armadale-第39章

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grievance　directly。　My　old　governess；　you　must　know；　left　us　to
be　married　just　before　we　came　here；　and　none　of　our　friends
could　produce　a　new　one　whose　terms　were　reasonable。　'I'm　told；
Mrs。　Blanchard；　by　people　who　understand　it　better　than　I　do；'
says　papa；　'that　advertising　is　a　risk。　It　all　falls　on　me；　in
Mrs。　Milroy's　state　of　health；　and　I　suppose　I　must　end　in
sending　my　little　girl　to　school。　Do　you　happen　to　know　of　a
school　within　the　means　of　a　poor　man？'　Mrs。　Blanchard　shook　her
head；　I　could　have　kissed　her　on　the　spot　for　doing　it。　'All　my
experience；　Major　Milroy；'　says　this　perfect　angel　of　a　woman；
'is　in　favor　of　advertising。　My　niece's　governess　was　originally
obtained　by　an　advertisement；　and　you　may　imagine　her　value　to　us
when　I　tell　you　she　lived　in　our　family　for　more　than　ten　years。'
I　could　have　gone　down　on　both　my　knees　and　worshipped　Mrs。
Blanchard　then　and　there；　and　I　only　wonder　I　didn't！　Papa　was
struck　at　the　timeI　could　see　thatand　he　referred　to　it　again
on　the　way　home。　'Though　I　have　been　long　out　of　the　world；　my
dear；'　says　papa；　'I　know　a　highly…bred　woman　and　a　sensible
woman　when　I　see　her。　Mrs。　Blanchard's　experience　puts
advertising　in　a　new　light；　I　must　think　about　it。'　He　has
thought　about　it；　and　（though　he　hasn't　openly　confessed　it　to
me）　I　know　that　he　decided　to　advertise；　no　later　than　last
night。　So；　if　papa　thanks　you　for　letting　the　cottage；　Mr。
Armadale；　I　thank　you；　too。　But　for　you；　we　should　never　have
known　darling　Mrs。　Blanchard；　and　but　for　darling　Mrs。　Blanchard；
I　should　have　been　sent　to　school。〃

Before　Allan　could　reply；　they　turned　the　corner　of　the
plantation；　and　came　in　sight　of　the　cottage。　Description　of　it
is　needless；　the　civilized　universe　knows　it　already。　It　was　the
typical　cottage　of　the　drawing…master's　early　lessons　in　neat
shading　and　the　broad　pencil　touchwith　the　trim　thatch；　the
luxuriant　creepers；　the　modest　lattice…windows；　the　rustic　porch；
and　the　wicker　bird…cage；　all　complete。

〃Isn't　it　lovely？〃　said　Miss　Milroy。　〃Do　come　in！〃

〃May　I？〃　asked　Allan。　〃Won't　the　major　think　it　too　early？〃

〃Early　or　late；　I　am　sure　papa　will　be　only　too　glad　to　see　you。〃

She　led　the　way　briskly　up　the　garden　path；　and　opened　the　parlor
door。　As　Allan　followed　her　into　the　little　room；　he　saw；　at　the
further　end　of　it；　a　gentleman　sitting　alone　at　an　old…fashioned
writing…table；　with　his　back　turned　to　his　visitor。

〃Papa！　a　surprise　for　you！〃　said　Miss　Milroy；　rousing　him　from
his　occupation。　〃Mr。　Armadale　has　come　to　Thorpe　Ambrose；　and　I
have　brought　him　here　to　see　you。〃

The　major　started；　rose；　bewildered　for　the　moment；　recovered
himself　immediately；　and　advanced　to　welcome　his　young　landlord；
with　hospitable；　outstretched　hand。

A　man　with　a　larger　experience　of　the　world　and　a　finer
observation　of　humanity　than　Allan　possessed　would　have　seen　the
story　of　Major　Milroy's　life　written　in　Major　Milroy's　face。　The
home　troubles　that　had　struck　him　were　plainly　betrayed　in　his
stooping　figure　and　his　wan；　deeply　wrinkled　cheeks；　when　he
first　showed　himself　on　rising　from　his　chair。　The　changeless
influence　of　one　monotonous　pursuit　and　one　monotonous　habit　of
thought　was　next　expressed　in　the　dull；　dreamy　self…absorption　of
his　manner　and　his　look　while　his　daughter　was　speaking　to　him。
The　moment　after；　when　he　had　roused　himself　to　welcome　his
guest；　was　the　moment　which　made　the　self…revelation　complete。
Then　there　flickered　in　the　major's　weary　eyes　a　faint　reflection
of　the　spirit　of　his　happier　youth。　Then　there　passed　over　the
major's　dull　and　dreamy　manner　a　change　which　told　unmistakably
of　social　graces　and　accomplishments；　learned　at　some　past　time
in　no　ignoble　social　school；　a　man　who　had　long　since　taken　his
patient　refuge　from　trouble　in　his　own　mechanical　pursuit；　a　man
only　roused　at　intervals　to　know　himself　again　for　what　he　once
had　been。　So　revealed　to　all　eyes　that　could　read　him　aright；
Major　Milroy　now　stood　before　Allan；　on　the　first　morning　of　an
acquaintance　which　was　destined　to　be　an　event　in　Allan's　life。

