Pushing onward1 at what fury of speed the dangerous state of the road permitted, Tuke, like a good captain, would not subordinate his prudence2 to his eagerness. True, he had nothing but a vague sense that some evil was abroad, to justify3 his mood of suspicion; yet, forasmuch as this mood was unaccountable, it behoved him to move circumspectly4 through the first stages of reconnoitre.
Therefore it was that coming to the top of the long dip, on the crest5 of whose further slope stood Mr. Breeds’s little ill-omened tavern6, he called to Dennis and, pulling on his left rein7, cantered his horse on to the easterly downs, with the idea of making a détour that should bring him into the Winchester road a half-mile above Stockbridge.
This was judicious8 enough; but it was some aggravation9 of his impatience10 to find now with what infinite caution it was necessary to proceed over the frozen wastes of grass and crumbling11 chalk patches. A rushed camp of mole-hills—a film of cat-ice, roofing some unsuspected hollow, trodden upon—and all his fine purposes of help might end in a broken neck. Fortunately there was a young wintry moon, whose radiance, struck back from the snow, made such a spectral12 twilight13 as it was possible to steer14 through.
He groaned15 to himself as yard by yard they crept upon their way and still the red glow seemed as far off as ever. Once indeed, looking as in a dream, he fancied they must have wandered widely afield, away from, instead of towards the fire; for then the latter seemed to have sunk in a little glimmer16 amongst distant hills, as if many miles separated it from them. But the next moment there came a great bellying17 upward of smoke, distinctly evident to their eyes; and immediately the pall18 was attacked and devoured19 by a dozen shooting tongues of flame, that slobbered myriads20 of sparks like blood as the monster of fire rent its prey21.
“The roof has gone in, sir.”
“Aye, aye, Dennis. We must be near the road by now, I think.”
Not so near as he hoped and desired. It was a full hour and a half from the start when they broke at last into the Winchester highway and went down cautiously into the village. For many minutes before, there had been no doubt in Tuke’s mind but that his worst apprehensions22 would be realized. The “First Inn” it was that was alight—the old house endeared to him, in a sense, by more than one tender memory.
“How did it happen?” he asked of himself; and thought half-comically—“I must assure the poor girl it was like enough to have been spontaneous combustion23, from the long warmth of hospitality it carried in its heart.”
“Betty, Betty,” he thought, “are you safe, my dear?”—and at the fear the word evoked26 his breath caught in something like a sob27.
The fury of the fire was over when they came upon the scene and stopped before the ravaged28 and gutted29 carcass of the once picturesque30 inn. But still the blackened walls blossomed with little spits and fronds31 of flame; and scarlet32 lines drawn33 upon the heavy curtains of smoke showed where smouldering beams clung tenacious34 of their hold.
The road was full of a drifting and pungent35 fog, and therein the whole village was alive, scurrying36 hither and thither37 in excitement like a colony of ants whose nest had been overturned.
On the outskirts38 of this press the two men, dismounted, were standing39 holding their horses, when a country youth, his red face all blubbered with tears and dust, came hurriedly up to them and seized Tuke by the sleeve.
“Master—Master Took!” he exclaimed in a broken voice.
“Jim!—Good God, man! how did this come about?”
“Steady, man!”
“I’ll ha’ justice o’ them—I’ll ha’ justice o’ them, by the Lord! Look at it! look here! Missy Pollack’s home—her that never done a hard thing by a soul, and treated poor Jim like a man. Drove a pauper41 at a blow, and her grandfather all burnt and choked and she cluckin’ to him like a hen that’s laid.”
“Where is she? Take me to her.”
The poor fellow pulled him forward immediately, shouting to those who interposed to make way for the gentleman that was come to see justice done on scoundrels and murderers. Some stared and some grinned, but one and all were too loutishly42 absorbed in the extempore show that yet crackled for their benefit to thrust an undesirable43 company upon him. So they let him pass undisturbed, and continued to ply44 the ashes from their useless buckets with what water they could find, while buffoonery and the animal jest at another’s misfortune kept them in a fine glow of good-humour.
To a barn in an adjacent yard Jim conducted his captive by way of a side-gate that had been closed against intruders. Within, gathered about the open door of the shed, was a little knot of men, whose dress showed them for the most part to be of the respectable class of village gentry45. These Tuke saluted46 as he advanced.
“I trust, gentlemen,” he said, “that this I hear of the innkeeper is an exaggerated report?”
One of the company, who was muffled47 up in a great surtout and swung a horn lantern in his hand, detached himself from the group and came towards him.
“The man is dead, sir,” he said.
“Dead?”
“He has succumbed48 to shock induced by a period of inhalation of irrespirable gases, and aggravated49 by some superficial burns. I am Dr. Harmsworth, sir, at your service.”
Mr. Tuke bowed.
“And can you inform me, Dr. Harmsworth,” he said, “of the history of this catastrophe50?”
“In faith, sir, I cannot. But it looks an ugly business. The wench, it appears, was gone to visit a neighbour, and the stableman to squire51 her. When they return—there is smoke leaking through the roof of the tap. They burst in, and are met by a vaporous volley of flame. The old man is down on the floor, insensible in the midst of it. They drag him out, and the young man hath the wit to observe that the fire has its three distinct sources or centres of eruption52. That, to my mind, suspicions of some foulness53. But him that could have best acquainted us of the truth has his mouth sealed to the Day of Judgment54.”
“He is dead.”
“He is dead, sir.”
“And his granddaughter?”
“I must see her.”
“By your leave, sir—”
“I must see her, Dr. Harmsworth. You needn’t say me nay56, sir. I know, and would act the part of friend by her.”
The doctor would have further protested, but Jim put him roughly to one side and made a way for his gentleman.
“In here, sir,” he said.
It was a little sombre, pathetic scene that Tuke faced as he entered. A flaring57 candle, stuck in a cleft-stick, split up the windy darkness of the interior into spokes58 of light and shadow. From the roof, great misty59 mats of cobwebs drooping60, swayed in the draught61 like grotesque62 banners hung appropriately to the lying-in-state of the dusty thing on the floor. Thereover a hard-grained female was stooped, engaged in covering the dead face with a napkin; and leaned upright against a partition, her head dropped listlessly upon her arm, was the poor living victim of all this tragic63 gallimaufry.
“Betty!”
A start and a shiver went through her, but she did not raise her face.
“I saw the glare,” he whispered behind her into her upturned ear, “and my heart misgave65 me and I rode over to your help. Yes, it is too late for him, Betty; but, for yourself, my dear? It is no time to speak of it all now; but if there has been villainy here, I will spend my fortune at need to procure66 its punishment. Betty!”
She only buried her face deeper in her arm. He put his hand on her shoulder with a caressing67 touch; then removed it and crossed to the kneeling woman.
“Tell me,” he said, stooping and speaking low—“has she any one relation in the village?”
“No, sir. Them two was alone in the world.”
“Friends—acquaintances? Any single soul who would show her kindness in this great affliction?”
“Betty was none disliked,” she said. “But, Lord ha’ mercy, sir! is it righteous to talk to the poor, in sick a winter as this, o’ the grace o’ charity? Will your honour look at the gal64, and tell me if them busts69 and shoulders was like to ha’ been nourished on pitaty parings?”
“She is ruined?”
The woman stared.
“Saving your honour, I won’t believe it. The gal is no road for the men, but as good a wench as ever served a pot.”
“Ruined, I mean, in the sense of fortune. She hath lost her all in this burning?”
“Ah! I misdoubt she’s worth no more than the clothes she stands in.”
“If I give you money, will you honestly do the last duties by the dead here?”
“Aye, that will I.”
“So that, if I procure the maid an asylum70, she may feel happy that her grandfather will be laid decently to earth?”
“Aye, aye.”
She held out an eager hand; let those who have starved in a bitter winter call it a covetous71 one. She fingered each of the gold pieces as if it were a fairy flower of her imagination.
Tuke returned softly to the girl, who had never changed her position. He put his arm gently about her waist.
“Betty—I tell you to come with me.”
“No, no!”
Her voice shivered up, all drowned and bewildered.
“You must come, dear. This is no longer a place for you. I will arrange all matters necessary about—about him there, and I will take you into my service.”
“You are forlorn and alone in the world, Betty. You would have to exchange your independence for a wretched drudgery73.”
At that she looked up at last, and put her hair from her wild eyes and wet cheeks.
“I should be honest,” she whispered. “They could not be cruel to blame me even if I starved. Why should I help you to a lie and myself to misery74?”
“To a lie, Betty?”
She flashed round on him quite suddenly.
“What is the sort of service you offer me?” she cried.
He did not answer. Irresistibly75 impassioned, he seized her fiercely in his arms. The woman had gone out and for the moment they were alone.
“Betty, you shall come! I will try to be fair with you. If you have fought against this, so have I.”
“He offered you to me for a price. I curse myself for telling you this now; but I must have you by fair means or foul.”
She fell against him, weeping heavily, while he held her.
“Oh, for shame!” she gasped77, “that I should be put up to be bid for in my innocence78! What brutes79 are men!”
“I won’t gainsay80 you. But, Betty, am I to live on in my warm house and know her cold and hungry that all my soul longs to?”
“Don’t!—oh, don’t talk to me like that!”
“Give me your lips, wench. Come! I will have them. By this and this, Betty, through every fibre of your sweetness I love and claim you.”
“Oh, what am I to do?”
“As I bid you, girl.”
He had out his handkerchief and wiped her eyes, and he smoothed her roughened hair and kissed her again into servility. Then he led her unresisting towards the door; and there was Jim mounting guard.
“Jim,” he said—“Missy Pollack is coming home with me. Go and find my man and bid him lead the horses thitherwards to some place where we can mount in quiet.”
The fellow sped away, and Tuke, leaving the girl by the barn-door, walked across to the doctor who was withdrawn81 with his friends to a little distance.
“Dr. Harmsworth, the pleasure of a word with you, sir.”
The other detached himself from the group and joined him.
“This unfortunate young woman is known to me. I take her into my service, with her consent and approval, and make myself responsible for her safe custody82. You will greatly oblige me by undertaking83 the business of the proper interment of these poor remains84, and you will apply to me for all professional and sundry85 charges. I am Mr. Tuke of ‘Delsrop,’ where I am to be seen and held to account for claims both moral and practical.”
The doctor gave a stiff bow.
“I am acquainted with you by report, sir, and will be happy to honour your instructions. As for the wench, she is of an age to negotiate her own business, and, I trust, to exhibit prudence in the conduct of it.”
“You can do her only justice, I am sure,” said he; and bowed once more and turned on his heel.
He found the girl prostrate87 on her knees beside the dead body—sobbing—appealing to it—murmuring broken words of penitence88 and love. She had moved the napkin from the face, and Tuke saw the cunning still engraved89 finely about the sightless eyes, and the little close leer of covetousness90 at the corners of the mouth, which showed a grotesque, clownish distortion of shape in the sooty border that suffocation91 had painted round it. Knowing what he did, he could not bear to see her thus wasting her heart of affection on the dead, unworthy thing. He stooped, and put his arm about her, and drew the cloth once more over the face.
“Come,” he said, and helping92 her to her feet, pulled off his own great-coat and wrapped it about her shoulders.
At that, “No, no!” she whispered. “You will perish of the cold.”
“I am going to take you pillion, Betty; and you must clasp your warm hands over my heart and keep it beating for you. That is your charge.”
He hurriedly withdrew her and urged her up the road. A little distance off they came upon the two men with the horses. Tuke sprang to his saddle, gave the girl a hand, and pulled her to a seat behind him.
“God bless your honour!” cried poor Jim.
“What of you, my good fellow?”
“What but the union, master?”
“Get up behind my servant. You shall serve your mistress yet.”
Betty gasped.
“Did you kiss my shoulder, Betty?”
No answer.
With a light laugh Tuke touched up his horse, and the deadly cold of the night met them full-face as they sped homewards.
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收听单词发音
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1
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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circumspectly
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| adv.慎重地，留心地 | |
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crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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aggravation
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| n.烦恼，恼火 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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crumbling
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| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
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spectral
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| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
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twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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15
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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bellying
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| 鼓出部；鼓鼓囊囊 | |
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pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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19
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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combustion
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| n.燃烧；氧化；骚动 | |
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24
rebuked
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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evoked
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| [医]诱发的 | |
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sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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28
ravaged
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| 毁坏( ravage的过去式和过去分词 )； 蹂躏； 劫掠； 抢劫 | |
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29
gutted
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| adj.容易消化的v.毁坏（建筑物等）的内部( gut的过去式和过去分词 )；取出…的内脏 | |
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30
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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31
fronds
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| n.蕨类或棕榈类植物的叶子( frond的名词复数 ) | |
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32
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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33
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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tenacious
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| adj.顽强的，固执的，记忆力强的，粘的 | |
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35
pungent
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| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
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36
scurrying
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的现在分词 ) | |
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37
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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39
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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40
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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41
pauper
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| n.贫民，被救济者，穷人 | |
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loutishly
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| 笨拙的，粗野的 | |
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undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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44
ply
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| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
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gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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46
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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47
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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succumbed
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| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的过去式和过去分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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49
aggravated
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| 使恶化( aggravate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使更严重； 激怒； 使恼火 | |
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50
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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51
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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52
eruption
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| n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作 | |
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53
foulness
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| n. 纠缠, 卑鄙 | |
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54
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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55
poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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56
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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57
flaring
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| a.火焰摇曳的，过份艳丽的 | |
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58
spokes
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| n.（车轮的）辐条( spoke的名词复数 )；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 | |
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misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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61
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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misgave
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| v.使（某人的情绪、精神等）疑虑，担忧，害怕( misgive的过去式 ) | |
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66
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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67
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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68
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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busts
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| 半身雕塑像( bust的名词复数 )； 妇女的胸部； 胸围； 突击搜捕 | |
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70
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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71
covetous
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| adj.贪婪的，贪心的 | |
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72
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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73
drudgery
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| n.苦工，重活，单调乏味的工作 | |
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74
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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75
irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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76
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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77
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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78
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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79
brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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80
gainsay
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| v.否认，反驳 | |
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81
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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82
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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83
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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84
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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85
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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86
rigidly
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| adv.刻板地，僵化地 | |
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87
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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88
penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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89
engraved
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| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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90
covetousness
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91
suffocation
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| n.窒息 | |
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92
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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