Tortured with Jealousy1, I go Home, and abuse Strap2 — receive a Message from Narcissa, in Consequence of which I hasten to her Apartment, where her endearing Assurances banish3 all my Doubts and Apprehensions4 — in my Retreat discover Somebody in the Dark, whom, suspecting to be a Spy, I resolve to kill, but, to my great Surprise, am convinced of his being no other than Strap — Melinda slanders6 me — I become acquainted with Lord Quiverwit, who endeavours to sound me with regard to Narcissa — the Squire7 is introduced to his Lordship, and grows cold towards me — I learn from my Confidante, that this Nobleman professes8 honourable9 Love to my Mistress, who continues faithful to me, notwithstanding the scandalous Reports she had heard to my Prejudice — I am mortified10 with an Assurance that her whole Fortune depends upon the Pleasure of her Brother-Mr. Freeman condoles11 me on the Decline of my Character, which I vindicate12 so much to his satisfaction, that he undertakes to combat Fame on my behalf
Having uttered this exclamation13, at which she sighed, I went home in the condition of a frantic14 Bedlamite: and, finding the fire in my apartment almost extinguished, vented15 my fury upon poor Strap, whose ear I pinched with such violence, that he roared hideously16 with pain; and, when I quitted my hold, looked so foolishly aghast, that no unconcerned spectator could have seen him without being seized with an immoderate fit of laughter. It is true, I was soon sensible of the injury I had done, and asked pardon for the outrage17 I had committed; upon which my faithful valet, shaking his head, said, “I forgive you, and may God forgive you!” But he could not help shedding some tears at my unkindness. I felt unspeakable remorse18 for what I had done, cursed my own ingratitude19, and considered his tears as a reproach that my soul, in its present disturbance20, could not bear. It set all my passions into a ferment21: I swore horrible oaths without meaning or application. I foamed22 at the mouth, kicked the chairs about the room, and played abundance of mad pranks23 that frightened my friend almost out of his senses. At length my transport subsided24, I became melancholy25, and wept insensibly.
During this state of dejection, I was surprised with the appearance of Miss Williams, whom Strap, blubbering all the while, had conducted into the chamber26 without giving me previous notice of her approach. She was extremely affected27 with my condition, which she had learned from him, begged me to moderate my passion, suspend my conjectures28, and follow her to Narcissa, who desired to see me forthwith. That dear name operated upon me like a charm! I started up, and, without opening my lips, was conducted into her apartment through the garden, which we entered by a private door. I found the adorable creature in tears; I was melted at the sight — we continued silent for some time — my heart was too full to speak — her snowy bosom30 heaved with fond resentment31; at last she sobbing32 cried, “What have I done to disoblige you?” My heart was pierced with the tender question. I drew near with the utmost reverence33 of affection. I fell upon my knees before her, and, kissing her hand, exclaimed, “Oh! thou art all goodness and perfection! I am undone34 by want of merit; I am unworthy to possess thy charms, which heaven bath destined35 for the arms of some more favourite being.” She guessed the cause of my disquiet36, upbraided37 me gently for my suspicion, and gave me such flattering assurances of her eternal fidelity38, that all my doubts and fears forsook39 me, and peace and satisfaction reigned40 within my breast.
