Reason is fatal to romance, and Miss Royston was coming to it. She had, indeed, a very practical side to her character, which side was all of the world and eminently1 fancy-free. “Kiss-in-the-ring” in a fairy circle is a delightful2 pastime for the heyday3 of youth, but the time must come when the gravity of the problem as to to whom one shall throw the final handkerchief, must intrude4 itself through the merriest helter-skelter of the game. Then, as a matter of necessity, must follow the inevitable5 formulæ of the pretty cold-shoulder to ineligible6 partis; of little sisterly regrets on behalf of swains who take their dismissal rebelliously7; of wee sops8 to passionate9 Cerberuses in the shape of Christmas cards depicting10 hands clasped above the motto “For auld11 lang syne”; of the citing of Job-comforter maxims12 felt by the recipient13 to be totally inapt to the tragedy of the situation. And so the jade14 plumes15 herself on her acquirement of the reasonable view, and makes an easy virtue16 of spoiling faith—which is but a synonym17 for romance—for the sake of five hundred a year.
No doubt this is as it should be; for that very faith, or romance, would be a sorry sole equipment for the nether18 side of youth. But it is also a matter for regret that reason, when come to, should so commonly refuse credit to any evidence but that of its senses, and should contemn19 in others that same spirit of ideality which coloured all the early processes of its own evolution.
Now Miss Angela would not condescend20 to this abrupt21 change of front; for, for one thing, she was a zealous22 student of moral sensation, and, for another, she was conscious of maturing past her first bloom. She desired to keep her rose-coloured spectacles, only the rims23 must be of gold. In short, she was feeling that, were the picturesqueness24 of life her object, she must seek to change her outlook while her charms remained sufficiently26 inviting27 to procure28 her a new prosperous coign of vantage. She had played with romance. Now, for the time being, it must be subordinated to questions of business.
Foremost in this connection presented itself the figure of her inscrutable neighbour of “Delsrop.” He, for a period, had slept without a rival in the pupils of her pale eyes. He had satisfied her most delicate sensibilities—for a period.
Gradually, however, was effected that change in her point of view. She came to question in herself, not the personality of the interesting stranger so much as his eligibility29. And here she had to acknowledge herself at sea, and to own that melancholy30 and mystery were best applied31 to matrimony when justified32 by substantial dividends33.
Moreover, there was the matter of position. The case of her almost-namesake, Mrs. Kauffmann, was not so ancient to men’s memories as that she could afford to discount its significance as legendary34. Indeed, she had a mental picture of herself as a little prim-set maid of five or so, walking, her hand in her father’s, through a suite35 of magnificent rooms, the walls of which, all gorgeously upholstered, were hung with canvases in such quantity as to spoil, she thought, the pretty effect of the hangings; and she remembered how her father—a lord of Plympton Manor36 in Devonshire, where was once a school-master with a famous son—had stopped and presented his hand to a little dapper gentleman—who wore a plum-coloured coat, and who had a scar on his lip and very squeezed-up eyes—and a courteous37 bow to a pale and melancholy lady who stood by the little gentleman’s side. And the lady had smiled upon the baby-girl and had asked her name; and when told it the smile had vanished, and she had said in a queer un-English voice, “Gott bewahre. Rechristen the mädchen if you wish her happiness.” And at that the two men had looked flushed and awkward, as men are wont38 to look over some suppressed meaning that invites impossible sympathy.
Well, Miss Angela—or Angelica, as you will—was to learn afterwards that she had had the youthful honour to be present at the inaugural39 exhibition of the Royal Academy, whose then acquirement of its fine new rooms in Somerset House was an earnest of his Majesty40 the King’s paternal41 support and munificence42. And she was to learn that the little spruce gentleman had been no other than that notable President of an august body whose chief claim to her interest lay in the fact that he was Plympton-born; but who came to be known to her later experience as an artist who was said to ask as much as forty pounds for a head, and a hundred guineas for a full-length portrait—as if the more valuable virtues43 of a man were exhibited in his legs. And the lady, she was informed, had been Mrs. Kauffmann, since become Signora Zucchi, whom some people thought a greater artist even than the President; for she gave no preference to either head or legs, but painted both in such a way that any one or other of them might have done duty for either sex—which was a very noble and impartial44 view to take of the unities45 of art.
Now, it was not this poor Angelica’s management of pigments46 that was the present subject of Miss Royston’s thoughts. It was that melancholy story of how Sir Joshua’s protégée had, at the outset of her hopeful career, been drawn47 into matrimony with a picturesque25 rogue48 of a valet, who had it in him to play the part of Uther to a noble lady.
Assuredly, the mistress of “Chatters” had no desire to repeat history in such a respect, for all the veneer49 of romance that overlay it; or to risk, without astute50 inquiry51, a union with one whose personality was wrapt in so impenetrable a fog of mystery.
What was it not possible the man might be; or what limits were to put on the ingenuity52 of resourceful vagabonds? Count Horn’s fellow had hoodwinked society no less than the trustful girl it had made a pet of. And whence had Mr. Tuke issued, and what was his claim to that haunted estate that had come to be considered in the neighbourhood a sort of no-man’s-land? On these points he had never condescended53 to throw light. Still, if his right-ownership of “Delsrop” must be taken on trust, no such condition applied to the question of his origin. Here conjecture54 must needs incline to suspicion, seeing that his immediate55 predecessor56 had been, by his own showing, a common thief and coach-robber.
Therefore was she resolved to temper fascination57 with prudence58; to whip her captive to the end of his tether, and, pending59 discoveries, to no more than lightly hold him in hand.
In furtherance of this policy it was that she drove her unproclaimed suitor to the nether side of reason, and, by some over-accent of coquetry, almost lost herself the indulgence of a very pretty pastime.
She was pondering, one morning, with some rueful apprehensiveness60, this possibility of her having gone too far, when her heart was reassured61 by the sound of a footstep that was familiar to her, coming up the gravel62 outside.
Then she smiled to herself, with a little composed preening63 of neck-ribbons; for, after all, the incense64 of courtship was grateful to her nostrils—and her brother was not at home.
He—that same suitor—came in like a man set on a serious purpose; and secretly her heart moved with admiration65 of, but no submission66 to, his masterfulness.
He walked straight up to her, to where she had risen from her seat by the fire, and answered her graceful67 greeting with little more than a bow.
“Madam,” he said, “I must crave68 your permission to speak, though I may imperil my prospects69 through precipitancy.”
She smiled, her pulses drumming thickly.
“A formidable overture,” she said—and for the life of her could get no further.
“I do not wish it to be,” said the gentleman. “If any misconception of my position makes me appear to assume a manner of truculency, I do myself an injustice70, believe me.”
Her lips moved, but no word came from them.
“I am aware,” he went on, “that the apparent invidiousness of my position amongst you here may stand, and rightly, as an insuperable barrier to any addresses I may presume to submit to your consideration.”
Her lips opened again; but she only inclined her head.
“It is so, then?” he answered to the gesture; “and it only remains71 for me to express my most earnest regret at having failed hitherto to realize the true conditions of a suit, which I now need not hesitate to affirm I once dared to hope a prosperous termination to; and to gratefully thank you for permitting me to justify72 my dismissal in your eyes, without putting you to the awkwardness of an explanation. Madam, I am your humble73, obedient servant.”
He bowed low. Positively74, the man seemed on the point of withdrawing—and with a doubtful air of relief, too. Miss Royston found her voice suddenly.
“Stay, Mr. Tuke!—Oh, sir! your hurried assumption seems to put me in the worst light of churlishness.”
“Surely, surely,” said he, reluctantly, “I never suggested such a thing?”
“Indirectly75, indeed, you do. You hastily cancel an—an invitation, while I am yet making up my mind as to the form of answer.”
“That is unkind.”
“No, no. You are entitled to it. I was wrong to overlook the fact that the point of view of the world must be considered.”
She flushed up angrily.
“I thank you, sir. You mean, of course, that I wish to secure myself from the imputation77 that I angled for what was cunning to elude78 me? I stand high in your opinion, indeed. But you force me to the avowal79 that I am under no necessity to deprecate the criticisms of my neighbours.”
“You could choose of the noblest in the land, and bring to any more honour than you received. If you have elected to misconstrue me of late, and to indirectly enlighten me as to your sense of my presumption80, it was quite within your province, as a lady of high position, to do so.”
“Ah! I feel the sting behind your words of honey. Mr. Tuke”—her voice fell caressing81 as that of a remonstrant sister—“I will not pretend to misinterpret your attitude towards me. May I be simply frank with you? There is a proverb about flogging a willing horse. I own I have done that of late—that I have certified82 myself a consistent member of my sex. Is not that candour itself? Well, would you know what hath inspired me? ’Twas recalling the fate of that unhappy Mrs. Kauffmann.”
He laughed slightly.
“It understand the inference. My tongue is tied; but I can assure you I have never engaged in any service but my own.”
She did not answer; but her expression had gathered some coldness of reserve. His was enigmatical, as he continued:
“Am I justified in assuming that, satisfied on this point, you would at least offer no obstacle to my most respectful suit?”
“That is taking me at a disadvantage,” she said, with a winning smile. “No woman lends herself to a bargain where she hath to give credit.”
He bowed again. He could not but be conscious that this atmosphere of rigid83 politeness seemed ludicrously out of place in an avowal of so particular a kind; and that his declaration and its reception sounded rather in the nature of a passage of arms. He knew he had come, of set purpose, to seek in legitimate84 attachment85 a foil to passion. He was not so sure his heart joined in the quest, or that he had not privately86 courted the dismissal he professed87 to deprecate.
Perhaps Miss Royston entertained a like doubt. Though it would not have affected88 her attitude, she would have preferred, and had indeed looked to, more ardent89 means to a similar end. For what, otherwise, had she practised those late arts of coquetry? She had pictured her suitor, according to her judgment90 of him, storming the bastions of her pride; warm, palpitating, entreating—a demi-god revealing himself in a cloud of passion. And here he was addressing her with no more emotion than he might have shown in asking her interest to get an old woman into a hospital.
She was disappointed in him, and immediately inclined to suspicions. Had she—perish the humiliating thought!—a rival? And then supposing, after she had successfully weaned his regard for her, he should turn out to be a lord of Burleigh?
Well, she must fight to be consistent—though her breast was hot with indignation. But she could have boxed his ears, as he said, in the tone of a man condemned91 by his doctor to arrowroot and barley-water—“I must live on hope.”
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1
eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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3
heyday
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| n.全盛时期，青春期 | |
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4
intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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5
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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6
ineligible
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| adj.无资格的，不适当的 | |
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rebelliously
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| adv.造反地，难以控制地 | |
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8
sops
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| n.用以慰藉或讨好某人的事物( sop的名词复数 )；泡湿的面包片等v.将（面包等）在液体中蘸或浸泡( sop的第三人称单数 )；用海绵、布等吸起（液体等） | |
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9
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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depicting
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| 描绘，描画( depict的现在分词 )； 描述 | |
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auld
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| adj.老的，旧的 | |
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maxims
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| n.格言，座右铭( maxim的名词复数 ) | |
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13
recipient
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| a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
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14
jade
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| n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠 | |
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plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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17
synonym
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| n.同义词，换喻词 | |
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nether
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| adj.下部的，下面的；n.阴间；下层社会 | |
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contemn
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| v.蔑视 | |
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condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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rims
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| n.（圆形物体的）边( rim的名词复数 )；缘；轮辋；轮圈 | |
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picturesqueness
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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28
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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eligibility
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| n.合格，资格 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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32
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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dividends
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| 红利( dividend的名词复数 )； 股息； 被除数； （足球彩票的）彩金 | |
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legendary
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| adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学） | |
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suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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inaugural
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| adj.就职的；n.就职典礼 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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41
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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42
munificence
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| n.宽宏大量，慷慨给与 | |
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43
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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44
impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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45
unities
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| n.统一体( unity的名词复数 )；（艺术等） 完整；（文学、戏剧） （情节、时间和地点的）统一性；团结一致 | |
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46
pigments
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| n.（粉状）颜料( pigment的名词复数 )；天然色素 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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49
veneer
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| n.(墙上的)饰面，虚饰 | |
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50
astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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52
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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53
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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54
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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55
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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56
predecessor
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| n.前辈，前任 | |
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57
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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58
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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59
pending
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| prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的 | |
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60
apprehensiveness
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| 忧虑感，领悟力 | |
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61
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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62
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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preening
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| v.（鸟）用嘴整理（羽毛）( preen的现在分词 ) | |
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64
incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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65
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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66
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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67
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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68
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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70
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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71
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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72
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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73
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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74
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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75
indirectly
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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76
rejection
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| n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃 | |
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77
imputation
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| n.归罪，责难 | |
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78
elude
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| v.躲避，困惑 | |
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79
avowal
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| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
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80
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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81
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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82
certified
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| a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的 | |
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83
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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84
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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86
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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87
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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90
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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