The Hon. Pratt C. Gashwiler, M.C., was of course unaware1 of the incident described in the last chapter. His secret, even if it had been discovered by Dobbs, was safe in that gentleman's innocent and honorable hands, and certainly was not of a quality that Mr. Wiles2, at present, would have cared to expose. For, in spite of Mr. Wiles's discomfiture3, he still had enough experience of character to know that the irate4 member from Fresno would be satisfied with his own peculiar5 manner of vindicating6 his own personal integrity, and would not make a public scandal of it. Again, Wiles was convinced that Dobbs was equally implicated7 with Gashwiler, and would be silent for his own sake. So that poor Dobbs, as is too often the fate of simple but weak natures, had full credit for duplicity by every rascal8 in the land.
From which it may be inferred that nothing occurred to disturb the security of Gashwiler. When the door closed upon Mr. Wiles, he indited9 a note which, with a costly10 but exceedingly distasteful bouquet11,—rearranged by his own fat fingers, and discord12 and incongruity13 visible in every combination of color,—he sent off by a special messenger. Then he proceeded to make his toilet,—an operation rarely graceful14 or picturesque15 in our sex, and an insult to the spectator when obesity16 is superadded. When he had put on a clean shirt, of which there was grossly too much, and added a white waistcoat, that seemed to accent his rotundity, he completed his attire17 with a black frock coat of the latest style, and surveyed himself complacently18 before a mirror. It is to be recorded that, however satisfactory the result might have been to Mr. Gashwiler, it was not so to the disinterested20 spectator. There are some men on whom “that deformed21 thief, Fashion,” avenges22 himself by making their clothes appear perennially23 new. The gloss24 of the tailor's iron never disappears; the creases25 of the shelf perpetually rise in judgment26 against the wearer. Novelty was the general suggestion of Mr. Gashwiler's full-dress,—it was never his HABITUDE;—and “Our own Make,” “Nobby,” and the “Latest Style, only $15,” was as patent on the legislator's broad back as if it still retained the shop-man's ticket.
Thus arrayed, within an hour he complacently followed the note and his floral offering. The house he sought had been once the residence of a foreign Ambassador, who had loyally represented his government in a single unimportant treaty, now forgotten, and in various receptions and dinners, still actively28 remembered by occasional visits to its salon29; now the average dreary30 American parlor31. “Dear me,” the fascinating Mr. X would say, “but do you know, love, in this very room I remember meeting the distinguished32 Marquis of Monte Pio;” or perhaps the fashionable Jones of the State Department instantly crushed the decayed friend he was perfunctorily visiting by saying, “'Pon my soul, YOU here;—why, the last time I was in this room I gossiped for an hour with the Countess de Castenet in that very corner.” For, with the recall of the aforesaid Ambassador, the mansion33 had become a boarding-place, kept by the wife of a departmental clerk.
Perhaps there was nothing in the history of the house more quaint34 and philosophic35 than the story of its present occupant. Roger Fauquier had been a departmental clerk for forty years. It was at once his practical good luck and his misfortune to have been early appointed to a position which required a thorough and complete knowledge of the formulas and routine of a department that expended36 millions of the public funds. Fauquier, on a poor salary, diminishing instead of increasing with his service, had seen successive administrations bud and blossom and decay, but had kept his position through the fact that his knowledge was a necessity to the successive chiefs and employes. Once it was true that he had been summarily removed by a new Secretary, to make room for a camp follower37, whose exhaustive and intellectual services in a political campaign had made him eminently38 fit for anything; but the alarming discovery that the new clerk's knowledge of grammar and etymology39 was even worse than that of the Secretary himself, and that, through ignorance of detail, the business of that department was retarded40 to a damage to the Government of over half a million of dollars, led to the reinstatement of Mr. Fauquier—AT A LOWER SALARY. For it was felt that something was wrong somewhere, and as it had always been the custom of Congress and the administration to cut down salaries as the first step to reform, they made of Mr. Fauquier a moral example. A gentleman born, of somewhat expensive tastes, having lived up to his former salary, this change brought another bread-winner into the field, Mrs. Fauquier, who tried, more or less unsuccessfully, to turn her old Southern habits of hospitality to remunerative41 account. But as poor Fauquier could never be prevailed upon to present a bill to a gentleman, sir, and as some of the scions42 of the best Southern families were still waiting for, or had been recently dismissed from, a position, the experiment was a pecuniary43 failure. Yet the house was of excellent repute and well patronized; indeed, it was worth something to see old Fauquier sitting at the head of his own table, in something of his ancestral style, relating anecdotes44 of great men now dead and gone, interrupted only by occasional visits from importunate45 tradesmen.
Prominent among what Mr. Fauquier called his “little family” was a black-eyed lady of great powers of fascination46, and considerable local reputation as a flirt47. Nevertheless, these social aberrations48 were amply condoned50 by a facile and complacent19 husband, who looked with a lenient51 and even admiring eye upon the little lady's amusement, and to a certain extent lent a tacit indorsement to her conduct. Nobody minded Hopkinson; in the blaze of Mrs. Hopkinson's fascinations52 he was completely lost sight of. A few married women with unduly53 sensitive husbands, and several single ladies of the best and longest standing54, reflected severely55 on her conduct. The younger men of course admired her, but I think she got her chief support from old fogies like ourselves. For it is your quiet, self-conceited, complacent, philosophic, broad-waisted paterfamilias who, after all, is the one to whom the gay and giddy of the proverbially impulsive56, unselfish sex owe their place in the social firmament57. We are never inclined to be captious58; we laugh at as a folly59 what our wives and daughters condemn60 as a fault; OUR “withers are unwrung,” yet we still confess to the fascinations of a pretty face. We know, bless us, from dear experience, the exact value of one woman's opinion of another; we want our brilliant little friend to shine; it is only the moths61 who will burn their two-penny immature62 wings in the flame! And why should they not? Nature has been pleased to supply more moths than candles! Go to!—give the pretty creature—be she maid, wife, or widow—a show! And so, my dear sir, while mater-familias bends her black brows in disgust, we smile our superior little smile, and extend to Mistress Anonyma our gracious indorsement. And if giddiness is grateful, or if folly is friendly,—well, of course, we can't help that. Indeed it rather proves our theory.
I had intended to say something about Hopkinson; but really there is very little to say. He was invariably good humored. A few ladies once tried to show him that he really ought to feel worse than he did about the conduct of his wife; and it is recorded that Hopkinson, in an excess of good humor and kindliness63, promised to do so. Indeed the good fellow was so accessible that it is said that young DeLancy of the Tape Department confided64 to Hopkinson his jealousy65 of a rival; and revealed the awful secret that he (DeLancy) had reason to expect more loyalty66 from his (Hopkinson's) wife. The good fellow is reported to have been very sympathetic, and to have promised Delaney to lend whatever influence he had with Mrs. Hopkinson in his favor. “You see,” he said explanatorily to DeLancy, “she has a good deal to attend to lately, and I suppose has got rather careless,—that's women's ways. But if I can't bring her round I'll speak to Gashwiler,—I'll get him to use his influence with Mrs. Hop27. So cheer up, my boy, HE'LL make it all right.”
The appearance of a bouquet on the table of Mrs. Hopkinson was no rare event; nevertheless, Mr. Gashwiler's was not there. Its hideous67 contrasts had offended her woman's eye,—it is observable that good taste survives the wreck68 of all the other feminine virtues,—and she had distributed it to make boutonnieres for other gentlemen. Yet, when he appeared, she said to him hastily, putting her little hand over the cardiac region:
“I'm so glad you came. But you gave me SUCH a fright an hour ago.”
Mr. Gashwiler was both pleased and astounded70. “What have I done, my dear Mrs. Hopkinson?” he began.
“Oh, don't talk,” she said sadly. “What have you done, indeed! Why, you sent me that beautiful bouquet. I could not mistake your taste in the arrangement of the flowers;—but my husband was here. You know his jealousy. I was obliged to conceal71 it from him. Never—promise me now—NEVER do it again.”
