登陆注册
26212200000064

第64章 A KNIGHT(6)

"Time went on.There was no swordsman, or pistol-shot like me in London, they said.We had as many pupils as we liked--it was the only part of my life when I have been able to save money.I had no chance to spend it.We gave lessons all day, and in the evening were too tired to go out.That year I had the misfortune to lose my dear mother.I became a rich man--yes, sir, at that time I must have had not less than six hundred a year.

"It was a long time before I saw Eilie again.She went abroad to Dresden with her father's sister to learn French and German.It was in the autumn of 1875 when she came back to us.She was seventeen then--a beautiful young creature." He paused, as if to gather his forces for description, and went on.

"Tall, as a young tree, with eyes like the sky.I would not say she was perfect, but her imperfections were beautiful to me.What is it makes you love--ah! sir, that is very hidden and mysterious.She had never lost the trick of closing her lips tightly when she remembered her uneven tooth.You may say that was vanity, but in a young girl--and which of us is not vain, eh? 'Old men and maidens, young men and children!'

"As I said, she came back to London to her little room, and in the evenings was always ready with our tea.You mustn't suppose she was housewifely; there is something in me that never admired housewifeliness--a fine quality, no doubt, still--" He sighed.

"No," he resumed, "Eilie was not like that, for she was never quite the same two days together.I told you her eyes were like the sky--that was true of all of her.In one thing, however, at that time, she always seemed the same--in love for her father.For me! I don't know what I should have expected; but my presence seemed to have the effect of ****** her dumb; I would catch her looking at me with a frown, and then, as if to make up to her own nature--and a more loving nature never came into this world, that I shall maintain to my dying day--she would go to her father and kiss him.When I talked with him she pretended not to notice, but I could see her face grow cold and stubborn.I am not quick; and it was a long time before Iunderstood that she was jealous, she wanted him all to herself.I've often wondered how she could be his daughter, for he was the very soul of justice and a slow man too--and she was as quick as a bird.

For a long time after I saw her dislike of me, I refused to believe it--if one does not want to believe a thing there are always reasons why it should not seem true, at least so it is with me, and I suppose with all selfish men.

"I spent evening after evening there, when, if I had not thought only of myself, I should have kept away.But one day I could no longer be blind.

"It was a Sunday in February.I always had an invitation on Sundays to dine with them in the middle of the day.There was no one in the sitting-room; but the door of Eilie's bedroom was open.I heard her voice: 'That man, always that man!' It was enough for me, I went down again without coming in, and walked about all day.

"For three weeks I kept away.To the school of course I came as usual, but not upstairs.I don't know what I told Dalton--it did not signify what you told him, he always had a theory of his own, and was persuaded of its truth--a very single-minded man, sir.

"But now I come to the most wonderful days of my life.It was an early spring that year.I had fallen away already from my resolution, and used to slink up--seldom, it's true--and spend the evening with them as before.One afternoon I came up to the sitting-room; the light was failing--it was warm, and the windows were open.

In the air was that feeling which comes to you once a year, in the spring, no matter where you may be, in a crowded street, or alone in a forest; only once--a feeling like--but I cannot describe it.

"Eilie was sitting there.If you don't know, sir, I can't tell you what it means to be near the woman one loves.She was leaning on the windowsill, staring down into the street.It was as though she might be looking out for some one.I stood, hardly breathing.She turned her head, and saw me.Her eyes were strange.They seemed to ask me a question.But I couldn't have spoken for the world.I can't tell you what I felt--I dared not speak, or think, or hope.I have been in nineteen battles--several times in positions of some danger, when the lifting of a finger perhaps meant death; but I have never felt what I was feeling at that moment.I knew something was coming; and I was paralysed with terror lest it should not come!" He drew a long breath.

"The servant came in with a light and broke the spell.All that night I lay awake and thought of how she had looked at me, with the colour coming slowly up in her cheeks"It was three days before I plucked up courage to go again; and then I felt her eyes on me at once--she was ****** a 'cat's cradle' with a bit of string, but I could see them stealing up from her hands to my face.And she went wandering about the room, fingering at everything.When her father called out: 'What's the matter with you, Elie?' she stared at him like a child caught doing wrong.I looked straight at her then, she tried to look at me, but she couldn't; and a minute later she went out of the room.God knows what sort of nonsense I talked--I was too happy.

"Then began our love.I can't tell you of that time.Often and often Dalton said to me: 'What's come to the child? Nothing I can do pleases her.' All the love she had given him was now for me; but he was too ****** and straight to see what was going on.How many times haven't I felt criminal towards him! But when you're happy, with the tide in your favour, you become a coward at once....

V

"Well, sir," he went on, "we were married on her eighteenth birthday.

It was a long time before Dalton became aware of our love.But one day he said to me with a very grave look:

"'Eilie has told me, Brune; I forbid it.She's too young, and you're--too old!' I was then forty-five, my hair as black and thick as a rook's feathers, and I was strong and active.I answered him:

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 悟玄篇

    悟玄篇

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 庄子的智慧

    庄子的智慧

    庄子是一位自由心态大师,在感怀世事之情方面,他那种感悟是超然的。那种在自己的天地里享受闲适的逍遥和“扶摇九万里”的心态,确实是一般人难以达到的。庄子渴望平静的生活,主张人不要为利而忙碌,呼唤人性的复归。本书对庄子哲学中心态的研究,以告诫人们心态虽然不能决定人的一生,却可以影响人的一生。
  • 祭张公洞二首

    祭张公洞二首

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 大水冲到龙王庙

    大水冲到龙王庙

    善良勇敢的柳心音考进自己梦寐以求的智英高校,开学的第一天就跟智英太子遇罗斯结下梁子。戏剧般的,两人还成了同班同学。一场场激烈的对战是难免了。便注定了两人势不两立,在校园频频拉开战斗的对决。遇罗斯因为十几年前的家族恩怨潜伏在智英高校,并在好友谢晓峰的帮助下,顺利展开了自己的复仇计划。然而一切已经够麻烦的时候,智英高校的校长杨桂飞又将一个天大的秘密告诉了遇罗斯。……最后这一切的纠结关系还是要靠杨桂飞来揭晓。
  • 混在都市的道士

    混在都市的道士

    那把剑,众人都知道了那把剑,凶器,大凶器。冰冷的眼神扫过在场的天使和血族,缓缓的举起了宝剑,那是一股妖异的红色,红光闪过,一个天使的气息又消失了……
  • 愿我的世界里有你

    愿我的世界里有你

    顾梦珊和程梓枫是青梅竹马,程梓枫从小就喜欢上顾梦珊,顾梦珊心里对程梓枫有种依赖,直到那一天……
  • 霸道囚爱

    霸道囚爱

    他们曾是令人艳羡的学生情侣,世事变迁,他却执起了别人的手!七年后,她学成归来而他竟摇身一变成了蓝氏的总裁!好不容易苦尽甘来,关键时刻她却打掉了他的骨肉!从此爱变成了痛恨!他要囚禁她的身体让她苦不堪言!
  • 冷情狼少女:王爷请自重

    冷情狼少女:王爷请自重

    因想了解亲生父母的事,被人引发心脏病而死。紫红色双眸睁开,成为狼王之女,有了一个安宁的家。一次无意,惨遭屠杀。为报仇,走出深林,不曾想,遇到了他。“娘子,今日可是我们大婚之日。”某男抱着她,无良道。她甩开他的手,淡淡道:“王爷,请自重!(新开群:唯景幻世526762629,有兴趣的欢迎加入。)
  • 七男追妻之贵女难求

    七男追妻之贵女难求

    我是来自21世纪的一个超级普通的不能再普通的中学生了,却因一场车祸魂穿到一个美少女身上。既然老天对自己这么好那我也不能浪费了吧,那从现在开始泡美男去喽。某痴情皇帝:仙紫,跟朕回宫做朕的皇后可否。。。某温柔少主:仙紫,留在我身边。。。某冰块管家:小姐,无论你选择谁,我都会不离不弃。。。某嗜血君王:仙儿,你是孤生命中注定的王后,孤不许你走,留在孤身边。。。某萌Q皇子:什么情况?仙儿,他们都是什么人啊?诶,皇兄,你也在啊。。。囧好吧,我承认我是受欢迎了点,不过你们都那么极品,我该选谁啊??可不可以全选呀?众美男:不可以!
  • 西游大圣再封神

    西游大圣再封神

    苍南大陆,大道三千,强者如林。一位身负血海深仇的少年,一卷满是玄妙莫测的图录。热血的对决,天才的碰撞,大丈夫在世,当立凌云之志,霸气纵横九万里,提三尺青锋,游龙天下,荡平宇内,立万世之基业。修仙强者不但能踏破虚空,上天入地,同样能移山填海,呼风唤雨。一切尽在易天途龙记!