MR. and Mrs. Tyrold had obeyed the summons of Sir Hugh, whom they found in extreme tribulation1; persuaded by his fears not only of the design of Bellamy, but of its inevitable2 success. His brother, however, who knew his alarms to be generally as unfounded as his hopes; and Mrs. Tyrold, who almost undisguisedly despised both; no sooner heard his account, than, declining to discuss it, they sent for Eugenia. She related the transaction with a confusion so innocent, that it was easy to discern shame alone had hitherto caused her silence; and with a simplicity3 so unaffected, that not a doubt could rest upon their minds, but that her heart was as disengaged as her intentions had been irreproachable4. Yet they were not the less struck with the danger she had incurred5; and, while her father blessed Mandlebert for her preservation6, her mother was so sensible to his care for the family welfare and honour, that the anger she had conceived against him subsided7, though the regret to which it had owed its birth increased.
Mr. Tyrold gave his daughter some slight cautions and general advice; but thought it wisest, since he found her tranquil8 and unsuspicious, not to raise apprehensions9 that might disturb her composure, nor awaken10 ideas of which the termination must be doubtful.
Her mother deemed the matter to be undeserving the least serious alarm. The man had appeared to her from the beginning to be a despicable adventurer; and her lofty contempt of all low arts made her conclude her well-principled Eugenia as superior to their snares11 as to their practice.
This conference completely quieted the fears of Sir Hugh; who relinquished12 his design of sending for Clermont, and imagined Edgar to have been too severe in his judgment13 of Bellamy, who had only knelt in pure compassion14, to prevail with Eugenia to take care of her life.
The rector and his lady were already gone before the cottage group came home. Edgar was anxious to inquire of Sir Hugh what had passed. The three females, concluding he had still something to say relative to his proposals, by tacit agreement, retired15 to their own rooms.
They were not, however, as concurrent16 in their eagerness to reassemble. Miss Margland and Indiana watched the moment when they might appease17 their burning curiosity by descending18: but Eugenia wished to prolong her absence, that she might recover from the embarrassment19 she had just suffered; and Camilla determined20 not to appear again till the next morning.
For the first time in her life after the shortest separation, she forbore to seek Eugenia, who she supposed would have gathered all the particulars of the approaching nuptials21. She felt no desire to hear them. It was a period to which, hitherto, she had looked forward as to a thing of course; but this day it had struck her that Edgar and Indiana could not be happy together.–She had even surmised22, from his last speech, that he lamented23, in secret, the connexion he had formed.
The gentlest pity took possession of her breast; an increasing admiration24 succeeded to her pity. She could not bear to witness so unequal a scene, as the full satisfaction of Sir Hugh contrasted with the seriousness, perhaps repentance25, of Edgar. She pleaded an head-ache, and went to bed.
The morning did not find her less averse26 to hear the confirmation27 of the suspected news. On the contrary, her repugnance28 to have it ascertained29 became stronger. She did not ask herself why; she did not consider the uselessness of flying for one hour what she must encounter the next. The present moment was all she could weigh; and, to procrastinate30 any evil, seemed, to her ardent31 and active imagination, to conquer it. Again, therefore, she planned a visit to Mrs. Arlbery; though she had given it up so long, from the discouragement of Lionel, that she felt more of shame than of pleasure in the idea of making so tardy32 an apology; but she could think of no other place to which the whole party would not accompany her; and to avoid them and their communications, for however short a space of time, was now her sole aim.
Before breakfast, she repaired to the apartment of her uncle; her request was granted, as soon as heard; and she ordered the chaise.
Indiana and Miss Margland, meanwhile, had learnt from the baronet, that the proposals were not yet made. Miss Margland softened33 the disappointment of Indiana, by suggesting that her admirer was probably waiting the arrival of some elegant trinket, that he destined34 to present her upon his declaration: but she was by no means free from doubt and suspicion herself. She languished35 to quit Cleves, and Sir Hugh had almost thought her accountable for the slowness of Mandlebert’s proceedings36. To keep up her own consequence, she had again repeated her assurances, that all was in a prosperous train; though she had frequently, with strong private uneasiness, observed the eyes of Edgar fixed37 upon Camilla, with an attention far more pointed38 than she had ever remarked in them when their direction was towards her fair pupil.
Camilla hurried over her breakfast in expectation of the chaise, and in dread39 continual, lest her cousin should call her aside, to acquaint her that all was arranged. Edgar perceived, with surprise, that she was going out alone; and, no sooner gathered whither, than, drawing her to one of the windows, he earnestly said: ‘Is it by appointment you wait upon Mrs. Arlbery?’
‘No.’
‘Does she at all expect you this morning?’
‘No.’
‘Would it, then, be asking too much, if I should entreat40 you to postpone41 your visit for a short time?’
The whole design of Camilla was to absent herself immediately; yet she hated to say no. She looked disturbed, and was silent.
‘Have you made any further acquaintance with her since the morning of the raffle43?’
‘No, none; but I wish excessively to know more of her.’
‘She is certainly, very-agreeable,’ said he, with some hesitation44; ‘but, whether she is all Mrs. Tyrold would approve’–
‘I hope you know no harm of her?–If you do, pray keep it to yourself!-for it would quite afflict45 me to hear anything to her disadvantage.’
‘I should be grieved, indeed, to be the messenger of affliction to you; but I hope there may be no occasion; I only beg a day or two’s patience; and, in the meanwhile, I can give you this assurance; she is undoubtedly46 a woman of character. I saw she had charmed you, and I made some immediate42 inquiries47. Her reputation is without taint48.’
‘A thousand, thousand thanks,’ cried Camilla, gaily49, ‘for taking so much trouble; and ten thousand more for finding it needless!’
Edgar could not forbear laughing, but answered, he was not yet so certain it was needless; since exemption50 from actual blemish51 could only be a negative recommendation: he should very soon, he added, see a lady upon whose judgment he could rely, and who would frankly52 satisfy him with respect to some other particulars, which, he owned, he considered as essential to be known, before any intimacy53 should be formed.
Wishing to comply with his request, yet impatient to leave the house, Camilla stood suspended till the chaise was announced.
‘I think,’ cried she, with a look and tone of irresolution54, ‘my going this once can draw on no ill consequence?’
Edgar only dropt his eyes.
‘You are not of that opinion?’
‘I have a very particular engagement this morning,’ he replied; ‘but I will readily give it up, and ride off instantly to make my application to this lady, if it is possible you can defer55 only till tomorrow your visit. Will you suffer me to ask such a delay? It will greatly oblige me.’
‘Why, then,–I will defer it till to-morrow,-or till to-morrow week!’ cried she, wholly vanquished56; ‘I insist, therefore, that you do not postpone your business.’
She then desired the servant, who was taking away the breakfast equipage, to order the chaise to be put up.
Edgar, subdued57 in his turn, caught her hand: but, instantly, recollecting58 himself, hastily let it go; and, throwing up the window sash, abruptly59 exclaimed: ‘I never saw such fine weather:–I hope it will not rain!’
He then rapidly wished them all good morning, and mounted his horse.
Miss Margland, who, sideling towards the window, on pretence60 of examining a print, had heard and seen all that had passed, was almost overpowered with rage, by the conviction she received that her apprehensions were not groundless. She feared losing all weight both with the baronet and with Indiana, if she made this acknowledgment, and retreated, confounded, to her own room, to consider what path to pursue at so dangerous a crisis; wearing a scowl61 upon her face, that was always an indication she would not be followed.
Camilla also went to her chamber62, in a perturbation at once pleasing and painful. She was sorry to have missed her excursion, but she was happy to have obliged Edgar; she was delighted he could take such interest in her conduct and affairs, yet dreaded63, more than ever, a private conversation with Indiana;–Indiana, who, every moment, appeared to her less and less calculated to bestow64 felicity upon Edgar Mandlebert.
She seated herself at a window, and soon, through the trees, perceived him galloping65 away. ‘Too-too amiable66 Edgar!’ she cried, earnestly looking after him, with her hands clasped, and tears starting into her eyes.
Frightened at her own tenderness, she rose, shut the window, and walked to another end of the apartment.
She took up a book; but she could not read: ‘Too-too amiable Edgar!’ again escaped her. She went to her piano-forte; she could not play: ‘Too-too amiable Edgar!’ broke forth67 in defiance68 of all struggle.
Alarmed and ashamed, even to herself, she resolved to dissipate her ideas by a long walk; and not to come out of the park, till the first dinner-bell summoned her to dress.
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tribulation
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| n.苦难，灾难 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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irreproachable
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| adj.不可指责的，无过失的 | |
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incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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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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apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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snares
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| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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concurrent
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| adj.同时发生的，一致的 | |
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appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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nuptials
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| n.婚礼；婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
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surmised
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的过去式和过去分词 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament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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repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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procrastinate
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| v.耽搁，拖延 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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tardy
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| adj.缓慢的，迟缓的 | |
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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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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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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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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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raffle
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| n.废物，垃圾，抽奖售卖；v.以抽彩出售 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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afflict
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| vt.使身体或精神受痛苦，折磨 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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taint
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| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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exemption
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| n.豁免，免税额，免除 | |
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blemish
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| v.损害；玷污；瑕疵，缺点 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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53
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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irresolution
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| n.不决断，优柔寡断，犹豫不定 | |
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defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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recollecting
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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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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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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