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the heir of redclyffe-第109部分

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stop the compliment; considering how edified he had been by his wife's 

unexpected ingenuity; and what a comical account he had written of it 

to her mother; such; as Amy told him; deserved to be published in a 

book of good advice to young ladies; to show what they might come to if 

they behaved well。  However; she was glad to have ocular demonstration 

of the success of the cookery; which she had feared might turn out 

uneatable; and her gentle feelings towards Philip were touched; by 

seeing one wont to be full of independence and self…assertion; now meek 

and helpless; requiring to be lifted; and propped up with pillows; and 

depending entirely and thankfully upon Guy。



When he had been settled and made comfortable; they read the service; 

and she thought her husband's tones had never been so sweet as now; 

modulated to the pitch best suited to the sickroom; and with the 

peculiarly beautiful expression he always gave such reading。  It was 

the lesson from Jeremiah; on the different destiny of Josiah and his 

sons; and he read that verse; 'Weep ye not for the dead; neither bemoan 

him; but weep sore for him that goeth away; for he shall return no 

more; nor see his native country;' with so remarkable a melancholy and 

beauty in his voice; that she could hardly refrain from tears; and it 

also greatly struck Philip; who had been so near 'returning no more; 

neither seeing his native country。'



When the reading was over; and they were leaving him to rest; while 

they went to dinner; he said; as he wished Amy good…bye; 'Till now I 

never discovered the practical advantage of such a voice as Guy's。  

There never was such a one for a sick…room。  Last week; I could not 

bear any one else to speak at all; and even now; no one else could have 

read so that I could like it。'



'Your voice; yes;' said Amy; after they had returned to their own 

sitting…room。  'I want to hear it very much。 I wonder when you will 

sing to me again。'



'Not till he has recovered strength to bear the infliction with 

firmness;' said Guy; 'but; Amy; I'll tell you what we will do; if you 

are sure it is good for you。  He will have a good long sleep; and we 

will have a walk on the green hillocks。'



Accordingly they wandered in the cool of the evening on the grassy 

slopes under the chestnut…trees; making it a Sunday walk; calm; bright 

and meditative; without many words; but those deep and grave; 'such as 

their walks had been before they were married;' as Amabel said。



'Better;' he answered。



A silence; broken by her asking; 'Do you recollect your melancholy 

definition of happiness; years ago?'



'What was it?'



'Gleams from another world; too soon eclipsed or forfeited。  It made me 

sad then。  Do you hold to it now?'



'Don't you?'



'I want to know what you would say now?'



'Gleams from another world; brightening as it gets nearer。'



Amabel repeated





       Ever the richest; tenderest glow;

       Sets round the autumnal sun;

       But their sight fails; no heart may know

       The bliss when life is done。





'Old age;' she added; 'that seems very far off。'



'Each day is a step;' he answered; and then came a silence while both 

were thinking deeply。



They sat down to rest under a tree; the mountains before them with 

heavy dark clouds hanging on their sides; and the white crowns clear 

against the blue sky; a perfect stillness on all around; and the red 

glow of an Italian sunset just fading away。



'There is only one thing wanting;' said Amy。  'You may sing now。  You 

are far from Philip's hearing。  Suppose we chant this afternoon's 

psalms。'



It was the fifth day of the month; and the psalms seemed especially 

suitable to their thoughts。  Before the 29th was finished; it was 

beginning to grow dark。  There were a few pale flashes of lightning in 

the mountains; and at the words 'The voice of the Lord shaketh the 

wilderness;' a low but solemn peal of thunder came as an accompaniment。



'The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace。'



The full sweet melody died away; but the echo caught it up and answered 

like the chant of a spirit in the distance'The blessing of peace。'



The effect was too solemn and mysterious to be disturbed by word or 

remark。  Guy drew her arm into his; and they turned homewards。



They had some distance to walk; and night had closed in before they 

reached the village; but was only more lovely。  The thunder rolled 

solemnly among the hills; but the young moon shone in marvellous 

whiteness on the snowy crowns; casting fantastic shadows from the 

crags; while whole showers of fire…flies were falling on them from the 

trees; floating and glancing in the shade。



'It is a pity to go in;' said Amy。  But Arnaud did not seem to be of 

the same opinion: he came out to meet them very anxiously; 

expostulating on the dangers of the autumnal dew; and Guy owned that 

though it had been the most wonderful and delightful evening he had 

ever known; he was rather fatigued。







 

CHAPTER 33







From darkness here and dreariness;

We ask not full repose。CHRISTIAN YEAR





It seemed as if the fatigue which Guy had undergone was going to make 

itself felt at last; for he had a slight headache the next morning; and 

seemed dull and weary。  Both he and Amabel sat for some time with 

Philip; and when she went away to write her letters; Philip began 

discussing a plan which had occurred to him of offering himself as 

chief of the constabulary force in the county where Redclyffe was 

situated。  It was an office which would suit him very well; and opened 

a new hope of his marriage; and he proceeded to reckon on Lord 

Thorndale's interest; counting up all the magistrates he knew; and 

talking them over with Guy; who; however; did not know enough of his 

own neighbourhood to be of much use; and when he came up…stairs a 

little after; said he was vexed at having been so stupid。  He was 

afraid he had seemed unkind and indifferent。  But the truth was that he 

was so heavy and drowsy; that he had actually fallen twice into a doze 

while Philip was talking。



'Of course;' said Amy; 'gentle sleep will take her revenge at last for 

your calling her a popular delusion。  Lie down; let her have her own 

way; and you will be good for something by and by。'



He took her advice; slept for a couple of hours; and awoke a good deal 

refreshed; so that though his head still ached; he was able to attend 

as usual to Philip in the evening。

 

He did not waken the next morning till so late; that he sprung up in 

consternation; and began to dress in haste to go to Philip; but 

presently he came back from his dressing…room with a hasty uncertain 

step; and threw himself down on the bed。  Amabel came to his side in an 

instant; much frightened at his paleness; but he spoke directly。  'Only 

a fit of giddinessit is going off;' and he raised himself; but was 

obliged to lie down again directly。



'You had better keep quiet' said she。  'Is it your headache?'



'It is aching;' said Guy; and she put her hand over it。



'How hot and throbbing!' said she。 ' You must have caught cold in that 

walk。  No; don't try to move; it is only making it worse。'



'I must go to Philip;' he answered; starting up; but this 

brought on such a sensation of dizziness and faintness; that he sunk 

back on the pillow。



'No; it is of no use to fight against it;' said Amy; as soon as he was 

a little better。  'Never mind Philip; I'll go to him。  You must keep 

quiet; and I will get you a cup of hot tea。'



As he lay still; she had the comfort of seeing him somewhat revived; 

but he listened to her persuasions not to attempt to move。  It was 

later than she had expected; and she found that breakfast was laid out 

in the next room。  She brought him some tea; but he did not seem 

inclined to lift his head to drink it; and begged her to go at once to 

Philip; fearing he must be thinking himself strangely forgotten; and 

giving her many directions about the way he liked to be waited on at 

breakfast。



Very much surprised was Philip to see her instead; of her husband; and 

greatly concerned to hear that Guy was not well。



'Over…fatigue;' said he。  'He could not but feel the effects of such 

long…continued exertion。'  Then; after an interval; during which he had 

begun breakfast; with many apologies for letting her wait on him; he 

said; with some breaks; 'Never was there such a nurse as he; Amy; I 

have felt much more than I can express; especially now。  You will never 

have to complain of my harsh judgment again!'



'It is too much for you to talk of these things;' said Amabel; moved by 

the trembling of his feeble voice; but too anxious to return to her 

husband to like to wait even to hear that Philip's opinion _had_ 

altered。  It required much self…command not to hurry
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