st. ives-第68章
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dog。 He is one with no particular trust in himself; with no
superior steadfastness to be admired for; who sees a lady's face;
who hears her voice; and; without any phrase about the matter;
falls in love。 What does he ask for; then; but pity? … pity for
his weakness; pity for his love; which is his life。 You would make
women always the inferiors; gaping up at your imaginary lover; he;
like a marble statue; with his nose in the air! But God has been
wiser than you; and the most steadfast of your heroes may prove
human; after all。 We appeal to the queen for judgment;' I added;
turning and bowing before Flora。
'And how shall the queen judge?' she asked。 'I must give you an
answer that is no answer at all。 〃The wind bloweth where it
listeth〃: she goes where her heart goes。'
Her face flushed as she said it; mine also; for I read in it a
declaration; and my heart swelled for joy。 But Chevenix grew pale。
'You make of life a very dreadful kind of lottery; ma'am;' said he。
'But I will not despair。 Honest and unornamental is still my
choice。'
And I must say he looked extremely handsome and very amusingly like
the marble statue with its nose in the air to which I had compared
him。
'I cannot imagine how we got upon this subject;' said Flora。
'Madame; it was through the war;' replied Chevenix。
'All roads lead to Rome;' I commented。 'What else would you expect
Mr。 Chevenix and myself to talk of?'
About this time I was conscious of a certain bustle and movement in
the room behind me; but did not pay to it that degree of attention
which perhaps would have been wise。 There came a certain change in
Flora's face; she signalled repeatedly with her fan; her eyes
appealed to me obsequiously; there could be no doubt that she
wanted something … as well as I could make out; that I should go
away and leave the field clear for my rival; which I had not the
least idea of doing。 At last she rose from her chair with
impatience。
'I think it time you were saying good…night; Mr Ducie!' she said。
I could not in the least see why; and said so。
Whereupon she gave me this appalling answer; 'My aunt is coming out
of the card…room。'
In less time than it takes to tell; I had made my bow and my
escape。 Looking back from the doorway; I was privileged to see;
for a moment; the august profile and gold eyeglasses of Miss
Gilchrist issuing from the card…room; and the sight lent me wings。
I stood not on the order of my going; and a moment after; I was on
the pavement of Castle Street; and the lighted windows shone down
on me; and were crossed by ironical shadows of those who had
remained behind。
CHAPTER XXIX … EVENTS OF TUESDAY: THE TOILS CLOSING
THIS day began with a surprise。 I found a letter on my breakfast…
table addressed to Edward Ducie; Esquire; and at first I was
startled beyond measure。 'Conscience doth make cowards of us all!'
When I had opened it; it proved to be only a note from the lawyer;
enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening。
Shortly after; as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of
the windows of the sitting…room; and Rowley; having finished the
light share of work that fell to him; sat not far off tootling with
great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave; Ronald
was suddenly shown in。 I got him a segar; drew in a chair to the
side of the fire; and installed him there … I was going to say; at
his ease; but no expression could be farther from the truth。 He
was plainly on pins and needles; did not know whether to take or to
refuse the segar; and; after he had taken it; did not know whether
to light or to return it。 I saw he had something to say; I did not
think it was his own something; and I was ready to offer a large
bet it was really something of Major Chevenix's。
'Well; and so here you are!' I observed; with pointless cordiality;
for I was bound I should do nothing to help him out。 If he were;
indeed; here running errands for my rival; he might have a fair
field; but certainly no favour。
'The fact is;' he began; 'I would rather see you alone。'
'Why; certainly;' I replied。 'Rowley; you can step into the
bedroom。 My dear fellow;' I continued; 'this sounds serious。
Nothing wrong; I trust。'
'Well; I'll be quite honest;' said he。 'I AM a good deal
bothered。'
'And I bet I know why!' I exclaimed。 'And I bet I can put you to
rights; too!'
'What do you mean!' he asked。
'You must be hard up;' said I; 'and all I can say is; you've come
to the right place。 If you have the least use for a hundred
pounds; or any such trifling sum as that; please mention it。 It's
here; quite at your service。'
'I am sure it is most kind of you;' said Ronald; 'and the truth is;
though I can't think how you guessed it; that I really AM a little
behind board。 But I haven't come to talk about that。'
'No; I dare say!' cried I。 'Not worth talking about! But
remember; Ronald; you and I are on different sides of the business。
Remember that you did me one of those services that make men
friends for ever。 And since I have had the fortune to come into a
fair share of money; just oblige me; and consider so much of it as
your own。'
'No;' he said; 'I couldn't take it; I couldn't; really。 Besides;
the fact is; I've come on a very different matter。 It's about my
sister; St。 Ives;' and he shook his head menacingly at me。
'You're quite sure?' I persisted。 'It's here; at your service … up
to five hundred pounds; if you like。 Well; all right; only
remember where it is; when you do want it。'
'Oh; please let me alone!' cried Ronald: 'I've come to say
something unpleasant; and how on earth can I do it; if you don't
give a fellow a chance? It's about my sister; as I said。 You can
see for yourself that it can't be allowed to go on。 It's
compromising; it don't lead to anything; and you're not the kind of
man (you must feel it yourself) that I can allow my female
relatives to have anything to do with。 I hate saying this; St。
Ives; it looks like hitting a man when he's down; you know; and I
told the Major I very much disliked it from the first。 However; it
had to be said; and now it has been; and; between gentlemen; it
shouldn't be necessary to refer to it again。'
'It's compromising; it doesn't lead to anything; not the kind of
man;' I repeated thoughtfully。 'Yes; I believe I understand; and
shall make haste to put myself EN REGLE。' I stood up; and laid my
segar down。 'Mr。 Gilchrist;' said I; with a bow; 'in answer to
your very natural observations; I beg to offer myself as a suitor
for your sister's hand。 I am a man of title; of which we think
lightly in France; but of ancient lineage; which is everywhere
prized。 I can display thirty…two quarterings without a blot。 My
expectations are certainly above the average: I believe my uncle's
income averages about thirty thousand pounds; though I admit I was
not careful to inform myself。 Put it anywhere between fifteen and
fifty thousand; it is certainly not less。'
'All this is very easy to say;' said Ronald; with a pitying smile。
'Unfortunately; these things are in the air。'
'Pardon me; … in Buckinghamshire;' said I; smiling。
'Well; what I mean is; my dear St。 Ives; that you CAN'T PROVE
them;' he continued。 'They might just as well not be: do you
follow me? You can't bring us any third party to back you。'
'Oh; come!' cried I; springing up and hurrying to the table。 'You
must excuse me!' I wrote Romaine's address。 'There is my
reference; Mr。 Gilchrist。 Until you have written to him; and
received his negative answer; I have a right to be treated; and I
shall see that you treat me; as a gentleman。' He was brought up
with a round turn at that。
'I beg your pardo