They meet with a dreadful Alarm on the Road — Arrive at their Journey’s end — Peregrine is introduced to Emily’s Brother — These two young Gentlemen misunderstand each other — Pickle1 departs for the Garrison2.
As they travelled at an easy rate, they had performed something more than one half of their journey, when they were benighted3 near an inn, at which they resolved to lodge4; the accommodation was very good, they supped together with great mirth and enjoyment5, and it was not till after he had been warned by the yawns of the ladies, that he conducted them to their apartment; where, wishing them good night, he retired6 to his own, and went to rest. The house was crowded with country-people who had been at a neighbouring fair, and now regaled themselves with ale and tobacco in the yard; so that their consideration, which at any time was but slender, being now overwhelmed by this debauch7, they staggered into their respective kennels8, and left a lighted candle sticking to one of the wooden pillars that supported the gallery. The flame in a little time laid hold on the wood, which was as dry as tinder; and the whole gallery was on fire, when Peregrine suddenly waked, and found himself almost suffocated9. He sprang up in an instant, slipped on his breeches, and, throwing open the door of his chamber10, saw the whole entry in a blaze.
Heavens! what were the emotions of his soul, when he beheld11 the volumes of flame and smoke rolling towards the room where his dear Emilia lay! Regardless of his own danger, he darted12 himself through the thickest of the gloom, when knocking hard, and calling at the same time to the ladies, with the most anxious entreaty13 to be admitted, the door was opened by Emilia in her shift, who asked, with the utmost trepidation14, what was the matter? He made no reply, but snatching her up in his arms, like another Aeneas, bore her through the flames to a place of safety; where leaving her before she could recollect15 herself, or pronounce one word, but “Alas; my Cousin Sophy!” he flew back to the rescue of that young lady, and found her already delivered by Pipes, who having been alarmed by the smell of fire, had got up, rushed immediately to the chamber where he knew these companions lodged16, and Emily being saved by her lover brought off Miss Sophy with the loss of his own shock-head of hair, which was singed17 off in his retreat.
By this time the whole inn was alarmed; every lodger18, as well as servant, exerted himself, in order to stop the progress of this calamity19: and there being a well-replenished horse-pond in the yard, in less than an hour the fire was totally extinguished, without having done any other damage than that of consuming about two yards of the wooden gallery.
All this time our young gentleman closely attended his fair charge, each of whom had swooned with apprehension20; but as their constitutions were good, and their spirits not easily dissipated, when upon reflection they found themselves and their company safe, and that the flames were happily quenched21, the tumult22 of their fears subsided23, they put on their clothes, recovered their good humour, and began to rally each other on the trim in which they had been secured. Sophy observed that now Mr. Pickle had an indisputable claim to her cousin’s affection; and therefore she ought to lay aside all affected24 reserve for the future, and frankly25 avow26 the sentiments of her heart. Emily retorted the argument, putting her in mind, that by the same claim Mr. Pipes was entitled to the like return from her. Her friend admitted the force of the conclusion, provided she could not find means of satisfying his deliverer in another shape; and, turning, to the valet, who happened to be present, asked if his heart was not otherwise engaged. Tom, who did not conceive the meaning of the question, stood silent according to custom; and the interrogation being repeated, answered, with a grin, “Heart-whole as a biscuit, I’ll assure you, mistress.”—“What!” said Emilia, “have you never been in love, Thomas?”—“Yes, forsooth,” replied the valet without hesitation28, “sometimes of a morning.”
Peregrine could not help laughing, and his mistress looked a little disconcerted at this blunt repartee29: while Sophy, slipping a purse into his hand, told him there was something to purchase a periwig. Tom, having consulted his master’s eyes, refused the present, saying, “No, thank ye as much as if I did;” and though she insisted upon his putting it in his pocket, as a small testimony30 of her gratitude31, he could not be prevailed upon to avail himself of her generosity32; but following her to the other end of the room, thrust it into her sleeve without ceremony, exclaiming, “I’ll be d — d to hell if I do.” Peregrine, having checked him for his boorish33 behaviour, sent him out of the room, and begged that Miss Sophy would not endeavour to debauch the morals of his servant, who, rough and uncultivated as he was, had sense enough to perceive that he had no pretension34 to any such acknowledgment. But she argued, with great vehemence35, that she should never be able to make acknowledgment adequate to the service he had done her, and that she should never be perfectly36 easy in her own mind until she found some opportunity of manifesting the sense she had of the obligation: “I do not pretend,” said she, “to reward Mr. Pipes; but I shall be absolutely unhappy, unless I am allowed to give him some token of my regard.”
