'Well, Miss Grey, what do you think of the new curate?' asked Miss Murray, on our return from church the Sunday after the recommencement of our duties.
'I can scarcely tell,' was my reply: 'I have not even heard him preach.'
'Well, but you saw him, didn't you?'
'Yes, but I cannot pretend to judge of a man's character by a single cursory1 glance at his face.'
'But isn't he ugly?'
'He did not strike me as being particularly so; I don't dislike that cast of countenance2: but the only thing I particularly noticed about him was his style of reading; which appeared to me good--infinitely better, at least, than Mr. Hatfield's. He read the Lessons as if he were bent3 on giving full effect to every passage; it seemed as if the most careless person could not have helped attending, nor the most ignorant have failed to understand; and the prayers he read as if he were not reading at all, but praying earnestly and sincerely from his own heart.'
'Oh, yes, that's all he is good for: he can plod4 through the service well enough; but he has not a single idea beyond it.'
'How do you know?'
'Oh! I know perfectly5 well; I am an excellent judge in such matters. Did you see how he went out of church? stumping6 along--as if there were nobody there but himself--never looking to the right hand or the left, and evidently thinking of nothing but just getting out of the church, and, perhaps, home to his dinner: his great stupid head could contain no other idea.'
'I suppose you would have had him cast a glance into the squire7's pew,' said I, laughing at the vehemence8 of her hostility9.
'Indeed! I should have been highly indignant if he had dared to do such a thing!' replied she, haughtily10 tossing her head; then, after a moment's reflection, she added--'Well, well! I suppose he's good enough for his place: but I'm glad I'm not dependent on HIM for amusement--that's all. Did you see how Mr. Hatfield hurried out to get a bow from me, and be in time to put us into the carriage?'
'Yes,' answered I; internally adding, 'and I thought it somewhat derogatory to his dignity as a clergyman to come flying from the pulpit in such eager haste to shake hands with the squire, and hand his wife and daughters into their carriage: and, moreover, I owe him a grudge12 for nearly shutting me out of it'; for, in fact, though I was standing13 before his face, close beside the carriage steps, waiting to get in, he would persist in putting them up and closing the door, till one of the family stopped him by calling out that the governess was not in yet; then, without a word of apology, he departed, wishing them good-morning, and leaving the footman to finish the business.
Nota bene.--Mr. Hatfield never spoke14 to me, neither did Sir Hugh or Lady Meltham, nor Mr. Harry15 or Miss Meltham, nor Mr. Green or his sisters, nor any other lady or gentleman who frequented that church: nor, in fact, any one that visited at Horton Lodge16.
Miss Murray ordered the carriage again, in the afternoon, for herself and her sister: she said it was too cold for them to enjoy themselves in the garden; and besides, she believed Harry Meltham would be at church. 'For,' said she, smiling slyly at her own fair image in the glass, 'he has been a most exemplary attendant at church these last few Sundays: you would think he was quite a good Christian17. And you may go with us, Miss Grey: I want you to see him; he is so greatly improved since he returned from abroad--you can't think! And besides, then you will have an opportunity of seeing the beautiful Mr. Weston again, and of hearing him preach.'
I did hear him preach, and was decidedly pleased with the evangelical truth of his doctrine18, as well as the earnest simplicity19 of his manner, and the clearness and force of his style. It was truly refreshing20 to hear such a sermon, after being so long accustomed to the dry, prosy discourses21 of the former curate, and the still less edifying23 harangues24 of the rector. Mr. Hatfield would come sailing up the aisle25, or rather sweeping26 along like a whirlwind, with his rich silk gown flying behind him and rustling27 against the pew doors, mount the pulpit like a conqueror28 ascending29 his triumphal car; then, sinking on the velvet30 cushion in an attitude of studied grace, remain in silent prostration31 for a certain time; then mutter over a Collect, and gabble through the Lord's Prayer, rise, draw off one bright lavender glove, to give the congregation the benefit of his sparkling rings, lightly pass his fingers through his well-curled hair, flourish a cambric handkerchief, recite a very short passage, or, perhaps, a mere32 phrase of Scripture33, as a head-piece to his discourse22, and, finally, deliver a composition which, as a composition, might be considered good, though far too studied and too artificial to be pleasing to me: the propositions were well laid down, the arguments logically conducted; and yet, it was sometimes hard to listen quietly throughout, without some slight demonstrations34 of disapproval35 or impatience36.
His favourite subjects were church discipline, rites37 and ceremonies, apostolical succession, the duty of reverence38 and obedience39 to the clergy11, the atrocious criminality of dissent40, the absolute necessity of observing all the forms of godliness, the reprehensible41 presumption42 of individuals who attempted to think for themselves in matters connected with religion, or to be guided by their own interpretations43 of Scripture, and, occasionally (to please his wealthy parishioners) the necessity of deferential44 obedience from the poor to the rich--supporting his maxims45 and exhortations46 throughout with quotations47 from the Fathers: with whom he appeared to be far better acquainted than with the Apostles and Evangelists, and whose importance he seemed to consider at least equal to theirs. But now and then he gave us a sermon of a different order--what some would call a very good one; but sunless and severe: representing the Deity48 as a terrible taskmaster rather than a benevolent49 father. Yet, as I listened, I felt inclined to think the man was sincere in all he said: he must have changed his views, and become decidedly religious, gloomy and austere50, yet still devout51. But such illusions were usually dissipated, on coming out of church, by hearing his voice in jocund52 colloquy53 with some of the Melthams or Greens, or, perhaps, the Murrays themselves; probably laughing at his own sermon, and hoping that he had given the rascally54 people something to think about; perchance, exulting55 in the thought that old Betty Holmes would now lay aside the sinful indulgence of her pipe, which had been her daily solace56 for upwards57 of thirty years: that George Higgins would be frightened out of his Sabbath evening walks, and Thomas Jackson would be sorely troubled in his conscience, and shaken in his sure and certain hope of a joyful58 resurrection at the last day.
Thus, I could not but conclude that Mr. Hatfield was one of those who 'bind59 heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay them upon men's shoulders, while they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers'; and who 'make the word of God of none effect by their traditions, teaching for doctrines60 the commandments of men.' I was well pleased to observe that the new curate resembled him, as far as I could see, in none of these particulars.
'Well, Miss Grey, what do you think of him now?' said Miss Murray, as we took our places in the carriage after service.
'No harm still,' replied I.
'No harm!' repeated she in amazement61. 'What do you mean?'
'I mean, I think no worse of him than I did before.'
'No worse! I should think not indeed--quite the contrary! Is he not greatly improved?'
'Oh, yes; very much indeed,' replied I; for I had now discovered that it was Harry Meltham she meant, not Mr. Weston. That gentleman had eagerly come forward to speak to the young ladies: a thing he would hardly have ventured to do had their mother been present; he had likewise politely handed them into the carriage. He had not attempted to shut me out, like Mr. Hatfield; neither, of course, had he offered me his assistance (I should not have accepted it, if he had), but as long as the door remained open he had stood smirking62 and chatting with them, and then lifted his hat and departed to his own abode63: but I had scarcely noticed him all the time. My companions, however, had been more observant; and, as we rolled along, they discussed between them not only his looks, words, and actions, but every feature of his face, and every article of his apparel.
'You shan't have him all to yourself, Rosalie,' said Miss Matilda at the close of this discussion; 'I like him: I know he'd make a nice, jolly companion for me.'
'Well, you're quite welcome to him, Matilda,' replied her sister, in a tone of affected64 indifference65.
'And I'm sure,' continued the other, 'he admires me quite as much as he does you; doesn't he, Miss Grey?'
'I don't know; I'm not acquainted with his sentiments.'
'Well, but he DOES though.'
'My DEAR Matilda! nobody will ever admire you till you get rid of your rough, awkward manners.'
'Oh, stuff! Harry Meltham likes such manners; and so do papa's friends.'
'Well, you MAY captivate old men, and younger sons; but nobody else, I am sure, will ever take a fancy to you.'
'I don't care: I'm not always grabbing after money, like you and mamma. If my husband is able to keep a few good horses and dogs, I shall be quite satisfied; and all the rest may go to the devil!'
'Well, if you use such shocking expressions, I'm sure no real gentleman will ever venture to come near you. Really, Miss Grey, you should not let her do so.'
'I can't possibly prevent it, Miss Murray.'
'And you're quite mistaken, Matilda, in supposing that Harry Meltham admires you: I assure you he does nothing of the kind.'
Matilda was beginning an angry reply; but, happily, our journey was now at an end; and the contention66 was cut short by the footman opening the carriage-door, and letting down the steps for our descent.
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1
cursory
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| adj.粗略的；草率的；匆促的 | |
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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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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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plod
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| v.沉重缓慢地走，孜孜地工作 | |
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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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stumping
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| 僵直地行走，跺步行走( stump的现在分词 )； 把（某人）难住； 使为难； （选举前）在某一地区作政治性巡回演说 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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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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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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discourses
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| 论文( discourse的名词复数 )； 演说； 讲道； 话语 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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edifying
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| adj.有教训意味的，教训性的，有益的v.开导，启发( edify的现在分词 ) | |
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harangues
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| n.高谈阔论的长篇演讲( harangue的名词复数 )v.高谈阔论( harangue的第三人称单数 ) | |
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aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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prostration
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| n. 平伏, 跪倒, 疲劳 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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scripture
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| n.经文，圣书，手稿；Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》，《圣经》中的一段 | |
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demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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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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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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reprehensible
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| adj.该受责备的 | |
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presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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interpretations
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| n.解释( interpretation的名词复数 )；表演；演绎；理解 | |
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deferential
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| adj. 敬意的，恭敬的 | |
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maxims
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| n.格言，座右铭( maxim的名词复数 ) | |
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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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quotations
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| n.引用( quotation的名词复数 )；[商业]行情（报告）；（货物或股票的）市价；时价 | |
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deity
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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50
austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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jocund
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| adj.快乐的，高兴的 | |
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colloquy
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| n.谈话，自由讨论 | |
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rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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smirking
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| v.傻笑( smirk的现在分词 ) | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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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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contention
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| n.争论，争辩，论战；论点，主张 | |
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