NOTWITHSTANDING the fears so justly excited from the mixt emotions and exertions2 of Sir Hugh, Mr. Tyrold had the happiness to see him fall into a tranquil3 sleep, from which he awoke without any return of pain; his night was quiet; the next day was still better; and the day following he was pronounced out of danger.
The rapture4 which this declaration excited in the house, and diffused5 throughout the neighbourhood, when communicated to the worthy6 baronet, gave a gladness to his heart that recompensed all he had suffered.
The delight of Camilla exceeded whatever she had yet experienced: her life had lost half its value in her estimation, while she believed that of her uncle to be in danger.
No one single quality is perhaps so endearing, from man to man, as good-nature. Talents excite more admiration7; wisdom, more respect; and virtue8, more esteem9: but with admiration envy is apt to mingle10, and fear with respect; while esteem, though always honourable11, is often cold: but good-nature gives pleasure without any allay12; ease, confidence, and happy carelessness, without the pain of obligation, without the exertion1 of gratitude13.
If joy was in some more tumultuous, content was with none so penetrating14 as with Eugenia. Apprised15 now that she had been the immediate16 cause of the sufferings of her uncle, his loss would have given to her peace a blow irrecoverable; and she determined17 to bend the whole of her thoughts to his wishes, his comfort, his entire restoration.
To this end all her virtue was called in aid; a fear, next to aversion, having seized her of Clermont, from the apprehension18 she might never inspire in him such love as she had inspired in Bellamy, nor see in him, as in young Melmond, such merit as might raise similar sentiments for himself.
Molly Mill had not failed to paint to her the disappointment of Bellamy in not seeing her; but she was too much engrossed19 by the dangerous state of her uncle, to feel any compunction in her breach20 of promise; though touched with the account of his continual sufferings, she became very gentle in her reprimands to Molly for again meeting him; and, though Molly again disobeyed, she again was pardoned. He came daily to the lane behind the park pales, to hear news of the health of Sir Hugh, without pressing either for an interview or a letter; and Eugenia grew more and more moved by his respectful obsequiousness21. She had yet said nothing to Camilla upon the subject; not only because a dearer interest mutually occupied them, but from a secret shame of naming a lover at a period so ungenial.
But now that Sir Hugh was in a fair way of recovery, her situation became alarming to herself. Openly, and before the whole house, she had solemnly been assigned to Clermont Lynmere; and, little as she wished the connexion, she thought it, from circumstances, her duty not to refuse it. Yet this gentleman had attended her so long, had endured so many disappointments, and borne them so much to her satisfaction, that, though she lamented22 her concession23 as an injury to Clermont, and grew ashamed to name it even to Camilla, she believed it would be cruelty unheard of to break it. She determined, therefore, to see him, to pronounce a farewell, and then to bend all her thoughts to the partner destined24 her by her friends.
Molly Mill was alone to accompany her to give her negative, her good wishes, and her solemn declaration that she could never again see or hear of him more. He could deem it no indelicacy that she suffered Molly to be present, since she was the negociator of his own choice.
Molly carried him, therefore, this news, with a previous condition that he was not to detain her mistress one minute. He promised all submission25; and the next morning, after breakfast, Eugenia, in extreme dejection at the ungrateful task she had to perform, called for Molly, and walked forth26.
Camilla, who was then accidentally in her own room, was, soon after, summoned by three smart raps to her chamber27 door.
There, to her great surprise, she saw Edgar, who, after a hasty apology, begged to have a few minutes conference with her alone.
She descended28 with him into the parlour, which was vacant.
‘You suspect, perhaps,’ said he, in an hurried manner, though attempting to smile, ‘that I mean to fatigue29 you with some troublesome advice; I must, therefore, by an abrupt30 question, explain myself. Does Mr. Bellamy still continue his pretensions31 to your sister Eugenia?’
Startled in a moment from all thoughts of self, that at first had been rushing with violence to her heart, Camilla answered, ‘No! why do you ask?’
‘I will tell you: In my regular visits here of late, I have almost constantly met him, either on foot or on horseback, in the vicinity of the park. I suspected he watched to see Eugenia; but I knew she now never left the house; and concluded he was ignorant of the late general confinement32. This moment, however, upon my entrance, I saw him again; and, as he hastily turned away upon meeting my eye, I dismounted, gave my horse to my man, and determined to satisfy myself which way he was strolling. I then followed him to the little lane to the right of the park, where I perceived an empty post-chaise-and-four in waiting: he advanced, and spoke33 with the postillion–I came instantly into the house by the little gate. This may be accidental; yet it has alarmed me; and I ventured, therefore, thus suddenly to apply to you, in order to urge you to give a caution to Eugenia, not to walk out, just at present, unattended.’
Camilla thanked him, and ran eagerly to speak to her sister; but she was not in her room; nor was she with her uncle; nor yet with Dr. Orkborne. She returned uneasily to the parlour, and said she would seek her in the park.
Edgar followed; but they looked around for her in vain: he then, deeming the danger urgent, left her, to hasten to the spot where he had seen the post-chaise.
Camilla ran on alone; and, when she reached the park gate, perceived her sister, Molly Mill, and Bellamy, in the lane.
They heard her quick approach, and turned round.
The countenance34 of Bellamy exhibited the darkest disappointment, and that of Eugenia the most excessive confusion. ‘Now then, Sir,’ she cried, ‘delay our separation no longer.’
‘Ah, permit me,’ said he, in a low voice, ‘permit me to hope you will hear my last sad sentence, my final misery35, another day!–I will defer36 my mournful departure for that melancholy37 joy, which is the last I shall feel in my wretched existence!’
He sighed so deeply, that Eugenia, who seemed already in much sorrow, could not utter an abrupt refusal; and, as Camilla now advanced, she turned from him, without attempting to say any thing further.
Camilla, in the delight of finding her sister safe, after the horrible apprehensions38 she had just experienced, could not speak to her for tears.
Abashed39 at once, and amazed, Eugenia faintly asked what so affected40 her? She gave no explanation, but begged her to turn immediately back.
Eugenia consented; and Bellamy, bowing to them both profoundly, with quick steps walked away.
Camilla asked a thousand questions; but Eugenia seemed unable to answer them.
In a few minutes they were joined by Edgar, who, walking hastily up to them, took Camilla apart.
He told her he firmly believed a villainous scheme to have been laid: he had found the chaise still in waiting, and asked the postillion to whom he belonged. The man said he was paid for what he did; and refused giving any account of himself. Bellamy then appeared: he seemed confounded at his sight; but neither of them spoke; and he left him and his chaise, and his postillion, to console one another. He doubted not, he said, but the design had been to carry Eugenia off, and he had probably only pretended to take leave, that the chaise might advance, and the postillion aid the elopement: though finding help at hand, he had been forced to give up his scheme.
Camilla even with rapture blest his fortunate presence; but was confounded with perplexity at the conduct of Eugenia. Edgar, who feared her heart was entangled41 by an object who sought only her wealth, proposed dismissing Molly Mill, that he might tell her himself the opinion he had conceived of Bellamy.
Camilla overtook her sister, who had walked on without listening to or regarding them; and, sending away Molly, told her Edgar wished immediately to converse42 with her, upon something of the utmost importance.
‘You know my high esteem of him,’ she answered; ‘but my mind is now occupied upon a business of which he has no information, and I entreat43 that you will neither of you interrupt me.’
Camilla, utterly44 at a loss what to conjecture45, joined Mandlebert alone, and told him her ill success. He thought every thing was to be feared from the present state of the affair, and proposed revealing at once all he knew of it to Mr. Tyrold: but Camilla desired him to take no step till she had again expostulated with her sister, who might else be seriously hurt or offended. He complied, and said he would continue in the house, park, or environs, incessantly46 upon the watch, till some decisive measure were adopted.
Joining Eugenia then again, she asked if she meant seriously to encourage the addresses of Bellamy.
‘By no means,‘ she quietly answered.
‘My dear Eugenia, I cannot at all understand you; but it seems clear to me that the arrival of Edgar has saved you from some dreadful violence.’
‘You hurt me, Camilla, by this prejudice. From whom should I dread47 violence? from a man who-but too fatally for his peace-values me more than his life?’
‘If I could be sure of his sincerity,’ said Camilla, ‘I should be the last to think ill of him: but reflect a little, at least, upon the risk that you have run; my dear Eugenia! there was a post-chaise in waiting, not twenty yards from where I stopt you!’
‘Ah, you little know Bellamy! that chaise was only to convey him away; to convey him, Camilla, to an eternal banishment48!’
‘But why, then, had he prevailed with you to quit the park?’
‘You will call me vain if I tell you.’
‘No; I shall only think you kind and confidential49.’
‘Do me then the justice,’ said Eugenia, blushing, ‘to believe me as much surprised as yourself at his most unmerited passion: but he told me, that if I only cast my eyes upon the vehicle which was to part him from me for ever, it would not only make it less abhorrent50 to him, but probably prevent the loss of his senses.’
‘My dear Eugenia,’ said Camilla, half smiling, ‘this is a violent passion, indeed, for so short an acquaintance!’
‘I knew you would say that,’ answered she, disconcerted; ‘and it was just what I observed to him myself: but he satisfied me that the reason of his feelings being so impetuous was, that this was the first and only time he had ever been in love.–So handsome as he is!-what a choice for him to make!’
Camilla, tenderly embracing her, declared, ‘the choice was all that did him honour in the affair.’
‘He never,’ said she, a little comforted, ‘makes me any compliments; I should else disregard, if not disdain51 him: but indeed he seems, notwithstanding his own extraordinary manly52 beauty, to be wholly superior to external considerations.’
Camilla now forbore expressing farther doubt, from the fear of painful misapprehension; but earnestly entreated53 her to suffer Edgar to be entrusted54 and consulted: she decidedly, however, refused her consent. ‘I require no advice,’ cried she, ‘for I am devoted55 to my uncle’s will: to speak then of this affair would be the most cruel indelicacy, in publishing a conquest which, since it is rejected, I ought silently, though gratefully, to bury in my own heart.’
She then related the history of all that had passed to Camilla; but solemnly declared she would never, to any other human being, but him who should hereafter be entitled to her whole heart, betray the secret of the unhappy Bellamy.
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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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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rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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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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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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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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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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allay
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| v.消除，减轻(恐惧、怀疑等) | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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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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apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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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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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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obsequiousness
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| 媚骨 | |
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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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concession
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| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
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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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submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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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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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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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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confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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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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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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apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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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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banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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abhorrent
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| adj.可恶的，可恨的，讨厌的 | |
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disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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