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the heir of redclyffe-第29部分

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the only one who will care about the ball。'



Philip was obliged to conceal his vexation; and to answer the many 

eager questions about the arrangements。  He stayed to dinner; and as 

the others went in…doors to dress; he lingered near Charlotte; 

assuming; with some difficulty; an air of indifference; and said

'Well; Charlotte; did you tease Guy into showing you those verses?'



'Oh yes;' said Charlotte; with what the French call 〃un air capable〃。'



'Well; what were they?'



'That I mustn't tell。  They were very pretty; but I've promised。'



'Promised what?'



'Never to say anything about them。  He made it a condition with me; and 

I assure you; I am to be trusted。'



'Right;' said Philip; 'I'll ask no more。'



'It would be of no use;' said Charlotte; shaking her head; as if she 

wished he would prove her further。



Philip was in hopes of being able to speak to Laura after dinner; but 

his uncle wanted him to come and look over the plans of an estate 

adjoining Redclyffe; which there was some idea of purchasing。  Such an 

employment would in general have been congenial; but on this occasion; 

it was only by a strong force that he could chain his attention; for 

Guy was pacing the terrace with Laura and Amabel; and as they passed 

and repassed the window; he now and then caught sounds of repeating 

poetry。



In this Guy excelled。  He did not read aloud well; he was too rapid; 

and eyes and thoughts were apt to travel still faster than the lips; 

thus producing a confusion; but no one could recite better when a 

passage had taken strong hold of his imagination; and he gave it the 

full effect of the modulations of his fine voice; conveying in its 

inflections the impressions which stirred him profoundly。  He was just 

now enchanted with his first reading of 'Thalaba;' where he found all 

manner of deep meanings; to which the sisters listened with wonder and 

delight。  He repeated; in a low; awful; thrilling tone; that made Amy 

shudder; the lines in the seventh book; ending with



          〃Who comes from the bridal chamber!

           It is Azrael; angel of death。〃'



'You have not been so taken up with any book since Sintram。' said 

Laura。



'It is like Sintram;' he replied。



'Like it?'



'So it seems to me。  A strife with the powers of darkness; the victory; 

forgiveness; resignation; death。



          〃Thou know'st the secret wishes of my heart;

           Do with me as thou wilt; thy will is best。〃'



'I wish you would not speak as if you were Thalaba yourself;' said Amy; 

'you bring the whole Domdaniel round us。'



'I am afraid he is going to believe himself Thalaba as well as 

Sintram;' said Laura。 'But you know Southey did not see all this 

himself; and did not understand it when it was pointed out。'



'Don't tell us that;' said Amy。



'Nay; I think there is something striking in it;' said Guy then; with a 

sudden transition; 'but is not this ball famous?'



And their talk was of balls and reviews till nine o'clock; when they 

were summoned to tea。



On the whole; Philip returned to Broadstone by no means comforted。



Never had he known so much difficulty in attending with patience to his 

duties as in the course of the next fortnight。  They became a greater 

durance; as he at length looked his feelings full in the face; and 

became aware of their true nature。



He perceived that the loss of Laura would darken his whole existence; 

yet he thought that; were he only secure of her happiness; he could 

have resigned her in silence。  Guy was; however; one of the last men in 

the world whom he could bear to see in possession of her; and probably 

she was allowing herself to be entangled; if not in heart; at least in 

manner。  If so; she should not be unwarned。  He had been her guide from 

childhood; and he would not fail her now。



Three days before the review; he succeeded in finding time for a walk 

to Hollywell; not fully decided on the part he should act; though 

resolved on making some remonstrance。  He was crossing a stile; about a 

mile and a half from Hollywell; when he saw a lady sitting on the stump 

of a tree; sketching; and found that fate had been so propitious as to 

send Laura thither alone。  The rest had gone to gather mushrooms on a 

down; and had left her sketching the view of the spires of Broadstone; 

in the cleft between the high green hills。  She was very glad to see 

him; and held up her purple and olive washes to be criticised; but he 

did not pay much attention to them。  He was almost confused at the 

sudden manner in which the opportunity for speaking had presented 

itself。



'It is a long time since I have seen you;' said he; at last。



'An unheard…of time。'



'Still longer since we have had any conversation。'



'I was just thinking so。  Not since that hot hay…making; when Guy came 

home。  Indeed; we have had so much amusement lately that I have hardly 

had time for thought。  Guy says we are all growing dissipated。'



'Ah! your German; and dancing; and music; do not agree with thought。'



'Poor music!' said Laura; smiling。  'But I am ready for a lecture; I 

have been feeling more like a butterfly than I like。'



'I know you think me unjust about music; and I freely confess that I 

cannot estimate the pleasure it affords; but I doubt whether it is a 

safe pleasure。  It forms common ground for persons who would otherwise 

have little in common; and leads to intimacies which occasion results 

never looked for。'



'Yes;' said Laura; receiving it as a general maxim。



'Laura; you complain of feeling like a butterfly。  Is not that a sign 

that you were made for better things?'



'But what can I do?  I try to read early and at night; but I can't 

prevent the fun and gaiety; and; indeed; I don't think I would。  It is 

innocent; and we never had such a pleasant summer。  Charlie is soso 

much more equable; and mamma is more easy about him; and I can't help 

thinking it does them all good; though I do feel idle。'



'It is innocent; it is right for a little while;' said Philip; 'but 

your dissatisfaction proves that you are superior to such things。  

Laura; what I fear is; that this summer holiday may entangle you; and 

so fix your fate as to render your life no holiday。  0 Laura take care; 

know what you are doing!'



'What am I doing?' asked Laura; with an alarmed look of ingenuous 

surprise。



Never had it been so hard to maintain his composure as now; when her 

simplicity forced him to come to plainer terms。  'I must speak;' he 

continued; 'because no one else will。  Have you reflected whither this 

may tend?  This music; this versifying; this admitting a stranger so 

unreservedly into your pursuits?'



She understood now; and hung her head。  He would have given worlds to 

judge of the face hidden by her bonnet; but as she did not reply; he 

spoke on; his agitation becoming so strong; that the struggle was 

perceptible in the forced calmness of his tone。  'I would not say a 

word if he were worthy; but LauraLaura; I have seen Locksley Hall 

acted once; do not let me see it again in a way whichwhich would give 

me infinitely more pain。'



The faltering of his voice; so resolutely subdued; touched; her 

extremely; and a thrill of exquisite pleasure glanced through her; on 

hearing confirmed what she had long felt; that she had taken Margaret's 

placenay; as she now learnt; that she was even more precious to him。  

She only thought of reassuring him。



'No; you need never fear _that_。  He has no such thought; I am sure。'  

She blushed deeply; but looked in his face。  'He treats us both alike; 

besides; he is so young。'



'The mischief is not done;' said Philip; trying to resume his usual 

tone; 'I only meant to speak in time。  You might let your manner go too 

far; you might even allow your affections to be involved without 

knowing it; if you were not on your guard。'



'Never!' said Laura。  'Oh; no; I could never dream of that with Guy。  I 

like Guy very much; I think better of him than you do; but oh no; he 

could never be my first and best; I could never care for him in _that_ 

way。  How could you think so; Philip?'



'Laura; I cannot but look on you with what may seem over…solicitude。  

Since I lost Fanny; and worse than lost Margaret; you have been my 

home; my first; my most precious interest。  0 Laura!' and he did not 

even attempt to conceal the trembling and tenderness of his voice; 

'could I bear to lose you; to see you thrown away or changedyou; 

dearest; best of all?'



Laura did not turn away her head this time; but raising her beautiful 

face; glowing with such a look as had never beamed there before; while 

tears rose to her eyes; she said; 'Don't speak of my changing towards 

you。  I never could; for if there is anything to care for in me; it is 

you that have taught it to me。'



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