THE sixth and last week destined1 for the Tunbridge sojourn2 was begun, when Mrs. Arlbery once more took her fair young guest apart, and intreated her attention for one final half hour. The time, she said, was fast advancing in which they must return to their respective homes; but she wished to make a full and clear representation of the advantages that might be reaped from this excursion, before the period for gathering3 them should be past.
She would forbear, she said, entering again upon the irksome subject of the insensibility of Mandlebert, which was, at least, sufficiently4 glaring to prevent any delusion5. But she begged leave to speak of what she believed had less obviously struck her, the apparent promise of a serious attachment6 from Sir Sedley Clarendel.
Camilla would here instantly have broken up the conversation, but Mrs. Arlbery insisted upon being heard.
Why, she asked, should she wilfully7 destine her youth to a hopeless waste of affection, and dearth8 of all permanent comfort? To sacrifice every consideration to the honours of constancy, might be soothing9, and even glorious in this first season of romance; but a very short time would render it vapid10; and the epoch11 of repentance12 was always at hand to succeed. With the least address, or the least genuine encouragement, it was now palpable she might see Sir Sedley, and his title and fortune at her feet.
Camilla resentfully interrupted her, disclaiming13 with Sir Sedley, as with everyone else, all possibility of alliance from motives14 so degrading; and persisted, in declaring, that the most moderate subsistence with freedom, would be preferable to the most affluent15 obtained by any mercenary engagement.
Mrs. Arlbery desired her to recollect16 that Sir Sedley, though rich even to splendour, was so young, so gay, so handsome, and so pleasant, that she might safely honour him with her hand, yet run no risk of being supposed to have made a merely interested alliance. ‘I throw out this,’ she cried, ‘in conclusion, for your deepest consideration, but I must press it no further. Sir Sedley is evidently charmed with you at present; and his vanity is so potent17, and, like all vanity, so easily assailable18, that the smallest food to it, adroitly19 administered, would secure him your slave for life, and rescue you from the antediluvian20 courtship of a man, who, if he marries at all, is so deliberate in his progress, that he must reach his grand climacteric before he can reach the altar.’
* * *
Far from meditating21 upon this discourse22 with any view to following its precepts23, Camilla found it necessary to call all her original fondness for Mrs. Arlbery to her aid, to forgive the plainness of her attack, or the worldliness of her notions: and all that rested upon her mind for consideration was, her belief in the serious regard of Sir Sedley, which, as she apprehended24 it to be the work of her own designed exertions25, she could only think of with contrition26.
These ruminations were interrupted by a call down stairs to see a learned bullfinch. The Dennels and Sir Sedley were present; she met the eyes of the latter with a sensation of shame that quickly deepened her whole face with crimson27. He did not behold28 it without emotion, and experienced a strong curiosity to define its exact cause.
He addressed himself to her with the most marked distinction; she could scarcely answer him; but her manner was even touchingly29 gentle. Sir Sedley could not restrain himself from following her in every motion by his eyes; he felt an interest concerning her that surprised him; he began to doubt if it had been indifference30 which caused her late change; her softness helped his vanity to recover its tone, and her confusion almost confirmed him that Mrs. Arlbery had been mistaken in rallying his failure of rivalry31 with Mandlebert.
The bird sung various little airs, upon certain words of command, and mounted his highest, and descended32 to his lowest perch33; and made whatever evolutions were within the circumference34 of his limited habitation, with wonderful precision.
Camilla, however, was not more pleased by his adroitness35, than pained to observe the severe aspect with which his keeper issued his orders. She inquired by what means he had obtained such authority.
The man, with a significant wag of the head, brutally36 answered, ‘By the true old way, Miss; I licks him.’
‘Lick him!’ repeated she, with disgust; ‘how is it possible you can beat such a poor delicate little creature?’
‘O, easy enough, Miss,’ replied the man, grinning; ‘everything’s the better for a little beating, as I tells my wife. There’s nothing so fine set, Miss, but what will bear it, more or less.’
Sir Sedley asked with what he could strike it, that would not endanger its life.
‘That’s telling, sir!’ cried the man, with a sneer37; ‘howbeit, we’ve plenty of ill luck in the trade. No want of that. For one that I rears, I loses six or seven. And sometimes they be so plaguy sulky, they tempt38 me to give ’em a knock a little matter too hard, and then they’ll fall you into a fit, like, and go off in a twinkle.’
‘And how can you have the cruelty,’ cried Camilla, indignantly, ‘to treat in such a manner a poor little inoffensive animal who does not understand what you require?’
‘O, yes, a does, miss, they knows what I wants as well as I do myself; only they’re so dead tiresome39 at being shy. Why now this one here, as does all his larning to satisfaction just now, mayhap won’t do nothing at all by an hour or two. Why sometimes you may pinch ’em to a mummy before you can make ’em budge40.’
‘Pinch them!’ exclaimed she; ‘do you ever pinch them?’
‘Do I? Ay, miss. Why how do you think one larns them dumb creturs? It don’t come to ’em natural. They are main dull of themselves. This one as you see here would do nothing at all, if he was not afraid of a tweak.’
‘Poor unhappy little thing!’ cried she! ‘I hope, at least, now it has learnt so much, its sufferings are over!’
‘Yes, yes, he’s pretty well off. I always gives him his fill when he’s done his day’s work. But a little squeak41 now and then in the intrum does ’em no harm. They’re mortal cunning. One’s forced to be pretty tough with ’em.’
‘How should I rejoice,’ cried Camilla, ‘to rescue this one poor unoffending and oppressed little animal from such tyranny!’ Then, taking out her purse, she desired to know what he would have for it.
The man, as a very great favour, said he would take ten guineas; though it would be his ruin to part with it, as it was all his livelihood42; but he was willing to oblige the young lady.
Camilla, with a constrained43 laugh, but a very natural blush, put up her purse, and said: ‘Thou must linger on, then, in captivity44, thou poor little undeserving sufferer, for I cannot help thee!’
Every body protested that ten guineas was an imposition; and the man offered to part with it for five.
Camilla, who had imagined it would have cost half a guinea, was now more ashamed, because equally incapable45 to answer such a demand; she declined, therefore, the composition, and the man was dismissed.
* * *
At night, when she returned to her own room from the play, she saw the little bullfinch, reposing46 in a superb cage, upon her table.
Delighted first, and next perplexed47, she flew to Mrs. Arlbery, and inquired whence it came.
Mrs. Arlbery was as much amazed as herself.
Questions were then asked of the servants; but none knew, or none would own, how the bird became thus situated48.
Camilla could not now doubt but Sir Sedley had given this commission to his servant, who could easily place the cage in her room, from his constant access to the house. She was enchanted49 to see the little animal relieved from so painful a life, but hesitated not a moment in resolving to refuse its acceptance.
When Sir Sedley came the next day, she carried it down, and, with a smile of open pleasure, thanked him for giving her so much share in his generous liberality; and asked if he could take it home with him in his carriage, or, if she should send it to his hotel.
Sir Sedley was disappointed, yet felt the propriety50 of her delicacy51 and her spirit. He did not deny the step he had taken, but told her that having hastily, from the truth of reflection her compassion52 had awakened53, ordered his servant to follow the man, and buy the bird, he had forgotten, till it arrived, his incapability54 of taking care of it. His valet was as little at home as himself, and there was small chance at an inn, that any maid would so carefully watch, as to prevent its falling a prey55 to the many cats with which it was swarming56. He hoped, therefore, till their return to Hampshire, she would take charge of a little animal that owed its deliverance from slavery to her pitying comments.
Camilla, instinctively57, would with unfeigned joy, have accepted such a trust: but she thought she saw something archly significant in the eye of Mrs. Arlbery, and therefore stammered58 out, she was afraid she should herself be too little at home to secure its safety.
Sir Sedley, looking extremely blank, said, it would be better to re-deliver it to the man, brute59 as he was, than to let it be unprotected; but, where generosity60 touched Camilla, reflection ever flew her; and off all guard at such an idea, she exclaimed she would rather relinquish61 going out again while at Tunbridge, than render his humanity abortive62; and ran off precipitately63 with the bird to her chamber64.
Mrs. Arlbery, soon following, praised her behaviour; and said, she had sent the Baronet away perfectly65 happy.
Camilla, much provoked would now have had the bird conveyed after him; but Mrs. Arlbery assured her, inconsistency in a woman was as flattering, as in a man it was tedious and alarming; and persuaded her to let the matter rest.
Her mind, however, did not rest at the same time: in the evening, when the Baronet met them at the Rooms, he was not only unusually gay, but looked at her with an air and manner that seemed palpably to mark her as the cause of his satisfaction.
In the deepest disturbance66, she considered herself now to be in a difficulty the most delicate; she could not come forward to clear it up, without announcing expectations from his partiality which he had never authorised by any declaration; nor yet suffer such symptoms of his believing it welcome to pass unnoticed, without risking the reproach of using him ill, when she made known, at a later period, her indifference.
Mrs. Arlbery would not aid her, for she thought the embarrassment67 might lead to a termination the most fortunate. To consult with Edgar was her first wish; but how open such a subject? The very thought however, gave her an air of solicitude68 when he spoke69 to her, that struck him, and he watched for an opportunity to say, ‘You have not, I hope, forgotten my province?.... May I, in my permitted office ask a few questions?’
‘O, yes!’ cried she, with alacrity70; ‘And, when they are asked and when I have answered them, if you should not be too much tired, may I ask some in my turn?’
‘Of me!’ cried he, with the most gratified surprise.
‘Not concerning yourself!’ answered she, blushing; ‘but upon something which a little distresses71 me.’
‘When, and where may it be?’ cried he, while a thousand conjectures72 rapidly succeeded to each other; ‘may I call upon Mrs. Arlbery to-morrow morning?’
‘O, no! we shall be, I suppose, here again at night,’ she answered-dreading arranging a visit Mrs. Arlbery would treat, she knew, with raillery the most unmerciful.
There was time for no more, as that lady, suddenly tired, led the way to the carriage. Edgar followed her to the door, hoping and fearing, at once, every thing that was most interesting from a confidence so voluntary and so unexpected.
Camilla was still more agitated73; for though uncertain if she were right or wrong in the appeal she meant to make, to converse74 with him openly, to be guided by his counsel, and to convince him of her superiority to all mercenary allurements75 were pleasures to make her look forward to the approaching conference with almost trembling delight.
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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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sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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delusion
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| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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wilfully
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| adv.任性固执地；蓄意地 | |
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dearth
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| n.缺乏，粮食不足，饥谨 | |
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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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vapid
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| adj.无味的；无生气的 | |
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epoch
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| n.(新)时代；历元 | |
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repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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disclaiming
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| v.否认( disclaim的现在分词 ) | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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affluent
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| adj.富裕的，富有的，丰富的，富饶的 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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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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assailable
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| adj.可攻击的，易攻击的 | |
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adroitly
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| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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antediluvian
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| adj.史前的，陈旧的 | |
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meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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precepts
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| n.规诫，戒律，箴言( precept的名词复数 ) | |
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apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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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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contrition
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| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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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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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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rivalry
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| n.竞争，竞赛，对抗 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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35
adroitness
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36
brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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budge
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| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
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41
squeak
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| n.吱吱声，逃脱；v.（发出）吱吱叫，侥幸通过；（俚）告密 | |
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livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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45
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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46
reposing
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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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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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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50
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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51
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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53
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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54
incapability
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| n.无能 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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56
swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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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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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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60
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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abortive
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| adj.不成功的，发育不全的 | |
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precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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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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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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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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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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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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alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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distresses
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| n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 )；痛苦；贫困；危险 | |
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conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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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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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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