Peregrine, thus earnestly solicited37, desired, that since she was bent38 upon displaying her generosity, she would not bestow39 upon him any pecuniary40 gratification, but honour him with some trinket, as a mark of consideration; because he himself had such a particular value for the fellow, on account of his attachment41 and fidelity42, that be should be sorry to see him treated on the footing of a common mercenary domestic. There was not one jewel in the possession of this grateful young lady, that she would not have gladly given as a recompense, or badge of distinction, to her rescuer; but his master pitched upon a seal ring of no great value that hung at her watch, and Pipes, being called in, had permission to accept that testimony of Miss Sophy’s favour. Tom received it accordingly with sundry43 scrapes; and, having kissed it with great devotion, put it on his little finger, and strutted45 off, extremely proud of his acquisition.
Emilia, with a most enchanting46 sweetness of aspect, told her lover that he had instructed her how to behave towards him; and taking a diamond ring from her finger, desired he would wear it for her sake. He received the pledge as became him, and presented another in exchange, which she at first refused, alleging47 that it would destroy the intent of her acknowledgment; but Peregrine assured her he had accepted her jewel, not as a proof of her gratitude, but as the mark of her love; and that if she refused a mutual48 token, he should look upon himself as the object of her disdain49. Her eyes kindled50, and her cheeks glowed with resentment51 at this impudent52 intimation, which she considered as an unseasonable insult, and the young gentleman, perceiving her emotion, stood corrected for his temerity53, and asked pardon for the liberty of his remonstrance54, which he hoped she would ascribe to the prevalence of that principle alone, which he had always taken pride in avowing55.
Sophy, seeing him disconcerted, interposed in his behalf, and chid56 her cousin for having practised such unnecessary affectation; upon which, Emilia, softened57 into compliance58, held out her finger as a signal of her condescension59. Peregrine put on the ring with great eagerness, and mumbled60 her soft white hand in an ecstasy61 which would not allow him to confine his embraces to that limb, but urged him to seize her by the waist, and snatch a delicious kiss from her love-pouting lips; nor would he leave her a butt62 to the ridicule63 of Sophy, on whose mouth he instantly committed a rape44 of the same nature: so that the two friends, countenanced65 by each other, reprehended66 him with such gentleness of rebuke67, that he was almost tempted68 to repeat the offence.
The morning being now lighted up, and the servants of the inn on foot, he ordered some chocolate for breakfast, and at the desire of the ladies, sent Pipes to see the horses fed, and the chariot prepared, while he went to the bar, and discharged the bill.
These measures being taken, they set out about five o’clock, and having refreshed themselves and their cattle at another inn on the road, proceeded in the afternoon. Without meeting with any other accident, they safely arrived at the place of their destination, where Mrs. Gauntlet expressed her joy at seeing her old friend Mr. Pickle, whom, however, she kindly69 reproached for the long discontinuance of his regard. Without explaining the cause of that interruption, he protested that his love and esteem70 had never been discontinued, and that for the future he should omit no occasion of testifying how much he had her friendship at heart. She then made him acquainted with her son, who at that time was in the house, being excused from his duty by furlough.
This young man, whose name was Godfrey, was about the age of twenty, of a middling size, vigorous make, remarkably71 well-shaped, and the scars of the small-pox, of which he bore a good number, added a peculiar72 manliness73 to the air of his countenance64. His capacity was good, and his disposition74 naturally frank and easy; but he had been a soldier from his infancy75, and his education was altogether in the military style. He looked upon taste and letters as mere76 pedantry77, beneath the consideration of a gentleman, and every civil station of life as mean, when compared with the profession of arms. He had made great progress in the gymnastic sciences of dancing, fencing, and riding; played perfectly well on the German flute78; and, above all things valued himself upon a scrupulous79 observance of all the points of honour.
Had Peregrine and he considered themselves upon equal footing, in all probability they would have immediately entered into a league of intimacy80 and friendship: but this sufficient soldier looked upon his sister’s admirer as a young student raw from the university, and utterly81 ignorant of mankind; while Squire82 Pickle beheld Godfrey in the light of a needy83 volunteer, greatly inferior to himself in fortune, as well as every other accomplishment84. This mutual misunderstanding could not fail of animosities. The very next day after Peregrine’s arrival, some sharp repartees passed between them in presence of the ladies, before whom each endeavoured to assert his own superiority. In these contests our hero never failed of obtaining the victory, because his genius was more acute, and his talents better cultivated, than those of his antagonist85, who therefore took umbrage86 at his success, became jealous of his reputation, and began to treat him with marks of scorn and disrespect.
