little novels-第36章
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The tone of steady conviction in which she spoke alarmed and distressed me。 My face showed her how deeply and how painfully I was affected。
〃There； there！〃 she said； returning to her natural manner； 〃don't take what I say too seriously。 A poor girl who has led a lonely life like mine thinks strangely and talks strangelysometimes。 Yes； I give you my promise。 If I am ever in trouble； I will let you know it。 God bless youyou have been very kind to megood…by！〃
A tear dropped on my face as she kissed me。 The door closed between us。 The dark street received me。
It was raining heavily。 I looked up at her window； through the drifting shower。 The curtains were parted： she was standing in the gap； dimly lit by the lamp on the table behind her； waiting for our last look at each other。 Slowly lifting her hand； she waved her farewell at the window； with the unsought native grace which had charmed me on the night when we first met。 The curtain fell againshe disappearednothing was before me； nothing was round me； but the darkness and the night。
V。
IN two years from that time； I had redeemed the promise given to my mother on her deathbed。 I had entered the Church。
My father's interest made my first step in my new profession an easy one。 After serving my preliminary apprenticeship as a curate； I was appointed； before I was thirty years of age； to a living in the West of England。
My new benefice offered me every advantage that I could possibly desirewith the one exception of a sufficient income。 Although my wants were few； and although I was still an unmarried man； I found it desirable； on many accounts； to add to my resources。 Following the example of other young clergymen in my position； I det ermined to receive pupils who might stand in need of preparation for a career at the Universities。 My relatives exerted themselves； and my good fortune still befriended me。 I obtained two pupils to start with。 A third would complete the number which I was at present prepared to receive。 In course of time； this third pupil made his appearance； under circumstances sufficiently remarkable to merit being mentioned in detail。
It was the summer vacation； and my two pupils had gone home。 Thanks to a neighboring clergyman； who kindly undertook to perform my duties for me； I too obtained a fortnight's holiday； which I spent at my father's house in London。
During my sojourn in the metropolis； I was offered an opportunity of preaching in a church； made famous by the eloquence of one of the popular pulpit…orators of our time。 In accepting the proposal； I felt naturally anxious to do my best； before the unusually large and unusually intelligent congregation which would be assembled to hear me。
At the period of which I am now speaking； all England had been startled by the discovery of a terrible crime； perpetrated under circumstances of extreme provocation。 I chose this crime as the main subject of my sermon。 Admitting that the best among us were frail mortal creatures； subject to evil promptings and provocations like the worst among us； my object was to show how a Christian man may find his certain refuge from temptation in the safeguards of his religion。 I dwelt minutely on the hardship of the Christian's first struggle to resist the evil influenceon the help which his Christianity inexhaustibly held out to him in the worst relapses of the weaker and viler part of his natureon the steady and certain gain which was the ultimate reward of his faith and his firmnessand on the blessed sense of peace and happiness which accompanied the final triumph。 Preaching to this effect； with the fervent conviction which I really felt； I may say for myself； at least； that I did no discredit to the choice which had placed me in the pulpit。 I held the attention of my congregation； from the first word to the last。
While I was resting in the vestry on the conclusion of the service； a note was brought to me written in pencil。 A member of my congregationa gentlemanwished to see me； on a matter of considerable importance to himself。 He would call on me at any place； and at any hour； which I might choose to appoint。 If I wished to be satisfied of his respectability； he would beg leave to refer me to his father； with whose name I might possibly be acquainted。
The name given in the reference was undoubtedly familiar to me； as the name of a man of some celebrity and influence in the world of London。 I sent back my card； appointing an hour for the visit of my correspondent on the afternoon of the next day。
VI。
THE stranger made his appearance punctually。 I guessed him to be some two or three years younger than myself。 He was undeniably handsome； his manners were the manners of a gentlemanand yet； without knowing why； I felt a strong dislike to him the moment he entered the room。
After the first preliminary words of politeness had been exchanged between us； my visitor informed me as follows of the object which he had in view。
〃I believe you live in the country； sir？〃 he began。
〃I live in the West of England；〃 I answered。
〃Do you make a long stay in London？〃
〃No。 I go back to my rectory to…morrow。〃
〃May I ask if you take pupils？〃
〃Yes。〃
〃Have you any vacancy？〃
〃I have one vacancy。〃
〃Would you object to let me go back with you to…morrow； as your pupil？〃
The abruptness of the proposal took me by surprise。 I hesitated。
In the first place （as I have already said）； I disliked him。 In the second place； he was too old to be a fit companion for my other two pupilsboth lads in their teens。 In the third place； he had asked me to receive him at least three weeks before the vacation came to an end。 I had my own pursuits and amusements in prospect during that interval； and saw no reason why I should inconvenience myself by setting them aside。
He noticed my hesitation； and did not conceal from me that I had disappointed him。
〃I have it very much at heart；〃 he said； 〃to repair without delay the time that I have lost。 My age is against me； I know。 The truth isI have wasted my opportunities since I left school； and I am anxious； honestly anxious； to mend my ways； before it is too late。 I wish to prepare myself for one of the UniversitiesI wish to show； if I can； that I am not quite unworthy to inherit my father's famous name。 You are the man to help me； if I can only persuade you to do it。 I was struck by your sermon yesterday； and； if I may venture to make the confession in your presence； I took a strong liking to you。 Will you see my father； before you decide to say No？ He will be able to explain whatever may seem strange in my present application； and he will be happy to see you this afternoon； if you can spare the time。 As to the question of terms； I am quite sure it can be settled to your entire satisfaction。〃
He was evidently in earnestgravely； vehemently in earnest。 I unwillingly consented to see his father。
Our interview was a long one。 All my questions were answered fully and frankly。
The young man had led an idle and desultory life。 He was weary of it； and ashamed of it。 His disposition was a peculiar one。 He stood sorely in need of a guide； a teacher； and a friend； in whom he was disposed to confide。 If I disappointed the hopes which he had centered in me； he would be discouraged； and he would relapse into the aimless and indolent existence of which he was now ashamed。 Any terms for which I might stipulate were at my disposal if I would consent to receive him； for three months to begin with； on trial。
Still hesitating； I consulted my father and my friends。
They were all of opinion （and justly of opinion so far） that the new connection would be an excellent one for me。 They all reproached me for taking a purely capricious dislike to a well…born and well…bred young man； and for permitting it to influence me； at the outset of my career； against my own interests。 Pressed by these considerations； I allowed myself to be persuaded to give the new pupil a fair trial。 He accompanied me； the next day； on my way back to the rectory。
VII。
LET me be careful to do justice to a man whom I personally disliked。 My senior pupil began well： he produced a decidedly favorable impression on the persons attached to my little h
