Griffith should not have fled; he should have stayed and enjoyed his vengeance7 on these two persons. It might have cooled him a little had he stopped and seen the immediate8 consequences of his savage9 act.
The priest rose from the ground, pale as ashes, and trembling with fear and hate.
The lady was leaning, white as a sheet, against a tree, and holding it with her very nails for a little support.
They looked round at one another; a piteous glance of anguish and horror: then Mrs. Gaunt turned and flung her arm round so that the palm of her hand, high raised, confronted Leonard. I am thus particular, because it was a gesture grand and terrible as the occasion that called it forth10: a gesture that spoke11; and said, "Put the whole earth and sea between us for ever after this."
The next moment she bent12 her head and rushed away, cowering13 and wringing14 her hands: she made for her house as naturally as a scared animal for its lair15; but, ere she could reach it, she tottered17 under the shame, the distress18, and the mere19 terror, and fell fainting with her fair forehead on the grass.
Caroline Ryder was crouched20 in the doorway21, and did not see her come out of the grove22, but only heard a rustle23, and then saw her proud mistress totter16 forward and lie white, senseless, helpless at her very feet.
Ryder littered a scream, but did not lose her presence of mind. She instantly kneeled over Mrs. Gaunt, and loosened her stays with quick and dexterous24 hand.
But people with brains are never quite inhuman26: a drop of lukewarm pity entered even Ryder's heart as she assisted her victim. She called no one to help her; for she saw something very serious had happened, and she felt sure Mrs. Gaunt would say something imprudent in that dangerous period when the patient recovers consciousness but has not all her wits about her. Now Ryder was equally determined27 to know her mistress's secrets, and not to share the knowledge with any other person.
It was a long swoon; and, when Mrs. Gaunt came to, the first thing she saw was Ryder leaning over her, with a face of much curiosity, and some concern.
In that moment of weakness the poor lady, who had keen so roughly handled, saw a woman close to her, and being a little kind to her; so what did she do but throw her arms round Ryder's neck and burst out sobbing28 as if her heart would break.
Then that unprincipled woman shed a tear or two with her, half-crocodile, half impulse.
Mrs. Gaunt not only cried on her servant's neck; she justified29 Ryder's forecast by speaking unguardedly: "I've been insulted—insulted—insulted!"
But, even while uttering these words, she was recovering her pride: so the first "insulted" seemed to come from a broken-hearted child, the second from an indignant lady the third from a wounded queen.
No more words than this; but rose, with Ryder's assistance, and went, leaning on that faithful creature's shoulder, to her own bedroom. There she sank into a chair, and said, in a voice to melt a stone, "My child! Bring me my little Rose."
Ryder ran and fetched the little girl and Mrs. Gaunt held out both arms to her, angelically, and clasped her so passionately30 and piteously to her bosom31, that Rose cried for fear, and never forgot the scene all her days: and Mrs. Ryder, who was secretly a mother, felt a genuine twinge of pity and remorse32. Curiosity, however, was the dominant33 sentiment: she was impatient to get all these convulsions over, and learn what had actually passed between Mr. and Mrs. Gaunt.
She waited till her mistress appeared calmer: and then, in soft caressing34 tones, asked her what had happened.
"Never ask me that question again," cried Mrs. Gaunt, wildly: then, with inexpressible dignity, "my good girl, you have done all you could for me; now you must leave me alone with my daughter, and my God, who knows the truth."
Towards dusk Thomas Leicester came into the kitchen, and brought her news with a vengeance. He told her and the other maids that the Squire36 had gone raving37 mad, and fled the country. "Oh, lasses," said he, "if you had seen the poor soul's face, a riding headlong through the fair all one as if it was a ploughed field; 'twas white as your smocks: and his eyes glowering38 on t'other world. We shall ne'er see that face alive again."
And this was her doing.
It surprised and overpowered Ryder; she threw her apron39 over her head, and went off in hysterics, and betrayed her lawless attachment40 to every woman in the kitchen, she who was so clever at probing others.
Mrs. Gaunt kept her bedroom, and admitted nobody; till, at last, the servants consulted together, and sent little Rose to knock at her door, with a basin of chocolate, while they watched on the stairs.
"It's only me, mamma," said Rose.
"Come in, my precious," said a trembling voice, and so Rose got in with her chocolate.
The next day she was sent for early: and at noon, Mrs. Gaunt and Rose came downstairs; but their appearance startled the whole household.
The mother was dressed all in black, and so was her daughter, whom she led by the hand. Mrs. Gaunt's face was pale, and sad, and stem; a monument of deep suffering, and high-strung resolution.
It soon transpired42 that Griffith had left his home for good: and friends called on Mrs. Gaunt to slake43 their curiosity under the mask of sympathy.
Not one of them was admitted. No false excuses were made. "My mistress sees no one for the present," was the reply.
Curiosity, thus baffled, took up the pen; but was met with a short unvarying formula: "There is an unhappy misunderstanding between my husband and me. But I shall neither accuse him behind his back, nor justify44 myself."
Thus the proud lady carried herself before the world; but secretly she writhed45. A wife abandoned is a woman insulted, and makes the wives, that are not abandoned—cluck.
Ryder was dejected for a time, and, though not honestly penitent46, suffered some remorse at the miserable47 issue of her intrigues48. But her elastic49 nature soon shook it off, and she felt a certain satisfaction at having reduced Mrs. Gaunt to her own level. This disarmed50, her hostility51: she watched her as keenly as ever, but out of pure curiosity.
One thing puzzled her strangely. Leonard did not visit the house; nor could she even detect any communication between the parties.
At last, one day, her mistress told her to put on her hat and go to Father Leonard.
Ryder's eyes sparkled; and she was soon equipped. Mrs. Gaunt put a parcel and a letter into her hands. Ryder no sooner got out of her sight than she proceeded to tamper52 with the letter. But to her just indignation she found it so ingeniously folded and sealed that she could not read a word.
The parcel, however, she easily undid53, and it contained forty pounds in gold and small notes. "Oho! my lady," said Ryder.
On reading the letter his features contracted sharply, and he seemed to suffer agony. He would not even open the parcel. "You will take that hack," said he, bitterly.
"What, without a word?"
"Without a word. But I will write, when I am able."
"Don't be long, sir," suggested Ryder. "I am sure my mistress is wearying for you. Consider, sir, she is all alone now."
"Not so much alone as I am," said the priest: "nor half so unfortunate."
And with this he leaned his head despairingly on his hand, and motioned to Ryder to leave him.
"Here's a couple of fools," said she to herself, as she went home.
That very evening Thomas Leicester caught her alone, and asked her to marry him.
She stared at first, and then treated it as a jest.
"You come at the wrong time, young man," said she. "Marriage is put out of countenance55. No, no, I will never marry, after what I have seen in this house."
Leicester would not take this for an answer, and pressed her hard.
"Thomas," said this plausible56 jade57, "I like you very well; but I couldn't leave my mistress in her trouble. Time to talk of marrying when master comes here alive and well."
"Nay58," said Leicester, "my only chance is while he is away: you care more for his little finger than for my whole body; that they all say."
"Who says?"
"Jane, and all the lasses."
"Nay, nay; I saw how you carried on, when I brought word he was gone. You let your heart out for once. Don't take me for a fool: I see how 'tis: but I'll face it: for I worship the ground you walk on. Take a thought, my lass. What good can come of your setting your heart on him? I'm young, I'm healthy, and not ugly enough to set the dogs a barking: I've got a good place; I love you dear; I'll cure you of that fancy, and make you as happy as the day is long. I'll try and make you as happy as you will make me, my beauty."
He was so earnest, and so much in love, that Mrs. Ryder pitied him, and wished her husband was in Heaven.
