WHILE the baronet was pondering, in the most melancholy1 manner, upon this sudden and unexpected demand of absence in Camilla, the grim goddess of Envy took possession of the fine features of Indiana; who declared she was immured2 alive, while her cousin went everywhere. The curiosity of Lynmere being excited, to inquire what was to be had or done at Southampton, he heard it abounded5 in good company, and good fish, and protested he must undoubtedly6 set out for it the next morning.
Indiana then wept with vexation and anger, and Miss Margland affirmed, she was the only young lady in Hampshire, who had never been at Southampton. Sir Hugh, concluding Edgar would attend Camilla, feared it might hurt the other match to part Eugenia from Clermont; and, after a little pause, though deeply sighing at such a dispersion from Cleves, consented that they should all go together. Camilla, therefore, was commissioned to ask leave of Mr. Tyrold for Eugenia, as well as for herself, and to add a petition from Sir Hugh, that he and Lavinia would spend the time of their absence at Cleves. The baronet then, of his own accord, asked Dr. Orkborne to be of the party, that Eugenia, he said, might run over her lessons with him in a morning, for fear of forgetting them.
A breach7, however, such as this, of plans so long formed, and a desertion so voluntary of his house, at the very epoch8 he had settled for rendering9 its residence the most desirable, sent him in complete discomfiture10 to his bed. But there, in a few hours, his sanguine11 temper, and the kindness of his heart new modelled and new coloured the circumstances of his chagrin13. He considered he should have full time to prepare for the double marriages, and that, with the aid of Lavinia, he might delight and amaze them all, with new dresses and new trinkets, which he could now choose without the torment14 of continual opposition15 from the documentising Miss Margland. Thus he restored his plastic mind to its usual satisfaction, and arose the next morning without a cloud upon his brow. The pure design of benevolence16 is to happiness upon others, but its intrinsic reward is bringing happiness home!
But this sweetness of nature, so aptly supplying the first calls, and the first virtues17 of philosophy, was yet more severely18 again tried the next morning: for when, forgetting the caution he had solemnly promised, but vainly endeavoured to observe, he intimated to Lynmere these purposes, the youth, blushing at the idea of being taken for the destined19 husband of Eugenia in public, preferred all risks to being followed by such a rumour20 to Southampton; and, when he found she was to be of the party, positively21 declared the match to be out of all question.
Sir Hugh now stood aghast. Many had been his disappointments; his rage for forming schemes, and his credulity in persuading himself they would be successful, were sources not more fertile of amusement in their projection22, than of mortification23 in their event: but here, the length of time since his plan had been arranged, joined to the very superficial view he had taken of any chance of its failure, had made him, by degrees, regard it as so fixed24 and settled, that it rather demanded congratulation than concurrence25, rather waited to be enjoyed than executed.
Lynmere took not the smallest interest in the dismay of his uncle but, turning upon his heel, said he would go to the stables, to see if he could find something that would carry him any better than the miserable26 jade27 he had mounted the preceding evening.
Sir Hugh remained in a kind of stupefaction. He seemed to himself to be bereft28 of every purpose of life; and robbed at once, of all view for his actions, all subject for his thoughts. The wide world he believed, had never, hitherto, given birth to a plan so sagaciously conceived, so rationally combined, so infallibly secure: yet it was fallen, crushed, rejected!
A gleam of sunshine, however, ere long, upon his despondence; it occurred to him, that the learned education of Eugenia was still a secret to her cousin; his whole scheme, therefore, might perhaps yet be retrieved29, when Lynmere should be informed of the peculiar30 preparations made for his conjugal31 happiness.
Fetching now a long breath, to aid the revival32 of his faculties33 and his spirits, he considered how to open his discourse34 render it most impressive, and then sent for Clermont to him in his chamber35.
‘Nephew,’ cried he, upon his entrance, ‘I am now going to talk to you a little in your own way, having something to tell you of, that, I believe, you won’t know how to hold cheap, being a thing that belongs to your studies; that is to say, to your cousin’s ; which, I hope, is pretty much the same thing, at least as to the end. Now the case of what I have to say is this; you must know, nephew, I had always set my heart upon having a rich heir; but it’s what did not turn out, which I am sorry enough for; but where’s the man that’s so wise as to know his own doom36? That is, the doom of his fortune. However, that’s what I should not talk of to you, having so little; which, I hope, you won’t take to heart. And, indeed, it in’t much worth a wise man’s thinking of, when he han’t got it, for what’s a fortune, at bottom, but mere3 metal? And so having, as I said before, no heir, I’m forced, in default of it, to take up with an heiress. But, to the end of making all parties happy, I’ve had her brought up in the style of a boy, for the sake of your marrying her. For which reason, I believe, in point of the classics’...
‘Me, sir?’ cried Lymnere, recovering from a long yawning fit, ‘and what have I to do with marrying a girl like a boy? That’s not my taste, my dear sir, I assure you. Besides, what has a wife to do with the classics? will they shew her how to order her table? I suppose when I want to eat, I may go to a cook’s shop!”
Here subsided37, at once, every particle of that reverence38 Sir Hugh had so long nourished for Clermont Lynmere. To hear the classics spoken of with disrespect, after all the pains he had taken, all the orders he had given for their exclusive study and veneration39, and to find the common calls of life, which he had believed every scholar regarded but as means of existence, not auxiliaries40 of happiness, named with preference, distanced, at a stroke, all high opinion of his nephew, and made way, in its stead, for a displeasure not wholly free from disdain41.
‘Well, Clermont,’ said he, after a pause, ‘I won’t keep you any longer, now I know your mind, which I wish I had known before, for the account of your cousin, who has had plague enough about it in her bringing up; which, however, I shall put an end to now, not seeing that any good has come from it.’
Lynmere joyfully42 accepted the permission to retire, enchanted43 that the rejection44 was thus completely off his mind, and had incurred45 only so slight a reproof46, unaccompanied with one menace or even remonstrance47.
The first consternation48 of Sir Hugh, at the fall of this favourite project was, indeed, somewhat lessened49, at this moment, by the fall of his respectful opinion of its principal object. He sent therefore, hastily, for Eugenia, to whom he abruptly51 exclaimed, ‘My dear girl, who’d have thought it? here’s your cousin Clermont with all his Greek and Latin, which I begin to bless God I don’t know a word of, turning out a mere common nothing, thinking about his dinners and suppers! for which reason I beg you’ll think of him no more, it not being worth your while; in particular as he don’t desire it.’
Eugenia, at this intimation, felt nearly as much relieved as disturbed. To be refused was, indeed, shocking; not to her pride, she was a stranger to that passion; but to her delicacy52, which pointed53 out to her, in strong colours, the impropriety of having been exposed to such a decision: nevertheless, to find herself unshackled from an alliance to which she looked forward with dread54, without offending her uncle, to whom so many reasons made it dear, or militating against her own heroic sentiments of generosity55, which revolted against wilfully56 depriving her cousin of an inheritance already offered to him, removed a weight from her mind, which his every word, look, and gesture, had contributed to increase since their first meeting.
* * *
Dr. Marchmont had ridden to Beech57 Park, where he had spent the night, though uninvited by its agitated58 owner, whom the very name of Mrs. Berlinton, annexed59 to an accepted party of pleasure, had driven, in speechless agony, from Cleves.
‘I wonder not,’ cried he, ‘at your disturbance60; I feel for it, on the contrary, more than ever, from my observations of this evening; for I now see the charm, the potent61 charm, as well as the difficulties of your situation. This strange affair with Sir Sedley Clarendel cannot, in common foresight62 of what may ensue from it, be passed over without the most rigid63 scrutiny64, and severest deliberation; yet, I sincerely hope, inquiry65 may produce some palliation: this young lady, I see, will not easily, for sweetness, for countenance66, for every apparent attraction, be replaced: and, the first of all requisites67 is certainly in your favour; it is evident she loves you.’
‘Loves me?’ cried Edgar, his arms involuntarily encircling him as he repeated the magnetising words: ‘Ah! Dr. Marchmont, could she then thus grieve and defy me?–And yet, so too said Jacob,-that good, faithful, excellent old servant’....
‘Yes; I watched her unremittingly; and saw her so much hurt by your abrupt50 retreat, that her eyes filled with tears the moment you left the room.’
‘O, Dr. Marchmont!-and for me were they shed?-my dear dear friend! withhold68 from me such a picture-or reconcile me completely to viewing no other!’
‘Once more, let me warn you to circumspection69. The stake for which you are playing is life in its best part, ’tis peace of mind. That her manners are engaging, that her looks are captivating, and even that her heart is yours, admit no doubt: but the solidity or the lightness of that heart are yet to be proved.’
‘Still, Doctor, though nearly in defiance70 of all my senses, still I can doubt anything rather than the heart of Camilla! Precipitate71, I know, she has always been reckoned; but her precipitance is of kin12 to her noblest virtues; it springs but from the unsuspicious frankness of an unguarded, because innocent nature. And this, in a short time, her understanding will correct.’
‘Are you sure it is adequate to the task? There is often, in early youth, a quickness of parts which raises expectations that are never realised. Their origin is but in the animal spirits, which, instead of ripening72 into judgment73 and sense by added years, dwindle74 into nothingness, or harden into flippancy75. The character, at this period, is often so unstable76, as to be completely new moulded by every new accident, or new associate. How innumerable are the lurking77 ill qualities that may lie dormant78 beneath the smiles of youth and beauty, in the season of their untried serenity79! The contemporaries of half our fiercest viragos of fifty, may assure you that, at fifteen, they were all softness and sweetness. The present ?|ra, however, my dear young friend, is highly favourable80 to all you can judiciously81 wish; namely, the entire re-establishment, or total destruction of all confidence.... To a man of your nice feelings, there is no medium. Your love demands respect, or your tranquillity82 exacts flight from its object. Set apart your offence at the cultivation83 of an acquaintance you disapprove84; be yourself of the party to Southampton, and there, a very little observation will enable you to dive into the most secret recesses85 of her character.’
‘Steadiness, Doctor, I do not want, nor yet, however I suffer from its exertion86, fortitude87: but a plan such as this, requires something more; it calls for an equivocal conduct, which, to me, would be impracticable, and to her, might prove delusive88. No!... the openness I so much pine to meet with, I must, at least, not forfeit89 myself.’
‘The fervour of your integrity, my dear Mandlebert, mistakes caution for deceit. If, indeed, this plan had any other view than your union, it would not merely be cruel, but infamous90: the truth, however, is you must either pursue her upon proof, or abandon her at once, with every chance of repenting91 such a measure.’
‘Alas! how torturing is hesitation92! to believe myself the object of her regard... to think that first of all human felicities mine, yet to find it so pliant93... so precarious94... to see her, with such thoughtless readiness, upon the point of falling into the hands of another!... receiving... answering... his letters!... letters too so confident, so daring! made up of insolent95 demands and imperious reproaches... to meet him by his own appointment.... O Dr. Marchmont! all delicious as is the idea of her preference... all entwined as she is around my soul, how, now, how ever again, can I be happy, either to quit... or to claim her?...’
‘This division of sentiment is what gives rise to my plan. At Southampton, you will see if Sir Sedley pursues her; and, as she will be uncertain of your intentions, you will be enabled to judge the singleness of her mind, and the stability of her affection, by the reception she gives him.’
‘But if... as I think I can gather from her delivering me his letters, the affair, whatever it has been, with Sir Sedley, is over.... What then?’
‘You will have leisure to discuss it; and opportunity, also, to see her with other Sir Sedleys. Public places abound4 with those flutterers after youth and beauty; unmeaning admirers, who sigh at every new face; or black traitors96 to society, who seek but to try, and try but to publish their own power of conquest.’
‘Will you, then, my dear Doctor, be also of the party? for my sake, will you, once more, quit your studies and repose97, to give me, upon the spot, your counsel, according to the varying exigence of varying circumstances? to aid me to prepare and compose my mind for whatever may be the event, and to guide even, if possible, my wavering and distracted thoughts?’
To the importance of the period, and to a plea so serious, every obstacle yielded, and Dr. Marchmont agreed to accompany him to Southampton.
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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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immured
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| v.禁闭，监禁( immure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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abound
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| vi.大量存在；(in，with)充满，富于 | |
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abounded
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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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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epoch
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| n.(新)时代；历元 | |
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rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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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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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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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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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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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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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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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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projection
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| n.发射，计划，突出部分 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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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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concurrence
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| n.同意；并发 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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jade
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| n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠 | |
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bereft
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| adj.被剥夺的 | |
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retrieved
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| v.取回( retrieve的过去式和过去分词 )；恢复；寻回；检索（储存的信息） | |
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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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conjugal
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| adj.婚姻的，婚姻性的 | |
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revival
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| n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振 | |
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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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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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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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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reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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veneration
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| n.尊敬，崇拜 | |
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auxiliaries
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| n.助动词 ( auxiliary的名词复数 )；辅助工，辅助人员 | |
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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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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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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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rejection
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| n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃 | |
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incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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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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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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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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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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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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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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wilfully
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| adv.任性固执地；蓄意地 | |
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beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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annexed
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| [法] 附加的，附属的 | |
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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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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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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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requisites
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| n.必要的事物( requisite的名词复数 ) | |
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withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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circumspection
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| n.细心，慎重 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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ripening
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的现在分词 )；熟化；熟成 | |
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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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dwindle
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| v.逐渐变小（或减少） | |
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flippancy
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| n.轻率；浮躁；无礼的行动 | |
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unstable
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| adj.不稳定的，易变的 | |
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lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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78
dormant
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| adj.暂停活动的；休眠的；潜伏的 | |
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serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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80
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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81
judiciously
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| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
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82
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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83
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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84
disapprove
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| v.不赞成，不同意，不批准 | |
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85
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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86
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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87
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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88
delusive
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| adj.欺骗的，妄想的 | |
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89
forfeit
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| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
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90
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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91
repenting
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的现在分词 ) | |
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92
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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93
pliant
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| adj.顺从的；可弯曲的 | |
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94
precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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95
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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96
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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