At midnight I left the fair nymph to her repose41, and, being let out by Miss Williams at the garden gate by which I entered, began to explore my way homeward in the dark, when I heard at my back a noise like that of a baboon42 when he mews and chatters43. I turned instantly, and, perceiving something black, concluded I was discovered by some spy, employed to watch for that purpose; aroused at this conjecture29, by which the reputation of the virtuous44 Narcissa appeared in jeopardy45, I drew my sword, and would have sacrificed him to her fame, had not the voice of Strap restrained my arm, it was with great difficulty he could pronounce, “D— d — d-do! mum — um — um — murder me if you please.” Such an effect had the cold upon his jaws46, that his teeth rattled47 like a pair of castanets. Pleased to be thus undeceived, I laughed at his consternation48, and asked what brought him thither49? Upon which he gave me to understand, that his concern for me had induced him to follow me to that place, where the same reason had detained him till now, and he frankly50 owned, that, in spite of the esteem51 he had for Miss Williams. he began to be very uneasy about me, considering the disposition52 in which I went abroad; and, if I had stayed much longer, would certainly have alarmed the neighbourhood in my behalf. The knowledge of this his intention confounded me. I represented to him the mischievous53 consequences that would have attended such a rash action, and, cautioning him severely54 against any such design for the future, concluded my admonition with an assurance, that, in case he should ever act so madly, I would, without hesitation55, put him to death. “Have a little patience!” cried he, in a lamentable56 tone; “your displeasure will do the business, without your committing murder.” I was touched with this reproach; and, as soon as we got home, made it my business to appease57 him, by explaining the cause of that transport during which I had used him so unworthily.
Next day when I went into the Long Room, I observed several whispers circulate all of a sudden, and did not doubt that Melinda had been busy with my character; but I consoled myself with the love of Narcissa, upon which I rested with the most perfect confidence; and going up to the rowly-powly table, won a few pieces from my suspected rival, who, with an easy politeness, entered into conversation with me, and, desiring my company to the coffee-house, treated me with tea and chocolate. I remembered Strutwell, and guarded against his insinuating58 behaviour; nor was my suspicion wrong placed; he artfully turned the discourse59 upon Narcissa, and endeavoured by hinting at an intrigue60 he pretended to be engaged in elsewhere, to learn what connection there was between her and me. But all his finesse61 was ineffectual, I was convinced of his dissimulation62, and gave such general answers to his inquiries63, that he was forced to drop the subject, and talk of something else.
While we conversed64 in this manner, the savage65 came in with another gentleman, who introduced him to his lordship, and he was received with such peculiar66 marks of distinction, that I was persuaded the courtier intended to use him in some shape or other; and from thence I drew an unlucky omen67. But I had more cause to be dismayed the following day, when I saw the squire in company with Melinda and her mother, who honoured me with several disdainful glances; and when I afterwards threw myself in his way, instead of the cordial shake of the hand, he returned my salute68 with a cold repetition of “Servant, servant!” which he pronounced with such indifference69 or rather contempt, that if he had not been Narcissa’s brother, I should have affronted70 him in public.
These occurrences disturbed me not a little; I foresaw the brooding storm, and armed myself with resolution for the occasion; but Narcissa, being at stake, I was far from being resigned. I could have renounced72 every other comfort of life with some degree of fortitude73, but the prospect74 of losing her disabled all my philosophy, and tortured my soul into madness.
Miss Williams found me, next morning, full of anxious tumult75, which did not abate76 when she told me that my Lord Quiverwit, having professed77 honourable intentions, had been introduced to my lovely mistress by her brother, who had, at the same time, from the information of Melinda, spoken of me as an Irish fortune-hunter, without either birth or estate; who supported myself in the appearance of a gentleman by sharping and other infamous78 practices; and who was of such an obscure origin, that I did not even know my own extraction. Though I expected all this malice79, I could not hear it with temper, especially as truth was so blended with falsehood in the assertion, that it would be almost impossible to separate the one from the other in my vindication80. But I said nothing on this head, being impatient to know how Narcissa had been affected with the discovery. That generous creature, far from believing these imprecations, was no sooner withdrawn81 with her confidante, than she inveighed82 with great warmth against the malevolence83 of the world, to which only she ascribed the whole of what had been said to my disadvantage, and, calling every circumstance of my behaviour to her into review before her, found everything so polite, honourable, and disinterested84, that she could not harbour the least doubt of my being the gentleman I assumed. “I have indeed,” said she, “purposely forborne to ask the particulars of his life, lest the recapitulation of some misfortunes, which he has undergone, should give him pain; and, as to the article of his fortune, I own myself equally afraid of inquiring into it, and of discovering the state of my own, lest we should find ourselves both unhappy in the explanation; for, alas85! my provision is conditional86, and depends entirely87 on my marrying with my brother’s consent.”