"I am very sorry, Tom," said she, softly: "dear me, I did not think you cared so much for me as this. I must just tell you the truth. I have got one in my own country, and I've promised him. I don't care to break my word: and, if I did, he is such a man, I am sure he would kill me for it. Indeed he has told me as much, more than once or twice."
"Ah! but 'tis an ugly game: and I'll have no hand in it. And—don't you be angry with me, Tom—I've known him longest, and—I love him best."
By pertinacity61 and variety in lying, she hit the mark at last. Tom swallowed this figment whole.
"That is but reason," said he. "I take my answer, and I wish ye both many happy days together, and well spent."
With this he retired, and blubbered a good hour in an outhouse.
Tom avoided the castle, and fell into low spirits. He told his mother all, and she advised him to change the air. "You have been too long in one place," said she; "I hate being too long in one place myself."
This fired Tom's gipsy blood, and he said he would travel to-morrow, if he could but scrape together money enough to fill a pedlar's pack.
At last the poor fellow summoned courage to lay his case before Mrs. Gaunt.
Ryder's influence procured63 him an interview. She took him into the drawing-room, and bade him wait there. By and by a pale lady, all in black, glided64 into the room.
She interrupted him. "Ryder has told me," said she, softly. "I am sorry for you: and I will do what you require. And, to be sure, we need no gamekeeper here now."
She then gave him some money, and said she would look him up a few trifles besides, to put in his pack.
Toni's mother helped him to lay out this money to advantage, and one day he called at Hernshaw, pack and all, to bid farewell.
The servants all laid out something with him for luck: and Mrs. Gaunt sent for him, and gave him a gold thimble, and a pound of tea, and several yards of gold lace, slightly tarnished66, and a Queen Anne's guinea.
He thanked her heartily67. "Ay, Dame," said he, "you had always an open hand, married or single. My heart is heavy at leaving you. But I miss the Squire's kindly68 face too. Hernshaw is not what it used to be."
Mrs. Gaunt turned her head aside, and the man could see his words had made her cry.
"My good Thomas," said she, at last, "you are going to travel the country: you might fall in with him."
"I might," said Leicester, incredulously.
"God grant you may: and, if ever you should, think of your poor mistress, and give him—this." She put her finger into her bosom and drew out a bullet wrapped in silver paper. "You will never lose this," said she. "I value it more than gold or silver. Oh, if ever you should see him, think of me and my daughter, and just put it in his hand without a word."
As he went out of the room Ryder intercepted69 him, and said, "Mayhap you will fall in with our master: if ever you do, tell him he is under a mistake, and the sooner he comes home the better." Tom Leicester departed: and, for days and weeks, nothing occurred to break the sorrowful monotony of the place.
But the mourner had written to her old friend and confessor Francis: and, after some delay, involuntary on his part, he came to see her.
They were often closeted together, and spoke so low that Ryder could not catch a word.
Francis also paid several visits to Leonard; and the final result of these visits was that the latter left England.
Francis remained at Hernshaw as long as he could; and it was Mrs. Gaunt's hourly prayer that Griffith might return while Francis was with her.
Ho did, at her earnest request, stay much longer than he had intended; but, at length, he was obliged to fix next Monday to return to his own place.
It was on Thursday he made this arrangement; but the very next day the postman brought a letter to the Castle, thus addressed:—
"To Mistress Caroline Ryder,
"Living Servant with Griffith Gaunt, Esq.,
"at his house, called Hernshaw Castle,
"near Wigeonmoor,
"in the county of Cumberland.
"These with speed."
Instantly three female throats opened upon her with questions.
She looked them contemptously in them faces, put the letter into her pocket; and, soon after, slipped away to her own room, and locked herself in while she read it. It ran thus:——
"GOOD MISTRESS RYDER,—I am alive yet, by the blessing71; though somewhat battered72; being now risen from a fever, wherein I lost my wits for a time. And, on coming to myself, I found them making of my shroud73; whereby you shall learn how near I was to death. And all this I owe to that false perjured74 woman that was my wife, and is your mistress.
"Know that I have donned russet and doffed75 gentility; for I find a heavy heart's best cure is occupation. I have taken a wayside inn, and think of renting a small farm, which two things go well together. Now you are, of all those I know, most fitted to manage the inn, and I the farm. You were always my good friend: and, if you be so still, then I charge you most solemnly that you utter no word to any living soul about this letter; but meet me privately76 where we can talk fully77 of these matters; for I will not set foot in Hernshaw Castle. Moreover, she told me once 'twas hers; and so be it. On Friday I shall be at Stapleton, and the next day, by an easy journey, to the place where I once was so happy.
"So then at seven of the clock on Saturday evening, be the same wet or dry, prithee come to the gate of the Grove unbeknown, and speak to
"Your faithful friend
"and most unhappy master,
"GRIFFITH GAUNT.
"Be secret as the grave. Would I were in it."
This letter set Caroline Ryder in a tumult78. Griffith alive and well, and set against his wife, and coming to her for assistance!
After the first agitation79 she read it again, and weighed every syllable80. There was one book she had studied more than most of us—the Heart. And she soon read Griffith's in this letter. It was no love-letter: he really intended business: but, weak in health, and broken in spirit, and alone in the world, he naturally turned to one who had confessed an affection for him, and would therefore be true to his interests, and study his happiness.
The proposal was every way satisfactory to Mrs. Ryder. To be mistress of an inn, and have servants under her instead of being one herself. And then, if Griffith and she began as allies in business, she felt very sure she could make herself, first necessary to him, and then dear to him.
She was so elated she could hardly contain herself; and all her fellow servants remarked that Mrs. Ryder had heard good news.
Saturday came, and never did hours seem to creep so slowly.
But at last the sun set, and the stars came out: there was no moon. Ryder opened the window and looked out: it was an admirable night for an assignation.
She washed her face again, put on her grey silk gown, and purple petticoat—Mrs. Gaunt had given them to her—and, at the last moment, went and made up her mistress's fire, and put out everything she thought could be wanted, and, five minutes after seven o'clock, tied a scarlet81 hand-kerchief over her head, and stepped out at the back door.
What with her coal black hair, so streaked82 with red, her black eyes, flashing in the starlight, and her glowing cheeks, she looked bewitching.
And, thus armed for conquest, wily, yet impassioned, she stole out, with noiseless foot and beating heart, to her appointment with her imprudent master.
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收听单词发音
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1
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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veneration
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| n.尊敬，崇拜 | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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7
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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8
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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10
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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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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12
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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cowering
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的现在分词 ) | |
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wringing
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| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
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lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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16
totter
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| v.蹒跚， 摇摇欲坠；n.蹒跚的步子 | |
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tottered
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| v.走得或动得不稳( totter的过去式和过去分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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18
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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31
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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33
dominant
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| adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因 | |
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34
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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38
glowering
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| v.怒视( glower的现在分词 ) | |
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apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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42
transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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43
slake
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| v.解渴，使平息 | |
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44
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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45
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
penitent
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| adj.后悔的；n.后悔者；忏悔者 | |
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47
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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48
intrigues
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| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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49
elastic
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| n.橡皮圈，松紧带；adj.有弹性的；灵活的 | |
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50
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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51
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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52
tamper
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| v.干预，玩弄，贿赂，窜改，削弱，损害 | |
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53
Undid
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| v. 解开, 复原 | |
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54
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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55
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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56
plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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57
jade
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| n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠 | |
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58
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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59
belie
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| v.掩饰，证明为假 | |
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60
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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61
pertinacity
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| n.执拗，顽固 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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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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stammer
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| n.结巴，口吃；v.结结巴巴地说 | |
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tarnished
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| （通常指金属）（使）失去光泽，（使）变灰暗( tarnish的过去式和过去分词 )； 玷污，败坏 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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perjured
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| adj.伪证的，犯伪证罪的v.发假誓，作伪证( perjure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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doffed
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| v.脱去，（尤指）脱帽( doff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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78
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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81
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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streaked
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| adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹 | |
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