一双蓝眼睛 英文版 A Pair of Blue Eyes
托马斯.哈代 Thomas Hardy
Chapter XIV
'We frolic while 'tis May.'
It has now to be realized that nearly three-quarters of a yearhave passed away. In place of the autumnal scenery which formed asetting to the previous enactments, we have the culminating bloomsof summer in the year following.
Stephen is in India, slaving away at an office in Bombay;occasionally going up the country on professional errands, andwondering why people who had been there longer than he complainedso much of the effect of the climate upon their constitutions.Never had a young man a finer start than seemed now to presentitself to Stephen. It was just in that exceptional heyday ofprosperity which shone over Bombay some few years ago, that hearrived on the scene. Building and engineering partook of thegeneral impetus. Speculation moved with an accelerated velocityevery successive day, the only disagreeable contingency connectedwith it being the possibility of a collapse.
Elfride had never told her father of the four-and-twenty-hours'escapade with Stephen, nor had it, to her knowledge, come to hisears by any other route. It was a secret trouble and grief to thegirl for a short time, and Stephen's departure was anotheringredient in her sorrow. But Elfride possessed specialfacilities for getting rid of trouble after a decent interval.Whilst a slow nature was imbibing a misfortune little by little,she had swallowed the whole agony of it at a draught and wasbrightening again. She could slough off a sadness and replace itby a hope as easily as a lizard renews a diseased limb.
And two such excellent distractions had presented themselves. Onewas bringing out the romance and looking for notices in thepapers, which, though they had been significantly short so far,had served to divert her thoughts. The other was migrating fromthe vicarage to the more commodious old house of Mrs. Swancourt's,overlooking the same valley. Mr. Swancourt at first disliked theidea of being transplanted to feminine soil, but the obviousadvantages of such an accession of dignity reconciled him to thechange. So there was a radical 'move;' the two ladies staying atTorquay as had been arranged, the vicar going to and fro.
Mrs. Swancourt considerably enlarged Elfride's ideas in anaristocratic direction, and she began to forgive her father forhis politic marriage. Certainly, in a worldly sense, a handsomeface at three-and-forty had never served a man in better stead.
The new house at Kensington was ready, and they were all in town.
The Hyde Park shrubs had been transplanted as usual, the chairsranked in line, the grass edgings trimmed, the roads made to lookas if they were suffering from a heavy thunderstorm; carriages hadbeen called for by the easeful, horses by the brisk, and the Driveand Row were again the groove of gaiety for an hour. We gaze uponthe spectacle, at six o'clock on this midsummer afternoon, in amelon-frame atmosphere and beneath a violet sky. The Swancourtequipage formed one in the stream.
Mrs. Swancourt was a talker of talk of the incisive kind, whichher low musical voice--the only beautiful point in the old woman--prevented from being wearisome.
'Now,' she said to Elfride, who, like AEneas at Carthage, was fullof admiration for the brilliant scene, 'you will find that ourcompanionless state will give us, as it does everybody, anextraordinary power in reading the features of our fellow-creatures here. I always am a listener in such places as these--not to the narratives told by my neighbours' tongues, but by theirfaces--the advantage of which is, that whether I am in Row,Boulevard, Rialto, or Prado, they all speak the same language. Imay have acquired some skill in this practice through having beenan ugly lonely woman for so many years, with nobody to give meinformation; a thing you will not consider strange when theparallel case is borne in mind,--how truly people who have noclocks will tell the time of day.'
'Ay, that they will,' said Mr. Swancourt corroboratively. 'I haveknown labouring men at Endelstow and other farms who had framedcomplete systems of observation for that purpose. By means ofshadows, winds, clouds, the movements of sheep and oxen, thesinging of birds, the crowing of cocks, and a hundred other sightsand sounds which people with watches in their pockets never knowthe existence of, they are able to pronounce within ten minutes ofthe hour almost at any required instant. That reminds me of anold story which I'm afraid is too bad--too bad to repeat.' Herethe vicar shook his head and laughed inwardly.
'Tell it--do!' said the ladies.
'I mustn't quite tell it.'
'That's absurd,' said Mrs. Swancourt.
