Mrs. Gallilee’s maid looked at her watch, when the carriage left Mr. Mool’s house. “We shall be nearly an hour late, before we get home,” she said.
“It’s my fault, Marceline. Tell your mistress the truth, if she questions you. I shall not think the worse of you for obeying your orders.”
“I’d rather lose my place, Miss, than get you into trouble.”
The woman spoke1 truly, Carmina’s sweet temper had made her position not only endurable, but delightful2: she had been treated like a companion and a friend. But for that circumstance — so keenly had Marceline felt the degradation3 of being employed as a spy — she would undoubtedly4 have quitted Mrs. Gallilee’s service.
On the way home, instead of talking pleasantly as usual, Carmina was silent and sad. Had this change in her spirits been caused by the visit to Mr. Mool? It was even so. The lawyer had innocently decided5 her on taking the desperate course which Miss Minerva had proposed.
If Mrs. Gallilee’s assertion of her absolute right of authority, as guardian6, had been declared by Mr. Mool to be incorrect, Carmina (hopefully forgetful of her aunt’s temper) had thought of a compromise.
She would have consented to remain at Mrs. Gallilee’s disposal until Ovid returned, on condition of being allowed, when Teresa arrived in London, to live in retirement7 with her old nurse. This change of abode8 would prevent any collision between Mrs. Gallilee and Teresa, and would make Carmina’s life as peaceful, and even as happy, as she could wish.
But now that the lawyer had confirmed her aunt’s statement of the position in which they stood towards one another, instant flight to Ovid’s love and protection seemed to be the one choice left — unless Carmina could resign herself to a life of merciless persecution9 and perpetual suspense10.
The arrangements for the flight were already complete.
That momentary11 view of Mrs. Gallilee’s face, reflected in the glass, had confirmed Miss Minerva’s resolution to interfere12. Closeted with Carmina on the Sunday morning, she had proposed a scheme of escape, which would even set Mrs. Gallilee’s vigilance and cunning at defiance13. No pecuniary14 obstacle stood in the way. The first quarterly payment of Carmina’s allowance of five hundred a year had been already made, by Mool’s advice. Enough was left — even without the assistance which the nurse’s resources would render — to purchase the necessary outfit15, and to take the two women to Quebec. On the day after Teresa’s arrival (at an hour of the morning while the servants were still in bed) Carmina and her companion could escape from the house on foot — and not leave a trace behind them.
Meanwhile, Fortune befriended Mrs. Gallilee’s maid. No questions were put to her; no notice even was taken of the late return.
Five minutes before the carriage drew up at the house, a learned female friend from the country called, by appointment, on Mrs. Gallilee. On the coming Tuesday afternoon, an event of the deepest scientific interest was to take place. A new Professor had undertaken to deliver himself, by means of a lecture, of subversive16 opinions on “Matter.” A general discussion was to follow; and in that discussion (upon certain conditions) Mrs. Gallilee herself proposed to take part.
“If the Professor attempts to account for the mutual17 action of separate atoms,” she said, “I defy him to do it, without assuming the existence of a continuous material medium in space. And this point of view being accepted — follow me here! what is the result? In plain words,” cried Mrs. Gallilee, rising excitedly to her feet, “we dispense18 with the idea of atoms!”
The friend looked infinitely19 relieved by the prospect20 of dispensing21 with atoms.
“Now observe!” Mrs. Gallilee proceeded. “In connection with this part of the subject, I shall wait to see if the Professor adopts Thomson’s theory. You are acquainted with Thomson’s theory? No? Let me put it briefly22. Mere23 heterogeneity24, together with gravitation, is sufficient to explain all the apparently25 discordant26 laws of molecular27 action. You understand? Very well. If the Professor passes over Thomson, then, I rise in the body of the Hall, and take my stand — follow me again!— on these grounds.”
While Mrs. Gallilee’s grounds were being laid out for the benefit of her friend, the coachman took the carriage back to the stables; the maid went downstairs to tea; and Carmina joined Miss Minerva in the schoolroom — all three being protected from discovery, by Mrs. Gallilee’s rehearsal28 of her performance in the Comedy of Atoms.
The Monday morning brought with it news from Rome — serious news which confirmed Miss Minerva’s misgivings29.
Carmina received a letter, bearing the Italian postmark, but not addressed to her in Teresa’s handwriting. She looked to the signature before she began to read. Her correspondent was the old priest — Father Patrizio. He wrote in these words:
“My dear child,— Our good Teresa leaves us to-day, on her journey to London. She has impatiently submitted to the legal ceremonies, rendered necessary by her husband having died without making a will. He hardly left anything in the way of money, after payment of his burial expenses, and his few little debts. What is of far greater importance — he lived, and died, a good Christian30. I was with him in his last moments. Offer your prayers, my dear, for the repose31 of his soul.
“Teresa left me, declaring her purpose of travelling night and day, so as to reach you the sooner.
“In her headlong haste, she has not even waited to look over her husband’s papers; but has taken the case containing them to England — to be examined at leisure, in your beloved company. Strong as this good creature is, I believe she will be obliged to rest on the road for a night at least. Calculating on this, I assume that my letter will get to you first. I have something to say about your old nurse, which it is well that you should know.
“Do not for a moment suppose that I blame you for having told Teresa of the unfriendly reception, which you appear to have met with from your aunt and guardian. Who should you confide32 in — if not in the excellent woman who has filled the place of a mother to you? Besides, from your earliest years, have I not always instilled33 into you the reverence34 of truth? You have told the truth in your letters. My child, I commend you, and feel for you.
“But the impression produced on Teresa is not what you or I could wish. It is one of her merits, that she loves you with the truest devotion; it is one of her defects, that she is fierce and obstinate35 in resentment36. Your aunt has become an object of absolute hatred37 to her. I have combated successfully, as I hope and believe — this unchristian state of feeling.
“She is now beyond the reach of my influence. My purpose in writing is to beg you to continue the good work that I have begun. Compose this impetuous nature; restrain this fiery38 spirit. Your gentle influence, Carmina, has a power of its own over those who love you — and who loves you like Teresa?— of which perhaps you are not yourself aware. Use your power discreetly39; and, with the blessing40 of God and his Saints, I have no fear of the result.
“Write to me, my child, when Teresa arrives — and let me hear that you are happier, and better in health. Tell me also, whether there is any speedy prospect of your marriage. If I may presume to judge from the little I know, your dearest earthly interests depend on the removal of obstacles to this salutary change in your life. I send you my good wishes, and my blessing. If a poor old priest like me can be of any service, do not forget.
“FATHER PATRIZIO.”
Any lingering hesitation41 that Carmina might still have felt, was at an end when she read this letter. Good Father Patrizio, like good Mr. Mool, had innocently urged her to set her guardian’s authority at defiance.
收听单词发音 |
1
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
degradation
|
|
| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
undoubtedly
|
|
| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
guardian
|
|
| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
retirement
|
|
| n.退休，退职 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
persecution
|
|
| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
suspense
|
|
| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
momentary
|
|
| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
interfere
|
|
| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
defiance
|
|
| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
pecuniary
|
|
| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
outfit
|
|
| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
subversive
|
|
| adj.颠覆性的，破坏性的；n.破坏份子，危险份子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
mutual
|
|
| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
dispense
|
|
| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
infinitely
|
|
| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
dispensing
|
|
| v.分配( dispense的现在分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
briefly
|
|
| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
heterogeneity
|
|
| n.异质性；多相性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
discordant
|
|
| adj.不调和的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
molecular
|
|
| adj.分子的；克分子的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
rehearsal
|
|
| n.排练，排演；练习 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
misgivings
|
|
| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
Christian
|
|
| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
repose
|
|
| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
confide
|
|
| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
instilled
|
|
| v.逐渐使某人获得（某种可取的品质），逐步灌输( instill的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
reverence
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
obstinate
|
|
| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
resentment
|
|
| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
fiery
|
|
| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
discreetly
|
|
| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
blessing
|
|
| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |