marie-第19章
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Now; the arrangement was that my father and I were to sleep that night
at Marais's stead; returning home on the following morning。 But my
father; who had been a silent but not unobservant witness of all this
scene; coming to the conclusion that after what had happened we should
scarcely be welcome there; and that the company of Pereira was to be
avoided just now; went up to Marais and bade him farewell; saying that
we would send for my mare。
〃Not so; not so;〃 he answered; 〃you are my guests to…night。 Also; fear
not; Hernan will be away。 He has gone a journey upon some business。〃
As my father hesitated; Marais added: 〃Friend; I pray you to come; for I
have some important words to say to you; which cannot be said here。〃
Then my father gave way; to my delight and relief。 For if he had not;
what chance would there have been of my getting some still more
important words with Marie? So having collected the geese and the two
falcons; which I proposed to skin for Marie; I was helped into the cart;
and we drove off; reaching Maraisfontein just as night set in。
That evening; after we had eaten; Heer Marais asked my father and myself
to speak with him in the sitting…room。 By an afterthought also; or so
it seemed to me; he told his daughter; who had been clearing away the
dishes and with whom as yet I had found no opportunity to talk; to come
in with us and close the door behind her。
When all were seated and we men had lit our pipes; though apprehension
of what was to follow quite took away my taste for smoking; Marais spoke
in English; which he knew to a certain extent。 This was for the benefit
of my father; who made it a point of honour not to understand Dutch;
although he would answer Marais in that language when _he_ pretended not
to understand English。 To me he spoke in Dutch; and occasionally in
French to Marie。 It was a most curious and polyglot conversation。
〃Young Allan;〃 he said; 〃and you; daughter Marie; I have heard stories
concerning you that; although I never gave you leave to 'opsit'〃 (that
is; to sit up alone at night with candles; according to the Boer fashion
between those who are courting); 〃you have been making love to each
other。〃
〃That is true; mynheer;〃 I said。 〃I only waited an opportunity to tell
you that we plighted our troth during the attack of the Quabies on this
house。〃
〃Allemachte! Allan; a strange time to choose;〃 answered Marais; pulling
at his beard;〃 the troth that is plighted in blood is apt to end in
blood。〃
〃A vain superstition to which I cannot consent;〃 interrupted my father。
〃Perhaps so;〃 I answered。 〃I know not; God alone knows。 I only know
that we plighted our troth when we thought ourselves about to die; and
that we shall keep that troth till death ends it。〃
〃Yes; my father;〃 added Marie; leaning forward across the scored
yellow…wood table; her chin resting on her hand and her dark; buck…like
eyes looking him in the face。 〃Yes; my father; that is so; as I have
told you already。〃
〃And I tell you; Marie; what I have told you already; and you too;
Allan; that this thing may not be;〃 answered Marais; hitting the table
with his fist。 〃I have nothing to say against you; Allan; indeed; I
honour you; and you have done me a mighty service; but it may not be。〃
〃Why not; mynheer?〃 I asked。
〃For three reasons; Allan; each of which is final。 You are English; and
I do not wish my daughter to marry an Englishman; that is the first。
You are poor; which is no discredit to you; and since I am now ruined my
daughter cannot marry a poor man; that is the second。 You live here;
and my daughter and I are leaving this country; therefore you cannot
marry her; that is the third;〃 and he paused。
〃Is there not a fourth;〃 I asked; 〃which is the real reason? Namely;
that you wish your daughter to marry someone else。〃
〃Yes; Allan; since you force me to it; there is a fourth。 I have
affianced my daughter to her cousin; Hernando Pereira; a man of
substance and full age; no lad; but one who knows his own mind and can
support a wife。〃
〃I understand;〃 I answered calmly; although within my heart a very hell
was raging。 〃But tell me; mynheer; has Marie affianced herselfor
perhaps she will answer with her own lips?〃
〃Yes; Allan;〃 replied Marie in her quiet fashion; 〃I have affianced
myselfto you and no other man。〃
〃You hear; mynheer;〃 I said to Marais。
Then he broke out in his usual excitable manner。 He stormed; he argued;
he rated us both。 He said that he would never allow it; that first he
would see his daughter in her grave。 That I had abused his confidence
and violated his hospitality; that he would shoot me if I came near his
girl。 That she was a minor; and according to the law he could dispose
of her in marriage。 That she must accompany him whither he was going;
that certainly I should not do so; and much more of the same sort。
When at last he had tired himself out and smashed his favourite pipe
upon the table; Marie spoke; saying:
〃My father; you know that I love you dearly; for since my mother's death
we have been everything to each other; have we not?〃
〃Surely; Marie; you are my life; and more than my life。〃
〃Very well; my father。 That being so; I acknowledge your authority over
me; whatever the law may say。 I acknowledge that you have the right to
forbid me to marry Allan; and if you do forbid mewhile I am under age;
at any rateI shall not marry him because of my duty to you。
But〃here she rose and looked him full in the eyes; and oh! how stately
she seemed at that moment in her simple strength and youthful
grace!〃there is one thing; my father; that I do not acknowledgeyour
right to force me to marry any other man。 As a woman with power over
herself; I deny that right; and much as it pains me; my father; to
refuse you anything; I say that first I will die。 To Allan here I have
given myself for good or for evil; and if I may not marry Allan; I will
go to the grave unwed。 If my words hurt you; I pray you to pardon me;
but at the same time to remember that they are my words; which cannot be
altered。〃
Marais looked at his daughter; and his daughter looked at Marais。 At
first I thought that he was about to curse her; but if this were so;
something in her eyes seemed to change his mind; for all he said was:
〃Intractable; like the rest of your race! Well; Fate may lead those who
cannot be driven; and this matter I leave in the hands of Fate。 While
you are under agethat is; for two years or moreyou may not marry
without my consent; and have just promised not to do so。 Presently we
trek from this country into far…off lands。 Who knows what may happen
there?〃
〃Yes;〃 said my father in a solemn voice; speaking for the first time;
〃who knows except God; Who governs all things; and will settle these
matters according to His will; Henri Marais? Listen;〃 he went on after
a pause; for Marais made no answer; but sat himself down and stared
gloomily at the table。 〃You do not wish my son to marry your daughter
for various reasons; of which one is that you think him poor and a
richer suitor has offered himself after a reverse of fortune has made
_you_ poor。 Another and a greater; the true reason; is his English
blood; which you hate so much that; although by God's mercy he saved her
life; you do not desire that he should share her life。 Is it not true?〃
〃Yes; it is true; Mynheer Quatermain。 You English are bullies and
cheats;〃 he answered excitedly。
〃And so you would give your daughter to one who has shown himself humble
and upright; to that good hater of the English and plotter against his
King; Hernando Pereira; whom you love because he alone is left of your
ancient race。〃
Remembering the incident of the afternoon; this sarcasm reduced Marais
to silence。
〃Well;〃 went on my father; 〃although I am fond of Marie; and know he