While this scene was going on in Mary Ashwoode's chamber1, our friend Oliver French, having wished Mr. Audley good-night, had summoned to his presence his confidential2 servant, Mr. M'Guinness. The corpulent invalid3 sat in his capacious chair by the fireside, with his muffled4 legs extended upon a pile of pillows, a table loaded with the materials of his protracted5 and omnigenous repast at his side. Black M'Guinness made his appearance, evidently a little intoxicated6, and not a little excited. He proceeded in a serpentine7 course through the chamber, overturning, of malice8 prepense, everything in which he came in contact.
"What the devil ails9 you, sir?" ejaculated Mr. French—"what the plague do you mean? D—n you, M'Guinness, you're drunk, sir, or mad."
"Ay, to be sure," ejaculated M'Guinness, grimly. "Why not—oh, do—I've no objection; d——n away, sir, pray, do."
"What do you mean by talking that way, you scoundrel?" exclaimed old French.
"Scoundrel!" repeated M'Guinness, overturning a small table, and all thereupon, with a crash upon the floor, and approaching the old gentleman, while his ugly face grew to a sickly, tallowy white with rage, "you go for to bring a whole lot of beggarly squatters into the house to make away with your substance, and to turn you against your faithful, tried, trusty, and dutiful servants," he continued, shaking his fist in his master's face. "You do, and to leave them, ten to one, in their old days unprovided for. Damn ingratitude10!—to the devil with thankless, unnatural11 vermin! You call me scoundrel. Scoundrel was the word—by this cross it was."
While Oliver French, speechless with astonishment12 and rage, gazed upon the audacious menial, Mistress Martha herself entered the chamber.
"Yes, they are, you old dark-hearted hypocrite—they're settled here—fixed in the house—they are," screamed she; "but they sha'n't stay long; or, if they do, I'll not leave a whole bone in their skins. What did they ever do for you, you thankless wretch13?"
"Ay, what did they ever do for you?" shouted M'Guinness.
"Do you think we're fools—do you? and idiots—do you? not to know what you're at, you ungrateful miscreant14! Turn them out, bag and baggage—every mother's skin of them, or I'll show them the reason why, turn them out, I say."
"You infernal hag, I'd see you in hell or Bedlam15 first," shouted Oliver, transported with fury. "You have had your way too long, you accursed witch—you have."
"Never mind—oh!—you wretch," shrieked16 she—"never mind—wait a bit—and never fear, you old crippled sinner, I'll be revenged on you, you old devil's limb. Here's your watch for you," screamed she, snatching a massive, chased gold watch from her side, and hurling17 it at his head. It passed close by his ear, and struck the floor behind him, attesting18 the force with which it had been thrown, as well as the solidity of its workmanship, by a deep mark ploughed in the floor.
"You old wretch, I'll not let you strike the woman," cried M'Guinness, snatching the poker20, and preparing to dash it at the old man's head. What might have been the issue of the strife21 it were hard to say, had not Mr. Audley at that moment entered the room.
M'Guinness turned upon him, but observing that he carried a pistol in each hand, he contented23 himself with muttering a curse and lowering the poker which he held in his hand.
"Why, what the devil—your own servants—your own man and woman!" exclaimed Mr. Audley. "I beg your pardon, sir—pray excuse me, Mr. French; perhaps I ought not to have intruded24 upon you."
"Pray don't go, Mr. Audley—don't think of going," said Oliver, eagerly, observing that his visitor was drawing to the door. "These beasts will murder me if you leave me; I can't help myself—do stay."
"Pray, madam, you are the amiable25 and remarkably26 quiet gentlewoman with whom I was to-day honoured by an interview? God bless my body and soul, can it possibly be?" said Mr. Audley, addressing himself to the lady.
"You vile27 old swindling schemer," shrieked she, returning—"you skulking28, mean dog—you brandy-faced old reprobate29, you—hoo! wait, wait—wait awhile; I'll master you yet—just wait—never mind—hoo!" and with something like an Indian war-whoop she dashed out of the room.
"Get out of this apartment, you ruffian, you—M'Guinness, get out of the room," cried old French, addressing the fellow, who still stood grinning and growling30 there.
"No, I'll not till I do my business," retorted the man, doggedly31; "I'll put you to bed first. I've a right to do my own business; I'll undress you and put you to bed first—bellows me, but I will."
"Mr. Audley, I beg pardon for troubling you," said Oliver, "but will you pull the bell if you please, like the very devil."
"Pull away till you are black in the face; I'll not stir," retorted M'Guinness.
Mr. Audley pulled the bell with a sustained vehemence32 which it put Mr. French into a perspiration33 even to witness.
"Pull away, old gentleman—you may pull till you burst—to the devil with you all. I'll not stir a peg34 till I choose it myself; I'll do my business what I was hired for; there's no treason in that. D—— me, if I stir a peg for you," repeated M'Guinness, doggedly.
Meanwhile, two half-dressed, scared-looking servants, alarmed by Mr. Audley's persevering35 appeals, showed themselves at the door.
"Thomas—Martin—come in here, you pair of boobies," exclaimed French, authoritatively36; "Martin, do you keep an eye on that scoundrel, and Thomas, run you down and waken the post-boy and tell him to put his horses to, and do you assist him, sir, away!"
"So, so," said Oliver, still out of breath with anger, "matters are come to a pleasant pass, I'm to be brained with my own poker—by my own servant—in my own house—very pleasant, because forsooth, I dare to do what I please with my own—highly agreeable, truly! Mr. Audley, may I trouble you to give me a glass of noyeau—let me recommend that to you, Mr. Audley, it has the true flavour—nay, nay—I'll hear of no excuse—I'm absolute in my own room at least—come, my dear sir—I implore—I insist—nay, I command; come—come—a bumper38; very good health, sir; a pleasant pair of furies!—just give me the legs of that woodcock while we are waiting."
Accordingly Mr. Oliver French filled up the brief interval39 after his usual fashion, by adding slightly to the contents of his stomach, and in a little time the servant whom he had dispatched downward, returned with the post-boy in person.
"Are your horses under the coach, my good lad?" inquired old French.
"No, but they're to it, and that's better," responded the charioteer.
"You'll not have far to go—only to the little village at the end of the avenue," said Mr. French. "Mr. Audley, may I trouble you to fill a large glass of Creme de Portugal; thank you; now, my good lad, take that," continued he, delighted at an opportunity of indulging his passion for ministering to the stomach of a fellow mortal, "take it—take it—every drop—good—now Martin, do you and Thomas find that termagant—fury—Martha Montgomery, and conduct her to the coach—carry her down if necessary—put her into it, and one of you remain with her, to prevent her getting out again, and let the other return, and with my friend the post-boy, do a like good office by my honest comrade Mr. M'Guinness—mind you go along with them to the village, and let them be set down at Moroney's public-house; everything belonging to them shall be sent down to-morrow morning, and if you ever catch either of them about the place—duck them—whip them—set the dogs on them—that's all."
Shrieking40 as though body and soul were parting, Mrs. Martha was half-carried, half-dragged from the scene of her long-abused authority; screaming her threats, curses, and abuse in volleys, she was deposited safely in the vehicle, and guarded by the footman—who in secret rejoiced in common with all the rest of the household at the disgrace of the two insolent41 favourites—and was forced to sit therein until her companion in misfortune being placed at her side, they were both, under a like escort, safely deposited at the door of the little public-house, scarcely crediting the evidence of their senses for the reality of their situation.
Henceforward Ardgillagh was a tranquil42 place, and day after day old Oliver French grew to love the gentle creature, whom a chance wind had thus carried to his door, more and more fondly. There was an artlessness and a warmth of affection, and a kindliness43 about her, which all, from the master down to the humblest servant, felt and loved; a grace, and dignity, and a simple beauty in every look and action, which none could see and not admire. The strange old man, whose humour had never brooked45 contradiction, felt for her, he knew not why, a tenderness and respect such as he never before believed a mortal creature could inspire; her gentle wish was law to him; to see her sweet face was his greatest joy—to please her his first ambition; she grew to be, as it were, his idol46.
It was her chief delight to ramble47 unattended through the fine old place. Often, with her faithful follower48, Flora49 Guy, she would visit the humble44 dwellings50 of the poor, wherever grief or sickness was, and with gentle words of comfort and bounteous51 pity, cheer and relieve. But still, from week to week it became too mournfully plain that the sweet, sad face was growing paler and ever paler, and the graceful52 form more delicately slight. In the silent watches of the night often would Flora Guy hear her loved young mistress weep on for hours, as though her heart were breaking; yet from her lips there never fell at any time one word of murmuring, nor any save those of gentle kindness; and often would she sit by the casement53 and reverently54 read the pages of one old volume, and think and read again, while ever and anon the silent tears, gathering55 on the long, dark lashes56, would fall one by one upon the leaf, and then would she rise with such a smile of heavenly comfort breaking through her tears, that peace, and hope, and glory seemed beaming in her pale angelic face.
Thus from day to day, in the old mansion57 of Ardgillagh, did she, whose beauty none, even the most stoical, had ever seen unmoved—whose artless graces and perfections all who had ever beheld58 her had thought unmatched, fade slowly and uncomplainingly, but with beauty if possible enhanced, before the eyes of those who loved her; yet they hoped on, and strongly hoped—why should they not? She was young—yes, very young, and why should the young die in the glad season of their early bloom?
Mr. Audley became a wondrous59 favourite with his eccentric entertainer, who would not hear of his fixing a time for his departure, but partly by entreaties60, partly by bullying61, managed to induce him to prolong his stay from week to week. These concessions62 were not, however, made without corresponding conditions imposed by the consenting party, among the foremost of which was the express stipulation63 that he should not be expected, nor by cajolery nor menaces induced or compelled, to eat or drink at all more than he himself felt prompted by the cravings of his natural appetite to do. The old gentlemen had much in common upon which to exercise their sympathies; they were both staunch Tories, both admirable judges of claret, and no less both extraordinary proficients64 in the delectable65 pastimes of backgammon and draughts66, whereat, when other resources failed, they played with uncommon67 industry and perseverance68, and sometimes indulged in slight ebullitions of acrimonious69 feeling, scarcely exhibited, however, before they were atoned70 for by fervent71 apologies and vehement72 vows73 of good behaviour for the future.
Leaving this little party to the quiet seclusion74 of Ardgillagh, it becomes now our duty to return for a time to very different scenes and other personages.
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1
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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4
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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5
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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6
intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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7
serpentine
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| adj.蜿蜒的，弯曲的 | |
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8
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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9
ails
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| v.生病( ail的第三人称单数 )；感到不舒服；处境困难；境况不佳 | |
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10
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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11
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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12
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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13
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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14
miscreant
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| n.恶棍 | |
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15
bedlam
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| n.混乱，骚乱；疯人院 | |
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16
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
hurling
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| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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18
attesting
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| v.证明( attest的现在分词 )；证实；声称…属实；使宣誓 | |
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19
crutch
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| n.T字形拐杖；支持，依靠，精神支柱 | |
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poker
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| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
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21
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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22
heyday
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| n.全盛时期，青春期 | |
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23
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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24
intruded
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| n.侵入的，推进的v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的过去式和过去分词 )；把…强加于 | |
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25
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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28
skulking
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| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
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29
reprobate
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| n.无赖汉；堕落的人 | |
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30
growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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31
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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32
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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33
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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34
peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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persevering
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| a.坚忍不拔的 | |
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36
authoritatively
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| 命令式地，有权威地，可信地 | |
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37
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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38
bumper
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| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
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39
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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40
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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41
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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42
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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43
kindliness
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| n.厚道，亲切，友好的行为 | |
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44
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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45
brooked
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| 容忍，忍受（brook的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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46
idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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47
ramble
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| v.漫步，漫谈，漫游；n.漫步，闲谈，蔓延 | |
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48
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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49
flora
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| n.(某一地区的)植物群 | |
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50
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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51
bounteous
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| adj.丰富的 | |
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52
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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53
casement
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| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
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54
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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55
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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56
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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57
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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58
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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59
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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60
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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61
bullying
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| v.恐吓，威逼( bully的现在分词 )；豪；跋扈 | |
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concessions
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| n.（尤指由政府或雇主给予的）特许权( concession的名词复数 )；承认；减价；（在某地的）特许经营权 | |
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stipulation
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| n.契约，规定，条文；条款说明 | |
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64
proficients
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| 精通的，熟练的( proficient的名词复数 ) | |
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65
delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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67
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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68
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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69
acrimonious
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| adj.严厉的，辛辣的，刻毒的 | |
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70
atoned
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| v.补偿，赎（罪）( atone的过去式和过去分词 )；补偿，弥补，赎回 | |
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71
fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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72
vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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73
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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