〃I　am　heartily　glad　to　see　you；　Mr。　Armadale；〃　he　said；　speaking
in　the　changeless　quiet；　subdued　tone　peculiar　to　most　men　whose
occupations　are　of　the　solitary　and　monotonous　kind。　〃You　have
done　me　one　favor　already　by　taking　me　as　your　tenant；　and　you
now　do　me　another　by　paying　this　friendly　visit。　If　you　have　not
breakfasted　already；　let　me　waive　all　ceremony　on　my　side；　and
ask　you　to　take　your　place　at　our　little　table。〃

〃With　the　greatest　pleasure；　Major　Milroy；　if　I　am　not　in　the
way；〃　replied　Allan；　delighted　at　his　reception。　〃I　was　sorry　to
hear　from　Miss　Milroy　that　Mrs。　Milroy　is　an　invalid。　Perhaps　my
being　here　unexpectedly；　perhaps　the　sight　of　a　strange　face〃

〃I　understand　your　hesitation；　Mr。　Armadale；〃　said　the　major；
〃but　it　is　quite　unnecessary。　Mrs。　Milroy's　illness　keeps　her
entirely　confined　to　her　own　room。Have　we　got　everything　we
want　on　the　table；　my　love？〃　he　went　on；　changing　the　subject　so
abruptly　that　a　closer　observer　than　Allan　might　have　suspected
it　was　distasteful　to　him。　〃Will　you　come　and　make　tea？〃

Miss　Milroy's　attention　appeared　to　be　already　pre…engaged；　she
made　no　reply。　While　her　father　and　Allan　had　been　exchanging
civilities；　she　had　been　putting　the　writing…table
　in　order；　and　examining　the　various　objects　scattered　on　it　with
the　unrestrained　curiosity　of　a　spoiled　child。　The　moment　after
the　major　had　spoken　to　her；　she　discovered　a　morsel　of　paper
hidden　between　the　leaves　of　the　blotting…book；　snatched　it　up；
looked　at　it；　and　turned　round　instantly；　with　an　exclamation　of
surprise。

〃Do　my　eyes　deceive　me；　papa？〃　she　asked。　〃Or　were　you　really　and
truly　writing　the　advertisement　when　I　came　in？〃

〃I　had　just　finished　it；〃　replied　her　father。　〃But；　my　dear；　Mr。
Armadale　is　herewe　are　waiting　for　breakfast。〃

〃Mr。　Armadale　knows　all　about　it；〃　rejoined　Miss　Milroy。　〃I　told
him　in　the　garden。〃

〃Oh；　yes！〃　said　Allan。　〃Pray；　don't　make　a　stranger　of　me；　major！
If　it's　about　the　governess；　I've　got　something　（in　an　indirect
sort　of　way）　to　do　with　it　too。〃

Major　Milroy　smiled。　Before　he　could　answer；　his　daughter；　who
had　been　reading　the　advertisement；　appealed　to　him　eagerly；　for
the　second　time。

〃Oh；　papa；〃　she　said；　〃there's　one　thing　here　I　don't　like　at
all！　Why　do　you　put　grandmamma's　initials　at　the　end？　Why　do　you
tell　them　to　write　to　grandmamma's　house　in　London？〃

〃My　dear！　your　mother　can　do　nothing　in　this　matter；　as　you　know。
And　as　for　me　（even　if　I　went　to　London）；　questioning　strange
ladies　about　their　characters　and　accomplishments　is　the　last
thing　in　the　world　that　I　am　fit　to　do。　Your　grandmamma　is　on　the
spot；　and　your　grandmamma　is　the　proper　person　to　receive　the
letters；　and　to　make　all　the　necessary　inquires。〃

〃But　I　want　to　see　the　letters　myself；〃　persisted　the　spoiled
child。　〃Some　of　them　are　sure　to　be　amusing〃

〃I　don't　apologize　for　this　very　unceremonious　reception　of　you；
Mr。　Armadale；〃　said　the　major；　turning　to　Allan；　with　a　quaint
and　quiet　humor。　〃It　may　be　useful　as　a　warning；　if　you　ever
chance　to　marry　and　have　a　daughter；　not　to　begin；　as　I　have
done；　by　letting　her　have　her　own　way。〃

Allan　laughed；　and　Miss　Milroy　persisted。

〃Besides；〃　she　went　on；　〃I　should　like　to　help　in　choosing　which
letters　we　answer；　and　which　we　don't。　I　think　I　ought　to　have
some　voice　in　the　selection　of　my　own　governess。　Why　not　tell
them；　papa；　to　send　their　letters　down　hereto　the　post…office
or　the　stationer's；　or　anywhere　you　like？　When　you　and　I　have
read　them；　we　can　send　up　the　letters　we　prefer　to　grandmamma；
and　she　can　ask　all　the　questions；　and　pick　out　the　best
governess；　just　as　you　have　arranged　already；　without　leaving　ME
entirely　in　the　dark；　which　I　consider　（don't　you；　Mr。　Armadale？）
to　be　quite　inhuman。　Let　me　alter　the　address；　papa；　do；　there's
a　darling！〃

〃We　shall　get　no　breakfast；　Mr。　Armadale；　if　I　don't　say　Yes；〃
said　the　major　good…humoredly。　〃Do　as　you　like；　my　dear；〃　he
added；　turning　to　his　daughter。　〃As　long　as　it　ends　in　your
grandmamma's　managing　the　matter　for　us；　the　rest　is　of　very
little　consequence。〃

Miss　Milroy　took　up　her　father's　pen；　drew　it　through　the　last
line　of　the　advertisement；　and　wrote　the　altered　address　with　her
own　hand　as　follows：

〃_Apply；　by　letter；　to　M。；　Post…office；　Thorpe　Ambrose；
Norfolk。_〃

〃There！〃　she　said；　bustling　to　her　place　at　the　breakfast…table。
〃The　advertisement　may　go　to　London　now；　and；　if　a　governess
_does_　come　of　it；　oh；　papa；　who　in　the　name　of　wonder　will　she
be？Tea　or　coffee；　Mr。　Armadale？　I'm　really　ashamed　of　having
kept　you　waiting。　But　it　is　such　a　comfort；〃　she　added；　saucily；
〃to　get　all　one's　business　off　one's　mind　before　breakfast！〃

Father；　daughter；　and　guest　sat　down　together　sociably　at　the
little　round　table；　the　best　of　good　neighbors　and　good　friends
already。


Three　days　later；　one　of　the　London　newsboys　got　_his_　business
off　his　mind　before　breakfast。　His　district　was　Diana　Street；
Pimlico；　and　the　last　of　the　morning's　newspapers　which　he
disposed　of　was　the　newspaper　he　left　at　Mrs。　Oldershaw's　door。

CHAPTER　III。

THE　CLAIMS　OF　SOCIETY。

MORE　than　an　hour　after　Allan　had　set　forth　on　his　exploring
expedition　through　his　own　grounds；　Midwinter　rose；　and　enjoyed；
in　his　turn；　a　full　view　by　daylight　of　the　magnificence　of　the
new　house。

Refreshed　by　his　long　night's　rest；　he　descended　the　great
staircase　as　cheerfully　as　Allan　himself　One　after　another；　he；
too；　looked　into　the　spacious　rooms　on　the　ground　floor　in
breathless　astonishment　at　the　beauty　and　the　luxury　which
surrounded　him。　〃The　house　where　I　lived　in　service　when　I　was　a
boy；　was　a　fine　one；〃　he　thought；　gayly；　〃but　it　was　nothing　to
this！　I　wonder　if　Allan　is　as　surprised　and　delighted　as　I　am？〃
The　beauty　of　the　summer　morning　drew　him　out　through　the　open
hall　door；　as　it　had　drawn　his　friend　out　before　him。　He　ran
briskly　down　the　steps；　humming　the　burden　of　one　of　the　old
vagabond　tunes　which　he　had　danced　to　long　since　in　the　old
vagabond　time。　Even　the　memories　of　his　wretched　childhood　took
their　color；　on　that　happy　morning。　from　the　bright　medium
through　which　he　looked　back　at　them。　〃If　I　was　not　out　of
practice；〃　he　thought　to　himself；　as　he　leaned　on　the　fence　and
looked　over　at　the　park；　〃I　could　try　some　of　my　old　tumbling
tricks　on　that　delicious　grass。〃　He　turned；　noticed　two　of　the
servants　talking　together　near　the　shrubbery；　and　asked　for　news
of　the　master　of　the　house。

The　men　pointed　with　a　smile　in　the　direction　of　the　gardens；　Mr。
Armadale　had　gone　that　way　more　than　an　hour　since；　and　had　met
（as　had　been　reported）　with　Miss　Milroy　in　the　grounds。　Midwinter
followed　the　path　through　the　shrubbery；　but；　on　reaching　the
flower　garden；　stopped；　considered　a　little；　and　retraced　his
steps。　〃If　Allan　has　met　with　the　young　lady；〃　he　said　to
himself；　〃Allan　doesn't　want　me。〃　He　laughed　as　he　drew　that
inevitable　inference；　and　turned　considerately　to　explore　the
beauties　of　Thorpe　Ambrose　on　the　other　side　of　the　house。

Passing　the　angle　o