I was thunderstruck with this intelligence, the light forsook my eyes, the colour vanished from my cheeks, and I remained in a state of universal trepidation88! My female friend, perceiving my disorder89, encouraged me with assurances of Narcissa’s constancy, and the hope of some accident favourable90 to our love; and, as a further consolation91, gave me to understand, that she had acquainted my mistress with the outlines of my life: and that, although she was no stranger to the present low state of my finances, her love and esteem were rather increased than diminished by the knowledge of my circumstances. I was greatly comforted by this assurance, which saved me a world of confusion and anxiety; for I must have imparted my situation one day to Narcissa, and this task I could not have performed without shame and disorder.
As I did not doubt that by this time the scandalous aspersions of Melinda were diffused92 all over the town, I resolved to collect my whole strength of assurance, to browbeat93 the efforts of her malice, and to publish her adventure with the frenchified barber by way of reprisal94. In the meantime, having promised to be at the garden-gate about midnight, Miss Williams took her leave, bidding me repose myself entirely on the affection of my dear Narcissa, which was as perfect as inviolable. Before I went abroad, I was visited by Freeman, who came on purpose to inform me of the infamous stories that were raised at my expense. I heard them with great temper, and in my turn disclosed everything that had happened between Melinda and me; and among other circumstances entertained him with the story of the barber, letting him know what share his friend Banter95 had in that affair. He was convinced of the injury my reputation had suffered; and, no longer doubting the fountain from whence this deluge96 of slander5 had flowed upon me, undertook to undeceive the town in my behalf, and roll the stream back upon its source; but in the meantime, cautioned me from appearing in public, while the prepossession was so strong against me, lest I should meet with some affront71 that might have bad consequences.
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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banish
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| vt.放逐，驱逐；消除，排除 | |
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apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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slander
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| n./v.诽谤，污蔑 | |
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slanders
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| 诽谤，诋毁( slander的名词复数 ) | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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professes
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| 声称( profess的第三人称单数 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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condoles
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| v.表示同情，吊唁( condole的第三人称单数 ) | |
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vindicate
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| v.为…辩护或辩解，辩明；证明…正确 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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vented
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| 表达，发泄（感情，尤指愤怒）( vent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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hideously
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| adv.可怕地，非常讨厌地 | |
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outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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ferment
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| vt.使发酵；n./vt.（使）激动，（使）动乱 | |
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foamed
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| 泡沫的 | |
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pranks
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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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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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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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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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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disquiet
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| n.担心，焦虑 | |
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upbraided
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| v.责备，申斥，谴责( upbraid的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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forsook
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| forsake的过去式 | |
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reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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baboon
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| n.狒狒 | |
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chatters
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的第三人称单数 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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jeopardy
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| n.危险；危难 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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51
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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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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mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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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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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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59
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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finesse
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| n.精密技巧，灵巧，手腕 | |
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dissimulation
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| n.掩饰，虚伪，装糊涂 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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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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omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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affronted
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| adj.被侮辱的，被冒犯的v.勇敢地面对( affront的过去式和过去分词 )；相遇 | |
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affront
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| n./v.侮辱，触怒 | |
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72
renounced
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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abate
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| vi.(风势，疼痛等)减弱，减轻，减退 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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vindication
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| n.洗冤，证实 | |
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withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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inveighed
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| v.猛烈抨击，痛骂，谩骂( inveigh的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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malevolence
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| n.恶意，狠毒 | |
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disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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conditional
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| adj.条件的，带有条件的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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88
trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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89
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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90
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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91
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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92
diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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93
browbeat
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| v.欺侮；吓唬 | |
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94
reprisal
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| n.报复，报仇，报复性劫掠 | |
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95
banter
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| n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑 | |
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96
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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