In the meantime Marian's heart was weighed down by a new cause of sorrow and anxiety. Thurston never approached her now, either in person or by letter. She never saw him, except at the church, the lecture-room, or in mixed companies, where he kept himself aloof1 from her and devoted2 himself to the beautiful and accomplished3 heiress Angelica Le Roy, to whom rumor4 gave him as an accepted suitor.
So free was Marian's pure heart from jealousy5 or suspicion that these attentions bestowed6 by Thurston, and these rumors7 circulated in the neighborhood, gave her no uneasiness. For though she had, for herself, discovered him to be passionate8 and impetuous, she believed him to be sound in principle. But when again and again she saw them together, at church, at lecture, at dinner parties, at evening dances; when at all the Christmas and New Year festivities she saw her escorted by him; when she saw him ever at her side with a devotion as earnest and ardent10 as it was perfectly11 respectful; when she saw him bend and whisper to the witching girl and hang delighted on her "low replies," her own confidence was shaken. What could he mean? Was it possible that instead of being merely impulsive13 and erring14, he was deliberately15 wicked? No, no, never! Yet, what could be his intentions? Did he really wish to win Angelica's heart? Alas16! whether he wished so or not, it was but too evident to all that he had gained her preference. In her blushing cheek and downcast eyes, and tremulous voice and embarrassed manner, when he was present, in her abstracted mind, and restless air of wandering glances when he was absent, the truth was but too clear.
Marian was far too practical to speculate when she should act. It was clearly her duty to speak to Thurston on the subject, and, repugnant as the task was, she resolved to perform it. It was some time before she had the opportunity.
But at last, one afternoon in February, she chanced to meet Thurston on the sea beach. After greeting him, she candidly17 opened the subject. She spoke18 gently and delicately, but firmly and plainly—more so, perhaps, than another woman in the same position would have done, for Marian was eminently19 frank and fearless, especially where conscience was concerned.
And Thurston met her arguments with a graceful20 nonchalance21, as seemingly polite and good-humored as it was really ironical22 and insulting.
Marian gave him time—she was patient as firm—and firm as sorrowful.
And until every argument and persuasion23 had failed, she said:
"As a last resort, it may be necessary for me to warn Miss Le Roy—not for my own sake. Were I alone involved, you know how much I would endure rather than grieve you. But this young lady must not suffer wrong."
"No—I never take an indirect road to an object."
"What, then, can you do, fair saint?"
"See Miss Le Roy, personally."
"Ha! ha! ha! What apology could you possibly make for such an unwarrantable interference?"
"The Lord knoweth! I do not now. But I trust to be able to save her without—revealing you."
"Do you imagine that vague warnings would have any effect upon her?"
"Coming from me they would."
"Heavens! What a self-worshiper! But selfishness is your normal state, Marian! Self-love is your only affection—self-adulation your only enthusiasm—self-worship your only religion! You do not desire to be loved—you wish only to be honored! The love I offered you, you trampled25 underfoot! You have no heart, you have only a brain! You cannot love, you only think! Nor have you any need of love, but only of power! Applause is your vital breath, your native air! To hear your name and praise on every tongue—that is your highest ambition! Such a woman should be a gorgon26 of ugliness that men might not waste their hearts' wealth upon her!" exclaimed Thurston, bitterly, gazing with murky27 eyes, that smoldered28 with suppressed passion, upon the beautiful girl before him.
Marian was standing29 with her eyes fixed30 abstractedly upon a distant sail. Now the tears swelled31 under the large white eyelids32 and hung glittering on the level lashes33, and her lip quivered and her voice faltered34 slightly as she answered:
"You see me through a false medium, dear Thurston, but the time will come when you will know me as I am."
"I fancy the time has come. It has also come for me to enlighten you a little. And in the first place, fair queen of minds, if not of hearts, let me assure you that there is a limit even to your almost universal influence. And that limit may be found in Miss Le Roy. You, who know the power of thought only, cannot weigh nor measure the power of love. Upon Miss Le Roy your warnings would have no effect whatever. I tell you that in the face of them (were I so disposed), I might lead that girl to the altar to-morrow."
Marian was silent, not deeming an answer called for.
"And now, I ask you, how you could prevent it?"
"I shall not be required to prevent such an act, Thurston, as such a one never can take place. You speak so only to try your Marian's faith or temper—both are proof against jests, I think. Hitherto you have trifled with the young lady's affections for mere12 ennui35 and thoughtlessness, I do believe! but, now that some of the evil consequences have been suggested to your mind, you will abandon such perilous36 pastime. You are going to France soon—that will be a favorable opportunity of breaking off the acquaintance."
