FATHER BENWELL rose, and welcomed the visitor with his paternal1 smile. “I am heartily2 glad to see you,” he said — and held out his hand with a becoming mixture of dignity and cordiality. Penrose lifted the offered hand respectfully to his lips. As one of the “Provincials” of the Order, Father Benwell occupied a high place among the English Jesuits. He was accustomed to acts of homage3 offered by his younger brethren to their spiritual chief. “I fear you are not well,” he proceeded gently. “Your hand is feverish4, Arthur.”
“Thank you, Father — I am as well as usual.”
“Depression of spirits, perhaps?” Father Benwell persisted.
Penrose admitted it with a passing smile. “My spirits are never very lively,” he said.
Father Benwell shook his head in gentle disapproval5 of a depressed6 state of spirits in a young man. “This must be corrected,” he remarked. “Cultivate cheerfulness, Arthur. I am myself, thank God, a naturally cheerful man. My mind reflects, in some degree (and reflects gratefully), the brightness and beauty which are part of the great scheme of creation. A similar disposition7 is to be cultivated — I know instances of it in my own experience. Add one more instance, and you will really gratify me. In its seasons of rejoicing, our Church is eminently8 cheerful. Shall I add another encouragement? A great trust is about to be placed in you. Be socially agreeable, or you will fail to justify9 the trust. This is Father Benwell’s little sermon. I think it has a merit, Arthur — it is a sermon soon over.”
Penrose looked up at his superior, eager to hear more.
He was a very young man. His large, thoughtful, well-opened gray eyes, and his habitual10 refinement11 and modesty12 of manner, gave a certain attraction to his personal appearance, of which it stood in some need. In stature13 he was little and lean; his hair had become prematurely14 thin over his broad forehead; there were hollows already in his cheeks, and marks on either side of his thin, delicate lips. He looked like a person who had passed many miserable15 hours in needlessly despairing of himself and his prospects16. With all this, there was something in him so irresistibly18 truthful19 and sincere — so suggestive, even where he might be wrong, of a purely20 conscientious21 belief in his own errors — that he attached people to him without an effort, and often without being aware of it himself. What would his friends have said if they had been told that the religious enthusiasm of this gentle, self-distrustful, melancholy22 man, might, in its very innocence23 of suspicion and self-seeking, be perverted24 to dangerous uses in unscrupulous hands? His friends would, one and all, have received the scandalous assertion with contempt; and Penrose himself, if he had heard of it, might have failed to control his temper for the first time in his life.
“May I ask a question, without giving offense26?” he said, timidly.
Father Benwell took his hand. “My dear Arthur, let us open our minds to each other without reserve. What is your question?”
“You have spoken, Father, of a great trust that is about to be placed in me.”
“Yes. You are anxious, no doubt, to hear what it is?”
“I am anxious to know, in the first place, if it requires me to go back to Oxford28.”
Father Benwell dropped his young friend’s hand. “Do you dislike Oxford?” he asked, observing Penrose attentively29.
“Bear with me, Father, if I speak too confidently. I dislike the deception30 which has obliged me to conceal31 that I am a Catholic and a priest.”
Father Benwell set this little difficulty right, with the air of a man who could make benevolent32 allowance for unreasonable33 scruples34. “I think, Arthur, you forget two important considerations,” he said. “In the first place, you have a dispensation from your superiors, which absolves35 you of all responsibility in respect of the concealment36 that you have practiced. In the second place, we could only obtain information of the progress which our Church is silently making at the University by employing you in the capacity of — let me say, an independent observer. However, if it will contribute to your ease of mind, I see no objection to informing you that you will not be instructed to return to Oxford. Do I relieve you?”
There could be no question of it. Penrose breathed more freely, in every sense of the word.
“At the same time,” Father Benwell continued, “let us not misunderstand each other. In the new sphere of action which we design for you, you will not only be at liberty to acknowledge that you are a Catholic, it will be absolutely necessary that you should do so. But you will continue to wear the ordinary dress of an English gentleman, and to preserve the strictest secrecy37 on the subject of your admission to the priesthood, until you are further advised by myself. Now, dear Arthur, read that paper. It is the necessary preface to all that I have yet to say to you.”
The “paper” contained a few pages of manuscript relating the early history of Vange Abbey, in the days of the monks38, and the circumstances under which the property was confiscated39 to lay uses in the time of Henry the Eighth. Penrose handed back the little narrative40, vehemently41 expressing his sympathy with the monks, and his detestation of the King.
“Compose yourself, Arthur,” said Father Benwell, smiling pleasantly. “We don’t mean to allow Henry the Eighth to have it all his own way forever.”
Penrose looked at his superior in blank bewilderment. His superior withheld42 any further information for the present.
“Everything in its turn,” the discreet43 Father resumed; “the turn of explanation has not come yet. I have something else to show you first. One of the most interesting relics44 in England. Look here.”
He unlocked a flat mahogany box, and displayed to view some writings on vellum, evidently of great age.
“You have had a little sermon already,” he said. “You shall have a little story now. No doubt you have heard of Newstead Abbey — famous among the readers of poetry as the residence of Byron? King Henry treated Newstead exactly as he treated Vange Abbey! Many years since, the lake at Newstead was dragged, and the brass45 eagle which had served as the lectern in the old church was rescued from the waters in which it had lain for centuries. A secret receptacle was discovered in the body of the eagle, and the ancient title-deeds of the Abbey were found in it. The monks had taken that method of concealing46 the legal proof of their rights and privileges, in the hope — a vain hope, I need hardly say — that a time might come when Justice would restore to them the property of which they had been robbed. Only last summer, one of our bishops48, administering a northern diocese, spoke27 of these circumstances to a devout49 Catholic friend, and said he thought it possible that the precaution taken by the monks at Newstead might also have been taken by the monks at Vange. The friend, I should tell you, was an enthusiast50. Saying nothing to the bishop47 (whose position and responsibilities he was bound to respect), he took into his confidence persons whom he could trust. One night — in the absence of the present proprietor51, or, I should rather say, the present usurper52, of the estate — the lake at Vange was privately53 dragged, with a result that proved the bishop’s conjecture54 to be right. Read those valuable documents. Knowing your strict sense of honor, my son, and your admirable tenderness of conscience, I wish you to be satisfied of the title of the Church to the lands of Vange, by evidence which is beyond dispute.”
With this little preface, he waited while Penrose read the title-deeds. “Any doubt on your mind?” he asked, when the reading had come to an end.
“Not the shadow of a doubt.”
“Is the Church’s right to the property clear?”
“As clear, Father, as words can make it.”
“Very good. We will lock up the documents. Arbitrary confiscation55, Arthur, even on the part of a king, cannot override56 the law. What the Church once lawfully57 possessed58, the Church has a right to recover. Any doubt about that in your mind?”
“Only the doubt of how the Church can recover. Is there anything in this particular case to be hoped from the law?”
“Nothing whatever.”
“And yet, Father, you speak as if you saw some prospect17 of the restitution59 of the property. By what means can the restitution be made?”
“By peaceful and worthy60 means,” Father Benwell answered. “By honorable restoration of the confiscated property to the Church, on the part of the person who is now in possession of it.”
Penrose was surprised and interested. “Is the person a Catholic?” he asked, eagerly.
“Not yet.” Father Benwell laid a strong emphasis on those two little words. His fat fingers drummed restlessly on the table; his vigilant61 eyes rested expectantly on Penrose. “Surely you understand me, Arthur?” he added, after an interval62.
The color rose slowly in the worn face of Penrose. “I am afraid to understand you,” he said.
“Why?”
“I am not sure that it is my better sense which understands. I am afraid, Father, it may be my vanity and presumption63.”
Father Benwell leaned back luxuriously64 in his chair. “I like that modesty,” he said, with a relishing65 smack66 of his lips as if modesty was as good as a meal to him. “There is power of the right sort, Arthur, hidden under the diffidence that does you honor. I am more than ever satisfied that I have been right in reporting you as worthy of this most serious trust. I believe the conversion67 of the owner of Vange Abbey is — in your hands — no more than a matter of time.”
“May I ask what his name is?”
“Certainly. His name is Lewis Romayne.”
“When do you introduce me to him?”
“Impossible to say. I have not yet been introduced myself.”
“You don’t know Mr. Romayne?”
“I have never even seen him.”
These discouraging replies were made with the perfect composure of a man who saw his way clearly before him. Sinking from one depth of perplexity to another, Penrose ventured on putting one last question. “How am I to approach Mr. Romayne?” he asked.
“I can only answer that, Arthur, by admitting you still further into my confidence. It is disagreeable to me,” said the reverend gentleman, with the most becoming humility68, “to speak of myself. But it must be done. Shall we have a little coffee to help us through the coming extract from Father Benwell’s autobiography69? Don’t look so serious, my son! When the occasion justifies70 it, let us take life lightly.” He rang the bell and ordered the coffee, as if he was the master of the house. The servant treated him with the most scrupulous25 respect. He hummed a little tune71, and talked at intervals72 of the weather, while they were waiting. “Plenty of sugar, Arthur?” he inquired, when the coffee was brought in. “No! Even in trifles, I should have been glad to feel that there was perfect sympathy between us. I like plenty of sugar myself.”
Having sweetened his coffee with the closest attention to the process, he was at liberty to enlighten his young friend. He did it so easily and so cheerfully that a far less patient man than Penrose would have listened to him with interest.
收听单词发音 |
1
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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prematurely
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| adv.过早地，贸然地 | |
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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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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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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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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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perverted
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| adj.不正当的v.滥用( pervert的过去式和过去分词 )；腐蚀；败坏；使堕落 | |
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scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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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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Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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34
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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35
absolves
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| 宣告…无罪，赦免…的罪行，宽恕…的罪行( absolve的第三人称单数 )； 不受责难，免除责任 [义务] ,开脱（罪责） | |
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concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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39
confiscated
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| 没收，充公( confiscate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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42
withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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43
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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44
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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45
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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46
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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47
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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48
bishops
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| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
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49
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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50
enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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51
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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52
usurper
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| n. 篡夺者, 僭取者 | |
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53
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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54
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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55
confiscation
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| n. 没收, 充公, 征收 | |
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56
override
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| vt.不顾，不理睬，否决；压倒，优先于 | |
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57
lawfully
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| adv.守法地，合法地；合理地 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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restitution
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| n.赔偿；恢复原状 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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61
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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63
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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luxuriously
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| adv.奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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relishing
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| v.欣赏( relish的现在分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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66
smack
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| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
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67
conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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68
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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autobiography
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| n.自传 | |
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70
justifies
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| 证明…有理( justify的第三人称单数 )； 为…辩护； 对…作出解释； 为…辩解（或辩护） | |
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71
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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