"TRUE LOVE NEVER DOES RUN SMOOTH."
Miss Rogers was quite overcome by the hearty1 welcome she received from David Moore, the old basket-maker, and Bernardine, his lovely daughter. It went straight to her lonely heart, because she knew it was genuine friendship untainted by mercenary motives2.
She shared Bernardine's humble3 yet dainty apartment, and fell quite naturally into being a member of the household.
There was one thing which puzzled her greatly, and that was, the sighs that would rend4 sweet Bernardine's breast while she was sleeping.
"The girl has some secret sorrow which she is hiding from the world," she thought, anxiously. "I must find out what it is."
She had been an inmate5 of Bernardine's home for a week before she learned that the girl was soon to be wedded6. Bernardine's father told her, hinting triumphantly7 that that event would mean the dawn of a more prosperous future for the family, as her intended husband was very rich—had money to burn.
"Don't say much about him to Bernardine," he added, quickly; "for she's not in love with him by any means."
"Then why is she going to marry him?" asked Miss Rogers, amazedly.
"He has money," replied David Moore, nodding his head wisely; "and that's what sharp girls are looking for nowadays."
"I thought love was the ruling power which moved young girls' hearts," responded Miss Rogers, slowly. "At least, it used to be when I was a young girl like Bernardine."
He laughed uneasily, but made no reply, as Bernardine entered the room at that instant with an open letter in her hand.
"Jasper Wilde has returned to the city, father," she said, tremulously, "and—and he is coming here this evening to see us."
As the girl uttered the words, Miss Rogers was quite sure she could detect the sound of tears in her quivering voice.
"I am very glad," replied David Moore, endeavoring to speak lightly. "I shall be mighty8 pleased to see my prospective9 son-in-law."
Bernardine drew back quickly, her lovely face pitifully pale, then turned abruptly11 and hurried from the room.
Miss Rogers followed her. The girl went to her own apartment, threw herself on her knees, and burying her face in the counterpane, wept such bitter, passionate12 tears that Miss Rogers was alarmed for her.
"You poor child!" exclaimed Miss Rogers. "Sit down here beside me, and tell me the whole story—let me understand it."
"I can not tell you any more. I met one whom I could love, and—we—parted. I sent him away because my father had declared that I should marry this other one."
"Because of his wealth?" said Miss Rogers, in a strangely hard voice.
"No, no! Do not do my father that injustice13. It was not because of his wealth. I—I should have had to marry him had he been the poorest man in the city."
"It is cruel, it is outrageous14, to ask a young girl to marry a man whom she detests15. It is barbarous. In my opinion, that is carrying parental16 authority too far. This marriage must not take place, Bernardine. It would be wicked—a sin against God."
Although Miss Rogers did her best to probe into the mystery—for Bernardine's sake—the girl was strangely obdurate17. So she said no more to her on the subject just then; but when she approached David Moore on this topic, his incoherent replies puzzled her still more.
"I am much obliged to you for taking such an interest in Bernardine's affairs; but let me warn you of one thing, Miss Rogers, while you are under my roof, don't attempt to meddle18 with what does not concern you in any way. By heeding19 my remark, we shall keep good friends. This marriage must take place. The young fellow is good enough, and she'll get to like him after awhile. See if she doesn't."
The harsh, abrupt10 manner in which he uttered these words told Miss Rogers that little hope could be entertained from that source.
Bernardine had almost cried herself ill by the time Jasper Wilde's knock was heard on the door.
Mr. Moore answered the summons.
"Is there any use in my coming in?" asked Wilde, grimly, coming to a halt on the threshold. "Does your daughter consent to marry me? I could not make head or tail out of your letter."
"Bernardine's answer is—yes," murmured the old man, almost incoherently. "She consents for my sake; though Heaven knows I'm not worth the sacrifice."
"Sacrifice!" repeated Jasper Wilde in a high, harsh voice. "Come, now, that's too good. It's me that's making the sacrifice, by cheating the hangman and justice of their just due, Moore; and don't you forget it."
Sooner than he expected, Bernardine made her appearance.
Jasper Wilde sprung up to welcome her, both hands outstretched, his eyes fairly gloating over the vision of pure girlish loveliness which she presented.
"I do not pretend to welcome you, Jasper Wilde," she said, "for that would be acting22 a lie from which my soul revolts. I will say at once what you have come here to-night to hear from my lips. I will marry you—to—save—my—poor—father," she stammered23. "I used to think the days of buying and selling human beings were over; but it seems not. The white slave you buy will make no murmur20 in the after years; only I shall pray that my life will not be a long one."
Jasper Wilde frowned darkly.
"You are determined24 to play the high and mighty tragedy queen with me, Bernardine," he cried. "Take care that your ways do not turn my love for you into hate! Beware, I tell you! A smile would bring me to your feet, a scornful curl of those red lips would raise a demon25 in me that you would regret if you aroused it."
"Your hate or your love is a matter of equal indifference26 to me," returned the young girl, proudly.
"You love that white-handed fellow whom I met the last time I was here. That's what makes you so indifferent to me!" he cried, hoarsely28. "Speak! Is it not so?"
"Yes," replied Bernardine, cresting29 her beautiful head, proudly. "Yes, I love him, and I do not fear to tell you so!"
"Then, by Heaven! I will kill him on sight!" cried Jasper Wilde. "I will not brook30 a rival for your affections! The man you love is doomed31!"
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1
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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2
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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3
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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4
rend
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| vt.把…撕开，割裂；把…揪下来，强行夺取 | |
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5
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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6
wedded
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| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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8
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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9
prospective
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| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
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10
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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11
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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12
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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13
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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14
outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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15
detests
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的第三人称单数 ) | |
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16
parental
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| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
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17
obdurate
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| adj.固执的，顽固的 | |
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18
meddle
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| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
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19
heeding
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
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20
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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21
loathing
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| n.厌恶，憎恨v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的现在分词)；极不喜欢 | |
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22
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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23
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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25
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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26
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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27
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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28
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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29
cresting
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| n.顶饰v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的现在分词 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
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30
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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31
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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