MR. WESTWYN, charmed to meet so many near relations of a long-valued friend, struck by the extraordinary beauty of Indiana, and by the sensible answers of the child, as he called Eugenia; as well as caught by the united loveliness of person and of mind which he observed in Camilla, could not bring himself to retire till the dinner was upon the table: pleading, in excuse for his stay, his former intimacy1 with Sir Hugh. Miss Margland, seeing in him nothing that marked fashion, strove to distance him by a high demeanour: but though not wanting in shrewdness, Mr. Westwyn was a perfectly2 natural man, and only thinking her manners disagreeable, without suspecting her intention, took but little notice of her, from the time he saw she could give him no pleasure: while with the young party, he was so much delighted, that he seriously regretted he had only one son to offer amongst them.
When the dinner was served, Eugenia grew uneasy that Dr. Orkborne should be summoned, whose non-appearance she had not ventured to mention, from the professed3 hatred4 of his very sight avowed5 by Miss Margland. But Camilla, brought up to exert constantly her courage for the absent, told the waiter to call the gentleman from the head of the stairs.
‘My master himself, ma’am,’ he answered, ‘as well as me, both told the gentleman the company he came with were served; but he as good as bid us both hold our tongues. He seems to have taken a great liking6 to that place upon the stairs; though there’s nothing I know of particular in it.’
‘But, if you tell him we wait dinner–’ cried Eugenia; when Miss Margland, interrupting her said, ‘I’m sure, then, you won’t tell him true: for I beg we may all begin. I think it would be rather more decorous he should wait for us!’
The waiter, nevertheless, went; but presently returned, somewhat ruffled7; saying, ‘The gentleman does not choose to hear me, ma’am. He says, if he mayn’t be let alone one single minute, it will be throwing away all his morning. I can’t say I know what he means; but he speaks rather froppish. I’d as lieve not go to him again, if you please.’
Miss Margland declared, she wished him no better dinner than his pot-hooks; but did not doubt he would come just before they had done, as usual; and he was no more mentioned: though she never in her life eat so fast; and the table was ordered to be cleared of its covers, with a speed exactly the reverse of the patience with which the Doctor was indulged on similar occasions by the baronet.
Miss Margland, when the cloth was removed, proposed a sally in search of lodgings8. Camilla and Eugenia, desirous of a private conference, begged to remain within; though the latter sought to take care of her absent preceptor, before she could enjoy the conversation of her sister; and when Miss Margland and Indiana, in secret exultation9 at his dinnerless state, had glided10, with silent simpering, past him, flew to beseech11 his consent to take some nourishment12.
Such, however, was his present absorption in what he was writing, that the voluntary kindness of his pupil was as unwelcome as the forced intrusion of the waiter; and he conjured13 her to grant him a little respite14 from such eternal tormenting15, with the plaintive16 impatience17 of deprecating some injury.
The sisters, now, equally eager to relate and to listen to their mutual18 affairs, shut themselves up in the apartment of Eugenia; who, with the greatest simplicity19, began the discourse20, by saying, ‘Have you heard, my dear sister, that Clermont has refused me?’
Camilla was severely21 shocked. Accustomed herself to the face and form of Eugenia, which, to her innocent affection, presented always the image of her virtuous22 mind and cultivated understanding, she had not presaged23 even the possibility of such an event; and, though she had seen with concern the inequality of their outward appearance, Clermont had seemed to her, in all else, so inferior to her sister, that she had repined at his unworthiness, but never doubted the alliance.
She was distressed24 how to offer any consolation25; but soon found none was required. Eugenia was composed and contented26, though pensive27, and not without some feeling of mortification28. Yet anger and resentment29 had found no place in the transaction. Her equity30 acknowledged that Clermont had every right of choice: but while her candour induced her to even applaud his disinterestedness31 in relinquishing32 the Cleves estate, her capacity pointed33 out how terrible must be the personal defects, that so speedily, without one word of conversation, one trial of any sort how their tastes, tempers, or characters might accord, stimulated34 him to so decisive a rejection35. This view of her unfortunate appearance cast her, at first, into a train of melancholy36 ideas, that would fast have led her to unhappiness, though wholly unmixed with any regret of Clermont, had not the natural philosophy of her mind come to her aid; or had her education been of a more worldly sort.
When Camilla related her own history, her plan of making Edgar again completely master of his own proceedings37 met the entire approbation38 of Eugenia, who, with a serious smile, said, ‘Take warning by me, my dear sister! and, little as you have reason to be brought into any comparison with such a one as me, anticipate the disgrace of defection!’
Camilla, much touched, embraced her, sincerely wishing she were half as faultless as her excellent self.
The return of Miss Margland and Indiana obliged them to quit their retreat; and they now found Dr. Orkborne in the dining room. Having finished his paragraph, he had sought his party of his own accord; but, meeting with no one, had taken a book from his pocket, with which he meant to beguile39 the appetite he felt rising, till the hour of dinner, which he had not the smallest suspicion was over; for of the progress of time he had no knowledge but by its palpable passage from the sun to the moon; his watch was never wound up, and the morning and the evening were but announced to him by a summons to breakfast and to supper.
The ladies seated themselves at the window. Indiana was enchanted40 by the concourse of gay and well-dressed people passing by, and far from insensible to the visible surprise and pleasure she excited in those who cast up their eyes at the hotel. Eugenia, to whom a great and populous41 town was entirely42 new, found also, in the diversity as well as novelty of its objects, much matter for remark and contemplation; Miss Margland experienced the utmost satisfaction in seeing, at last, some faces and some things less rustic43 than had been presented to her in Yorkshire or at Cleves; and Camilla had every hope that this place, in Edgar’s own expression, would terminate every perplexity, and give local date to her life’s permanent felicity.
In a few minutes, a youth appeared on the opposite pavement, whose air was new to none of the party, yet not immediately recollected44 by any. It was striking, however, in elegance45 and in melancholy. Eugenia recollected him first, and starting back, gasped46 for breath; Indiana the next moment called out, ‘Ah!... it’s Mr. Melmond!’ and blushing high, her whole face was bright and dimpled with unexpected delight.
He walked on, without looking up, and Indiana, simply piqued47 as well as chagrined48, said she was glad he was gone.
But Eugenia looked after him with a gentle sigh, which now first she thought blameless, and a pleasure, which, though half mournful, she now suffered herself to encourage. Free from all ties that made her shun49 this partiality as culpable50, she secretly told herself she might now, without injury to any one, indulge it for an object little as he was known to her, she internally painted with all the faultless qualities of ideal excellence51.
From these meditations52 she was roused by Dr. Orkborne’s looking rather wishfully round him, and exclaiming, ‘Pray... don’t we dine rather late?’
The mistake being cleared up, by Miss Margland’s assuring him it was impossible to keep dinner waiting all day, for people who chose to stand whole hours upon a staircase, he felt rather discomforted: but when Eugenia privately53 ordered him a repast in his own chamber54, he was amply consoled, by the unconstrained freedom with which he was empowered to have more books upon the table than plates; and to make more ink spots than he eat mouthfuls.
* * *
Camilla had the mortification to find, upon her return home, that Edgar had made his promised visit, not only in her absence, but while Mrs. Berlinton was still with her aunt.
The lady then communicated to Camilla the secret to which, while yet in ignorance of its existence, she now found she had been sacrificed. Mrs. Ecton, two years ago, had given her hand, in the most solemn privacy, to her butler, who now attended her to Southampton. To avoid disobliging a sick old relation, from whom she expected a considerable legacy55, she had prevailed with her husband to consent that the marriage should not be divulged56: but certain that whatever now might be her fortune, she had no power to bequeath it from her new connexion, the terror of leaving utterly57 destitute58 a beautiful young creature, who believed herself well provided for, had induced her to nearly force her acceptance of an almost superannuated59 old man of family; who, merely coveting60 her beauty, inquired not into her inclination61. The same latent cause had made her inexorable to the pleadings of young Melmond; who, conceiving his fortune dependent upon the pleasure of his aunt, his certain income being trifling62, thought it his duty to fly the fair object of his adoration63, when he discovered the deceit of Lionel with regard to the inheritance of Sir Hugh.
This sick old relation was now just dead, and had left to her sole disposal a considerable estate. The husband naturally refused to be kept any longer from his just rights; but the shame she felt of making the discovery of a marriage contracted clandestinely64, after she was sixty years of age, with a man under thirty, threw her into a nervous fever. And, in this state, unable to reveal to her nephew an event which now affected65 him alone, she prevailed with Mr. Ulst, who was willing to revisit his original home, Southampton, to accompany her thither66 in his capacity, till she had summoned her nephew and niece, and acquainted them with the affair.
To herself, Mrs. Berlinton said, the evil of this transaction had been over, while yet it was unknown; she had heard it, therefore, in silence, and forborne unavailing reproach. But her brother, to whom the blow was new, and the consequences were still impending67, was struck with extreme anguish68, that while thus every possible hope was extinguished with regard to his love, he must suddenly apply himself to some business, or be reduced to the most obscure poverty.
Camilla heard the account with sincere concern for them both, much heightened for young Melmond, upon finding that, by his express desire, his sister now relinquished69 her design of cultivating an acquaintance with Indiana, whom he had the virtue70 to determine to avoid, since his fortune, and even his hopes, were thus irretrievably ruined.
They conversed71 together to a late hour; and Camilla, before they parted, made the most earnest apologies for the liberty taken with her house by Mrs. Mittin: but Mrs. Berlinton, with the utmost sweetness, begged she might stay till all her business with her was settled; smilingly adding, business alone, she was sure could bring them together.
Much relieved, she then determined72 to press Mrs. Mittin to collect and pay her accounts immediately; and to avoid with her, in the meanwhile. any other transactions.
收听单词发音 |
1
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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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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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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nourishment
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| n.食物，营养品；营养情况 | |
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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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respite
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| n.休息，中止，暂缓 | |
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tormenting
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| 使痛苦的，使苦恼的 | |
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plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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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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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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presaged
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| v.预示，预兆( presage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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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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equity
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| n.公正，公平，（无固定利息的）股票 | |
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disinterestedness
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relinquishing
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的现在分词 )； 放弃 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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rejection
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| n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃 | |
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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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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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beguile
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| vt.欺骗，消遣 | |
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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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populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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piqued
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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48
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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49
shun
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| vt.避开，回避，避免 | |
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culpable
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| adj.有罪的，该受谴责的 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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52
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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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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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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56
divulged
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| v.吐露，泄露( divulge的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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superannuated
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| adj.老朽的，退休的；v.因落后于时代而废除，勒令退学 | |
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60
coveting
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| v.贪求，觊觎( covet的现在分词 ) | |
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61
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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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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adoration
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| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
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clandestinely
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| adv.秘密地，暗中地 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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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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71
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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