The Arlingtons had a grand ball in honor of Miss Arlington's twenty-first birthday, which Rose said wasn't fair, as Everard didn't have one on his. Mrs. Arlington, always celebrated1 for the taste and elegance2 displayed at her parties, has almost surpassed all former occasions in the magnificent arrangement of everything.
Isabel wore a plain white dress, and jet ornaments3. A single flower adorned4 her hair; and the usual, rather sad expression of her countenance5, was exchanged for one of greater animation6. The excitement of the occasion had given an unwonted glow to her cheeks. She did, indeed, look lovely, as she stood engaged in lively conversation with Emily, while they were waiting in the drawing-room to receive the guests; and so Everard thought, who stood talking with his father, while his eyes rested admiringly upon Isabel's sweet face.
After the greater part of the guests had arrived, and the dancing fairly commenced, Isabel, who had been waltzing, returned to the drawing-room. She was scarcely seated, when, to her utter amazement7, she saw Louis Taschereau enter. Oh, how her heart throbbed8 at the unexpected meeting! Here was Louis, her own Louis, actually in the room. It was annoying, that after being parted so long, they should first meet in a crowded ball-room.--Never mind; she was only too glad to have him there. He looked so well, so bright and happy, as he made his way through the crowd, with the proud bearing and haughty9 mien10 in which she delighted. How long would it be before he reached her?--Oh, that the room were smaller, or that she had been nearer the door. It seemed an age while he was shaking hands with Mrs. Arlington. But who is that pretty girl on his arm? Could it be his cousin Marie? He has taken her to a seat, and is moving down the room. The hot blood rushed to her cheeks. Someone asked her to dance. "Oh, not yet," she replied, scarcely heeding11 who it was that asked her. Louis sees her, and is coming towards her. How her heart bounded, her joy and happiness was so great. She hid her glowing face behind her fan, to conceal12 her confusion. Another moment and he was by her side, greeting her cordially. "Oh, Louis," and she smiled upon him, O so sweetly. "You did not expect to see me to-night," he said, looking very contented13 and triumphant14. But there was something in the expression of his face which she did not like--something that seemed to freeze up all the warmth of her feelings in an instant. Was it that he thought she was too ready to show what she felt, with so many present who might observe any unusual degree of pleasure on her part. Oh, surely not, for she had been so careful--as careful as it was in human nature to be.
"Was that your cousin," she asked, "that you brought with you?"
"No! that--is--my wife--" he said, with a look of triumph.
"Your wife! Why, what do you mean?" she inquired, thinking he was jesting.
"Just what I say," he replied. Then, with insufferable insolence15, he hissed16 in her ear, "Louis Taschereau never forgives."
"Indeed," she answered, assuming an air of indifference17 that surprised even herself; for she had felt the hot, indignant blood, coursing through her veins18.
"Really," he said, with cool effrontery19, "that assumption of indifference is sublime20. But I am not deceived," he continued, with a scornful laugh; "my revenge is most complete, my plans have been entirely21 successful," and making her a low bow, he retired22. And Isabel was left to her own thoughts. But this would not do; she must not--dare not--think; she must have excitement until she could be quite alone. Fortunately, Harry23 now claimed her as his partner. "Oh, Harry," she said, "I am so tired of sitting here."
"Why, I asked you for the last dance, and you wouldn't come," answered Harry, laughing.
"I didn't think it would have lasted so long," she returned.
"Do you know that Louis is here?" he inquired.
"Yes."
"Don't you think his wife pretty?"
"Very."
Harry knew that Louis had always been a favorite with Isabel, but the remotest idea of the real state of the case never for a moment occured to him.
When the dance was over, they went out on the glass extension room. Presently Harry said abruptly24:
"Isabel, I really thought that you would have been Mrs. Taschereau."
"Harry!"
"I did, indeed."
"Harry, don't," she said imploringly25.
Just then Everard and Emily came in, and at the next dance they exchanged partners. As they passed under the hall lamp, Everard remarked the extreme palor of her countenance. "You are ill, Miss Leicester," he said. You should not have remained so long in that cold place. Let me get you a glass of wine."
"Oh no, thanks. I shall soon get warm with dancing."
"I don't think that you should attempt this galop. You look too ill; indeed you do."
"I intend to dance it, Mr. Arlington; but if you do not wish too, I can have another partner." Everard looked so sad and reproachful as she said this, that she felt sorry for the hasty words. She knew they had been harsh, and he had said nothing but what was kind--nothing to deserve anything so severe. But then she dare not sit during a single dance; she could not, would not, rest a moment. She was making a great effort to 'keep up,' and it was only by a continual struggle that she could succeed. However, Everard had no more cause for uneasiness on account of her looking ill, as they had scarcely entered the ball-room before her brilliant color had returned. Isabel was decidedly the belle26 of the evening; and for this, Grace Arlington never forgave her. Everard saw that Isabel's gaiety was assumed, and he would have given much to know the cause. Harry was not so keen an observer, and only thought how much she was enjoying herself, and how much he had been mistaken in thinking that she cared anything about Louis.
Oh the weary, weary length of that dreadful evening. Isabel thought that it would never end. But she kept up splendidly. Once she unexpectedly found Louis her vis a vis--then came the master-piece of the evening. She looked superb, as with graceful27 dignity she glided28 through the quadrille. She avoided touching29 his hand, except when it was inevitable30; but she did it so naturally, that to others it did not appear premeditated. He spoke31 to her, but she passed on as though she did not hear. Once again, before the dance was ended, he ventured to address her; but she replied with grave dignity, "We must meet as strangers: henceforth I shall not know you, Dr. Taschereau."
Louis foamed32 with rage at the cool contempt conveyed in these words. He ground his teeth, and swore to be revenged. At last the guests all departed, and Harry too had taken leave (for as this was his last day at Elm Grove33, he was going by the three o'clock train to keep his promise, for Harry was very strict, and would not have remained another day on any pretext). Then Isabel had to listen to the praises bestowed34 on her by all the Arlington family, who complimented her upon the sensation she had made, and to force herself to join in an animated35 conversation regarding the events of the evening; so that she was truly glad when Mr. Arlington dismissed the 'conclave,' saying that they could discuss the party next day.
When Isabel gained her own room, and sat down to think of her trouble, she began to realize the full extent of her misery36. She had scarcely known 'till now, how much his love had supported her through all her trials; or how the thought of one day being his, had softened37 the ills she had been called upon to endure since her father's death. Now she must think of him no more--he was hers no longer. But worse than this, was the pain and grief of knowing that he was unworthy of the love and admiration38 that she had bestowed upon him. She knew that he was proud, passionate39 and exacting40, yet she loved him; for these very characteristics, mingled41 as they were with more endearing qualities, had a peculiar42 charm for her. How happy she had been to feel that he loved her; and oh! the pain, the agony, of knowing that he did so no longer. Why, why had he written that letter? Oh it was cruel, cruel. And then to think that it had all been planned, premeditated, with the express design of making her suffer more acutely, was bitter in the extreme. To lose his love was misery; but to know that he was deceitful, cruel and revengeful, was agony beyond endurance. She did not weep: her grief was too stony43 for tears. "Oh, Louis, Louis," she moaned in her agony, "what have I done, to deserve such cruel treatment?" She leaned her head upon her arm, and pressed her hand upon her throbbing44 temples, for the tumult45 of her thoughts became intolerable. She pictured to herself Louis, as she loved to see him; old scenes recurred46 to her mind, and the days when she had been so happy in his love--nor had a wish beyond. Even this very night, how inexpressibly happy had it made her to see him in the room. And oh, to have all her dreams of happiness crushed in a moment. Again she thought how different it might have been had he been faithful and true; but he was false--he did not love her, and what had she to live for now? A sense of oppression, which almost amounted to suffocation47, distressed48 her, until at length a fearful sensation of choking forced her to rise to get some water; but ere she could do so, a crimson49 stream flowed from her mouth, down her white dress, and she fell upon the floor.
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1
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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3
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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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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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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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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7
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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8
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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9
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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11
heeding
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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13
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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14
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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15
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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16
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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17
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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19
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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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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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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24
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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imploringly
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| adv. 恳求地, 哀求地 | |
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belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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28
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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29
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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30
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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31
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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32
foamed
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| 泡沫的 | |
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33
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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34
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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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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37
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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38
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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39
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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40
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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41
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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42
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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43
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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44
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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45
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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46
recurred
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| 再发生，复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 )； 治愈 | |
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47
suffocation
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| n.窒息 | |
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48
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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49
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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