I am visited by Freeman, with whom I appear in Public, and am caressed-am sent for by Lord Quiverwit, whose Presence I quit flung — Narcissa is carried off by her Brother — I intend to pursue him, and am dissuaded1 by my Friend — engage in Play, and lose all my Money — set out for London — try my Fortune at the Gaming Table without success — receive a letter from Narcissa — bilk my Tailor
While I entertained myself with these reflections, the news of the duel2, being communicated by some unknown channel, spread all over the town. I was visited by Freeman, who testified his surprise at finding me; for it was told, that Lord Quiverwit being dead of his wounds, I had absconded3, in order to avoid the cognizance of the law. I asked, if people guessed the occasion of the quarrel; and, understanding it was attributed to his lordship’s resentment4 of my reply in the Long Room, confirmed that conjecture5, glad to find Narcissa unsuspected. My friend, after I had assured him that my antagonist6 was in no danger, wished me joy of the event, than which, he said, nothing could happen more opportunely7 to support the idea he had given of my character to his friends, among whom he had been very assiduous in my behalf.
On the strength of this assurance, I went with him to the coffee-house, where I was saluted8 by a great many of those very persons who had shunned9 me the preceding day; and I found everybody making merry with the story of Melinda’s French gallant10. While I remained in this place, I received a message from Lord Quiverwit, desiring, if I were not engaged, to see me at his house.
Thither11 I immediately repaired, and was conducted to an apartment where I was received by his lordship in bed. When we were left by ourselves, he thanked me in very polite terms for having used the advantage fortune had given me over him with such moderation, and asked pardon for any offence his resentment might have prompted him to commit. “I would willingly,” said he, “make you my friend; but, as it is impossible for me to divest12 myself of my passion for Narcissa, I am too well convinced of your sentiments, to think we shall ever agree on that subject. I took the liberty, therefore, of sending for you, in order to own candidly13, that I cannot help opposing your success with that young lady; though, at the same time I promise to regulate my opposition14 by the dictates15 of justice and honour. This, however, I think proper to advertise you of, that she has no independent fortune; and, if you should even succeed in your addresses, you will have the mortification16 to see her reduced to indigence17, unless you have wherewithal to support her — and I am credibly18 informed of your incapacity that way — nay19, I will confess, that, urged by this consideration, I have actually sent notice to her brother of the progress I suspect you have made in her affection, and desired him to take his precautions accordingly.” Alarmed and provoked at this information, I told his lordship, that I did not see how he could reconcile that piece of conduct with his profession of open dealing20, and flung away from him in a passion.
As I walked homeward, in hope of hearing from my mistress as usual by means of Miss Williams, I was surprised with the waving of a handkerchief from the window of a coach-and-six that passed by me at full speed: and upon further observation, I saw a servant on horseback riding after it, who, I knew by his livery, belonged to the squire21. Thunderstruck with this discovery, the knowledge of my misfortune rushed all at once upon my reflection! I guessed immediately that the signal was made by the dear hand of Narcissa, who, being hurried away in consequence of Lord Quiverwit’s message to her brother, had no other method of relating her distress22, and imploring23 my assistance. Frantic24 with this conjecture, I ran to my lodgings25, snatched my pistols, and ordered Strap26 to get post-horses, with such incoherence of speech and disorder27, that the poor valet, terrified with the suspicion of another duel, instead of providing what I desired, went forthwith to Freeman, who, being informed of my behaviour, came straight to my apartment, and conjured28 me so pathetically to make him acquainted with the cause of my uneasiness, that I could not refuse telling him my happiness was fled with Narcissa, and that I must retrieve29 her or perish. He represented the madness of such an undertaking30, and endeavoured to divert me from it with great strength of friendship and reason. But all his arguments would have been ineffectual, had he not put me in mind of the dependence31 I ought to have on the love of Narcissa, and the attachment32 of her maid, who could not fail of finding opportunities to advertise me of their situation; and at the same time demonstrated the injury my charmer’s reputation must suffer from my precipitate33 retreat. I was convinced and composed by these considerations: I appeared in public with an air of tranquillity34, was well received by the best company in town, and, my misfortune taking air, condoled35 accordingly: while I had the satisfaction of seeing Melinda so universally discountenanced that she was fain to return to London, in order to avoid the scoffs37 and censure38 of the ladies at Bath. But, though the hope of hearing from the darling of my soul supported my spirits a little while, I began to be very uneasy, when, at the end of several weeks I found that expectation disappointed. In short, melancholy40 and despondence took possession of my soul; and, repining at that providence41 which, by acting42 the stepmother towards me, kept me from the fruition of my wishes, I determined43, in a fit of despair, to risk all I had at the gaming table, with a view of acquiring a fortune sufficient to render me independent for life; or of plunging44 myself into such a state of misery45, as would effectually crush every ambitious hope that now tortured my imagination.
Actuated by this fatal resolution, I engaged in play, and, after some turns of fortune found myself, at the end of three days, worth a thousand pounds; but it was not my intention to stop there, for which cause I kept Strap ignorant of my success, and continued my career until I was reduced to five guineas, which I would have hazarded also, had I not been ashamed to fall from a bet of two hundred pounds to such a petty sum.
Having thus executed my scheme, I went home, amazed to find myself so much at ease, and informed my friend Strap of my mischance with such calmness, that he, imagining I joked, affected46 to receive the tidings with great equanimity47. But both he and I found ourselves mistaken very soon. I had misinterpreted my own stupidity into deliberate resignation, and he had reason to believe me in earnest when he saw me next morning agitated48 with the most violent despair, which he endeavoured to alleviate49 with all the consolation50 in his power.
In one of my lucid51 intervals52, however, I charged him to take a place in the stage coach for London; and, in the meantime, paid my debts in Bath, which amounted to thirty shillings only. Without taking leave of my friends, I embarked53, Strap having the good fortune to find a return horse, and arrived in town, without having net with anything remarkable54 on the road. While we crossed Bagshot Heath, I was seized with a sort of inclination55 to retrieve my fortune, by laying passengers under contribution in some such place. My thoughts were so circumstanced at this time, that I should have digested the crime of robbery, so righteously had I concerted my plan, and ventured my life in the execution, had I not been deterred56 by reflecting upon the infamy57 that attends detection.
The apartment I formerly58 lived in being unengaged, I took possession of it, and next day went in quest of Banter59, who received me with open arms, in expectation of having his bond discharged to his liking60: but when he understood what had happened, his countenance36 changed of a sudden, and he told me, with a dryness of displeasure peculiar61 to himself, that, if he were in my place, he would put it out of fortune’s power to play him such another trick, and be avenged62 of his own indiscretion at once. When I desired him to explain his meaning, he pointed39 to his neck, raised himself on his tiptoes, and was going away without any further ceremony, when I put him in mind of my indigence, and demanded the five guineas I had formerly lent him. “Five guineas?” cried he; “zounds! had you acted with common prudence63, you might have had twenty thousand in your pocket by this time. I depended upon five hundred from you, as much as if I had had notes for it in the bank; and by all the rules of equity64, you are indebted to me for that sum.” I was neither pleased nor convinced by this computation, and insisted on my right with such determined obstinacy65, that he was fain to alter his ton, and appease66 my clamour by assuring me, that he was not master of five shillings. Society in distress generally promotes good understanding among people; from being a dun I descended67 to be a client, and asked his advice about repairing my losses. He counselled me to have recourse again to the gaming table, where I succeeded so well before, and put myself in a condition by selling my watch. I followed his directions, and, having accommodated him with a few pieces, went to the place, where I lost every shilling.
Then I returned to my lodgings full of desperate resolution, and having made Strap acquainted with my fate, ordered him to pawn68 my sword immediately, that I might be enabled to make another effort. This affectionate creature no sooner understood my purpose, than, seized with insupportable sorrow at the prospect69 of my misery, he burst into tears, and asked what I proposed to do after the small sum he could raise on the sword should be spent. “On my own account” said he, “I am quite unconcerned; for, while God spares me health and these ten fingers, I can earn a comfortable subsistence anywhere; but what must become of you, who have less humility70 to stoop, and more appetites to gratify?” Here I interrupted him, by saying, with a gloomy aspect, I should never want a resource while I had a loaded pistol in possession. Stupified with horror at this dreadful insinuation, he stood mute for some time and then broke out into “God of his infinite mercy enable you to withstand that temptation of the devil! Consider your immortal71 soul — there’s no repentance72 in the grave! O Lord! that we ever should have come to this! Are we not enjoined73 to resign ourselves to the will of Heaven? — where is your patience? — Durum patientia frango — you are but a young man — there may be many good things in store for you — accidit in puncto quo non speratur in anno — remember your uncle, Mr. Bowling74; perhaps he is now on his voyage homeward, pleasing himself with the hopes of seeing and relieving you; nay, peradventure, he has already arrived, for the ship was expected about this time.” A ray of hope shot athwart my soul at this suggestion; I thanked my friend for this seasonable recollection, and, after having promised to take no resolution till his return, dismissed him to Wapping for intelligence.
