hard cash-第14章

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But　the　captain　for　my　money。〃

The　sage　shouldered　his　tools　and　departed。　But　he　left　a　good　hint　behind　him。　Alfred　hovered　about　the　back…door　the　next　day　till　he　caught　Mrs。　Maxley；　she　supplied　the　house　with　eggs　and　vegetables。　〃Could　she　tell　him　whether　his　friend　Edward　Dodd　was　likely　to　come　home　soon？〃　She　thought　not；　he　was　gone　away　to　study。　〃He　haven't　much　head…piece；　you　know；　not　like　what　Miss　Julia　have。　Mrs。　and　Miss　are　to　be　home　to…day；　they　wrote　to　cook　this　morning。　I　shall　be　there　to…morrow；　sartain；　and　I'll　ask　in　the　kitchen　when　Master　Edward　is　a…coming　back。〃　She　prattled　on。　The　ladies　of　Albion　Villa　were　good　kind　ladies；　the　very　maid…servants　loved　them；　Miss　was　more　for　religion　than　her　mother；　and　went　to　St。　Anne's　Church　Thursday　evenings；　and　Sundays　morning　and　evening；　and　visited　some　poor　women　in　the　parish　with　food　and　clothes；　Mrs。　Dodd　could　not　sleep　a　wink　when　the　wind　blew　hard　at　night；　but　never　complained；　only　came　down　pale　to　breakfast。　Miss　Julia's　ailment　was　nothing　to　speak　of；　but　they　were　in　care　along　of　being　so　wrapped　up　in　her；　and　no　wonder；　for　if　ever　there　was　a　duck！〃

Acting　on　this　intelligence；　Alfred　went　early　the　next　Sunday　to　St。　Anne's　Church；　and　sat　down　in　the　side　gallery　at　its　east　end。　While　the　congregation　flowed　quietly　in；　the　organist　played　the　_Agnus　Dei_　of　Mozart。　Those　pious　tender　tones　stole　over　his　hot　young　heart；　and　whispered；　〃Peace；　be　still！〃　He　sighed　wearily；　and　it　passed　through　his　mind　that　it　might　have　been　better　for　him；　and　especially　for　his　studies；　if　he　had　never　seen　her。　Suddenly　the　aisle　seemed　to　lighten　up；　she　was　gliding　along　it；　beautiful　as　May；　and　modesty　itself　in　dress　and　carriage。　She　went　into　a　pew　and　kneeled　a　minute；　then　seated　herself　and　looked　out　the　lessons　for　the　day。　Alfred　gazed　at　her　face：　devoured　it。　But　her　eyes　never　roved。　She　seemed　to　have　put　off　feminine　curiosity；　and　the　world；　at　the　church　door。　Indeed　he　wished　she　was　not　quite　so　heavenly　discreet；　her　lashes　were　delicious；　but　he　longed　to　see　her　eyes　once　more；　to　catch　a　glance　from　them；　and；　by　it；　decipher　his　fate。

But　no；　she　was　there　to　worship；　and　did　not　discern　her　earthly　lover；　whose　longing　looks　were　glued　to　her；　and　his　body　rose　and　sank　with　the　true　worshippers；　but　with　no　more　spirituality　than　a　piston　or　a　Jack…in…the…box。

In　the　last　hymn　before　the　sermon；　a　well…meaning　worshipper　in　the　gallery　delivered　a　leading　note；　a　high　one；　with　great　zeal；　but　small　precision；　being　about　a　semitone　flat；　at　this　outrage　on　her　too…sensitive　ear；　Julia　Dodd　turned　her　head　swiftly　to　discover　the　offender；　and　failed；　but　her　two　sapphire　eyes　met　Alfred's　point…blank。

She　was　crimson　in　a　moment；　and　lowered　them　on　her　book　again；　as　if　to　look　that　way　was　to　sin。　It　was　but　a　flash：　but　sometimes　a　flash　fires　a　mine。

The　lovely　blush　deepened　and　spread　before　it　melted　away；　and　Alfred's　late　cooling　heart　warmed　itself　at　that　sweet　glowing　cheek。　She　never　looked　his　way　again；　not　once：　which　was　a　sad　disappointment；　but　she　blushed　again　and　again　before　the　service　ended；　only　not　so　deeply。　Now　there　was　nothing　in　the　sermon　to　make　her　blush：　I　might　add；　there　was　nothing　to　redden　her　cheek　with　religious　excitement。　There　was　a　little　candid　sournessoil　and　vinegar　against　sects　and　Low　Churchmen；　but　thin　generality　predominated。　Total：　〃Acetate　of　morphia；〃　for　dry　souls　to　sip。

So　Alfred　took　all　the　credit　of　causing　those　sweet　irrelevant　blushes；　and　gloated：　the　young　wretch　could　not　help　glorying　in　his　power　to　tint　that　fair　statue　of　devotion　with　earthly　thoughts。

But　stay！　that　dear　blush；　was　it　pleasure　or　pain？　What　if　the　sight　of　him　was　intolerable？

He　would　know　how　he　stood　with　her；　and　on　the　spot。　He　was　one　of　the　first　to　leave　the　church；　he　made　for　the　churchyard　gate；　and　walked　slowly　backwards　and　forwards　by　it；　with　throbbing　heart　till　she　came　out。

She　was　prepared　for　him　now；　and　bowed　slightly　to　him　with　the　most　perfect　composure；　and　no　legible　sentiment；　except　a　certain　marked　politeness　many　of　our　young　ladies　think　wasted　upon　young　gentlemen；　and　are　mistaken。

Alfred　took　off　his　hat　in　a　tremor；　and　his　eyes　implored　and　inquired；　but　met　with　no　further　response；　and　she　walked　swiftly　home；　though　without　apparent　effort。　He　looked　longingly　after　her；　but　discretion　forbade。

He　now　crawled　by　Albion　Villa　twice　every　day；　wet　or　dry；　and　had　the　good　fortune　to　see　her　twice　at　the　drawing…room　window。　He　was　constant　at　St。　Anne's　Church；　and　one　Thursday　crept　into　the　aisle　to　be　nearer　to　her；　and　he　saw　her　steal　one　swift　look　at　the　gallery；　and　look　grave；　but　soon　she　detected　him；　and　though　she　looked　no　more　towards　him；　she　seemed　demurely　complacent。　Alfred　had　learned　to　note　these　subtleties　now；　for　Love　is　a　microscope。　What　he　did　not　know　was；　that　his　timid　ardour　was　pursuing　a　masterly　course；　that　to　find　herself　furtively　followed　everywhere；　and　hovered　about　for　a　look；　is　apt　to　soothe　womanly　pride　and　stir　womanly　pity；　and　to　keep　the　female　heart　in　a　flutter　of　curiosity　and　emotions；　two　porters　that　open　the　heart's　great　gate　to　love。

Now　the　evening　before　his　visit　to　the　Dodds；　Dr。　Sampson　dined　with　the　Hardies；　and　happened　to　mention　the　〃Dodds〃　among　his　old　patients：　〃The　Dodds　of'　Albion　Villa？〃　inquired　Miss　Hardie；　to　her　brother's　no　little　surprise。　〃Albyn　fiddlestick！〃　said　the　polished　doctor。　〃No！　they　live　by　the　water…side；　used　to；　but　now　they　have　left　the　town；　I　hear。　He　is　a　sea…captain　and　a　fine　lad；　and　Mrs。　Dodd　is　just　the　best…bred　woman　I　ever　prescribed　for；　except　Mrs。　Sampson。〃

〃It　_is_　the　Dodds　of　Albion　Villa；〃　said　Miss　Hardie。　〃They　have　two　children：　a　son；　his　name　is　Edward；　and　a　daughter；　Julia；　she　is　rather　good…looking；　a　Gentleman's　Beauty。〃

Alfred　stared　at　his　sister。　Was　she　blind？　with　her　〃rather　good…looking。〃

Sampson　was　quite　pleased　at　the　information。　〃N'　listen　me！　I　saved　that　girl's　life　when　she　was　a　year　old。〃

〃Then　she　is　ill　now；　doctor；〃　said　Alfred　hastily。　〃Do　go　and　see　her！　Hum！　The　fact　is；　her　brother　is　a　great　favourite　of　mine。〃　He　then　told　him　how　to　find　Albion　Villa。　〃Jenny；　dear；〃　said　he；　when　Sampson　was　gone；　〃you　never　told　me　you　knew　her。〃

〃Knew　who；　dear？〃

〃Whom？　Why　Dodd's　sister。〃

〃Oh；　she　is　a　new　acquaintance；　and　not　one　to　interest　you。　We　only　meet　in　the　Lord；　I　do　not　visit　Albion　Villa；　her　mother　is　an　amiable　worldling。〃

〃Unpardonable　combination！〃　said　Alfred　with　a　slight　sneer。　〃So　you　and　Miss　Dodd　meet　only　at　church！〃

〃At　church？　Hardly。　She　goes　to　St。　Anne's：　sits　under　a　preacher　who　starves　his　flock　with　moral　discourses；　and　holds　out　the　sacraments　of　the　Church　as　the　means　of　grace。〃

Alfred　shook　his　head　good…humouredly。　〃Now；　Jenny；　that　is　a　challenge；　and　you　know　we　both　got　into　a　fury　the　last　time　we　were　betrayed　into　that　miserable　waste　of　time　and　temper；　Theological　discussion。　No；　no：

　　　　　Let　sects　delight　to　bark　and　bite　　　　　　For　'tis　their　nature　to；　　　　　　Let　gown　and　surplice　growl　and　fight；　　　　　　For　Satan　makes　them　so。

But　let　you　and　I　cut　High　Church　and　Low　Church；　and　be　brother　and　sister。　Do　tell　me　in　English　where　you　meet　Julia　Dodd；　that's　a　dear；　for　young　ladies　'meeting　in　the　Lord'　conveys　no　positive　idea　to　my　mind。〃

Jane　Hardie　sighed　at　this　confession。　〃We　meet　in　the　cottages　of　the　poor　and　the　sick；　whom　He　loved　and　pitied　when　on　earth；　and　we；　His　unworthy　servants；　try　to　soothe　their　distress；　and　lead　them　to　Him　who　can　heal　the　soul　as　well　as　the　body；　and　wipe　away　all　the　tears　of　all　His　people。〃

〃Then　it　does　you　infinite　credit；　Jane；〃　said　Alfred；　warmly。　〃Now；　that　is　the　voice　of　true　religion；　and　not　the　whine　of　this　sect；　nor　the　snarl　of　that。　And　so　she　joins　you　in　this　good　work？　I　am　not　surprised。〃

〃We　meet　in　it　now　and　then；　dear；　but　she　can　hardly　be　said　to　have　joined　me：　I　have　a　district；　you　know；　but　poor　Mrs。　Dodd　will　not　allow　Julia　to　enlist　in　the　service。　She　visits　independently；　and　by　fits　and　starts；　and　I　am　afraid　she　thinks　more　of　comforting　their　perishable　bodies　than　of　feeding　their　souls。　It　was　but　the　other　day　she　confessed　to　me　her　backwardness　to　speak　in　the　way　of　instruction　to　women　as　old　as　her　mother。　She　finds　it　so　much　easier　to　let　them　run　on　about　their　earthly　troubles：　and　of　course　it　is　much　_easier。_　Ah！　the　world　holds　her　still　in　some　of　its　subtle　meshes。〃

The　speaker　uttered　this　sadly；　but　presently；　brightening　up；　said；　with　considerable　_bonhomie；_　and　almost　a　sprightly　air：　〃But　she　is　a　dear　girl；　and　the　Lord　will　yet　light　her　candle。〃

Alfred　pulled　a　face　as　of　one　that　drinketh　verjuice　unawares；　but　let　it　pass：　hypercriticism　was　not　his　cue　just　then。　〃Well；　Jenny；〃　said　he；　〃I　have　a　favour　to　ask　you。　Introduce　me　to　your　friend；　Miss　Dodd。　Will　you？〃

Miss　Hardie　coloured　faintly。　〃　I　would　rather　not；　dear　Alfred：　the　introduction　could　not　be　for　her　eternal　good。　Julia's　soul　is　in　a　very　ticklish　state；　she　wavers　as　yet　between　this　world　and　the　other　world；　and　it　won't　do；　it　won't　do；　there　is　no　middle　path。　You　would　very　likely　turn　the　scale；　and　then　I　should　have　fought　against　her　everlasting　welfaremy　friend's。〃

〃What；　am　I　an　infidel？〃　inquired　Alfred　angrily。　Jane　looked　distressed。　〃Oh　no；　Alfred；　but　you　are　a　worldling。〃

Alfred；　smothering　a　strong　sense　of　irritation；　besought　her　to　hear　reason；　these　big　words　were　out　of　place　here。　〃It　is　Dodd's　sister；　and　he　will　introduce　me　at　a　word；　worldling　as　I　am。〃

〃Then　why　urge　me　to　do　it；　against　my　conscience？〃　asked　the　young　lady；　as　sharply　as　if　she　had　been　a　woman　of　the　world。　〃　You　cannot　be　in　_love_　with　her；　as　you　do　not　know　her。〃

Alfred　did　not　reply　to　this　unlucky　thrust；　but　made　a　last　effort　to　soften　her。　〃Can　you　call　yourself　my　sister；　and　refuse　me　this　trifling　service；　which　her　brother；　who　loves　her　and　esteems　her　ten　times　more　sincerely　than　you　do；　would　not　think　of　refusing　me　if　he　was　at　home？〃

〃Why　should　he？　He　is　in　the　flesh　himself；　let　the　carnal　introduce　one　another。　I　really　must　decline；　but　I　am　very；　very　sorry　that　you　feel　hurt　about　it。〃

〃And　I　am　very　sorry　I　have　not　an　amiable　worldling　for　my　sister；　instead　of　an　unamiable　and　devilish　conceited　Christian。〃　And　with　these　bitter　words；　Alfred　snatched　a　candle　and　bounced　to　bed　in　a　fury。　So　apt　is　one　passion　to　rouse　up　others。

Jane　Hardie　let　fall　a　gentle　tear：　but　consoled　herself　with　the　conviction　that　she　had　done　her　duty；　and　that　Alfred's　anger　was　quite　unreasonable；　and　so　he　would　see　as　soon　as　he　should　cool。

The　next　day　the　lover；　smarting　under　this　check；　and　spurred　to　fresh　efforts；　invaded　Sampson。　That　worthy　was　just　going　to　dine　at　Albion　Villa；　so　Alfred　postponed　pumping　him　till　next　day。　Well；　he　called　at　the　inn　next　day；　and　if　the　doctor　was　not　just　gone　back　to　London！

Alfred　wandered　disconsolate　homewards。

In　the　middle　of　Buchanan　Street；　an　agitated　treble　called　after　him；　〃Mr。　Halfred