ABOUT A CERTAIN GARDEN AND A DAMSEL—AND ALSO CONCERNING A LETTER AND A RED LEATHERN BOX.
Several days passed smoothly1 away—Lord Aspenly was a perfect paragon2 of politeness; but although his manner invariably assumed a peculiar3 tenderness whenever he approached Miss Ashwoode, yet that young lady remained in happy ignorance of his real intentions. She saw before her a grotesque4 old fop, who might without any extraordinary parental5 precocity6 have very easily been her grandfather, and in his airs and graces, his rappee and his rouge7 (for his lordship condescended8 to borrow a few attractions from art), and in the thousand-and-one et ceteras of foppery which were accumulated, with great exactitude and precision, on and about his little person, she beheld9 nothing more than so many indications of obstinate10 and inveterate11 celibacy12, and, of course, interpreted the exquisite13 attentions which were meant to enchain her young heart, merely as so much of that formal target practice in love's archery, in which gallant14 single gentlemen of seventy, or thereabout, will sometimes indulge themselves. Emily Copland, however, at a glance, saw and understood the nature of Lord Aspenly's attentions, and she saw just as clearly the intended parts and the real position of the other actors in this somewhat ill-assorted drama, and thereupon she took counsel with herself, like a wise damsel, and arrived at the conclusion, that with some little management she might, very possibly, play her own cards to advantage among them.
We must here, however, glance for a few minutes at some of the subordinate agents in our narrative15, whose interposition, nevertheless, deeply, as well as permanently16, affected17 the destinies of more important personages.
It was the habit of the beautiful Mistress Betsy Carey, every morning, weather permitting, to enjoy a ramble18 in the grounds of Morley Court; and as chance (of course it was chance) would have it, this early ramble invariably led her through several quiet fields, and over a stile, into a prettily-situated, but neglected flower-garden, which was now, however, undergoing a thorough reform, according to the Dutch taste, under the presiding inspiration of Tobias Potts. Now Tobias Potts was a widower19, having been in the course of his life twice disencumbered. The last Mrs. Potts had disappeared some five winters since, and Tobias was now well stricken in years; he possessed20 the eyes of an owl21, and the complexion22 of a turkey-cock, and was, moreover, extremely hard of hearing, and, withal, a man of few words; he was, however, hale, upright, and burly—perfectly sound in wind and limb, and free from vice23 and children—had a snug24 domicile, consisting of two rooms and a loft25, enjoyed a comfortable salary, and had, it was confidently rumoured26, put by a good round sum of money somewhere or other. It therefore struck Mrs. Carey very forcibly, that to be Mrs. Potts was a position worth attaining27; and accordingly, without incurring28 any suspicion—for the young women generally regarded Potts with awe29, and the young men with contempt—she began, according to the expressive30 phrase in such case made and provided, to set her cap at Tobias.
In this, his usual haunt, she discovered the object of her search, busily employed in superintending the construction of a terrace walk, and issuing his orders with the brevity, decision, and clearness of a consummate31 gardener.
"Good-morning, Mr. Potts," said the charming Betsy. Mr. Potts did not hear. "Good-morning, Mr. Potts," repeated the damsel, raising her voice to a scream.
Tobias touched his hat with a gruff acknowledgment.
"Well, but how beautiful you are doing it," shouted the handmaid again, gazing rapturously upon the red earthen rampart, in which none but the eye of an artist could have detected the rudiments32 of a terrace, "it's wonderful neat, all must allow, and indeed it puzzles my head to think how you can think of it all; it is now, raly elegant, so it is."
Tobias did not reply, and the maiden33 continued, with a sentimental34 air, and still hallooing at the top of her voice—
"Well, of all the trades that is—and big and little, there's a plenty of them—there's none I'd choose, if I was a man, before the trade of a gardener."
"Oh, but I declare and purtest I would though," bawled36 the young woman; "for gardeners, old or young, is always so good-humoured, and pleasant, and fresh-like. Oh, dear, but I would like to be a gardener."
"Yes, but I would though, I declare and purtest to goodness gracious," persisted the nymph; "I'd rather of the two perfer to be an old gardener" (this was a bold stroke of oratory38; but Potts did not hear it); "I'd rather be an old gardener," she screamed a second time; "I'd rather be an old gardener of the two, so I would."
"That's more than I would," replied Potts, very abruptly39, and with an air of uncommon40 asperity41, for he silently cherished a lingering belief in his own juvenility42, and not the less obstinately43 that it was fast becoming desperate—a peculiarity44 of which, unfortunately, until that moment the damsel had never been apprised45. This, therefore, was a turn which a good deal disconcerted the young woman, especially as she thought she detected a satirical leer upon the countenance46 of a young man in crazy inexpressibles, who was trundling a wheelbarrow in the immediate47 vicinity; she accordingly exclaimed not loud enough for Tobias, but quite loud enough for the young man in the infirm breeches to hear,—
"What an old fool. I purtest it's meat and drink to me to tease him—so it is;" and with a forced giggle48 she tripped lightly away to retrace49 her steps towards the house.
As she approached the stile we have mentioned, she thought she distinguished50 what appeared to be the inarticulate murmurings of some subterranean51 voice almost beneath her feet. A good deal startled at so prodigious52 a phenomenon, she stopped short, and immediately heard the following brief apostrophe delivered in a rich brogue:—
"Aiqually beautiful and engaging—vartuous Betsy Carey—listen to the voice of tindher emotion."
The party addressed looked with some alarm in all directions for any visible intimation of the speaker's presence, but in vain. At length, from among an unusually thick and luxuriant tuft of docks and other weeds, which grew at the edge of a ditch close by, she beheld something red emerging, which in a few moments she clearly perceived to be the classical countenance of Larry Toole.
"The Lord purtect us all, Mr. Toole. Why in the world do you frighten people this way?" ejaculated the nymph, rather shrilly53.
"Whist! most evangelical iv women," exclaimed Larry in a low key, and looking round suspiciously—"whisht! or we are ruined."
"La! Mr. Laurence, what are you after?" rejoined the damsel, with a good deal of asperity. "I'll have you to know I'm not used to talk with a man that's squat54 in a ditch, and his head in a dock plant. That's not the way for to come up to an honest woman, sir—no more it is."
"I'd live ten years in a ditch, and die in a dock plant," replied Larry with enthusiasm, "for one sight iv you."
"And is that what brought you here?" replied she, with a toss of her head. "I purtest some people's quite overbearing, so they are, and knows no bounds."
"Stop a minute, most beautiful bayin'—for one instant minute pay attintion," exclaimed Mr. Toole, eagerly, for he perceived that she had commenced her retreat. "Tare55 an' owns! divine crature, it's not goin' you are?"
"I have no notions, good or bad, Mr. Toole," replied the young lady, with great volubility and dignity, "and no idaya in the wide world for to be standing56 here prating57, and talking, and losing my time with such as you—if my business is neglected, it is not on your back the blame will light. I have my work, and my duty, and my business to mind, and if I do not mind them, no one else will do it for me; and I am astonished and surprised beyant telling, so I am, at the impittence of some people, thinking that the likes of me has nothing else to be doing but listening to them discoorsing in a dirty ditch, and more particular when their conduct has been sich as some people's that is old enough at any rate to know better."
The fair handmaiden had now resumed her retreat; so that Larry, having raised himself from his lowly hiding-place, was obliged to follow for some twenty yards before he again came up with her.
"Wait one half second—stop a bit, for the Lord's sake," exclaimed he, with most earnest energy.
"Well, wonst for all, Mr. Laurence," exclaimed Mistress Carey severely58, "what is your business with me?"
"Jist this," rejoined Larry, with a mysterious wink59, and lowering his voice—"a letter to the young mistress from"—here he glanced jealously round, and then bringing himself close beside her, he whispered in her ear—"from Mr. O'Connor—whisht—not a word—into her own hand, mind."
The young woman took the letter, read the superscription, and forthwith placed it in her bosom60, and rearranged her kerchief.
"Never fear—never fear," said she, "Miss Mary shall have it in half an hour. And how," added she, maliciously61, "is Mr. O'Connor? He is a lovely gentleman, is not he?"
"He's uncommonly62 well in health, the Lord be praised," replied Mr. Toole, with very unaccountable severity.
"Well, for my part," continued the girl, "I never seen the man yet to put beside him—unless, indeed, the young master may be. He's a very pretty young man—and so shocking agreeable."
Mr. Toole nodded a pettish63 assent64, coughed, muttered something to himself, and then inquired when he should come for an answer.
