It was only ten o’clock when Endymion returned to Warwick Street, and for the first time in his life used a pass-key, with which Mr. Rodney had furnished him in the morning, and reentered his new home. He thought he had used it very quietly, and was lighting1 his candle and about to steal up to his lofty heights, when from the door of the parlour, which opened into the passage, emerged Miss Imogene, who took the candlestick from his hand and insisted on waiting upon him.
“I thought I heard something,” she said; “you must let me light you up, for you can hardly yet know your way. I must see too if all is right; you may want something.”
So she tripped up lightly before him, showing, doubtless without premeditation, as well-turned an ankle and as pretty a foot as could fall to a damsel’s fortunate lot. “My sister and Mr. Rodney have gone to the play,” she said, “but they left strict instructions with me to see that you were comfortable, and that you wanted for nothing that we could supply.”
“You are too kind,” said Endymion, as she lighted the candles on his dressing-table, “and, to tell you the truth, these are luxuries I am not accustomed to, and to which I am not entitled.”
“And yet,” she said, with a glance of blended admiration2 and pity, “they tell me time was when gold was not good enough for you, and I do not think it could be.”
“Such kindness as this,” said Endymion, “is more precious than gold.”
“I hope you will find your things well arranged. All your clothes are in these two drawers; the coats in the bottom one, and your linen3 in those above. You will not perhaps be able to find your pocket-handkerchiefs at first. They are in this sachet; my sister made it herself. Mr. Rodney says you are to be called at eight o’clock and breakfast at nine. I think everything is right. Good-night, Mr. Endymion.”
The Rodney household was rather a strange one. The first two floors, as we have mentioned, were let, and at expensive rates, for the apartments were capacious and capitally furnished, and the situation, if not distinguished4, was extremely convenient—quiet from not being a thoroughfare, and in the heart of civilisation5. They only kept a couple of servants, but their principal lodgers6 had their personal attendants. And yet after sunset the sisters appeared and presided at their tea-table, always exquisitely7 dressed; seldom alone, for Mr. Rodney had many friends, and lived in a capacious apartment, rather finely furnished, with a round table covered with gaudy8 print-books, a mantelpiece crowded with vases of mock Dresden, and a cottage piano, on which Imogene could accompany her more than pleasing voice.
Somehow or other, the process is difficult to trace, Endymion not unfrequently found himself at Mrs. Rodney’s tea-table. On the first occasion or so, he felt himself a little shy and embarrassed, but it soon became natural to him, and he would often escape from the symposia9 at Joe’s, and, instead of the Divan10, find in Warwick Street a more congenial scene. There were generally some young men there, who seemed delighted with the ladies, listened with enthusiasm to Imogene’s singing, and were allowed to smoke. They were evidently gentlemen, and indeed Mr. Rodney casually11 mentioned to Endymion that one of the most frequent guests might some day even be a peer of the realm. Sometimes there was a rubber of whist, and, if wanted, Mrs. Rodney took a hand in it; Endymion sitting apart and conversing12 with her sister, who amused him by her lively observations, indicating even flashes of culture; but always addressed him without the slightest pretence13 and with the utmost naturalness. This was not the case with Mr. Rodney; pretence with him was ingrained, and he was at first somewhat embarrassed by the presence of Endymion, as he could hardly maintain before his late patron’s son his favourite character of the aristocratic victim of revolution. And yet this drawback was more than counterbalanced by the gratification of his vanity in finding a Ferrars his habitual14 guest. Such a luxury seemed a dangerous indulgence, but he could not resist it, and the moth15 was always flying round the candle. There was no danger, however, and that Mr. Rodney soon found out. Endymion was born with tact16, and it came to him as much from goodness of heart as fineness of taste. Mr. Rodney, therefore, soon resumed his anecdotes17 of great men and his personal experience of their sayings, manners, and customs, with which he was in the habit of enlivening or ornamenting18 the whist table; occasionally introducing Endymion to the notice of the table by mentioning in a low tone, “That is Mr. Ferrars, in a certain sense under my care; his father is a privy19 councillor, and had it not been for the revolution—for I maintain, and always will, the Reform Bill was neither more nor less than a revolution—would probably have been Prime Minister. He was my earliest and my best friend.”
When there were cards, there was always a little supper: a lobster20 and a roasted potato and that sort of easy thing, and curious drinks, which the sisters mixed and made, and which no one else, at least all said so, could mix and make. On fitting occasions a bottle of champagne21 appeared, and then the person for whom the wine was produced was sure with wonderment to say, “Where did you get this champagne, Rodney? Could you get me some?” Mr. Rodney shook his head and scarcely gave a hope, but subsequently, when the praise in consequence had continued and increased, would observe, “Do you really want some? I cannot promise, but I will try. Of course they will ask a high figure.”
“Anything they like, my dear Rodney.”
And in about a week’s time the gentleman was so fortunate as to get his champagne.
There was one subject in which Mr. Rodney appeared to be particularly interested, and that was racing22. The turf at that time had not developed into that vast institution of national demoralisation which it now exhibits. That disastrous23 character may be mainly attributed to the determination of our legislators to put down gaming-houses, which, practically speaking, substituted for the pernicious folly24 of a comparatively limited class the ruinous madness of the community. There were many influences by which in the highest classes persons might be discouraged or deterred25 from play under a roof; and in the great majority of cases such a habit was difficult, not to say impossible, to indulge. But in shutting up gaming-houses, we brought the gaming-table into the street, and its practices became the pursuit of those who would otherwise have never witnessed or even thought of them. No doubt Crockford’s had its tragedies, but all its disasters and calamities26 together would hardly equal a lustre27 of the ruthless havoc28 which has ensued from its suppression.
Nevertheless, in 1835 men made books, and Mr. Rodney was not inexpert in a composition which requires no ordinary qualities of character and intelligence; method, judgment29, self-restraint, not too much imagination, perception of character, and powers of calculation. All these qualities were now in active demand and exercise; for the Derby was at hand, and the Rodney family, deeply interested in the result, were to attend the celebrated30 festival.
One of the young gentlemen, who sometimes smoked a cigar and sometimes tasted a lobster in their parlour, and who seemed alike and equally devoted31 to Mrs. Rodney and her sister, insisted upon taking them to Epsom in his drag, and they themselves were to select the party to accompany them. That was not difficult, for they were naturally all friends of their munificent32 host with one exception. Imogene stipulated33 that Endymion should be asked, and Mr. Rodney supported the suggestion. “He is the son of the privy councillor the Right Hon. William Pitt Ferrars, my earliest and my best friend, and in a certain sense is under my care.”
The drive to the Derby was not then shorn of its humours and glories. It was the Carnival34 of England, with equipages as numerous and various, and with banter35 not less quick and witty36. It was a bright day—a day, no doubt, of wild hopes and terrible fears, but yet, on the whole, of joy and exultation37. And no one was happier and prouder than pretty Mrs. Rodney, exquisitely dressed and sitting on the box of a patrician38 drag, beside its noble owner. On the seat behind them was Imogene, with Endymion on one side, and on the other the individual “who might one day be a peer.” Mr. Rodney and some others, including Mr. Vigo, faced a couple of grooms39, who sat with folded arms and unmoved countenances40, fastidiously stolid41 amid all the fun, and grave even when they opened the champagne.
The right horse won. Mr. Rodney and his friends pocketed a good stake, and they demolished42 their luncheon43 of luxuries with frantic44 gaiety.
“It is almost as happy as our little suppers in Warwick Street,” whispered their noble driver to his companion.
“Oh! much more than anything you can find there,” simpered Mrs. Rodney.
“I declare to you, some of the happiest hours of my life have been passed in Warwick Street,” gravely murmured her friend.
“I wish I could believe that,” said Mrs. Rodney.
As for Endymion, he enjoyed himself amazingly. The whole scene was new to him—he had never been at a race before, and this was the most famous of races. He did not know he had betted, but he found he too had won a little money, Mr. Rodney having put him on something, though what that meant he had not the remotest idea. Imogene, however, assured him it was all right—Mr. Rodney constantly put her on something. He enjoyed the luncheon too; the cold chicken, and the French pies, the wondrous45 salads, and the iced champagne. It seemed that Imogene was always taking care that his plate or his glass should be filled. Everything was delightful46, and his noble host, who, always courteous47, had hitherto been reserved, called him “Ferrars.”
What with the fineness of the weather, the inspirations of the excited and countless48 multitude, the divine stimulus49 of the luncheon, the kindness of his charming companions, and the general feeling of enjoyment50 and success that seemed to pervade51 his being, Endymion felt as he were almost acting52 a distinguished part in some grand triumph of antiquity53, as returning home, the four splendid dark chestnuts54 swept along, two of their gay company playing bugles55, and the grooms sitting with folded arms of haughty56 indifference57.
Just at this moment his eye fell upon an omnibus full, inside and out, of clerks in his office. There was a momentary58 stoppage, and while he returned the salute59 of several of them, his quick eye could not avoid recognising the slightly surprised glance of Trenchard, the curious amazement60 of Seymour Hicks, and the indignant astonishment61 of St. Barbe.
“Our friend Ferrars seems in tiptop company,” said Trenchard.
“That may have been a countess on the box,” said Seymour Hicks, “for I observed an earl’s coronet on the drag. I cannot make out who it is.”
“There is no more advantage in going with four horses than with two,” said St. Barbe; “indeed, I believe you go slower. It is mere62 pride; puffed-up vanity. I should like to send those two grooms with their folded arms to the galleys—I hate those fellows. For my part, I never was behind four horses except in a stage-coach. No peer of the realm ever took me on his drag. However, a day of reckoning will come; the people won’t stand this much longer.”
Jawett was not there, for he disapproved63 of races.
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lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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civilisation
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| n.文明，文化，开化，教化 | |
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lodgers
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| n.房客，租住者( lodger的名词复数 ) | |
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exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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symposia
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| 座谈会，评论集； 讨论会( symposium的名词复数 )； 专题讨论会； 研讨会； 小型讨论会 | |
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divan
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| n.长沙发；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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moth
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| n.蛾，蛀虫 | |
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tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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ornamenting
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| v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的现在分词 ) | |
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privy
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| adj.私用的；隐密的 | |
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lobster
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| n.龙虾，龙虾肉 | |
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champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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deterred
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| v.阻止，制止( deter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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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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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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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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munificent
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| adj.慷慨的，大方的 | |
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stipulated
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| vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的 | |
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carnival
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| n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演 | |
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banter
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| n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑 | |
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witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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patrician
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| adj.贵族的，显贵的；n.贵族；有教养的人；罗马帝国的地方官 | |
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grooms
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| n.新郎( groom的名词复数 )；马夫v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的第三人称单数 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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demolished
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| v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
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luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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stimulus
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| n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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pervade
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| v.弥漫，遍及，充满，渗透，漫延 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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antiquity
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| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
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chestnuts
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| n.栗子( chestnut的名词复数 )；栗色；栗树；栗色马 | |
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55
bugles
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| 妙脆角，一种类似薯片但做成尖角或喇叭状的零食； 号角( bugle的名词复数 )； 喇叭； 匍匐筋骨草； （装饰女服用的）柱状玻璃（或塑料）小珠 | |
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56
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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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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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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59
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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60
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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disapproved
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| v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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