His sister saw, and, dreading87 the consequence of his ferocity, not only took him to task in private for his impolite behaviour, but also entreated88 her lover to make allowances for the roughness of her brother’s education. He kindly assured her, that whatever pains it might cost him to vanquish89 his own impetuous temper, he would, for her sake, endure all the mortifications to which her brother’s arrogance90 might expose him; and, after having stayed with her two days, and enjoyed several private interviews, during which he acted the part of a most passionate91 lover, he took his leave of Mrs. Gauntlet overnight, and told the young ladies be would call early next morning to bid them farewell. He did not neglect this piece of duty, and found the two friends and breakfast already prepared in the parlour. All three being extremely affected with the thoughts of parting, a most pathetic silence for some time prevailed, till Peregrine put an end to it by lamenting92 his fate, in being obliged to exile himself so long from the dear object of his most interesting wish. He begged, with the most earnest supplications, that she would now, in consideration of the cruel absence he must suffer, give him the consolation93 which she had hitherto refused; namely, that of knowing he possessed94 a place within her heart. The confidante seconded his request, representing that it was now no time to disguise her sentiments, when her lover was about to leave the kingdom, and might be in danger of contracting other connections, unless he was confirmed in his constancy, by knowing how far he could depend upon her love; and, in short, she was plied27 with such irresistible95 importunities, that she answered in the utmost confusion, “Though I have avoided literal acknowledgments, methinks the circumstances of my behaviour might have convinced Mr. Pickle that I do not regard him as a common acquaintance.”—“My charming Emily,” cried the impatient lover, throwing himself at her feet, “why will you deal out my happiness in such scanty96 portions? Why will you thus mince97 the declaration which would overwhelm me with pleasure, and cheer my lonely reflection, while I sigh amid the solitude98 of separation?” His fair mistress, melted by this image, replied, with the tears gushing99 from her eyes, “I’m afraid I shall feel that separation more severely100 than you imagine.” Transported at this flattering confession101, he pressed her to his breast, and while her head reclined upon his neck, mingled102 his tears with hers in great abundance, breathing the most tender vows103 of eternal fidelity. The gentle heart of Sophy could not bear this scene unmoved: she wept with sympathy, and encouraged the lovers to resign themselves to the will of fate, and support their spirits with the hope of meeting again on happier terms. Finally, after mutual promises, exhortations104, and endearments105, Peregrine took his leave, his heart being so full that he could scarce pronounce the word Adieu! and, mounting his horse at the door, set out with Pipes for the garrison.
收听单词发音 |
1
pickle
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| n.腌汁，泡菜；v.腌，泡 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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benighted
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| adj.蒙昧的 | |
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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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debauch
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| v.使堕落，放纵 | |
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kennels
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| n.主人外出时的小动物寄养处，养狗场；狗窝( kennel的名词复数 )；养狗场 | |
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suffocated
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| （使某人）窒息而死( suffocate的过去式和过去分词 )； （将某人）闷死； 让人感觉闷热； 憋气 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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singed
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| v.浅表烧焦( singe的过去式和过去分词 )；（毛发）燎，烧焦尖端[边儿] | |
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lodger
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| n.寄宿人，房客 | |
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calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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repartee
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| n.机敏的应答 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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31
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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32
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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33
boorish
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| adj.粗野的，乡巴佬的 | |
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pretension
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| n.要求；自命，自称；自负 | |
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vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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solicited
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| 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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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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pecuniary
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| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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rape
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| n.抢夺，掠夺，强奸；vt.掠夺，抢夺，强奸 | |
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strutted
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| 趾高气扬地走，高视阔步( strut的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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alleging
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| 断言，宣称，辩解( allege的现在分词 ) | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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temerity
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| n.鲁莽，冒失 | |
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remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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avowing
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| v.公开声明，承认( avow的现在分词 ) | |
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chid
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| v.责骂，责备( chide的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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softened
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| （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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compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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countenanced
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| v.支持，赞同，批准( countenance的过去式 ) | |
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reprehended
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| v.斥责，指摘，责备( reprehend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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manliness
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| 刚毅 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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pedantry
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| n.迂腐，卖弄学问 | |
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flute
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| n.长笛；v.吹笛 | |
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scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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needy
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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umbrage
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| n.不快；树荫 | |
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dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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vanquish
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| v.征服，战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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lamenting
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| adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 ) | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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mince
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| n.切碎物；v.切碎，矫揉做作地说 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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gushing
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| adj.迸出的；涌出的；喷出的；过分热情的v.喷，涌( gush的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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102
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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103
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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104
exhortations
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| n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 )；极力推荐；（正式的）演讲；（宗教仪式中的）劝诫 | |
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105
endearments
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| n.表示爱慕的话语，亲热的表示( endearment的名词复数 ) | |
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