the man between-第26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！



〃She　will　go　to　her　sister's　in　Philadelphia　for　a　month　's　preparation。　I　shall　marry　her　there；　and　bring　her　home　as　my　wife。　She　is　a　sweet；　gentle；　docile　woman。　She　will　make　me　happy。〃

〃Sweet；　gentle；　docile！　Yes；　that　is　the　style　of　wife　Rawdon　men　prefer。　What　does　Ethel　say？〃

〃She　is　delighted。　It　was　her　idea。　I　was　much　pleased　with　her　thoughtfulness。　Any　serious　break　in　my　life　would　now　be　a　great　discomfort。　You　need　not　look　so　satirical；　mother；　I　thought　of　Ruth's　life　also。〃

〃Also　an　afterthought；　but　Ruth　is　gentle　and　docile；　and　she　is　satisfied；　and　I　am　satisfied；　so　then　everything　is　proper　and　everyone　content。　Come　for　me　at　ten　on　Wednesday　morning。　I　shall　be　ready。　No　refreshments；　I　suppose。　I　must　look　after　my　own　breakfast。　Won't　you　feel　a　bit　shabby；　Edward？　〃And　then　the　look　and　handclasp　between　them　turned　every　word　into　sweetness　and　good…will。

And　as　Ethel　regarded　her　marriage　rather　as　a　religious　rite　than　a　social　function；　she　objected　to　its　details　becoming　in　any　sense　public；　and　her　desires　were　to　be　regarded。　Yet　everyone　may　imagine　the　white　loveli…　ness　of　the　bride；　the　joy　of　the　bridegroom；　the　calm　happiness　of　the　family　breakfast；　and　the　leisurely；　quiet　leave…taking。　The　whole　ceremony　was　the　right　note　struck　at　the　beginning　of　a　new　life；　and　they　might　justly　expect　it　would　move　onward　in　melodious　sequence。


Within　three　weeks　after　their　marriage　they　arrived　at　Rawdon　Court。　It　was　on　a　day　and　at　an　hour　when　no　one　was　looking　for　them；　and　they　stepped　into　the　lovely　home　waiting　for　them　without　outside　observation。　Hiring　a　carriage　at　the　railway　station；　they　dismissed　it　at　the　little　bridge　near　the　Manor　House；　and　sauntered　happily　through　the　intervening　space。　The　door　of　the　great　hall　stood　open；　and　the　fire；　which　had　been　burning　on　its　big　hearth　unquenched　for　more　than　three　hundred　years；　was　blazing　merrily；　as　if　some　hand　had　just　replenished　it。　On　the　long　table　the　broad；　white　beaver　hat　of　the　dead　Squire　was　lying；　and　his　oak　walking　stick　was　beside　it。　No　one　had　liked　to　remove　them。　They　remained　just　as　he　had　put　them　down；　that　last；　peaceful　morning　of　his　life。

In　a　few　minutes　the　whole　household　was　aware　of　their　home…coming；　and　before　the　day　was　over　the　whole　neighborhood。　Then　there　was　no　way　of　avoiding　the　calls；　the　congratulations；　and　the　entertainments　that　followed；　and　the　old　Court　was　once　more　the　center　of　a　splendid　hospitality。　Of　course　the　Tyrrel…Rawdons　were　first　on　the　scene；　and　Ethel　was　genuinely　glad　to　meet　again　the　good…natured　Mrs。　Nicholas。　No　one　could　give　her　better　local　advice；　and　Ethel　quickly　discovered　that　the　best　general　social　laws　require　a　local　interpretation。　Her　hands　were　full；　her　heart　full；　she　had　so　many　interests　to　share；　so　many　people　to　receive　and　to　visit；　and　yet　when　two　weeks　passed　and　Dora　neither　came　nor　wrote　she　was　worried　and　dissatisfied。

〃Are　the　Mostyns　at　the　Hall？〃　she　asked　Mrs。　Nicholas　at　last。　〃I　have　been　expecting　Mrs。　Mostyn　every　day；　but　she　neither　comes　nor　writes　to　me。〃

〃I　dare　say　not。　Poor　little　woman！　I'll　warrant　she　has　been　forbid　to　do　either。　If　Mostyn　thought　she　wanted　to　see　you；　he　would　watch　day　and　night　to　prevent　her　coming。　He's　turning　out　as　cruel　a　man　as　his　father　was；　and　you　need　not　say　a　word　worse　than　that。〃

〃Cruel！　Oh；　dear；　how　dreadful！　Men　will　drink　and　cheat　and　swear；　but　a　cruel　man　seems　so　unnatural；　so　wicked。〃

〃To　be　sure；　cruelty　is　the　joy　of　devils。　As　I　said　to　John　Thomas　when　we　heard　about　Mostyn's　goings…on；　we　have　got　rid　of　the　Wicked　One；　but　the　wicked　still　remain　with　us。〃

This　conversation　having　been　opened；　was　naturally　prolonged　by　the　relation　of　incidents　which　had　come　through　various　sources　to　Mrs。　Rawdon's　ears；　all　of　them　indicating　an　almost　incredible　system　of　petty　tyranny　and　cruel　contradiction。　Ethel　was　amazed；　and　finally　angry　at　what　she　heard。　Dora　was　her　countrywoman　and　her　friend；　she　instantly　began　to　express　her　sympathy　and　her　intention　of　interfering。

〃You　had　better　neither　meddle　nor　make　in　the　matter；〃　answered　Mrs。　Rawdon。　〃Our　Lucy　went　to　see　her；　and　gave　her　some　advice　about　managing　Yorkshiremen。　And　as　she　was　talking　Mostyn　came　in；　and　was　as　rude　as　he　dared　to　be。　Then　Lucy　asked　him　‘if　he　was　sick。'　She　said；　‘All　the　men　in　the　neighborhood；　gentle　and　sim…　ple；　were　talking　about　him；　and　that　it　wasn't　a　pleasant　thing　to　be　talked　about　in　the　way　they　were　doing　it。　You　must　begin　to　look　more　like　yourself；　Mr。　Mostyn；　it　is　good　advice　I　am　giving　you；'　she　added；　and　Mostyn　told　her　he　would　look　as　he　felt；　whether　it　was　liked　or　not　liked。　And　Lucy　laughed；　and　said；　‘In　that　case　he　would　have　to　go　to　his　looking…glass　for　company。'　Well；　Ethel；　there　was　a　time　to　joy　a　devil　after　Lucy　left；　and　some　one　of　the　servants　went　on　their　own　responsibility　for　a　doctor；　and　Mostyn　ordered　him　out　of　the　house；　and　he　would　not　go　until　he　saw　Mrs。　Mostyn；　and　the　little　woman　was　forced　to　come　and　say　‘she　was　quite　well；'　though　she　was　sobbing　all　the　time　she　spoke。　Then　the　doctor　told　Mostyn　what　he　thought；　and　there　is　a　quarrel　between　them　every　time　they　meet。〃

But　Ethel　was　not　deterred　by　these　statements；　on　the　contrary；　they　stimulated　her　interest　in　her　friend。　Dora　needed　her；　and　the　old　feeling　of　protection　stirred　her　to　interference。　At　any　rate；　she　could　call　and　see　the　unhappy　woman；　and　though　Tyrrel　was　opposed　to　the　visit；　and　thought　it　every　way　unwise；　Ethel　was　resolved　to　make　it。　〃You　can　drive　me　there；〃　she　said；　〃then　go　and　see　Justice　Manningham　and　call　for　me　in　half　an　hour。〃　And　this　resolution　was　strengthened　by　a　pitiful　little　note　received　from　Dora　just　after　her　decision。　〃Mostyn　has　gone　to　Thirsk；〃　it　said；　〃for　pity's　sake　come　and　see　me　about　two　o'clock　this　afternoon。〃

The　request　was　promptly　answered。　As　the　clock　struck　two　Ethel　crossed　the　threshold　of　the　home　that　might　have　been　hers。　She　shuddered　at　the　thought。　The　atmosphere　of　the　house　was　full　of　fear　and　gloom；　the　furniture　dark　and　shabby；　and　she　fancied　the　wraiths　of　old　forgotten　crimes　and　sorrows　were　gliding　about　the　sad；　dim　rooms　and　stairways。　Dora　rose　in　a　passion　of　tears　to　welcome　her；　and　because　time　was　short　instantly　began　her　pitiful　story。

〃You　know　how　he　adored　me　once；〃　she　said；　〃would　you　believe　it；　Ethel；　we　were　not　two　weeks　married　when　he　began　to　hate　me。　He　dragged　me　through　Europe　in　blazing　heat　and　blinding　snows　when　I　was　sick　and　unfit　to　move。　He　brought　me　here　in　the　depth　of　winter；　and　when　no　one　called　on　us　he　blamed　me；　and　from　morning　till　night；　and　sometimes　all　night　long；　he　taunts　and　torments　me。　After　he　heard　that　you　had　bought　the　Manor　he　lost　all　control　of　himself。　He　will　not　let　me　sleep。　He　walks　the　floor　hour　after　hour；　declaring　he　could　have　had　you　and　the　finest　manor　in　England　but　for　a　cat…faced　woman　like　me。　And　he　blames　me　for　poor　Basil's　death　says　we　murdered　him　together；　and　that　he　sees　blood　on　my　hands。〃　And　she　looked　with　terror　at　her　small；　thin　hands；　and　held　them　up　as　if　to　protest　against　the　charge。　When　she　next　spoke　it　was　to　sob　out；　〃Poor　Basil！　He　would　pity　me！　He　would　help　me！　He　would　forgive　me！　He　knows　now　that　Mostyn　was；　and　is；　my　evil　genius。〃

〃Do　not　cry　so　bitterly；　Dora；　it　hurts　me。　Let　us　think。　Is　there　nothing　you　can　do？〃

〃I　want　to　go　to　mother。〃　Then　she　drew　Ethel's　head　close　to　her　and　whispered　a　few　words；　and　Ethel　answered；　〃You　poor　little　one；　you　shall　go　to　your　mother。　Where　is　she？〃

〃She　will　be　in　London　next　week；　and　I　must　see　her。　He　will　not　let　me　go；　but　go　I　must　if　I　die　for　it。　Mrs。　John　Thomas　Rawdon　told　me　what　to　do；　and　I　have　been　following　her　advice。〃

Ethel　did　not　ask　what　it　was；　but　added；

〃If　Tyrrel　and　I　can　help　you；　send　for　us。　We　will　come。　And；　Dora；　do　stop　weeping；　and　be　brave。　Remember　you　are　an　American　woman。　Your　father　has　often　told　me　how　you　could　ride　with　Indians　or　cowboys　and　shoot　with　any　miner　in　Colorado。　A　bully　like　Mostyn　is　always　a　coward。　Lift　up　your　heart　and　stand　for　every　one　of　your　rights。　You　will　find　plenty　of　friends　to　stand　with　you。〃　And　with　the　words　she　took　her　by　the　hands　and　raised　her　to　her　feet；　and　looked　at　her　with　such　a　beaming；　courageous　smile　that　Dora　caught　its　spirit；　and　promised　to　insist　on　her　claims　for　rest　and　sleep。

〃When　shall　I　come　again；　Dora？〃

〃Not　till　I　send　for　you。　Mother　will　be　in　London　next　Wednesday　at　the　Savoy。　I　intend　to　leave　here　Wednesday　some　time；　and　may　need　you；　will　you　come？〃

〃Surely；　both　Tyrrel　and　I。〃

Then　the　time　being　on　a　dangerous　line　they　parted。　But　Ethel　could　think　of　nothing　and　talk　of　nothing　but　the　frightful　change　in　her　friend；　and　the　unceasing　misery　which　had　produced　it。　Tyrrel　shared　all　her　indignation。　The　slow　torture　of　any　creature　was　an　intolerable　crime　in　his　eyes；　but　when　the　brutality　was　exercised　on　a　woman；　and　on　a　countrywoman；　he　was　roused　to　the　highest　pitch　of　indignation。　When　Wednesday　arrived　he　did　not　leave　the　house；　but　waited　with　Ethel　for　the　message　they　confidently　expected。　It　came　about　five　o'clockurgent；　imperative；　entreating；　〃Come；　for　God's　sake！　He　will　kill　me。〃

The　carriage　was　ready；　and　in　half　an　hour　they　were　at　Mostyn　Hall。　No　one　answered　their　summons；　but　as　they　stood　listening　and　waiting；　a　shrill　cry　of　pain　and　anger　pierced　the　silence。　It　was　followed　by　loud　voices　and　a　confused　noise　noise　of　many　talking　and　exclaiming。　Then　Tyrrel　no　longer　hesitated。　He　opened　the　door　easily；　and　taking　Ethel　on　his　arm；　suddenly　entered　the　parlor　from　which　the　clamor　came。　Dora　stood　in　the　center　of　the　room　like　an　enraged　pythoness；　her　eyes　blazing　with　passion。

〃See！〃　she　cried　as　Tyrrel　entered　the　room〃see！〃　And　she　held　out　her　arm；　and　pointed　to　her　shoulder　from　which　the　lace　hung　in　shreds；　showing　the　white　flesh；　red　and　bruised；　where　Mostyn　had　gripped　her。　Then　Tyrrel　turned　to　Mostyn；　who　was　held　tightly　in　the　grasp　of　his　gardener　and　coachman；　and　foaming　with　a　rage　that　rendered　his　explanation　almost　inarticulate；　especially　as　the　three　women　servants　gathered　around　their　mistress　added　their　railing　and　invectives　to　the　general　confusion。

〃The　witch！　The　cat…faced　woman！〃　he　screamed。　〃She　wants　to　go　to　her　mother！　Wants　to　play　the　trick　she　killed　Basil　Stanhope　with！　She　shall　not！　She　shall　not！　I　will　kill　her　first！　She　is　mad！　I　will　send　her　to　an　asylum！　She　is　a　little　devil！　I　will　send　her　to　hell！　Nothing　is　bad　enough　nothing〃

〃Mr。　Mostyn；〃　said　Tyrrel。

〃Out　of　my　house！　What　are　you　doing　here？　Away！　This　is　my　house！　Out　of　it　immediately！〃

〃This　man　is　insane；〃　said　Tyrrel　to　Dora。　〃Put　on　your　hat　and　cloak；　and　come　home　with　us。〃

〃I　am　waiting　for　Justice　Manningham；〃　she　answered　with　a　calm　subsidence　of　passion　that　angered　Mostyn　more　than　her　reproaches。　〃I　have　sent　for　him。　He　will　be　here　in　five　minutes　now。　That　brute〃　pointing　to　Mostyn〃must　be　kept　under　guard　till　I　reach　my　mother。　The　ma