Churchhill.
This is insufferable! My dearest friend, I was never so enraged1 before, and must relieve myself by writing to you, who I know will enter into all my feelings. Who should come on Tuesday but Sir James Martin! Guess my astonishment2, and vexation — for, as you well know, I never wished him to be seen at Churchhill. What a pity that you should not have known his intentions! Not content with coming, he actually invited himself to remain here a few days. I could have poisoned him! I made the best of it, however, and told my story with great success to Mrs. Vernon, who, whatever might be her real sentiments, said nothing in opposition3 to mine. I made a point also of Frederica’s behaving civilly to Sir James, and gave her to understand that I was absolutely determined4 on her marrying him. She said something of her misery5, but that was all. I have for some time been more particularly resolved on the match from seeing the rapid increase of her affection for Reginald, and from not feeling secure that a knowledge of such affection might not in the end awaken6 a return. Contemptible7 as a regard founded only on compassion8 must make them both in my eyes, I felt by no means assured that such might not be the consequence. It is true that Reginald had not in any degree grown cool towards me; but yet he has lately mentioned Frederica spontaneously and unnecessarily, and once said something in praise of her person. HE was all astonishment at the appearance of my visitor, and at first observed Sir James with an attention which I was pleased to see not unmixed with jealousy9; but unluckily it was impossible for me really to torment10 him, as Sir James, though extremely gallant11 to me, very soon made the whole party understand that his heart was devoted12 to my daughter. I had no great difficulty in convincing De Courcy, when we were alone, that I was perfectly13 justified14, all things considered, in desiring the match; and the whole business seemed most comfortably arranged. They could none of them help perceiving that Sir James was no Solomon; but I had positively15 forbidden Frederica complaining to Charles Vernon or his wife, and they had therefore no pretence16 for interference; though my impertinent sister, I believe, wanted only opportunity for doing so. Everything, however, was going on calmly and quietly; and, though I counted the hours of Sir James’s stay, my mind was entirely17 satisfied with the posture18 of affairs. Guess, then, what I must feel at the sudden disturbance19 of all my schemes; and that, too, from a quarter where I had least reason to expect it. Reginald came this morning into my dressing-room with a very unusual solemnity of countenance20, and after some preface informed me in so many words that he wished to reason with me on the impropriety and unkindness of allowing Sir James Martin to address my daughter contrary to her inclinations21. I was all amazement22. When I found that he was not to be laughed out of his design, I calmly begged an explanation, and desired to know by what he was impelled23, and by whom commissioned, to reprimand me. He then told me, mixing in his speech a few insolent24 compliments and ill-timed expressions of tenderness, to which I listened with perfect indifference25, that my daughter had acquainted him with some circumstances concerning herself, Sir James, and me which had given him great uneasiness. In short, I found that she had in the first place actually written to him to request his interference, and that, on receiving her letter, he had conversed26 with her on the subject of it, in order to understand the particulars, and to assure himself of her real wishes. I have not a doubt but that the girl took this opportunity of making downright love to him. I am convinced of it by the manner in which he spoke27 of her. Much good may such love do him! I shall ever despise the man who can be gratified by the passion which he never wished to inspire, nor solicited28 the avowal29 of. I shall always detest30 them both. He can have no true regard for me, or he would not have listened to her; and SHE, with her little rebellious31 heart and indelicate feelings, to throw herself into the protection of a young man with whom she has scarcely ever exchanged two words before! I am equally confounded at HER impudence32 and HIS credulity. How dared he believe what she told him in my disfavour! Ought he not to have felt assured that I must have unanswerable motives33 for all that I had done? Where was his reliance on my sense and goodness then? Where the resentment34 which true love would have dictated35 against the person defaming me — that person, too, a chit, a child, without talent or education, whom he had been always taught to despise? I was calm for some time; but the greatest degree of forbearance may be overcome, and I hope I was afterwards sufficiently36 keen. He endeavoured, long endeavoured, to soften37 my resentment; but that woman is a fool indeed who, while insulted by accusation38, can be worked on by compliments. At length he left me, as deeply provoked as myself; and he showed his anger more. I was quite cool, but he gave way to the most violent indignation; I may therefore expect it will the sooner subside39, and perhaps his may be vanished for ever, while mine will be found still fresh and implacable. He is now shut up in his apartment, whither I heard him go on leaving mine. How unpleasant, one would think, must be his reflections! but some people’s feelings are incomprehensible. I have not yet tranquillised myself enough to see Frederica. SHE shall not soon forget the occurrences of this day; she shall find that she has poured forth40 her tender tale of love in vain, and exposed herself for ever to the contempt of the whole world, and the severest resentment of her injured mother.
Your affectionate
S. Vernon.
S. Vernon.
点击收听单词发音
1 enraged | |
使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 ); 歜; 激愤 | |
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2 astonishment | |
n.惊奇,惊异 | |
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3 opposition | |
n.反对,敌对 | |
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4 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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5 misery | |
n.痛苦,苦恼,苦难;悲惨的境遇,贫苦 | |
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6 awaken | |
vi.醒,觉醒;vt.唤醒,使觉醒,唤起,激起 | |
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7 contemptible | |
adj.可鄙的,可轻视的,卑劣的 | |
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8 compassion | |
n.同情,怜悯 | |
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9 jealousy | |
n.妒忌,嫉妒,猜忌 | |
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10 torment | |
n.折磨;令人痛苦的东西(人);vt.折磨;纠缠 | |
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11 gallant | |
adj.英勇的,豪侠的;(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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12 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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13 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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14 justified | |
a.正当的,有理的 | |
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15 positively | |
adv.明确地,断然,坚决地;实在,确实 | |
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16 pretence | |
n.假装,作假;借口,口实;虚伪;虚饰 | |
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17 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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18 posture | |
n.姿势,姿态,心态,态度;v.作出某种姿势 | |
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19 disturbance | |
n.动乱,骚动;打扰,干扰;(身心)失调 | |
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20 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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21 inclinations | |
倾向( inclination的名词复数 ); 倾斜; 爱好; 斜坡 | |
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22 amazement | |
n.惊奇,惊讶 | |
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23 impelled | |
v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24 insolent | |
adj.傲慢的,无理的 | |
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25 indifference | |
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎 | |
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26 conversed | |
v.交谈,谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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27 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 | |
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28 solicited | |
v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 );(指娼妇)拉客;索求;征求 | |
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29 avowal | |
n.公开宣称,坦白承认 | |
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30 detest | |
vt.痛恨,憎恶 | |
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31 rebellious | |
adj.造反的,反抗的,难控制的 | |
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32 impudence | |
n.厚颜无耻;冒失;无礼 | |
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33 motives | |
n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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34 resentment | |
n.怨愤,忿恨 | |
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35 dictated | |
v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 );口授;支配;摆布 | |
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36 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
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37 soften | |
v.(使)变柔软;(使)变柔和 | |
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38 accusation | |
n.控告,指责,谴责 | |
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39 subside | |
vi.平静,平息;下沉,塌陷,沉降 | |
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40 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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