the professor(教授)-第4章
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but stirred the fire； as if to cover a movement of impatience； then
he scanned me again。
“I felt an inward satisfaction that I had not； in the first moment
of meeting； betrayed any warmth； any enthusiasm； that I had
saluted this man with a quiet and steady phlegm。
“‘Have you quite broken with Tynedale and Seacombe？’ he
asked hastily。
“‘I do not think I shall have any further communication with
them； my refusal of their proposals will； I fancy； operate as a
barrier against all future intercourse。’
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“‘Why；’ said he； ‘I may as well remind you at the very outset of
our connection； that “no man can serve two masters。”
Acquaintance with Lord Tynedale will be incompatible with
assistance from me。’ There was a kind of gratuitous menace in his
eye as he looked at me in finishing this observation。
“Feeling no disposition to reply to him； I contented myself with
an inward speculation on the differences which exist in the
constitution of men’s minds。 I do not know what inference Mr。
Crimsworth drew from my silence—whether he considered it a
symptom of contumacity or an evidence of my being cowed by his
peremptory manner。 After a long and hard stare at me； he rose
sharply from his seat。
“‘To…morrow；’ said he； ‘I shall call your attention to some other
points； but now it is supper time； and Mrs。 Crimsworth is probably
waiting； will you come？’
“He strode from the room； and I followed。 In crossing the hall； I
wondered what Mrs。 Crimsworth might be。 ‘Is she；’ thought I； ‘as
alien to what I like as Tynedale； Seacombe； the Misses
Seacombe—as the affectionate relative now striding before me？ or
is she better than these？ Shall I； in conversing with her； feel free
to show something of my real nature； or—’ Further conjectures
were arrested by my entrance into the dining…room。
“A lamp； burning under a shade of ground…glass； showed a
handsome apartment； wainscoted with oak； supper was laid on the
table； by the fire…place； standing as if waiting our entrance；
appeared a lady； she was young； tall； and well shaped； her dress
was handsome and fashionable： so much my first glance sufficed
to ascertain。 A gay salutation passed between her and Mr。
Crimsworth； she chid him； half playfully； half poutingly； for being
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The Professor 16
late； her voice （I always take voices into the account in judging of
character） was lively—it indicated； I thought； good animal spirits。
Mr。 Crimsworth soon checked her animated scolding with a kiss—
a kiss that still told of the bridegroom （they had not yet been
married a year）； she took her seat at the supper…table in first…rate
spirits。 Perceiving me； she begged my pardon for not noticing me
before； and then shook hands with me； as ladies do when a flow of
good…humour disposes them to be cheerful to all； even the most
indifferent of their acquaintance。 It was now further obvious to me
that she had a good complexion； and features sufficiently marked
but agreeable； her hair was red—quite red。 She and Edward
talked much； always in a vein of playful contention； she was vexed；
or pretended to be vexed； that he had that day driven a vicious
horse in the gig； and he made light of her fears。 Sometimes she
appealed to me。
“‘Now； Mr。 William； isn’t it absurd in Edward to talk so？ He
says he will drive Jack； and no other horse； and the brute has
thrown him twice already。
“She spoke with a kind of lisp； not disagreeable； but childish。 I
soon saw also that there was more than girlish—a somewhat
infantine expression in her by no means small features； this lisp
and expression were； I have no doubt； a charm in Edward’s eyes；
and would be so to those： of most men； but they were not to mine。
I sought her eye； desirous to read there the intelligence which I
could not discern in her face or hear in her conversation； it was
merry； rather small； by turns I saw vivacity； vanity； coquetry； look
out through its irid； but I watched in vain for a glimpse of soul。 I
am no Oriental； white necks； carmine lips and cheeks； clusters of
bright curls； do not suffice for me without that Promethean spark
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which will live after the roses and lilies are faded； the burnished
hair grown grey。 In sunshine； in prosperity； the flowers are very
well； but how many wet days are there in life—November seasons
of disaster； when a man’s hearth and home would be cold indeed；
without the clear； cheering gleam of intellect。
“Having perused the fair page of Mrs。 Crimsworth’s face； a
deep； involuntary sigh announced my disappointment； she took it
as a homage to her beauty； and Edward； who was evidently proud
of his rich and handsome young wife； threw on me a glance—half
ridicule； half ire。
“I turned from them both； and gazing wearily round the room； I
saw two pictures set in the oak panelling—one on each side the
mantel…piece。 Ceasing to take part in the bantering conversation
that flowed on between Mr。 and Mrs。 Crimsworth； I bent my
thoughts to the examination of these pictures。 They were
portraits—a lady and a gentleman； both costumed in the fashion of
twenty years ago。 The gentleman was in the shade。 I could not see
him well。 The lady had the benefit of a full beam from the softly
shaded lamp。 I presently recognised her； I had seen this picture
before in childhood； it was my mother； that and the companion
picture being the only heir…looms saved out of the sale of my
father’s property。
“The face； I remembered； had pleased me as a boy； but then I
did not understand it； now I knew how rare that class of face is in
the world； and I appreciated keenly its thoughtful； yet gentle
expression。 The serious grey eye possessed for me a strong charm；
as did certain lines in the features indicative of most true and
tender feeling。 I was sorry it was only a picture。
“I soon left Mr。 and Mrs。 Crimsworth to themselves； a servant
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conducted me to my bed…room； in closing my chamber…door； I shut
out all intruders—you； Charles； as well as the rest。—Good…bye for
the present；
“WILLIAM CRIMSWORTH。”
To this letter I never got an answer； before my old friend
received