'It was only about a man who, by the same careful system ofobservation, was known to deceive persons for more than two yearsinto the belief that he kept a barometer by stealth, so exactlydid he foretell all changes in the weather by the braying of hisass and the temper of his wife.'
Elfride laughed.
'Exactly,' said Mrs. Swancourt. 'And in just the way that thoselearnt the signs of nature, I have learnt the language of herillegitimate sister--artificiality; and the fibbing of eyes, thecontempt of nose-tips, the indignation of back hair, the laughterof clothes, the cynicism of footsteps, and the various emotionslying in walking-stick twirls, hat-liftings, the elevation ofparasols, the carriage of umbrellas, become as A B C to me.
'Just look at that daughter's sister class of mamma in thecarriage across there,' she continued to Elfride, pointing withmerely a turn of her eye. 'The absorbing self-consciousness ofher position that is shown by her countenance is most humiliatingto a lover of one's country. You would hardly believe, would you,that members of a Fashionable World, whose professed zero is farabove the highest degree of the humble, could be so ignorant ofthe elementary instincts of reticence.'
'How?'
'Why, to bear on their faces, as plainly as on a phylactery, theinscription, "Do, pray, look at the coronet on my panels."'
'Really, Charlotte,' said the vicar, 'you see as much in faces asMr. Puff saw in Lord Burleigh's nod.'
Elfride could not but admire the beauty of her fellowcountrywomen, especially since herself and her own fewacquaintances had always been slightly sunburnt or marked on theback of the hands by a bramble-scratch at this time of the year.
'And what lovely flowers and leaves they wear in their bonnets!'she exclaimed.
'Oh yes,' returned Mrs. Swancourt. 'Some of them are even morestriking in colour than any real ones. Look at that beautifulrose worn by the lady inside the rails. Elegant vine-tendrilsintroduced upon the stem as an improvement upon prickles, and allgrowing so naturally just over her ear--I say growing advisedly,for the pink of the petals and the pink of her handsome cheeks areequally from Nature's hand to the eyes of the most casualobserver.'
'But praise them a little, they do deserve it!' said generousElfride.
'Well, I do. See how the Duchess of----waves to and fro in herseat, utilizing the sway of her landau by looking around only whenher head is swung forward, with a passive pride which forbids aresistance to the force of circumstance. Look at the pretty pouton the mouths of that family there, retaining no traces of beingarranged beforehand, so well is it done. Look at the demure closeof the little fists holding the parasols; the tiny alert thumb,sticking up erect against the ivory stem as knowing as can be, thesatin of the parasol invariably matching the complexion of theface beneath it, yet seemingly by an accident, which makes thething so attractive. There's the red book lying on the oppositeseat, bespeaking the vast numbers of their acquaintance. And Iparticularly admire the aspect of that abundantly daughtered womanon the other side--I mean her look of unconsciousness that thegirls are stared at by the walkers, and above all the look of thegirls themselves--losing their gaze in the depths of handsomemen's eyes without appearing to notice whether they are observingmasculine eyes or the leaves of the trees. There's praise foryou. But I am only jesting, child--you know that.'
'Piph-ph-ph--how warm it is, to be sure!' said Mr. Swancourt, asif his mind were a long distance from all he saw. 'I declare thatmy watch is so hot that I can scarcely bear to touch it to seewhat the time is, and all the world smells like the inside of ahat.'
'How the men stare at you, Elfride!' said the elder lady. 'Youwill kill me quite, I am afraid.'
'Kill you?'
'As a diamond kills an opal in the same setting.'
'I have noticed several ladies and gentlemen looking at me,' saidElfride artlessly, showing her pleasure at being observed.
'My dear, you mustn't say "gentlemen" nowadays,' her stepmotheranswered in the tones of arch concern that so well became herugliness. 'We have handed over "gentlemen" to the lower middleclass, where the word is still to be heard at tradesmen's ballsand provincial tea-parties, I believe. It is done with here.'
'What must I say, then?'
'"Ladies and MEN" always.'
