had not the least doubt of this, Durgo was Cyril's servant, who came in search of him. She rather wondered that her lover should have so uncivilised an attendant, and resolved that if they married she would endeavour to get him to dispense10 with the services of the man. But what struck her most, were the questions of Durgo. He evidently expected Cyril to meet Huxham and to have a quarrel. Also the stated time—of two weeks and some days—corresponded with the midnight visit of Cyril to the Manor-house. She recollected11 then that the visit was paid, not at midnight, but about eight o'clock, and saw in the mistake she had made the perplexity of her bewildered brain. With a groan12 she tried to clear her understanding by swift movement, for she felt unable to follow any regular train of thought.
Nevertheless, Durgo's innocent speech re-awakened her old suspicions, though she dreaded13 to recall them. What if, after all, Cyril had been the visitor of a fortnight since? In that case, since Huxham had been found dead, Cyril must have struck the blow. The horror of the mere14 idea, which placed a barrier between them, made her turn cold, and she resolutely16 put it from her. Cyril was the man she loved; the man in whom she had every reason to believe. He had solemnly sworn that he was innocent of her father's blood, and if she entertained a grain of affection for him she was bound to believe his word, even in the face of strong evidence to the contrary. He must be guiltless; he was guiltless, as she assured herself; his looks and words and bearing convinced her of his guiltlessness. In one way or another, the promised explanation would solve the difficult problem. But when would that explanation be made?
Then, again, Mrs. Tunks must know somewhat of the truth, since she had so truly foretold17 the coming of the negro. Bella, entirely18 lacking the mystical sense, had no belief in visions, and assumed that the old woman, for her own ends, had played a comedy, based upon actual fact. Taking this view, the girl walked towards the hut of the witch-wife, resolute15 to learn how much Mrs. Tunks knew concerning Cyril's past life. Something she must know, else she could not have hinted at the appearance of the negro. Bella herself was ignorant that her lover had so sinister a servant, but it seemed that Mrs. Tunks was better informed. And since the old hag knew so much, she must know more. A few questions would doubtless bring forth19 the information, and then Bella felt that she would know how to act. But the position was extremely difficult, and the skein of life very tangled20.
Thinking in this desultory21 way, she reached the end of the corn-field, and was about to turn along the pathway leading to the hut, when she heard her name called anxiously. Looking up, she saw Dora Ankers on the hither side of the boundary channel.
"Oh, Bella! I am so glad to see you," sang out the Marshely school-mistress volubly. "I really didn't want to go to the Manor and meet that horrid22 aunt of yours. Come with me, dear; he is waiting at my cottage."
"Who is waiting?" demanded Bella, greatly surprised by this address.
"Oh, my dear, as if to a girl in love there is any he but the one he in the world," said Dora, who was sentimental23 and impatient.
"Do you mean to say that Mr. Lister——"
"Mr. Lister? Oh, you cruel-hearted girl: do you call him that?"
"I mean Cyril," said Bella hurriedly; "is he——"
"Yes, he is. He won't come to the Manor, and can't very well see you in his own rooms, as that nasty-minded Mrs. Block might say things. She is such a gossip you know. In despair he came to me, poor dear, so I asked him to wait in my sitting-room24 while I came for you."
Bella drew herself up stiffly. She did not desire to appear too willing to obey the summons of her lover. Womanlike, she wished him to say that he was in the wrong, so that her pride might be saved. "I am going to Mrs. Tunks'."
"What for?" asked Dora, bluntly.
"Never mind," replied Miss Huxham, unwilling25 to confess that she was dealing26 with uncanny things beyond the veil. "I must go."
Dora tripped lightly across the narrow planks27, and slipped her arm within that of her friend. "You shall do nothing of the sort, you cold thing," she declared. "Poor Mr. Lister is quite broken-hearted by the way in which you have treated him."
"Oh!" Bella became stiffer than ever. "Has he said——"
"He has said nothing! he is too much a man to say anything. But I saw his poor, pale, peaked face, and——"
"Does he look ill?" Bella was seized with a sudden qualm.
"Oh, Dora!" Miss Huxham kilted up her skirts and fairly ran across the planks. "Why didn't you come for me before?"
"You don't seem to be in a hurry to come now," laughed Dora, crossing in her turn; "yet the poor, dear fellow is dying—to see you."
"Where has he been all this time?"
"I'm sure I don't know, dear. He came straight from London last night, and went to my cottage this morning to see me. I was in church, so he came again in the afternoon, and asked me to help him. Oh, my dear, he is handsome, and I felt that I could do anything for him. I wish he had made love to me," sighed the romantic school-mistress; "but all he did, was to ask me to bring you to my cottage for an interview. So come, dear, come, and save the poor darling from an early grave."
Bella needed no urging, for she was genuinely concerned over the news, and sped towards Marshely like a fawn29, with Miss Ankers at her heels. Dora had no difficulty in keeping up, as she was a slim, small, dainty woman, more like a fairy than mere flesh and blood. In spite of her age, and she confessed to thirty-five, she had a pink-and-white skin, golden hair, and clear blue eyes. Dressed as she was, in pale blue, with many ribbons and ornaments30, she looked like a well-arrayed doll, just out of a satin-lined box. But for all her innocent looks, Miss Ankers was a stern school-mistress, and during business hours behaved with great severity. Out of them, however, she presented herself to the village world in her true colours, as a sentimental, airy, sweet-tempered little creature, who was everybody's friend and nobody's enemy. Bella was always fond of her, but at this moment felt more attached to her than ever—as she had every reason to be, seeing that Miss Ankers had given up her snug31 sitting-room for a lovers' meeting, and had actually brought that meeting about.
"You're my good angel, Dora," said Bella, kissing her friend, as they drew near the cottage, on the outskirts32 of Marshely.
"Oh, what waste!" remonstrated33 Dora, opening her china-blue eyes to their widest. "What will Mr. Lister say to your throwing away kisses on me?"
Bella laughed, for her heart had grown unexpectedly light. She had a firm belief that all misunderstandings were about to be cleared up between her lover and herself. Also she acknowledged to herself, with great and thankful joy, that Cyril, in spite of her misgivings34, had returned to her. Seeing how she had doubted and accused him, he might have departed for ever, and with every reason for such a course. But apparently he loved her so devotedly35 that he was willing to remain and explain himself. It was no wonder that Bella's heart leaped for joy, since the cloud, which had for so long overshadowed the sunshine of love, was about to be dissipated. She almost danced into Ankers' small garden.
"Mr. Lister is in the sitting-room dear," said that arch-plotter, pushing her companion into the cottage. "You'll find him there. I have to go to the church to run over the evening hymns36."
Miss Huxham knew that this was a mere excuse, but loved Dora all the more for making it. Miss Ankers was much too romantic to mar8 the meeting by presenting herself as an inconvenient37 third. Therefore she turned away laughing, and Bella, anxious to lose no moment of joy, entered the small sitting-room with a bright, expectant smile. It died away at the sight of Lister's sombre face.
The young man was seated in an arm-chair, with a newspaper lying on his knees. But he was not reading, as his eyes were fixed38 darkly on the door through which Bella had just entered. For the instant, he did not appear to be aware of her presence; then he rose gravely and bowed. Even in the midst of her dismay at this reception, Bella was woman enough to note how spruce, and trim, and singularly handsome he looked. Certainly his face was grave and pale, but beyond this she could not see the dying looks which Dora had so eloquently39 described. When they came face to face an embarrassing silence ensued. Bella was the first to speak.
"I am very pleased," he returned gravely, and pushed forward a chair. "Will you not be seated?"
"Not until you explain why you receive me in this way," she declared indignantly. "You send for me, and I come at once only to find displeased41 looks."
"Our last interview explains my looks, Bella."
"No, it doesn't," she cried, up in arms at once; "I admitted my fault in suspecting you then, and asked your pardon. You left me without a kiss, and—and——" She stopped with an angry gesture. "It seems to me that I am the one who has the right to be displeased."
"No," said Lister, decidedly. "I love you very dearly, as you know; but——"
"How can I tell that you love me dearly?"
"My desire to meet you again shows that I do. Many a man would have left you for ever on learning, as I did, your cruel suspicions. You have no right to be displeased, as you said a moment since. I am the wronged person, for if you really loved me you would believe nothing against me."
"I do not; I do not."
"But you did."
"Only for a single moment. Oh!"—Bella uttered a cry of despair—"I am only a human being, and I saw you—as I thought—entering the house. I knew that on my account you had quarrelled with my father, so what could I think but that you had killed him? I don't pretend to be an angel." She broke off and sat down, pressing her hands hard together, then looked up with feigned42 self-control. "We discussed all this before," she said coldly, "did you invite me here to ask me to defend myself again?"
"No. I asked you here to learn from your own lips that you believe me to be guiltless."
"I do. I swear I do." Bella rose in her excitement. "And I ask your pardon for my wicked suspicions."
"Bella!" He sprang forward and caught her hands within his own. "Then you really and truly love me?"
"If you had gone away," she breathed faintly in his ear, "I should have died."
Cyril drew her closely to his breast. "My darling," he whispered, smoothing her hair, "I love you too dearly to leave you. I ask your pardon for my harsh words. On the face of it, I don't see what you could do but suspect me. It was unreasonable43 for me to ask you to do otherwise. That you believe my mere word, in spite of the strong evidence against me, shows that you love me as dearly and strongly as I love you. So far, all that is right. We trust one another."
"Wholly. Entirely. To the death we trust one another."
"That is well." Cyril sat down in the arm-chair, and drew Bella on to his knees. "Unity44 is strength. With you by my side I am not afraid."
"Then you have been afraid?" she asked softly.
"Of losing your love—yes. But now I am satisfied on that point, there is another thing that makes me afraid."
"What is it?"
"I may be accused of this murder. Other people may have seen me, as you saw me, dear."
"Who was the man then?"
"Then you know?" Bella stood back from him doubtfully.
"I can't be sure. I think—that is, I fancy—Bella, don't ask me anything just now. Later I may be able to explain."
"And you will explain?"
"If it be possible. Remember, I said that I might be able to explain, but of this I cannot be certain."
"I do not understand," sighed the girl, seating herself again. "Cyril, has this matter anything to do with you?"
"The matter of the murder?"
"Yes. I don't mean to ask if you are guilty, as I know you are not. But are you connected in any way with the matter?"
"No," he rejoined promptly48, "if I were, I should be an accomplice49 after the fact. All the same——" He paused, looking paler than ever, and his face became peaked and haggard. "Don't ask me anything yet," he murmured.
"I am willing to trust you, dear," said Bella quietly, "but, as you remarked yourself some time ago, other people——"
He interrupted her. "Other people?"
"Yes. Some one else did see you on that evening."
"The person saw my double," corrected Cyril. "I was in London, as I told you, and as I can prove. Who is this person?"
"Silas Pence."
"Ah!" Lister's hands clenched50. "He hates me because you are to be my wife. He will go to the police."
"I don't think so," said Bella slowly. "He threatened to go, but as yet he has held his tongue."
"Why, when he hates me so?"
"I think—I think," said Bella slowly, "that Mr. Pence knows more about this matter than he chooses to admit."
Cyril uttered an exclamation51. "Do you suspect him?"
"Not of the murder," she replied promptly; "he is too weak and timid a creature to commit a crime. But I know that he was poor; now he is unexpectedly rich, and we are aware," she added with emphasis, "that one hundred pounds was stolen from my father's safe on the night of the murder."
"But surely you do not connect a harmless man, like Pence, with the crime?"
"I say nothing, because I know nothing, Cyril. But if Mr. Pence is entirely innocent, why does he not accuse you, whom he hates."
"He has no grounds to go upon, dear."
Bella shook her head. "He thinks that he has," she answered, "as he believed it was you he saw when he met your double at the boundary channel. Since he would like to see you in trouble, the very fact that he delays telling the police shows that his own conscience is not easy."
"But what about your double?"
"When will you explain?"
"I can't say; sooner or later." Lister, with his hands in his pockets, looked out of the window as though to avoid further questioning. This behaviour puzzled Bella, as she felt sure that Cyril could tell her much if inclined to do so. But it was odd that he should so decline. She abruptly reverted54 to an earlier thought in her mind. "You did not tell me that you had a negro servant called Durgo."
Lister wheeled sharply. "I have no servant, negro or otherwise," he said in a decisive tone. "Why do you say that?"
Bella, wondering still more, gave him details, which Cyril heard with a perplexed55 frown. He made no comment until she had finished. "You say that this man recognised my portrait. In that case I can guess"—he did not finish his sentence, but became paler than ever.
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收听单词发音
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1
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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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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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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foretold
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| v.预言，预示( foretell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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desultory
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| adj.散漫的，无方法的 | |
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horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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fawn
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| n.未满周岁的小鹿；v.巴结，奉承 | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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devotedly
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| 专心地； 恩爱地； 忠实地； 一心一意地 | |
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hymns
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 ) | |
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inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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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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eloquently
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| adv. 雄辩地(有口才地, 富于表情地) | |
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40
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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43
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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unity
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| n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调 | |
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45
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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46
alibi
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| n.某人当时不在犯罪现场的申辩或证明；借口 | |
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47
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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48
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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50
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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52
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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54
reverted
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| 恢复( revert的过去式和过去分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
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55
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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