My Father makes a present to Narcissa — the Letter is dispatched to her Brother — I appear among my Acquaintance — Banter1’s Behaviour — the Squire2 refuses his Consent — my Uncle comes to Town — approves of my Choice — I am married — we meet the Squire and his Lady at the Play — our Acquaintance is courted
After having spent the evening to the satisfaction of all present, my father addressed himself thus to Narcissa. “Madam, give me leave to consider you hereafter as my daughter, in which capacity I insist upon your accepting this first instance of my paternal3 duty and affection.” With these words he put into her hand a bank note of five hundred pounds, which she no sooner examined, than with a low courtesy she replied. “Dear sir, though I have not the least occasion for this supply, I have too great a veneration4 for you to refuse this proof of your generosity5 and esteem6, which I the more freely receive, because I already look upon Mr. Random7’s interest as inseparably connected with mine.” He was extremely well pleased with her frank and ingenuous8 reply, upon which we saluted9, and wished her good night. The letter, at my request, was dispatched to Sussex by an express, and in the meantime, Don Rodrigo, to grace my nuptials10, hired a ready furnished house, and set up a very handsome equipage.
Though I passed the greatest part of the day with the darling of my soul, I found leisure sometimes to be among my former acquaintance, who were astonished at the magnificence of my appearance. Banter in particular was confounded at the vicissitudes11 of my fortune, the causes of which he endeavoured in vain to discover, until I thought fit to disclose the whole secret of my last voyage, partly in consideration of our former intimacy12, and partly to prevent unfavourable conjectures13, which he and others, in all probability, would have made in regard to my circumstances. He professed14 great satisfaction at this piece of news; and I had no cause to believe him insincere, when I considered that he would now look upon himself as acquitted15 of the debt he owed me, and at the same time flatter himself with the hopes of borrowing more. I carried him home to dinner with me, and my father liked his conversation so much, that, upon hearing his difficulties, he desired me to accommodate him for the present, and inquire, if he would accept of a commission in the army, towards the purchase of which he should willingly lend him money. Accordingly, I gave my friend an opportunity of being alone with me, when, as I expected, he told me that he was just on the point of being reconciled to an old rich uncle, whose heir he was, but wanted a few pieces for immediate16 expense, which he desired I would lend him and take my bond for the whole. His demand was limited to ten guineas; and when I put twenty in his hand, he stared at me for some moments; then, putting it into his purse, “Ay, — ’tis all one — you shall have the whole in a very short time.” When I had taken his note, to save the expense of a bond, I expressed some surprise that a fellow of his spirit should loiter away his time in idleness, and, asked why he did not choose to make his fortune in the army. “What,” said he, “throw away money upon a subaltern’s commission, and be under the command of a parcel of scoundrels, who have raised themselves above me by the most infamous17 practices. No, I love independency too well to sacrifice my life, health, and pleasure, for such a pitiful consideration.” Finding him adverse18 to this way of life, I changed the subject, and returned to Don Rodrigo, who had just received the following epistle from the squire:
“Sir, — Concerning a letter which I received, subscribed19 R. Random, this is the answer. As for you, I know nothing of you. Your son, or pretended son, I have seen; if he marries my sister, at his peril20 be it; I do declare that he shall not have one farthing of her fortune, which becomes my property, if she takes a husband without my consent. Your settlement, I do believe, is all a sham21, and yourself no better than you should be; but if you had all the wealth of the Indies, your son shall never match in our family with the consent of
“Orson Topehall”
My father was not much surprised at this polite letter, after having heard the character of the author; and as for me, I was even pleased at his refusal, because I had now an opportunity of showing my disinterested22 love. By his permission I waited on my charmer: and having imparted the contents of her brother’s letter, at which she wept bitterly, in spite of all my consolation23 and caresses24, the time of our marriage was fixed25 two days. During this interval26, in which my soul was wound up to the last stretch of rapturous expectation, Narcissa endeavoured to reconcile some of her relations in town to her marriage with me; but, finding them all deaf to her remonstrances27, either out of envy or prejudice, she told me with the most enchanting28 sweetness, while the tears bedewed her lovely cheeks, “Sure the world will no longer question your generosity when you take a poor forlorn beggar to your arms?” Affected29 with her sorrow, I pressed the fair mourner to my breast, and swore that she was more dear and welcome on that account, because she had sacrificed her friends and fortune to her love for me. My uncle, for whose character she had a great veneration, being by this time come to town, I introduced him to my bride; and, although he was not very much subject to refined sensations, he was struck dumb with admiration30 at her beauty. After having kissed and gazed at her for some time, he turned to me, saying. “Odds bobs, Rory! a notable prize indeed, finely built and gloriously rigged, i’faith! If she an’t well manned when you take the command of her, sirrah, you deserve to go to sea in a cockle shell. No offence, I hope, niece! you must not mind what I say, being (as the saying is) a plain seafaring man, thof mayhap I have as much regard for you as another.” She received him with great civility, told him she had longed a great while to see a person to whom she was so much indebted for his generosity to Mr. Random; that she looked upon him as her uncle, by which name she begged leave to call him for the future; and that she was very sure he could say nothing that would give her the least offence. The honest captain was transported at her courteous31 behaviour, and insisted upon giving her away at the ceremony, swearing that he loved her as well as if she was his own child, and that he would give two thousand guineas to the first fruit of our love, as soon as it would squeak32. Everything being settled for the solemnisation of our nuptials, which were to be performed privately33 at my father’s house, the auspicious34 hour arrived, when Don Rodrigo and my uncle went in the coach to fetch the bride and Miss Williams: leaving me with a parson, Banter, and Strap35, neither of whom had as yet seen my charming mistress. My faithful valet, who was on the rack of impatience36 to behold37 a lady of whom he had heard so much, no sooner understood that the coach was returned, than he placed himself at a window, to have a peep at her as she alighted; and, when he saw her, clapped his hands together, turned up the white of his eyes, and, with his mouth wide open, remained in a sort of ecstacy, which broke out into “O Dea certe! qualis in Eurotae ripis, aut per juga Cynthi exercet Diana choros?” The doctor and Banter were surprised to hear my man speak Latin; but when my father led Narcissa into the room, the object of their admiration was soon changed, as appeared in the countenances38 of both. Indeed, they must have been the most insensible of all beings, could they have beheld39 without emotion the divine creature that approached! She was dressed in a sack of white satin, embroidered40 on the breast with gold, the crown of her head was covered with a small French cap, from whence descended41 her beautiful hair in ringlets that waved upon her snowy neck, which dignified42 the necklace I bad given her; her looks glowed with modesty43 and love; and her bosom44, through the veil of gauze that shaded it, afforded a prospect45 of Elysium! I received this inestimable gift of Providence46 as became me; and in a little time the clergyman did his office, my uncle, at his own earnest request, acting47 the part of a father to my dear Narcissa, who trembled very much, and had scarce spirits sufficient to support her under this great change of situation. Soon as she was mine by the laws or heaven and earth, I printed a burning kiss upon her lips; my father embraced her tenderly, my uncle hugged her with great affection, and I presented her to my friend Banter, who saluted her in a very polite manner; Miss Williams hung round her neck, and went plentifully48; while Strap fell upon his knees, and begged to kiss his lady’s hand, which she presented with great affability. I shall not pretend to describe my own feelings at this juncture49; let it suffice to say that having supped and entertained ourselves till ten o’clock, I cautioned my Narcissa against exposing her health by sitting up too late, and she was prevailed upon to withdraw with her maid to an apartment destined50 for us. When she left the room, her face overspread with a blush that set all my blood in a state of fermentation, and made every pulse beat with tenfold vigour51! She was so cruel as to let me remain in this condition a full half-hour: when, no longer able to restrain my impatience, I broke from the company, burst into her chamber52, pushed out her confidante, and locked the door, and found her — O heaven and earth! — a feast a thousand times more delicious than my most sanguine53 hopes presaged54! But, let me not profane55 the chaste56 mysteries of Hymen. I was the happiest of men!
In the morning I was awaked by three or four drums, which Banter had placed under the window; upon which I withdrew the curtain, and enjoyed the unspeakable satisfaction of contemplating57 those angelic charms which were now in my possession! Beauty! which, whether sleeping or awake, shot forth58 peculiar59 graces! The light darting60 upon my Narcissa’s eyes, she awoke also, and recollecting61 her situation, hid her blushes in my bosom. I was distracted with joy! I could not believe the evidence of my senses, and looked upon all that had happened as the fictions of a dream! In the meantime my uncle knocked at the door, and bade me turn out, for I had had a long spell. I rose accordingly, and sent Miss Williams to her mistress, myself receiving the congratulation of Captain Bowling62, who rallied me in his sea phrase with great success. In less than an hour, Don Rodrigo led my wife into breakfast, where she received the compliments of the company on her looks, which, they said, if possible, were improved by matrimony. As her delicate ears were offended with none of those indecent ambiguities63 which are too often spoken on such occasions, she behaved with dignity, unaffected modesty, and ease; and, as a testimony64 of my affection and esteem, I presented her, in presence of them all, with a deed, by which I settled the whole fortune I was possessed65 of on her and her heirs for ever. She accepted it with a glance of most tender acknowledgment, observed, that she could not be surprised at anything of this kind I should do, and desired my father to take the trouble of keeping it, saying, “Next to my own Mr. Random, you are the person in whom I ought to have the greatest confidence.” Charmed with her prudent66 and ingenuous manner of proceeding67, he took the paper, and assured her that it should not lose its value while in his custody68.
As we had not many visits to give and receive, the little time we stayed in town was spent in going to public diversions, where I have the vanity to think Narcissa was seldom eclipsed. One night, in particular, we sent our footman to keep one of the stage boxes, which we no sooner entered, than we perceived in the opposite box the squire and his lady, who seemed not a little surprised at seeing us. I was pleased at this opportunity of confronting them; the more, because Melinda was robbed of all her admirers by my wife, who happened that night to outshine her sister both in beauty and dress. She was piqued69 at Narcissa’s victory, tossed her head a thousand different ways, flirted70 her fan, looked at us with disdain71, then whispered to her husband, and broke out into an affected giggle72; but all her arts proved ineffectual, either to discompose Mrs. Random, or to conceal73 her own mortification74, which at length forced her away long before the play was done. The news of our marriage being spread, with many circumstances to our disadvantage, by the industry of this malignant75 creature, a certain set of persons fond of scandal began to inquire into the particulars of my fortune, which they no sooner understood to be independent, than the tables were turned, and our acquaintance was courted as much as it had been despised before: but she had too much dignity of pride to encourage this change of conduct, especially in her relations, whom she could never be prevailed upon to see, after the malicious76 reports they had raised to her prejudice.
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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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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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veneration
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| n.尊敬，崇拜 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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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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random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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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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nuptials
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| n.婚礼；婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
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vicissitudes
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| n.变迁，世事变化；变迁兴衰( vicissitude的名词复数 )；盛衰兴废 | |
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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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conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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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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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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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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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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adverse
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| adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的 | |
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subscribed
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| v.捐助( subscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；签署，题词；订阅；同意 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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sham
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| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
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disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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remonstrances
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| n.抱怨，抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
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enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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squeak
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| n.吱吱声，逃脱；v.（发出）吱吱叫，侥幸通过；（俚）告密 | |
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privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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auspicious
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| adj.吉利的；幸运的，吉兆的 | |
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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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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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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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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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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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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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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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48
plentifully
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| adv. 许多地，丰饶地 | |
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49
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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50
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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52
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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53
sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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presaged
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| v.预示，预兆( presage的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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profane
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| adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污 | |
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chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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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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darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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recollecting
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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bowling
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| n.保龄球运动 | |
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ambiguities
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| n.歧义( ambiguity的名词复数 )；意义不明确；模棱两可的意思；模棱两可的话 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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65
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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piqued
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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flirted
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| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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giggle
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| n.痴笑，咯咯地笑；v.咯咯地笑着说 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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