THE vivacity1 with which Camilla quitted Cleves, was sunk before she reached Etherington. She had quitted also Edgar, quitted him offended, and in doubt if it might ever be right she should vindicate2 herself in his opinion. Yet all seemed strange and unintelligible3 that regarded the asserted nuptials4: his indifference5 was palpable; she believed him to have been unaccountably drawn6 in, and her heart softly whispered, it was herself he preferred.
From this soothing7 but dangerous idea, she struggled to turn her thoughts. She anticipated the remorse8 of holding the affections of the husband of her cousin, and determined9 to use every possible method to forget him-unless, which she strove vainly not to hope, the reported alliance should never take place.
These reflections so completely engrossed10 her the whole way, that she arrived at the Parsonage House, without the smallest mental preparation how to account for her return, or how to plead for remaining at Etherington. Foresight11, the offspring of judgment12, or the disciple13 of Experience, made no part of the character of Camilla, whose impetuous disposition14 was open to every danger of indiscretion, though her genuine love of virtue15 glowed warm with juvenile16 ardour.
She entered, therefore, the breakfast parlour in a state of sudden perplexity what to say; Mr. Tyrold was alone and writing. He looked surprized, but embraced her with his accustomed affection, and enquired17 to what he owed her present sight.
She made no answer; but embraced him again, and enquired after her mother.
‘She is well,’ he replied: ‘but, tell me, is your uncle impatient of my delay? It has been wholly unavoidable. I have been deeply engaged; and deeply chagrined18. Your poor mother would be still more disturbed, if the nobleness of her mind did not support her.’
Camilla, extremely grieved, earnestly enquired what had happened.
He then informed her that Mrs. Tyrold, the very next morning, must abruptly19 quit them all and set out for Lisbon to her sick brother, Mr. Relvil.
‘Is he so much worse?’
‘No: I even hope he is better. An act of folly20 has brought this to bear. Do not now desire particulars. I will finish my letter, and then return with you for a few minutes to Cleves. The carriage must wait.’
‘Suffer me first to ask, does Lavinia go with my mother?’
‘No, she can only take old Ambrose. Lavinia must supply her place at home.’
‘Ah! my dearest father, and may not I, too, stay with you and assist her?’
‘If my brother will spare you, my dear child, there is nothing can so much contribute to wile21 away to me your mother’s absence.’
Enchanted22 thus, without any explanation, to have gained her point, she completely revived; though when Mrs. Tyrold, whom she almost worshipped, entered the room, in all the hurry of preparing for her long journey, she shed a torrent23 of tears in her arms.
‘This good girl,’ said Mr. Tyrold, ‘is herself desirous to quit the present gaieties of Cleves, to try to enliven my solitude24 till we all may meet again.’
The conscious and artless Camilla-could not bear this undeserved praise. She quitted her mother, and returning to Mr. Tyrold, ‘O my father!’ she cried, ‘if you will take me again under your beloved roof, it is for my sake-not your’s –I beg to return!’
‘She is right,’ said Mrs. Tyrold; ‘there is no merit in having an heart; she could have none, if to be with you were not her first gratification.’
‘Yes, indeed, my dear mother, it would always be so, even if no other inducement —.’ She stopt short, confused.
Mr. Tyrold, who continued writing, did not heed25 this little blunder; but his wife, whose quickness of apprehension26 and depth of observation, were always alive, even in the midst of business, cares, and other attentions, turned hastily to her daughter, and asked to what ‘other inducement’ she alluded27.
Camilla, distressed28, hung her head, and would have forborne making any answer.
Mrs. Tyrold, then, putting down various packets which she was sorting and selecting, came suddenly up to her, and taking both her hands, looked earnestly in her face, saying: ‘My Camilla! something has disquieted29 you?-your countenance30 is not itself. Tell me, my dear girl, what brought you hither this morning? and what is it you mean by some other inducement?’
‘Do not ask me now, my dearest mother,’ answered she, in a faltering31 voice; ‘when you come back again, no doubt all will be over; and then —’
‘And is that the time, Camilla, to speak to your best friends? would it not be more judicious32 to be explicit33 with them, while what affects you is still depending?’
Camilla, hiding her face on her mother’s bosom34, burst afresh into tears.
‘Alas!’ cried Mrs. Tyrold, ‘what new evil is hovering35? If it must invade me again through one of my children, tell me, at least, Camilla, it is not wilfully37 that you, too, afflict38 me? and afflict the best of fathers?’
Mr. Tyrold, dropping his pen, looked at them both with the most apprehensive39 anxiety.
‘No, my dearest mother,’ said Camilla, endeavouring to meet her eyes; ‘not wilfully,-but something has happened–I can hardly myself tell how or what-but indeed Cleves, now —’ she hesitated.
‘How is my brother?’ demanded Mr. Tyrold.
‘O! all that is good and kind! and I grieve to quit him-but, indeed, Cleves, now —’ Again she hesitated.
‘Ah, my dear child!’ said Mrs. Tyrold, ‘I always feared that residence!-you are too young, too inconsiderate, too innocent, indeed, to be left so utterly40 to yourself.–Forgive me, my dear Mr. Tyrold; I do not mean to reflect upon your brother, but he is not you!-and with you alone, this dear inexperienced girl can be secure from all harm. Tell me, however, what it is —?’
Camilla, in the extremest confusion changed colour, but tried vainly to speak. Mr. Tyrold, suspended from all employment, waited fearfully some explanation.
‘We have no time,’ said Mrs. Tyrold, ‘for delay-you know I am going abroad,-and cannot ascertain41 my return; though all my heart left behind me, with my children and their father, will urge every acceleration42 in my power.’
Camilla, wept again, fondly folding her arms round her mother; ‘I had hoped,’ she cried, ‘that I should have come home to peace, comfort, tranquillity43! to both of you, my dearest father and mother, and to all my unbroken happiness under your roof! How little did I dream of so cruel a separation!’
‘Console yourself, my Camilla, that you have not been its cause; may Heaven ever spare me evil in your shape at least! you say it is nothing wilful36? I can bear everything else.’
‘We will not,’ said Mr. Tyrold, ‘press her; she will tell us all in her own way, and at her own time. Forced confidence is neither fair nor flattering I will excuse her return to my brother, and she will the sooner be able to give her account for finding herself not hurried.’
‘Calm yourself, then,’ said Mrs. Tyrold, ‘as your indulgent father permits, and I will proceed with my preparations.’
Camilla now, somewhat recovering, declared she had almost nothing to say; but her mother continued packing up, and her father went on with his letter.
She had now time to consider that her own fears and emotion were involving her in unnecessary confessions44; she resolved, therefore, to repress the fulness of her heart, and to acknowledge only the accusation45 of Miss Margland. And in a few minutes, without waiting for further enquiry, she gathered courage to open upon the subject; and with as much ease and quietness as she could command, related, in general terms, the charge brought against her, and her consequent desire to quit Cleves, ‘till,-till–’ Here she stopt for breath. Mr. Tyrold instantly finished the sentence, ‘till the marriage has taken place?’
She coloured, and faintly uttered, ‘Yes.’
‘You are right, my child,’ said he, ‘and you have acted with a prudence46 which does you honour. Neither the ablest reasoning, nor the most upright conduct, can so completely obliterate47 a surmise48 of this nature, from a suspicious mind, as absence. You shall remain, therefore, with me, till your cousin is settled in her new habitation. Do you know if the day is fixed49?’
‘No, sir,’ she answered, while the roses fled her cheeks at question which implied so firm a belief of the union.
‘Do not suffer this affair to occasion you any further uneasiness,’ he continued; ‘it is the inherent and unalienable compact of Innocence50 with Truth, to hold themselves immovably superior to the calumny51 of false imputations. But, I will go myself to Cleves and set this whole matter right.’
‘And will you, too, sir, have the goodness–’ She was going to say, to make my peace with Edgar; but the fear of misinterpretation checked her, and she turned away.
He gently enquired what she meant; she avoided any explanation, and he resumed his writing.
Ah me! thought she, will the time ever come, when with openness, with propriety52, I may clear myself of caprice to Edgar?
Less patient, because more alarmed than her husband, Mrs. Tyrold followed her to the window. She saw a tear in her eye, and again she took both her hands: ‘Have you, my Camilla,’ she cried, ‘have you told us all? Can unjust impertinence so greatly have disturbed you? Is there no sting belonging to this wound that you are covering from our sight, though it may precisely53 be the spot that calls most for some healing balm?’
Again the cheeks of Camilla received their fugitive54 roses. ‘My dearest mother,’ she cried, ‘is not this enough?-to be accused-suspected-and to fear–’
She stammered55, and would have withdrawn57 her hands; but Mrs. Tyrold, still holding them, said, ‘To fear what? speak out, my best child! open to us your whole heart!–Where else will you find repositories so tender?’
Tears again flowed down the burning cheeks of Camilla, and dropping her eyes, ‘Ah, my mother!’ she cried, ‘you will think me so frivolous58-you will blush so for your daughter-if I own-if I dare confess–’
Again she stopped, terrified at the conjectures59 to which this opening might give birth; but when further and fondly pressed by her mother, she added, ‘It is not alone these unjust surmises60, nor even Indiana’s unkind concurrence61 in them-but also–I have been afraid–I must have made a strange-a capricious-an ungrateful appearance in the eyes of Edgar Mandlebert.’
Here her voice dropt; but presently recovering, she rapidly continued, ‘I know it is very immaterial-and I am sensible how foolish it may sound-but I shall also think of it no more now,-and therefore, as I have told the whole–’
She looked up, conscience struck at these last words, to see if they proved satisfactory; she caught, in the countenance of her mother, an expression of deep commiseration62, which was followed by a thousand maternal63 caresses64 of unusual softness, though unaccompanied by any words.
Penetrated65, yet distressed, she gratefully received them, but rejoiced when, at length, Mr. Tyrold, rising, said, ‘Go, my love, upstairs to your sister; your mother, else, will never proceed with her business.’
She gladly ran off, and soon, by a concise66 narration67, satisfied Lavinia, and then calmed her own troubled mind.
Mr. Tyrold now, though evidently much affected68 himself, strove to compose his wife. ‘Alas!’ cried she, ‘do you not see what thus has touched me? Do you not perceive that our lovely girl, more just to his worth than its possessor, has given her whole heart to Edgar Mandlebert?’
‘I perceived it through your emotion, but I had not discovered it myself. I grieve, now, that the probability of such an event had not struck me in time to have kept them apart for its prevention.’
‘I grieve for nothing,’ cried she, warmly, ‘but the infatuated blindness of that self-lost young man. What a wife would Camilla have made him in every stage of their united career! And how unfortunately has she sympathised in my sentiments, that he alone seemed worthy69 to replace the first and best protector she must relinquish70 when she quits this house! What will he find in Indiana but a beautiful doll, uninterested in his feelings, unmoved by his excellencies, and incapable71 of comprehending him if he speaks either of business or literature!’
‘Yet many wives of this description,’ replied Mr. Tyrold, ‘are more pleasing in the eyes of their husbands than women who are either better informed in intellect, or more alive in sensation; and it is not an uncommon72 idea amongst men, that where, both in temper and affairs, there is least participation73, there is most repose74. But this is not the case with Edgar.’
‘No! he has a nobler resemblance than this portrait would allow him; a resemblance which made me hope from him a far higher style of choice. He prepares himself, however, his own ample punishment; for he has too much understanding not to sicken of mere56 personal allurements75, and too much generosity76 to be flattered, or satisfied, by mere passive intellectual inferiority. Neither a mistress nor a slave can make him happy; a companion is what he requires; and for that, in a very few months, how vainly his secret soul may sigh, and think of our Camilla!’
They then settled, that it would be now essential to the peace of their child to keep her as much as possible from his sight; and determined not to send her back to Cleves to apologize for the new plan, but to take upon themselves that whole charge. ‘Her nature,’ said Mrs. Tyrold, ‘is so gay, so prompt for happiness, that I have little fear but in absence she will soon cease to dwell upon him. Fear, indeed, I have, but it is of a deeper evil than this early impression; I fear for her future lot! With whom can we trust her?–She will not endure negligence77; and those she cannot respect she will soon despise. What a prospect78 for her, then, with our present race of young men! their frivolous fickleness79 nauseates80 whatever they can reach; they have a weak shame of asserting, or even listening to what is right, and a shallow pride in professing81 what is wrong. How must this ingenuous82 girl forget all she has yet seen, heard, or felt, ere she can encounter wickedness, or even weakness, and disguise her abhorrence83 or contempt?’
‘My dear Georgiana, let us never look forward to evil.’
‘Will it not be doubly hard to bear, if it come upon us without preparation?’
‘I think not. Terror shakes, and apprehension depresses: hope nerves as well as gladdens us. Remember always, I do not by hope mean presumption84; I mean simply a cheerful trust in heaven.’
‘I must always yield,’ cried Mrs. Tyrold, ‘to your superior wisdom, and reflecting piety85; and if I cannot conquer my fears, at least I will neither court nor indulge them.’
The thanks of a grateful husband repaid this compliance86. They sent for Camilla, to acquaint her they would make her excuses at Cleves: she gave a ready though melancholy87 consent, and the virtue of her motives88 drew tears from her idolizing mother, as she clasped her to her heart.
They then set out together, that Mr. Tyrold might arrange this business with Sir Hugh, of whom and of Eugenia Mrs. Tyrold was to take leave.
收听单词发音 |
1
vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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vindicate
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| v.为…辩护或辩解，辩明；证明…正确 | |
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unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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nuptials
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| n.婚礼；婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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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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disciple
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| n.信徒，门徒，追随者 | |
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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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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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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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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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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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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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wile
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| v.诡计，引诱；n.欺骗，欺诈 | |
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enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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disquieted
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| v.使不安，使忧虑，使烦恼( disquiet的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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explicit
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| adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的 | |
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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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hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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wilfully
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| adv.任性固执地；蓄意地 | |
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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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apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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acceleration
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| n.加速，加速度 | |
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tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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confessions
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| n.承认( confession的名词复数 )；自首；声明；（向神父的）忏悔 | |
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accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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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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surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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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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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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calumny
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| n.诽谤，污蔑，中伤 | |
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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54
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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surmises
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的第三人称单数 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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concurrence
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| n.同意；并发 | |
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commiseration
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| n.怜悯，同情 | |
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maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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concise
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| adj.简洁的，简明的 | |
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narration
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| n.讲述，叙述；故事；记叙体 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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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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relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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72
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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participation
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| n.参与，参加，分享 | |
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74
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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75
allurements
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| n.诱惑( allurement的名词复数 )；吸引；诱惑物；有诱惑力的事物 | |
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76
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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77
negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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78
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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79
fickleness
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| n.易变；无常；浮躁；变化无常 | |
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80
nauseates
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| v.使恶心，作呕( nauseate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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81
professing
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| 声称( profess的现在分词 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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82
ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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83
abhorrence
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| n.憎恶；可憎恶的事 | |
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84
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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85
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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86
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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87
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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88
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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