"Young gentleman," said he at last, "before we man the windlass I have to beg you'll not take amiss any questions I may put. Whatever I ask won't be out of curiosity. I believe I can see my way to doing you and your pretty young lady a very considerable service: but I shall first want all the truth you may think proper to give me."
I heard him with some astonishment10. What could he mean? What service had he in contemplation?
"The truth of what, Captain Parsons?" said I.
"Well, now, your relations with Miss Bellassys—it's an elopement, I believe?"
"Though the young lady," he continued, "is not one of my passengers in the sense that the rest of 'em are, she is aboard my ship, and as though by the Divine ordering, committed to my care, as are you and every man Jack12 of the two hundred and four souls who are sailing with me. Of course you know that we shipmasters have very great powers."
I merely inclined my head, wondering what he was driving at.
"A shipmaster," he proceeded, "is lord paramount14, quite the cock of his own walk, and nothing must crow where he is. He is responsible for the safety and comfort, for the well-being15, moral, spiritual, and physical, of every creature aboard his ship; no matter the circumstances under which that creature came aboard, whether by paying cabin money, by shipwreck16, or by signing articles. Miss Bellassys has come into my hands, and it is my duty, as master of this ship, to see that she's done right by."
The conflict of twenty emotions rendered me quite incapable17 to do anything more than stare at him.
"Now, Mr. Barclay," he continued, crossing his bow legs, and wagging a little stunted18 forefinger19 in a kindly20, admonishing21 way, "don't be affronted22 by this preface, and don't be affronted by what I'm going to ask, for if all be plain sailing, I shall be able to do you and the young lady a real A1, copper-fastened service."
"Pray ask any questions you wish, captain," said I.
"This is an elopement, you say?"
"It is."
"Where from?"
"Boulogne-sur-Mer."
"Bullong-sewer-mare," he repeated. "Was the young lady at school?"
"She was."
"What might be her age, now?"
"She will be eighteen next so-and-so," said I, giving him the month.
He suddenly jumped up, and I could not imagine what he meant to do, till pulling open a drawer, he took out a large box of cigars which he placed upon the table.
"Pray, light up, Mr. Barclay," said he, looking to see if the window of his port-hole was open. "They are genuine Havannah cigars." He lighted one himself and proceeded. "What necessity was there for this elopement?"
"Miss Bellassys is an orphan23," I answered, still so much astonished that I found myself almost mechanically answering him as though I were in a witness-box, and he was Mr. Justice Parsons in a wig24 instead of an old, bow-legged, pimple-nosed, merchant skipper. "Her father was Colonel Bellassys, who died some years ago in India. On her mother's death she was taken charge of by her aunt, Lady Amelia Roscoe. Lady Amelia's husband was a gentleman named Withycombe Roscoe, whose estate in Kent adjoined my father's, Sir Herbert Barclay, the engineer."
"D'ye mean the gentleman who built the L—— docks?"
"Yes."
"Oh, indeed!" cried he, looking somewhat impressed. "And how is your father, Mr. Barclay?"
"He died about two years and a half ago," I replied. "But you have asked me for the truth of this elopement, Captain Parsons. There were constant quarrels between my father and Mr. Withycombe Roscoe over a hedge, or wall, or ditch—some matter contemptibly25 insignificant26, but if the value of the few rods or perches27 of ground had been represented by the National Debt, there could not have been hotter blood, more ill-feeling between them. Litigation was incessant28, and I am sorry to say that it still continues, though I should be glad to end it."
"Sort of entailed29 lawsuit30, I suppose?" said the captain, smoking with enjoyment31, and listening with interest and respect.
"Just so," said I, finding now a degree of happiness in this candour; it was a kind of easing of my conscience to tell this man my story, absolute stranger as he had been to me but a few hours before. "Mr. Roscoe died, and Lady Amelia took a house in London. I met her niece at the house of a friend, and fell in love with her."
"So I should think," exclaimed Captain Parsons, "never saw a sweeter young lady in all my time."
"Well, to cut short this part of the story—when her ladyship learnt that her niece was in love, and discovered who her sweetheart was—this occupied a few months I may tell you—she packed the girl off to Boulogne, to a Mademoiselle Championet, who keeps a sort of school at that place, though Grace was sent there professedly to learn French. This mademoiselle is some sort of poor connection of Lady Amelia, a bigotted Catholic, as her ladyship is, and it soon grew clear to my mind, from letters I received from Miss Bellassys—despatched in the old romantic fashion—"
"What fashion's that?" called out the captain.
"The bribed32 housemaid, sir. It soon grew clear to my mind, I say, that Lady Amelia's main object in sending the girl to Mademoiselle Championet was to get her converted."
"Bad! bad!" cried Captain Parsons.
"Her letters," I continued, growing hot as I spoke33, "were all about Mademoiselle Championet's devices and mean dodges—how Miss Bellassys was taken to mass—how she was allowed to read nothing but Catholic books—how she was left alone with a priest—"
"A d——d shame!" whipped out the captain. "And such a sweet young English woman too!"
"Do you need to hear more?" said I, smiling. "I love the girl and she loves me; she was an orphan, and I did not consider the aunt a right and proper guardian34 for her; she consented to elope, and we did elope, and here we are, captain."
"And you were bound to Penzance, I understand?"
"Yes."
"Why Penzance?"
"To get married at a church in that district."
"Who was going to marry ye?"
"A cousin of mine, the Reverend Frank Howe, of course, after we had fulfilled the confounded legal conditions which obstruct35 young people like ourselves in England."
"And what are the legal conditions? It's so long since I was married that I forget 'em," said the captain.
"Residence, as it is called; then the consent of her ladyship, as Miss Bellassys is under age."
"But she isn't going to consent, is she?"
"How can she refuse after our association in the yacht—and here?"
It took him some time to understand; he then shut one eye and said, "I see."
We pulled at our cigars in silence as we gazed at each other. The evening had blackened into night; a silver star or two slided in the open port through which came the washing noise of the water as it swept eddying36 and seething37 past the bends into the wake of the ship; now and again the rudder jarred harshly and there was a monstrous38 tread of feet overhead. We were at the extreme after end of the vessel39, where the heave of her would be most sensibly felt, and she was still curtseying with some briskness40, but I scarcely heeded41 the motion, so effectually had the mad behaviour of the Spitfire cured me of all tendency to nausea42.
"And now, Mr. Barclay," exclaimed the captain, after a silence of a minute or two, "I'll explain why I have made so free as to ask you for your story. It's the opinion of Mrs. Barstow and Miss Moggadore, that Miss Bellassys and you ought to be married right away off. It's a duty that's owing to the young lady. You can see it for yourself, sir. Her situation, young gentleman," he added with emphasis, "is not what it ought to be."
"I agree in every word," I exclaimed, "but—"
He interrupted me: "Her dignity is yours, her reputation is yours. And the sooner you're married the better."
I was about to speak, but despite my pronouncing several words he proceeded obstinately43:
"Mrs. Barstow is one of the best natured women in the world. There never was a more practical lady; sees a thing in a minute; and you may believe in her advice as you would in the fathom44 marks on a headline. Miss Moggadore, the young lady that sat on my left at table—did you notice her, Mr. Barclay?"
"A middle-aged45 lady, with curls?"
"Eight and thirty. Ain't that young enough? Ay, Miss Moggadore has two curls, and let me tell you that her nose heads the right way. Miss Moggadore wasn't behind the door when brains were served out. Well, she and Mrs. Barstow, and your humble46 servant," he convulsed his short square figure into a sea-bow, "are for having you and Miss Bellassys married straight away off."
"So there is a clergyman on board?" I cried, feeling the blood in my face, and staring eagerly at him.
"No, sir," said he, "there's no clergyman aboard my ship."
"Then," said I, almost sulkily, "what on earth, Captain Parsons, is the good of you and Mrs. Barstow and Miss Moggadore advising Miss Bellassys and me to get married straight away off, as you term it?"
"What, without a parson?" I cried.
"I am a parson," he exclaimed.
I imagined he intended a stupid pun upon his name.
"Parson enough," he continued, "to do your business. I'll marry you!"
"You?" I shouted.
"Yes, me," he returned, striking his breast with his fist.
"Pray, where were you ordained48?" said I, disgusted with the bad taste of what I regarded as a joke.
"Ordained!" he echoed, "I don't understand you. I'm the master of a British merchantman, and, as such, can and do desire, for Miss Bellassys's sake, to marry ye."
Now, I do not know how, when or where I had stumbled upon the fact, but all on a sudden it came into my head that it was as Captain Parsons said: namely, that the master of a British merchantman was empowered, whether by statute49, by precedent50, or by recognition of the laws of necessity, to celebrate the marriage service on board his own ship at sea. I may have read it in the corner of a newspaper—in some column of answers to correspondents—as likely as not in a work of fiction; but the mere13 fact of having heard of it, persuaded me that Captain Parsons was in earnest; and very much indeed did he look in earnest as he surveyed me with an expression of triumph in his little eyes, whilst I hung in the wind, swiftly thinking.
"But am I to understand," said I, fetching a breath, "that a marriage at sea, with nobody but the captain of the ship to officiate, is legal?"
"Certainly," he cried, "let me splice51 you to Miss Bellassys, and there's nothing mortal outside the Divorce Court that can sunder52 you. How many couples do you think I've married in my time?"
"I cannot imagine."
"Six," he cried, "and they're all doing well, too."
"But I suppose they were all formally married afterwards?"
"No, sir," said he, misunderstanding me, "they were not formerly53 married. They came to me as you and the young lady will, single folks."
"Have you a special marriage service at sea?"
"The same, word for word, as you have it in the Prayer Book."
"And when it is read—?" said I, pausing.
"I enter the circumstance in the official logbook, duly witnessed, and then there you are, much more married than it would delight you to feel if afterwards you should find out you've made a mistake."
My heart beat fast. Though I never dreamt for an instant of accepting this shipper's offices seriously, yet if the ceremony he performed should be legal it would be a trump54 card in my hand for any game I might hereafter have to play with Lady Amelia.
"But how," said I, "are you to get over the objections to my marriage?"
"What objections? The only objection I see is your not being married already."
"Why," said I, "residence or licence."
He flourished his hand: "You're both aboard my ship, aren't ye? That's residence enough for me. As to licence—there's no such thing at sea. Suppose a couple wanted to get married in the middle of the Pacific Ocean; where's the licence to come from?"
"But how about the consent of the guardian?"
"The lawful55 guardian isn't here," he answered, "the lawful guardian's leagues astern. No use talking of guardians56 aboard ship. The young lady being in this ship constitutes me her guardian, and it's enough for you that I give my consent."
His air, as he pronounced these words, induced such a fit of laughter, that for several moments I was unable to speak. He appeared to heartily57 enjoy my merriment, and sat watching me with the broadest of grins.
"I'm glad you take to the notion kindly," said he. "I was afraid, with Mrs. Barstow, that you'd create a difficulty."
"I! Indeed, Captain Parsons, I have nothing in the world else to do, nothing in the world else to think of but to get married. But how about Miss Bellassys?" I added, with a shake of the head. "What will she have to say to a shipboard wedding?"
"You leave her to Mrs. Barstow and Miss Moggadore," said he with a nod; "besides, it's for her to be anxious to get married. Make no mistake, young man. Until she becomes Mrs. Barclay, her situation is by no means what it ought to be."
"But is it the fact, captain," I exclaimed, visited by a new emotion of surprise and incredulity, "that a marriage, celebrated58 at sea by the captain of a ship, is legal?"
Instead of answering, he counted upon his fingers.
"Three and one are four, and two are six, and two's eight, and three's eleven, and four again's fifteen." He paused, looking up at me, and exclaimed with as much solemnity as he could impart to his briny59 voice, "If it isn't legal, all I can say is, God help fifteen of as fine a set of children as ever a man could wish to clap eyes on—not counting the twelve parents, that I married. But since you seem to doubt—I wish I had the official log-books containing the entries—tell ye what I'll do!" he exclaimed, and jumped up. "Do you know Mr. Higginson?"
"A passenger, I presume?"
"Ay, one of the shrewdest lawyers in New Zealand. I'll send for him, and you shall hear what he says."
But on putting his head out to call for the steward60, he saw Mr. Higginson sitting at the saloon table reading. Some whispering followed, and they both arrived, the captain carefully shutting the door behind him. Mr. Higginson was a tall, middle-aged man, with a face that certainly looked intellectual enough to inspire one with some degree of confidence in anything he might deliver. He put on a pair of pince-nez glasses, bowed to me, and took a chair. The captain began awkwardly, abruptly61, and in a rumbling62 voice.
"Mr. Higginson, I'll tell you in half-a-dozen words how the case stands. No need for mystery. Mr. Barclay's out on an eloping tour. He don't mind my saying so, for we want nothing but the truth aboard the Carthusian. He's run away with that sweet young lady we took off his yacht, and is anxious to get married, and Mrs. Barstow and Miss Moggadore don't at all relish63 the situation the young lady's put herself in, and they're for marrying her as quickly as the job can be done."
Mr. Higginson nursed his knee and smiled at the deck with a look of embarrassment64 though he had been attending to the skipper's words with lawyer-like gravity down to that moment.
"You see," continued Captain Parsons, "that the young lady being aboard my ship puts her under my care."
"Just so," said Mr. Higginson.
"Therefore I'm her guardian, and it's my duty to look after her."
"Just so," murmured Mr. Higginson.
"Now, I suppose you're aware, sir," continued the captain, "that the master of a British merchantman is fully9 empowered to marry any couple aboard his ship?"
"Empowered by what?" asked Mr. Higginson.
"He has the right to do it, sir," answered the captain.
"It is a subject," exclaimed Mr. Higginson nervously65, "upon which I am hardly qualified66 to give an opinion."
