友情提示:如果本网页打开太慢或显示不完整,请尝试鼠标右键“刷新”本网页!
读书室 返回本书目录 加入书签 我的书架 我的书签 TXT全本下载 『收藏到我的浏览器』

the heir of redclyffe-第63部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完,想下次继续接着阅读,可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能!




Her little heart was soon open。  It appeared that Felix was the last 

who had died; the nearest in age to Marianne; and her favourite 

playfellow。  She told of some of their sports in their London home; 

speaking of them with eagerness and fondness that showed what joys they 

had been; though to Guy they seemed but the very proof of dreariness 

and dinginess。  She talked of walks to school; when Felix would tell 

what he would do when he was a man; and how he took care of her at the 

crossings; and how rude boys used to drive them; and how they would 

look in at the shop windows and settle what they would buy if they were 

rich。  Then she talked of his being illill so very long; how he sat 

in his little chair; and could not play; and then always lay in bed; 

and she liked to sit by him; there; but at last he died; and they 

carried him away in a great black coffin; and he would never come back 

again。  But it was so dull now; there was no one to play with her。



Though the little girl did not cry; she looked very mournful; and Guy 

tried to comfort her; but she did not understand him。  'Going to 

heaven' only conveyed to her a notion of death and separation; and this 

phrase; together with a vague idea who had made her; and that she ought 

to be good; seemed to be the extent of the poor child's religious 

knowledge。  She hardly ever had been at church and though she had read 

one or two Bible stories; it seemed to have been from their having been 

used as lessons at school。  She had a dim notion that good people read 

the Bible; and there was one on the little table at home; with the 

shell…turkey…cock standing upon it; and mamma read it when Felix died; 

but it was a big book; and the shell…turkey…cock always stood upon it; 

in short; it seemed only connected with mamma's tears; and the loss of 

her brother。



Guy was very much shocked; and so deep in thought that he could hardly 

talk to the child in their progress down the hill; but she was just so 

tired as to be inclined to silence; and quite happy clinging to his 

hand; till he delivered her over to her mother at the foot of the hill; 

and went to join his tutor; at the place appointed。



'Wellwood;' said he; breaking silence; when they had walked about half 

way back to the farm; 'do you think your cousin would do me a great 

kindness?  You saw that child?  Well; if the parents consent; it would 

be the greatest charity on earth if Miss Wellwood would receive her 

into her school。'



'On what terms?  What sort of an education is she to have?'



'The chief thing she wants is to be taught Christianity; poor child; 

the rest Miss Wellwood may settle。  She is my first cousin。  I don't 

know whether you are acquainted with our family history?' and he went 

on to explain as much as was needful。  It ended in a resolution that if 

Miss Wellwood would undertake the charge; the proposal should be made 

to Mrs。 Dixon。



It was a way of assisting his relations likely to do real good; and on 

the other hand; he would be able; under colour of the payment for the 

child; to further Miss Wellwood's schemes; and give her the interest of 

the thousand pounds; until his five and twentieth year might put his 

property in his own power。



Miss Wellwood readily consented; much pleased with the simplicity and 

absence of false shame he showed in the whole transaction; and very 

anxious for the good of a child in a class so difficult to reach。  He 

next went to Mrs。 Dixon; expecting more difficulty with her; but he 

found none。  She thought it better Marianne should live at St。 

Mildred's than die in London; and was ready to catch at the prospect of 

her being fitted for a governess。 Indeed; she was so strongly persuaded 

that the rich cousin might make Marianne's fortune; that she would have 

been very unwilling to interfere with the fancy he had taken for her。



Little Marianne was divided between fear of leaving mamma and liking 

for St。 Mildred's; but her first interview with Miss Wellwood; and Miss 

Jane's showing her a little white bed; quite turned the scale in their 

favour。  Before the time came for Guy's return to Oxford; he had seen 

her settled; heard her own account of her happy life; and had listened 

to Miss Jane Wellwood's delight in her sweet temper and good 

disposition。



Those thousand pounds; Guy considered again and again whether he could 

explain their destination; and whether this would clear him。  It seemed 

to him only a minor charge; and besides his repugnance to mention such 

a design; he saw too many obstacles in his way。  Captain Morville and 

his sister were the very persons from whom Miss Wellwood's project was 

to be kept secret。  Besides; what would be gained?  It was evident that 

Guy's own assertions were doubted; and he could bring no confirmation 

of them; he had never spoken of his intention to his tutor; and Mr。 

Wellwood could; therefore; say nothing in his favour。  If Mr。 

Edmonstone alone had been concerned; or if this had been the only 

accusation; Guy might have tried to explain it; but with Philip he knew 

it would be useless; and therefore would not enter on the subject。  He 

could only wait patiently。









CHAPTER 19







Most delicately; hour by hour;

He canvassed human mysteries;

And stood aloof from other minds。

Himself unto himself he sold;

Upon himself; himself did feed;

Quiet; dispassionate; and cold;

With chiselled features clear and sleek。TENNYSON





Guy had been about a week at Oxford; when one evening; as he was 

sitting alone in his rooms; he received an unexpected visit from 

Captain Morville。  He was glad; for he thought a personal interview 

would remove all misconstructions; and held out his hand cordially; 

saying:



'You here; Philip!  When did you come?'



'Half an hour ago。  I am on my way to spend a week with the Thorndales。  

I go on to…morrow to my sister's。'



While speaking; Philip was surveying the apartment; for he held that a 

man's room is generally an indication of his disposition; and assuredly 

there was a great deal of character in his own; with the scrupulous 

neatness and fastidious taste of its arrangements。  Here; he thought; 

he could not fail to see traces of his cousin's habits; but he was 

obliged to confess to himself that there was very little to guide him。  

The furniture was strictly as its former occupant had left it; only 

rather the worse for wear; and far from being in order。  The chairs 

were so heaped with books and papers; that Guy had to make a clearance 

of one before his visitor could sit down; but there was nothing else to 

complain of; not even a trace of cigars; but knowing him to be a great 

reader and lover of accomplishments; Philip wondered that the only 

decorations were Laura's drawing of Sintram; and a little print of 

Redclyffe; and the books were chiefly such as were wanted for his 

studies; the few others having for the most part the air of old library 

books; as if he had sent for them from Redclyffe。  Was this another 

proof that he had some way of frittering away his money with nothing to 

show for it?  A Sophocles and a lexicon were open before him on the 

table; and a blotting…book; which he closed; but not before Philip had 

caught sight of what looked like verses。



Neither did his countenance answer Philip's expectations。  It had not 

his usual bright lively expression; there was a sadness which made him 

smile like a gleam on a showery day; instead of constant sunshine; but 

there was neither embarrassment nor defiance; and the gleam…like smile 

was there; as with a frank; confiding tone; he said;



'This is very kind of you; to come and see what you can do for me。'



Philip was by no means prepared to be thus met half…way; but he thought 

Guy wanted to secure him as an intercessor; and hardened himself into 

righteous severity。



'No one can be more willing to help you than I; but you must; in the 

first place; help yourself。'



Instantly the sedate measured tone made Guy's heart and head throb with 

impatience; awakening all the former memories so hardly battled down; 

but with the impulse of anger came the thought; 'Here it is again!  If 

I don't keep it down now; I am undone!  The enemy will seize me again!'  

He forced himself not to interrupt; while Philip went calmly on。



'While you are not open; nothing can be done。'



'My only wish; my only desire; is to be open;' said Guy; speaking fast 

and low; and repressing the feeling; which; nevertheless; affected his 

voice; 'but the opportunity of explanation has never been given me。'



'You need complain of that no longer。  I am here to convey to my uncle 

any explanation you may wish to address to him。  I will do my best to 

induce him to attend to it favourably; but he is deeply offended and 

hurt by what has passed。'



'I knowI know;' said Guy; colour
返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 1 1
快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
温馨提示: 温看小说的同时发表评论,说出自己的看法和其它小伙伴们分享也不错哦!发表书评还可以获得积分和经验奖励,认真写原创书评 被采纳为精评可以获得大量金币、积分和经验奖励哦!