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the heir of redclyffe-第103部分

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humoured reply; was the utmost he could elicit。  Guy did not seem to be 

in the least irritated or ruffled by the very behaviour which used to 

cause him so many struggles。  Having once seriously said that he did 

not think it right to run into danger; without adequate cause; he held 

his position with so much ease; that he could afford to be playful; and 

laugh at his own dread of infection; his changeableness; and credulity。  

Never had temper been more entirely subdued; for surely if he could 

bear this; he need never fear himself again。



So passed the hour; and Amabel was heartily glad when the debate was 

closed by Arnaud's coming for orders。  Guy went with him; Amabel began 

to collect her goods; and Philip; after a few moments' reflection; 

spoke in the half…compassionate; half…patronizing manner with which he 

used; now and then; to let fall a few crumbs of counsel or commendation 

for silly little Amy。



'Well; Amy; you yielded very amiably; and that is the only way。  You 

will always find it best to submit。'



He got no further in his intended warning against the dissipations of 

Venice; for her eyes were fixed on him at first with a look of extreme 

wonder。  Then her face assumed an expression of dignity; and gently; 

but gravely; she said; 'I think you forget to whom you are speaking。'



The gentlemanlike instinct made him reply; 'I beg your pardon'and 

there he stopped; as much taken by surprise as if a dove had flown in 

his face。  He actually was confused; for in very truth; he had; after a 

fashion; forgotten that she was Lady Morville; not the cousin Amy with 

whom Guy's character might be freely discussed。  He had often presumed 

as far with his aunt; but she; though always turning the conversation; 

had never given him a rebuff。  Amabel had not done; and in her soft 

voice; firmly; though not angrily; she spoke on。  'One thing I wish to 

say; because we shall never speak on this subject again; and I was 

always afraid of you before。  You have always misunderstood him; I 

might almost say; chosen to misunderstand him。  You have tried his 

temper more than any one; and never appreciated the struggles that have 

subdued it。  It is not because I am his wife that I say thisindeed I 

am not sure it becomes me to say it; yet I cannot bear that you should 

not be told of it; because you think he acts out of enmity to you。  You 

little know how your friendship has been his first desirehow he has 

striven for ithow; after all you have done and written; he defended 

you with all his might when those at home were angryhow he sought you 

out on purpose to try to be real cordial friends'



Philip's face had grown rigid; and chiefly at the words; 'those at home 

were angry。'  'It is not I that prevent that friendship;' said he: 'it 

is his own want of openness。  My opinion has never changed。'



'No; I know it has never changed' said Amy; in a tone of sorrowful 

displeasure。  'Whenever it does; you will be sorry you have judged him 

so harshly。'



She left the room; and Philip held her in higher esteem。  He saw there 

was spirit and substance beneath that soft girlish exterior; and hoped 

she would better be able to endure the troubles which her precipitate 

marriage was likely to cause her; but as to her husband; his combined 

fickleness and obstinacy had only become more apparent than ever

fickleness in forsaking his purpose; obstinacy in adherence to his own 

will。

  

Displeased and contemptuous; Philip was not softened by Guy's freedom 

and openness of manner and desire to help him as far as their roads lay 

together。  He was gracious only to Lady Morville; whom he treated with 

kindness; intended to show that he was pleased with her for a reproof 

which became her position well; though it could not hurt him。  Perhaps 

she thought this amiability especially insufferable: for when she 

arrived at Varenna her chief thought was that here they should be free 

of him。



'Come; Philip;' said Guy; at that last moment; 'I wish you would think 

better of it after all; and come with us to Milan。'



'Thank you; my mind is made up。'



'Well; mind you don't catch the fever: for I don't want the trouble of 

nursing you。'



'Thank you; I hope to require no such services of my friends;' said 

Philip; with a proud stem air; implying; 'I don't want you。'



'Good…bye; then;' said Guy。  Then remembering his promise to Laura; he 

added; 'I wish we could have seen more of you。  They will be glad to 

hear of you at Hollywell。  You have had one warm friend there all 

along。'