"Is a shipboard marriage legal, or is it not legal?" demanded the captain.
"I cannot answer as to the legality," answered the lawyer, "but I believe there are several instances on record of marriages having taken place at sea; and I should say," he added slowly and cautiously, "that in the event of their legality ever being tested, no court would be found willing, on the merits of the contracts as marriages, to set them aside."
"There ye have it, Mr. Barclay," cried the captain with a triumphant67 swing round in his chair.
"In the case of a marriage at sea," continued Mr. Higginson looking at me, "I should certainly counsel the parties not to depend upon the validity of their union, but to make haste to confirm it by a second marriage on their arrival at port."
"Needless expense and trouble," whipped out the captain; "there's the official log-book. What more's wanted?"
"But is there no form required—no licence necessary?" I exclaimed, addressing Mr. Higginson.
"Hardly at sea, I should say," he answered, smiling.
"My argument!" shouted the captain.
"But the young lady is under age," I continued; "she is an orphan, and her aunt is her guardian. How about that aunt's consent, sir?"
"How can it be obtained?" exclaimed the lawyer.
"My argument again!" roared the captain.
"No doubt," exclaimed Mr. Higginson, "as the young lady is under age, the marriage could be rendered by the action of her guardian null and void. But would the guardian in this case take such a step? Would she not rather desire that this union at sea should be confirmed by a wedding on shore?"
"You exactly express my hope," said I; "but before we decide, Captain Parsons, let me first of all talk the matter over with Miss Bellassys."
"All right, sir," he answered, "but don't lose sight of this: that, whilst the young lady's aboard my ship, I'm her natural guardian and protector; the law holds me accountable for her safety and well-being, and what I say is, she ought to be married. I've explained why; and I say, she ought to be married!"
A few minutes later, I quitted the cabin, leaving the captain and Mr. Higginson arguing upon the powers of a commander of a ship, the skipper shouting as I opened the door, "I tell you, Mr. Higginson, that the master of a vessel may not only legally marry a couple, but may legally christen their infants, sir; and then legally bury the lot of them, if they should die."
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
nautical
|
|
| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
illuminated
|
|
| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
hearty
|
|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
locker
|
|
| n.更衣箱，储物柜，冷藏室，上锁的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
dangled
|
|
| 悬吊着( dangle的过去式和过去分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
pegs
|
|
| n.衣夹( peg的名词复数 )；挂钉；系帐篷的桩；弦钮v.用夹子或钉子固定( peg的第三人称单数 )；使固定在某水平 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
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： |
|
|
|
|
12
jack
|
|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
paramount
|
|
| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
well-being
|
|
| n.安康，安乐，幸福 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
shipwreck
|
|
| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
incapable
|
|
| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
stunted
|
|
| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
forefinger
|
|
| n.食指 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
admonishing
|
|
| v.劝告( admonish的现在分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
affronted
|
|
| adj.被侮辱的，被冒犯的v.勇敢地面对( affront的过去式和过去分词 )；相遇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
orphan
|
|
| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
wig
|
|
| n.假发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
contemptibly
|
|
| adv.卑鄙地，下贱地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
insignificant
|
|
| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
perches
|
|
| 栖息处( perch的名词复数 )； 栖枝； 高处； 鲈鱼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
incessant
|
|
| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
entailed
|
|
| 使…成为必要( entail的过去式和过去分词 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
lawsuit
|
|
| n.诉讼，控诉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
enjoyment
|
|
| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
bribed
|
|
| v.贿赂( bribe的过去式和过去分词 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
guardian
|
|
| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
obstruct
|
|
| v.阻隔，阻塞(道路、通道等)；n.阻碍物，障碍物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
eddying
|
|
| 涡流，涡流的形成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
seething
|
|
| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
monstrous
|
|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
briskness
|
|
| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
heeded
|
|
| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
nausea
|
|
| n.作呕，恶心；极端的憎恶(或厌恶) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
obstinately
|
|
| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
fathom
|
|
| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
middle-aged
|
|
| adj.中年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
emphatic
|
|
| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
ordained
|
|
| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
statute
|
|
| n.成文法，法令，法规；章程，规则，条例 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
precedent
|
|
| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
splice
|
|
| v.接合，衔接；n.胶接处，粘接处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
sunder
|
|
| v.分开；隔离；n.分离，分开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
trump
|
|
| n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
lawful
|
|
| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
guardians
|
|
| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
heartily
|
|
| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
celebrated
|
|
| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
briny
|
|
| adj.盐水的；很咸的；n.海洋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
steward
|
|
| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
rumbling
|
|
| n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
relish
|
|
| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
embarrassment
|
|
| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
nervously
|
|
| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
qualified
|
|
| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
triumphant
|
|
| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |