CAMILLA waited in the apartment of Mr. Tyrold till he came up stairs, and then begged his leave to spend a few days at the Grove1; hinting, when he hesitated, though with a confusion that was hardly short of torture, at what had passed amongst the servants.
He heard her with the tenderest pity, and the kindest praise of her sincerity2; and, deeply as he was shocked to find her thus generally betrayed, he was too compassionate3 to point out, at so suffering a moment, the indiscretions from which such observations must have originated. Yet he saw consequences the most unpleasant in this rumour4 of her attachment5; and though he still privately6 hoped that the behaviour of Mandlebert was the effect of some transient embarrassment7, he wished her removed from all intercourse8 with him that was not sought by himself, while the incertitude9 of his intentions militated against her struggles for indifference10. The result, therefore, of a short deliberation was to accede11 to her request.
Camilla then wrote her proposition to Mrs. Arlbery, which Mr. Tyrold sent immediately by a stable-boy of the baronet’s .
The answer was most obliging; Mrs. Arlbery said she would herself fetch her the next morning, and keep her till one of them should be tired.
The relief which this, at first, brought to Camilla, in the week’s exertions12 it would spare, was soon succeeded by the most acute uneasiness for the critical situation of Eugenia, and the undoubted disapprobation of Edgar. To quit her sister at a period when she might serve her;... to forsake13 Cleves at the moment Edgar was restored to it, seemed selfish even to herself, and to him must appear unpardonable. ‘Alas!’ she cried, ‘how for ever I repent14 my hasty actions! Why have I not better struggled against my unfortunate feelings?’
She now almost hated her whole scheme, regretted its success, wished herself suffering every uneasiness Miss Margland could inflict15, and all the shame of being watched and pitied by every servant in the house, in preference to deserting Eugenia, and making Mandlebert deem her unworthy. But self-upbraiding was all that followed her contrition16: Mrs. Arlbery was to fetch her by appointment; and it was now too late to trifle with the conceding goodness of her father.
She did not dare excuse herself from appearing at breakfast the next morning, lest Mr. Tyrold should think her utterly17 incorrigible18 to his exhortations19.
Edgar earnestly inquired after her health as she entered the room; she slightly answered she was better; and began eating, with an apparent eagerness of appetite: while he, who had expected some kind words upon his own accident, surprised and disappointed, could swallow nothing.
Mr. Tyrold, seeing and pitying what passed in her mind, gave her a commission, that enabled her, soon, to leave the room without affectation; and, happy to escape, she determined20 to go down stairs no more till Mrs. Arlbery arrived. She wished to have conversed21 first upon the affairs of Eugenia with Edgar: but to name to him whither she was herself going, when she could not possibly name why; to give to him a surprise that must recoil22 upon herself in disapprobation, was more than she could endure. She had invested him with full powers to counsel and to censure23 her; he would naturally use them to dissuade24 her from a visit so ill-timed; and what could she urge in opposition25 to his arguments what would not seem trifling26 or wilful27?
The present moment was all that occupied, the present evil all that ever alarmed the breast of Camilla: to avoid him, therefore, now, was the whole of her desire, unmolested with one anxiety how she might better meet him hereafter.
She watched at her window till she saw the groom28 of Mrs. Arlbery gallop29 into the Park. She hastened then to take leave of Sir Hugh, whom Mr. Tyrold had prepared for her departure; but, at the door of his apartment, she encountered Edgar.
‘You are going out?’ cried he, perceiving an alteration30 in her dress.
‘I am... just going to... to speak to my uncle,’ cried she, stammering31 and entering the room at the same moment.
Sir Hugh kindly32 wished her much amusement, and hoped she would make him long amends33 when he was better. She took leave; but again, on the landing-place, met Edgar, who, anxious and perplexed34, watched to speak to her before she descended35 the stairs. Eagerly advancing, ‘Do you walk?’ he cried; ‘may I ask? or... am I indiscreet?’
She answered she had something to say to Eugenia, but should be back in an instant. She then flew to the chamber36 of her sister, and conjured37 her to consult Edgar in whatever should occur during her absence. Eugenia solemnly consented.
Jacob presently tapped at the door, to announce that Mrs. Arlbery was waiting below in her carriage.
How to pass or escape Edgar became now her greatest difficulty; she could suggest nothing to palliate to him the step she was taking, yet could still less bear to leave him to wild conjecture38 and certain blame: and she was standing39 irresolute40 and thoughtful, when Mr. Tyrold came to summon her.
After mildly representing the indecorum of detaining any one she was to receive by appointment, he took her apart, and putting a packet into her hand, ‘I would not,’ he said, ‘agitate your spirits this morning, by entering upon any topic that might disturb you: I have therefore put upon paper what I most desire you to consider. You will find it a little sermon upon the difficulties and the conduct of the female heart. Read it alone, and with attention. And now, my dearest girl, go quietly into the parlour, and let one brief and cheerful good-morrow serve for every body alike.’
He then returned to his brother.
She made Eugenia accompany her down stairs, to avoid any solitary41 attack from Edgar; he suffered them to pass; but followed to the parlour, where she hastily bid adieu to Miss Margland and Indiana; but was stopt from running off by the former, who said, ‘I wish I had known you intended going out, for I designed asking Sir Hugh for the chariot for myself this morning, to make a very particular visit.’
Camilla, in a hesitating voice, said she should not use her uncle’s chariot.
‘You walk then?’
‘No,... ma’am... but-there is-there is a carriage–I believe, now at the door.’
‘O dear, whose?’ cried Indiana; ‘do, pray, tell me where you are going?’ while Edgar, still more curious than either, held out his hand to conduct her, that he might obtain better information.
‘I am very glad your head-ache is so well,’ said Miss Margland; ‘but, pray-is Mr. Mandlebert to be your chaperon?’
They both blushed, though both affected42 not to hear her: but, before they could quit the room, Indiana, who had run to a bow-window, exclaimed, ‘Dear! if there is not Mrs. Arlbery in a beautiful high phaeton!”
Edgar, astonished, was now as involuntarily drawing back, as Camilla, involuntarily, was hurrying on: but Miss Margland, insisting upon an answer, desired to know if she should return to dinner?
She stammered43 out, No. Miss Margland pursued her to ask at what time the chariot was to fetch her; and forced from her a confession44 that she should be away for some days.
She was now permitted to proceed. Edgar, impressed with the deepest displeasure, leading her in silence across the hall: but, stopping an instant at the door, ‘This excursion,’ he gravely said, ‘will rescue you from no little intended importunity45: I had purposed tormenting46 you, from time to time, for your opinion and directions with respect to Miss Eugenia.’
And then, bowing coldly to Mrs. Arlbery, who eagerly called out to welcome her, he placed her in the phaeton, which instantly drove off.
He looked after them for some time, almost incredulous of her departure: but, as his amazement48 subsided49 into certainty, the most indignant disappointment succeeded. That she could leave Cleves at the very moment he was reinstated in its society, seemed conviction to him of her indifference; and that she could leave it in the present state of the affairs of Eugenia, made him conclude her so great a slave to the love of pleasure, that every duty and all propriety50 were to be sacrificed to its pursuit. ‘I will think of her,’ cried he, ‘no more! She concealed51 from me her plan, lest I should torment47 her with admonitions: the glaring homage52 of the Major is better adapted to her taste,–She flies from my sincerity to receive his adulation,–I have been deceived in her disposition,–I will think of her no more!’
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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compassionate
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| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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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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intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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incertitude
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| n.疑惑，不确定 | |
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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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accede
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| v.应允，同意 | |
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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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forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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contrition
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| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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incorrigible
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| adj.难以纠正的，屡教不改的 | |
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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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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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recoil
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| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
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censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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dissuade
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| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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stammering
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 ) | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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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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conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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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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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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importunity
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| n.硬要，强求 | |
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tormenting
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| 使痛苦的，使苦恼的 | |
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torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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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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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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