miss sarah jack, of spanish town, jamaica-第4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！


gave　him　her　hand　and　called　him　Maurice。

〃Oh！　　I　am　so　glad；〃　she　said。　　〃It　seemed　so　shocking　that　you
should　refuse　to　join　us。　　And　mind　and　be　early；　Maurice；　for　I
shall　want　to　explain　it　all。　　We　are　to　meet；　you　know；　at　Clifton
Gate　at　one　o'clock；　but　do　you　be　a　little　before　that；　and　we　shall
be　there。〃

Maurice　Cumming　resolved　within　his　own　breast　as　he　rode　back　to
Spanish　Town；　that　if　Marian　behaved　to　him　all　that　day　at　the
picnic　as　she　had　done　this　day　at　Shandy　Hall；　he　would　ask　her　to
be　his　wife　before　he　left　her。

And　Miss　Jack　also　was　to　be　at　the　picnic。

〃There　is　no　need　of　going　early；〃　said　she；　when　her　nephew　made　a
fuss　about　the　starting。　　〃People　are　never　very　punctual　at　such
affairs　as　that；　and　then　they　are　always　quite　long　enough。〃　　But
Maurice　explained　that　he　was　anxious　to　be　early；　and　on　this
occasion　he　carried　his　point。

When　they　reached　Clifton　Gate　the　ladies　were　already　there；　not　in
carriages；　as　people　go　to　picnics　in　other　and　tamer　countries；　but
each　on　her　own　horse　or　her　own　pony。　　But　they　were　not　alone。
Beside　Miss　Leslie　was　a　gentleman；　whom　Maurice　knew　as　Lieutenant
Graham；　of　the　flag…ship　at　Port　Royal；　and　at　a　little　distance
which　quite　enabled　him　to　join　in　the　conversation　was　Captain
Ewing；　the　lieutenant　with　the　narrow　waist　of　the　previous　year。

〃We　shall　have　a　delightful　day；　Miss　Leslie；〃　said　the　lieutenant。

〃Oh；　charming；　isn't　it？〃　said　Marian。

〃But　now　to　choose　a　place　for　dinner；　Captain　Ewing；what　do　you
say？〃

〃Will　you　commission　me　to　select？　　You　know　I'm　very　well　up　in
geometry；　and　all　that？〃

〃But　that　won't　teach　you　what　sort　of　a　place　does　for　a　picnic
dinner；will　it；　Mr。　Cumming？〃　　And　then　she　shook　hands　with
Maurice；　but　did　not　take　any　further　special　notice　of　him。　　〃We'll
all　go　together；　if　you　please。　　The　commission　is　too　important　to
be　left　to　one。〃　　And　then　Marian　rode　off；　and　the　lieutenant　and
the　captain　rode　with　her。

It　was　open　for　Maurice　to　join　them　if　he　chose；　but　he　did　not
choose。　　He　had　come　there　ever　so　much　earlier　than　he　need　have
done；　dragging　his　aunt　with　him；　because　Marian　had　told　him　that
his　services　would　be　specially　required　by　her。　　And　now　as　soon　as
she　saw　him　she　went　away　with　the　two　officers！went　away　without
vouchsafing　him　a　word。　　He　made　up　his　mind；　there　on　the　spot；　that
he　would　never　think　of　her　againnever　speak　to　her　otherwise　than
he　might　speak　to　the　most　indifferent　of　mortals。

And　yet　he　was　a　man　that　could　struggle　right　manfully　with　the
world's　troubles；　one　who　had　struggled　with　them　from　his　boyhood；
and　had　never　been　overcome。　　Now　he　was　unable　to　conceal　the
bitterness　of　his　wrath　because　a　little　girl　had　ridden　off　to　look
for　a　green　spot　for　her　tablecloth　without　asking　his　assistance！

Picnics　are；　I　think；　in　general；　rather　tedious　for　the　elderly
people　who　accompany　them。　　When　the　joints　become　a　little　stiff；
dinners　are　eaten　most　comfortably　with　the　accompaniment　of　chairs
and　tables；　and　a　roof　overhead　is　an　agrement　de　plus。　　But；
nevertheless；　picnics　cannot　exist　without　a　certain　allowance　of
elderly　people。　　The　Miss　Marians　and　Captains　Ewing　cannot　go　out　to
dine　on　the　grass　without　some　one　to　look　after　them。　　So　the
elderly　people　go　to　picnics；　in　a　dull　tame　way；　doing　their　duty；
and　wishing　the　day　over。　　Now　on　the　morning　in　question；　when
Marian　rode　off　with　Captain　Ewing　and　lieutenant　Graham；　Maurice
Cumming　remained　among　the　elderly　people。