"I'll have an answer to-morrow morning—maybe this evening," pursued she; "but do not be coming so close up to the house. Who knows who might be on our backs in an instant here? I'll walk down whenever I get it to the two mulberries at the old gate; and I'll go there either in the morning at this hour, or else a little before supper-time in the evening."
Mr. Toole, having gazed rapturously at the object of his tenderest aspirations65 during the delivery of this address, was at its termination so far transported by his feelings, as absolutely to make a kind of indistinct and flurried attempt to kiss her.
"Well, I purtest, this is overbearing," exclaimed the virgin66; and at the same time bestowing67 Mr. Toole a sound box on the ear, she tripped lightly toward the house, leaving her admirer a prey68 to what are usually termed conflicting emotions.
When Sir Richard returned to his dressing-room at about noon, to prepare for dinner, he had hardly walked to the toilet, and rung for his Italian servant, when a knock was heard at his chamber69 door, and, in obedience70 to his summons, Mistress Carey entered.
"Well, Carey," inquired the baronet, as soon as she had appeared, "do you bring me any news?"
The lady's-maid closed the door carefully.
"News?" she repeated. "Indeed, but I do, Sir Richard—and bad news, I'm afeard, sir. Mr. O'Connor has written a great long letter to my mistress, if you please, sir."
"Have you gotten it?" inquired the baronet, quickly.
"Yes, sir," rejoined she, "safe and sound here in my breast, Sir Richard."
"Your young mistress has not opened it—or read it?" inquired he.
"Oh, dear! Sir Richard, it is after all you said to me only the other day," rejoined she, in virtuous71 horror. "I hope I know my place better than to be fetching and carrying notes and letters, and all soarts, unnonst to my master. Don't I know, sir, very well how that you're the best judge what's fitting and what isn't for the sight of your own precious child? and wouldn't I be very unnatural72, and very hardened and ungrateful, if I was to be making secrets in the family, and if any ill-will or misfortunes was to come out of it? I purtest I never—never would forgive myself—never—no more I ought—never."
Here Mistress Carey absolutely wept.
"Give me the letter," said Sir Richard, drily.
The damsel handed it to him; and he, having glanced at the seal and the address, deposited the document safely in a small leathern box which stood upon his toilet, and having locked it safely therein, he turned to the maid, and patting her on the cheek with a smile, he remarked,—
"Be a good girl, Carey, and you shall find you have consulted your interest best."
Here Mistress Carey was about to do justice to her own disinterestedness73 in a very strong protestation, but the baronet checked her with an impatient wave of the hand, and continued,—
"Say not on any account one word to any person touching74 this letter, until you have your directions from me. Stay—this will buy you a ribbon. Good-bye—be a good girl."
So saying, the baronet placed a guinea in the girl's hand, which, with a courtesy, having transferred to her pocket, she withdrew rather hurriedly, for she heard the valet in the next room.
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smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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paragon
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| n.模范，典型 | |
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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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grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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parental
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| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
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precocity
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| n.早熟，早成 | |
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rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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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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obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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inveterate
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| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
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celibacy
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| n.独身(主义) | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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ramble
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| v.漫步，漫谈，漫游；n.漫步，闲谈，蔓延 | |
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widower
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| n.鳏夫 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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loft
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| n.阁楼，顶楼 | |
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rumoured
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| adj.谣传的；传说的；风 | |
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attaining
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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incurring
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| 遭受，招致，引起( incur的现在分词 ) | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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rudiments
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| n.基础知识，入门 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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laconic
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| adj.简洁的；精练的 | |
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bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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oratory
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| n.演讲术；词藻华丽的言辞 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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asperity
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| n.粗鲁，艰苦 | |
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juvenility
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| n.年轻，不成熟 | |
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obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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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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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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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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retrace
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| v.折回；追溯，探源 | |
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50
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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54
squat
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| v.蹲坐，蹲下；n.蹲下；adj.矮胖的，粗矮的 | |
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tare
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| n.皮重；v.量皮重 | |
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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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prating
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| v.（古时用语）唠叨，啰唆( prate的现在分词 ) | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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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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61
maliciously
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| adv.有敌意地 | |
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uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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pettish
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| adj.易怒的，使性子的 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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aspirations
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| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
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virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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disinterestedness
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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