the daisy chain, or aspirations-第33章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


where；　through　the　plate…glass；　the　exotics　looked　so　fresh　and
perfumy；　that　Norman　almost　fancied　that　the　scent　reached　him。　　〃How
much　poor　Margaret　would　enjoy　one　of　those　camellias；〃　thought　he；
〃and　these　people　have　bushels　of　them　for　mere　show。　　If　I　were
papa；　I　should　be　tempted　to　be　like　Beauty's　father；　and　carry　off
one。　　How　she　would　admire　it！〃

Norman　had　plenty　of　time　to　meditate　on　the　camellias；　and　then　to
turn　and　speculate　on　the　age　of　the　cedar；　whether　it　could　have
been　planted　by　the　monks　of　Stoneborough　Abbey；　to　whom　the　Grange
had　belonged；　brought　from　Lebanon　by　a　pilgrim；　perhaps；　and　then　he
tried　to　guess　at　the　longevity　of　cedars；　and　thought　of　asking
Margaret；　the　botanist　of　the　family。　　Then　he　yawned；　moved　the
horse　a　little　about；　opined　that　Mr。　Rivers　must　be　very　prosy；　or
have　some　abstruse　complaint；　considered　the　sky；　and　augured　rain；
buttoned　another　button　of　his　rough　coat；　and　thought　of　Miss
Cleveland's　dinner。　　Then　he　thought　there　was　a　very　sharp　wind；　and
drove　about　till　he　found　a　sheltered　place　on　the　lee　side　of　the
great　cedar；　looked　up　at　it；　and　thought　it　would　be　a　fine　subject
for　verses；　if　Mr。　Wilmot　knew　of　it；　and　then　proceeded　to　consider
what　he　should　make　of　them。

In　the　midst　he　was　suddenly　roused　by　the　deep…toned　note　of　a　dog；
and　beheld　a　large　black　Newfoundland　dog　leaping　about　the　horse　in
great　indignation。　〃Rollo！　Rollo！〃　called　a　clear　young　voice；　and　he
saw　two　ladles　returning　from　a　walk。　　Rollo；　at　the　first　call；
galloped　back　to　his　mistress；　and　was　evidently　receiving　an
admonition；　and　promising　good　behaviour。　　The　two　ladies　entered　the
house；　while　he　lay　down　on　the　step；　with　his　lion…like　paw　hanging
down；　watching　Norman　with　a　brilliant　pair　of　hazel　eyes。　　Norman；
after　a　little　more　wondering　when　Mr。　Rivers　would　have　done　with
his　father；　betook　himself　to　civil　demonstrations　to　the　creature；
who　received　them　with　dignity；　and　presently；　after　acknowledging
with　his　tail；　various　whispers　of　〃Good　old　fellow；〃　and　〃Here；　old
Rollo！〃　having　apparently　satisfied　himself　that　the　young　gentleman
was　respectable；　he　rose；　and　vouchsafed　to　stand　up　with　his
forepaws　in　the　gig；　listening　amiably　to　Norman's　delicate
flatteries。　　Norman　even　began　to　hope　to　allure　him　into　jumping　on
the　seat：　but　a　great　bell　rang；　and　Rollo　immediately　turned　round；
and　dashed　off；　at　full　speed；　to　some　back　region　of　the　house。
〃So；　old　fellow；　you　know　what　the　dinner…bell　means；〃　thought
Norman。　　〃I　hope　Mr。　Rivers　is　hungry　too。　　Miss　Cleveland　will　have
eaten　up　her　whole　luncheon；　if　this　old　bore　won't　let　my　father　go
soon！　　I　hope　he　is　desperately　ill'tis　his　only　excuse！　　Heigh　ho！
I　must　jump　out　to　warm　my　feet　soon！　　There；　there's　a　drop　of　rain！
Well；　there's　no　end　to　it！　I　wonder　what　Ethel　is　doing　about
Cocksmoor！　　It　is　setting　in　for　a　wet　afternoon！〃　and　Norman
disconsolately　put　up　his　umbrella。

At　last　Dr。　May　and　another　gentleman　were　seen　in　the　conservatory；
and　Norman　gladly　proceeded　to　clear　the　seat；　but　Dr。　May　called
out；　〃Jump　out；　Norman；　Mr。　Rivers　is　so　kind　as　to　ask　us　to　stay　to
luncheon。〃

With　boyish　shrinking　from　strangers；　Norman　privately　wished　Mr。
Rivers　at　Jericho；　as　he　gave　the　reins　to　a　servant；　and　entered　the
conservatory；　where　a　kindly　hand　was　held　out　to　him　by　a　gentleman
of　about　fifty；　with　a　bald　smooth　forehead；　soft　blue　eyes；　and
gentle　pleasant　face。　　〃Is　this　your　eldest　son？〃　said　he；　turning　to
Dr。　Mayand　the　manner　of　both　was　as　if　they　were　already　well
acquainted。　　〃No；　this　is　my　second。　　The　eldest　is　not　quite　such　a
long…legged　fellow；〃　said　Dr。　May。　　And　then　followed　the　question
addressed　to　Norman　himself；　where　he　was　at　school。

〃At　Stoneborough；〃　said　Norman；　a　little　amused　at　the　thought　how
angry　Ethel　and　Harry　would　be　that　the　paragraph　of　the　county
paper；　where　〃N。　W。　May〃　was　recorded　as　prizeman　and　foremost　in　the
examination；　had　not　penetrated　even　to　Abbotstoke　Grange；　or　rather
to　its　owner's　memory。

However；　his　father　could　not　help　adding；　〃He　is　the　head　of　the
schoola　thing　we　Stoneborough　men　think　much　of。〃

This；　and　Mr。　Rivers's　civil　answer；　made　Norman　so　hot；　that　he　did
not　notice　much　in　passing　through　a　hall　full　of　beautiful　vases；
stuffed　birds；　busts；　etc。；　tastefully　arranged；　and　he　did　not　look
up　till　they　were　entering　a　handsome　dining…room；　where　a　small
square　table　was　laid　out　for　luncheon　near　a　noble　fire。

The　two　ladies　were　there；　and　Mr。　Rivers　introduced　them　as　his
daughter　and　Mrs。　Larpent。　　It　was　the　most　luxurious　meal　that
Norman　had　ever　seen；　the　plate；　the　porcelain；　and　all　the
appointments　of　the　table　so　elegant；　and　the　viands；　all　partaking
of　the　Christmas　character；　and　of　a　recherche　delicate　description
quite　new　to　him。　　He　had　to　serve　as　his　father's　right　hand；　and
was　so　anxious　to　put　everything　as　Dr。　May　liked　it；　and　without
attracting　notice；　that　he　hardly　saw　or　listened　till　Dr。　May　began
to　admire　a　fine　Claude　on　the　opposite　wall；　and　embarked　in　a
picture　discussion。　　The　doctor　had　much　taste　for　art；　and　had　made
the　most　of　his　opportunities　of　seeing　paintings　during　his　time　of
study　at　Paris；　and　in　a　brief　tour　to　Italy。　　Since　that　time；　few
good　pictures　had　come　in　his　way；　and　these　were　a　great　pleasure　to
him；　while　Mr。　Rivers；　a　regular　connoisseur；　was　delighted　to　meet
with　one　who　could　so　well　appreciate　them。　　Norman　perceived　how　his
father　was　enjoying　the　conversation；　and　was　much　interested　both　by
the　sight　of　the　first　fine　paintings　he　had　ever　seen；　and　by　the
talk　about　their　merits；　but　the　living　things　in　the　room　had　more
of　his　attention　and　observation；　especially　the　young　lady　who　sat
at　the　head　of　the　table；　a　girl　about　his　own　age；　she　was　on　a　very
small　scale；　and　seemed　to　him　like　a　fairy；　in　the　airy　lightness
and　grace　of　her　movements；　and　the　blithe　gladsomeness　of　her
gestures　and　countenance。　　Form　and　features；　though　perfectly
healthful　and　brisk；　had　the　peculiar　finish　and　delicacy　of　a
miniature　painting；　and　were　enhanced　by　the　sunny　glance　of　her　dark
soft　smiling　eyes。　　Her　hair　was　in　black　silky　braids；　and　her
dress；　with　its　gaiety　of　well…assorted　colour；　was　positively
refreshing　to　his　eye；　so　long　accustomed　to　the　deep　mourning　of　his
sisters。　　A　little　Italian　greyhound；　perfectly　white；　was　at　her
side；　making　infinite　variations　of　the　line　of　beauty　and　grace；
with　its　elegant　outline；　and　S…like　tail；　as　it　raised　its　slender
nose　in　hopes　of　a　fragment　of　bread　which　she　from　time　to　time
dispensed　to　it。

Luncheon　over；　Mr。　Rivers　asked　Dr。　May　to　step　into　his　library；　and
Norman　guessed　that　they　had　been　talking　all　this　time；　and　had
never　come　to　the　medical　opinion。　　However；　a　good　meal　and　a　large
fire　made　a　great　difference　in　his　toleration；　and　it　was　so　new　a
scene；　that　he　had　no　objection　to　a　prolonged　waiting；　especially
when　Mrs。　Larpent　said；　in　a　very　pleasant　tone；　〃Will　you　come　into
the　drawing…room　with　us？〃

He　felt　somewhat　as　if　he　was　walking　in　enchanted　ground　as　he
followed　her　into　the　large　room；　the　windows　opening　into　the
conservatory；　the　whole　air　fragrant　with　flowers；　the　furniture　and
ornaments　so　exquisite　of　their　kind；　and　all　such　a　fit　scene　for
the　beautiful　little　damsel；　who；　with　her　slender　dog　by　her　side；
tripped　on　demurely；　and　rather　shyly；　but　with　a　certain　skipping
lightness　in　her　step。　　A　very　tall　overgrown　schoolboy　did　Norman
feel　himself　for　one　bashful　moment；　when　he　found　himself　alone　with
the　two　ladies；　but　he　was　ready　to　be　set　at　ease　by　Mrs。　Larpent's
good…natured　manner；　when　she　said　something　of　Rollo's　discourtesy。
He　smiled；　and　answered　that　he　had　made　great　friends　with　the　fine
old　dog；　and　spoke　of　his　running　off　to　the　dinner；　at　which　little
Miss　Rivers　laughed；　and　looked　delighted；　and　began　to　tell　of
Rollo's　perfections　and　intelligence。　　Norman　ventured　to　inquire　the
name　of　the　little　Italian；　and　was　told　it　was　Nipen；　because　it　had
once　stolen　a　cake；　much　like　the　wind…spirit　in　Feats　on　the　Fiord。
Its　beauty　and　tricks　were　duly　displayed；　and　a　most　beautiful
Australian　parrot　was　exhibited；　Mrs。　Larpent　taking　full　interest　in
the　talk；　in　so　lively　and　gentle　a　manner；　and　she　and　her　pretty
pupil　evidently　on　such　sister…like　terms；　that　Norman　could　hardly
believe　her　to　be　the　governess；　when　he　thought　of　Miss　Winter。

Miss　Rivers　took　up　some　brown　leaves　which　she　was　cutting　out　with
scissors；　and　shaping。　　〃Our　holiday　work；〃　said　Mrs。　Larpent；　in
answer　to　the　inquiring　look　of　Norman's　eyes。　　〃Meta　has　been　making
a　drawing　for　her　papa；　and　is　framing　it　in　leather…work。　　Have　you
ever　seen　any？〃

〃Never！〃　and　Norman　looked　eagerly；　asking　questions；　and　watching
while　Miss　Rivers　cut　out　her　ivy　leaf　and　marked　its　veins；　and
showed　how　she　copied　it　from　nature。　　He　thanked　her；　saying；　〃I
wanted　to　learn　all　about　it；　for　I　thought　it　would　be　such　nice
work　for　my　eldest　sister。〃

A　glance　of　earnest　interest　from　little　Meta's　bright　eyes　at　her
governess；　and　Mrs。　Larpent；　in　a　kind；　soft　tone　that　quite　gained
his　heart；　asked；　〃Is　she　the　invalid？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Norman。　　〃New　fancy　work　is　a　great　gain　to　her。〃

Mrs。　Larpent's　sympathetic　questions；　and　Meta's　softening　eyes；
gradually　drew　from　him　a　great　deal　about　Margaret's　helpless　state；
and　her　patience；　and　capabilities；　and　how　every　one　came　to　her
with　all　their　cares；　and　Norman；　as　he　spoke；　mentally　contrasted
the　life；　untouched　by　trouble　and　care；　led　by　the　fair　girl　before
him；　with　that　atmosphere　of　constant　petty　anxieties　round　her
namesake's　couch；　at　years　so　nearly　the　same。

〃How　very　good　she　must　be；〃　said　little　Meta；　quickly　and　softly；
and　a　tear　was　sparkling　on　her　eyelashes。

〃She　is　indeed；〃　said　Norman　earnestly。　　〃I　don't　know　what　papa
would　do　but　for　her。〃

Mrs。　Larpent　asked　kind　questions　whether　his　father's　arm　was　very
painful；　and　the　hopes　of　its　cure；　and　he　felt　as　if　she　was　a　great
friend　already。　　Thence　they　came　to　books。　　Norman　had　not　read　for
months　past；　but　it　happened　that　Meta　was　just　now　reading
Woodstock；　with　which　he　was　of　course　familiar；　and　both　grew　eager
in　discussing　that　and　several　others。　　Of　one；　Meta　spoke　in　such
terms　of　delight；　that　Norman　thought　it　had　been　very　stupid　of　him
to　let　it　lie　on　the　table　for　the　last　fortnight　without　looking
into　it。

He　was　almost　sorry　to　see　his　father　and　Mr。　Rivers　come　in；　and
hear　the　carriage　ordered；　but　they　were　not　off　yet；　though　the　rain
was　now　only　Scotch　mist。　　Mr。　Rivers　had　his　most　choice　little
pictures　still　to　display；　his　beautiful　early　Italian　masters；
finished　like　illuminations；　and　over　these　there　was　much　lingering
and　admiring。　　Meta　had　whispered　something　to　her　governess；　who
smiled；　and　advanced　to　Norman。　　〃Meta　wishes　to　know　if　your　sister
would　like　to　have　a　few　flowers？〃　said　she。

No　sooner　said　than　done；　the　door　into　the　conservatory　was　opened；
and　Meta；　cutting　sprays