°®°®Ð¡ËµÍø > ÆäËûµç×ÓÊé > for the term of his natural life >

µÚ1ÕÂ

for the term of his natural life-µÚ1ÕÂ

С˵£º for the term of his natural life ×ÖÊý£º ÿҳ3500×Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡







For¡¡the¡¡Term¡¡of¡¡His¡¡Natural¡¡Life

by¡¡Marcus¡¡Clarke






DEDICATION

TO

SIR¡¡CHARLES¡¡GAVAN¡¡DUFFY

My¡¡Dear¡¡Sir¡¡Charles£»¡¡I¡¡take¡¡leave¡¡to¡¡dedicate¡¡this¡¡work¡¡to¡¡you£»¡¡not¡¡merely¡¡because¡¡your¡¡nineteen¡¡years¡¡of¡¡political¡¡and¡¡literary¡¡life¡¡in¡¡Australia¡¡render¡¡it¡¡very¡¡fitting¡¡that¡¡any¡¡work¡¡written¡¡by¡¡a¡¡resident¡¡in¡¡the¡¡colonies£»¡¡and¡¡having¡¡to¡¡do¡¡with¡¡the¡¡history¡¡of¡¡past¡¡colonial¡¡days£»¡¡should¡¡bear¡¡your¡¡name¡¡upon¡¡its¡¡dedicatory¡¡page£»¡¡but¡¡because¡¡the¡¡publication¡¡of¡¡my¡¡book¡¡is¡¡due¡¡to¡¡your¡¡advice¡¡and¡¡encouragement¡£

The¡¡convict¡¡of¡¡fiction¡¡has¡¡been¡¡hitherto¡¡shown¡¡only¡¡at¡¡the¡¡beginning¡¡or¡¡at¡¡the¡¡end¡¡of¡¡his¡¡career¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Either¡¡his¡¡exile¡¡has¡¡been¡¡the¡¡mysterious¡¡end¡¡to¡¡his¡¡misdeeds£»¡¡or¡¡he¡¡has¡¡appeared¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡scene¡¡to¡¡claim¡¡interest¡¡by¡¡reason¡¡of¡¡an¡¡equally¡¡unintelligible¡¡love¡¡of¡¡crime¡¡acquired¡¡during¡¡his¡¡experience¡¡in¡¡a¡¡penal¡¡settlement¡£¡¡¡¡Charles¡¡Reade¡¡has¡¡drawn¡¡the¡¡interior¡¡of¡¡a¡¡house¡¡of¡¡correction¡¡in¡¡England£»¡¡and¡¡Victor¡¡Hugo¡¡has¡¡shown¡¡how¡¡a¡¡French¡¡convict¡¡fares¡¡after¡¡the¡¡fulfilment¡¡of¡¡his¡¡sentence¡£¡¡But¡¡no¡¡writerso¡¡far¡¡as¡¡I¡¡am¡¡awarehas¡¡attempted¡¡to¡¡depict¡¡the¡¡dismal¡¡condition¡¡of¡¡a¡¡felon¡¡during¡¡his¡¡term¡¡of¡¡transportation¡£

I¡¡have¡¡endeavoured¡¡in¡¡¡¨His¡¡Natural¡¡Life¡¨¡¡to¡¡set¡¡forth¡¡the¡¡working¡¡and¡¡the¡¡results¡¡of¡¡an¡¡English¡¡system¡¡of¡¡transportation¡¡carefully¡¡considered¡¡and¡¡carried¡¡out¡¡under¡¡official¡¡supervision£»¡¡and¡¡to¡¡illustrate¡¡in¡¡the¡¡manner¡¡best¡¡calculated£»¡¡as¡¡I¡¡think£»¡¡to¡¡attract¡¡general¡¡attention£»¡¡the¡¡inexpediency¡¡of¡¡again¡¡allowing¡¡offenders¡¡against¡¡the¡¡law¡¡to¡¡be¡¡herded¡¡together¡¡in¡¡places¡¡remote¡¡from¡¡the¡¡wholesome¡¡influence¡¡of¡¡public¡¡opinion£»¡¡and¡¡to¡¡be¡¡submitted¡¡to¡¡a¡¡discipline¡¡which¡¡must¡¡necessarily¡¡depend¡¡for¡¡its¡¡just¡¡administration¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡personal¡¡character¡¡and¡¡temper¡¡of¡¡their¡¡gaolers¡£

