CHAPTER II

 Instead of leaving the spot by the gate, he flung himself over the fence, and pursued a direction towards the river under the trees.  And it was now, in his lonely progress, that he showed for the first time outwardly that he was not altogether unworthy of her.  He wore long water-boots reaching above his knees, and, instead of making a circuit to find a bridge by which he might cross the Froom—the river aforesaid—he made straight for the point whence proceeded the low roar that was at this hour the only evidence of the stream’s existence.  He speedily stood on the verge¹ of the waterfall which caused the noise, and stepping into the water at the top of the fall, waded² through with the sure tread of one who knew every inch of his footing, even though the canopy³ of trees rendered the darkness almost absolute, and a false step would have precipitated⁴ him into the pool beneath.  Soon reaching the boundary of the grounds, he continued in the same direct line to traverse the alluvial⁵ valley, full of brooks⁶ and tributaries⁷ to the main stream—in former times quite impassable, and impassable in winter now.  Sometimes he would cross a deep gully on a plank⁸ not wider than the hand; at another time he ploughed his way through beds of spear-grass, where at a few feet to the right or left he might have been sucked down into a morass⁹.  At last he reached firm land on the other side of this watery¹⁰ tract¹¹, and came to his house on the rise behind—Elsenford—an ordinary farmstead, from the back of which rose indistinct breathings, belchings, and snortings, the rattle¹² of halters, and other familiar features of an agriculturist’s home.

 

While Nicholas Long was packing his bag in an upper room of this dwelling¹³, Miss Christine Everard sat at a desk in her own chamber¹⁴ at Froom-Everard manor-house, looking with pale fixed¹⁵ countenance¹⁶ at the candles.

 

‘I ought—I must now!’ she whispered to herself.  ‘I should not have begun it if I had not meant to carry it through!  It runs in the blood of us, I suppose.’  She alluded¹⁷ to a fact unknown to her lover, the clandestine¹⁸ marriage of an aunt under circumstances somewhat similar to the present.  In a few minutes she had penned the following note:-

 

October 13, 183-.

 

DEAR MR. BEALAND—Can you make it convenient to yourself to meet me at the Church to-morrow morning at eight?  I name the early hour because it would suit me better than later on in the day.  You will find me in the chancel, if you can come.  An answer yes or no by the bearer of this will be sufficient.

 

CHRISTINE EVERARD.

 

She sent the note to the rector immediately, waiting at a small side-door of the house till she heard the servant’s footsteps returning along the lane, when she went round and met him in the passage.  The rector had taken the trouble to write a line, and answered that he would meet her with pleasure.

 

A dripping fog which ushered¹⁹ in the next morning was highly favourable²⁰ to the scheme of the pair.  At that time of the century Froom-Everard House had not been altered and enlarged; the public lane passed close under its walls; and there was a door opening directly from one of the old parlours—the south parlour, as it was called—into the lane which led to the village.  Christine came out this way, and after following the lane for a short distance entered upon a path within a belt of plantation²¹, by which the church could be reached privately²².  She even avoided the churchyard gate, walking along to a place where the turf without the low wall rose into a mound²³, enabling her to mount upon the coping and spring down inside.  She crossed the wet graves, and so glided²⁴ round to the door.  He was there, with his bag in his hand.  He kissed her with a sort of surprise, as if he had expected that at the last moment her heart would fail her.

 

Though it had not failed her, there was, nevertheless, no great ardour in Christine’s bearing—merely the momentum²⁵ of an antecedent impulse.  They went up the aisle²⁶ together, the bottle-green glass of the old lead quarries²⁷ admitting but little light at that hour, and under such an atmosphere.  They stood by the altar-rail in silence, Christine’s skirt visibly quivering at each beat of her heart.

 

Presently a quick step ground upon the gravel²⁸, and Mr. Bealand came round by the front.  He was a quiet bachelor, courteous²⁹ towards Christine, and not at first recognizing in Nicholas a neighbouring yeoman (for he lived aloofly³⁰ in the next parish), advanced to her without revealing any surprise at her unusual request.   But in truth he was surprised, the keen interest taken by many country young women at the present day in church decoration and festivals being then unknown.

 

‘Good morning,’ he said; and repeated the same words to Nicholas more mechanically.

 

‘Good morning,’ she replied gravely.  ‘Mr. Bealand, I have a serious reason for asking you to meet me—us, I may say.  We wish you to marry us.’

 

The rector’s gaze hardened to fixity, rather between than upon either of them, and he neither moved nor replied for some time.

 

‘Ah!’ he said at last.

 

‘And we are quite ready.’

 

‘I had no idea—’

 

‘It has been kept rather private,’ she said calmly.

 

‘Where are your witnesses?’

 

‘They are outside in the meadow, sir.  I can call them in a moment,’ said Nicholas.

 

‘Oh—I see it is—Mr. Nicholas Long,’ said Mr. Bealand, and turning again to Christine, ‘Does your father know of this?’

 

‘Is it necessary that I should answer that question, Mr. Bealand?’

 

‘I am afraid it is—highly necessary.’

 

Christine began to look concerned.

 

‘Where is the licence?’ the rector asked; ‘since there have been no banns.’

 

Nicholas produced it, Mr. Bealand read it, an operation which occupied him several minutes—or at least he made it appear so; till Christine said impatiently, ‘We are quite ready, Mr. Bealand.  Will you proceed?  Mr. Long has to take a journey of a great many miles to-day.’

 

‘And you?’

 

‘No.  I remain.’

 

Mr. Bealand assumed firmness.  ‘There is something wrong in this,’ he said.  ‘I cannot marry you without your father’s presence.’

 

‘But have you a right to refuse us?’ interposed Nicholas.  ‘I believe we are in a position to demand your fulfilment of our request.’

 

‘No, you are not!  Is Miss Everard of age?  I think not.  I think she is months from being so.  Eh, Miss Everard?’

 

‘Am I bound to tell that?’

 

‘Certainly.  At any rate you are bound to write it.  Meanwhile I refuse to solemnize the service.  And let me entreat³¹ you two young people to do nothing so rash as this, even if by going to some strange church, you may do so without discovery.  The tragedy of marriage—’

 

‘Tragedy?’

 

‘Certainly.  It is full of crises and catastrophes³², and ends with the death of one of the actors.  The tragedy of marriage, as I was saying, is one I shall not be a party to your beginning with such light hearts, and I shall feel bound to put your father on his guard, Miss Everard.  Think better of it, I entreat you!  Remember the proverb, “Marry in haste and repent³³ at leisure.”’

 

Christine, spurred by opposition³⁴, almost stormed at him.  Nicholas implored³⁵; but nothing would turn that obstinate³⁶ rector.  She sat down and reflected.  By-and-by she confronted Mr. Bealand.

 

‘Our marriage is not to be this morning, I see,’ she said.  ‘Now grant me one favour, and in return I’ll promise you to do nothing rashly.  Do not tell my father a word of what has happened here.’

 

‘I agree—if you undertake not to elope.’

 

She looked at Nicholas, and he looked at her.  ‘Do you wish me to elope, Nic?’ she asked.

 

‘No,’ he said.

 

So the compact was made, and they left the church singly, Nicholas remaining till the last, and closing the door.  On his way home, carrying the well-packed bag which was just now to go no further, the two men who were mending water-carriers in the meadows approached the hedge, as if they had been on the alert all the time.

 

‘You said you mid³⁷ want us for zummat, sir?’

 

‘All right—never mind,’ he answered through the hedge.  ‘I did not require you after all.’

1 verge   

n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• She was on the verge of bursting into tears.她快要哭出来了。

2 waded   

（从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She tucked up her skirt and waded into the river. 她撩起裙子蹚水走进河里。
• He waded into the water to push the boat out. 他蹚进水里把船推出来。

3 canopy   

n.天篷，遮篷

参考例句：

• The trees formed a leafy canopy above their heads.树木在他们头顶上空形成了一个枝叶茂盛的遮篷。
• They lay down under a canopy of stars.他们躺在繁星点点的天幕下。

4 precipitated   

v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀

参考例句：

• His resignation precipitated a leadership crisis. 他的辞职立即引发了领导层的危机。
• He lost his footing and was precipitated to the ground. 他失足摔倒在地上。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 alluvial   

adj.冲积的；淤积的

参考例句：

• Alluvial soils usually grow the best crops.淤积土壤通常能长出最好的庄稼。
• A usually triangular alluvial deposit at the mouth of a river.三角洲河口常见的三角形沉淀淤积地带。

6 brooks   

n.小溪( brook的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Brooks gave the business when Haas caught him with his watch. 哈斯抓到偷他的手表的布鲁克斯时，狠狠地揍了他一顿。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Ade and Brooks exchanged blows yesterday and they were severely punished today. 艾德和布鲁克斯昨天打起来了，今天他们受到严厉的惩罚。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 tributaries   

n. 支流

参考例句：

• In such areas small tributaries or gullies will not show. 在这些地区，小的支流和冲沟显示不出来。
• These tributaries are subsequent streams which erode strike valley. 这些支流系即为蚀出走向谷的次生河。

8 plank   

n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目

参考例句：

• The plank was set against the wall.木板靠着墙壁。
• They intend to win the next election on the plank of developing trade.他们想以发展贸易的纲领来赢得下次选举。

9 morass   

n.沼泽，困境

参考例句：

• I tried to drag myself out of the morass of despair.我试图从绝望的困境中走出来。
• Mathematical knowledge was certain and offered a secure foothold in a morass.数学知识是确定无疑的,它给人们在沼泽地上提供了一个稳妥的立足点。

10 watery   

adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的

参考例句：

• In his watery eyes there is an expression of distrust.他那含泪的眼睛流露出惊惶失措的神情。
• Her eyes became watery because of the smoke.因为烟熏，她的双眼变得泪汪汪的。

11 tract   

n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林)

参考例句：

• He owns a large tract of forest.他拥有一大片森林。
• He wrote a tract on this subject.他曾对此写了一篇短文。

12 rattle   

v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓

参考例句：

• The baby only shook the rattle and laughed and crowed.孩子只是摇着拨浪鼓，笑着叫着。
• She could hear the rattle of the teacups.她听见茶具叮当响。

13 dwelling   

n.住宅，住所，寓所

参考例句：

• Those two men are dwelling with us.那两个人跟我们住在一起。
• He occupies a three-story dwelling place on the Park Street.他在派克街上有一幢3层楼的寓所。

14 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

15 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

16 countenance   

n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同

参考例句：

• At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
• I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地，仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。

17 alluded   

提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• In your remarks you alluded to a certain sinister design. 在你的谈话中，你提到了某个阴谋。
• She also alluded to her rival's past marital troubles. 她还影射了对手过去的婚姻问题。

18 clandestine   

adj.秘密的，暗中从事的

参考例句：

• She is the director of clandestine operations of the CIA.她是中央情报局秘密行动的负责人。
• The early Christians held clandestine meetings in caves.早期的基督徒在洞穴中秘密聚会。

19 ushered   

v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。
• A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》

20 favourable   

adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的

参考例句：

• The company will lend you money on very favourable terms.这家公司将以非常优惠的条件借钱给你。
• We found that most people are favourable to the idea.我们发现大多数人同意这个意见。

21 plantation   

n.种植园，大农场

参考例句：

• His father-in-law is a plantation manager.他岳父是个种植园经营者。
• The plantation owner has possessed himself of a vast piece of land.这个种植园主把大片土地占为己有。

22 privately   

adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地

参考例句：

• Some ministers admit privately that unemployment could continue to rise.一些部长私下承认失业率可能继续升高。
• The man privately admits that his motive is profits.那人私下承认他的动机是为了牟利。

23 mound   

n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫

参考例句：

• The explorers climbed a mound to survey the land around them.勘探者爬上土丘去勘测周围的土地。
• The mound can be used as our screen.这个土丘可做我们的掩蔽物。

24 glided   

v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔

参考例句：

• The President's motorcade glided by. 总统的车队一溜烟开了过去。
• They glided along the wall until they were out of sight. 他们沿着墙壁溜得无影无踪。 来自《简明英汉词典》

25 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。

26 aisle   

n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道

参考例句：

• The aisle was crammed with people.过道上挤满了人。
• The girl ushered me along the aisle to my seat.引座小姐带领我沿着通道到我的座位上去。

27 quarries   

n.（采）石场( quarry的名词复数 )；猎物（指鸟，兽等）；方形石；（格窗等的）方形玻璃v.从采石场采得( quarry的第三人称单数 )；从（书本等中）努力发掘（资料等）；在采石场采石

参考例句：

• This window was filled with old painted glass in quarries. 这窗户是由旧日的彩色菱形玻璃装配的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They hewed out the stones for the building from nearby quarries. 他们从邻近的采石场开凿出石头供建造那栋房子用。 来自辞典例句

28 gravel   

n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石

参考例句：

• We bought six bags of gravel for the garden path.我们购买了六袋碎石用来铺花园的小路。
• More gravel is needed to fill the hollow in the drive.需要更多的砾石来填平车道上的坑洼。

29 courteous   

adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的

参考例句：

• Although she often disagreed with me,she was always courteous.尽管她常常和我意见不一，但她总是很谦恭有礼。
• He was a kind and courteous man.他为人友善，而且彬彬有礼。

30 aloofly   

冷淡的； 疏远的； 远离的

参考例句：

• He has remained largely aloof from the hurly-burly of parliamentary politics. 他基本上一直对喧嚣的议会政治漠不关心。
• The aloof composer neither worried nor cared about public opinion. 这位超然的作曲家对舆论既不担心，也不在意。

31 entreat   

v.恳求，恳请

参考例句：

• Charles Darnay felt it hopeless entreat him further,and his pride was touched besides.查尔斯-达尔内感到再恳求他已是枉然，自尊心也受到了伤害。
• I entreat you to contribute generously to the building fund.我恳求您慷慨捐助建设基金。

32 catastrophes   

n.灾祸( catastrophe的名词复数 )；灾难；不幸事件；困难

参考例句：

• Two of history's worst natural catastrophes occurred in 1970. 1970年发生了历史上最严重两次自然灾害。 来自辞典例句
• The Swiss deposits contain evidence of such catastrophes. 瑞士的遗址里还有这种灾难的证据。 来自辞典例句

33 repent   

v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔

参考例句：

• He has nothing to repent of.他没有什么要懊悔的。
• Remission of sins is promised to those who repent.悔罪者可得到赦免。

34 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

35 implored   

恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She implored him to stay. 她恳求他留下。
• She implored him with tears in her eyes to forgive her. 她含泪哀求他原谅她。

36 obstinate   

adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的

参考例句：

• She's too obstinate to let anyone help her.她太倔强了，不会让任何人帮她的。
• The trader was obstinate in the negotiation.这个商人在谈判中拗强固执。

37 mid   

adj.中央的，中间的

参考例句：

• Our mid-term exam is pending.我们就要期中考试了。
• He switched over to teaching in mid-career.他在而立之年转入教学工作。