"I must take leave to observe, Sir Walter, " said Mr Shepherd one morning at Kellynch Hall, as he laid down the newspaper, "that the present juncture1 is much in our favour. This peace will be turning all our rich naval2 officers ashore3. They will be all wanting a home. Could not be a better time, Sir Walter, for having a choice of tenants4, very responsible tenants. Many a noble fortune has been made during the war. If a rich admiral were to come in our way, Sir Walter--"
"He would be a very lucky man, Shepherd, " replied Sir Walter; "that's all I have to remark. A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall be to him; rather the greatest prize of all, let him have taken ever so many before; hey, Shepherd?"
Mr Shepherd laughed, as he knew he must, at this wit, and then added--
"I presume to observe, Sir Walter, that, in the way of business, gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with. I have had a little knowledge of their methods of doing business; and I am free to confess that they have very liberal notions, and are as likely to make desirable tenants as any set of people one should meet with. Therefore, Sir Walter, what I would take leave to suggest is, that if in consequence of any rumours6 getting abroad of your intention; which must be contemplated8 as a possible thing, because we know how difficult it is to keep the actions and designs of one part of the world from the notice and curiosity of the other; consequence has its tax; I, John Shepherd, might conceal9 any family-matters that I chose, for nobody would think it worth their while to observe me; but Sir Walter Elliot has eyes upon him which it may be very difficult to elude10; and therefore, thus much I venture upon, that it will not greatly surprise me if, with all our caution, some rumour7 of the truth should get abroad; in the supposition of which, as I was going to observe, since applications will unquestionably follow, I should think any from our wealthy naval commanders particularly worth attending to; and beg leave to add, that two hours will bring me over at any time, to save you the trouble of replying. "
Sir Walter only nodded. But soon afterwards, rising and pacing the room, he observed sarcastically--
"There are few among the gentlemen of the navy, I imagine, who would not be surprised to find themselves in a house of this description. "
"They would look around them, no doubt, and bless their good fortune, " said Mrs Clay, for Mrs Clay was present: her father had driven her over, nothing being of so much use to Mrs Clay's health as a drive to Kellynch: "but I quite agree with my father in thinking a sailor might be a very desirable tenant5. I have known a good deal of the profession; and besides their liberality, they are so neat and careful in all their ways! These valuable pictures of yours, Sir Walter, if you chose to leave them, would be perfectly11 safe. Everything in and about the house would be taken such excellent care of! The gardens and shrubberies would be kept in almost as high order as they are now. You need not be afraid, Miss Elliot, of your own sweet flower gardens being neglected. "
"As to all that, " rejoined Sir Walter coolly, "supposing I were induced to let my house, I have by no means made up my mind as to the privileges to be annexed12 to it. I am not particularly disposed to favour a tenant. The park would be open to him of course, and few navy officers, or men of any other description, can have had such a range; but what restrictions13 I might impose on the use of the pleasure-grounds, is another thing. I am not fond of the idea of my shrubberies being always approachable; and I should recommend Miss Elliot to be on her guard with respect to her flower garden. I am very little disposed to grant a tenant of Kellynch Hall any extraordinary favour, I assure you, be he sailor or soldier. "
After a short pause, Mr Shepherd presumed to say--
"In all these cases, there are established usages which make everything plain and easy between landlord and tenant. Your interest, Sir Walter, is in pretty safe hands. Depend upon me for taking care that no tenant has more than his just rights. I venture to hint, that Sir Walter Elliot cannot be half so jealous for his own, as John Shepherd will be for him. "
Here Anne spoke--
"The navy, I think, who have done so much for us, have at least an equal claim with any other set of men, for all the comforts and all the privileges which any home can give. Sailors work hard enough for their comforts, we must all allow. "
"Very true, very true. What Miss Anne says, is very true, " was Mr Shepherd's rejoinder, and "Oh! certainly, " was his daughter's; but Sir Walter's remark was, soon afterwards--
"The profession has its utility, but I should be sorry to see any friend of mine belonging to it. "
"Indeed!" was the reply, and with a look of surprise.
"Yes; it is in two points offensive to me; I have two strong grounds of objection to it. First, as being the means of bringing persons of obscure birth into undue14 distinction, and raising men to honours which their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly15, as it cuts up a man's youth and vigour16 most horribly; a sailor grows old sooner than any other man. I have observed it all my life. A man is in greater danger in the navy of being insulted by the rise of one whose father, his father might have disdained17 to speak to, and of becoming prematurely18 an object of disgust himself, than in any other line. One day last spring, in town, I was in company with two men, striking instances of what I am talking of; Lord St Ives, whose father we all know to have been a country curate, without bread to eat; I was to give place to Lord St Ives, and a certain Admiral Baldwin, the most deplorable-looking personage you can imagine; his face the colour of mahogany, rough and rugged19 to the last degree; all lines and wrinkles, nine grey hairs of a side, and nothing but a dab20 of powder at top. `In the name of heaven, who is that old fellow?' said I to a friend of mine who was standing21 near, (Sir Basil Morley). `Old fellow!' cried Sir Basil, `it is Admiral Baldwin. What do you take his age to be?' `Sixty, ' said I, `or perhaps sixty-two. ' `Forty, ' replied Sir Basil, `forty, and no more. ' Picture to yourselves my amazement22; I shall not easily forget Admiral Baldwin. I never saw quite so wretched an example of what a sea-faring life can do; but to a degree, I know it is the same with them all: they are all knocked about, and exposed to every climate, and every weather, till they are not fit to be seen. It is a pity they are not knocked on the head at once, before they reach Admiral Baldwin's age. "
"Nay23, Sir Walter, " cried Mrs Clay, "this is being severe indeed. Have a little mercy on the poor men. We are not all born to be handsome. The sea is no beautifier, certainly; sailors do grow old betimes; I have observed it; they soon lose the look of youth. But then, is not it the same with many other professions, perhaps most other? Soldiers, in active service, are not at all better off: and even in the quieter professions, there is a toil24 and a labour of the mind, if not of the body, which seldom leaves a man's looks to the natural effect of time. The lawyer plods25, quite care-worn; the physician is up at all hours, and travelling in all weather; and even the clergyman--" she stopt a moment to consider what might do for the clergyman;--"and even the clergyman, you know is obliged to go into infected rooms, and expose his health and looks to all the injury of a poisonous atmosphere. In fact, as I have long been convinced, though every profession is necessary and honourable26 in its turn, it is only the lot of those who are not obliged to follow any, who can live in a regular way, in the country, choosing their own hours, following their own pursuits, and living on their own property, without the torment27 of trying for more; it is only their lot, I say, to hold the blessings28 of health and a good appearance to the utmost: I know no other set of men but what lose something of their personableness when they cease to be quite young. "
It seemed as if Mr Shepherd, in this anxiety to bespeak29 Sir Walter's good will towards a naval officer as tenant, had been gifted with foresight30; for the very first application for the house was from an Admiral Croft, with whom he shortly afterwards fell into company in attending the quarter sessions at Taunton; and indeed, he had received a hint of the Admiral from a London correspondent. By the report which he hastened over to Kellynch to make, Admiral Croft was a native of Somersetshire, who having acquired a very handsome fortune, was wishing to settle in his own country, and had come down to Taunton in order to look at some advertised places in that immediate31 neighbourhood, which, however, had not suited him; that accidentally hearing--(it was just as he had foretold32, Mr Shepherd observed, Sir Walter's concerns could not be kept a secret, )-- accidentally hearing of the possibility of Kellynch Hall being to let, and understanding his (Mr Shepherd's) connection with the owner, he had introduced himself to him in order to make particular inquiries33, and had, in the course of a pretty long conference, expressed as strong an inclination34 for the place as a man who knew it only by description could feel; and given Mr Shepherd, in his explicit35 account of himself, every proof of his being a most responsible, eligible36 tenant.
"And who is Admiral Croft?" was Sir Walter's cold suspicious inquiry37.
Mr Shepherd answered for his being of a gentleman's family, and mentioned a place; and Anne, after the little pause which followed, added--
"He is a rear admiral of the white. He was in the Trafalgar action, and has been in the East Indies since; he was stationed there, I believe, several years. "
"Then I take it for granted, " observed Sir Walter, "that his face is about as orange as the cuffs38 and capes39 of my livery. "
Mr Shepherd hastened to assure him, that Admiral Croft was a very hale, hearty40, well-looking man, a little weather-beaten, to be sure, but not much, and quite the gentleman in all his notions and behaviour; not likely to make the smallest difficulty about terms, only wanted a comfortable home, and to get into it as soon as possible; knew he must pay for his convenience; knew what rent a ready-furnished house of that consequence might fetch; should not have been surprised if Sir Walter had asked more; had inquired about the manor41; would be glad of the deputation, certainly, but made no great point of it; said he sometimes took out a gun, but never killed; quite the gentleman.
Mr Shepherd was eloquent42 on the subject; pointing out all the circumstances of the Admiral's family, which made him peculiarly desirable as a tenant. He was a married man, and without children; the very state to be wished for. A house was never taken good care of, Mr Shepherd observed, without a lady: he did not know, whether furniture might not be in danger of suffering as much where there was no lady, as where there were many children. A lady, without a family, was the very best preserver of furniture in the world. He had seen Mrs Croft, too; she was at Taunton with the admiral, and had been present almost all the time they were talking the matter over.
"And a very well-spoken, genteel, shrewd lady, she seemed to be, " continued he; "asked more questions about the house, and terms, and taxes, than the Admiral himself, and seemed more conversant43 with business; and moreover, Sir Walter, I found she was not quite unconnected in this country, any more than her husband; that is to say, she is sister to a gentleman who did live amongst us once; she told me so herself: sister to the gentleman who lived a few years back at Monkford. Bless me! what was his name? At this moment I cannot recollect44 his name, though I have heard it so lately. Penelope, my dear, can you help me to the name of the gentleman who lived at Monkford: Mrs Croft's brother?"
But Mrs Clay was talking so eagerly with Miss Elliot, that she did not hear the appeal.
"I have no conception whom you can mean, Shepherd; I remember no gentleman resident at Monkford since the time of old Governor Trent. "
"Bless me! how very odd! I shall forget my own name soon, I suppose. A name that I am so very well acquainted with; knew the gentleman so well by sight; seen him a hundred times; came to consult me once, I remember, about a trespass45 of one of his neighbours; farmer's man breaking into his orchard46; wall torn down; apples stolen; caught in the fact; and afterwards, contrary to my judgement, submitted to an amicable47 compromise. Very odd indeed!"
After waiting another moment--
"You mean Mr Wentworth, I suppose?" said Anne.
Mr Shepherd was all gratitude48.
"Wentworth was the very name! Mr Wentworth was the very man. He had the curacy of Monkford, you know, Sir Walter, some time back, for two or three years. Came there about the year ---5, I take it. You remember him, I am sure. "
"Wentworth? Oh! ay, --Mr Wentworth, the curate of Monkford. You misled me by the term gentleman. I thought you were speaking of some man of property: Mr Wentworth was nobody, I remember; quite unconnected; nothing to do with the Strafford family. One wonders how the names of many of our nobility become so common. "
As Mr Shepherd perceived that this connexion of the Crofts did them no service with Sir Walter, he mentioned it no more; returning, with all his zeal49, to dwell on the circumstances more indisputably in their favour; their age, and number, and fortune; the high idea they had formed of Kellynch Hall, and extreme solicitude50 for the advantage of renting it; making it appear as if they ranked nothing beyond the happiness of being the tenants of Sir Walter Elliot: an extraordinary taste, certainly, could they have been supposed in the secret of Sir Walter's estimate of the dues of a tenant.
It succeeded, however; and though Sir Walter must ever look with an evil eye on anyone intending to inhabit that house, and think them infinitely51 too well off in being permitted to rent it on the highest terms, he was talked into allowing Mr Shepherd to proceed in the treaty, and authorising him to wait on Admiral Croft, who still remained at Taunton, and fix a day for the house being seen.
Sir Walter was not very wise; but still he had experience enough of the world to feel, that a more unobjectionable tenant, in all essentials, than Admiral Croft bid fair to be, could hardly offer. So far went his understanding; and his vanity supplied a little additional soothing52, in the Admiral's situation in life, which was just high enough, and not too high. "I have let my house to Admiral Croft, " would sound extremely well; very much better than to any mere53 Mr--; a Mr (save, perhaps, some half dozen in the nation, ) always needs a note of explanation. An admiral speaks his own consequence, and, at the same time, can never make a baronet look small. In all their dealings and intercourse54, Sir Walter Elliot must ever have the precedence.
Nothing could be done without a reference to Elizabeth: but her inclination was growing so strong for a removal, that she was happy to have it fixed55 and expedited by a tenant at hand; and not a word to suspend decision was uttered by her.
Mr Shepherd was completely empowered to act; and no sooner had such an end been reached, than Anne, who had been a most attentive56 listener to the whole, left the room, to seek the comfort of cool air for her flushed cheeks; and as she walked along a favourite grove57, said, with a gentle sigh, "A few months more, and he, perhaps, may be walking here. "
一天早晨，谢泼德先生来到凯林奇大厦，他放下手中的报纸说道：“沃尔特爵士，请听我说，眼前的局面对我们十分有利。天下太平了（这里指欧洲联军对拿破仑战争‘1793-1815’已经宣告结束），有钱的海军军官就要回到岸上。他们都要安个家。沃尔特爵士，时机再好不过了，你可以随意挑选房客，非常可靠的房客。战争期间，许多人发了大财。我们要是碰到一位有钱的海军将领，沃尔特爵士……”
“我只能这么说，”沃尔特爵士答道，“那他可就是个鸿运亨通的人啰。凯林奇大厦的的确确要成为他的战利品啦。就算他过去得了许许多多的战利品，凯林奇大厦可是最了不起的战利品，你说对吧，谢泼德？”
谢泼德先生听了这番俏皮话，不由得失声笑了起来(他知道他一定要笑)，然后接着说道：
“沃尔特爵士，我敢断言，论起做交易来，海军的先生们是很好说话的。我多少了解一点他们做交易的方式。我可以坦率地告诉你，这些人非常宽怀大度，可以成为称心如意的房客，比你遇见的什么人都不逊色。因此，沃尔特爵士，请允许我提个这样的建议：如果你的打算给张扬出去——应该承认这种事情是可能的，因为我们都知道，在如今的世界上，一个地方的人们有什么行动和打算，很难保证不引起别处人们的注意和好奇。地位显赫有它的副作用。我约翰·谢泼德可以随心所欲地把家里的事情隐瞒起来，因为没有人会认为我还值得注意。不过你是沃尔特·埃利奥特爵士，别人的眼睛总是盯着你，你想躲也躲不开。因此，我敢冒昧地说，尽管我们小心翼翼，假若事情给传扬出去，我并不会感到大惊小怪。我刚才正要说，假定出现这种情况，无疑会有人提出申请，对于阔气的海军军官，我想应该给以特别照顾。请允许我再补充一句：不管什么时候，一经召唤，我两小时之内就能赶到府上，代为复函。”
沃尔特爵士只是点了点头。过不一会儿工夫，他立起身来，一边在屋里踱步，一边讥诮地说道：
“我想，海军的先生们住进这样一座房子，几乎没有什么人不感到大喜若惊的。”
“毫无疑问，他们要环顾一下四周，庆幸自己有这般好运气，”在场的克莱夫人说道。她是跟着她父亲一起过来的。乘马车来凯林奇做客，对她的身体大有裨益。“不过我很赞同我父亲的观点：做水兵的可以成为称心如意的房客。我很了解做水手的，他们除了宽怀大度以外，做什么事情都有条不紊，仔仔细细！沃尔特爵士，您的这些宝贝画若是不打算带走，保证万无一失。屋里屋外的东西样样都会给你保管得妥妥帖帖的！花园也好，矮树丛也好，都会像现在这样收拾得井然有序。埃利奥特小姐，你不用担心你那漂亮的花圃会给荒废了。”
“说到这个嘛，”沃尔特爵士冷冷地回道，“假使我受你们的怂恿决定出租房子的话，我可万万没有打定主意要附加什么优惠条件。我并非很想厚待一位房客。当然，猎场还是要供他使用的，无论是海军军官还是别的什么人，谁能有这么大的猎场？不过，如何限制使用游乐场却是另外一码事儿。我不喜欢有人随时可以进出我的矮树丛。我要奉劝埃利奥特小姐留心她的花圃。实话对你们说吧，我根本不想给予凯林奇大厦的房客任何特殊的优待，不管他是海军还是陆军。”
停了不一会儿，谢泼德先生贸然说道：
“这类事情都有常规惯例，把房东与房客之间的关系搞得清清楚楚，双方都不用担心。沃尔特爵士，你的事情把握在牢靠人手里。请放心，我保证你的房客不会超越他应有的权利。我敢这样说，沃尔特·埃利奥特爵士保护自己的权利，远远不像替他保驾的约翰·谢泼德那样谨慎戒备。”
这时，安妮说道:
“我想，海军为我们出了这么大的力，他们至少应该像其他人一样，有权享受任何家庭所能提供的一切舒适条件，一切优惠待遇。我们应该承认，水兵们艰苦奋斗，应该享受这些舒适条件。”
“千真万确，千真万确。安妮小姐说的话千真万确，”谢泼德先生答道。他女儿也跟着说了声，“哦！当然如此。”可是歇了片刻，沃尔特爵士却这样说道： “海军这个职业是有用处的，但是一见到我的哪位朋友当上了水兵，我就感到惋借。”
“真的吗？”对方带着惊讶的神气说道。
“是的。它在两点上使我感到厌烦，因此我也就有两个充足的理由对它表示反感。首先，它给出身微贱的人带来过高的荣誉，使他们得到他们的先辈从来不曾梦想过的高官厚禄。其次，它怵目惊心地毁灭了年轻人的青春与活力，因为水兵比其他人都老得快。我观察了一辈子。一个人进了海军，比参加其他任何行业都更容易受到一个他父亲不屑搭理的庸人的儿子的凌辱，更容易使自己过早地受人嫌弃。去年春上，我有一天在城里遇见两个人，他们可以为我的话提供有力的证据。我们都知道，圣艾夫斯勋爵的父亲是个乡下的副牧师，穷得连面包都吃不上。可我偏偏要给圣艾夫斯勋爵和一位鲍德温将军让道。这位将军真是要多难看有多难看。他的脸膛是红褐色的，粗糙到了极点。满脸都是皱纹，一边脑帮上挂着九根灰毛，上面是个粉扑扑的大秃顶。‘天哪，那位老兄是谁呀？’我对站在跟前的一位朋友(巴兹尔·莫利爵士)说道。‘老兄！’巴兹尔爵士嚷道，‘这是鲍德温将军。你看他有多大年纪？’‘六十，’我说，‘也许是六十二。’‘四十，’巴兹尔爵士答道，‘刚刚四十。’你想象一下我当时有多惊奇。我不会轻易忘掉鲍德温将军。我从没见过海上生活能把人糟蹋成这副惨象，不过略知一二罢了。我知道他们都是如此：东飘西泊，风吹雨打，直至折磨得不成样子。他们干脆一下子给劈死了倒好，何苦要挨到鲍德温将军的年纪。”
“别这么说，沃尔特爵士，”克莱夫人大声说道，“你这话实在有点尖刻。请稍微可怜可怜那些人吧。我们大家并非生下来都很漂亮。大海当然也并非是美容师，水兵的确老得快。我也经常注意到这一点：他们很快便失去了青春的美貌。可是话又说回来，许多职业(也许是绝大多数职业)的情况不也统统如此吗？在陆军服役的大兵境况一点也不比他们好。即使是那些安稳的职业，如果说不伤身体的话，却要多伤脑筋，这就很难使人的容貌只受时光的自然影响。律师忙忙碌碌，落得形容憔悴；医生随叫随到，风雨无阻；即使牧师——”她顿了顿，寻思对牧师说什么才是——“你们知道，即便牧师也要走进传染病房，使自己的健康和相貌受到有毒环境的损害。其实，我历来认为，虽然每个行业都是必要的，光荣的，但是有幸的只是这样的人，他们住在乡下，不用从事任何职业，过着有规律的生活，自己安排时间，自己搞些活动，靠自己的财产过日子，用不着苦苦钻营。我看只有这种人才能最大限度地享受到健康和美貌的洪福。据我所知，其他情况的人都是一过了青春妙龄，便要失去几分美貌。”
谢拨德先生如此急切地想要引起沃尔特爵士对海军军官做房客的好感，仿佛他有先见之明似的；因为头一个提出申请要租房子的，正是一位姓克罗夫特的海军将军，谢泼德先生不久前出席汤顿（萨默塞特郡郡府）市议会举行的季会，偶然结识了他。其实，他早就从伦敦的一位通信者那里打听到了有关这位将军的线索。他急匆匆地赶到凯林奇报告说，克罗夫特将军是萨默塞特人，如今发了大财，想回本郡定居。他这次来汤顿，本想在这附近看看广告中提到的几处房子，不料这些房子都不中他的意。后来意外地听说——(谢泼德先生说，正像他预言的那样，沃尔特爵士的事情是包藏不住的)——意外地听说凯林奇大厦可能要出租，而且又了解谢泼德先生同房主人的关系，便主动结识了他，以便好问个仔细。在一次长谈中，他虽说只是听了听介绍，却表示非常喜欢这幢房子。他在明言直语地谈到自己时，千方百计地要向谢泼德先生证明:他是个最可靠、最合格的房客。
“克罗夫特将军是何许人？”沃尔特爵士有些疑心，便冷冷地问道。
谢泼德先生担保说，他出身于绅士家庭，而且还提到了地点。停了片刻，安妮补充说道：
“他是白色中队的海军少将，参加过特拉法加战役，此后一直呆在东印度群岛。我想，他驻守在那里已经好多年了。”
“这么说来，”沃尔特爵士说道，“他的面色想必和我仆人号衣的袖口和披肩一样赤黄啦。”
谢泼德先生急忙对他说，克罗夫特将军是个强健漂亮的男子汉，确实有点饱经风霜，但不是很严重，思想举止大有绅士风度。他丝毫不会在条件上留难于沃尔特爵士，他只想能有一个舒适的家，并能尽快地搬进去。他知道，要舒适就得付出代价。知道住这么一座陈设齐备的大厦要付多少房租。假使沃尔特爵士当初要价再高一些，他也不会大惊小怪。他了解过庄园的情况，当然希望得到在猎场上打猎的权利，不过并没有极力要求。说他有时拿出枪来，但是从来不杀生。真是个有教养的人。
谢泼德先生滔滔不绝地絮叨着，把海军少将的家庭底细统统亮了出来，显得他是个再理想不过的房客。他成了婚而又没有孩子，这真是个求之不得的情况。谢泼德先生说，屋里缺了女主人，无论如何也照料不好。他不知道家里没有太太与子女满堂相比，究竟哪种情况使家具破损得更快。一位没有儿女的太太是世上最好的家具保管员。他也见过克罗夫特夫人。她同海军少将一起来到汤顿，他们两个进行洽谈的时候，她几乎一直在场。
“看样子，她是个谈吐优雅、文质彬彬、聪明伶俐的女人，”谢泼德先生继续说道。“对于房子、出租条件和赋税，她提的问题比海军少将自己提的还多，仿佛比他更懂得生意经。另外，沃尔特爵士，我发现她不像她丈夫那样，在本地完全无亲无故。这就是说，她同曾经住在我们这一带的一位绅士是亲姊弟。这是她亲口对我说的。她还是几年前住在蒙克福德的一位绅士的亲姐姐。天哪！他叫什么来着？他的名字我虽然最近还听人说过，可眼下却记不起了。亲爱的佩内洛普，你能不能帮我想起以前住在蒙克福德的那位绅士，也就是克罗夫特夫人的弟弟叫什么名字?”
谁想克莱夫人同埃利奥特小姐谈得正热火，并没听到他的求告。
“谢泼德，我不晓得你指的是谁。自打特伦特老先生去世以来，我不记得有哪位绅士在蒙克福德居住过。”
“天哪，好奇怪呀！我看不用多久，我连自己的名字都要忘掉了。我那么熟悉的一个名字。我同那位先生那么面熟，见过他足有一百次。我记得他有一次来请教我，说是有一位邻居非法侵犯了他的财产。一位农场主的用人闯进他的果园，扒倒围墙，偷盗苹果，被当场抓住。后来，出乎我的意料，他居然同对方达成了和解。真够奇怪的！”
又顿了片刻，安妮说道：
“我想你是指温特沃思先生吧？”
谢泼德先生一听大为感激。
“正是温特沃思这个名字！那人就是温特沃思先生。你知道，沃尔特爵士，温特沃思先生以前做过蒙克福德的副牧师，做了两三年。我想他是一八0五年来到那里的。你肯定记得他。”
“温特沃思？啊，对了！温特沃思先生，蒙克福德的副牧师。你用绅士这个字眼可把我给懵住了。我还以为你在谈论哪一位有产者呢。我记得温特沃思先生是个无名之辈，完全无亲无故，同斯特拉福德家族毫无关系。不知道为什么，我们许多贵族的名字怎么变得如此平凡。”
谢波德先生发觉，克罗夫特夫妇有了这位亲戚并不能增进沃尔特爵士对他们的好感，便只好不再提他，而将话锋一转，又满腔热忱地谈起了他们那些毋庸置疑的有利条件:他们的年龄、人数和财富;他们如何对凯林奇大厦推崇备至，唯恐自己租不到手。听起来，他们似乎把做沃尔特·埃利奥特爵士的房客视为最大的荣幸。当然，他们假如能够得悉沃尔特爵士对房客的权利所抱的看法，这种渴求就太异乎寻常了。
无论如何，这笔交易还是做成了。虽然沃尔特爵士总是要用恶狠狠的目光注视着打算住进凯林奇大厦的任何人，认为他们能以最高的价钱把它租下来真是太幸运了；但是经过劝说，他还是同意让谢泼德先生继续洽谈，委任他接待克罗夫特将军。将军眼下还住在汤顿，要定个日期让他来看房子。
沃尔特爵士并不是个精明人，不过他凭着自己的阅历可以感到：一个本质上比克罗夫特将军更加无可非议的房客，不大可能向他提出申请。他的见识就能达到这一步。他的虚荣心还给他带来了一点额外的安慰，觉得克罗夫特将军的社会地位恰好够高的，而且也不偏高。“我把房子租给了克罗夫特将军，”这话听起来有多体面，比租给某某先生体面多了。凡是称为先生的，也许全国除了五六个以外，总是需要做点说明。海军将军这个头衔本身就说明了他的举足轻重，同时又决不会使一位准男爵相形见细。他们在相互交往中，沃尔特·埃利奥特爵士总是要高对方一筹。
凡事都要同伊丽莎白商量才能办成，不过她一心就想搬家，现在能就近找到位房客，迅速了结这桩事，她自然感到很高兴，压根儿没有提出异议。
谢泼德先生被授以全权处理这件事。本来，安妮一直在聚精会神地听他们议论，不觉涨得满脸通红，现在一见有了这样的结果，便连忙走出屋子，想到外面透透气。她一边沿着心爱的矮树丛走去，一边轻轻叹了口气，然后说道：“也许再过几个月，他就会在这里散步了。”
收听单词发音 |
1
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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elude
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| v.躲避，困惑 | |
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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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annexed
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| [法] 附加的，附属的 | |
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restrictions
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| 约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则） | |
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undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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disdained
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| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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prematurely
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| adv.过早地，贸然地 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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dab
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| v.轻触，轻拍，轻涂；n.(颜料等的)轻涂 | |
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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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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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plods
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| v.沉重缓慢地走（路）( plod的第三人称单数 )；努力从事；沉闷地苦干；缓慢进行（尤指艰难枯燥的工作） | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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bespeak
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| v.预定；预先请求 | |
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foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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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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foretold
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| v.预言，预示( foretell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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explicit
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| adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的 | |
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eligible
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| adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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cuffs
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| n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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capes
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| 碎谷； 斗篷( cape的名词复数 )； 披肩； 海角； 岬 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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conversant
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| adj.亲近的，有交情的，熟悉的 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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trespass
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| n./v.侵犯，闯入私人领地 | |
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orchard
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| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
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amicable
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| adj.和平的，友好的；友善的 | |
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48
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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50
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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55
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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56
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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