Your¡¡critical¡¡faculty¡¡will¡¡doubtless¡¡find£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡construction¡¡and¡¡artistic¡¡working¡¡of¡¡this¡¡book£»¡¡many¡¡faults¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡do¡¡not¡¡think£»¡¡however£»¡¡that¡¡you¡¡will¡¡discover¡¡any¡¡exaggerations¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Some¡¡of¡¡the¡¡events¡¡narrated¡¡are¡¡doubtless¡¡tragic¡¡and¡¡terrible£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡hold¡¡it¡¡needful¡¡to¡¡my¡¡purpose¡¡to¡¡record¡¡them£»¡¡for¡¡they¡¡are¡¡events¡¡which¡¡have¡¡actually¡¡occurred£»¡¡and¡¡which£»¡¡if¡¡the¡¡blunders¡¡which¡¡produced¡¡them¡¡be¡¡repeated£»¡¡must¡¡infallibly¡¡occur¡¡again¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡is¡¡true¡¡that¡¡the¡¡British¡¡Government¡¡have¡¡ceased¡¡to¡¡deport¡¡the¡¡criminals¡¡of¡¡England£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡method¡¡of¡¡punishment£»¡¡of¡¡which¡¡that¡¡deportation¡¡was¡¡a¡¡part£»¡¡is¡¡still¡¡in¡¡existence¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Port¡¡Blair¡¡is¡¡a¡¡Port¡¡Arthur¡¡filled¡¡with¡¡Indian¡­men¡¡instead¡¡of¡¡Englishmen£»¡¡and£»¡¡within¡¡the¡¡last¡¡year£»¡¡France¡¡has¡¡established£»¡¡at¡¡New¡¡Caledonia£»¡¡a¡¡penal¡¡settlement¡¡which¡¡will£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡natural¡¡course¡¡of¡¡things£»¡¡repeat¡¡in¡¡its¡¡annals¡¡the¡¡history¡¡of¡¡Macquarie¡¡Harbour¡¡and¡¡of¡¡Norfolk¡¡Island¡£

With¡¡this¡¡brief¡¡preface¡¡I¡¡beg¡¡you¡¡to¡¡accept¡¡this¡¡work¡£¡¡I¡¡would¡¡that¡¡its¡¡merits¡¡were¡¡equal¡¡either¡¡to¡¡your¡¡kindness¡¡or¡¡to¡¡my¡¡regard¡£

I¡¡am£»¡¡My¡¡dear¡¡Sir¡¡Charles£»¡¡Faithfully¡¡yours£»¡¡MARCUS¡¡CLARKE

THE¡¡PUBLIC¡¡LIBRARY£»¡¡MELBOURNE






CONTENTS



DEDICATION¡¡PROLOGUE



BOOK¡¡I¡£THE¡¡SEA¡£¡¡¡¡1827¡£


I¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡PRISON¡¡SHIP¡¡II¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡SARAH¡¡PURFOY¡¡III¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MONOTONY¡¡BREAKS¡¡IV¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡HOSPITAL¡¡V¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡BARRACOON¡¡VI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡FATE¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡¡¨HYDASPES¡¨¡¡VII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡TYPHUS¡¡FEVER¡¡VIII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡DANGEROUS¡¡CRISIS¡¡IX¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡WOMAN'S¡¡WEAPONS¡¡X¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡EIGHT¡¡BELLS¡¡XI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡DISCOVERIES¡¡AND¡¡CONFESSIONS¡¡XII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡NEWSPAPER¡¡PARAGRAPH


BOOK¡¡II¡£MACQUARIE¡¡HARBOUR¡£¡¡¡¡1833¡£


I¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡TOPOGRAPHY¡¡OF¡¡VAN¡¡DIEMEN'S¡¡LAND¡¡II¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡SOLITARY¡¡OF¡¡¡¨HELL'S¡¡GATES¡¨¡¡III¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡SOCIAL¡¡EVENING¡¡IV¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡BOLTER¡¡V¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡SYLVIA¡¡VI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡LEAP¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡DARK¡¡VII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡LAST¡¡OF¡¡MACQUARIE¡¡HARBOUR¡¡VIII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡POWER¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡WILDERNESS¡¡IX¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡SEIZURE¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡¡¨OSPREY¡¨¡¡X¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡JOHN¡¡REX'S¡¡REVENGE¡¡XI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡LEFT¡¡AT¡¡¡¨HELL'S¡¡GATES¡¨¡¡XII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨MR¡£¡¨¡¡DAWES¡¡XIII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡WHAT¡¡THE¡¡SEAWEED¡¡SUGGESTED¡¡XIV¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡WONDERFUL¡¡DAY'S¡¡WORK¡¡XV¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡CORACLE¡¡XVI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡WRITING¡¡ON¡¡THE¡¡SAND¡¡XVII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡AT¡¡SEA


BOOK¡¡III¡£PORT¡¡ARTHUR¡£¡¡¡¡1838¡£

I¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡LABOURER¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡VINEYARD¡¡II¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡SARAH¡¡PURFOY'S¡¡REQUEST¡¡III¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡STORY¡¡OF¡¡TWO¡¡BIRDS¡¡OF¡¡PREY¡¡IV¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨THE¡¡NOTORIOUS¡¡DAWES¡¨¡¡V¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡MAURICE¡¡FRERE'S¡¡GOOD¡¡ANGEL¡¡VI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡MR¡£¡¡MEEKIN¡¡ADMINISTERS¡¡CONSOLATION¡¡VII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡RUFUS¡¡DAWES'S¡¡IDYLL¡¡VIII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡AN¡¡ESCAPE¡¡IX¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡JOHN¡¡REX'S¡¡LETTER¡¡HOME¡¡X¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡WHAT¡¡BECAME¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡MUTINEERS¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡¡¨OSPREY¡¨¡¡XI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡RELIC¡¡OF¡¡MACQUARIE¡¡HARBOUR¡¡XII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡AT¡¡PORT¡¡ARTHUR¡¡XIII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡COMMANDANT'S¡¡BUTLER¡¡XIV¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡MR¡£¡¡NORTH'S¡¡INDISPOSITION¡¡XV¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ONE¡¡HUNDRED¡¡LASHES¡¡XVI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡KICKING¡¡AGAINST¡¡THE¡¡PRICKS¡¡XVII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡CAPTAIN¡¡AND¡¡MRS¡£¡¡FRERE¡¡XVIII¡£¡¡¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡HOSPITAL¡¡XIX¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡CONSOLATIONS¡¡OF¡¡RELIGION¡¡XX¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡NATURAL¡¡PENITENTIARY¡¡XXI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡VISIT¡¡OF¡¡INSPECTION¡¡XXII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡GATHERING¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡THREADS¡¡XXIII¡¡¡¡¡¡RUNNING¡¡THE¡¡GAUNTLET¡¡XXIV¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡NIGHT¡¡XXV¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡FLIGHT¡¡XXVI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡WORK¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡SEA¡¡XXVII¡£¡¡¡¡THE¡¡VALLEY¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡SHADOW¡¡OF¡¡DEATH


BOOK¡¡IV¡£NORFOLK¡¡ISLAND¡£¡¡¡¡1846¡£

I¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡EXTRACTED¡¡FROM¡¡THE¡¡DIARY¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡REV¡£¡¡JAMES¡¡NORTH¡¡II¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡LOST¡¡HEIR¡¡III¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡EXTRACTED¡¡FROM¡¡THE¡¡DIARY¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡REV¡£¡¡JAMES¡¡NORTH¡¡IV¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡EXTRACTED¡¡FROM¡¡THE¡¡DIARY¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡REV¡£¡¡JAMES¡¡NORTH¡¡V¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡MR¡£¡¡RICHARD¡¡DEVINE¡¡SURPRISED¡¡VI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IN¡¡WHICH¡¡THE¡¡CHAPLAIN¡¡IS¡¡TAKEN¡¡ILL¡¡VII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡BREAKING¡¡A¡¡MAN'S¡¡SPIRIT¡¡VIII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡EXTRACTED¡¡FROM¡¡THE¡¡DIARY¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡REV¡£¡¡JAMES¡¡NORTH¡¡IX¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡LONGEST¡¡STRAW¡¡X¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡MEETING¡¡XI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡EXTRACTED¡¡FROM¡¡THE¡¡DIARY¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡REV¡£¡¡JAMES¡¡NORTH¡¡XII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡STRANGE¡¡BEHAVIOUR¡¡OF¡¡MR¡£¡¡NORTH¡¡XIII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡MR¡£¡¡NORTH¡¡SPEAKS¡¡XIV¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡GETTING¡¡READY¡¡FOR¡¡SEA¡¡XV¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡DISCOVERY¡¡XVI¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡FIFTEEN¡¡HOURS¡¡XVII¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡REDEMPTION¡¡XVIII¡£¡¡¡¡THE¡¡CYCLONE


EPILOGUE


APPENDIX






HIS¡¡NATURAL¡¡LIFE¡£

PROLOGUE¡£

On¡¡the¡¡evening¡¡of¡¡May¡¡3£»¡¡1827£»¡¡the¡¡garden¡¡of¡¡a¡¡large¡¡red¡­brick¡¡bow¡­windowed¡¡mansion¡¡called¡¡North¡¡End¡¡House£»¡¡which£»¡¡enclosed¡¡in¡¡spacious¡¡grounds£»¡¡stands¡¡on¡¡the¡¡eastern¡¡height¡¡of¡¡Hampstead¡¡Heath£»¡¡between¡¡Finchley¡¡Road¡¡and¡¡the¡¡Chestnut¡¡Avenue£»¡¡was¡¡the¡¡scene¡¡of¡¡a¡¡domestic¡¡tragedy¡£

Three¡¡persons¡¡were¡¡the¡¡actors¡¡in¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡One¡¡was¡¡an¡¡old¡¡man£»¡¡whose¡¡white¡¡hair¡¡and¡¡wrinkled¡¡face¡¡gave¡¡token¡¡that¡¡he¡¡was¡¡at¡¡least¡¡sixty¡¡years¡¡of¡¡age¡£¡¡He¡¡stood¡¡erect¡¡with¡¡his¡¡back¡¡to¡¡the¡¡wall£»¡¡which¡¡separates¡¡the¡¡garden¡¡from¡¡the¡¡Heath£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡attitude¡¡of¡¡one¡¡surprised¡¡into¡¡sudden¡¡passion£»¡¡and¡¡held¡¡uplifted¡¡the¡¡heavy¡¡ebony¡¡cane¡¡upon¡¡which¡¡he¡¡was¡¡ordinarily¡¡accustomed¡¡to¡¡lean¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡confronted¡¡by¡¡a¡¡man¡¡of¡¡two¡­and¡­twenty£»¡¡unusually¡¡tall¡¡and¡¡athletic¡¡of¡¡figure£»¡¡dresses¡¡in¡¡rough¡¡seafaring¡¡clothes£»¡¡and¡¡who¡¡held¡¡in¡¡his¡¡arms£»¡¡protecting¡¡her£»¡¡a¡¡lady¡¡of¡¡middle¡¡age¡£¡¡The¡¡face¡¡of¡¡the¡¡young¡¡man¡¡wore¡¡an¡¡expression¡¡of¡¡horror¡­stricken¡¡astonishment£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡slight¡¡frame¡¡of¡¡the¡¡grey¡­haired¡¡woman¡¡was¡¡convulsed¡¡with¡¡sobs¡£

These¡¡three¡¡people¡¡were¡¡Sir¡¡Richard¡¡Devine£»¡¡his¡¡wife£»¡¡and¡¡his¡¡only¡¡son¡¡Richard£»¡¡who¡¡had¡¡returned¡¡from¡¡abroad¡¡that¡¡morning¡£

¡¨So£»¡¡madam£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Sir¡¡Richard£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡high¡­strung¡¡accents¡¡which¡¡in¡¡crises¡¡of¡¡great¡¡mental¡¡agony¡¡are¡¡common¡¡to¡¡the¡¡most¡¡self¡­restrained¡¡of¡¡us£»¡¡¡¨you¡¡have¡¡been¡¡for¡¡twenty¡¡years¡¡a¡¡living¡¡lie£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡twenty¡¡years¡¡you¡¡have¡¡cheated¡¡and¡¡mocked¡¡me¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡twenty¡¡yearsin¡¡company¡¡with¡¡a¡¡scoundrel¡¡whose¡¡name¡¡is¡¡a¡¡byword¡¡for¡¡all¡¡that¡¡is¡¡profligate¡¡and¡¡baseyou¡¡have¡¡laughed¡¡at¡¡me¡¡for¡¡a¡¡credulous¡¡and¡¡hood¡­winked¡¡fool£»¡¡and¡¡now£»¡¡because¡¡I¡¡dared¡¡to¡¡raise¡¡my¡¡hand¡¡to¡¡that¡¡reckless¡¡boy£»¡¡you¡¡confess¡¡your¡¡shame£»¡¡and¡¡glory¡¡in¡¡the¡¡confession£¡¡¨

¡¨Mother£»¡¡dear¡¡mother£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡the¡¡young¡¡man£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡paroxysm¡¡of¡¡grief£»¡¡¡¨say¡¡that¡¡you¡¡did¡¡not¡¡mean¡¡those¡¡words£»¡¡you¡¡said¡¡them¡¡but¡¡in¡¡anger£¡¡¡See£»¡¡I¡¡am¡¡calm¡¡now£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡may¡¡strike¡¡me¡¡if¡¡he¡¡will¡£¡¨

Lady¡¡Devine¡¡shuddered£»¡¡creeping¡¡close£»¡¡as¡¡though¡¡to¡¡hide¡¡herself¡¡in¡¡the¡¡broad¡¡bosom¡¡of¡¡her¡¡son¡£

The¡¡old¡¡man¡¡continued£º¡¡¡¨I¡¡married¡¡you£»¡¡Ellinor¡¡Wade£»¡¡for¡¡your¡¡beauty£»¡¡you¡¡married¡¡me¡¡for¡¡my¡¡fortune¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡was¡¡a¡¡plebeian£»¡¡a¡¡ship's¡¡carpenter£»¡¡you¡¡were¡¡well¡¡born£»¡¡your¡¡father¡¡was¡¡a¡¡man¡¡of¡¡fashion£»¡¡a¡¡gambler£»¡¡the¡¡friend¡¡of¡¡rakes¡¡and¡¡prodigals¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡was¡¡rich¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡had¡¡been¡¡knighted¡£¡¡I¡¡was¡¡in¡¡favour¡¡at¡¡Court¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡wanted¡¡money£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡sold¡¡you¡£¡¡I¡¡paid¡¡the¡¡price¡¡he¡¡asked£»¡¡but¡¡there¡¡was¡¡nothing¡¡of¡¡your¡¡cousin£»¡¡my¡¡Lord¡¡Bellasis¡¡and¡¡Wotton£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡bond¡£¡¨

¡¨Spare¡¡me£»¡¡sir£»¡¡spare¡¡me£¡¡¨¡¡said¡¡Lady¡¡Ellinor¡¡faintly¡£

¡¨Spare¡¡you£¡¡¡¡¡Ay£»¡¡you¡¡have¡¡spared¡¡me£»¡¡have¡¡you¡¡not£¿¡¡¡¡Look¡¡ye£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡cried£»¡¡in¡¡sudden¡¡fury£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡am¡¡not¡¡to¡¡be¡¡fooled¡¡so¡¡easily¡£¡¡¡¡Your¡¡family¡¡are¡¡proud¡£¡¡Colonel¡¡Wade¡¡has¡¡other¡¡daughters¡£¡¡¡¡Your¡¡lover£»¡¡my¡¡Lord¡¡Bellasis£»¡¡even¡¡now£»¡¡thinks¡¡to¡¡retrieve¡¡his¡¡broken¡¡fortunes¡¡by¡¡marriage¡£¡¡You¡¡have¡¡confessed¡¡your¡¡shame¡£¡¡¡¡To¡­morrow¡¡your¡¡father£»¡¡your¡¡sisters£»¡¡all¡¡the¡¡world£»¡¡shall¡¡know¡¡the¡¡story¡¡you¡¡have¡¡told¡¡me£¡¡¨

¡¨By¡¡Heaven£»¡¡sir£»¡¡you¡¡will¡¡not¡¡do¡¡this£¡¡¨¡¡burst¡¡out¡¡the¡¡young¡¡man¡£

¡¨Silence£»¡¡bastard£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡Sir¡¡Richard¡£¡¡¡¡¡¨Ay£»¡¡bite¡¡your¡¡lips£»¡¡the¡¡word¡¡is¡¡of¡¡your¡¡precious¡¡mother's¡¡making£¡¡¨

Lady¡¡Devine¡¡slipped¡¡through¡¡her¡¡son's¡¡arms¡¡and¡¡fell¡¡on¡¡her¡¡knees¡¡at¡¡her¡¡husband's¡¡feet¡£

¡¨Do¡¡not¡¡do¡¡this£»¡¡Richard¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡have¡¡been¡¡faithful¡¡to¡¡you¡¡for¡¡two¡­and¡­twenty¡¡years¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡have¡¡borne¡¡all¡¡the¡¡slights¡¡and¡¡insults¡¡you¡¡have¡¡heaped¡¡upon¡¡me¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡shameful¡¡secret¡¡of¡¡my¡¡early¡¡love¡¡broke¡¡from¡¡me¡¡when¡¡in¡¡your¡¡rage£»¡¡you¡¡threatened¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡Let¡¡me¡¡go¡¡away£»¡¡kill¡¡me£»¡¡but¡¡do¡¡not¡¡shame¡¡me¡£¡¨

Sir¡¡Richard£»¡¡who¡¡had¡¡turned¡¡to¡¡walk¡¡away£»¡¡stopped¡¡suddenly£»¡¡and¡¡his¡¡great¡¡white¡¡eyebrows¡¡came¡¡together¡¡in¡¡his¡¡red¡¡face¡¡with¡¡a¡¡savage¡¡scowl¡£¡¡He¡¡laughed£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡that¡¡laugh¡¡his¡¡fury¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡congeal¡¡into¡¡a¡¡cold¡¡and¡¡cruel¡¡hate¡£

¡¨You¡¡would¡¡preserve¡¡your¡¡good¡¡name¡¡then¡£¡¡¡¡You¡¡would¡¡conceal¡¡this¡¡disgrace¡¡from¡¡the¡¡world¡£¡¡¡¡You¡¡shall¡¡have¡¡your¡¡wishupon¡¡one¡¡condition¡£¡¨

¡¨What¡¡is¡¡it£»¡¡sir£¿¡¨¡¡she¡¡asked£»¡¡rising£»¡¡but¡¡trembling¡¡with¡¡terror£»¡¡as¡¡she¡¡stood¡¡with¡¡drooping¡¡arms¡¡and¡¡widely¡¡opened¡¡eyes¡£

The¡¡old¡¡man¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡her¡¡for¡¡an¡¡instant£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡said¡¡slowly£»¡¡¡¨That¡¡this¡¡impostor£»¡¡who¡¡so¡¡long¡¡has¡¡falsely¡¡borne¡¡my¡¡name£»¡¡has¡¡wrongfully¡¡squandered¡¡my¡¡money£»¡¡and¡¡unlawfully¡¡eaten¡¡my¡¡bread£»¡¡shall¡¡pack£¡¡¡¡¡That¡¡he¡¡abandon¡¡for¡¡ever¡¡the¡¡name¡¡he¡¡has¡¡usurped£»¡¡keep¡¡himself¡¡from¡¡my¡¡sight£»¡¡and¡¡never¡¡set¡¡foot¡¡again¡¡in¡¡house¡¡of¡¡mine¡£¡¨

¡¨You¡¡would¡¡not¡¡part¡¡me¡¡from¡¡my¡¡only¡¡son£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡the¡¡wretched¡¡woman¡£

¡¨Take¡¡him¡¡with¡¡you¡¡to¡¡his¡¡father¡¡then¡£¡¨

Richard¡¡Devine¡¡gently¡¡loosed¡¡the¡¡arms¡¡that¡¡again¡¡clung¡¡around¡¡his¡¡neck£»¡¡kissed¡¡the¡¡pale¡¡face£»¡¡and¡¡turned¡¡his¡¡ownscarcely¡¡less¡¡paletowards¡¡the¡¡old¡¡man¡£

¡¨I¡¡owe¡¡you¡¡no¡¡duty£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡have¡¡always¡¡hated¡¡and¡¡reviled¡¡me¡£¡¡When¡¡by¡¡your¡¡violence¡¡you¡¡drove¡¡me¡¡from¡¡your¡¡house£»¡¡you¡¡set¡¡spies¡¡to¡¡watch¡¡me¡¡in¡¡the¡¡life¡¡I¡¡had¡¡chosen¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡have¡¡nothing¡¡in¡¡common¡¡with¡¡you¡£¡¡I¡¡have¡¡long¡¡felt¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡Now¡¡when¡¡I¡¡learn¡¡for¡¡the¡¡first¡¡time¡¡whose¡¡son¡¡I¡¡really¡¡am£»¡¡I¡¡rejoice¡¡to¡¡think¡¡that¡¡I¡¡have¡¡less¡¡to¡¡thank¡¡you¡¡for¡¡than¡¡I¡¡once¡¡believed¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡accept¡¡the¡¡terms¡¡you¡¡offer¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡will¡¡go¡£¡¡¡¡Nay£»¡¡mother£»¡¡think¡¡of¡¡your¡¡good¡¡name¡£¡¨

Sir¡¡Richard¡¡Devine¡¡laughed¡¡again¡£¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡am¡¡glad¡¡to¡¡see¡¡you¡¡are¡¡so¡¡well¡¡disposed¡£¡¡Listen¡¡now¡£¡¡¡¡To¡­night¡¡I¡¡send¡¡for¡¡Quaid¡¡to¡¡alter¡¡my¡¡will¡£¡¡¡¡My¡¡sister's¡¡son£»¡¡Maurice¡¡Frere£»¡¡shall¡¡be¡¡my¡¡heir¡¡in¡¡your¡¡stead¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡give¡¡you¡¡nothing¡£¡¡You¡¡leave¡¡this¡¡house¡¡in¡¡an¡¡hour¡£¡¡¡¡You¡¡change¡¡your¡¡name£»¡¡you¡¡never¡¡by¡¡word¡¡or¡¡deed¡¡make¡¡claim¡¡on¡¡me¡¡or¡¡mine¡£¡¡¡¡No¡¡matter¡¡what¡¡strait¡¡or¡¡poverty¡¡you¡¡pleadif¡¡even¡¡your¡¡life¡¡should¡¡hang¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡issuethe¡¡instant¡¡I¡¡hear¡¡that¡¡there¡¡exists¡¡on¡¡earth¡¡one¡¡who¡¡calls¡¡himself¡¡Richard¡¡Devine£»¡¡that¡¡instant¡¡shall¡¡your¡¡mother's¡¡shame¡¡become¡¡a¡¡public¡¡scandal¡£¡¡You¡¡know¡¡me¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡keep¡¡my¡¡word¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡return¡¡in¡¡an¡¡hour£»¡¡madam£»¡¡let¡¡me¡¡find¡¡him¡¡gone¡£¡¨

He¡¡passed¡¡them£»¡¡upright£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡upborne¡¡by¡¡passion£»¡¡strode¡¡down¡¡the¡¡garden¡¡with¡¡the¡¡vigour¡¡that¡¡anger¡¡lends£»¡¡and¡¡took¡¡the¡¡road¡¡to¡¡London¡£

¡¨Richard£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡the¡¡poor¡¡mother¡£¡¡¡¡¡¨Forgive¡¡me£»¡¡my¡¡son£¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡have¡¡ruined¡¡you¡£¡¨

Richard¡¡Devine¡¡tossed¡¡his¡¡black¡¡hair¡¡from¡¡his¡¡brow¡¡in¡¡sudden¡¡passion¡¡of¡¡love¡¡and¡¡grief¡£

¡¨Mother£»¡¡dear¡¡mother£»¡¡do

·µ»ØĿ¼ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨1£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