"Yes. He seems to possess some strange power over Dido, for she always knows when he is approaching. See, Maurice, Dido is waiting at the gate; in a few moments you will see Dr. Etwald enter it."
The two young people looked steadfastly1 at the brilliantly-colored figure of the negress, standing2 in a statuesque attitude near the great iron gate. On either side of her waved the summer foliage3 of the trees; overhead the sun, like a burning eye, looked down from a cloudless sky, and beyond, the dusty white road showed distinctly through the slender bars of the gate. All was bright and cheerful and English, but in that sinister4 red figure, with its black face and hands, there was a suggestion of evil which seemed to dominate and poison the whole beautiful scene. Maurice felt Isabella shudder5 with nervous dread6 as she pressed closely to his side.
"Dearest, you must not be afraid," said he, glancing down anxiously at her face. "You must throw off the terror you have of this woman. If the law--"
At this moment he broke off his speech with an ejaculation of surprise, for, true to the prognostication of Isabella--in answer to the expectant attitude of the negress--Dr. Etwald turned in at the gate.
"Ho! ho!" murmured Maurice, rather taken back. "So the art of devil-raising is not a lost one after all. Dido can still call spirits from the vasty deep."
"She has called flesh and blood," said Isabella, with a shiver. "But there is nothing strange about Dr. Etwald's appearance just now. Dido did not call him; she simply felt that he was at hand, and went to meet him at the gate."
They continued to watch the pair, and saw Dido throw herself at the feet of Etwald, who raised his hand over her in a threatening manner. He pointed7 into the wood with an imperious gesture, and in a slinking attitude the usually stately Dido passed out of sight into the little path down which Isabella had come to meet Maurice. When the gleam of her red dress disappeared Etwald wiped his face and walked briskly up the avenue toward the young couple.
"Shall we go on or wait for him here?" asked Isabella in a whisper.
"Wait," replied Maurice, in the same tone. "I shall not let him think that either of us is afraid of his charlatan8 tricks."
Dr. Etwald approached, with what was meant for a smile on his usually sombre face, and took off his hat to Miss Dallas. But he did not speak as he made his salutation, so the girl was forced, by reason of this uncomfortable silence, to make the first observation.
"Good-morning, doctor," she said, as he replaced his hat; "I suppose you have come to see my mother."
"Partly, Miss Dallas, and partly to see you; also this gentleman."
"To see me!" said Maurice, looking at his rival. "Then why did you not go to 'Ashantee?'"
"I never give myself unnecessary trouble," he answered, calmly, "and, of course, I knew that I should find you here."
"By what right do you say that?" demanded Maurice, sharply.
"By the right of our conversation last night, Mr. Alymer. You have forestalled10 me, I see. No matter," added Etwald, with a sneer11. "To-day to you; to-morrow to me."
All this was quite unintelligible12 to Isabella, who looked from one to the other of her companions in bewilderment, not guessing for the moment that she was the bone of contention13 between them. She saw the suppressed mockery on Etwald's face, and noted14 also that Maurice, roused by the quiet insistence15 of the doctor, had much difficulty in keeping his temper. Knowing how her lover disliked Etwald, and fearing lest there should be a quarrel between the two men, she cut the Gordian knot by hastily proposing that they should go up to the house.
At the same time she was afraid lest further trouble should occur therein, for it seemed to her that Etwald had paid this visit for the express purpose of making himself disagreeable.
However, he did not say anything further at the moment, but walked beside Isabella toward The Wigwam. Behind them Maurice strolled slowly, fuming16 and fretting17 at the attitude assumed by Etwald by the side of Isabella. She cast a backward glance at his frowning face, and to avert18 possible trouble she began hastily to question the doctor about the strange conduct of Dido.
"What was the matter with my nurse, doctor?" she asked. "What have you been doing to her?"
"After having previously21 caused it," said Maurice, in a significant tone.
The doctor looked at the young man calmly.
"What possible reason have you to make such an accusation22?" he demanded.
"I think it is my fault," said Isabella, hastily. "I remarked that Dido was always agitated when you came to this house."
"I can explain that in a measure, Miss Dallas. If you remember I cured Dido of a bad nervous headache by hypnotic suggestion. Her mind, therefore, became habituated in responding to mine, and doubtless she feels a kind of impression which tells her that I am near."
"It is not improbable," rejoined Etwald, in measured tones. "I am one of those people, Mr. Alymer, who can, by strength of will and power of character, obtain power over anyone I wish."
As he spoke24, Etwald cast a sudden glance at Isabella. The girl was looking toward the house, out of which her mother had just emerged, and did not see the menace in his regard; but Maurice noted the gaze, and felt enraged25 at all it implied.
In plain words, Etwald intimated in a veiled manner that Isabella was a nervous subject, over whom he could obtain influence, if he so chose, by the unlawful means of hypnotism. This power Maurice was determined26 he should not gain, and by asking a direct question he tried to force Etwald into a confession27 of illegitimate practices. By this he hoped to warn Isabella, and make her afraid of trusting herself too much in the doctor's company.
"You have been in the West Indies, doctor?" asked Maurice, bluntly.
"I have been all over the world, Mr. Alymer," parried Etwald, dexterously28.
"Do you know anything of Voodoo worship?"
"I know something of most things," assented29 the doctor. "But I confess I take but little interest in African barbarities."
"Oh, what about Dido and her meeting you?"
"I have explained that to the best of my ability," responded Etwald, coldly, "and now, Mr. Alymer, as our hostess is approaching you must excuse my replying to any further questions. If you want further insight into my character, call upon me at Deanminster."
"That I shall certainly do," said Maurice, for he was resolved to learn all he could about this strange man, so that he could protect Isabella from his arts.
Before Maurice could take up the implied challenge, which threw doubts upon his moral courage, Mrs. Dallas advanced heavily to meet her visitors. Isabella had already flitted like a white butterfly into the drawing-room, and her mother received the two young men alone. Her reception was, as usual, ponderous31 and vague.
"So pleased to see you, Mr. Alymer. Dr. Etwald, I am charmed. It is a delightful32 day, is it not? Reminds one of Barbadoes."
"I have never been in Barbadoes," said Maurice, toward whom her languid gaze was directed. "But Dr. Etwald may be able to answer your question, Mrs. Dallas."
"I know the West Indian islands," observed Etwald as they walked into the house, "and this day does remind me a little of the climate there; but it is scarcely hot enough."
"No," murmured Mrs. Dallas, sinking into a large chair. "You are right. I have been in the sun all the morning, and only now am I beginning to feel warm, I shall certainly go back to Barbadoes."
Mrs. Dallas had made this threat so many times that nobody paid any attention to it, and, not expecting an answer, she began to fan herself slowly. Through her half-closed eyes she looked anxiously at the subtle face of Etwald. With the instinct of a woman she guessed that something important had brought the doctor to see her; he was not a man to waste his time on visits of ceremony.
Now Mrs. Dallas was secretly afraid of Etwald, as she had received hints from Dido, in whose truth she implicitly33 believed--that the doctor knew more about secret things than most people. She dreaded34 lest his visit should portend35 harm, and so, in some trepidation36, she waited for him to speak. But Etwald, guessing her frame of mind, took his time and it was only when Isabella approached with some tea for her mother that he broke the silence.
"Don't go away, Miss Dallas," he said, entreatingly37. "I have something to say to your mother which concerns you."
Isabella turned pale, for she guessed what was coming. As Etwald had raised his voice purposely, Maurice, who was standing by the tea-table, also pricked38 up his ears. Mrs. Dallas, with some curiosity, raised herself to look closer at Etwald and he, seeing that his auditory was attentive39, prepared to launch his thunderbolt.
"My dear Mrs. Dallas," he said, in a soft voice, "you must have seen for a long time that my visits here have not been made without an object. To-day I come to ask you and your sweet daughter a question."
"Pray don't ask it," said Isabella, better informed by Etwald's glance as to his purpose. "It will only give you pain."
"I must risk that," said the doctor, slowly, "Mrs. Dallas, I love your daughter, and I wish to marry her. Miss Isabella, will you be my wife?"
Here Maurice set down his cup with a crash, and strode across the room, where he faced Etwald in no very pleasant frame of mind.
"I shall answer that question. Dr. Etwald," he said, loudly. "Miss Dallas shall not and can not marry you. She has promised to be my wife."
"Perfectly42 true," assented Isabella. "I love Maurice. I wish to marry him." And slipping her arm within that of her lover, she prepared to face the storm.
"You are a disobedient girl," cried Mrs. Dallas, making no attempt to control her temper. "You shall not marry without my permission. Mr. Alymer, I am astonished at you; I am disappointed in you. It is not the act of a gentleman to steal away the affections of my daughter without informing me of your intentions."
"I had my reasons for not doing so, Mrs. Dallas," replied Maurice, quickly. "But I was about to tell you of our engagement when Dr. Etwald forestalled me by making his unexpected offer."
"Unexpected, Mr. Alymer!" smiled Etwald. "After my statement last night?"
"Unexpected so far as time and place are concerned," said Maurice, firmly. "But as you have asked Miss Dallas to marry you, take her refusal from her own lips."
"Miss Dallas!" said Etwald, in no wise moved by this speech.
"Isabella!" cried her mother in an angry tone.
Isabella looked calmly at them both.
"I love Maurice. I intend to marry him," she repeated, and an obstinate43 expression came over her face.
"In that case," said Etwald, rising, "I must take my leave, and shall be content with that answer until such time as you are free; then," he added, coolly, "I shall ask you again."
"I shall never be free," said Isabella, proudly.
"Oh, yes, you will; when Mr. Alymer is dead."
"Dead!" shrieked44 Mrs. Dallas, all her superstition45 roused by the word. "Come away from that man, Isabella."
"Maurice dead!" repeated the girl, with a pale cheek.
The young man shrugged his shoulders.
"Pooh! pooh! some nonsense that Dr. Etwald was talking about last night," he added, contemptuously. "He says if I marry, it will be a case of life in death, whatever that means."
Etwald rose to his feet and stretched out a menacing hand.
"I have warned you, Alymer," he said, sternly. "Your marriage, after or before it, means life in death. Take care! Ladies," he added, with a bow, "I take my departure."
Outside Etwald found Dido waiting for him. He looked at her significantly.
"I have failed," he said. "There is nothing left but the devil-stick."
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
steadfastly
|
|
| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
foliage
|
|
| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
sinister
|
|
| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
shudder
|
|
| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
dread
|
|
| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
charlatan
|
|
| n.骗子；江湖医生；假内行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
shrugged
|
|
| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
forestalled
|
|
| v.先发制人，预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
sneer
|
|
| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
unintelligible
|
|
| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
contention
|
|
| n.争论，争辩，论战；论点，主张 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
insistence
|
|
| n.坚持；强调；坚决主张 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
fuming
|
|
| 愤怒( fume的现在分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
fretting
|
|
| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
avert
|
|
| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
previously
|
|
| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
accusation
|
|
| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
pointedly
|
|
| adv.尖地，明显地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
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： |
|
|
|
|
25
enraged
|
|
| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
confession
|
|
| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
dexterously
|
|
| adv.巧妙地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
assented
|
|
| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
irony
|
|
| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
ponderous
|
|
| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
implicitly
|
|
| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
dreaded
|
|
| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
portend
|
|
| v.预兆，预示；给…以警告 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
trepidation
|
|
| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
entreatingly
|
|
| 哀求地，乞求地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
pricked
|
|
| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
attentive
|
|
| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
devoured
|
|
| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
aggrieved
|
|
| adj.愤愤不平的，受委屈的；悲痛的；（在合法权利方面）受侵害的v.令委屈，令苦恼，侵害( aggrieve的过去式)；令委屈，令苦恼，侵害( aggrieve的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
obstinate
|
|
| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
shrieked
|
|
| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
superstition
|
|
| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |