On her part, Mrs. Tice viewed the comedy with displeasure. Nevertheless, she made no attempt to interfere5. Although she was unwilling6 to be an active party in revealing the truth to Dora, yet she was by no means displeased7 that the girl should learn it from a third person. Dora was deeply in love with Allen; and the sooner she realized that there could be no union between them, the better it would be. To come to such an understanding, it was necessary that she should learn the secret. When she was possessed9 of such knowledge, the housekeeper10 was satisfied that, even if Dr. Scott did desire the match, Dora would refuse her consent thereto. Therefore Mrs. Tice preferred being spectator to actor. For some days Dora pursued her amiable11 tactics, and Joad fell deep and deeper in love. He was well aware, in his own heart, that this girl, young enough to be his granddaughter, would never consent to be his wife; but for all that, he put no restraint upon his feelings. Moreover, he had a weapon in his hand which he hoped to use with effect. In spite of his belief that Dora might not accept him voluntarily, he fancied that he could force her into the match by making use of the weapon aforesaid. But it was not to be brought into active service save as a last resource.
Meanwhile the comedy of May and December, of Methuselah in Arcady, of "An Old Man's Darling," went gaily13 on. Joad paid more attention to his dress, he drank less brandy, and talked more affably. Instead of burying himself in the library, he was to be found haunting the steps of Dora. He loved her very shadow, and was never tired of gazing at her face. She seemed to him to be the most beautiful, the most wonderful, the most gracious woman in the world; and he gloated over her charms like an old satyr. Crafty, astute14 and worldly as he was, he fell prostrate15 at her feet, a debased Merlin entangled16 in the wiles17 of an artificial Vivien.
Dora played her part bravely; but at times it was too much for her, and she would leave the house to scour18 the country on her bicycle. Joad was too old and shaky to accompany her, and she was thus relieved in some measure from his senile adoration19. But, however near she approached to Canterbury, she never entered the town or sought out Allen.
"No," she said to herself, when unusually impelled20 to make the visit; "first I shall learn the truth. Once in possession of Allen's secret, of the name of Mr. Edermont's assassin, and I shall know how to act; till then I shall remain absent."
But, with all her diplomacy21, it was not so easy to gain the confidence of Joad. The least hint at Mr. Edermont's past, and he withdrew into himself. He evaded22 her most dexterous23 inquiries24; and when she pressed him hard, assumed the character of a dull, stupid old man who knew nothing about the matter. Yet he was not unwilling to discuss the details of the murder and subsequent robbery, although he professed25 himself unable to account for either. By acting26 thus, he ignored the question of Edermont's secret enemy.
But one day Dora succeeded in forcing him into plain speaking; but the revelation made was one she was far from expecting. The beginning of the whole matter lay in the fact that she discovered Joad in the library the worse for drink. It was not that he was confused or maudlin27, for the man's brain and speech were both clear. But he was filled with Dutch courage, which made him more audacious than usual. Dora reproved him for his vice12.
"I have not touched brandy for weeks!" said Joad, lying glibly29, after the fashion of habitual30 drunkards.
Dora looked at him in contempt, and pointed31 out a tall mirror, before which they were both standing8. It reflected her own tall, straight form, and also the figure of the disreputable old sinner.
"Can you see your face and deny it?" she said in a tone of rebuke32. "Your eyes are red, your clothes are awry33, your----"
"Leave me to bear the burden of my own sins," said Joad sullenly34; "if I take brandy, I don't ask you to pay for it."
"But you are a gentleman, a scholar," persisted Dora, sorry for the wretched old creature; "you should be above such low vices36."
"We cannot be above the depths to which we have fallen, Miss Carew. My life has been one long failure, so it is scarcely to be wondered at that I fly to drink for consolation38. Few men have been so hardly treated as I have been."
"Yet Mr. Edermont helped you."
"No doubt," retorted Joad viciously; "but he would not have stretched out a finger to save me if I had not forced him to."
"You forced Mr. Edermont to----?"
"I forced him to nothing," interrupted Joad, seeing that he had gone too far. "It is only my way of speaking. Don't mind the ramblings of a foolish old failure."
Dora looked at him silently. His eyes were filled with tears, and, ashamed of betraying his emotion, he turned away to busy himself with dusting a book. In the few words which he had let slip Dora saw that he had possessed some power over the dead man which had won him house and home. That power she believed was connected with the lifelong misery39 of Edermont, and with the fact of his murder. The idea made her take an unexpected step. Seizing the astonished Joad by the arm, she whirled him round, so as to look straight into his eyes.
"Did you kill Mr. Edermont?" she asked abruptly40. Joad looked at her in amazement41, and sneered42 in her face.
"O Lord! Have you got that idea into your head?" said he contemptuously. "No, Miss Carew, I did not kill Mr. Edermont. One does not readily kill the goose with the golden eggs. By Julian's death I have lost a protector--almost a home. Do you take me for a fool?"
"Then I am wise. I keep my own counsel until the time comes for me to speak."
"I do not understand you."
"You will some day," retorted Joad with a leer, "and that sooner than you expect. I wonder at your accusing me of this crime," he continued in an injured tone. "By your own evidence the murder took place at one o'clock, and at that time I was talking to Mr. Pride in my cottage. I wonder at your talking like this, Miss Carew."
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Joad," said Dora ceremoniously. "I know that you proved an alibi44. There is one thing about you that I admire," she added, after a pause.
Joad's eyes glittered like stars as he turned an admiring glance in the direction of the young girl, and bent45 forward eagerly.
"What is that?" he demanded.
"You do not care for money."
"No," said Joad, after a pause; "I do not care particularly for money. As long as I have a roof, a crust, and my books, I am satisfied. My wants are simple. But why," he continued, looking at her in a puzzled way, "why do you make such a remark?"
"Because you refuse to pocket fifty thousand pounds."
"I am not so sure of your inability to do so," said Dora coolly. "With your knowledge of Mr. Edermont's past life, you must know who it was he feared. If you know the name of that person, you know who killed him. With that knowledge, why not apply for the fifty thousand pounds?"
"I am not so omniscient47 as you think, Miss Carew. But we will suppose, for the sake of argument, that I have such knowledge: what would it benefit me to gain this fortune?"
"You could do good with it."
"Could I gain your love?"
"You must not talk to me like that, Mr. Joad," she said with great dignity.
"Why not? I love you."
"Then you ought to be ashamed to say so. I am the affianced wife of another man."
"Allen Scott?"
"Yes," said Dora with emphasis, "Dr. Allen Scott.
"Bah! Why should you think of him? Has he stood by you in this trouble? Not he! He left you to fight the matter out by yourself. Besides, there are reasons why you should not marry him."
Dora's heart beat rapidly. Was she about to learn the truth? Had her rebuff brought about the desired result, and would this old man reveal what so long had been hidden? She believed that such was the case, and could scarcely manage, so intense was her excitement, to ask the necessary question to lure37 him on to a full confession49. However, by an effort of will she managed to keep her voice fairly steady.
"Are there any special reasons that you know of?"
"I should be glad to hear them," she said in the tone of an empress.
"I dare say you would; but I don't intend to tell you what they are."
"Why not?" demanded Dora, trying to hide her disappointment at this unlooked-for result.
"Because I don't choose to speak until it is my pleasure to do so," said Joad insolently51. "Oh, I can see what you are up to, Miss Carew. You are trying to force the truth out of me for purposes of your own. But you shan't--shan't--shan't!"
The old creature stamped with rage, and his face grew so red in his excitement that Dora really thought he was about to have a fit. She looked at him in astonishment52, while he strove to control his anger and assume a dignified53 demeanour. Such conduct was not to be tolerated, and Dora walked towards the door of the library.
"I shall return when you know how to conduct yourself," she said coldly.
Before she could open the door the delinquent54 shuffled55 after her, in a state of childish repentance56. "Do not go, do not go!" he cried piteously. "I am very sorry; indeed, I am very sorry."
"Then why do you talk such nonsense?" said Dora, seeing that she had gained an advantage. "Do you think I want to know your secrets, you foolish old man?"
"Yes, yes; I am a foolish old man," he repeated, catching57 up her words eagerly; "but do not be angry with me. I love you. Oh, Dora, dear, sweet Dora, I love you!" and whining58 in this fashion the old man fell on his knees.
"Rise, Mr. Joad! Do not be foolish. Get up at once--I insist!"
"Not until you promise to be my wife. I love you. I am old, but my heart is young. Listen, listen!" he continued, glancing round. "If you want money, I can get fifty thousand pounds. I know who killed Julian!"
Dora tore her dress from his grasp in horror. "You know who killed Mr. Edermont!"
"Yes; I will tell the name; I will gain the fortune; I will give it to you. Only consent to be my wife."
"Your wife!" cried Dora, shrinking back with visible repugnance59.
"Ah, I know that I am old," said Joad piteously, "but reflect. There is much to be gained by you. I cannot live long; you would soon be my widow. I would leave you all the money; and think how rich you would be!"
"I wouldn't marry you if you offered me millions!" said Dora with contempt. "I love one man only, and him only shall I marry."
Joad rose in a fury. "Don't tell me his name!" he shrieked60; "I know it. Allen--that miserable61 wretch35! But you shall never marry him--never!"
"How can you prevent our marriage?"
"By telling the truth--by gaining the fortune!" He stepped forward and seized her wrist. "I hold the life of your lover in the hollow of my hand!"
"What do you mean?" panted Dora. "Explain!"
"You wish to know my secrets. Well, I shall tell you one--one only--that will make your heart sore and your face white. Who killed Julian? Who came here in the dead of night and struck his foul62 blow? Who but Allen Scott--Allen Scott, the murderer! Curse him!"
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1
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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transformation
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| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
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reciprocated
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| v.报答，酬答( reciprocate的过去式和过去分词 )；（机器的部件）直线往复运动 | |
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amiability
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| n.和蔼可亲的，亲切的，友善的 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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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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vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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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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entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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wiles
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| n.（旨在欺骗或吸引人的）诡计，花招；欺骗，欺诈( wile的名词复数 ) | |
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scour
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| v.搜索；擦，洗，腹泻，冲刷 | |
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adoration
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| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
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impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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diplomacy
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| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
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evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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maudlin
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| adj.感情脆弱的，爱哭的 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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glibly
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| adv.流利地，流畅地；满口 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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awry
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| adj.扭曲的，错的 | |
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sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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36
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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lure
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| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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41
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
tartly
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| adv.辛辣地，刻薄地 | |
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44
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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45
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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omniscient
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| adj.无所不知的；博识的 | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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50
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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51
insolently
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| adv.自豪地，自傲地 | |
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52
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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53
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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54
delinquent
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| adj.犯法的，有过失的；n.违法者 | |
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55
shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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56
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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57
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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58
whining
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| n. 抱怨，牢骚 v. 哭诉，发牢骚 | |
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repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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