THE baronet would, at length, have enjoyed perfect contentment, had he not been molested1 by the teasing spirit of Miss Margland, now daily at work in proposing a journey to London, and in representing as an indispensable duty, that the young ladies should see and be seen, in a manner suitable to their situation in life.
Miss Margland, equally void either of taste or of resources for the country, had languished2 and fretted3 away twelve years in its bosom4, with no other opening to any satisfaction beyond a maintenance, except what she secretly nourished in her hopes, that, when her beautiful pupil was grown up, she should accompany her to the metropolis5. Her former connections and acquaintance in high life still continued to be the stationary6 pride of her heart, the constant theme of her discourse7, and the perpetual allusion8 of some lamentation9 and regret. This excursion, therefore, in prospect10, had been her sole support during her retirement11; nor had she failed to instruct her fair disciple12 to aid her scheme, though she had kept from her its private motive13.
Most successfully, indeed, had she instilled15 into the youthful breast of Indiana, a wondering curiosity to see the place which she described as the sole residence of elegance16 and fashion, and an eager impatience17 to exhibit there a person which she was assured would meet with universal homage18.
But neither the exhortations19 of the governess, nor the wishes of her pupil, could in this point move Sir Hugh. He had a fixt aversion to London, and to all public places, and had constantly some disaster to relate of every visit he had accidentally made to them. The amusements which had decided20 his partiality for the country were now, indeed, no longer within his reach; but his sanguine21 temper, which occasionally entertained him with hopes of a recovery, determined22 him always to keep upon the right spot, he said, for sport, in the case of any sudden and favourable23 change in his health.
Upon the visit of Camilla, Miss Margland grew yet more urgent, expecting through her powerful influence to gain her point. She strove, therefore, to engage her intercession, but Camilla, careless, easy, and gay, had no wish about the matter, and could not be brought into the cabal24.
This disappointment so much soured and provoked Miss Margland, that she lost the usual discretion25 she had hitherto practised, of confining her remonstrances26 to those times when she saw Sir Hugh alone. Such opportunities, indeed, weary of the use she made of them, the baronet contrived27 daily to lessen28; but every meeting now, whether public or private, was seized alike for the same purpose, and the necessity of bringing the young ladies out, and the duty of thinking of their establishment, were the sentences with which he was so regularly assailed29, that the moment he saw her he prepared to hear them, and commonly with a heavy sigh anticipated their fatigue30 to his spirits.
No arguments, however, relative to disposing of the young ladies, had any weight with him; he had long planned to give Eugenia to Clermont Lynmere, and he depended upon Edgar Mandlebert for Indiana, while with regard to Camilla, to keep her unmarried, that he might detain her under his own roof, was the favourite wish of his heart. Nevertheless, this perpetual persecution32 became by degrees insupportable, and, unused to be deaf to any claimant, he was upon the point of constrained33 compliance34, when his passion for forming schemes came again to his aid, upon hearing that Edgar Mandlebert, after a twelvemonth’s absence, was just returned to Etherington.
This youth had been making the tour of England, Wales, and Scotland, with Dr. Marchmont, who had been induced by Mr. Tyrold to relinquish35 all other avocations36, and devote to him his whole time.
Sir Hugh hastening, upon this news, to the parsonage-house, said: ‘Don’t imagine, brother, I am going to make any complaint against Mrs. Margland, for she is an excellent governess, and I have no fault to find with her, except her making too many objections, which I take to be her worst part; but as every body has something, it would be very unfair to quarrel with her for such a mere31 nothing, especially as she can’t help it, after so many years going on the same way, without coming to a stop; but the thing I have thought of now may set it all to rights, which I hope you’ll approve, and especially my sister.’
He then explained, that as he had fixt upon marrying Eugenia to Clermont Lynmere, she was put so completely under the care of Dr. Orkborne, in order to make her fit for the young scholar, that Miss Margland was of little or no use to her. He meant, therefore, to bring forward immediately the marriage of Indiana with young Mandlebert, and then to ask Miss Margland to go and live with them entirely38, as he could very well spare her: ‘This,’ he continued, ‘Indiana can’t object to, from the point of having had her so long; and young Mr. Edgar’s remarkably39 complaisant40, for such a young youth, which I saw a great while ago. By this means, Mrs. Margland will get her main end of going to London, which she may show off to the young bride, without my budging41 from home, Lord help me! being a thing I don’t much like, to be taken about to dances and shews, now that I am not a boy; so then Camilla will be left to stay with me, for my own companion, which I assure you I desire no better, though she knows no more, as the Doctor tells me, of the classics, than my old spaniel; which, to give every one his due, is much the same with myself.’
Mr. Tyrold, with a very unpleasant astonishment42, enquired43 further into his meaning concerning Mandlebert; but his surprise ended in a smile, when he heard the juvenile44 circumstances upon which alone Sir Hugh built his expectations. To argue with him, however, was always fruitless; he had found out, he said, the intentions of Edgar from the first, and he came now to invite him to pass a month at Cleves, for the sake of cutting the courtship short, by letting him see Indiana every day, so that no time might be lost in coming to the conclusion.
The first wish of the secret heart of Mr. Tyrold was, that one of his own daughters should be the choice of his ward37; he did not, therefore, totally unmoved, hear this project for Indiana, though its basis was so little alarming.
Edgar, who was now just of age, was receiving the last cares of his guardian45, and taking into his own hands his fortune and affairs. He was at Etherington, at present, only for that purpose, Beech46 Park being already fitted up for his residence.
Sir Hugh, desiring to speak with him, most cordially made his invitation: ‘Besides myself,’ he cried, ‘whom I only mention first, as being master of the house, which I hope is my excuse for it, you will meet three very good young girls, not to mention Dr. Orkborne and Miss Margland, who are rather not of the youngest at present, whatever they may have been in former times; and they will all, myself included, make you as welcome as themselves.’
Edgar accepted the proposal with pleasure, and agreed to wait upon him the next day, Mr. Tyrold consenting that they should transact47 their mutual48 business at Etherington, by morning rides.
At dinner Sir Hugh told the family at Cleves the new guest they were so soon to expect, assuring them he was become a very fine young gentleman, and bidding Indiana, with a significant nod, hold up her head. Indiana wanted no charge upon this subject; she fully14 understood the views of her uncle, and it was now some years since she had heard the name of Beech Park without a smile or a blush.
Upon the arrival of the young man, Sir Hugh summoned his household to meet him in the hall, where he received him with an hearty49 welcome, and, in the flutter of his spirits, introduced him to them all, as if this had been his first appearance in the family; remarking, that a full week of shyness might be saved, by making acquaintance with the whole set in a clump50.
From eagerness irrepressible, he began with Indiana, apologising when he had done, by saying it was only because she was oldest, having the advantage of three weeks over Camilla: ‘For which, however,’ he added, ‘I must beg pardon of Mrs. Margland and Dr. Orkborne, who, to be sure, must be pretty much older.’
He next presented him to Camilla; and then, taking him apart, begged, in a whisper, that he would not seem to notice the ugliness of Eugenia, which, he said, was never mentioned in her hearing, by his particular order; ‘though, to be sure,’ he added, ‘since that small-pox, she’s grown plain enough, in point of beauty, considering how pretty she was before. However, she’s a remarkable51 good girl, and with regard to Virgil and those others will pose you in a second, for aught I know to the contrary, being but an indifferent judge in things of that sort, from leaving off my own studies rather short, on account of the gout; besides some other reasons.’
Edgar assured him these introductions were by no means necessary, a single twelvemonth’s absence being very insufficient52 to obliterate53 from his memory his best and earliest friends.
Edgar Mandlebert was a young man who, if possessed54 neither of fortune nor its expectations, must from his person and his manners have been as attractive to the young, as from his morals and his conduct to those of riper years. His disposition55 was serious and meditative56; but liberal, open, and candid57. He was observant of the errors of others, and watched till he nearly eradicated58 his own. But though with difficulty he bestowed59 admiration60, he diffused61, both in words and deeds, such general amity62 and good will, that if the strictness of his character inspired general respect, its virtues63 could no less fail engaging the kinder mede of affection. When to merit of a species so rare were added a fine estate and a large independent fortune, it is not easy to decide whether in prosperity or desert he was most distinguished64.
The first week which he spent at Cleves, was passed with a gaiety as unremitting as it was innocent. All parties felt his arrival as an acquisition: Indiana thought the hour of public exhibition, long promised by Miss Margland, at length fast approaching; Camilla, who escaped all expectation for herself, from being informed of what was entertained by her cousin, enjoyed the tranquil65 pleasure of undesigning friendship, unchequered either by hope or fear; Eugenia met with a respect for her acquirements that redoubled her ambition to increase them; Sir Hugh looked forward with joy to the happy disposal of Indiana, and a blameless riddance of Miss Margland; who, on her part, with an almost boundless66 satisfaction, saw her near return to a town life, from the high favour in which she stood with the supposed bride elect; even Dr. Orkborne, though he disdained67 with so young a scholar to enter into much philological68 disquisition, was gratified by a presence which afforded a little relief to the stores of his burdened memory, from authorizing69 some occasional utterance70 of the learned recollections, which for many years had encumbered71 it without vent72. Edgar, meanwhile, obliging and obliged, received pleasure from them all; for though not blind to any of their imperfections, they had not a merit which he failed to discern.
The second week opened with a plan which promised a scene more lively, though it broke into the calm retirement of this peaceful party. Lionel, who was now at Etherington, to spend his university vacation, rode over to Cleves, to inform Edgar, that there would be a ball the next evening at Northwick, at which the officers of the * * * regiment73, which was quartered in the neighbourhood, and all the beaux and belles74 of the county, were expected to assemble.
Miss Margland, who was present, struck with a desire that Indiana might make her first public appearance in the county, at a ball where Edgar might be her partner, went instantly to Sir Hugh to impart the idea. Sir Hugh, though averse75 to all public places, consented to the plan, from the hope of accelerating the affair; but declared, that if there was any amusement, his little Camilla should not be left out. Eugenia, won by the novelty of a first expedition of this sort, made her own request to be included; Lionel undertook to procure76 tickets, and Miss Margland had the welcome labour of arranging their dress, for which Sir Hugh, to atone77 for the shortness of the time, gave her powers unlimited78.
Indiana was almost distracted with joy at this event. Miss Margland assured her, that now was the moment for fixing her conquest of Mandlebert, by adroitly79 displaying to him the admiration she could not but excite, in the numerous strangers before whom she would appear; she gave her various instructions how to set off her person to most advantage, and she delighted Sir Hugh with assurances of what this evening would effect: ‘There is nothing, Sir,’ said she, ‘so conducive80 towards a right understanding between persons of fashion, as a ball. A gentleman may spend months and months in this drowsy81 way in the country, and always think one day will do as well as another for his declaration; but when he sees a young lady admired and noticed by others, he falls naturally into making her the same compliments, and the affair goes into a regular train, without his almost thinking of it.’
Sir Hugh listened to this doctrine82 with every desire to give it credit; and though the occupations of the toilette left him alone the whole of the assembly day, he was as happy in the prospect of their diversion, as they were themselves in its preparation.
When the young ladies were ready, they repaired to the apartment of the baronet, to shew themselves, and to take leave. Edgar and Lionel were waiting to meet them upon the stairs. Indiana had never yet looked so lovely; Camilla, with all her attractions, was eclipsed; and Eugenia could only have served as a foil, even to those who had no pretensions83 to beauty.
Edgar, nevertheless, asked Camilla to dance with him; she willingly, though not without wonder, consented. Lionel desired the hand of his fair cousin; but Indiana, self-destined to Edgar, whose address to Camilla, she had not heard, made him no answer, and ran on to present herself to her uncle; who, struck with admiration as he beheld84 her, cried, ‘Indiana, my dear, you really look prettier than I could even have guessed; and yet I always knew there was no fault to be found with the outside; nor indeed with the inside neither, Mr. Mandlebert, so I don’t mean anything by that; only, by use, one is apt to put the outside first.’
Lionel was how hurrying them away, when Sir Hugh calling to Edgar, said: ‘Pray, young Mr. Mandlebert, take as much care of her as possible; which I am sure you will do of your own accord.’
Edgar, with some surprise, answered, he should be happy to take whatever care was in his power of all the ladies; ‘but,’ added he, ‘for my own particular charge to-night, I have engaged Miss Camilla.’
‘And how came you to do that? Don’t you know I let them all go on purpose for the sake of your dancing with Indiana, which I mean as a particular favour?’
‘Sir,’ replied Edgar, a little embarrassed, ‘you are very good; but as Lionel cannot dance with his sisters, he has engaged Miss Lynmere himself.’
‘Pho, pho, what do you mind Lionel for? not but what he’s a very good lad; only I had rather have you and Indiana dance together, which I dare say so had she.’
Edgar, somewhat distressed85, looked at Camilla: ‘O, as to me,’ cried she, gaily86, ‘pray let me take my chance; if I should not dance at all, the whole will be so new to me, that I am sure of entertainment.’
‘You are the best good girl, without the smallest exception,’ said Sir Hugh, ‘that ever I have known in the world; and so here’s her hand, young Mr. Mandlebert, and if you think you shall meet a prettier partner at the ball, I beg when you get her there, you will tell her so fairly, and give her up.’
Edgar, who had hardly yet looked at her, was now himself struck with the unusual resplendence of her beauty, and telling Camilla he saw she was glad to be at liberty, protested he could not but rejoice to be spared a decision for himself, where the choice would have been so difficult.
‘Well then, now go,’ cried the delighted baronet; ‘Lionel will find himself a partner, I have no doubt, because he is nothing particular in point of shyness; and as to Camilla, she’ll want nothing but to hear the fiddlers to be as merry as a grig, which what it is I never knew: so I have no concern,’ added he, in a low voice, to Edgar, ‘except for little Eugenia, and poor Mrs. Margland; for Eugenia being so plain, which is no fault of her’s , on account of the small-pox, many a person may overlook her from that objection; and as to Mrs. Margland, being with all these young chickens, I am afraid people will think her rather one of the oldest for a dancing match; which I say in no disrespect, for oldness gives one no choice.’
收听单词发音 |
1
molested
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| v.骚扰( molest的过去式和过去分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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languished
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| 长期受苦( languish的过去式和过去分词 )； 受折磨； 变得（越来越）衰弱； 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐 | |
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fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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stationary
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| adj.固定的，静止不动的 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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lamentation
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| n.悲叹，哀悼 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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disciple
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| n.信徒，门徒，追随者 | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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instilled
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| v.逐渐使某人获得（某种可取的品质），逐步灌输( instill的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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exhortations
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| n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 )；极力推荐；（正式的）演讲；（宗教仪式中的）劝诫 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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cabal
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| n.政治阴谋小集团 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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remonstrances
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| n.抱怨，抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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lessen
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| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
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assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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avocations
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| n.业余爱好，嗜好( avocation的名词复数 )；职业 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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complaisant
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| adj.顺从的，讨好的 | |
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budging
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| v.（使）稍微移动( budge的现在分词 )；（使）改变主意，（使）让步 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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transact
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| v.处理；做交易；谈判 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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obliterate
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| v.擦去，涂抹，去掉...痕迹，消失，除去 | |
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54
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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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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meditative
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| adj.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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eradicated
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| 画着根的 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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amity
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| n.友好关系 | |
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virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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disdained
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| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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philological
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| adj.语言学的，文献学的 | |
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69
authorizing
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| 授权，批准，委托( authorize的现在分词 ) | |
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70
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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71
encumbered
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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73
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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74
belles
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| n.美女( belle的名词复数 )；最美的美女 | |
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75
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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76
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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77
atone
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| v.赎罪，补偿 | |
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78
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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79
adroitly
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| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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80
conducive
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| adj.有益的，有助的 | |
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81
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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82
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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83
pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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84
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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85
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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86
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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