In his absence I was visited by Banter, who, being informed of my bad luck at play, told me that fortune would probably be one day weary of persecuting75 me. “In the meantime,” said he, “here’s a letter for you, which I received just now inclosed in one from Freeman.” I snatched it with eagerness, and knowing the superscription to be of Narcissa’s handwriting, kissed it with transport, and, having opened it, read,
“It is with great difficulty that I have stolen, from the observation of those spies who are set over me, this opportunity of telling you, that I was suddenly carried away from Bath by my brother, who was informed of our correspondence by Lord Quiverwit whom, I since understand, you have wounded in a duel on my account. As I am fully76 convinced of your honour and love, I hope I shall never hear of such desperate proofs of either for the future. I am so strictly77 watched that it will be impossible for you to see me, until my brother’s suspicion shall abate78, or Heaven contrive79 some other unforeseen event in our behalf. In the meantime, you may depend on the constancy and affection of
“Your own Narcissa.
“P. S. Miss Williams, who is my fellow prisoner, desires to be remembered to you. We are both in good health, and only in pain for you, especially as it will be impracticable for you to convey any message or letter to the place of our confinement80; for which reason. pray desist from the attempt, that, by miscarrying, might prolong our captivity81.
“N—.”
This kind letter afforded me great consolation: I communicated it to Banter, and, at the same time, showed him her picture: he approved of her beauty and good sense, and could not help owning that my neglect of Miss Snapper was excusable, when such a fine creature engrossed82 my attention.
I began to be reconciled to my fate, and imagined, that, if I could contrive means of subsisting83 until my uncle should arrive, in case he were not already at home, he would enable me to do something effectual in behalf of my love and fortune; I therefore consulted Banter about a present supply, who no sooner understood that I had credit, with a tailor, than he advised me to take off two or three suits of rich clothes, and convert them into cash, by selling them at half-price to a salesman in Monmouth Street. I was startled at this proposal, which I thought savoured a little of fraud; he rendered it palatable84, by observing that, in a few months, I might be in a condition to do everybody justice; and, in the meantime, I was acquitted85 by the honesty of my intention. I suffered myself to be persuaded by his salvo, by which my necessity, rather than my judgment86, was convinced; and, when I found there were no accounts of the ship in which my uncle embarked, actually put the scheme in practice, and raised by it five-and-twenty guineas, paying him for his advice with the old five.
收听单词发音 |
1
dissuaded
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| 劝（某人）勿做某事，劝阻( dissuade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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absconded
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| v.（尤指逃避逮捕）潜逃，逃跑( abscond的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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shunned
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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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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divest
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| v.脱去，剥除 | |
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candidly
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| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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dictates
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| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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indigence
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| n.贫穷 | |
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credibly
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| ad.可信地；可靠地 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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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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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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retrieve
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| vt.重新得到，收回；挽回，补救；检索 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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condoled
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| v.表示同情，吊唁( condole的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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scoffs
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| 嘲笑，嘲弄( scoff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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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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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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equanimity
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| n.沉着，镇定 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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alleviate
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| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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lucid
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| adj.明白易懂的，清晰的，头脑清楚的 | |
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52
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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53
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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55
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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56
deterred
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| v.阻止，制止( deter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
infamy
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| n.声名狼藉，出丑，恶行 | |
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58
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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banter
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| n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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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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avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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equity
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| n.公正，公平，（无固定利息的）股票 | |
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obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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pawn
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| n.典当，抵押，小人物，走卒；v.典当，抵押 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bowling
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| n.保龄球运动 | |
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persecuting
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的现在分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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76
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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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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contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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81
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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82
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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83
subsisting
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| v.（靠很少的钱或食物）维持生活，生存下去( subsist的现在分词 ) | |
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84
palatable
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| adj.可口的，美味的；惬意的 | |
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85
acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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86
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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