At this moment appeared in the stream of vehicles moving in thecontrary direction a chariot presenting in its general surface therich indigo hue of a midnight sky, the wheels and margins beingpicked out in delicate lines of ultramarine; the servants'liveries were dark-blue coats and silver lace, and breeches ofneutral Indian red. The whole concern formed an organic whole,and moved along behind a pair of dark chestnut geldings, whoadvanced in an indifferently zealous trot, very daintilyperformed, and occasionally shrugged divers points of their veinysurface as if they were rather above the business.
In this sat a gentleman with no decided characteristics more thanthat he somewhat resembled a good-natured commercial traveller ofthe superior class. Beside him was a lady with skim-milky eyesand complexion, belonging to the "interesting" class of women,where that class merges in the sickly, her greatest pleasure beingapparently to enjoy nothing. Opposite this pair sat two littlegirls in white hats and blue feathers.
The lady saw Elfride, smiled and bowed, and touched her husband'selbow, who turned and received Elfride's movement of recognitionwith a gallant elevation of his hat. Then the two children heldup their arms to Elfride, and laughed gleefully.
'How?'laughed.Ladies and MEN" always.'up herarm to support one !
'Who is that?'
'Why, Lord Luxellian, isn't it?' said Mrs. Swancourt, who with thevicar had been seated with her back towards them.
'Yes,' replied Elfride. 'He is the one man of those I have seenhere whom I consider handsomer than papa.'
'Thank you, dear,' said Mr. Swancourt.
'Thank you, dear, likewise,' said Mr. Swancourt.
'See,' exclaimed Elfride, still looking towards them, 'how thoselittle dears want me! Actually one of them is crying for me tocome.'
'We were talking of bracelets just now. Look at LadyLuxellian's,' said Mrs. Swancourt, as that baroness lifted up herarm to support one of the children. 'It is slipping up her arm--too large by half. I hate to see daylight between a bracelet anda wrist; I wonder women haven't better taste.'
generousElfride.families. Then .
'It is not on that account, indeed,' Elfride expostulated. 'It isthat her arm has got thin, poor thing. You cannot think how muchshe has altered in this last twelvemonth.'
The carriages were now nearer together, and there was an exchangeof more familiar greetings between the two families. Then theLuxellians crossed over and drew up under the plane-trees, just inthe rear of the Swancourts. Lord Luxellian alighted, and cameforward with a musical laugh.
this midsummer afternoon, in?
It was his attraction as a man. People liked him for those tones,and forgot that he had no talents. Acquaintances remembered Mr.Swancourt by his manner; they remembered Stephen Smith by hisface, Lord Luxellian by his laugh.
Mr. Swancourt made some friendly remarks--among others things uponthe heat.
'Yes,' said Lord Luxellian, 'we were driving by a furrier's windowthis afternoon, and the sight filled us all with such a sense ofsuffocation that we were glad to get away. Ha-ha!' He turned toElfride. 'Miss Swancourt, I have hardly seen or spoken to yousince your literary feat was made public. I had no idea a chielwas taking notes down at quiet Endelstow, or I should certainlyhave put myself and friends upon our best behaviour. Swancourt,why didn't you give me a hint!'
Elfride fluttered, blushed, laughed, said it was nothing to speakof, &c. &c.
'Well, I think you were rather unfairly treated by the PRESENT, Icertainly do. Writing a heavy review like that upon an eleganttrifle like the COURT OF KELLYON CASTLE was absurd.'
'What?' said Elfride, opening her eyes. 'Was I reviewed in thePRESENT?'
'Oh yes; didn't you see it? Why, it was four or five months ago!'
'Ah, then, I am almost afraid I have been giving you disagreeableinformation, intentionally withheld out of courtesy. Depend uponit they thought no good would come of sending it, and so would notpain you unnecessarily.'
'Oh no; I am indeed glad you have told me, Lord Luxellian. It isquite a mistaken kindness on their part. Is the review so muchagainst me?' she inquired tremulously.
'No, no; not that exactly--though I almost forget its exactpurport now. It was merely--merely sharp, you know--ungenerous, Imight say. But really my memory does not enable me to speakdecidedly.'
'We'll drive to the PRESENT office, and get one directly; shallwe, papa?'
'If you are so anxious, dear, we will, or send. But to-morrowwill do.'
'And do oblige me in a little matter now, Elfride,' said LordLuxellian warmly, and looking as if he were sorry he had broughtnews that disturbed her. 'I am in reality sent here as a specialmessenger by my little Polly and Katie to ask you to come into ourcarriage with them for a short time. I am just going to walkacross into Piccadilly, and my wife is left alone with them. I amafraid they are rather spoilt children; but I have half promisedthem you shall come.'
The steps were let down, and Elfride was transferred--to theintense delight of the little girls, and to the mild interest ofloungers with red skins and long necks, who cursorily eyed theperformance with their walking-sticks to their lips, occasionallylaughing from far down their throats and with their eyes, theirmouths not being concerned in the operation at all. LordLuxellian then told the coachman to drive on, lifted his hat,smiled a smile that missed its mark and alighted on a totalstranger, who bowed in bewilderment. Lord Luxellian looked longat Elfride.
The look was a manly, open, and genuine look of admiration; amomentary tribute of a kind which any honest Englishman might havepaid to fairness without being ashamed of the feeling, orpermitting it to encroach in the slightest degree upon hisemotional obligations as a husband and head of a family. ThenLord Luxellian turned away, and walked musingly to the upper endof the promenade.
Mr. Swancourt had alighted at the same time with Elfride, crossingover to the Row for a few minutes to speak to a friend herecognized there; and his wife was thus left sole tenant of thecarriage.
Three points about this unobtrusive person showed promptly to theexercised eye that he was not a Row man pur sang. First, anirrepressible wrinkle or two in the waist of his frock-coat--denoting that he had not damned his tailor sufficiently to drivethat tradesman up to the orthodox high pressure of cunningworkmanship. Second, a slight slovenliness of umbrella,occasioned by its owner's habit of resting heavily upon it, andusing it as a veritable walking-stick, instead of letting itspoint touch the ground in the most coquettish of kisses, as is theproper Row manner to do. Third, and chief reason, that try howyou might, you could scarcely help supposing, on looking at hisface, that your eyes were not far from a well-finished mind,instead of the well-finished skin et praeterea nihil, which is byrights the Mark of the Row.
The probability is that, had not Mrs. Swancourt been left alone inher carriage under the tree, this man would have remained in hisunobserved seclusion. But seeing her thus, he came round to thefront, stooped under the rail, and stood beside the carriage-door.
Mrs. Swancourt looked reflectively at him for a quarter of aminute, then held out her hand laughingly:
'Why, Henry Knight--of course it is! My--second--third--fourthcousin--what shall I say? At any rate, my kinsman.'
'Yes, one of a remnant not yet cut off. I scarcely was certain ofyou, either, from where I was standing.'
'I have not seen you since you first went to Oxford; consider thenumber of years! You know, I suppose, of my marriage?'
And there sprang up a dialogue concerning family matters of birth,death, and marriage, which it is not necessary to detail. Knightpresently inquired:
'The young lady who changed into the other carriage is, then, yourstepdaughter?'
'Yes, Elfride. You must know her.'
'And who was the lady in the carriage Elfride entered; who had anill-defined and watery look, as if she were only the reflection ofherself in a pool?'
concerning family matters of birth,death, and marriage, which.
'Lady Luxellian; very weakly, Elfride says. My husband isremotely connected with them; but there is not much intimacy onaccount of----. However, Henry, you'll come and see us, ofcourse. 24 Chevron Square. Come this week. We shall only be intown a week or two longer.'
'Let me see. I've got to run up to Oxford to-morrow, where Ishall be for several days; so that I must, I fear, lose thepleasure of seeing you in London this year.'
'Then come to Endelstow; why not return with us?'
'I am afraid if I were to come before August I should have toleave again in a day or two. I should be delighted to be with youat the beginning of that month; and I could stay a nice long time.I have thought of going westward all the summer.'
'Very well. Now remember that's a compact. And won't you waitnow and see Mr. Swancourt? He will not be away ten minuteslonger.'
'No; I'll beg to be excused; for I must get to my chambers againthis evening before I go home; indeed, I ought to have been therenow--I have such a press of matters to attend to just at present.You will explain to him, please. Good-bye.'
'And let us know the day of your appearance as soon as you can.'
'I will'