The abominable1 and discourteous2 indifference3 displayed by the master of Rodenham would have been sufficient to incense4 a less selfish person than Miss Jilian Hardacre. Three days had passed since Jeffray had returned from The Wells, and yet he had not so much as presented himself at the house of his betrothed5. No gentleman’s behavior could have been more deserving of censure6, and Miss Hardacre had shed angry tears over the indecent remissness7 of her lover. As for Brother Lot, the gathering8 cloud of thunder on his face would have honored the solemn temper of an Epic9. Sir Peter and his son took counsel together in the dilemma10, and the elder restrained his hot-headed Rupert of a son from galloping11 straightway to the charge. Sir Peter declared against an immediate12 recourse to methods of moral torture lest Mr. Richard should complain of provocation13. A letter should be despatched from the fair Jilian, requiring Jeffray to pay his respects to her or challenge the peril14 of her severe displeasure.
When Jeffray returned from the yew15 valley that night, he found that a servant had left a letter for him from Hardacre. From the warm fragrance16 of the summer twilight17 he came into the old library where Gladden had lit the candles in the silver candlesticks. Jeffray threw open the window and stood for a moment looking out into the night. A myriad18 stars were shining in the dusky vault19 of blue; dew was in the air; a faint, fresh perfume ascended20 out of the earth. In the thickets21 nightingales were singing, and a streak22 of gold still gleamed in the west.
Jilian’s letter was in his hand. He turned back from the window with a great sigh, and sat down before the bureau where the candles were burning. It was no desire of his to read what was written in his betrothed’s letter. He could picture the bitter words it might contain, and his own conscience hinted at reproaches. Why had Jilian written to him that night, the night of all nights, when the stars seemed afire and the earth smelled of love? Could not the rich joy of it have been his without this note of discord23?
Almost savagely24 he broke the seal and tore open the covering. There was no tremor25 about his hands as he held the sheet towards the light of the candles.
“Richard,—I am amazed that you have not disturbed yourself to visit me, though three days have passed since your return from Tunbridge. Such discourtesy stands in need of explanation. I desire your presence at Hardacre to-morrow before noon. Do not presume to disappoint me.
“Jilian.”
Jeffray read the letter through twice, and then, holding it for an instant in the flame of one of the candles, tossed it burning on to the polished floor, and saw it blacken to a film of quivering ash. A grim yet half-humorous smile hovered26 about his mouth. On the morrow he would tell Jilian the truth, and if the noble Lot desired a quarrel, the sooner the feud27 were recognized the better.
At Hardacre the red may and the laburnum’s gold shone out from dewy depths of green. The white may and the mountain-ash were covered as with driven snow. In the park the chestnuts28 stood like huge green pinnacles29 crocketed with ivory and coral. Copper30 beeches31 gleamed in the sun. Peonies and poppies were in flower below the terrace, and the walls of the old house itself were red with a hundred roses.
As before, Jilian received Richard in the red parlor32, dressed in her best silks and damasks, and looking more the great lady now that her pride had entered zealously33 into the play. Her complexion34 appeared to have improved under the arts of the toilet, but the scars and the seams could not be hid. She had made her father and Lancelot promise that they would leave Jeffray to her devices that day. She desired to treat with him at her own discretion35, and to leave male blusterings and high-handedness to the future.
Jilian rose from her chair when Richard was announced, swept him a fine courtesy, and then seated herself on a settle by the harpsichord36. She noticed that the man looked sad and sullen37, stiff and constrained38, with no brightening of the eyes. He stood before her with his hat under his arm, fingering the silver buttons on his coat, and staring at her in melancholy39 silence. He was thinking how strange and elusive40 a thing was personality, in that a peevish41 and swarthy face should have changed the temper of his life within three months.
“You have sent for me,” he said, quietly.
The crude formality of these opening words enlightened Miss Hardacre as to the sentiments she might find in him. His face was firm and immobile as marble, and an extreme and studied dignity chastened his habitual42 and good-natured grace.
“Yes, I have sent for you, Richard,” she said, eying him critically. “It is time that I received some consideration at your hands.”
Jeffray flushed slightly and bowed to her. For the moment there was an uncomfortable and unnerving pause. Jilian was playing irritably43 with her fan, an indescribable expression of restrained impatience44 on her face.
“Well, sir, have you nothing to say for yourself?”
Jeffray appeared to straighten his body, brace45 back his shoulders for the inevitable46 confession47. He looked straight at Jilian, as though compelling himself to the uttermost candor48.
“I have something to tell you, Jilian,” he said.
Miss Hardacre was alert on the instant, an unenviable glint in her eyes, one satin slipper49 tapping on the floor.
“Ah, yes, Richard, I know quite well what you are going to say to me. And so you think, sir, that you can toss me aside like a soiled shoe!”
A shadow as of pain passed across Jeffray’s face.
“Jilian! Believe me, it is no easy thing for me to speak of what has been working in my mind.”
“And so, Richard, you find that you have been mistaken.”
“That is the truth, Jilian.”
“And do you not think it a pity, sir, that you did not discover this—some months ago?”
Jeffray, hanging his head and looking very miserable51, walked to the window and stood staring out of it in silence. The landscape stretched gray and meaningless before his eyes, so hustled52 was he by his own thoughts. Jilian was watching him with a rapacious53 air, her painted face looking old and almost shrewish. Truth, like the shield in the fable54, bore a different blazoning55 to these two who studied it from opposing situations.
Presently Jeffray turned from the window, walked back into the middle of the room, with the look of a man determined56 to speak the last word.
“It is not easy,” he began, “to confess that one has been mistaken.”
“Not easy, Richard, eh?”
“My sense of honor—”
“Your sense of honor, Richard, compels you to make excuses.”
“Jilian, I have not come to make excuses.”
“Ah, no, of course not!”
“My conscience will not let me play the hypocrite.”
“Your conscience, Richard! Ah, this is beautiful!”
It was easy to see that the man’s attitude of tragic58 self-righteousness roused all the scorn in the woman’s nature. Jeffray did not appear to realize how dishonorable his sentiments were when viewed in the calm light of impartial59 reason. He was disgustingly confident of his own honor. His smug conceit60 exasperated61 the lady.
“Richard,” she said, her voice sounding harsh and strained.
“You have come to tell me that you are not going to marry me. That is so, is it not?”
“I have come to confess that my love is no longer what it was.”
“Did I not say so, cousin? What is the use of our clipping and trimming our phrases? To put it bluntly, you are sick of me.”
Jeffray regarded her as though trying to read her thoughts.
“I can only acknowledge my own guilt,” he said.
Miss Hardacre’s mouth gave a vicious twist.
“Then I may as well warn you, Richard,” she retorted, “that you must consult Sir Peter in the matter.”
“Sir Peter?”
“Of course.”
“What has Sir Peter to do with our marriage?” he said. “It is no business compact. I cannot promise things to your father which I cannot promise here to you.”
Such dignified64 innocence65 became more exasperating66 each moment to the lady by the harpsichord. Yet she still smiled scornfully at her betrothed as though her superior knowledge of the world justified67 her in despising him.
“You misunderstand the whole matter, Richard,” she said. “You have promised to marry me, and you gained my father’s consent to the marriage. His authority must be consulted, though I can assure you, sir, he is not the man to suffer his daughter’s affections to be trifled with. I am a weak woman, Richard, and my honor, since you seem so careless of it, had better remain in my father’s keeping.”
Jeffray, looking white and stern, understood whither Miss Hardacre’s strategy was tending. He rallied himself, made her a polite bow, and confessed that he could suffer no parental68 interference.
“I have nothing to discuss with Sir Peter,” he said.
“Nothing!”
“I cannot recognize his authority, Jilian, nor can your father coerce69 my conscience. It is a miserable business, but one cannot save the wine when the flask70 is broken.”
This last sally dissipated the lady’s remaining self-control. Was there ever such a puritanical71 and canting young hypocrite? He would be quoting the Bible and the marriage service to her in a moment to prove that his dishonor was a commendable72 virtue73. Quivering with the impatience of her spite, she started up, and flashed a look at Jeffray that was more significant than a judicial74 ruling.
“Drat your conscience, Richard,” she said. “I tell you, sir, that you are fickle75 and dishonorable, and that you have trifled with my affections. I may have lost some of my good looks, sir, but I am still a woman, to be treated with courtesy and not with cowardly lies and excuses.”
“Jilian!”
“Do not call me Jilian, sir. I refer you instantly to my father. And if you slink and dare not face him, I can promise you that my brother is a man of courage. I may be a weak woman, Mr. Jeffray, a woman who has treated you too kindly76, and worn her heart upon her sleeve, but I am not to be trifled with as though I were some common farmer’s daughter. I tell you that you have insulted my affections, sir, compromised my honor and the honor of my family.”
Jeffray stood stock-still in the middle of the room, staring at Miss Hardacre’s red and angry face. Her fury had transfigured her, as though some witch’s wand had changed her from smiling youth into a fierce and scolding shrew. Few women look well when they are the creatures of wrath77, and Jeffray was astonished and repelled78 by the transformation79 he beheld80 before him. Three months ago he would have been on his knees at Jilian’s feet. Now he realized that she could look old, vixenish, and ugly.
“I am sorry you have spoken like this,” he said.
“Sorry, sir—sorry! Nonsense; you don’t care the price of a new pin. I am disgusted, sir—disgusted at the miserable lies you have the impudence81 to throw at me. I thought you a gentleman, sir. I find that you are a villain82.”
Jeffray crushed his hat between his hands, restrained himself by a great effort, and bowed to her with all the dignity he could command.
“I think that I had better take my leave of you,” he said, coldly.
“Ah, do so, by all means. Your righteous self-conceit sickens me.”
“Madam, I came to try and tell you the truth as courteously83 as I could.”
“Tell me no more lies,” she said; “as for your conscience—I snap my fingers at it.”
Jeffray, mortified85 and not sorry to escape, bowed once more to the lady, and left her to her tears, her smelling-salts, and her brother.
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收听单词发音
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1
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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discourteous
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| adj.不恭的，不敬的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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betrothed
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| n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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remissness
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| n.玩忽职守；马虎；怠慢；不小心 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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epic
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| n.史诗，叙事诗；adj.史诗般的，壮丽的 | |
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dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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yew
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| n.紫杉属树木 | |
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fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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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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myriad
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| adj.无数的；n.无数，极大数量 | |
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vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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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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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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26
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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feud
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| n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇 | |
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28
chestnuts
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| n.栗子( chestnut的名词复数 )；栗色；栗树；栗色马 | |
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29
pinnacles
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| 顶峰( pinnacle的名词复数 )； 顶点； 尖顶； 小尖塔 | |
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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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31
beeches
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| n.山毛榉( beech的名词复数 )；山毛榉木材 | |
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parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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33
zealously
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| adv.热心地；热情地；积极地；狂热地 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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35
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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harpsichord
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| n.键琴（钢琴前身） | |
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sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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elusive
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| adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的 | |
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41
peevish
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| adj.易怒的，坏脾气的 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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43
irritably
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| ad.易生气地 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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45
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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candor
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| n.坦白，率真 | |
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49
slipper
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| n.拖鞋 | |
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sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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52
hustled
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| 催促（hustle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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53
rapacious
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| adj.贪婪的，强夺的 | |
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54
fable
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| n.寓言；童话；神话 | |
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blazoning
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| v.广布( blazon的现在分词 )；宣布；夸示；装饰 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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exasperating
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| adj. 激怒的 动词exasperate的现在分词形式 | |
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67
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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parental
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| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
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coerce
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| v.强迫，压制 | |
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flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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71
puritanical
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| adj.极端拘谨的；道德严格的 | |
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72
commendable
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| adj.值得称赞的 | |
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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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74
judicial
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| adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的 | |
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fickle
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| adj.(爱情或友谊上)易变的，不坚定的 | |
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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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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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transformation
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| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
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80
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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81
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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82
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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83
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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84
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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85
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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