Nothing but the gross flattery to this speech could have clouded its manifest absurdity74 to the Gashwiler consciousness. But Mr. Gashwiler had already succumbed75 to the girlish half-timidity with which it was uttered. Nevertheless, he could not help saying:
“But why should he be so jealous now? Only day before yesterday I saw Simpson of Duluth hand you a nosegay right before him!”
“Ah,” returned the lady, “he was outwardly calm THEN, but you know nothing of the scene that occurred between us after you left.”
“But,” gasped76 the practical Gashwiler, “Simpson had given your husband that contract,—a cool fifty thousand in his pocket!”
Mrs. Hopkinson looked as dignifiedly at Gashwiler as was consistent with five feet three (the extra three inches being a pyramidal structure of straw-colored hair), a frond77 of faint curls, a pair of laughing blue eyes, and a small belted waist. Then she said, with a casting down of her lids:
“You forget that my husband loves me.” And for once the minx appeared to look penitent78. It was becoming; but as it had been originally practiced in a simple white dress, relieved only with pale-blue ribbons, it was not entirely79 in keeping with be-flounced lavender and rose-colored trimmings. Yet the woman who hesitates between her moral expression and the harmony of her dress is lost. And Mrs. Hopkinson was victrix by her very audacity80.
Mr. Gashwiler was flattered. The most dissolute man likes the appearance of virtue69. “But graces and accomplishments81 like yours, dear Mrs. Hopkinson,” he said oleaginously, “belong to the whole country.” Which, with something between a courtesy and a strut82, he endeavored to represent. “And I shall want to avail myself of all,” he added, “in the matter of the Castro claim. A little supper at Welcker's, a glass or two of champagne83, and a single flash of those bright eyes, and the thing is done.”
“But,” said Mrs. Hopkinson, “I've promised Josiah that I would give up all those frivolities, and although my conscience is clear, you know how people talk! Josiah hears it. Why, only last night, at a reception at the Patagonian Minister's, every woman in the room gossiped about me because I led the german with him. As if a married woman, whose husband was interested in the Government, could not be civil to the representative of a friendly power?”
Mr. Gashwiler did not see how Mr. Hopkinson's late contract for supplying salt pork and canned provisions to the army of the United States should make his wife susceptible84 to the advances of foreign princes; but he prudently85 kept that to himself. Still, not being himself a diplomat86, he could not help saying:
“But I understood that Mr. Hopkinson did not object to your interesting yourself in this claim, and you know some of the stock—”
The lady started, and said:
“Stock! Dear Mr. Gashwiler, for Heaven's sake don't mention that hideous name to me. Stock, I am sick of it! Have you gentlemen no other topic for a lady?”
She punctuated87 her sentence with a mischievous88 look at her interlocutor. For a second time I regret to say that Mr. Gashwiler succumbed. The Roman constituency at Remus, it is to be hoped, were happily ignorant of this last defection of their great legislator. Mr. Gashwiler instantly forgot his theme,—began to ply49 the lady with a certain bovine-like gallantry, which it is to be said to her credit she parried with a playful, terrier-like dexterity89, when the servant suddenly announced, “Mr. Wiles.”
Gashwiler started. Not so Mrs. Hopkinson, who, however, prudently and quietly removed her own chair several inches from Gashwiler's.
“Do you know Mr. Wiles?” she asked pleasantly.
“No! That is, I—ah—yes, I may say I have had some business relations with him,” responded Gashwiler rising.
“Won't you stay?” she added pleadingly. “Do!”
Mr. Gashwiler's prudence90 always got the better of his gallantry. “Not now,” he responded in some nervousness. “Perhaps I had better go now, in view of what you have just said about gossip. You need not mention my name to this-er—this—Mr. Wiles.” And with one eye on the door, and an awkward dash of his lips at the lady's fingers, he withdrew.
