the man between(夹在中间的人)-第31章
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muscle。 He had clear； steady； humorous eyes； a manner frank and
independent； not to be put upon； and yet Ethel divined； though she could
not have declared； the 〃want〃 in his appearancethat all…overish grace and
elasticity which comes only from the development of the brain and
nervous system。 His face was also marred by the seal of commonness
which trade impresses on so many men； the result of the subjection of the
intellect to the will； and of the impossibility of grasping things except as
they relate to self。 In this respect the American cousin was his antipodes。
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His whole body had a psychical expressionslim； elastic； alert。 Over his
bright gray eyes the eyelids drew themselves horizontally； showing his
dexterity and acuteness of mind； indeed； his whole expression and mien
〃Were； as are the eagle's keen； All the man was aquiline。〃
These personal characteristics taking some minutes to describe were
almost an instantaneous revelation to Ethel； for what the soul sees it sees
in a flash of understanding。 But at that time she only answered her
impressions without any inquiry concerning them。 She was absorbed by
the personal presence of the men； and all that was lovely and lovable in
her nature responded to their admiration。
As they strolled together through a flowery alley； she made them pass
their hands through the thyme and lavender； and listen to a bird singing its
verses； loud and then soft； in the scented air above them。 They came out
where the purple plums and golden apricots were beginning to brighten a
southern wall； and there； moodily walking by himself； they met Mostyn
face to face。 An angry flash and movement interpreted his annoyance； but
he immediately recovered himself； and met Ethel and his late political
opponent with polite equanimity。 But a decided constraint fell on the
happy party； and Ethel was relieved to hear the first tones of the great bell
swing out from its lofty tower the call to the dining…room。
As far as Mostyn was concerned； this first malapropos meeting
indicated the whole evening。 His heart was beating quickly to some sense
of defeat which he did not take the trouble to analyze。 He only saw the
man who had shattered his political hopes and wasted his money in
possession also of what he thought he might rightly consider his place at
Ethel's side。 He had once contemplated making Ethel his bride； and though
the matrimonial idea had collapsed as completely as the political one； the
envious； selfish misery of the 〃dog in the manger〃 was eating at his
heartstrings。 He did not want Ethel； but oh； how he hated the thought of
either John Thomas or that American Raw… don winning her！ His seat at
the dinner… table also annoyed him。 It was far enough from the objects of
his resentment to prevent him hearing or interfering in their merry
conversation； and he told himself with passionate indignation that Ethel
had never once in all their intercourse been so beautiful and bright as she
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revealed herself that evening to those two Rawdon youthsone a mere
loom…master； the other an American whom no one knew anything about。
The long； bewitching hours of the glorious evening added fuel to the
flame of his anger。 He could only procure from Ethel the promise of one
unimportant dance at the close of her programme； and the American had
three dances； and the mere loom…man two。 And though he attempted to
restore his self… complacency by devoting his whole attentions to the only
titled young ladies in the room； he had throughout the evening a sense of
being snubbed； and of being a person no longer of much importance at
Rawdon Court。 And the reasoning of wounded self…love is a singular
process。 Mostyn was quite oblivious of any personal cause for the change；
he attributed it entirely to the Squire's ingratitude。
〃I did the Squire a good turn when he needed it； and of course he hates
me for the obligation； and as for the Judge and his fine daughter； they
interfered with my business did me a great wrongand they are only
illustrating the old saying； ‘Since I wronged you I never liked you。'〃 After
indulging such thoughts awhile； he resolved to escort the ladies Aurelia
and Isolde Danvers to Danvers Castle； and leave Miss Ethel to find a
partner for her last dance； a decision that favored John Thomas； greatly
relieved Ethel； and bestowed upon himself that most irritating of all
punishments； a self…inflicted disappointment。
This evening was the inauguration of a period of undimmed delight。 In
it the Tyrrel… Rawdons concluded a firm and affectionate alliance with the
elder branch at the Court； and one day after a happy family dinner John
Thomas made the startling proposal that 〃the portrait of the disinherited；
disowned Tyrrel should be restored to its place in the family gallery。〃 He
said he had 〃just walked through it； and noticed that the spot was still
vacant； and I think surely；〃 he added； 〃the young man's father must have
meant to recall him home some day； but perhaps death took him
unawares。〃
〃Died in the hunting…field；〃 murmured the Squire。
John Thomas bowed his head to the remark； and proceeded； 〃So
perhaps； Squire； it may be in your heart to forgive the dead； and bring
back the poor lad's picture to its place。 They who sin for love aren't so bad；
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sir； as they who sin for money。 I never heard worse of Tyrrel Rawdon than
that he loved a poor woman instead of a rich womanand married her。
Those that have gone before us into the next life； I should think are good
friends together； and I wouldn't wonder if we might even make them
happier there if we conclude to forget all old wrongs and live together
hereas Rawdons ought to livelike one family。〃
〃I am of your opinion； John Thomas；〃 said the Squire； rising； and as he
did so he looked at the Judge； who immediately indorsed the proposal。
One after the other rose with sweet and strong assent； until there was only
Tyrrel Rawdon's voice lacking。 But when all had spoken he rose also； and
said：
〃I am Tyrrel Rawdon's direct descendant； and I speak for him when I
say to…day； ‘Make room for me among my kindred！' He that loves much
may be forgiven much。〃
Then the housekeeper was called； and they went slowly； with soft
words； up to the third story of the house。 And the room unused for a
century was flung wide open； the shutters were unbarred； and the sunshine
flooded it； and there amid his fishing tackle； guns； and whips； and faded
ballads upon the wall； and books of wood lore and botany； and dress suits
of velvet and satin； and hunting suits of scarletall faded and falling to
pieces stood the picture of Tyrrel Rawd
