Churchhill.
I call on you, dear Alicia, for congratulations: I am my own self, gay and triumphant1! When I wrote to you the other day I was, in truth, in high irritation2, and with ample cause. Nay3, I know not whether I ought to be quite tranquil4 now, for I have had more trouble in restoring peace than I ever intended to submit to — a spirit, too, resulting from a fancied sense of superior integrity, which is peculiarly insolent5! I shall not easily forgive him, I assure you. He was actually on the point of leaving Churchhill! I had scarcely concluded my last, when Wilson brought me word of it. I found, therefore, that something must be done; for I did not choose to leave my character at the mercy of a man whose passions are so violent and so revengeful. It would have been trifling6 with my reputation to allow of his departing with such an impression in my disfavour; in this light, condescension7 was necessary. I sent Wilson to say that I desired to speak with him before he went; he came immediately. The angry emotions which had marked every feature when we last parted were partially8 subdued9. He seemed astonished at the summons, and looked as if half wishing and half fearing to be softened10 by what I might say. If my countenance11 expressed what I aimed at, it was composed and dignified12; and yet, with a degree of pensiveness13 which might convince him that I was not quite happy. “I beg your pardon, sir, for the liberty I have taken in sending for you,” said I; “but as I have just learnt your intention of leaving this place to-day, I feel it my duty to entreat14 that you will not on my account shorten your visit here even an hour. I am perfectly15 aware that after what has passed between us it would ill suit the feelings of either to remain longer in the same house: so very great, so total a change from the intimacy16 of friendship must render any future intercourse17 the severest punishment; and your resolution of quitting Churchhill is undoubtedly18 in unison19 with our situation, and with those lively feelings which I know you to possess. But, at the same time, it is not for me to suffer such a sacrifice as it must be to leave relations to whom you are so much attached, and are so dear. My remaining here cannot give that pleasure to Mr. and Mrs. Vernon which your society must; and my visit has already perhaps been too long. My removal, therefore, which must, at any rate, take place soon, may, with perfect convenience, be hastened; and I make it my particular request that I may not in any way be instrumental in separating a family so affectionately attached to each other. Where I go is of no consequence to anyone; of very little to myself; but you are of importance to all your connections.” Here I concluded, and I hope you will be satisfied with my speech. Its effect on Reginald justifies20 some portion of vanity, for it was no less favourable21 than instantaneous. Oh, how delightful22 it was to watch the variations of his countenance while I spoke23! to see the struggle between returning tenderness and the remains24 of displeasure. There is something agreeable in feelings so easily worked on; not that I envy him their possession, nor would, for the world, have such myself; but they are very convenient when one wishes to influence the passions of another. And yet this Reginald, whom a very few words from me softened at once into the utmost submission25, and rendered more tractable26, more attached, more devoted27 than ever, would have left me in the first angry swelling28 of his proud heart without deigning29 to seek an explanation. Humbled30 as he now is, I cannot forgive him such an instance of pride, and am doubtful whether I ought not to punish him by dismissing him at once after this reconciliation31, or by marrying and teazing him for ever. But these measures are each too violent to be adopted without some deliberation; at present my thoughts are fluctuating between various schemes. I have many things to compass: I must punish Frederica, and pretty severely32 too, for her application to Reginald; I must punish him for receiving it so favourably33, and for the rest of his conduct. I must torment34 my sister-in-law for the insolent triumph of her look and manner since Sir James has been dismissed; for, in reconciling Reginald to me, I was not able to save that ill-fated young man; and I must make myself amends35 for the humiliation36 to which I have stooped within these few days. To effect all this I have various plans. I have also an idea of being soon in town; and whatever may be my determination as to the rest, I shall probably put THAT project in execution; for London will be always the fairest field of action, however my views may be directed; and at any rate I shall there be rewarded by your society, and a little dissipation, for a ten weeks’ penance37 at Churchhill. I believe I owe it to my character to complete the match between my daughter and Sir James after having so long intended it. Let me know your opinion on this point. Flexibility38 of mind, a disposition39 easily biassed40 by others, is an attribute which you know I am not very desirous of obtaining; nor has Frederica any claim to the indulgence of her notions at the expense of her mother’s inclinations41. Her idle love for Reginald, too! It is surely my duty to discourage such romantic nonsense. All things considered, therefore, it seems incumbent42 on me to take her to town and marry her immediately to Sir James. When my own will is effected contrary to his, I shall have some credit in being on good terms with Reginald, which at present, in fact, I have not; for though he is still in my power, I have given up the very article by which our quarrel was produced, and at best the honour of victory is doubtful. Send me your opinion on all these matters, my dear Alicia, and let me know whether you can get lodgings43 to suit me within a short distance of you.
Your most attached
S. Vernon.
S. Vernon.
点击收听单词发音
1 triumphant | |
adj.胜利的,成功的;狂欢的,喜悦的 | |
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2 irritation | |
n.激怒,恼怒,生气 | |
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3 nay | |
adv.不;n.反对票,投反对票者 | |
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4 tranquil | |
adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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5 insolent | |
adj.傲慢的,无理的 | |
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6 trifling | |
adj.微不足道的;没什么价值的 | |
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7 condescension | |
n.自以为高人一等,贬低(别人) | |
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8 partially | |
adv.部分地,从某些方面讲 | |
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9 subdued | |
adj. 屈服的,柔和的,减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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10 softened | |
(使)变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 ); 缓解打击; 缓和; 安慰 | |
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11 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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12 dignified | |
a.可敬的,高贵的 | |
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13 pensiveness | |
n.pensive(沉思的)的变形 | |
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14 entreat | |
v.恳求,恳请 | |
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15 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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16 intimacy | |
n.熟悉,亲密,密切关系,亲昵的言行 | |
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17 intercourse | |
n.性交;交流,交往,交际 | |
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18 undoubtedly | |
adv.确实地,无疑地 | |
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19 unison | |
n.步调一致,行动一致 | |
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20 justifies | |
证明…有理( justify的第三人称单数 ); 为…辩护; 对…作出解释; 为…辩解(或辩护) | |
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21 favourable | |
adj.赞成的,称赞的,有利的,良好的,顺利的 | |
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22 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
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23 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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24 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
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25 submission | |
n.服从,投降;温顺,谦虚;提出 | |
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26 tractable | |
adj.易驾驭的;温顺的 | |
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27 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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28 swelling | |
n.肿胀 | |
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29 deigning | |
v.屈尊,俯就( deign的现在分词 ) | |
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30 humbled | |
adj. 卑下的,谦逊的,粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下,贬低 | |
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31 reconciliation | |
n.和解,和谐,一致 | |
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32 severely | |
adv.严格地;严厉地;非常恶劣地 | |
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33 favourably | |
adv. 善意地,赞成地 =favorably | |
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34 torment | |
n.折磨;令人痛苦的东西(人);vt.折磨;纠缠 | |
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35 amends | |
n. 赔偿 | |
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36 humiliation | |
n.羞辱 | |
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37 penance | |
n.(赎罪的)惩罪 | |
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38 flexibility | |
n.柔韧性,弹性,(光的)折射性,灵活性 | |
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39 disposition | |
n.性情,性格;意向,倾向;排列,部署 | |
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40 biassed | |
(统计试验中)结果偏倚的,有偏的 | |
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41 inclinations | |
倾向( inclination的名词复数 ); 倾斜; 爱好; 斜坡 | |
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42 incumbent | |
adj.成为责任的,有义务的;现任的,在职的 | |
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43 lodgings | |
n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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