When the sulky sleighing party reached Luckenough they found Commodore Waugh not only up and waiting, but in the highest state of self-satisfaction, a blessing1 of which they received their full share of benefit, for the old man, in the overflowing2 of his joy, had ordered an oyster3 supper, which was now all ready to be served smoking hot to the chilled and hungry sleigh-riders.
"I wonder what's out now?" said Jacquelina, as she threw off her wrappings, scattering4 them heedlessly on the chairs and floor of the hall. "Some awful calamity5 has overtaken some of Uncle Nick's enemies. Nothing on earth but that ever puts him into such a jolly humor. Now we'll see! I wonder if it is a 'crowner's 'quest' case? Wish it was Grim."
Mrs. Henrietta blessed her stars for the good weather, without inquiring very closely where it came from, as she conducted Marian to a bedroom to lay off her bonnet6 and mantle7.
It was only at the foot of his own table, after ladling out and serving around the stewed8 oysters9 "hot and hot," that the commodore, rubbing his hands, and smiling until his great face was as grotesque10 as a nutcracker's, announced that Miss Nancy Skamp was turned out of office—yea, discrowned, unsceptred, dethroned, and that Harry11 Barnwell reigned12 in her stead. The news had come in that evening's mail! All present breathed more freely—all felt an inexpressible relief in knowing that the post-office would henceforth be above suspicion, and their letters and papers safe from, desecration13. Only Marian said:
"What will become of the poor old creature?"
"By St. Judas Iscariot, that's her business."
"No, indeed, I think it is ours; some provision should be made for her,
Commodore Waugh."
"I'll recommend her to the trustees of the almshouse, Miss Mayfield."
Marian thought it best not to pursue the subject then, but resolved to embrace the first opportunity of appealing to the commodore's smothered14 chivalry15 in behalf of a woman, old, poor, feeble, and friendless.
During the supper Dr. Grimshaw sat up as stiff and solemn—Jacquelina said—"as if he'd swallowed the poker16 and couldn't digest it." When they rose from the table, and were about leaving the dining-room, Dr. Grimshaw glided17 in a funereal18 manner to the side of the commodore, and demanded a private interview with him.
"Not to-night, Nace! Not to-night! I know by your looks what it is! It is some new deviltry of Jacquelina's. That can wait! I'm as sleepy as a whole cargo19 of opium20! I would not stop to talk now to Paul Jones, if he was to rise from the dead and visit me!"
And the professor had to be content with that, for almost immediately the family separated for the night.
Marian, attended by the maid Maria, sought the chamber21 assigned to herself. When she had changed her tight-fitting day-dress for a wrapper, she dismissed the girl, locked the door behind her, and then drew her chair up before the little fire, and fell into deep thought. Many causes of anxiety pressed heavily upon Marian. That Thurston had repented22 his hasty marriage with herself she had every reason to believe.
She had confidently hoped that her explanation with Thurston would have resulted in good—but, alas24! it seemed to have had little effect. His attentions to Miss Le Roy were still unremitted—the young lady's partiality was too evident to all—and people already reported them to be engaged.
And now, as Marian sat by her little wood-fire in her chamber at Luckenough, bitter, sorrowful questions, arose in her mind. Would he persist in his present course? No, no, it could not be! This was probably done only to pique25 herself; but then it was carried too far; it was ruining the peace of a good, confiding26 girl. And Jacquelina—she had evidently mistaken Dr. Grimshaw for Thurston, and addressed to him words arguing a familiarity very improper27, to say the least of it. Could he be trifling28 with poor Jacquelina, too? Jacko's words when believing herself addressing Thurston, certainly denoted some such "foregone conclusions." Marian resolved to see Thurston once more—once more to expostulate with him, if happily it might have some good effect. And having formed this resolution, she knelt and offered up her evening prayers, and retired29 to bed.
The next day being Holy Thursday, there was, by order of the trustees, a holiday at Miss Mayfield's school. And so Marian arose with the prospect30 of spending the day with Jacquelina. When she descended31 to the breakfast-room, what was her surprise to find Thurston Willcoxen, at that early hour, the sole occupant of the room. He wore a green shooting jacket, belted around his waist. He stood upon the hearth32 with his back to the fire, his gun leaned against the corner of the mantle-piece, and his game-bag dropped at his feet. Marian's heart bounded, and her cheek and eye kindled33 when she saw him, and, for the instant, all her doubts vanished—she could not believe that guilt34 lurked35 behind a countenance36 so frank, noble and calm as his. He stepped forward to meet her, extending his hand. She placed her own in it, saying:
"I am very glad to see you this morning, dear Thurston, for I have something to say to you which I hope you will take kindly37 from your Marian, who has no dearer interest in the world than your welfare."
"Marian, if it is anything relating to our old subject of dispute—Miss
Le Roy—let me warn you that I will hear nothing about it."
"Thurston, the subjects of a neighborhood's gossip are always the very last to hear it! You do not, perhaps, know that it is commonly reported that you and Miss Le Roy are engaged to be married!"
"No! Heaven knows that I do not! I will not say that my heart has not been tortured—fully39 as much as your own would have been, dear Thurston, had the case been reversed, and had I stooped to receive from another such attentions as you have bestowed40 upon Miss Le Roy. But, upon calm reflection, I fully believe that you could never give that young lady my place in your heart, that having known and loved me—"
Marian paused, but the soul rose like a day-star behind her beautiful face, lighting41 serenely42 under her white eyelids43, glowing softly on the parted lips and blooming cheeks.
"Ay! 'having known and loved me!' There again spoke44 the very enthusiasm of self-worship! But how know you, Marian, that I do not find such regnant superiority wearisome?—that I do not find it refreshing45 to sit down quietly beside a lower, humbler nature, whose greatest faculty46 is to love, whose greatest need to be loved!"
"How do I know it? By knowing that higher nature of yours, which you now ignore. Yet it is not of myself that I wish to speak, but of her. Thurston, you pursue that girl for mere47 pastime, I am sure—with no ulterior evil purpose, I am certain; yet, Thurston!" she said, involuntarily pressing her hand tightly upon her own bosom48, "I know how a woman may love you, and that may be death or madness to Angelica, which is only whim49 and amusement to you. And, Thurston, you must go no further with this culpable50 trifling—you must promise me to see her no more!"
"'Must!' Upon my soul! you take state upon yourself, fair queen!"
"Thurston, a higher authority than mine speaks by my lips—it is the voice of Right! You will regard it. You will give me that promise!"
"And if I do not—"
"Oh! there is no time to argue with you longer—some one is coming—I must be quick. It is two weeks, Thurston, since I first urged this upon you; I have hesitated already too long, and now I tell you, though my heart bleeds to say it, that unless you promise to see Angelica no more, I will see and have an explanation with her to-morrow!"
"You will!"
"You can prevent it, dearest Thurston, by yourself doing what you know to be right."
"And if I do not?"
"I will see Miss Le Roy, to-morrow!"
"By heaven, then—"
His words were suddenly cut short by the entrance of Mrs. Waugh. In an instant his countenance changed, and taking up his bag of game, he went to meet the smiling, good humored woman, saying with a gay laugh:
"Good-morning, Mrs. Waugh! You see I have been shooting in the woods of Luckenough this morning, and I could not leave the premises51 without offering this tribute to their honored mistress."
"Hebe! will you please to see that a cup of hot coffee is sent up to Mrs. L'Oiseau; she is unwell this morning, as I knew she would be, from her excitement last night; or go with it yourself, Hebe! The presence of the goddess of health at her bedside is surely needed."
Marian left the room, and then Mrs. Waugh, turning to the young gentleman, said:
"Thurston, I am glad to have this opportunity of speaking to you, for I have something very particular to say, which you must hear without taking offense53 at your old aunty!"
"Humph! I am in for petticoat discipline this morning, beyond a doubt," thought the young man; but he only bowed, and placed a chair for Mrs. Waugh.
"I shall speak very plainly, Thurston."
"Oh! by all means! As plainly as you please, Mrs. Waugh," said Thurston, with an odd grimace54; "I am growing accustomed to have ladies speak very plainly to me."
"Well! it won't do you any harm, Thurston. And now to the point! I told you before, that you must not show any civility to Jacquelina. And now I repeat it! And I warn you that if you do, you will cause some frightful55 misfortune that you will have to repent23 all the days of your life—if it be not fatal first of all to yourself. I do assure you that old Grimshaw is mad with jealousy56. He can no longer be held responsible for his actions. And in short, you must see Jacquelina no more!"
"Whe-ew! a second time this morning! Come! I'm getting up quite the reputation of a lady-killer!" thought the young man. Then with a light laugh, he looked up to Mrs. Waugh, and said:
"My dear madam, do you take me for a man who would willingly disturb the peace or honor of a family?"
"Pshaw! By no means, my dear Thurston. Of course I know it's all the most ridiculous nonsense!"
"Well! By the patience of Job, I do think—"
Again Thurston's words were suddenly cut short, by the entrance of—the commodore, who planted his cane57 down with his usual emphatic58 force, and said:
"Oh, sir! You here! I am very glad of it! There is a little matter to be discussed between you and me! Old Hen! leave us! vanish! evaporate!"
Henrietta was well pleased to do so. And as she closed the door the commodore turned to Thurston, and with another emphatic thump59 of his cane, said:
"Well, sir! a small craft is soon rigged, and a short speech soon made.
In two words, how dare you, sir! make love to Jacquelina?"
"My dear uncle—"
"Sir, you mistake, she made love to me."
"Come," said Thurston to himself, "I have got into a hornet's nest this morning."
"I shall take very good care, sir, to have Major Le Roy informed what sort of a gentleman it is who is paying his addresses to his daughter."
"Miss Le Roy will be likely to form a high opinion of me before this week is out," said Thurston, laughing.
"You—you—you graceless villain62, you," cried the commodore in a rage—"to think that I had such confidence in you, sir; defended you upon all occasions, sir; refused to believe in your villainy, sir; refused to close my doors against you, sir. Yes, sir; and should have continued to do so, but for last night's affair."
"Last night's affair! I protest, sir, I do not in the least understand you?"
"Oh! you don't. You don't understand that after the lecture last evening, in leaving the place, Jacquelina thrust her arm through yours—no; I mean through Grim's, mistaking him for you, and said—what she never would have said, had there not been an understanding between you."
Thurston's face was now the picture of astonishment63 and perplexity. The commodore seemed to mistake it for a look of consternation64 and detected guilt, for he continued:
"And now, sir, I suppose you understand what is to follow. Do you see that door? It leads straight into the hall, which leads directly through the front portal out into the lawn, and on to the highway—that is your road, sir. Good-morning."
Thurston nodded, smiled slightly, drew his tablets from his pocket, tore a leaf out, took his pencil, laid the paper upon the corner of the mantel-piece, wrote a few lines, folded the note, and concealed66 it in his hand as the door opened, and admitted Mrs. Waugh, Marian and Jacquelina. There was a telegraphic glance between the elder lady and the young man.
That of Mrs. Waugh said:
"Do have pity on the fools, and go, Thurston."
That of Thurston said:
"I am going, Mrs. Waugh, and without laughing, if I can help it."
Then he picked up his shooting cap, bowed to Jacquelina, shook hands with Mrs. Waugh, and pressing Marian's palm, left within it the note that he had written, took up his game bag and gun, and departed.
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收听单词发音
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1
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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2
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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3
oyster
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| n.牡蛎；沉默寡言的人 | |
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4
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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5
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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6
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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8
stewed
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| adj.焦虑不安的，烂醉的v.炖( stew的过去式和过去分词 )；煨；思考；担忧 | |
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oysters
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| 牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 ) | |
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10
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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12
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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13
desecration
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| n. 亵渎神圣, 污辱 | |
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14
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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15
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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16
poker
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| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
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17
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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18
funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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19
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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20
opium
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| n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的 | |
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21
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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22
repented
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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24
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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25
pique
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| v.伤害…的自尊心，使生气 n.不满，生气 | |
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26
confiding
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| 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） | |
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27
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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28
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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29
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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30
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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31
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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32
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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33
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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34
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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35
lurked
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| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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36
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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37
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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38
slanders
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| 诽谤，诋毁( slander的名词复数 ) | |
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39
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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40
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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42
serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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43
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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44
spoke
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| 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 | |
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45
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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46
faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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47
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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48
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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49
whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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50
culpable
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| adj.有罪的，该受谴责的 | |
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51
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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52
trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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53
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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54
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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55
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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56
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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57
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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58
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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59
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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60
Neptune
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| n.海王星 | |
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61
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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62
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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63
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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64
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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65
thumped
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| v.重击， （指心脏）急速跳动( thump的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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