"And breaking her heart—who knows? But suppose now that I should prefer to marry her and take her with me?"
"But in spite of all your warnings, were such an event about to take place?"
"You would?"
"Assuredly! How can you possibly doubt it? Such an event would abrogate40 my obligations to silence, and would impose upon me the opposite duty of speaking."
"I judged you would reason so," he said, bitterly.
"But, dear Thurston, of what are you talking? Of the event of your doing an unprincipled act! Impossible, dear Thurston! and forever impossible!"
"And equally impossible, fair saint, that you should divulge our marriage with any chance of proving it. Marian, the minister that married us has sailed as a missionary41 to Farther India. And I only have the certificate of our marriage. You cannot prove it."
"I shall not need to prove it, Thurston. Now that I have awakened42 your thoughts, I know that you will not further risk the peace of that confiding43 girl. Come! take my hand and let us return. We must hasten, too, for there is rain in that cloud."
Thurston—piqued that he could not trouble her more—for under her calm and unruffled face he could not see the bleeding heart—arose sullenly44, drew her hand within his arm and led her forth45.
And as they went the wind arose, and the storm clouds drove over the sky and lowered and darkened around them.
Marian urged him to walk fast on account of the approaching tempest, and the anxiety the family at the cottage would feel upon her account.
Fields a terrible storm of hail and snow burst upon the earth.
It was as much as they could do to make any progress forward, or even to keep themselves upon their feet. While struggling and plunging47 blindly through the storm, amid the rushing of the wind and the rattling48 of the hail, and the crackling and creaking of the dry trees in the forest, and the rush of waters, and all the din9 of the tempest, Marian's ear caught the sound of a child wailing49 and sobbing50. A pang51 shot through her heart. She listened breathlessly—and then in the pauses of the storm she heard a child crying, "Marian, Marian! Oh! where are you, Marian?"
It was Miriam's voice! It was Miriam wandering in night and storm in search of her beloved nurse.
Marian dropped Thurston's arm and plunged52 blindly forward through the snow, in the direction of the voice, crying, "Here I am, my darling, my treasure—here I am. What brought my baby out this bitter night?" she asked, as she found the child half perishing with cold and wet, and caught and strained her to her bosom53.
"Oh, the hail and snow came down so fast, and the wind shook the house so hard, and I could not sleep in the warm bed while you were out in the storm. So I stole softly down to find you. Don't go again, Marian. I love you so—oh! I love you so!"
At this moment the child caught sight of Thurston standing with his face half muffled54 in his cloak. A figure to be strangely recognized under similar circumstances in after years. Then she did not know him, but inquired:
"Who is that, Marian?"
"A friend, dear, who came home with me. Good-night, sir."
And so dismissing Thurston, he walked rapidly away. She hurried with
Miriam to the house.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
aloof
|
|
| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
rumor
|
|
| n.谣言，谣传，传说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
bestowed
|
|
| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
rumors
|
|
| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
passionate
|
|
| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
din
|
|
| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
ardent
|
|
| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
impulsive
|
|
| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
erring
|
|
| 做错事的，错误的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
deliberately
|
|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
alas
|
|
| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
candidly
|
|
| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
eminently
|
|
| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
graceful
|
|
| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
nonchalance
|
|
| n.冷淡，漠不关心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
ironical
|
|
| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
persuasion
|
|
| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
anonymous
|
|
| adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
trampled
|
|
| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
gorgon
|
|
| n.丑陋女人，蛇发女怪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
murky
|
|
| adj.黑暗的，朦胧的；adv.阴暗地，混浊地；n.阴暗；昏暗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
smoldered
|
|
| v.用文火焖烧，熏烧，慢燃( smolder的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
swelled
|
|
| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
eyelids
|
|
| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
lashes
|
|
| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
faltered
|
|
| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
ennui
|
|
| n.怠倦，无聊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
perilous
|
|
| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
nay
|
|
| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
exigency
|
|
| n.紧急；迫切需要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
divulge
|
|
| v.泄漏(秘密等)；宣布，公布 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
abrogate
|
|
| v.废止，废除 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
missionary
|
|
| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
confiding
|
|
| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
sullenly
|
|
| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
onward
|
|
| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
plunging
|
|
| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
rattling
|
|
| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
wailing
|
|
| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
sobbing
|
|
| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
pang
|
|
| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
muffled
|
|
| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |