The next two days were dies non as far as John was concerned, since never a glimpse did he obtain of white-robed figure or attendant knights1, despite sun-baked rambles2 along dusty roads, deep lanes, and over purple moorland.
He began to carp at that freakish sprite Chance. Matters might have been so differently arranged by him. Taking them in hand at all, they could have been conceived with so infinitely3 greater diplomacy4. Where, after all, had been the use of a mere5 goat? Why could not a bull—a ferocious6, snorting, pawing bull—have been brought on to the stage. A bull must have entailed7 some further acknowledgment of the heroic rescue. He might even have been slightly injured in the course of that same rescue. In that case inquiries8 would have followed as a matter of course, maybe even a visit of sympathetic and grateful condolence. [Pg 93]But a goat! a mere goat! With time and safety in which to consider the situation, it had doubtless presented itself to the lady’s mind as one of ridiculous insignificance9. Her alarm was, probably, by now almost laughable in her own eyes; and, in the face of this calm consideration, John’s advance to the rescue would, therefore, have savoured somewhat what of an intrusion. Verily had Chance been freakish and ill-advised.
“Could I but build me a willow10 cabin at her gates,” sighed John. “But to sit on the sun-baked road would undoubtedly11 gain one the reputation of a madman in these prosaic12, self-contained days.”
Nevertheless he wandered past those same gates more times than I will venture to record, and gazed ardently13 along the avenue of oaks and beeches14, but with no reward for his pains.
To bring solace15 to his soul, he bethought himself of Sunday. Sight of her, at least, must be then permitted him; speech with her, though a good devoutly16 to be desired, was not probable of consummation. Also, with distinct and genuine success he interested himself in Corin’s labours.
The work in the church progressed. Daily the [Pg 94]plaster fell before that remorseless chisel17, daily new delights shone forth18 to the light of day. The tracery of the east window was uncovered; showing brilliant blue-green, with glowing ruby19 eyes. Great splashes of colour, bold yet simple outline, transformed the dreary20, hitherto plastered place into a thing of mediæval beauty. The progress of time vanished with the falling plaster. You found yourself back in the old centuries, the dead years revitalized.
John sought the church most willingly when the workmen’s hours were over, when silence lay upon the place, when the only sounds that came to him were the falling of fragments from the walls, the echo of Corin’s foot upon the plank21 as he shifted his position, and the twittering and chirping22 of the birds from the bushes in the sunny churchyard without.
At such time imagination ran riot.
He pictured the village folk coming up the path among the lengthening23 shadows, saw them entering by the little Norman doorway24, taking holy water from the stoup, then kneeling before Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. To him the church was no longer an empty shell, but a place of crimson25 [Pg 95]draperies, dark oak pews, scattered26 shrines27; with here and there a kneeling figure; and above all, superseding28 all, the quiet strength and peace of the Hidden Presence.
Presently he began to individualize his village folk. There was a fair-haired girl who came to pray for her lover, to commend him specially29 to Our Lord and St. Joseph, since he—her man—was a carpenter. There was a dark-eyed woman who came to plead for the life of her child lying sick of a fever; there was a young man who came to dedicate his youth and strength to God; and there was an old, old woman, who, having no living to pray for, came daily to pray for the holy dead. The present had vanished, merged30 and absorbed in the past. Despite all that has been lost, removed, abandoned, despite the denial of entry to that Gracious Presence, does there not still linger in these old churches some faint sweet breath, some hidden fragrance31 of that which once has been?
You would never have imagined, seeing John sitting there in his most immaculate suit of grey flannels32, that such thoughts as these were passing through his mind. But I have observed, and you [Pg 96]may take my observation for what it is worth, that to attempt to guess at the minds of one’s fellow humans by their clothes and their superficial appearance, is a distinctly dangerous task. To do so must inevitably33 result in a series of vast surprises when the truth becomes known.
To my thinking it would be not unlike marching into some great clothing emporium to examine coats. There they hang,—tweed coats, frieze34 coats, fur coats, silk coats, velvet35 coats, satin coats, tinsel coats, even second-hand36 and shop-worn coats. You turn them to look at the linings38. Now, here the shock begins. Where you expected to find warm linings you find calico; where good material, rags; where flimsy useless linings, cloth of gold and soft fur; where soiled linings, the most exquisite39 satins. Therefore, if you desire to make a guess at the substance of these coats, without actual knowledge of their linings, take them from their peg40 and weigh them. A discrepancy41 between their weight and your expectation of it may lead you nearer a fair guess at the lining37.
I’ll be bound, that, on mere superficial observation, you’d have taken our John for a mere summer coat of little substance and no weight; but [Pg 97]assuredly you’d find your mistake when you had examined a bit closer. It is an idiosyncrasy of human nature, perhaps intentional42 on the part of the individual, perhaps unavoidable, that the vast majority invariably deceives the casual observer. No doubt this lends interest to our acquaintanceships and friendships; often, too, lends disappointment; and occasionally unexpected pleasure; but interest certainly.
Here, however, I have advanced somewhat with John’s meditations43, carried them beyond those first days of which I began to speak. Therefore to return on our traces.
That first Saturday afternoon John, sitting on an overturned wheelbarrow, began something of those thoughts of which I have given you the greater elaboration. I don’t believe for a moment that he knew that he was thinking them. There’s the curious joy of such thoughts. There is no conscious effort on your part. You don’t map out a route in your mind resolving your progress along it, a conscientious44 observance of the milestones45 you may pass. Insensibly you drift into peaceful glades46, silent and very sweet. Their atmosphere steals upon you, holding your spirit in a breathless [Pg 98]charm. Happiness, a strange wonderful happiness, falls upon you. You accept it in its entirety, taking, at the moment, no note of details. Later, returning to more material consciousness and surroundings, the details present themselves to your memory, and you then realize your awareness47 of them, even while they were submerged in the whole.
It was cool in the church, in marked contrast to the heat without. Being Saturday afternoon, John and Corin had the place to themselves. Corin, up aloft, chiselled48 with vigour49, or with suspended breath, as the exigencies50 of the work demanded; John, on the overturned wheelbarrow, was lost in thought.
Suddenly a slight sound made him raise his head. For a moment, for one brief instant, he still remained in the past, almost believing his thoughts to have materialized before him.
In the shadow of the little Norman doorway stood a white-robed figure. Still half dreaming he looked to see her take holy water from the stoup. Then actualities rushed upon him. His heart jumped; pleasure, undeniable radiant pleasure, shone from his face. He got to his feet.
[Pg 99]
“Oh,” said Rosamund perceiving him. And she stopped, half hesitating.
John made her a little courtly bow.
“I thought,” said she smiling, “I should have found the place deserted51. It is Saturday afternoon.”
“It is deserted,” John assured her, “but for me and Corin.” He indicated the indefatigably52 industrious53 figure aloft.
She smiled.
“I came,” said she, “with the intention of having a private view, a little secret examination of the paintings Mr. Elmore was uncovering.”
“Oh!” said John. And then dubiously55, “The uncovered paintings are, as you see, at a goodly height above us.”
“Yes.” Her voice was regretful.
John heard the regret.
“I wonder—” he began.
“I could,” she assured him, with swift realization56 of his unspoken thought.
He glanced towards the ladder.
She nodded. “Really. I am sure I could.”
“Come then,” said John.
[Pg 100]
They advanced towards the ladder. At the foot thereof she paused.
“Shan’t we be disturbing him?” she queried.
“Not a bit of it,” laughed John. “He’ll merely be flattered at your interest. He’ll adore an audience.”
The situation had for him the hint of an adventure. To have told her curtly,—or suavely58, for that matter,—that it was impossible for her to see those paintings would have resulted in her leaving the church. There could have been no possible excuse for her remaining. This thought justified59 him in suggesting the venture. Naturally it was an infinitely greater venture in his eyes than in Rosamund’s. That is probably understood without need of my mentioning the fact.
John, in advance, reached the first platform; turned, took her hand firmly in his, and drew her to safety. A second time was this feat60 accomplished61 in like manner.
“Hullo!” exclaimed Corin, surprised at the double apparition62.
“Allow me,” said John, “to present my friend, Mr. Elmore. Miss Delancey wanted to see the paintings.”
[Pg 101]
“Therein,” quoth Corin bowing, “she shows her judgment63. Behold64!” He waved his chisel towards the wall.
“Oh!” breathed Rosamund. Just that, and no more.
Corin hugged himself with delight.
“Isn’t it gorgeous!” he ejaculated. “Isn’t it superb, adorable, and dreamy! And heaven knows what more this plaster hides. The unutterable Philistines65 who smeared66 and daubed it over from the light of day!”
“Is it not,” suggested Rosamund, “a matter for thankfulness that they did merely smear67 and daub? It is possible, it is quite conceivable, that they might have scraped.”
She barely heard him. She was engrossed70 in the work before her,—red, black, turquoise71 blue, and crimson, she revelled72 in its colour. Daring enough it was in parts, in others almost crude in its simplicity73. She was drawn74, as John had been drawn, back into the bygone ages. Their atmosphere enfolded her, enwrapped her. She saw in [Pg 102]the work before her, almost without realizing her thoughts, the interpretation75 of the mind of the painter. Here was nothing petty, nothing niggled; it was frank, simple, childlike. It was extraordinarily76 unselfconscious. Therein lay its subtle charm. There was no intricacy of expression; nothing laboured; almost, one might say, nothing preconceived.
“Well?” queried John at last.
“Oh,” she cried, turning towards him, “it’s—it’s so deliciously simple, so utterly77 unstudied. It’s almost untutored in its crudeness, and yet—I wonder wherein exactly the charm lies?”
“In its simplicity,” returned Corin promptly78. “Whoever painted this worked for pure pleasure. There’s—well, there’s so extraordinarily little hint of even the thought of an audience. Do you know what I mean?”
“Isn’t it,” she said laughing, “the entire expression of ‘when the world was so new and all’?”
“Exactly!” cried Corin. “In those eight little words Kipling carried us back into a clean fresh world with its face all washed and smiling; when we laughed for the mere joy of laughter; when we wept if we wanted to weep—only I believe we [Pg 103]didn’t want to; when the tiresome79 stupid phrases ‘What will people think? What will people say?’ were unknown in the language; when we danced, and ate, and played in the sunshine for the mere joy of living.”
“Only that,” said Corin firmly. “Kipling is a glorious pagan.”
“And this painter,” pursued Corin unheeding, “splashed his colours on the walls, his blacks, his reds, his blues81, his lines and curves, and he laughed as he worked, and I think he sang too, and he didn’t care one jot82 what people thought about him or his painting. He loved it, and so—” He broke off with a gesture.
“Oh, you can call him what you like,” returned Corin magnanimously, “I only know that his mind was as untrammelled as his work.”
“I see.” She shot him a little quizzical glance.
“I suppose Mr. Elmore considers your mind, [Pg 104]and my mind, and, for the matter of that, the mind of every Catholic in a kind of strait-jacket?”
“You’re not far beside the mark,” returned John laughing.
He went with her to the door. A moment she stood there; and, turning, looked back into the church.
“After all, it’s sad,” she said.
“I know,” replied John.
“It’s—it’s the sense of loss.”
“I know,” said John again, “the sense of loss, in spite of the faint fragrance that still lingers.”
She nodded, then turned towards the sunshine without.
“By the way,” said she suddenly reminiscent, “I left a note for you at the White Cottage. My grandmother would be very pleased if you and Mr. Elmore would lunch with us tomorrow at one o’clock. She would like to thank you in person for your intervention85 on our behalf the other day. Can you come?”
“With the greatest pleasure in the world,” returned John. And there is no question but that his heart was in his voice.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
knights
|
|
| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
rambles
|
|
| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的第三人称单数 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
infinitely
|
|
| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
diplomacy
|
|
| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
ferocious
|
|
| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
entailed
|
|
| 使…成为必要( entail的过去式和过去分词 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
inquiries
|
|
| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
insignificance
|
|
| n.不重要；无价值；无意义 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
willow
|
|
| n.柳树 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
undoubtedly
|
|
| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
prosaic
|
|
| adj.单调的，无趣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
ardently
|
|
| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
beeches
|
|
| n.山毛榉( beech的名词复数 )；山毛榉木材 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
solace
|
|
| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
devoutly
|
|
| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
chisel
|
|
| n.凿子；v.用凿子刻，雕，凿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
ruby
|
|
| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
dreary
|
|
| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
plank
|
|
| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
chirping
|
|
| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
lengthening
|
|
| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的现在分词 )； 加长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
doorway
|
|
| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
crimson
|
|
| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
scattered
|
|
| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
shrines
|
|
| 圣地，圣坛，神圣场所( shrine的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
superseding
|
|
| 取代，接替( supersede的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
specially
|
|
| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
merged
|
|
| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
fragrance
|
|
| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
flannels
|
|
| 法兰绒男裤； 法兰绒( flannel的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
inevitably
|
|
| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
frieze
|
|
| n.(墙上的)横饰带，雕带 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
velvet
|
|
| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
second-hand
|
|
| adj.用过的，旧的，二手的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
lining
|
|
| n.衬里，衬料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
linings
|
|
| n.衬里( lining的名词复数 )；里子；衬料；组织 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
exquisite
|
|
| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
peg
|
|
| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
discrepancy
|
|
| n.不同；不符；差异；矛盾 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
intentional
|
|
| adj.故意的，有意（识）的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
meditations
|
|
| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
conscientious
|
|
| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
milestones
|
|
| n.重要事件( milestone的名词复数 )；重要阶段；转折点；里程碑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
glades
|
|
| n.林中空地( glade的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
awareness
|
|
| n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
chiselled
|
|
| adj.凿过的，凿光的； （文章等）精心雕琢的v.凿，雕，镌( chisel的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
vigour
|
|
| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
exigencies
|
|
| n.急切需要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
indefatigably
|
|
| adv.不厌倦地，不屈不挠地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
industrious
|
|
| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
dubious
|
|
| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
dubiously
|
|
| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
realization
|
|
| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
queried
|
|
| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
suavely
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
justified
|
|
| a.正当的，有理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
feat
|
|
| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
apparition
|
|
| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
behold
|
|
| v.看，注视，看到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
philistines
|
|
| n.市侩，庸人( philistine的名词复数 )；庸夫俗子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
smeared
|
|
| 弄脏； 玷污； 涂抹； 擦上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
smear
|
|
| v.涂抹；诽谤，玷污；n.污点；诽谤，污蔑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
shuddered
|
|
| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
implored
|
|
| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
engrossed
|
|
| adj.全神贯注的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
turquoise
|
|
| n.绿宝石；adj.蓝绿色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
revelled
|
|
| v.作乐( revel的过去式和过去分词 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
simplicity
|
|
| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
interpretation
|
|
| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
extraordinarily
|
|
| adv.格外地；极端地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
tiresome
|
|
| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
eyebrows
|
|
| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
blues
|
|
| n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
jot
|
|
| n.少量；vi.草草记下；vt.匆匆写下 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
demurely
|
|
| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
intervention
|
|
| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |