barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第44章
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was then just rising； shed around that peace and tranquillity
which gives to evening time its most delicious charm。 The
lengthened shadows of the trees； softened as if reflected in still
water； threw their carpet on the path the travellers pursued； and
the light wind stirred yet more softly than before； as though it
were soothing Nature in her sleep。 By little and little they ceased
talking； and rode on side by side in a pleasant silence。
‘The Maypole lights are brilliant to…night；’ said Edward； as they
rode along the lane from which； while the intervening trees were
bare of leaves； that hostelry was visible。
‘Brilliant indeed； sir；’ returned Joe； rising in his stirrups to get a
better view。 ‘Lights in the large room； and a fire glimmering in the
best bedchamber？ Why； what company can this be for； I wonder！’
‘Some benighted horseman wending towards London； and
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deterred from going on to…night by the marvellous tales of my
friend the highwayman； I suppose；’ said Edward。
‘He must be a horseman of good quality to have such
accommodations。 Your bed too； sir—！’
‘No matter； Joe。 Any other room will do for me。 But come—
there’s nine striking。 We may push on。’
They cantered forward at as brisk a pace as Joe’s charger could
attain； and presently stopped in the little copse where he had left
her in the morning。 Edward dismounted； gave his bridle to his
companion； and walked with a light step towards the house。
A female servant was waiting at a side gate in the garden…wall；
and admitted him without delay。 He hurried along the terrace…
walk； and darted up a flight of broad steps leading into an old and
gloomy hall； whose walls were ornamented with rusty suits of
armour； antlers； weapons of the chase； and suchlike garniture。
Here he paused； but not long； for as he looked round； as if
expecting the attendant to have followed； and wondering she had
not done so； a lovely girl appeared； whose dark hair next moment
rested on his breast。 Almost at the same instant a heavy hand was
laid upon her arm； Edward felt himself thrust away； and Mr
Haredale stood between them。
He regarded the young man sternly without removing his hat；
with one hand clasped his niece； and with the other； in which he
held his riding…whip； motioned him towards the door。 The young
man drew himself up； and returned his gaze。
‘This is well done of you； sir； to corrupt my servants； and enter
my house unbidden and in secret； like a thief！’ said Mr Haredale。
‘Leave it； sir； and return no more。’
‘Miss Haredale’s presence；’ returned the young man； ‘and your
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relationship to her； give you a licence which； if you are a brave
man； you will not abuse。 You have compelled me to this course；
and the fault is yours—not mine。’
‘It is neither generous； nor honourable； nor the act of a true
man； sir；’ retorted the other； ‘to tamper with the affections of a
weak； trusting girl； while you shrink； in your unworthiness； from
her guardian and protector； and dare not meet the light of day。
More than this I will not say to you； save that I forbid you this
house； and require you to be gone。’
‘It is neither generous； nor honourable； nor the act of a true
man to play the spy；’ said Edward。 ‘Your words imply dishonour；
and I reject them with the scorn they merit。’
‘You will find；’ said Mr Haredale； calmly； ‘your trusty go…
between in waiting at the gate by which you entered。 I have played
no spy’s part； sir。 I chanced to see you pass the gate； and followed。
You might have heard me knocking for admission； had you been
less swift of foot； or lingered in the garden。 Please to withdraw。
Your presence here is offensive to me and distressful to my niece。’
As he said these words； he passed his arm about the waist of the
terrified and weeping girl； and drew her closer to him； and though
the habitual severity of his manner was scarcely changed； there
was yet apparent in the action an air of kindness and sympathy for
her distress。
‘Mr Haredale；’ said Edward； ‘your arm encircles her on whom I
have set my every hope and thought； and to purchase one
minute’s happiness for whom I would gladly lay down my life； this
house is the casket that holds the precious jewel of my existence。
Your niece has plighted her faith to me； and I have plighted mine
to her。 What have I done that you should hold me in this light
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esteem； and give me these discourteous words？’
‘You have done that； sir；’ answered Mr Haredale； ‘which must
he undone。 You have tied a lover’…knot here which must be cut
asunder。 Take good heed of what I say。 Must。 I cancel the bond
between ye。 I reject you； and all of your kith and kin—all the false；
hollow； heartless stock。’
‘High words； sir；’ said Edward； scornfully。
‘Words of purpose and meaning； as you will find；’ replied the
other。 ‘Lay them to heart。’
‘Lay you then； these；’ said Edward。 ‘Your cold and sullen
temper； which chills every breast about you； which turns affection
into fear； and changes duty into dread； has forced us on this secret
course； repugnant to our nature and our wish； and far more
foreign； sir； to us than you。 I am not a false； a hollow； or a heartless
man； the character is yours； who poorly venture on these injurious
terms； against the truth； and under the shelter whereof I reminded
you just now。 You shall not cancel the bond between us。 I will not
abandon this pursuit。 I rely upon your niece’s truth and honour；
and set your influence at nought。 I leave her with a confidence in
her pure faith； which you will never weaken； and with no concern
but that I do not leave her in some gentler care。’
With that； he pressed her cold hand to his lips； and once more
encountering and returning Mr Haredale’s steady look； withdrew。
A few words to Joe as he mounted his horse sufficiently
explained what had passed； and renewed all that young
gentleman’s despondency with tenfold aggravation。 They rode
back to the Maypole without exchanging a syllable； and arrived at
the door with heavy hearts。
Old John； who had peeped from behind the red curtain as they
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rode up shouting for Hugh； was out directly； and said with great
importance as he held the you
