“Your idea,” said John meditatively1, “as far as I can elucidate2 it from your somewhat wordy discourse3, is that I should accompany you to this exceedingly out-of-the-way, this on your own showing entirely4 remote, secluded5, and sequestered6 spot, for the sole purpose of affording you amusement in your so to speak out of work hours.”
“That,” returned Corin admiringly, “is the idea in toto. It is marvellous with what ease and skill you have grasped and summed up the entire situation.”
John sighed.
“And might one be allowed to question what are the advantages to be gained from such a sojourn7? What manner of recreation can the place afford? In a word, where do I come in?”
“Advantages!” Corin raised his eyes to the [Pg 6]cobwebby rafters. “Heavens above! Isn’t my companionship an advantage? And for recreation what more can you desire than the contemplation of country lanes and wide moorland this glorious summer weather? Think of it, man! The earth ablaze8 with purple heather, the sea blue and golden,—breathing, living, colour. Anon there will be blackberries, great luscious9 clusters of blue-black fruit hanging ready for the plucking in every hedgerow. Again, I ask, what more can you desire?”
John smiled grimly.
“I am not, I would have you observe, either an artist or a boy. Your inducements fail to move me.”
“My companionship,” urged Corin.
Corin changed his tone, descended12 to wheedling13. “Consider my loneliness,” he remarked pathetically. “From six o’clock—I can’t put in more than an eight-hour day—till midnight alone and unoccupied. Six hours!”
“Go to bed at nine and reduce the six hours by a simple process of subtraction14 to three, or play patience,” returned John unsympathetically.
[Pg 7]
“Inhuman brute,” mourned Corin.
John merely laughed.
He was a tall young man, thirty or thereabouts, clean-shaven, bronzed, grey-eyed, and with a thin hooked nose. His mouth, below it, was slightly grim in repose16. But, when he smiled, you forgot the grimness, and smiled involuntarily in response. Also, you found yourself watching for the smile to come into play a second time. It had a curious manner of leaping first to his eyes in a sudden and illuminating17 flash. Deserting them, it passed equally suddenly to his mouth, leaving the eyes sad. It was a disconcerting trick, a baffling magician’s trick, and left you wondering. In the matter of dress he was fastidious to a degree. At the moment his attire18 was the most immaculate suit of London clothes, grey trousers, frock coat, and all the rest of the paraphernalia19. His silk hat, exceeding glossy20, reposed21 on a worm-eaten oak chair near him. He had removed a pile of sketch22 books and a bunch of dilapidated lilies to make place for the hat. They lay now on the floor.
With Corin, by contrast, clothes were a matter of necessity as mere15 covering, and no more. His [Pg 8]tweed trousers and Norfolk jacket had an out-all-night-in-the-wet-and-then-sat-upon air. In two words they looked loosely crumpled23. Paint spots adorned24 the left sleeve, in the crook25 of the elbow where his palette was wont26 to rest. His soft collar, attached to his shirt, was unbuttoned, and merely held together by a smoke-grey tie. Briefly27, in the matter of clothes, he was the prototype of the modern novelist’s art-student,—the type that emerges paint-stained, careless-clad, cheerfully Bohemian, from the chapters of such novels as deal with the art world in Chelsea.
But here it behoves me to walk warily29 lest I should hear a whisper of “glass houses,” for does not this very Corin himself dwell in that most fascinating region of London? Is not his studio within a bare five minutes of the dirty, muddy, grey, but wholly adorable Thames, where it drifts past Carlyle’s statue, smoke-grimed and weather-worn, and on past the old herbalist’s garden set back across the street?
In face, this same Corin was plump, smooth-skinned, rosy-cheeked, fair-haired, with short-sighted blue eyes that gazed at you kindly30 from behind gold-rimmed spectacles. His own [Pg 9]appearance caused him moments of acute anguish31.
“Look at me!” he would cry on occasions, having met his reflection in some unexpected mirror in a friend’s house or studio, “Look at me! The soul of an artist, and the appearance of a benign32 and grown-up baby! If I didn’t know my own nature and character, I vow33 I’d be taken in. I am taken in when I come upon myself in this disgusting and unexpected fashion. Who’s that odd, kindly, little pink-faced man? I ask myself. And then I realize it’s me, me, me! And, even while I’m swearing at the sight of myself, I look no more than a cross baby yelling for its feeding bottle. Talk of purgatory34! I get ten years of it every time I come opposite a looking-glass. The things ought to be abolished. They ought to be ground to powder, scattered35 like dust to the four winds of heaven. They merely pander36 to woman’s vanity. No man wants to look into one. If he looks like a man he doesn’t bother about it. If he looks like me—” At this juncture37 his anguish would become too acute for further speech.
There was a pause in the conversation, quite an [Pg 10]appreciable pause, seeing that it lasted at least two and three-quarter minutes. Then:
“So the matter is definitely settled,” announced Corin with an air of finality, “and on Tuesday next you and I, a couple of boon38 companions, wend our way to the charming, the altogether adorable and old-world village of Malford, situated39, so the guide-books tell us, precisely40 seven miles from Whortley station, as the crow flies. Why as the crow flies,” he continued ruminatively41, “I have never been able to fathom42. The information is of remarkably43 small use to the feathered species, and I have not yet been able to grasp what precise and particular use it is to mankind at large.”
John, whose attention had been wandering, roused himself.
“For sheer pertinacity,” he remarked suavely44, “commend me to one, Corin Elmore, painter, poet, musician, theosophist, and fortune-teller; in short, dabbler45 in the arts and the occult sciences.”
“At all events you can hear Mass at Malford,” retorted Corin succinctly46. It would appear that “dabbler in the occult sciences” had pricked47.
“Truly?” John’s tone was politely interrogative. “At what distance from Malford, as the crow flies?”
[Pg 11]
“You can hear Mass in Malford, in the Chapel48, in Delancey Castle.” The statement was triumphant49.
“Delancey Castle!” ejaculated John. For the first time interest, genuine interest, stirred in his voice. He began, in a manner of speaking, to sit up and take notice.
“Delancey Castle,” reiterated50 Corin. And then suspiciously, “But why this sudden interest?”
“Merely that I have heard of the place,” said John nonchalantly.
“Who hasn’t?” Corin’s voice was faintly edged with scorn. “One of the oldest baronial castles in England; situated in a park famed for its oaks and copper51 beeches52; Norman in origin, enlarged during the Tudor period; minstrel’s gallery, secret chambers53, terraced gardens. From all accounts it breathes the very essence of romance and bygone forgotten days. Heavens above! were there indeed tongues in trees, and sermons in stones, I’ll swear there’s many a tale those old walls and the trees around them might disclose.”
“It is a matter for devout54 thanks,” returned [Pg 12]John piously55, “that the tongue of Nature wags, in a manner of speaking, rather in accordance with our mood of the moment than by any actual physical volition56 of its own. We have quite enough to do to stop our ears to the human tongues around us. But, seriously, I had no idea that Delancey Castle was situated in this sequestered spot of yours.”
“Sequestered spot of mine!” ejaculated Corin. “I lay no claim to the spot. It exists not for my benefit, save in so far, I would have you note, as certain pecuniary57 advantages will accrue58 to me for work done in its lonely regions. Nevertheless Delancey Castle is situated there, unless some good or evil genius has seen fit to remove it piecemeal59 since last Thursday week. I saw it on that date with my own eyes, ‘set on an eminence60’—again the guide-books—‘above the small village of Malford. Glimpses of its rugged61 grey towers may be observed among the lordly oaks and magnificent copper beeches for which the park is justly famed.’ I refer you to page one hundred and twenty-two of Sanderson’s Guide to Country Houses for the accuracy of my quotation62.” He broke off to light a fresh cigarette, [Pg 13]then looked at John, challenging him through his gold-rimmed spectacles.
“Oh, I’ll not question the accuracy of your quotation,” retorted John. “But how about your former statement regarding the situation of the Castle? You stated it was in the village. Now I learn it is on an eminence above it.”
“Hark to the quibbler!” cried Corin.
“Not at all,” returned John. “A Castle on an eminence is a very different pair of shoes from a Castle in a village, especially when it is incumbent63 upon one to seek that said Castle in order to fulfil one’s devotional obligations.”
“If,” said Corin reflectively, “I were a Catholic—don’t get excited, there’s no smallest prospect64 of your ever claiming me as a convert—but if I were a Catholic, I should not be so disgustingly slack about my religion as to object to walking up a small hill in order to attend my religious services.”
“I never said I objected to walking up a small hill,” remarked John. “I was merely pointing out the inaccuracy of your former statement.”
Corin sighed patiently. “You make me tired with your quibbling. And that last remark distinctly wanders from the truth.”
[Pg 14]
John smiled, not deigning65 further reply. It began as a small pitying smile for Corin’s weakness of retort, it continued with a hint of pleasure, a tiny secret excitement as at the possibility of the fulfilment of some concealed66 desire. His heart had beaten at least three degrees quicker at the mention of Delancey Castle, and it had not yet resumed its normal gentle throbbing67.
He waited silent. There was now but one thought uppermost in his mind. Yet he could not voice it. The renewed suggestion—it surely would be renewed—must come from Corin. For John to give spontaneous hint of yielding in the matter of recent discussion would be to run the risk—though possibly merely a faint risk—of giving himself away. Faint or blatant, the risk was to be avoided at all cost. He smoked on, therefore, imperturbable68, his eyes for the most part on a desk in a corner of the studio, an extremely untidy desk, covered with papers that looked for all the world as if they had been tossed thereon by a whirlwind, and then stirred by an exceedingly vigorous arm wielding69 a pitchfork. Yet, for all that his eyes were upon the desk, his thoughts were upon Corin.
[Pg 15]
“Speak, man, speak,” he was urging him by that mental process which is termed “willing.” “Renew your persuasions70; beg me again to accompany you on your lonely sojourn.”
But either Corin was no medium, or John was no medium,—I have never been fully28 able to fathom whether the willer, or the willed, or both must be possessed71 of the mediumistic faculties72 for satisfactory results to accrue,—certain it is that Corin sat placidly73 silent, apparently74 entirely oblivious75 of John’s mental efforts in his direction.
Willing can be an exhausting process, at all events to one who is not an adept76 in the art. In John’s case, as the vigour77 of his efforts increased, his muscles grew tighter and tighter, till his very toes curled with spasmodic tension inside his shiny, polished, patent-leather boots, while a portentous78 frown drew his eyebrows79 firmly together till they practically met above his thin hooked nose.
Corin, glancing suddenly in his direction, surprised an almost anguished80 expression of countenance81.
“Are you ill?” he ejaculated dismayed, and with a swift half-movement towards the cupboard where the brandy decanter was situated.
[Pg 16]
John’s face relaxed on the instant.
“Not in the least, thank you.”
“Then what on earth were you making such faces about?” demanded Corin.
“I was not aware that I was making faces,” said John with some dignity. “I was merely thinking.”
“Thinking!” Corin’s light arched eyebrows rose nearly to his fair hair. “Then, man, for Heaven’s sake don’t do it again. It’s—it’s really dangerous.”
“Going?” said Corin. And then solicitously83, “Sure you’re really all right?”
Corin strolled with him to the door. John was half-way down the stairs when he heard a voice call after him:
“I’ll let you know about the train on Tuesday.”
John halted, turned.
“Well, really!” he ejaculated.
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1
meditatively
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| adv.冥想地 | |
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elucidate
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| v.阐明，说明 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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sequestered
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| adj.扣押的；隐退的；幽静的；偏僻的v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 )；扣押 | |
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sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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luscious
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| adj.美味的；芬芳的；肉感的，引与性欲的 | |
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blatant
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| adj.厚颜无耻的；显眼的；炫耀的 | |
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conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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wheedling
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| v.骗取（某物），哄骗（某人干某事）( wheedle的现在分词 ) | |
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subtraction
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| n.减法，减去 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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illuminating
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| a.富于启发性的，有助阐明的 | |
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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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paraphernalia
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| n.装备；随身用品 | |
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glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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crumpled
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| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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crook
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| v.使弯曲；n.小偷，骗子，贼；弯曲(处) | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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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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warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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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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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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benign
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| adj.善良的，慈祥的；良性的，无危险的 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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purgatory
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| n.炼狱；苦难；adj.净化的，清洗的 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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pander
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| v.迎合；n.拉皮条者，勾引者；帮人做坏事的人 | |
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juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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ruminatively
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| adv.沉思默想地，反复思考地 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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suavely
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dabbler
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| n. 戏水者, 业余家, 半玩半认真做的人 | |
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succinctly
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| adv.简洁地；简洁地，简便地 | |
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pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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beeches
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| n.山毛榉( beech的名词复数 )；山毛榉木材 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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piously
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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volition
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| n.意志；决意 | |
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pecuniary
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| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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accrue
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| v.(利息等)增大，增多 | |
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piecemeal
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| adj.零碎的；n.片，块；adv.逐渐地；v.弄成碎块 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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quotation
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| n.引文，引语，语录；报价，牌价，行情 | |
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incumbent
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| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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deigning
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的现在分词 ) | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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wielding
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的现在分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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persuasions
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| n.劝说，说服（力）( persuasion的名词复数 )；信仰 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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adept
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| adj.老练的，精通的 | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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anguished
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| adj.极其痛苦的v.使极度痛苦(anguish的过去式) | |
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81
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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82
futility
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| n.无用 | |
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83
solicitously
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| adv.热心地，热切地 | |
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84
asperity
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| n.粗鲁，艰苦 | |
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