A　certain　Mr。　Pomken；　a　great　Jamaica　agriculturist；　one　of　the
Council；　a　man　who　had　known　the　good　old　times；　got　him　by　the
button　and　held　him　fast；　discoursing　wisely　of　sugar　and　ruin；　of
Gadsden　pans　and　recreant　negroes；　on　all　of　which　subjects　Maurice
Cumming　was　known　to　have　an　opinion　of　his　own。　　But　as　Mr。　Pomken's
words　sounded　into　one　ear；　into　the　other　fell　notes；　listened　to
from　afar；the　shrill　laughing　voice　of　Marian　Leslie　as　she　gave
her　happy　order　to　her　satellites　around　her；　and　ever　and　anon　the
bass　haw…haw　of　Captain　Ewing；　who　was　made　welcome　as　the　chief　of
her　attendants。　　That　evening　in　a　whisper　to　a　brother　councillor
Mr。　Pomken　communicated　his　opinion　that　after　all　there　was　not　so
much　in　that　young　Cumming　as　some　people　said。　　But　Mr。　Pomken　had
no　idea　that　that　young　Cumming　was　in　love。

And　then　the　dinner　came；　spread　over　half　an　acre。　　Maurice　was
among　the　last　who　seated　himself；　and　when　he　did　so　it　was　in　an
awkward　comfortless　corner；　behind　Mr。　Pomken's　back；　and　far　away
from　the　laughter　and　mirth　of　the　day。　　But　yet　from　his　comfortless
corner　he　could　see　Marian　as　she　sat　in　her　pride　of　power；　with　her
friend　Julia　Davis　near　her；　a　flirt　as　bad　as　herself；　and　her
satellites　around　her；　obedient　to　her　nod；　and　happy　in　her　smiles。

〃Now　I　won't　allow　any　more　champagne；〃　said　Marian；　〃or　who　will
there　be　steady　enough　to　help　me　over　the　rocks　to　the　grotto？〃

〃Oh；　you　have　promised　me！〃　cried　the　captain。

〃Indeed；　I　have　not；　have　I；　Julia？〃

〃Miss　Davis　has　certainly　promised　me；〃　said　the　lieutenant。

〃I　have　made　no　promise；　and　don't　think　I　shall　go　at　all；〃　said
Julia；　who　was　sometimes　inclined　to　imagine　that　Captain　Ewing
should　be　her　own　property。

All　which　and　much　more　of　the　kind　Maurice　Cumming　could　not　hear；
but　he　could　seeand　imagine；　which　was　worse。　　How　innocent　and
inane　are；　after　all；　the　flirtings　of　most　young　ladies；　if　all
their　words　and　doings　in　that　line　could　be　brought　to　paper！　　I　do
not　know　whether　there　be　as　a　rule　more　vocal　expression　of　the
sentiment　of　love　between　a　man　and　woman　than　there　is　between　two
thrushes！　　They　whistle　and　call　to　each　other；　guided　by　instinct
rather　than　by　reason。

〃You　are　going　home　with　the　ladies　to…night；　I　believe；〃　said
Maurice　to　Miss　Jack；　immediately　after　dinner。　　Miss　Jack
acknowledged　that　such　was　her　destination　for　the　night。

〃Then　my　going　back　to　Spanish　Town　at　once　won't　hurt　any　onefor；
to　tell　the　truth；　I　have　had　enough　of　this　work。〃

〃Why；　Maurice；　you　were　in　such　a　hurry　to　come。〃

〃The　more　fool　I；　and　so　now　I　am　in　a　hurry　to　go　away。　　Don't
notice　it　to　anybody。〃

Miss　Jack　looked　in　his　face　and　saw　that　he　was　really　wretched；　and
she　knew　the　cause　of　his　wretchedness。

〃Don't　go　yet；　Maurice；〃　she　said；　and　then　added　with　a　tenderness
that　was　quite　uncommon　with　her；　〃Go　to　her；　Maurice；　and　speak　to
her　openly　and　freely；　once　for　all；　you　will　find　that　she　will
listen　then。　　Dear　Maurice；　do；　for　my　sake。〃

He　made　no　answer；　but　walked　away；　roaming　sadly　by　himself　among
the　trees。　　〃Listen！〃　he　exclaimed　to　himself。　　〃Yes；　she　will　alter
a　dozen　times　in　as　many　hours。　　Who　can　care　for　a　creature　that　can
change　as　she　changes？〃　　And　yet　he　could　not　help　caring　for　her。

