silas marner(织工马南)-第4章
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dreamed that he saw the words “calling and election sure”
standing by themselves on a white page in the open Bible。 Such
colloquies have occupied many a pair of pale…faced weavers；
whose unnurtured souls have been like young winged things；
fluttering forsaken in the twilight。
It had seemed to the unsuspecting Silas that the friendship had
suffered no chill even from his formation of another attachment of
a closer kind。 For some months he had been engaged to a young
servant…woman； waiting only for a little increase to their mutual
savings in order to their marriage； and it was a great delight to
him that Sarah did not object to William’s occasional presence in
their Sunday interviews。 It was at this point in their history that
Silas’s cataleptic fit occurred during the prayer…meeting； and
amidst the various queries and expressions of interest addressed
to him by his fellow…members； William’s suggestion alone jarred
with the general sympathy towards a brother thus singled out for
special dealings。 He observed that； to him； this trance looked more
like a visitation of Satan than a proof of divine favour； and
exhorted his friend to see that he hid no accursed thing within his
soul。 Silas； feeling bound to accept rebuke and admonition as a
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brotherly office； felt no resentment； but only pain； at his friend’s
doubts concerning him； and to this was soon added some anxiety
at the perception that Sarah’s manner towards him began to
exhibit a strange fluctuation between an effort at an increased
manifestation of regard and involuntary signs of shrinking and
dislike。 He asked her if she wished to break off their engagement；
but she denied this： their engagement was known to the church；
and had been recognised in the prayer…meetings； it could not be
broken off without strict investigation； and Sarah could render no
reason that would be sanctioned by the feeling of the community。
At this time the senior deacon was taken dangerously ill； and；
being a childless widower； he was tended night and day by some of
the younger brethren or sisters。 Silas frequently took his turn in
the night…watching with William； the one relieving the other at two
in the morning。 The old man； contrary to expectation； seemed to
be on the way to recovery； when one night Silas； sitting up by his
bedside； observed that his usual audible breathing had ceased。
The candle was burning low； and he had to lift it to see the
patient’s face distinctly。 Examination convinced him that the
deacon was dead—had been dead some time； for the limbs were
rigid。 Silas asked himself if he had been asleep； and looked at the
clock： it was already four in the morning。 How was it that William
had not come？ In much anxiety he went to seek for help； and soon
there were several friends assembled in the house； the minister
among them； while Silas went away to his work； wishing he could
have met William to know the reason of his non…appearance。 But
at six o’clock； as he was thinking of going to seek his friend；
William came； and with him the minister。 They came to summon
him to Lantern Yard； to meet the church…members there； and to
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his inquiry concerning the cause of the summons the only reply
was； “You will hear”。 Nothing further was said until Silas was
seated in the vestry； in front of the minister； with the eyes of those
who to him represented God’s people fixed solemnly upon him。
Then the minister； taking out a pocket…knife； showed it to Silas；
and asked him if he knew where he had left that knife。 Silas said
he did not know that he had left it anywhere out of his own
pocket—but he was trembling at this strange interrogation。 He
was then exhorted not to hide his sin； but to confess and repent。
The knife had been found in the bureau by the departed deacon’s
bedside—found in the place where the little bag of church money
had lain； which the minister himself had seen the day before。
Some hand had removed that bag； and whose hand could it be； if
not that of the man to whom the knife belonged？ For some time
Silas was mute with astonishment； then he said； “God will clear
me： I know nothing about the knife being there； or the money
being gone。 Search me and my dwelling； you will find nothing but
three pound five of my own savings； which William Dane knows I
have had these six months。” At this William groaned； but the
minister said； “The proof is heavy against you； brother Marner。
The money was taken in the night last past； and no man was with
our departed brother but you； for William Dane declares to us that
he was hindered by sudden sickness from going to take his place
as usual； and you yourself said that he had not come； and；
moreover； you neglected the dead body。”
“I must have slept；” said Silas。 Then； after a pause； he added
“Or I must have had another visitation like that which you have all
seen me under； so that the thief must have come and gone while I
was not in the body； but out of the body。 But； I say again； search
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me and my dwelling； for I have been nowhere else。”
The search was made； and it ended—in William Dane’s finding
the well…known bag； empty； tucked behind the chest of drawers in
Silas’s chamber。 On this William exhorted his friend to confess；
and not to hide his sin any longer。 Silas turned a look of keen
reproach on him； and said； “William； for nine years that we have
gone in and out together； have you ever known me tell a lie？ But
God will clear me。”
“Brother；” said William； “how do I know what you may have
done in the secret chambers of your heart； to give Satan an
advantage over you？”
Silas was still looking at his friend。 Suddenly a deep flush came
over his face； and he was about to speak impetuously； when he
seemed checked again by some inward shock； that sent the flush
back and made him tremble。 But at last he spoke feebly； looking at
William。
“I remember now—the knife wasn’t in my pocket。”
William said； “I know nothing of what you mean。” The other
persons present； however； began to inquire where Silas meant to
say that the knife was； but he would give no further explanation：
he only said； “I am sore stricken； I can say nothing。 God will clear
me。”
On their return to the vestry there was further deliberation。
Any resort to legal measures for ascert