He was touched for a moment by this kind speech; and his tone was less 

grave and dignified。  'Remember me to them when you write;' he 

answered; 'and tell Laura she must not wear herself out with her 

studies。  Good…bye; Amy; I hope you will have a pleasant journey。'



The farewells were exchanged and the carriage drove off。  'Poor little 

Amy!' said Philip to himself; 'how she is improved。  He has a sweet 

little wife in her。  The fates have conspired to crown him with all man 

can desire; and little marvel if he should abuse his advantages。  Poor 

little Amy!  I have less hope than ever; since even her evident wishes 

could not bend his determination in this trifle; but she is a good 

little creature; happy in her blindness。  May it long continue!  It is 

my uncle and aunt who are to be blamed。' 



He set himself to ascend the mountain path; and they looked back; 

watching the firm vigorous steps with which he climbed the hill side; 

then stood to wave his hand to Amabel looking a perfect specimen of 

health and activity。



'Just like himself;' said Amy; drawing so long a breath that Guy 

smiled; but did not speak。



'Are you much vexed?' said she。



'I don't feel as if I had made the most of my opportunities。'



'Then if you have not; I can tell you who has。  What do you think of 

his beginning to give me a lecture how to behave to you?'



'Did he think you wanted it very much?'



'I don't know: for of course I could not let him go on。'



Guy was so much diverted at the idea of her wanting a lecture on wife…

like deportment; that he had no time to be angry at the impertinence; 

and he made her laugh also by his view that was all force of habit。



'Now; Guidogood Cavaliere Guidodo grant me one satisfaction;' said 

she; coaxingly。  'Only say you are very glad he is gone his own way。'



On the contrary; I am sorry he is running his head into a fever;' said 

Guy; pretending to be provoking。



'I don't want you to be glad of that; I only want you to be glad he is 

not sitting here towering over us。'  Guy smiled; and began to whistle





        'Cock up your beaver; and cock it fu' sprush!'









CHAPTER 31







And turned the thistles of a curse

To types beneficent。WORDSWORTH





It was about three weeks after the rendezvous at Bellagio; that Sir Guy 

and Lady Morville arrived at Vicenza; on their way from Venice。  They 

were in the midst of breakfast when Arnaud entered; saying;



'It was well; Sir Guy; that you changed your intention of visiting the 

Valtelline with Captain Morville。'



'What!  Have you heard anything of him?'



'I fear that his temerity has caused him to suffer。  I have just heard 

that an Englishman of your name is severely ill at Recoara。'



'Where?'



'At 〃la badia di Recoara〃。  It is what in English we call a watering…

place; on the mountains to the north; where the Vicentini do go in 

summer for 〃fraicheur〃; but they have all returned in the last two days 

for fear of the infection。'



'I'll go and make inquiries' said Guy; rising in haste。  Returning in a 

quarter of an hour; he said;'It is true。  It can be no other than 

poor Philip。  I have seen his doctor; an Italian; who; when he saw our 

name written; said it was the same。  He calls it 〃una febbre molto 

grave〃。'



'Very heavy!  Did he only know the name in writing?'



'Only from seeing it on his passport。  He has been unable to give any 

directions。'



'How dreadfully ill he must be!  And alone!  What shall we do?  You 

won't think of leaving me behind you; whatever you do?'  exclaimed 

Amabel; imploringly。



'It is at no great distance; and'



'0; don't say that。  Only take me with you。  I will try to bear it; if 

you don't think it right; but it will be very hard。'



Her eyes were full of tears; but she struggled to repress them; and was 

silent in suspense as she saw him considering。



'My poor Amy!' said he; presently; 'I believe the anxiety would be 

worse for you if I were to leave you here。'



'Oh; thank you!' exclaimed she。



'You will have nothing to do with the nursing。  No; I don't think there 

is much risk; so we will go together。'



'Thank you! thank you! and perhaps I may be of some use。  But is it 

very infectious?'



'I hope not: caught at Colico; a
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