armadale-第83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！


flourished　in　these　desert　regions　but　the　arid　growth　of
rubbish；　and　no　creatures　rejoiced　but　the　creatures　of　the
nightthe　vermin　here　and　there　in　the　beds；　and　the　cats
everywhere　on　the　tiles。

The　sun　had　set；　and　the　summer　twilight　was　darkening。　The
fretful　children　were　crying　in　their　cradles；　the　horse　destined
for　the　knacker　dozed　forlorn　in　the　field　of　his　imprisonment；
the　cats　waited　stealthily　in　corners　for　the　coming　night。　But
one　living　figure　appeared　in　the　lonely　suburbthe　figure　of
Mr。　Bashwood。　But　one　faint　sound　disturbed　the　dreadful
silencethe　sound　of　Mr。　Bashwood's　softly　stepping　feet。

Moving　slowly　past　the　heaps　of　bricks　rising　at　intervals　along
the　road；　coasting　carefully　round　the　old　iron　and　the　broken
tiles　scattered　here　and　there　in　his　path；　Mr。　Bashwood　advanced
from　the　direction　of　the　country　toward　one　of　the　unfinished
streets　of　the　suburb。　His　personal　appearance　had　been
apparently　made　the　object　of　some　special　attention。　His　false
teeth　were　brilliantly　white；　his　wig　was　carefully　brushed；　his
mourning　garments；　renewed　throughout；　gleamed　with　the　hideous
and　slimy　gloss　of　cheap　black　cloth。　He　moved　with　a　nervous
jauntiness；　and　looked　about　him　with　a　vacant　smile。　Having
reached　the　first　of　the　skeleton　cottages；　his　watery　eyes
settled　steadily　for　the　first　time　on　the　view　of　the　street
before　him。　The　next　instant　he　started；　his　breath　quickened；　he
leaned；　trembling　and　flushing；　against　the　unfinished　wall　at
his　side。　A　lady；　still　at　some　distance；　was　advancing　toward
him　down　the　length　of　the　street。　〃She's　coming！〃　he　whispered；
with　a　strange　mixture　of　rapture　and　fear；　of　alternating　color
and　paleness；　showing　itself　in　his　haggard　face。　〃I　wish　I　was
the　ground　she　treads　on！　I　wish　I　was　the　glove　she's　got　on　her
hand！〃　He　bur　st　ecstatically　into　those　extravagant　words；　with
a　concentrated　intensity　of　delight　in　uttering　them　that
actually　shook　his　feeble　figure　from　head　to　foot。

Smoothly　and　gracefully　the　lady　glided　nearer　and　nearer；　until
she　revealed　to　Mr。　Bashwood's　eyes；　what　Mr。　Bashwood's
instincts　had　recognized　in　the　first　instancethe　face　of　Miss
Gwilt。

She　was　dressed　with　an　exquisitely　expressive　economy　of　outlay。
The　plainest　straw　bonnet　procurable；　trimmed　sparingly　with　the
cheapest　white　ribbon；　was　on　her　head。　Modest　and　tasteful
poverty　expressed　itself　in　the　speckless　cleanliness　and　the
modestly　proportioned　skirts　of　her　light　〃print〃　gown；　and　in
the　scanty　little　mantilla　of　cheap　black　silk　which　she　wore
over　it；　edged　with　a　simple　frilling　of　the　same　material。　The
luster　of　her　terrible　red　hair　showed　itself　unshrinkingly　in　a
plaited　coronet　above　her　forehead；　and　escaped　in　one　vagrant
love…lock；　perfectly　curled；　that　dropped　over　her　left　shoulder。
Her　gloves；　fitting　her　like　a　second　skin；　were　of　the　sober
brown　hue　which　is　slowest　to　show　signs　of　use。　One　hand　lifted
her　dress　daintily　above　the　impurities　of　the　road；　the　other
held　a　little　nosegay　of　the　commonest　garden　flowers。
Noiselessly　and　smoothly　she　came　on；　with　a　gentle　and　regular
undulation　of　the　print　gown；　with　the　love…lock　softly　lifted
from　moment　to　moment　in　the　evening　breeze；　with　her　head　a
little　drooped；　and　her　eyes　on　the　groundin　walk；　and　look；
and　manner；　in　every　casual　movement　that　escaped　her；　expressing
that　subtle　mixture　of　the　voluptuous　and　the　modest　which；　of
the　many　attractive　extremes　that　meet　in　women；　is　in　a　man's
eyes　the　most　irresistible　of　all。

〃Mr。　Bashwood！〃　she　exclaimed；　in　loud；　clear　tones　indicative　of
the　utmost　astonishment；　〃what　a　surprise　to　find　you　here！　I
thought　none　but　the　wretched　inhabitants　ever　ventured　near　this
side　of　the　town。　Hush！〃　she　added　quickly；　in　a　whisper。　〃You
heard　right　when　you　heard　that　Mr。　Armadale　was　going　to　have　me
followed　and　watched。　There's　a　man　behind　one　of　the　houses。　We
must　talk　out　loud　of　indifferent　things；　and　look　as　if　we　had
met　by　accident。　Ask　me　what　I　am　doing。　Out　loud！　Directly！　You
shall　never　see　me　again；　if　you　don't　instantly　leave　off
trembling　and　do　what　I　tell　you！〃

She　spoke　with　a　merciless　tyranny　of　eye　and　voicewith　a
merciless　use　of　her　power　over　the　feeble　creature　whom　she
addressed。　Mr。　Bashwood　obeyed　her　in　tones　that　quavered　with
agitation；　and　with　eyes　that　devoured　her　beauty　in　a　strange
fascination　of　terror　and　delight。

〃I　am　trying　to　earn　a　little　money　by　teaching　music；〃　she　said；
in　the　voice　intended　to　reach　the　spy's　ears。　〃If　you　are　able
to　recommend　me　any　pupils；　Mr。　Bashwood；　your　good　word　will
oblige　me。　Have　you　been　in　the　grounds　to…day？〃　she　went　on；
dropping　her　voice　again　in　a　whisper。　〃Has　Mr。　Armadale　been
near　the　cottage？　Has　Miss　Milroy　been　out　of　the　garden？　No？　Are
you　sure？　Look　out　for　them　to…morrow；　and　next　day；　and　next
day。　They　are　certain　to　meet　and　make　it　up　again；　and　I　must
and　will　know　of　it。　Hush！　Ask　me　my　terms　for　teaching　music。
What　are　you　frightened　about？　It's　me　the　man's　afternot　you。
Louder　than　when　you　asked　me　what　I　was　doing；　just　now；　louder；
or　I　won't　trust　you　any　more；　I'll　go　to　somebody　else！〃

Once　more　Mr。　Bashwood　obeyed。　〃Don't　be　angry　with　me；〃　he
murmured；　faintly；　when　he　had　spoken　the　necessary　words。　〃My
heart　beats　so　you'll　kill　me！〃

〃You　poor　old　dear！〃　she　whispered　back；　with　a　sudden　change　in
her　manner；　with　an　easy　satirical　tenderness。　〃What　business
have　you　with　a　heart　at　your　age？　Be　here　to…morrow　at　the　same
time；　and　tell　me　what　you　have　seen　in　the　grounds。　My　terms　are
only　five　shillings　a　lesson；〃　she　went　on；　in　her　louder　tone。
〃I'm　sure　that's　not　much；　Mr。　Bashwood；　I　give　such　long
lessons；　and　I　get　all　my　pupils'　music　half…price。〃　She　suddenly
dropped　her　voice　again；　and　looked　him　brightly　into　instant
subjection。　〃Don't　let　Mr。　Armadale　out　of　your　sight　to…morrow！
If　that　girl　manages　to　speak　to　him；　and　if　I　don't　hear　of　it；
I'll　frighten　you　to　death。　If　I　_do_　hear　of　it；　I'll　kiss　you！
Hush！　Wish　me　good…night；　and　go　on　to　the　town；　and　leave　me　to
go　the　other　way。　I　don't　want　youI'm　not　afraid　of　the　man
behind　the　houses；　I　can　deal　with　him　by　myself。　Say　goodnight；
and　I'll　let　you　shake　hands。　Say　it　louder；　and　I'll　give　you
one　of　my　flowers；　if　you'll　promise　not　to　fall　in　love　with
it。〃　She　raised　her　voice　again。　〃Goodnight；　Mr。　Bashwood！　Don't
forget　my　terms。　Five　shillings　a　lesson；　and　the　lessons　last　an
hour　at　a　time；　and　I　get　all　my　pupils'　music　half…price；　which
is　an　immense　advantage；　isn't　it？〃　She　slipped　a　flower　into　his
handfrowned　him　into　obedience；　and　smiled　to　reward　him　for
obeying；　at　the　same　momentlifted　her　dress　again　above　the
impurities　of　the　roadand　went　on　her　way　with　a　dainty　and
indolent　deliberation；　as　a　cat　goes　on　her　way　when　she　has
exhausted　the　enjoyment　of　frightening　a　mouse。

Left　alone；　Mr。　Bashwood　turned　to　the　low　cottage　wall　near
which　he　had　been　standing；　and；　resting　himself　on　it　wearily；
looked　at　the　flower　in　his　hand。

His　past　existence　had　disciplined　him　to　bear　disaster　and
insult；　as　few　happier　men　could　have　borne　them；　but　it　had　not
prepared　him　to　feel　the　master…passion　of　humanity；　for　the
first　time；　at　the　dreary　end　of　his　life；　in　the　hopeless　decay
of　a　manhood　that　had　withered　under　the　double　blight　of
conjugal　disappointment　and　parental　sorrow。　〃Oh；　if　I　was　only
young　again！〃　murmured　the　poor　wretch；　resting　his　arms　on　the
wall　and　touching　the　flower　with　his　dry；　fevered　lips　in　a
stealthy　rapture　of　tenderness。　〃She　might　have　liked　me　when　I
was　twenty！〃　He　suddenly　started　back　into　an　erect　position；　and
stared　about　him　in　vacant　bewilderment　and　terror。　〃She　told　me
to　go　home；〃　he　said；　with　a　startled　look。　〃Why　am　I　stopping
here？〃　He　turned；　and　hurried　on　to　the　townin　such　dread　of
her　anger；　if　she　looked　round　and　saw　him；　that　he　never　so　much
as　ventured　on　a　backward　glance　at　the　road　by　which　she　had
retired；　and　never　detected　the　spy　dogging　her　footsteps；　under
cover　of　the　empty　houses　and　the　brick…heaps　by　the　roadside。

Smoothly　and　gracefully；　carefully　preserving　the　speckless
integrity　of　her　dress；　never　hastening　her　pace；　and　never
looking　aside　to　the　right　hand　or　the　left；　Miss　Gwilt　pursued
her　way　toward　the　open　country。　The　suburban　road　branched　off
at　its　end　in　two　directions。　On　the　left；　the　path　wound　through
a　ragged　little　coppice　to　the　grazing　grounds　of　a　neighboring
farm；　on　the　right；　it　led　across　a　hillock　of　waste　land　to　the
high…road。　Stopping　a　moment　to　consider；　but　not　showing　the　spy
that　she　suspected　him　by　glancing　behind　her　while　there　was　a
hiding…place　within　his　reach；　Miss　Gwilt　took　the　path　across
the　hillock。　〃I'll　catch　him　there；〃　she　said　to　herself；　looking
up　quietly　at　the　long　straight　line　of　the　empty　high…road。

Once　on　the　ground　that　she　had　chosen　for　her　purpose；　she　met
the　difficulties　of　the　position　with　perfect　tact　and
self…possession。　After　walking　some　thirty　yards　along　the　road；
she　let　her　nosegay　drop；　half　turned　round　in　stooping　to　pick
it　up；　saw　the　man　stopping　at　the　same　moment　behind　her；　and
instantly　went　on　again；　quickening　her　pace　little　by　little；
until　she　was　walking　at　the　top　of　her　speed。　The　spy　fell　into
the　snare　laid　for　him。　Seeing　the　night　coming；　and　fearing　that
he　might　lose　sight　of　her　in　the　darkness；　he　rapidly　lessened
the　distance　between　them。　Miss　Gwilt　went　on　faster　and　faster
till　she　plainly　heard　his　footstep　behind　her；　then　stopped；
turned；　and　met　the　man　face　to　face　the　next　moment。

〃My　compliments　to　Mr。　Armadale；〃　she　said；　〃and　tell　him　I've
caught　you　watching　me。〃

〃I'm　not　watching　you；　miss；〃　retorted　the　spy；　thrown　off　his
guard　by　the　daring　plainness　of　the　language　in　which　she　had
spoken　to　him。

Miss　Gwilt's　eyes　measured　him　contemptuously　from　head　to　foot。
He　was　a　weakly；　undersized　man。　She　wa　s　the　taller；　and　（quite
possibly）　the　stronger　of　the　two。

〃Take　your　hat　off；　you　blackguard；　when　you　speak　to　a　lady；〃
she　said；　and　tossed　his　hat　in　an　instant；　across　a　ditch　by
which　they　were　standing；　into　a　pool　on　the　other　side。

This　time　the　spy　was　on　his　guard。　He　knew　as　well　as　Miss　Gwilt
knew　the　use　which　might　be　made　of　the　precious　minutes；　if　he
turned　his　back　on　her　and　crossed　the　ditch　to　recover　his　hat。
〃It's　well　for　you　you're　a　woman；〃　he　said；　standing　scowling　at
her　bareheaded　in　the　fast…darkening　light。

Miss　Gwilt　glanced　sidelong　down　the　onward　vista　of　the　road；
and　saw；　through　the　gathering　obscurity；　the　solitary　figure　of
a　man　rapidly　advancing　toward　her。　Some　women　would　have　noticed
the　approach　of　a　stranger　at　that　hour　and　in　that　lonely　place
with　a　certain　anxiety。　Miss　Gwilt　was　too　confident　in　her　own
powers　of　persuasion　not　to　count　on　the　man's　assistance
beforehand；　whoever　he　might　be；　_because_　he　was　a　man。　She
looked　back　at　the　spy　with　redoubled　confidence　in　herself；　and
measured　him　contemptuously　from　head　to　foot　for　the　second
time。

〃I　wonder　wh