david elginbrod-第76章
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signs of acute suffering。 She did not make the slightest approach
to their former familiarity； but she spoke without any
embarrassment； like one who had given herself up； and was；
therefore； indifferent。 Hugh could not help feeling as if she knew
every thought that was passing in his mind； and； having withdrawn
herself from him； was watching him with a cold； ghostly interest。
She took his arm to go into the dining…room； and actually leaned
upon it； as； indeed； she was compelled to do。 Her uncle was
delighted to see her once more。 Mrs。 Elton addressed her with
kindness； and Lady Emily with sweet cordiality。 She herself seemed
to care for nobody and nothing。 As soon as dinner was over； she
sent for her maid； and withdrew to her own room。 It was a great
relief to Hugh to feel that he was no longer in danger of
encountering her eyes。
Gradually she recovered strength； though it was again some days
before she appeared at the dinner…table。 The distance between Hugh
and her seemed to increase instead of diminish； till at length he
scarcely dared to offer her the smallest civility； lest she should
despise him as a hypocrite。 The further she removed herself from
him； the more he felt inclined to respect her。 By common consent
they avoided； as much as before； any behaviour that might attract
attention； though the effort was of a very different nature now。 It
was wretched enough； no doubt； for both of them。
The time drew near for Lady Emily's departure。
〃What are your plans for the winter； Mrs。 Elton？〃 said Mr。 Arnold；
one day。
〃I intend spending the winter in London；〃 she answered。
〃Then you are not going with Lady Emily to Madeira？〃
〃No。 Her father and one of her sisters are going with her。〃
〃I have a great mind to spend the winter abroad myself； but the
difficulty is what to do with Harry。〃
〃Could you not leave him with Mr。 Sutherland？〃
〃No。 I do not choose to do that。〃
〃Then let him come to me。 I shall have all my little establishment
up； and there will be plenty of room for Harry。〃
〃A very kind offer。 I may possibly avail myself of it。〃
〃I fear we could hardly accommodate his tutor； though。 But that
will be very easily arranged。 He could sleep out of the house；
could he not？〃
〃Give yourself no trouble about that。 I wish Harry to have masters
for the various branches he will study。 It will teach him more of
men and the world generally； and prevent his being too much
influenced by one style of thinking。〃
〃But Mr。 Sutherland is a very good tutor。〃
〃Yes。 Very。〃
To this there could be no reply but a question； and Mr。 Arnold's
manner not inviting one； the conversation was dropped。
Euphra gradually resumed her duties in the house； as far as great
lameness would permit。 She continued to show a quiet and dignified
reserve towards Hugh。 She made no attempts to fascinate him； and
never avoided his look when it chanced to meet hers。 But although
there was no reproach any more than fascination in her eyes； Hugh's
always fell before hers。 She walked softly like Ahab； as if； now
that Hugh knew； she； too； was ever conscious。
Her behaviour to Mrs。 Elton and Lady Emily was likewise improved；
but apparently only from an increase of indifference。 When the time
came； and they departed； she did not even appear to be much
relieved。
Once she asked Hugh to help her with a passage of Dante； but
betrayed no memory of the past。 His pleased haste to assist her；
showed that he at least； if fancy…free； was not memory…clear。 She
thanked him very gently and truly； took up her book like a
school…girl； and limped away。 Hugh was smitten to the heart。 〃If I
could but do something for her！〃 thought he； but there was nothing
to be done。 Although she had deserved it； somehow her behaviour
made him feel as if he had wronged her in ceasing to love her。
One day； in the end of September； Mr。 Arnold and Hugh were alone
after breakfast。 Mr。 Arnold spoke：
〃Mr。 Sutherland； I have altered my plans with regard to Harry。 I
wish him to spend the winter in London。〃
Hugh listened and waited。 Mr。 Arnold went on； after a slight pause：
〃There I wish him to reap such advantages as are to be gained in the
metropolis。 He has improved wonderfully under your instruction； and
is now； I think； to be benefited principally by a variety of
teachers。 I therefore intend that he shall have masters for the
different branches which it is desirable he should study。
Consequently I shall be compelled to deny him your services；
valuable as they have hitherto been。〃
〃Very well； Mr。 Arnold；〃 said Mr。 Sutherland； with the indifference
of one who feels himself ill…used。 〃When shall I take my leave of
him？〃
〃Not before the middle of the next month； at the earliest。 But I
will write you a cheque for your salary at once。〃
So saying； Mr。 Arnold left the room for a moment； and returning；
handed Hugh a cheque for a year's salary。 Hugh glanced at it； and
offering it again to Mr。 Arnold； said：
〃No； Mr。 Arnold； I can claim scarcely more than half a year's
salary。〃
〃Mr。 Sutherland； your engagement was at so much a year； and if I
prevent you from fulfilling your part of it； I am bound to fulfil
mine。 Indeed； you might claim further provision。〃
〃You are very kind； Mr。 Arnold。〃
〃Only just；〃 rejoined Mr。 Arnold； with conscious dignity。 〃I am
under great obligation to you for the way in which you have devoted
yourself to Harry。〃
Hugh's conscience gave him a pang。 Is anything more painful than
undeserved praise？
〃I have hardly done my duty by him；〃 said he。
〃I can only say that the boy is wonderfully altered for the better；
and I thank you。 I am obliged to you： oblige me by putting the
cheque in your pocket。〃
Hugh persisted no longer in his refusal； and indeed it had been far
more a feeling of pride than of justice that made him decline
accepting it at first。 Nor was there any generosity in Mr。 Arnold's
cheque； for Hugh； as he admitted； might have claimed board and
lodging as well。 But Mr。 Arnold was one of the ordinarily
honourable； who； with perfect characters for uprightness； always
contrive to err on the safe side of the purse； and the doubtful side
of a severely interpreted obligation。 Such people； in so doing； not
unfrequently secure for themselves； at the same time； the reputation
of generosity。
Hugh could not doubt that his dismissal was somehow or other
connected with the loss of the ring； but he would not stoop to
inquire into the matter。 He hoped that time would set all right；
and； in fact； felt considerable indifference to the opinion of Mr。
Arnold； or of any one in the house； except Harry。
The boy burst into tears when informed of his father's decision with
regard to his winter studies； and could only be consoled by the hope
which Hugh held out to himcertainly upon a very slight
foundationthat they might meet sometimes in London。 For the
little time that remained； Hugh devoted himself unceasingly to his
pupil； not merely studying with him； but walking； riding； reading
stories； and going through all sorts of exercises for the
strengthening of his person and constitution。 The best results
followed both for Harry and his tutor。
CHAPTER XXXI。
EXPLANATIONS。
I have done nothing good to win belief；
My life hath been so faithless； all the creatures
Made for heaven's honours； have their ends； and good ones；
All but。。。false women。。。When they die； like tales
Ill…told； and unbelieved； they pass away。
I will redeem one minute of my age；
Or； like another Niobe； I'll weep
Till I am water。
BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER。The Maid's Tragedy。
The days passed quickly by； and the last evening that Hugh was to
spend at Arnstead arrived。 He wandered out alone。 He had been with
Harry all day； and now he wished for a few moments of solitude。 It
was a lovely autumn evening。 He went into the woods behind the
house。 The leaves were still thick upon the trees； but most of them
had changed to gold； and brown； and red； and the sweet faint odours
of those that had fallen； and lay thick underfoot； ascended like a
voice from the grave； saying： 〃Here dwelleth some sadness； but no
despair。〃
