—— Mark you this, Bassanio —

The devil can quote Scripture¹ for his purpose.

MERCHANT OF VENICE.

After leaving the proud mansion² of the Duke of Buckingham, Christian³, full of the deep and treacherous⁴ schemes which he meditated⁵, hastened to the city, where, in a decent inn, kept by a person of his own persuasion⁶, he had been unexpectedly summoned to meet with Ralph Bridgenorth of Moultrassie. He was not disappointed — the Major had arrived that morning, and anxiously expected him. The usual gloom of his countenance⁸ was darkened into a yet deeper shade of anxiety, which was scarcely relieved, even while, in answer to his inquiry⁹ after his daughter, Christian gave the most favourable¹⁰ account of her health and spirits, naturally and unaffectedly intermingled with such praises of her beauty and her disposition¹¹, as were likely to be most grateful to a father’s ear.

But Christian had too much cunning to expatiate¹² on this theme, however soothing¹³. He stopped short exactly at the point where, as an affectionate relative, he might be supposed to have said enough. “The lady,” he said, “with whom he had placed Alice, was delighted with her aspect and manners, and undertook to be responsible for her health and happiness. He had not, he said, deserved so little confidence at the hand of his brother, Bridgenorth, as that the Major should, contrary to his purpose, and to the plan which they had adjusted together, have hurried up from the country, as if his own presence were necessary for Alice’s protection.”

分享到：