There was no introductory formula to Mr. Wiles's interview. He dashed at once in medias res. “Gashwiler knows a woman that, he says, can help us against that Spanish girl who is coming here with proofs, prettiness, fascination, and what not! You must find her out.”
“Why?” asked the lady laughingly.
“Because I don't trust that Gashwiler. A woman with a pretty face and an ounce of brains could sell him out; aye, and US with him.”
“Oh, say TWO ounces of brains. Mr. Wiles, Mr. Gashwiler is no fool.”
“Possibly, except when your sex is concerned, and it is very likely that the woman is his superior.”
“I should think so,” said Mrs. Hopkinson with a mischievous look.
“Ah, you know her, then?”
“Not so well as I know him,” said Mrs. H. quite seriously. “I wish I did.”
“Well, you'll find out if she's to be trusted! You are laughing,—it is a serious matter! This woman—”
Mrs. Hopkinson dropped him a charming courtesy and said,
“C'est moi!”
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收听单词发音
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1
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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wiles
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| n.（旨在欺骗或吸引人的）诡计，花招；欺骗，欺诈( wile的名词复数 ) | |
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discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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irate
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| adj.发怒的，生气 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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vindicating
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| v.澄清（某人/某事物）受到的责难或嫌疑( vindicate的现在分词 )；表明或证明（所争辩的事物）属实、正当、有效等；维护 | |
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implicated
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| adj.密切关联的；牵涉其中的 | |
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rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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indited
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| v.写（文章，信等）创作，赋诗，创作( indite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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bouquet
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| n.花束，酒香 | |
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discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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incongruity
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| n.不协调，不一致 | |
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14
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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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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obesity
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| n.肥胖，肥大 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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deformed
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| adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的 | |
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avenges
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的第三人称单数 )；为…报复 | |
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perennially
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| adv.经常出现地；长期地；持久地；永久地 | |
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gloss
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| n.光泽，光滑；虚饰；注释；vt.加光泽于；掩饰 | |
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25
creases
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| （使…）起折痕，弄皱( crease的第三人称单数 )； （皮肤）皱起，使起皱纹 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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27
hop
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| n.单脚跳，跳跃；vi.单脚跳，跳跃；着手做某事；vt.跳跃，跃过 | |
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actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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salon
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| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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etymology
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| n.语源；字源学 | |
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retarded
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| a.智力迟钝的，智力发育迟缓的 | |
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remunerative
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| adj.有报酬的 | |
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scions
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| n.接穗，幼枝( scion的名词复数 )；（尤指富家）子孙 | |
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pecuniary
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| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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importunate
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| adj.强求的；纠缠不休的 | |
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fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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aberrations
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| n.偏差( aberration的名词复数 )；差错；脱离常规；心理失常 | |
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ply
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| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
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condoned
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| v.容忍，宽恕，原谅( condone的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
lenient
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| adj.宽大的，仁慈的 | |
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52
fascinations
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| n.魅力( fascination的名词复数 )；有魅力的东西；迷恋；陶醉 | |
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53
unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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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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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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56
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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57
firmament
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| n.苍穹；最高层 | |
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58
captious
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| adj.难讨好的，吹毛求疵的 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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moths
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| n.蛾( moth的名词复数 ) | |
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immature
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| adj.未成熟的，发育未全的，未充分发展的 | |
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kindliness
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| n.厚道，亲切，友好的行为 | |
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64
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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65
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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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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astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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72
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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73
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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75
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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76
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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frond
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| n.棕榈类植物的叶子 | |
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78
penitent
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| adj.后悔的；n.后悔者；忏悔者 | |
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79
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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81
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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strut
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| v.肿胀，鼓起；大摇大摆地走；炫耀；支撑；撑开；n.高视阔步；支柱，撑杆 | |
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83
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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84
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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85
prudently
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| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
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86
diplomat
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| n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人 | |
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punctuated
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| v.（在文字中）加标点符号，加标点( punctuate的过去式和过去分词 )；不时打断某事物 | |
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88
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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89
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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90
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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