THE intention of Edgar had been to ride to Mrs. Needham, the lady of whom he meant to ask the information to which he had alluded1; but a charm too potent2 for resistance demanded his immediate3 liberation from the promise to Dr. Marchmont, which bound him to proceed no further till they had again conversed4 together.
He galloped5, therefore, to the parsonage-house of Cleves, and entering the study of the Doctor, and taking him by the hand, with the most animated6 gesture; ‘My dear and honoured friend,’ he cried, ‘I come to you now without hesitation7, and free from every painful embarrassment8 of lurking9 irresolution10! I come to you decided11, and upon grounds which cannot offend you, though the decision anticipates your counsel. I come to you, in fine, my dear Doctor, my good and kind friend, to confess that yesterday you saw right, with regard to the situation of my mind, and that, today, I have only your felicitations to beg, upon my confirmed, my irrevocable choice!’
Dr. Marchmont embraced him: ‘May you then,’ he cried, ‘be as happy, my dear young friend, as you deserve! I can wish you nothing higher.’
‘Last night,’ continued Edgar, ‘I felt all doubt die away: captivating as I have ever thought her, so soft, so gentle, so touchingly12 sweet, as last night, I had never yet beheld13 her; you witnessed it, my dear Doctor? you saw her with the baby in her arms? how beautiful, how endearing a sight!’
The Doctor looked assentingly, but did not speak.
‘Yet even last night was short of the feelings she excited this morning. My dear friend! she was upon the point of making an excursion from which she had promised herself peculiar14 pleasure, and to see a lady for whom she had conceived the warmest admiration–I begged her to postpone-perhaps relinquish15 entirely16 the visit-she had obtained leave from Sir Hugh-the carriage was at the door-would you, could you believe such sweetness with such vivacity17? she complied with my request, and complied with a grace that has rivetted her–I own it-that has rivetted her to my soul!’
Doctor Marchmont smiled, but rather pensively18 than rejoicingly; and Edgar, receiving no answer, walked for some time about the room, silently enjoying his own thoughts.
Returning then to the Doctor, ‘My dear friend,’ he cried, ‘I understood you wished to speak with me?’
‘Yes-but I thought you disengaged.’
‘So, except mentally, I am still.’
‘Does she not yet know her conquest?’
‘She does not even guess it.’
Dr. Marchmont now rising, with much energy said: ‘Hear me then, my dear and most valued young friend, forbear to declare yourself, make no overtures19 to her relations, raise no expectations even in her own breast, and let not rumour21 surmise22 your passion to the world, till her heart is better known to you.’
Edgar, starting and amazed, with great emotion exclaimed: ‘What do you mean, my good Doctor? do you suspect any prior engagement? any fatal prepossession?’–
‘I suspect nothing. I do not know her. I mean not, therefore, the propensities23 alone, but the worth, also, of her heart; deception24 is easy, and I must not see you thrown away.’
‘Let me, then, be her guarantee!’ cried Edgar, with firmness; ‘for I know her well! I have known her from her childhood, and cannot be deceived. I fear nothing-except my own powers of engaging her regard. I can trace to a certainty, even from my boyish remarks, her fair, open, artless, and disinterested25 charachter.’
He then gave a recital26 of the nobleness of her sentiments and conduct when only nine years old; contrasting the relation with the sullen27 and ungenerous behaviour of Indiana at the same age.
Dr. Marchmont listened to the account with attention and pleasure, but not with an air of that full conviction which Edgar expected. ‘All this,’ he said, ‘is highly prophetic of good, and confirms me in the opinion I expressed last night, that every possible happiness promises to be yours.’
‘Yet, still,’ said Edgar, a little chagrined28, ‘there seems some drawback to your entire approbation29?’
‘To your choice I have none.’
‘You perplex me, Doctor! I know not to what you object, what you would intimate, nor what propose?’
‘All I have to suggest may be comprised in two points: First, That you will refuse confirmation31 even to your own intentions, till you have positively32 ascertained33 her actual possession of those virtues34 with which she appears to be endowed: and secondly35, That if you find her gifted with them all, you will not solicit36 her acceptance till you are satisfied of her affection.’
‘My dear Doctor,’ cried Edgar, half laughing, ‘from what an alarm of wild conjecture37 has your explanation relieved me! Hear me, however, in return, and I think I can satisfy you, that, even upon your own conditions, not an obstacle stands in the way of my speaking to Mr. Tyrold this very evening.
‘With regard to your first article, her virtues, I have told you the dawning superiority of her most juvenile38 ideas of right; and though I have latterly lost sight of her, by travelling during our vacations, I know her to have always been under the superintendence of one of the first of women; and for these last three weeks, which I have spent under the same roof with her, I have observed her to be all that is amiable39, sweet, natural, and generous. What then on this point remains40? Nothing. I am irrefragably convinced of her worth.
‘With respect to your second condition, I own you a little embarrass me; yet how may I inquire into the state of her affections, without acknowledging her mistress of mine?’
‘Hold! hold!’ interrupted the Doctor, ‘you proceed too rapidly. The first article is all unsettled, while you are flying to the last.
‘It is true, and I again repeat it, every promise is in your favour; but do not mistake promise for performance. This young lady appears to be all excellence41; for an acquaintance, for a friend, I doubt not you have already seen enough to establish her in your good opinion-but since it is only within a few hours you have taken the resolution which is to empower her to colour the rest of your life, you must study her, from this moment, with new eyes, new ears, and new thoughts. Whatever she does, you must ask yourself this question: “Should I like such behaviour in my wife?” Whatever she says, you must make yourself the same demand. Nothing must escape you; you must view as if you had never seen her before; the interrogatory, Were she mine? must be present at every look, every word, every motion; you must forget her wholly as Camilla Tyrold, you must think of her only as Camilla Mandlebert; even justice is insufficient42 during this period of probation30, and instead of inquiring, “Is this right in her?” you must simply ask, “Would it be pleasing to me?"’
‘You are apprehensive43, then, of some dissimilitude of character prejudicial to our future happiness?’
‘Not of character; you have been very peculiarly situated44 for obviating45 all risk upon that first and most important particular. I have no doubt of her general worthiness46; but though esteem47 hangs wholly upon character, happiness always links itself with disposition48.’
‘You gratify me, Doctor, by naming disposition, for I can give you the most unequivocal assurance of her sweetness, her innocence49, her benevolence50, joined to a spirit of never-dying vivacity-an animation51 of never-ceasing good humour!’
‘I know you, my dear Mandlebert, to be, by nature, penetrating52 and minute in your observations; which, in your general commerce with the world, will protect both your understanding and your affections from the usual snares53 of youth: But here-to be even scrupulous54 is not enough; to avoid all danger of repentance55, you must become positively distrustful.’
‘Never, Doctor, never! I would sooner renounce56 every prospect57 of felicity, than act a part so ungenerous, where I am conscious of such desert! Upon this article, therefore, we have done; I am already and fully58 convinced of her excellence. But, with respect to your second difficulty, that I will not seek her acceptance, till satisfied of her regard-there-indeed, you start an idea that comes home to my soul in its very inmost recesses59! O Doctor!-could I hope-however distantly-durst I hope-the independent, unsolicited, involuntary possession of that most ingenuous60, most inartificial of human hearts!–’
‘And why not? why, while so liberally you do justice to another, should you not learn to appreciate yourself?’
A look of elation20, delight, and happiness conveyed to Dr. Marchmont his pupil’s grateful sense of this question.
‘I do not fear making you vain,’ he continued; ‘I know your understanding to be too solid, and your temperament61 too philosophic62, to endanger your running into the common futility63 of priding yourself upon the gifts of nature, any more than upon those of fortune; ’tis in their uses only you can claim any applause. I will not, therefore, scruple64 to assert, you can hardly any where propose yourself with much danger of being rejected. You are amiable and accomplished65; abounding66 in wealth, high in character; in person and appearance unexceptionable; you can have no doubt of the joyful67 approbation of her friends, nor can you entertain a reasonable fear of her concurrence68; yet, with all this, pardon me, when I plainly, explicitly69 add, it is very possible you may be utterly70 indifferent to her.’
‘If so, at least,’ said Edgar, in a tone and with a countenance71 whence all elation was flown, ‘she will leave me master of myself; she is too noble to suffer any sordid72 motives73 to unite us.’
‘Do not depend upon that; the influence of friends, the prevalence of example, the early notion which every female imbibes74, that a good establishment must be her first object in life-these are motives of marriage commonly sufficient for the whole sex.’
‘Her choice, indeed,’ said Edgar, thoughtfully, ‘would not, perhaps, be wholly uninfluenced;–I pretend not to doubt that the voice of her friends would be all in my favour.’
‘Yes,’ interrupted Dr. Marchmont, ‘and, be she noble as she may, Beech75 Park will be also in your favour! your mansion76, your equipage, your domestics, even your table, will be in your favour–’
‘Doctor,’ interrupted Edgar, in his turn, ‘I know you think ill of women.–’
‘Do not let that idea weaken what I urge; I have not had reason to think well of them; yet I believe there are individuals who merit every regard: your Camilla may be one of them. Take, however, this warning from my experience; whatever is her appearance of worth, try and prove its foundation, ere you conclude it invulnerable; and whatever are your pretensions77 to her hand, do not necessarily connect them with your chances for her heart.’
Mandlebert, filled now with a distrust of himself and of his powers, which he was incapable78 of harbouring of Camilla and her magnanimity, felt struck to the soul with the apprehension79 of failing to gain her affection, and wounded in every point both of honour and delicacy80, from the bare suggestion of owing his wife to his situation in the world. He found no longer any difficulty in promising81 not to act with precipitance; his confidence was gone; his elevation82 of sentiment was depressed83; a general mist clouded his prospects84, and a suspensive discomfort85 inquieted his mind. He shook Dr. Marchmont by the hand, and assuring him he would weigh well all he had said, and take no measure till he had again consulted with him, remounted his horse, and slowly walked it back to Cleves.
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1
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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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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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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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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lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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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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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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touchingly
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| adv.令人同情地，感人地，动人地 | |
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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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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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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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vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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pensively
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| adv.沉思地，焦虑地 | |
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overtures
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| n.主动的表示，提议；（向某人做出的）友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 )；（歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的）序曲，前奏曲 | |
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elation
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| n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意 | |
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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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propensities
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| n.倾向，习性( propensity的名词复数 ) | |
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deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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chagrined
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| adj.懊恼的，苦恼的v.使懊恼，使懊丧，使悔恨( chagrin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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probation
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| n.缓刑(期)，(以观后效的)察看；试用(期) | |
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confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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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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virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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solicit
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| vi.勾引；乞求；vt.请求，乞求；招揽(生意) | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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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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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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42
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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obviating
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| v.避免，消除（贫困、不方便等）( obviate的现在分词 ) | |
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46
worthiness
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| 价值，值得 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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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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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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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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scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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renounce
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| v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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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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recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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futility
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| n.无用 | |
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scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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abounding
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| adj.丰富的，大量的v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的现在分词 ) | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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concurrence
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| n.同意；并发 | |
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explicitly
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| ad.明确地，显然地 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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imbibes
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| v.吸收( imbibe的第三人称单数 )；喝；吸取；吸气 | |
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beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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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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incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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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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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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