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Chapter 30
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Catherine's disposition1 was not naturally sedentary, nor had her habits been ever very industrious2; but whatever might hitherto have been her defects of that sort, her mother could not but perceive them now to be greatly increased. She could neither sit still nor employ herself for ten minutes together, walking round the garden and orchard3 again and again, as if nothing but motion was voluntary; and it seemed as if she could even walk about the house rather than remain fixed4 for any time in the parlour. Her loss of spirits was a yet greater alteration5. In her rambling6 and her idleness she might only be a caricature of herself; but in her silence and sadness she was the very reverse of all that she had been before.

For two days Mrs. Morland allowed it to pass even without a hint; but when a third night's rest had neither restored her cheerfulness, improved her in useful activity, nor given her a greater inclination7 for needlework, she could no longer refrain from the gentle reproof8 of, "My dear Catherine, I am afraid you are growing quite a fine lady. I do not know when poor Richard's cravats9 would be done, if he had no friend but you. Your head runs too much upon Bath; but there is a time for everything -- a time for balls and plays, and a time for work. You have had a long run of amusement, and now you must try to be useful."

Catherine took up her work directly, saying, in a dejected voice, that "her head did not run upon Bath -- much."

"Then you are fretting11 about General Tilney, and that is very simple of you; for ten to one whether you ever see him again. You should never fret10 about trifles." After a short silence -- "I hope, my Catherine, you are not getting out of humour with home because it is not so grand as Northanger. That would be turning your visit into an evil indeed. Wherever you are you should always be contented12, but especially at home, because there you must spend the most of your time. I did not quite like, at breakfast, to hear you talk so much about the French bread at Northanger."

"I am sure I do not care about the bread. it is all the same to me what I eat."

"There is a very clever essay in one of the books upstairs upon much such a subject, about young girls that have been spoilt for home by great acquaintance -- The Mirror, I think. I will look it out for you some day or other, because I am sure it will do you good."

Catherine said no more, and, with an endeavour to do right, applied13 to her work; but, after a few minutes, sunk again, without knowing it herself, into languor14 and listlessness, moving herself in her chair, from the irritation15 of weariness, much oftener than she moved her needle. Mrs. Morland watched the progress of this relapse; and seeing, in her daughter's absent and dissatisfied look, the full proof of that repining spirit to which she had now begun to attribute her want of cheerfulness, hastily left the room to fetch the book in question, anxious to lose no time in attacking so dreadful a malady16. It was some time before she could find what she looked for; and other family matters occurring to detain her, a quarter of an hour had elapsed ere she returned downstairs with the volume from which so much was hoped. Her avocations17 above having shut out all noise but what she created herself, she knew not that a visitor had arrived within the last few minutes, till, on entering the room, the first object she beheld18 was a young man whom she had never seen before. With a look of much respect, he immediately rose, and being introduced to her by her conscious daughter as "Mr. Henry Tilney," with the embarrassment19 of real sensibility began to apologize for his appearance there, acknowledging that after what had passed he had little right to expect a welcome at Fullerton, and stating his impatience20 to be assured of Miss Morland's having reached her home in safety, as the cause of his intrusion. He did not address himself to an uncandid judge or a resentful heart. Far from comprehending him or his sister in their father's misconduct, Mrs. Morland had been always kindly21 disposed towards each, and instantly, pleased by his appearance, received him with the simple professions of unaffected benevolence22; thanking him for such an attention to her daughter, assuring him that the friends of her children were always welcome there, and entreating23 him to say not another word of the past.

He was not ill-inclined to obey this request, for, though his heart was greatly relieved by such unlooked-for mildness, it was not just at that moment in his power to say anything to the purpose. Returning in silence to his seat, therefore, he remained for some minutes most civilly answering all Mrs. Morland's common remarks about the weather and roads. Catherine meanwhile -- the anxious, agitated24, happy, feverish25 Catherine -- said not a word; but her glowing cheek and brightened eye made her mother trust that this good-natured visit would at least set her heart at ease for a time, and gladly therefore did she lay aside the first volume of The Mirror for a future hour.

Desirous of Mr. Morland's assistance, as well in giving encouragement, as in finding conversation for her guest, whose embarrassment on his father's account she earnestly pitied, Mrs. Morland had very early dispatched one of the children to summon him; but Mr. Morland was from home -- and being thus without any support, at the end of a quarter of an hour she had nothing to say. After a couple of minutes' unbroken silence, Henry, turning to Catherine for the first time since her mother's entrance, asked her, with sudden alacrity26, if Mr. and Mrs. Allen were now at Fullerton? And on developing, from amidst all her perplexity of words in reply, the meaning, which one short syllable27 would have given, immediately expressed his intention of paying his respects to them, and, with a rising colour, asked her if she would have the goodness to show him the way. "You may see the house from this window, sir," was information on Sarah's side, which produced only a bow of acknowledgment from the gentleman, and a silencing nod from her mother; for Mrs. Morland, thinking it probable, as a secondary consideration in his wish of waiting on their worthy28 neighbours, that he might have some explanation to give of his father's behaviour, which it must be more pleasant for him to communicate only to Catherine, would not on any account prevent her accompanying him. They began their walk, and Mrs. Morland was not entirely29 mistaken in his object in wishing it. Some explanation on his father's account he had to give; but his first purpose was to explain himself, and before they reached Mr. Allen's grounds he had done it so well that Catherine did not think it could ever be repeated too often. She was assured of his affection; and that heart in return was solicited30, which, perhaps, they pretty equally knew was already entirely his own; for, though Henry was now sincerely attached to her, though he felt and delighted in all the excellencies of her character and truly loved her society, I must confess that his affection originated in nothing better than gratitude31, or, in other words, that a persuasion32 of her partiality for him had been the only cause of giving her a serious thought. It is a new circumstance in romance, I acknowledge, and dreadfully derogatory of an heroine's dignity; but if it be as new in common life, the credit of a wild imagination will at least be all my own.

A very short visit to Mrs. Allen, in which Henry talked at random33, without sense or connection, and Catherine, rapt in the contemplation of her own unutterable happiness, scarcely opened her lips, dismissed them to the ecstasies34 of another tete-a-tete; and before it was suffered to close, she was enabled to judge how far he was sanctioned by parental35 authority in his present application. On his return from Woodston, two days before, he had been met near the abbey by his impatient father, hastily informed in angry terms of Miss Morland's departure, and ordered to think of her no more.

Such was the permission upon which he had now offered her his hand. The affrighted Catherine, amidst all the terrors of expectation, as she listened to this account, could not but rejoice in the kind caution with which Henry had saved her from the necessity of a conscientious36 rejection37, by engaging her faith before he mentioned the subject; and as he proceeded to give the particulars, and explain the motives38 of his father's conduct, her feelings soon hardened into even a triumphant39 delight. The general had had nothing to accuse her of, nothing to lay to her charge, but her being the involuntary, unconscious object of a deception40 which his pride could not pardon, and which a better pride would have been ashamed to own. She was guilty only of being less rich than he had supposed her to be. Under a mistaken persuasion of her possessions and claims, he had courted her acquaintance in Bath, solicited her company at Northanger, and designed her for his daughter-in-law. On discovering his error, to turn her from the house seemed the best, though to his feelings an inadequate41 proof of his resentment42 towards herself, and his contempt of her family.

John Thorpe had first misled him. The general, perceiving his son one night at the theatre to be paying considerable attention to Miss Morland, had accidentally inquired of Thorpe if he knew more of her than her name. Thorpe, most happy to be on speaking terms with a man of General Tilney's importance, had been joyfully43 and proudly communicative; and being at that time not only in daily expectation of Morland's engaging Isabella, but likewise pretty well resolved upon marrying Catherine himself, his vanity induced him to represent the family as yet more wealthy than his vanity and avarice44 had made him believe them. With whomsoever he was, or was likely to be connected, his own consequence always required that theirs should be great, and as his intimacy45 with any acquaintance grew, so regularly grew their fortune. The expectations of his friend Morland, therefore, from the first overrated, had ever since his introduction to Isabella been gradually increasing; and by merely adding twice as much for the grandeur46 of the moment, by doubling what he chose to think the amount of Mr. Morland's preferment, trebling his private fortune, bestowing47 a rich aunt, and sinking half the children, he was able to represent the whole family to the general in a most respectable light. For Catherine, however, the peculiar48 object of the general's curiosity, and his own speculations49, he had yet something more in reserve, and the ten or fifteen thousand pounds which her father could give her would be a pretty addition to Mr. Allen's estate. Her intimacy there had made him seriously determine on her being handsomely legacied hereafter; and to speak of her therefore as the almost acknowledged future heiress of Fullerton naturally followed. Upon such intelligence the general had proceeded; for never had it occurred to him to doubt its authority. Thorpe's interest in the family, by his sister's approaching connection with one of its members, and his own views on another (circumstances of which he boasted with almost equal openness), seemed sufficient vouchers50 for his truth; and to these were added the absolute facts of the Allens being wealthy and childless, of Miss Morland's being under their care, and -- as soon as his acquaintance allowed him to judge -- of their treating her with parental kindness. His resolution was soon formed. Already had he discerned a liking51 towards Miss Morland in the countenance52 of his son; and thankful for Mr. Thorpe's communication, he almost instantly determined53 to spare no pains in weakening his boasted interest and ruining his dearest hopes. Catherine herself could not be more ignorant at the time of all this, than his own children. Henry and Eleanor, perceiving nothing in her situation likely to engage their father's particular respect, had seen with astonishment54 the suddenness, continuance, and extent of his attention; and though latterly, from some hints which had accompanied an almost positive command to his son of doing everything in his power to attach her, Henry was convinced of his father's believing it to be an advantageous55 connection, it was not till the late explanation at Northanger that they had the smallest idea of the false calculations which had hurried him on. That they were false, the general had learnt from the very person who had suggested them, from Thorpe himself, whom he had chanced to meet again in town, and who, under the influence of exactly opposite feelings, irritated by Catherine's refusal, and yet more by the failure of a very recent endeavour to accomplish a reconciliation56 between Morland and Isabella, convinced that they were separated forever, and spurning57 a friendship which could be no longer serviceable, hastened to contradict all that he had said before to the advantage of the Morlands -- confessed himself to have been totally mistaken in his opinion of their circumstances and character, misled by the rhodomontade of his friend to believe his father a man of substance and credit, whereas the transactions of the two or three last weeks proved him to be neither; for after coming eagerly forward on the first overture58 of a marriage between the families, with the most liberal proposals, he had, on being brought to the point by the shrewdness of the relator, been constrained59 to acknowledge himself incapable60 of giving the young people even a decent support. They were, in fact, a necessitous family; numerous, too, almost beyond example; by no means respected in their own neighbourhood, as he had lately had particular opportunities of discovering; aiming at a style of life which their fortune could not warrant; seeking to better themselves by wealthy connections; a forward, bragging61, scheming race.

The terrified general pronounced the name of Allen with an inquiring look; and here too Thorpe had learnt his error. The Allens, he believed, had lived near them too long, and he knew the young man on whom the Fullerton estate must devolve. The general needed no more. Enraged62 with almost everybody in the world but himself, he set out the next day for the abbey, where his performances have been seen.

I leave it to my reader's sagacity to determine how much of all this it was possible for Henry to communicate at this time to Catherine, how much of it he could have learnt from his father, in what points his own conjectures63 might assist him, and what portion must yet remain to be told in a letter from James. I have united for their case what they must divide for mine. Catherine, at any rate, heard enough to feel that in suspecting General Tilney of either murdering or shutting up his wife, she had scarcely sinned against his character, or magnified his cruelty.

Henry, in having such things to relate of his father, was almost as pitiable as in their first avowal64 to himself. He blushed for the narrow-minded counsel which he was obliged to expose. The conversation between them at Northanger had been of the most unfriendly kind. Henry's indignation on hearing how Catherine had been treated, on comprehending his father's views, and being ordered to acquiesce65 in them, had been open and bold. The general, accustomed on every ordinary occasion to give the law in his family, prepared for no reluctance66 but of feeling, no opposing desire that should dare to clothe itself in words, could ill brook67 the opposition68 of his son, steady as the sanction of reason and the dictate69 of conscience could make it. But, in such a cause, his anger, though it must shock, could not intimidate70 Henry, who was sustained in his purpose by a conviction of its justice. He felt himself bound as much in honour as in affection to Miss Morland, and believing that heart to be his own which he had been directed to gain, no unworthy retraction71 of a tacit consent, no reversing decree of unjustifiable anger, could shake his fidelity72, or influence the resolutions it prompted.

He steadily73 refused to accompany his father into Herefordshire, an engagement formed almost at the moment to promote the dismissal of Catherine, and as steadily declared his intention of offering her his hand. The general was furious in his anger, and they parted in dreadful disagreement. Henry, in an agitation74 of mind which many solitary75 hours were required to compose, had returned almost instantly to Woodston, and, on the afternoon of the following day, had begun his journey to Fullerton.

凯瑟琳不是个生性好坐的人,可她生性也不十分勤快。但是,她以往在这方面不管有些什么缺点,她母亲现在都能察觉这些缺点大大加重了。无论静坐着也好,干什么活也好,她连十分钟都坚持不了,总是在花园果园里转悠,好像除了走动以外,什么也不想做。看样子,她宁愿绕着房子到处徘徊,也不肯在客厅里老老实实地呆上一会。然而她意气的消沉变化得更大。她的闲逛和懒散只是过去老毛病的进一步发展,但是她的沉默和优郁却和以前的性情截然相反。

头两天,莫兰太太听之任之,连一句话也没说。但是经过第三个晚上的休息之后,凯瑟琳还没恢复兴致,仍旧不肯干点正经事,也不想做点针线活,这时莫兰太太再也忍不住了,于是便温和地责备了女儿几句:"我的好凯瑟琳,恐怕你要变成娇小姐了。要是可伶的理查德只有你一个亲人的话,我真不知道他的围巾什么时候才能织好。你的脑子里尽想着巴思,但是干什么事都得有个时候-有时候可以跳跳舞,看看戏,有时候也该做点活。你逍遥的时间够长的了,现在应该做点正经事啦。"

凯瑟琳立刻拿起针线,用颓丧的语气说道:"我脑子里并没尽想着巴思呀。"

"那你是在为蒂尔尼将军烦恼。你真是太傻了,因为你十有八九不会再见到他了。你决不应该为这种小事自寻烦恼。"稍许沉默了一会之后:"凯瑟琳,我希望你不要因为家里不如诺桑觉寺气派,就嫌家里不好。要是这样,那岂不意味你这趟门出坏了。你无论在什么地方,都应该随时感到知足,特别是在自己家里,因为你必须在家里度过你的大部分时间。吃早饭的时候,你大讲特讲诺桑觉寺的法式面包,我就不大愿意听。"

"说真的,我对那种面包并不感兴趣。我吃什么都一样。"

"楼上有本书,书里有篇很好的文章,说到一些年轻姑娘因为交了阔朋友,便嫌弃自己的家。我想是本《明镜》杂志。我哪天给你找出来,对你准有好处。"

凯瑟琳没再说什么。她一心想往对里做,于是便埋头做起活计。但是过了几分钟,不知不觉地又变得无精打采了,因为疲惫烦躁,身子不停地在椅子上转动,转得比动针的次数还多。莫兰太太眼看着女儿又犯老毛病了。她发现,凯瑟琳那恍惚不满的神色完全证实了自己的看法,认为她所以郁郁不乐正是因为不能安贫乐道,于是她赶忙离开房间去取那本书,迫不及待地要把这个可怕的病症马上治好。她费了半天工夫才把书找到,接着又让家务事给绊住了,直过了一刻钟才带着她寄以无限希望的那本书走下楼来。她在楼上忙乎时搞得声音很响,楼下有什么动静全没听见,因而也不知道在最后几分钟里来了一位客人。她刚走进屋,一眼便看见一个以前没见过面的青年男子。这男子立刻恭恭敬敬地立起身,女儿忸忸怩怩地介绍说:"这是亨利·蒂尔尼先生。"接着,蒂尔尼先生带着十分敏感和窘迫不安的神气,开始解释自己的来意·他承认,由于发生了那样的事情,他无权期待自己会在富勒顿受到欢迎,他之所以冒昧地赶来,是因为他急于想知道莫兰小姐是否已经平安到家。幸而听他讲话的不是个偏颇结怨的人。莫兰太太没有把亨利和他妹妹同他们父亲的恶劣行径混为一谈,始终对这兄妹俩怀着好感。她很喜欢亨利的仪表,立刻带着纯朴而真挚的感情,好心好意地接待他。感谢他如此关心自己的女儿,让他放心,只要是她孩子的朋友,来她家没有不受欢迎的。她还请求客人,过去的事就只字不提了。

亨利毫不勉强地依从了这一请求,因为,莫兰太太的意外宽大虽说使他心里大为释然,但是在这当儿,过去的事情他又的确说不出口。因此,他一声不响地回到座位上,很有礼貌地回答着莫兰太太关于天气和道路的家常话语。这时候,凯瑟琳只顾得焦灼,激动,快活,兴奋,一句话也没说。但是,一见到她那绯红的面颊和晶亮的眼睛,做母亲的便不由得相信,这次善意的访间至少可以使女儿心里恢复平静。因此,她高高兴兴地放下了那本《明镜》杂志,准备将来再说。

莫兰太太看到客人因为他父亲的关系而感到窘迫,真打心眼里过意不去。她希望莫兰先生能来帮帮忙,一方面跟客人说说话,另一方面也好鼓励鼓励他,因此她老早就打发一个孩子去找丈夫。不巧莫兰先生没在家,莫兰太太孤立无援的,过了一刻钟就没话可说了。连续沉默了两分钟之后,亨利把脸转向凯瑟琳(这是莫兰太太进屋后他第一次转向她),突然爽快地间她艾伦夫妇眼下在不在富勒顿?本来只需要一个字就能回答的间题,凯瑟琳却含含糊糊地说了好几句,亨利揣摩出这番话的意思,当即表示想去拜访一下艾伦夫妇,然后红着脸间凯瑟琳,是不是请她引引路。"先生,你从这个窗口就能看见他们的房子,"萨拉指点说。那位先生只是点了点头表示感谢,不想那位做母亲的也向萨拉点了点头,让她住口。原来,莫兰太太转念一想,客人之所以想去拜访她的高邻,也许是要解释一下他父亲的行为,觉得单独跟凯瑟琳谈谈比较方便,因此她无论如何也得让凯瑟琳陪他去。他们两个出发了,莫兰太太没有完全误会亨利的意图。他是要解释一下他父亲的行为,但是他的首要目的还是剖白自己。还没走到艾伦先生的庭园,他已经剖白得很圆满了,凯瑟琳觉得这样的话真叫人百听不厌。亨利向她表白了自己的爱,而且也向她求了爱,其实他们两个全都明白,那颗心早已属于他的了。不过,虽然亨利现在对凯瑟琳一片钟情,虽然他认识到并且喜爱她性格上有许多优点,真心实意地喜欢和她在一起,但是我必须坦白地说,他的爱只是出自一片感激之情。换句话说,他只是因为知道对方喜爱自己,才对她认真加以考虑的。我承认,这种情形在传奇小说里是见不到的,而且也实在有损女主角的尊严。但是,如果这种情形在日常生活中

也是绝无仅有的话,我至少可以落得个想入非非的美名。

他们在艾伦太太家稍坐了一会,亨利胡乱说了些既无意义又不连贯的话,凯瑟琳只顾得思量自己心里说不出的快活,几乎就没开口。告别出来以后,他们又心醉神迷地亲密交谈起来。没等谈话结束,凯瑟琳便可看出蒂尔尼将军对儿子这次前来求婚所抱的态度。两天前,亨利由伍德斯顿回来,在寺院附近遇见了他那焦躁不安的父亲。父亲急忙气冲冲地把莫兰小姐离去的消息告诉了他,并且责令他不准再去想她。

现在,亨利就是带着这样的禁令前来向她求婚的。凯瑟琳战战兢兢地听着这些话,可把她给吓坏了。然而使她感到高兴的是,多亏亨利想得周到,他是在求完婚以后才提起这件事,否则凯瑟琳还得审慎地加以拒绝。当亨利进而说到详细情况,解释他夫亲这样做的动机时,她顿时硬起了心肠,甚至感到一种胜利的喜悦。原来,将军没有什么好责备她的,也没有什么好指控她的,只是说她不由自主、不知不觉地做了别人诓骗的工具。将军受到那样的诓骗,这是他的自尊心所无法饶恕的,假若自尊心再强一些,他还会耻于承认自己受了骗。凯瑟琳唯一的过错,就是没有将军原先想象的那样有钱。在巴思的时候,将军误听别人谎报了她的财产,便竭力巴结同她来往,请她到诺桑觉寺做客,还打算娶她作儿媳妇。他发现自己的错误之后,为了表示他对凯瑟琳的愤懑,对她家人的鄙视,他觉得最好的办法就是把她赶走,虽然他心里感到这样做还不够解恨。

最先是约翰·索普骗了他。一天晚上,将军在戏院里发现他儿子在向莫兰小姐献殷勤,偶尔间起索普是否了解她的身世。索普一向最喜欢和蒂尔尼将军这样的显赫人物攀谈,于是便高高兴兴、得意洋洋地吹嘘了起来。当时,莫兰每天都有可能同伊莎贝拉订婚,而他自己又打定主意要娶凯瑟琳为妻,因此他的虚荣心就诱使他把莫兰家形容得极为有钱,真比他的虚荣心和贪婪心所想象的还要有钱。他无论和谁沾亲带故,或者可能和谁沾亲带故,为了抬高自己的身价,总要夸大对方的身分。他和哪个人交往得越深,那个人的财产也会不断地增长。因此他对他的朋友莫兰将要继承的财产,虽说一开始就估价过高,然而自从莫兰认识伊莎贝拉以后,他的财产一直在逐步增加。当时,为了说着好听,他仅仅把这家人的资产抬高了两倍,把他所承想的莫兰先生的进项增加了一倍,把他的私产增加了两倍,又赐给一个有钱的姑母,还把孩子的数目削掉了一半,这样一描绘,这家人在将军看来就极为体面了。索普知道,凯瑟琳是将军询间的目标,也是他自己追逐的对象,因此特别替她多说了一点:除了要继承艾伦先生的家产以外,她父亲还会给她一万或一万五千镑,这也算是一笔可观的额外收入。他是见凯瑟琳与艾伦家关系密切,便一口断定她要从那里继承一大笔财产,接着当然就把她说成富勒顿呼声最高的继承人。将军就根据这个消息行动起来,因为他从不怀疑这消息是否可信。索普对这家人的兴趣所在,一是他妹妹马上就要和它的一个成员成亲,二是他自己又看中了它的另一个成员(他同样公开地夸耀这件事),这似乎可以充分保证他说的都是实话。除此之外,艾伦夫妇有钱而无子女,莫兰小姐又归他们照管,等他跟他们一相识以后,他就觉得他们待她亲如父母,这些都是铁一般的事实。于是他很快下定了决心。他早已从儿子的脸上看出他喜欢莫兰小姐。也算感谢索普先生通报消息吧,他几乎当即打定主意,要不遗余力地煞煞他所夸耀的兴头,打消他的痴心妄想。这一切发生的时候,凯瑟琳和将军的两个孩子一样,全都给蒙在鼓里。亨利和埃丽诺看不出凯瑟琳的境况有什么值得他们父亲特别青睐的地方,随后见父亲对她突然关心起来,而且一直都是那样的无微不至,不禁感到十分惊讶。后来,将军曾经向儿子暗示,同时有些近乎断然命令式的,要他尽力去亲近凯瑟琳,亨利由此相信,他父亲一定认为这门亲事有利可图。直到最近在诺桑觉寺把事情解释清楚以前,他们丝毫也没有想到,父亲是受了错误算计的驱使,才这么急于求成的。将军进城的时候,碰巧又遇见了当初向他通报情况的索普,索普亲口告诉他那些情况都是假的。当时,索普的心情和上次恰恰相反,他遭到凯瑟琳的拒绝感到十分恼火,特别是最近试图让莫兰与伊莎贝拉言归于好的努力又告失败,看来他们是永远分手了,于是他摒弃了那种无利可图的友谊,连忙把以前吹捧莫兰家的话全盘推翻。他承认,他对他们的家境和人品的看法完全是错误的,他误信了他那位朋友的自吹自擂,以为他父亲是个有钱有势、德高望重的人,但是近两三个星期与他打交道的结果证明,他并非如此。第一次给两家提亲的时候,莫兰先生急忙表示应承,还提出不少无比慷慨的建议,但当说话人机警地逼迫他谈到实际问题时,他不得不承认,他甚至无法向这对年轻人提供一点过得去的生活费。实际上,他们是个穷人家,子女众多,多得出奇。最近,索普从一个个异乎寻常的机会中发现,这家人一点也不受邻居的敬重。他们大讲生活排场,尽管经济力量并不允许。他们还准备高攀几门阔亲,来改善自己的状况。这家人真不要脸,好说大话,爱耍诡计。

将军一听给吓坏了。他带着诧异的神气提出了艾伦的名字。索普说,他在这件事上也搞错了。他相信艾伦夫妇和他们做了那么多年邻居,早就知道他们的底细了。再说,他还认识那个将来要继承富勒顿产业的青年。将军不必再听了。除了自己以外,他几乎对每个人都感到恼怒,第二天便动身回到诺桑觉寺,而他在那里的所作所为,诸位已经见识过了。

当时,亨利可能将这些事实经过叙说多少?这些事实中,亨利有多少是听他父亲说的?哪些间题是他自己推测的?哪一部分还需要等詹姆斯来信才能说明?我把这些间题统统留给聪明的读者去做裁夺。为了使读者看起来方便,我把这些材料串到了一起,请读者也给我个方便,自己再去把它们拆开吧。无论如何,凯瑟琳听到的情况够多了,觉得自己先前猜疑将军谋杀或是监禁他的妻子,实在并没有侮辱他的人格,也没有夸大他的残暴。

亨利在讲述他父亲的这些事情时,几乎就像当初他听到这些事时一样令人可怜。当他迫不得已暴露了他父亲的那句器量狭窄的劝告时,他不由得羞红了脸。他们父子俩在诺桑觉寺的谈话不客气极了。亨利听说凯瑟琳受到了亏待,领会了他父亲的意图,还被逼着表示认从,这时他公然大胆地表示了自己的愤慨。本来,家里的一切平常事情,将军向来是一个人说了算的。他只以为他的话别人顶多心里不同意,从没想到有人敢把违抗的意愿说出口。他儿子的反抗由于受到理智和良心的驱使,变得十分坚决,真让他无法容忍。在这件事上,将军的发怒虽说定会使亨利感到震惊,但却吓不倒他,而他之所以能这样坚定不移,那是因为他相信自己是正义的。他觉得无论在道义上还是在感情上,他都对莫兰小姐负有义务。他还相信,他父亲指示他赢取的那颗心现在已经属于他的了,用拙劣的手段取消默许过的事,因为无理的恼怒而撤回命令,这些都动摇不了他对凯瑟琳的忠诚,也不会影响他由于忠诚而立定的决心。

亨利毅然拒绝陪他父亲去赫里福德郡,因为这个约会是为了赶走凯瑟琳而临时订下的。亨利还毅然宣布,他要向凯瑟琳求婚。将军气得大发雷霆,两人在骇人听闻的争执中分了手。亨利内心.十分激动,本要几个钟头才能镇定下来,但他马上回到伍德斯顿,第二天下午便动身往富勒顿来了。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 disposition GljzO     
n.性情,性格;意向,倾向;排列,部署
参考例句:
  • He has made a good disposition of his property.他已对财产作了妥善处理。
  • He has a cheerful disposition.他性情开朗。
2 industrious a7Axr     
adj.勤劳的,刻苦的,奋发的
参考例句:
  • If the tiller is industrious,the farmland is productive.人勤地不懒。
  • She was an industrious and willing worker.她是个勤劳肯干的员工。
3 orchard UJzxu     
n.果园,果园里的全部果树,(美俚)棒球场
参考例句:
  • My orchard is bearing well this year.今年我的果园果实累累。
  • Each bamboo house was surrounded by a thriving orchard.每座竹楼周围都是茂密的果园。
4 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
5 alteration rxPzO     
n.变更,改变;蚀变
参考例句:
  • The shirt needs alteration.这件衬衣需要改一改。
  • He easily perceived there was an alteration in my countenance.他立刻看出我的脸色和往常有些不同。
6 rambling MTfxg     
adj.[建]凌乱的,杂乱的
参考例句:
  • We spent the summer rambling in Ireland. 我们花了一个夏天漫游爱尔兰。
  • It was easy to get lost in the rambling house. 在布局凌乱的大房子里容易迷路。
7 inclination Gkwyj     
n.倾斜;点头;弯腰;斜坡;倾度;倾向;爱好
参考例句:
  • She greeted us with a slight inclination of the head.她微微点头向我们致意。
  • I did not feel the slightest inclination to hurry.我没有丝毫着急的意思。
8 reproof YBhz9     
n.斥责,责备
参考例句:
  • A smart reproof is better than smooth deceit.严厉的责难胜过温和的欺骗。
  • He is impatient of reproof.他不能忍受指责。
9 cravats 88ef1dbc7b31f0d8e7728a858f2b5eec     
n.(系在衬衫衣领里面的)男式围巾( cravat的名词复数 )
参考例句:
10 fret wftzl     
v.(使)烦恼;(使)焦急;(使)腐蚀,(使)磨损
参考例句:
  • Don't fret.We'll get there on time.别着急,我们能准时到那里。
  • She'll fret herself to death one of these days.她总有一天会愁死的.
11 fretting fretting     
n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的
参考例句:
  • Fretting about it won't help. 苦恼于事无补。
  • The old lady is always fretting over something unimportant. 那位老妇人总是为一些小事焦虑不安。
12 contented Gvxzof     
adj.满意的,安心的,知足的
参考例句:
  • He won't be contented until he's upset everyone in the office.不把办公室里的每个人弄得心烦意乱他就不会满足。
  • The people are making a good living and are contented,each in his station.人民安居乐业。
13 applied Tz2zXA     
adj.应用的;v.应用,适用
参考例句:
  • She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
  • This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。
14 languor V3wyb     
n.无精力,倦怠
参考例句:
  • It was hot,yet with a sweet languor about it.天气是炎热的,然而却有一种惬意的懒洋洋的感觉。
  • She,in her languor,had not troubled to eat much.她懒懒的,没吃多少东西。
15 irritation la9zf     
n.激怒,恼怒,生气
参考例句:
  • He could not hide his irritation that he had not been invited.他无法掩饰因未被邀请而生的气恼。
  • Barbicane said nothing,but his silence covered serious irritation.巴比康什么也不说,但是他的沉默里潜伏着阴郁的怒火。
16 malady awjyo     
n.病,疾病(通常做比喻)
参考例句:
  • There is no specific remedy for the malady.没有医治这种病的特效药。
  • They are managing to control the malady into a small range.他们设法将疾病控制在小范围之内。
17 avocations ced84b6cc413c20155f985ee94d0e492     
n.业余爱好,嗜好( avocation的名词复数 );职业
参考例句:
  • Most seem to come from technical avocations, like engineering, computers and sciences. 绝大多数人原有技术方面的爱好,比如工程、计算机和科学。 来自互联网
  • In terms of avocations, there is hardly anything in common between Jenny and her younger sister. 就业余爱好而言,珍妮和她妹妹几乎没什么共同之处。 来自互联网
18 beheld beheld     
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
参考例句:
  • His eyes had never beheld such opulence. 他从未见过这样的财富。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The soul beheld its features in the mirror of the passing moment. 灵魂在逝去的瞬间的镜子中看到了自己的模样。 来自英汉文学 - 红字
19 embarrassment fj9z8     
n.尴尬;使人为难的人(事物);障碍;窘迫
参考例句:
  • She could have died away with embarrassment.她窘迫得要死。
  • Coughing at a concert can be a real embarrassment.在音乐会上咳嗽真会使人难堪。
20 impatience OaOxC     
n.不耐烦,急躁
参考例句:
  • He expressed impatience at the slow rate of progress.进展缓慢,他显得不耐烦。
  • He gave a stamp of impatience.他不耐烦地跺脚。
21 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
22 benevolence gt8zx     
n.慈悲,捐助
参考例句:
  • We definitely do not apply a policy of benevolence to the reactionaries.我们对反动派决不施仁政。
  • He did it out of pure benevolence. 他做那件事完全出于善意。
23 entreating 8c1a0bd5109c6bc77bc8e612f8bff4a0     
恳求,乞求( entreat的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • We have not bound your feet with our entreating arms. 我们不曾用恳求的手臂来抱住你的双足。
  • The evening has come. Weariness clings round me like the arms of entreating love. 夜来到了,困乏像爱的恳求用双臂围抱住我。
24 agitated dzgzc2     
adj.被鼓动的,不安的
参考例句:
  • His answers were all mixed up,so agitated was he.他是那样心神不定,回答全乱了。
  • She was agitated because her train was an hour late.她乘坐的火车晚点一个小时,她十分焦虑。
25 feverish gzsye     
adj.发烧的,狂热的,兴奋的
参考例句:
  • He is too feverish to rest.他兴奋得安静不下来。
  • They worked with feverish haste to finish the job.为了完成此事他们以狂热的速度工作着。
26 alacrity MfFyL     
n.敏捷,轻快,乐意
参考例句:
  • Although the man was very old,he still moved with alacrity.他虽然很老,动作仍很敏捷。
  • He accepted my invitation with alacrity.他欣然接受我的邀请。
27 syllable QHezJ     
n.音节;vt.分音节
参考例句:
  • You put too much emphasis on the last syllable.你把最后一个音节读得太重。
  • The stress on the last syllable is light.最后一个音节是轻音节。
28 worthy vftwB     
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的
参考例句:
  • I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
  • There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。
29 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
30 solicited 42165ba3a0defc35cb6bc86d22a9f320     
v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 );(指娼妇)拉客;索求;征求
参考例句:
  • He's already solicited their support on health care reform. 他已就医疗改革问题请求他们的支持。 来自辞典例句
  • We solicited ideas from Princeton University graduates and under graduates. 我们从普林斯顿大学的毕业生与大学生中征求意见。 来自辞典例句
31 gratitude p6wyS     
adj.感激,感谢
参考例句:
  • I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
  • She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。
32 persuasion wMQxR     
n.劝说;说服;持有某种信仰的宗派
参考例句:
  • He decided to leave only after much persuasion.经过多方劝说,他才决定离开。
  • After a lot of persuasion,she agreed to go.经过多次劝说后,她同意去了。
33 random HT9xd     
adj.随机的;任意的;n.偶然的(或随便的)行动
参考例句:
  • The list is arranged in a random order.名单排列不分先后。
  • On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查,发现肉变质了。
34 ecstasies 79e8aad1272f899ef497b3a037130d17     
狂喜( ecstasy的名词复数 ); 出神; 入迷; 迷幻药
参考例句:
  • In such ecstasies that he even controlled his tongue and was silent. 但他闭着嘴,一言不发。
  • We were in ecstasies at the thought of going home. 一想到回家,我们高兴极了。
35 parental FL2xv     
adj.父母的;父的;母的
参考例句:
  • He encourages parental involvement in the running of school.他鼓励学生家长参与学校的管理。
  • Children always revolt against parental disciplines.孩子们总是反抗父母的管束。
36 conscientious mYmzr     
adj.审慎正直的,认真的,本着良心的
参考例句:
  • He is a conscientious man and knows his job.他很认真负责,也很懂行。
  • He is very conscientious in the performance of his duties.他非常认真地履行职责。
37 rejection FVpxp     
n.拒绝,被拒,抛弃,被弃
参考例句:
  • He decided not to approach her for fear of rejection.他因怕遭拒绝决定不再去找她。
  • The rejection plunged her into the dark depths of despair.遭到拒绝使她陷入了绝望的深渊。
38 motives 6c25d038886898b20441190abe240957     
n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
  • His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。
39 triumphant JpQys     
adj.胜利的,成功的;狂欢的,喜悦的
参考例句:
  • The army made a triumphant entry into the enemy's capital.部队胜利地进入了敌方首都。
  • There was a positively triumphant note in her voice.她的声音里带有一种极为得意的语气。
40 deception vnWzO     
n.欺骗,欺诈;骗局,诡计
参考例句:
  • He admitted conspiring to obtain property by deception.他承认曾与人合谋骗取财产。
  • He was jailed for two years for fraud and deception.他因为诈骗和欺诈入狱服刑两年。
41 inadequate 2kzyk     
adj.(for,to)不充足的,不适当的
参考例句:
  • The supply is inadequate to meet the demand.供不应求。
  • She was inadequate to the demands that were made on her.她还无力满足对她提出的各项要求。
42 resentment 4sgyv     
n.怨愤,忿恨
参考例句:
  • All her feelings of resentment just came pouring out.她一股脑儿倾吐出所有的怨恨。
  • She cherished a deep resentment under the rose towards her employer.她暗中对她的雇主怀恨在心。
43 joyfully joyfully     
adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地
参考例句:
  • She tripped along joyfully as if treading on air. 她高兴地走着,脚底下轻飘飘的。
  • During these first weeks she slaved joyfully. 在最初的几周里,她干得很高兴。
44 avarice KeHyX     
n.贪婪;贪心
参考例句:
  • Avarice is the bane to happiness.贪婪是损毁幸福的祸根。
  • Their avarice knows no bounds and you can never satisfy them.他们贪得无厌,你永远无法满足他们。
45 intimacy z4Vxx     
n.熟悉,亲密,密切关系,亲昵的言行
参考例句:
  • His claims to an intimacy with the President are somewhat exaggerated.他声称自己与总统关系密切,这有点言过其实。
  • I wish there were a rule book for intimacy.我希望能有个关于亲密的规则。
46 grandeur hejz9     
n.伟大,崇高,宏伟,庄严,豪华
参考例句:
  • The grandeur of the Great Wall is unmatched.长城的壮观是独一无二的。
  • These ruins sufficiently attest the former grandeur of the place.这些遗迹充分证明此处昔日的宏伟。
47 bestowing ec153f37767cf4f7ef2c4afd6905b0fb     
砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖
参考例句:
  • Apollo, you see, is bestowing the razor on the Triptolemus of our craft. 你瞧,阿波罗正在把剃刀赠给我们这项手艺的特里泼托勒默斯。
  • What thanks do we not owe to Heaven for thus bestowing tranquillity, health and competence! 我们要谢谢上苍,赐我们的安乐、健康和饱暖。
48 peculiar cinyo     
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的
参考例句:
  • He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
  • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
49 speculations da17a00acfa088f5ac0adab7a30990eb     
n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 );思考;投机活动;推断
参考例句:
  • Your speculations were all quite close to the truth. 你的揣测都很接近于事实。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • This possibility gives rise to interesting speculations. 这种可能性引起了有趣的推测。 来自《用法词典》
50 vouchers 4f649eeb2fd7ec1ef73ed951059af072     
n.凭证( voucher的名词复数 );证人;证件;收据
参考例句:
  • These vouchers are redeemable against any future purchase. 这些优惠券将来购物均可使用。
  • This time we were given free vouchers to spend the night in a nearby hotel. 这一次我们得到了在附近一家旅馆入住的免费券。 来自英语晨读30分(高二)
51 liking mpXzQ5     
n.爱好;嗜好;喜欢
参考例句:
  • The word palate also means taste or liking.Palate这个词也有“口味”或“嗜好”的意思。
  • I must admit I have no liking for exaggeration.我必须承认我不喜欢夸大其词。
52 countenance iztxc     
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同
参考例句:
  • At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
  • I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地,仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。
53 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
54 astonishment VvjzR     
n.惊奇,惊异
参考例句:
  • They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
  • I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。
55 advantageous BK5yp     
adj.有利的;有帮助的
参考例句:
  • Injections of vitamin C are obviously advantageous.注射维生素C显然是有利的。
  • You're in a very advantageous position.你处于非常有利的地位。
56 reconciliation DUhxh     
n.和解,和谐,一致
参考例句:
  • He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
  • Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。
57 spurning 803f55bab6c4dc1227d8379096ad239a     
v.一脚踢开,拒绝接受( spurn的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • There is no point in spurning sth. 鄙视某事物是毫无意义的。 来自互联网
  • It does its job with subtlety, however, spurning the hammer intensity of something like cranberry juice. 然而,它与微妙做它的工作践踏象酸果蔓的果实果汁一样的一些东西的榔头紧张。 来自互联网
58 overture F4Lza     
n.前奏曲、序曲,提议,提案,初步交涉
参考例句:
  • The opera was preceded by a short overture.这部歌剧开始前有一段简短的序曲。
  • His overture led to nothing.他的提议没有得到什么结果。
59 constrained YvbzqU     
adj.束缚的,节制的
参考例句:
  • The evidence was so compelling that he felt constrained to accept it. 证据是那样的令人折服,他觉得不得不接受。
  • I feel constrained to write and ask for your forgiveness. 我不得不写信请你原谅。
60 incapable w9ZxK     
adj.无能力的,不能做某事的
参考例句:
  • He would be incapable of committing such a cruel deed.他不会做出这么残忍的事。
  • Computers are incapable of creative thought.计算机不会创造性地思维。
61 bragging 4a422247fd139463c12f66057bbcffdf     
v.自夸,吹嘘( brag的现在分词 );大话
参考例句:
  • He's always bragging about his prowess as a cricketer. 他总是吹嘘自己板球水平高超。 来自辞典例句
  • Now you're bragging, darling. You know you don't need to brag. 这就是夸口,亲爱的。你明知道你不必吹。 来自辞典例句
62 enraged 7f01c0138fa015d429c01106e574231c     
使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 ); 歜; 激愤
参考例句:
  • I was enraged to find they had disobeyed my orders. 发现他们违抗了我的命令,我极为恼火。
  • The judge was enraged and stroke the table for several times. 大法官被气得连连拍案。
63 conjectures 8334e6a27f5847550b061d064fa92c00     
推测,猜想( conjecture的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • That's weighing remote military conjectures against the certain deaths of innocent people. 那不过是牵强附会的军事假设,而现在的事实却是无辜者正在惨遭杀害,这怎能同日而语!
  • I was right in my conjectures. 我所猜测的都应验了。
64 avowal Suvzg     
n.公开宣称,坦白承认
参考例句:
  • The press carried his avowal throughout the country.全国的报纸登载了他承认的消息。
  • This was not a mere empty vaunt,but a deliberate avowal of his real sentiments.这倒不是一个空洞的吹牛,而是他真实感情的供状。
65 acquiesce eJny5     
vi.默许,顺从,同意
参考例句:
  • Her parents will never acquiesce in such an unsuitable marriage.她的父母决不会答应这门不相宜的婚事。
  • He is so independent that he will never acquiesce.他很有主见,所以绝不会顺从。
66 reluctance 8VRx8     
n.厌恶,讨厌,勉强,不情愿
参考例句:
  • The police released Andrew with reluctance.警方勉强把安德鲁放走了。
  • He showed the greatest reluctance to make a reply.他表示很不愿意答复。
67 brook PSIyg     
n.小河,溪;v.忍受,容让
参考例句:
  • In our room we could hear the murmur of a distant brook.在我们房间能听到远处小溪汩汩的流水声。
  • The brook trickled through the valley.小溪涓涓流过峡谷。
68 opposition eIUxU     
n.反对,敌对
参考例句:
  • The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
  • The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。
69 dictate fvGxN     
v.口授;(使)听写;指令,指示,命令
参考例句:
  • It took him a long time to dictate this letter.口述这封信花了他很长时间。
  • What right have you to dictate to others?你有什么资格向别人发号施令?
70 intimidate 5Rvzt     
vt.恐吓,威胁
参考例句:
  • You think you can intimidate people into doing what you want?你以为你可以威胁别人做任何事?
  • The first strike capacity is intended mainly to intimidate adversary.第一次攻击的武力主要是用来吓阻敌方的。
71 retraction zBJzP     
n.撤消;收回
参考例句:
  • He demanded a full retraction of the allegations against him.他要求完全收回针对他的言论。
  • The newspaper published a retraction of the erroneous report.那家报纸声明撤回那篇错误的报道。
72 fidelity vk3xB     
n.忠诚,忠实;精确
参考例句:
  • There is nothing like a dog's fidelity.没有什么能比得上狗的忠诚。
  • His fidelity and industry brought him speedy promotion.他的尽职及勤奋使他很快地得到晋升。
73 steadily Qukw6     
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地
参考例句:
  • The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
  • Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。
74 agitation TN0zi     
n.搅动;搅拌;鼓动,煽动
参考例句:
  • Small shopkeepers carried on a long agitation against the big department stores.小店主们长期以来一直在煽动人们反对大型百货商店。
  • These materials require constant agitation to keep them in suspension.这些药剂要经常搅动以保持悬浮状态。
75 solitary 7FUyx     
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士
参考例句:
  • I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
  • The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际,显得十分壮美。


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