tales for fifteen-第15章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


attended　the　ladies　in　their　walk。　Seymour　Delafield
glanced　his　eye　impatiently　around　the　apartment；
as　soon　as　he　had　paid　the　customary　compliments
to　the　mistress　of　the　mansion　and　her　bevy　of　fair
daughters；　but　a　look　of　disappointment　betrayed
the　search　to　be　an　unsuccessful　one。　Both　the　look
and　the　result　were　noticed　by　Maria；　and；　turning　a
glance　of　rather　saucy　meaning　on　the　gentleman；
she　said

〃I　apprehend　your　flute；　which；　by　the　by；　I　am　glad
to　see　you　have　brought；　will　be　rather　in　the
PENSEROSO　style　this　evening；　Mr。　Delafield。〃

｛penseroso　=　melancholy｝

〃Unless　enlivened　by　the　contagious　gayety　of　your
smile；〃　returned　Delafield；　endeavouring　to　look
excessively　unconcerned；　〃but〃

〃Oh！　my　very　laugh　is　musical；　I　know；〃　interrupted
Maria；　〃but　then　it　is　often　shockingly　out　of　time。〃

〃It　seldom　fails　to　produce　an　accompaniment；〃
said　the　gentleman；　now　smiling　in　reality；　〃but〃

〃Where　is　Charlotte　Henley？〃　said　the　young　lady；
again　interrupting　him；　〃she　has　a　perfect　horror　of
the　tuning　of　fiddles　and　the　preparatory
thrummings　on　the　piano；　so　endeavour　to　preserve
the　harmony　of　your　temper　for　the　second　act。〃

〃Well！　it　is　some　relief　to　know　she　is　coming　at
all；〃　cried　Seymour；　quickly；　and　then；　recovering
himself　with　perfect　breeding；　he　added〃for　one
would　wish　to　see　you　as　happy　as　all　your　friends
can　make　you；　on　such　an　occasion。〃

〃I　am　extremely　indebted　to　your　unbounded
philanthropy；〃　said　Maria；　rising　and　courtseying
with　great　gravity；　〃do　not　doubt　of　its　being
honourably　mentioned　at〃

〃Nay；　nay；〃　cried　the　youth；　colouring　and　laughing；
〃you　would　not　think　of　mentioning　my　remarks　to〃…
…

〃At　the　next　meeting　of　the　Dorcas　Society；　of
which　I　am　an　unworthy　member；〃　continued　Maria；
without　listening　to　his　remonstrance。

｛Dorcas　Society　=　lady's　group　at　a　church；　devoted
to　making　and　providing　clothes　for　the　poor｝

Seymour　Delafield　now　laughed　without　any
affectationand　exchanging　a　look　of　perfect
consciousness　of　each　other's　meaning；　they
separated；　as　the　preparations　for　the　business　of
the　evening　were　about　to　commence。　For　a　short
time　there　was　a　confusion　of　sounds　that　perfectly
justified　the　absence　of　Miss　Henly；　when　the　music
began　in　earnest。　Within　half　an　hour；　Mr。　Delafield；
who　had　suffered　himself　to　be　drawn　to　the　back
of　the　chair　of　a　professed　belle；　turning　his　head
to　conceal　a　yawn　that　neither　the　lady's　skill　nor
his　good　manners　could　repress；　observed　Charlotte
sitting　quietly　by　the　side　of　her　friend。　Her
entrance　had　been　conducted　with　such　tact；　that
had　she　possessed　the　most　musical　ear
imaginable；　it　were　impossible　to　disturb　the　party
less；　a　circumstance　that　did　not　fail　to　impress
Seymour　agreeably；　from　its　novelty。　He　moved　to
the　side　of　the　fair　vision　that　had　engrossed　all　his
thoughts　since　the　moment　they　had　first　met；　and
took　the　chair　that　the　good　nature　of　Miss　Osgood
offered　to　his　acceptance　between　them。

〃Thank　fortune；　Miss　Henly；〃　he　said；　the　instant　he
was　seated；　〃that　bravura　has　ceased；　and　I　can
now　inquire　how　you　recovered　from　the　fatigue　of
your　walk？〃

〃I　suffered　no　fatigue　to　recover　from；〃　replied　the
lady；　raising　her　eyes　to　his　with　an　expression　that
told　the　youth　he　had　better　talk　straight　forward　at
once；　〃I　walk　too　much　to　be　fatigued　with　so　short
an　excursion。〃

〃You　came　here　to　favour　us　with　your　skill　on　the
harp；　Miss　Henly？〃

〃No。〃

〃On　the　piano？〃

〃On　neitherI　play　on　nothing。〃

〃You　sing；　then？〃

〃Not　at　all。〃

〃What！　not　with　that　voice？〃　exclaimed　the　young
man；　in　surprise。

〃Not　with　this　voice；　and　surely　with　no　other。〃

Seymour　felt　uneasy；　and；　perhaps；　disappointed。
He　did　not　seem　to　have　roused　a　single　sensation
in　the　breast　of　his　companion；　and　it　was　seldom
that　the　elegant　possessor　of　three　hundred
thousand　dollars　failed　to　do　so；　wherever　he　went；
or　whatever　he　did。　But；　in　the　present　instance；
there　was　nothing　to　be　discerned　in　the
countenance　or　manner　of　Charlotte　that　indicated
any　thing　more　than　the　sweetness　of　her　nature
and　the　polish　of　her　breeding。　He　changed　the
subject。

〃I　hope　your　friend　did　not　suffer　yesterday　from　his
humanity？〃

〃I　sincerely　hope　so　too；〃　said　Charlotte；　with　much
simplicity；　and　yet　with　a　good　deal　of　feeling。

〃I　am　fearful　that　we　idle　spectators；〃　continued
the　gentleman；　〃suffered　in　your　estimation；　in　not
discovering　equal　benevolence　with　Mr。　Morton。〃

Charlotte　glanced　her　mild　eyes　at　the　speaker；　but
made　no　reply。

〃Your　silence；　Miss　Henly；　assures　me　of　the　truth
of　my　conjecture。〃

〃You　should　never　put　a　disagreeable　construction
on　the　acts　of　another；〃　said　Charlotte；　with　a
sweetness　that　tended　greatly　to　dissipate　the
mortification　Mr。　Delafield　really　felt；　at　the　same
time　that　he　was　unwilling　to　acknowledge　it；　even
to　himself。

They　were　now　again　interrupted　by　the　music；
which　continued　some　time；　during　which　George
Morton　made　his　appearance。　His　coat　close
buttoned　to　his　throat；　and　an　extra　silk
handkerchief　around　his　neck；　which　he　removed
only　after　he　entered　the　apartment；　immediately
arrested　the　attention　of　Charlotte　Henly。　Turning
to　Maria；　she　said；　in　those　tones　of　real　interest
that　never　can　be　mistaken　for　manner

〃I　am　afraid　that　George　has　suffered　from　his
exposure。　Do　not　ask　him　to　play；　for　he　will　be
sure　to　comply。〃

〃Oh！　the　chicken　has　only　taken　cold；〃　cried　Maria；
〃If　he　does　not　play；　what　will　you　do？　you　came
here　to　hear　him　only。〃

〃Has　Miss　Henly　ears　for　no　other　performer；　then？〃
asked　Seymour　Delafield。

〃Miss　Henly　has　as　many　ears　as　other　people；〃
said　Maria；　〃but　she　does　not　condescend　to　use
them　on　all　occasions。〃

〃Rather　say；〃　cried　Charlotte；　laughing；　〃that　the
want　of　taste　in　Miss　Henly　renders　her　ears　of　but
little　use　to　her。〃

〃You　are　not　fond　of　music；　then？〃　asked　the　youth；
a　little　vexed　at　thinking　that　an　accomplishment
on　which　he　prided　himself　would　fail　to　make　its
usual　impression。

〃Passionately！〃　exclaimed　Charlotte；　then；　colouring
to　the　eyes；　she　added；　〃at　least　I　sometimes　think
so；　but　I　believe　I　am　thought　to　be　without　taste。〃

〃Those　who　think　so　must　want　it　themselves；〃　said
Seymour；　in　a　low　voice；　then；　obedient　to　the　beck
of　one　of　the　presiding　nymphs；　he　hastened　to
take　his　share　in　the　performance。

〃Now　Charlotte；　you　little　prude；〃　whispered　her
friend；　the　instant　he　withdrew；　〃is　he　not　very；
very　handsome？〃

〃Very；〃　said　Charlotte；　〃more　so　than　any　other
gentleman　I　have　ever　seen。〃

〃And　engaging；　and　agreeable；　and　gentlemanlike？〃

〃Agreeable；　and　gentlemanlike　too。〃

〃And　graceful；　and　loveable？〃

〃Graceful；　certainly；　and；　very　possible；　loveable；　to
those　who　know　him。〃

〃Know　him！what　more　would　you　know　of　the
man？　You　see　his　beauty　and　eleganceyou
witness　his　breedingyou　listen　to　his　sense　and
informationwhat　more　is　necessary　to　fall　in　love
with　him？〃

〃Really；　I　pretend　to　no　reasoning　upon　the　subject
at　all；〃　said　Charlotte；　smiling；　〃but　if　you　have
such　an　intention；　indulge　in　it　freely；　I　beg　of　you；
for　you　will　not　find　a　rival　in　me。But；　listen；　he　is
about　to　play　a　solo　on　his　flute。〃

A　man　with　three　hundred　thousand　dollars　may
play　a　solo；　but　he　never　can　be　alone　where　there
are　any　to　listen。　The　hearts　of　many　throb　at　the
very　breathings　of　wealth　through　a　flute；　who
would　remain　callous　to　the　bitterest　sighs　of
poverty。　But　Delafield　possessed　other　attractions
to　catch　the　attention　of　the　audience：　his　powers
on　the　instrument　greatly　exceeded　those　of　any　of
his　competitors；　and　his　execution　was　really
wonderful；　every　tongue　was　silent；　every　ear　was
attentive；　and　every　head　nodded　approbation；
excepting　that　of　our　heroine。　Delafield；　perfectly
master　of　his　instrument　and　the　music；　fixed　his
eye　on　the　countenance　of　Charlotte；　and　he
experienced　a　thrill　at　his　heart　as　he　witnessed　her
lovely　face　smiling　approbation；　while　his　fingers
glided　over　the　flute　with　a　rapidity　and　skill　that
produced　an　astonishing　variety　and　gradation　of
sounds。　At　length；　thought　he；　I　have　succeeded；
and　have　made　an　impression　on　this　charming　girl
that　is　allied　to　admiration。　The　idea　gave　him
spirits　for　the　task；　and　his　performance　exceeded
any　thing　the　company　had　ever　witnessed　before。
On　laying　down　the　instrument；　he　approached　the
place　where　the　friends　were　sitting；　with　an
exultation　in　his　eyes　that　was　inferior　only　to
modesty　in　the　power　to　captivate。

〃Certainly；　Mr。　Delafield；〃　cried　Maria　Osgood；　〃you
have　outdone　your　own　outdoings。〃

〃If　I　have　been　so　fortunate　as　to　please　here；　then
I　am　rewarded　indeed；〃　said　the　youth；　with　a　bow
and　an　expression　that　rendered　it　a　little　doubtful
to　which　of　the　ladies　the　compliment　was
addressed。　At　this　instant；　George　Morton
approached　them。

〃Mr。　Delafield；　let　me　make　you　acquainted　with　Mr。
Morton；〃　said　Maria；　glancing　her　eye　at　the　former
in　a　manner　that　he　understood。

〃I　have　great　pleasure　in　taking　Mr。　Morton　by　the
hand；〃　said　Seymour；　〃if　he　will　excuse　the　want　of
ceremony　in　this　company。　The　lesson　that　you
gave　to　me　yesterday；　sir；　will　not　soon　be
forgotten。〃

〃In　what　manner；　sir？〃　inquired　George；　with　a　little
embarrassment　and　a　conscious　blush。

〃In　teaching　me；　among　others；　Mr。　Morton；　the
difference　between　active　and　passive　humanity
between　that　which　is　satisfied　with　feeling；　and
that　which　prompts　to　serve。〃

To　this　unexpected　compliment　young　Morton　could
do　no　more　than　bow　in　silence；　for　it　was　too
flattering　for　a　replyand　too　true　to　deny。　As
Delafield　turned　his　eye；　at　a　little　loss　to　know
whether　to　be　pleased　or　not　with　his　own　humility；
he　met　a　look　from　Charlotte　that　more　than
rewarded　him　for　the　effort。　It　was　a　mild；
benevolent；　pure　glance；　that　spoke　admiration　and
heartfelt　pleasure。　He　forgot　his　solo；　and　the
expected　compliments；　and；　for　the　rest　of　the
evening；　that　thrilling　expression　floated　in　his
brain；　and　was　present　to　his　thoughts；　it　was
worth　a　thousand　of　the　studied　glances　that　were
continually　aimed　at　him　from　all　sides　of　the　room；
and　with　every　variety　of　eyefrom　the　piercing
black；　to　the　ogling　gray。　It　was　a　look　that　came
directly　from；　and　went　to；　the　heart。　If　young
ladies　always　knew　how　nicely　nature　has　qualified
the　other　sex　to　judge　of　their　actions；　what
multitudes　of　astonishingly　expressive　glances；　and
artfully　contrived　gestures　and　movements；　would
sink　down　into　looks；　that　indicated　feelings　and
motives；　that　were　adapted　to　the　occasion！　What
trouble　in　creating　incidents　that　might　draw　out
charms　would　be　avoided！　And；　in　short；　how　much
extra　labour；　both　of　body　and　mind；　would　be
spared！

This　agreeable　contemplation　of　Mr。　Delafield　was
soon　interrupted　by　the　cheerful　voice　of　Maria
Osgood；　who　cried

〃Bless　me；　George；　you　really　do　look　ill。〃

〃It　is　seldom　that　I　have　much　health　to　boast　of；〃
replied　the　youth；　in　a　feeble　voice；　and　with　a　still
feebler　smile。

〃But；〃　said　Maria；　with