Mona is down at the gate waiting for him, evidently brimful of information.
"Well have you got it?" asks he, in a whisper. Mystery seems to encircle them and to make heavy the very air they breathe. In truth, I think it is the veil of secrecy1 that envelops2 their small intrigue3 that makes it so sweet to them. They might be children, so delighted are they with the success of their scheme.
"Yes, I have got it," also in a subdued4 whisper. "And, oh, Geoffrey, it is just too lovely! It's downright delicious; and satin, too! It must"—reproachfully—"have cost a great deal, and after all you told me about being poor! But," with a sudden change of tone, forgetting reproach and extravagance and everything, "it is exactly the color I love best, and what I have been dreaming of for years."
"Put it on you," says Geoffrey.
"What! now?" with some hesitation6, yet plainly filled with an overwhelming desire to show herself to him without loss of time in the adorable gown. "If I should be seen! Well, never mind; I'll risk it. Go down to the little green glade7 in the wood, and I'll be with you before you can say Jack8 Robinson."
She disappears, and Geoffrey, obedient to orders, lounges off to the green glade, that now no longer owns rich coloring, but is strewn with leaves from the gaunt trees that stand in solemn order like grave sentries9 round it.
He might have invoked10 Jack Robinson a score of times had he so wished, he might even have gone for a very respectable walk, before his eyes are again gladdened by a sight of Mona. Minutes had given place to minutes many times, when, at length, a figure wrapped in a long cloak and with a light woollen shawl covering her head comes quickly towards him across the rustic11 bridge, and under the leafless trees to where he is standing12.
Glancing round fearfully for a moment, as though desirous of making sure that no strange eyes are watching her movements, she lets the loose cloak fall to the ground, and, taking with careful haste the covering from her head, slips like Cinderella from her ordinary garments into all the glories of a fete gown. She steps a little to one side, and, throwing up her head with a faint touch of coquetry that sits very sweetly on her, glances triumphantly15 at Geoffrey, as though fully5 conscious that she is looking exquisite16 as a dream.
The dress is composed of satin of that peculiarly pale blue that in some side-lights appears as white. It is opened at the throat, and has no sleeves to speak of. As though some kindly17 fairy had indeed been at her beck and call, and had watched with careful eyes the cutting of the robe, it fits to a charm. Upon her head a little mob-cap, a very marvel18 of blue satin and old lace, rests lovingly, making still softer the soft tender face beneath it.
There is a sparkle in Mona's eyes, a slight severing19 of her lips, that bespeak20 satisfaction and betray her full of very innocent appreciation21 of her own beauty. She stands well back, with her head held proudly up, and with her hands lightly clasped before her. Her attitude is full of unstudied grace.
Her eyes, as I tell you, are shining like twin stars. Her whole soul is possessed22 of this hope, that he for whom almost she lives must think her good to look at. And good indeed she is, and very perfect; for in her earnest face lies such inward godliness and sweet trust as make one feel the better for only a bare glance at her.
Geoffrey is quite dumb, and stands gazing at her surprised at the amazing change a stuff, a color, can make in so short a time. Beautiful she always is in his sight, but he wonders that until now it never occurred to him what a sensation she is likely to create in the London world. When at last he does give way to speech, driven to break his curious silence by something in her face, he says nothing of the gown, but only this.
"Oh, Mona, will you always love me as you do now?"
His tone is full of sadness and longing23, and something akin14 to fear. He has been much in the world, and has seen many of its evil ways, and this is the result of his knowledge. As he gazes on and wonders at her marvellous beauty, for an instant (a most unworthy instant) he distrusts her. Yet surely never was more groundless doubt sustained, as one might know to look upon her eyes and mouth, for in the one lies honest love, and in the other firmness.
Her face changes. He has made no mention of the treasured gown, has said no little word of praise.
"I have disappointed you," she says, tremulously, tears rising quickly. "I am a failure! I am not like the others."
"You are the most beautiful woman I ever saw in all my life," returns Rodney, with some passion.
"Then you are really pleased? I am just what you want me to be? Oh! how you frightened me!" says the girl, laying her hand upon her heart with a pretty gesture of relief.
"Don't ask me to flatter you. You will get plenty to do that by and by," says Geoffrey, rather jealously, rather bitterly.
"'By and by' I shall be your wife," says Mona, archly, "and then my days for receiving flattery will be at an end. Sure you needn't grudge24 me a few pretty words now."
What a world is to be opened up to her! How severe the test to which she will be exposed! Does she really think the whole earth is peopled with beings pure and perfect as herself?
"Yes, that is true," he says, in a curious tone, in answer to her words, his eyes fixed25 moodily26 upon the ground. Then suddenly he lifts his head, and as his gaze meets hers some of the truth and sweetness that belong to her springs from her to him and restores him once again to his proper self.
He smiles, and, turning, kneels before her in mock humility27 that savors28 of very real homage29. Taking her hand, he presses it to his lips.
His looks betray his wish. And Mona, stooping, very willingly bestows33 upon him one of the sweetest little kisses imaginable.
"I doubt your queen lacks dignity," she says, with a quick blush, when she has achieved her tender crime.
"My queen lacks nothing," says Geoffrey. Then, as he feels the rising wind that is soughing through the barren trees, he says, hurriedly, "My darling, you will catch cold. Put on your wraps again."
"Just in one moment," says the wilful34 beauty. "But I must first look at myself altogether. I have only seen myself in little bits up to this, my glass is so small."
Running over to the river that flows swiftly but serenely35 a few yards from her, she leans over the bank and gazes down lingeringly and with love into the dark depths beneath that cast up to her her own fair image.
The place she has chosen as her mirror is a still pool fringed with drooping36 grasses and trailing ferns that make yet more dark the sanded floor of the stream.
"Yes, I am pretty," she says, after a minute's pause, with a long-drawn sigh of deepest satisfaction. Then she glances at Geoffrey. "And for your sake I am glad of it Now, come here and stand beside me," she goes on, presently, holding out her hand backwards37 as though loath38 to lose sight of her own reflection. "Let me see how you look in the water."
So he takes her hand, and together they lean over the brink39 and survey themselves in Nature's glass. Lightly their faces sway to and fro as the running water rushes across the pool,—sway, but do not part; they are always together, as though in anticipation40 of that happy time when their lives shall be one. It seems like a good omen13; and Mona, in whose breast rests a little of the superstition41 that lies innate42 in every Irish heart, turns to her lover and looks at him.
He, too, looks at her. The same thought fills them both. As they are together there in the water, so (pray they) "may we be together in life." This hope is sweet almost to solemnity.
The short daylight fades; the wind grows higher; the whole scene is curious, and very nearly fantastical. The pretty girl in her clinging satin gown, and her gleaming neck and arms, bare and soft and white, and the tiny lace-fringed cap that crowns her fairness. The gaunt trees branching overhead that are showering down upon her all their fading wealth of orange and crimson43 and russet-colored leaves, that serve to throw out the glories of her dress. The brown-green sward is beneath her, the river runs with noiseless mirth beside her, rushing with faint music over sand and pebble44 to the ocean far below. Standing before her is her lover, gazing at her with adoring eyes.
Yet all things in this passing world know an end. In one short moment the perfect picture is spoiled. A huge black dog, bursting through the underwood, flings himself lovingly upon Mona, threatening every moment to destroy her toilet.
"It is Mr. Moore's retriever!" cries Mona, hurriedly, in a startled tone. "I must run. Down, Fan! down! Oh, if he catches me here, in this dress, what will he think? Quick, Geoffrey, give me my shawl!"
She tucks up her dignified45 train in a most undignified haste, while Geoffrey covers up all the finery with the crimson shawl. The white cloud is once more thrown over the dainty cap; all the pretty coloring vanishes out of sight; and Mona, after one last lingering glance at Geoffrey, follows its example. She, too, flies across the rural bridge into the covert46 of her own small domain47.
It is over; the curtain is down; the charming transformation-scene has reached its end, and the fairy-queen doffing48 her radiant robes, descends49 once more to the level of a paltry50 mortal.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
secrecy
|
|
| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
envelops
|
|
| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
intrigue
|
|
| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
glade
|
|
| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
jack
|
|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
sentries
|
|
| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
invoked
|
|
| v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
rustic
|
|
| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
omen
|
|
| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
akin
|
|
| adj.同族的，类似的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
triumphantly
|
|
| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
exquisite
|
|
| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
marvel
|
|
| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
severing
|
|
| v.切断，断绝( sever的现在分词 )；断，裂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
bespeak
|
|
| v.预定；预先请求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
appreciation
|
|
| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
longing
|
|
| n.（for）渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
grudge
|
|
| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
moodily
|
|
| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
humility
|
|
| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
savors
|
|
| v.意味，带有…的性质( savor的第三人称单数 )；给…加调味品；使有风味；品尝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
homage
|
|
| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
deign
|
|
| v. 屈尊, 惠允 ( 做某事) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
bestows
|
|
| 赠给，授予( bestow的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
wilful
|
|
| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
serenely
|
|
| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
drooping
|
|
| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
backwards
|
|
| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
loath
|
|
| adj.不愿意的；勉强的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
brink
|
|
| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
anticipation
|
|
| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
superstition
|
|
| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
innate
|
|
| adj.天生的，固有的，天赋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
crimson
|
|
| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
pebble
|
|
| n.卵石，小圆石 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
dignified
|
|
| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
covert
|
|
| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
domain
|
|
| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
doffing
|
|
| n.下筒，落纱v.脱去，（尤指）脱帽( doff的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
descends
|
|
| v.下来( descend的第三人称单数 )；下去；下降；下斜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
paltry
|
|
| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |