the black dwarf(黑侏儒)-第50章
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introduce him secretly into the chapel。 The consequence； as he informs
me； was a frenzy of several hours； during which he fled into the
neighbouring moors； in one of the wildest spots of which he chose； when
he was somewhat recovered； to fix his mansion； and set up for a sort of
country empiric； a character which； even in his best days； he was fond of
assuming。 It is remarkable； that； instead of informing me of these
circumstances； that I might have had the relative of my late wife taken
such care of as his calamitous condition required； Mr。 Ratcliffe seems to
have had such culpable indulgence for his irregular plans as to promise
and even swear secrecy concerning them。 He visited Sir Edward often；
and assisted in the fantastic task he had taken upon him of constructing a
hermitage。 Nothing they appear to have dreaded more than a discovery
of their intercourse。
〃The ground was open in every direction around； and a small
subterranean cave； probably sepulchral； which their researches had
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detected near the great granite pillar； served to conceal Ratcliffe； when any
one approached his master。 I think you will be of opinion； my love； that
this secrecy must have had some strong motive。 It is also remarkable；
that while I thought my unhappy friend was residing among the Monks of
La Trappe； he should have been actually living； for many months； in this
bizarre disguise； within five miles of my house； and obtaining regular
information of my most private movements； either by Ratcliffe； or through
Westburnflat or others； whom he had the means to bribe to any extent。
He makes it a crime against me that I endeavoured to establish your
marriage with Sir Frederick。 I acted for the best； but if Sir Edward Mauley
thought otherwise； why did he not step manfully forward； express his own
purpose of becoming a party to the settlements； and take that interest
which he is entitled to claim in you as heir to his great property？
〃Even now； though your rash and eccentric relation is somewhat tardy
in announcing his purpose； I am far from opposing my authority against
his wishes； although the person he desires you to regard as your future
husband be young Earnscliff； the very last whom I should have thought
likely to be acceptable to him； considering a certain fatal event。 But I give
my free and hearty consent； providing the settlements are drawn in such an
irrevocable form as may secure my child from suffering by that state of
dependence； and that sudden and causeless revocation of allowances； of
which I have so much reason to complain。 Of Sir Frederick Langley； I
augur； you will hear no more。 He is not likely to claim the hand of a
dowerless maiden。 I therefore commit you； my dear Isabella； to the
wisdom of Providence and to your own prudence； begging you to lose no
time in securing those advantages； which the fickleness of your kinsman
has withdrawn from me to shower upon you。
〃Mr。 Ratcliffe mentioned Sir Edward's intention to settle a
considerable sum upon me yearly； for my maintenance in foreign parts；
but this my heart is too proud to accept from him。 I told him I had a dear
child； who； while in affluence herself； would never suffer me to be in
poverty。 I thought it right to intimate this to him pretty roundly； that
whatever increase be settled upon you； it may be calculated so as to cover
this necessary and natural encumbrance。 I shall willingly settle upon you
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the castle and manor of Ellieslaw； to show my parental affection and
disinterested zeal for promoting your settlement in life。 The annual
interest of debts charged on the estate somewhat exceeds the income； even
after a reasonable rent has been put upon the mansion and mains。 But as
all the debts are in the person of Mr。 Ratcliffe； as your kinsman's trustee；
he will not be a troublesome creditor。 And here I must make you aware；
that though I have to complain of Mr。 Ratcliffe's conduct to me personally；
I； nevertheless； believe him a just and upright man； with whom you may
safely consult on your affairs； not to mention that to cherish his good
opinion will be the best way to retain that of your kinsman。 Remember
me to MarchieI hope he will not be troubled on account of late matters。
I will write more fully from the Continent。 Meanwhile； I rest your loving
father； RICHARD VERE。〃
The above letter throws the only additional light which we have been
able to procure upon the earlier part of our story。 It was Hobbie's opinion；
and may be that of most of our readers；that the Recluse of Mucklestane…
Moor had but a kind of a gleaming； or twilight understanding； and that he
had neither very clear views as to what he himself wanted； nor was apt to
pursue his ends by the clearest and most direct means； so that to seek the
clew of his conduct； was likened； by Hobbie； to looking for a straight path
through a common； over which are a hundred devious tracks； but not one
distinct line of road。
When Isabella had perused the letter； her first enquiry was after her
father。 He had left the castle； she was informed； early in the morning；
after a long interview with Mr。 Ratcliffe； and was already far on his way to
the next port； where he might expect to find shipping for the Continent。
〃Where was Sir Edward Mauley？〃
No one had seen the Dwarf since the eventful scene of the preceding
evening。
〃Odd； if onything has befa'en puir Elshie；〃 said Hobbie Elliot； 〃I wad
rather I were harried ower again。〃
He immediately rode to his dwelling； and the remaining she…goat came
bleating to meet him； for her milking time was long past。 The Solitary was
nowhere to be seen； his door； contrary to wont； was open； his fire
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extinguished； and the whole hut was left in the state which it exhibited on
Isabella's visit to him。 It was pretty clear that the means of conveyance
which had brought the Dwarf to Ellieslaw on the preceding evening； had
removed him from it to some other place of abode。 Hobbie returned
disconsolate to the castle。
〃I am doubting we hae lost Canny Elshie for gude an' a'。〃
〃You have indeed；〃 said Ratcliffe； producing a paper； which he put
into Hobbie's hands； 〃but read that； and you will perceive you have been
no loser by having known him。〃
It was a short deed of gift； by which 〃Sir Edward Mauley； otherwise
called Elshender the Recluse； endowed Halbert or Hobbie Elliot； and
Grace Armstrong； in full property； with a considerable sum borrowed by
Elliot from him。〃
Hobbie's joy was mingled with feelings which brought tears down his
rough cheeks。
〃It's a queer thing；〃 he said； 〃but I canna joy in the gear； unless I kend
the puir body was happy th