As　he　went　on；　climbing　among　rocks；　he　again　came　upon　the　sound　of
voices；　and　heard　especially　that　of　Captain　Ewing。　　〃Now；　Miss
Leslie；　if　you　will　take　my　hand　you　will　soon　be　over　all　the
difficulty。〃　　And　then　a　party　of　seven　or　eight；　scrambling　over
some　stones；　came　nearly　on　the　level　on　which　he　stood；　in　full　view
of　him；　and　leading　the　others　were　Captain　Ewing　and　Miss　Leslie。

He　turned　on　his　heel　to　go　away；　when　he　caught　the　sound　of　a　step
following　him；　and　a　voice　saying；　〃Oh；　there　is　Mr。　Cumming；　and　I
want　to　speak　to　him；〃　and　in　a　minute　a　light　hand　was　on　his　arm。

〃Why　are　you　running　away　from　us？〃　said　Marian。

〃Becauseoh；　I　don't　know。　　I　am　not　running　away。　　You　have　your
party　made　up；　and　I　am　not　going　to　intrude　on　it。〃

〃What　nonsense！　　Do　come　now；　we　are　going　to　this　wonderful　grotto。
I　thought　it　so　ill…natured　of　you；　not　joining　us　at　dinner。　　Indeed
you　know　you　had　promised。〃

He　did　not　answer　her；　but　he　looked　at　herfull　in　the　face；　with
his　sad　eyes　laden　with　love。　　She　half　understood　his　countenance；
but　only　half　understood　it。

〃What　is　the　matter；　Maurice？〃　she　said。　　〃Are　you　angry　with　me？
Will　you　come　and　join　us？〃

〃No；　Marian；　I　cannot　do　that。　　But　if　you　can　leave　them　and　come
with　me　for　half　an　hour；　I　will　not　keep　you　longer。〃

She　stood　hesitating　a　moment；　while　her　companion　remained　on　the
spot　where　she　had　left　him。　　〃Come；　Miss　Leslie；〃　called　Captain
Ewing。　　〃You　will　have　it　dark　before　we　can　get　down。〃

〃I　will　come　with　you；〃　whispered　she　to　Maurice；　〃but　wait　a
moment。〃　　And　she　tripped　back；　and　in　some　five　minutes　returned
after　an　eager　argument　with　her　friends。　　〃There；〃　she　said；　〃I
don't　care　about　the　grotto；　one　bit；　and　I　will　walk　with　you　now；
only　they　will　think　it　so　odd。〃　　And　so　they　started　off　together。

Before　the　tropical　darkness　had　fallen　upon　them　Maurice　had　told
the　tale　of　his　love；and　had　told　it　in　a　manner　differing　much
from　that　of　Marian's　usual　admirers；　he　spoke　with　passion　and
almost　with　violence；　he　declared　that　his　heart　was　so　full　of　her
image　that　he　could　not　rid　himself　of　it　for　one　minute；　〃nor　would
he　wish　to　do　so；〃　he　said；　〃if　she　would　be　his　Marian；　his　own
Marian；　his　very　own。　　But　if　not〃　and　then　he　explained　to　her；
with　all　a　lover's　warmth；　and　with　almost　more　than　a　lover's
liberty；　what　was　his　idea　of　her　being　〃his　own；　his　very　own；〃　and
in　doing　so　inveighed　against　her　usual　light…heartedness　in　terms
which　at　any　rate　were　strong　enough。

But　Marian　here　it　all　well。　　Perhaps　she　knew　that　the　lesson　was
somewhat　deserved；　and　perhaps　she　appreciated　at　its　value　the　love
of　such　a　man　as　Maurice　Cumming；　weighing　in　her　judgment　the
difference　between　him　and　the　Ewings　and　the　Grahams。

And　then　she　answered　him　well　and　prudently；　with　words　which
startled　him　by　their　prudent　seriousness　as　coming　from　her。　　She
begged　his　pardon　heartily；　she　said；　for　any　grief　which　she　had
caused　him；　but　yet　how　was　she　to　he　blamed；　seeing　that　she　had
known　nothing　of　his　feelings？　　Her　father　and　mother　had　said
something　to　her　of　this　proposed　marriage；　something；　but　very
little；　and　she　had　answered　by　saying　that　she　did　not　think　Maurice
had　any　warmer　regard　for　her　than　of　a　cousin。　　After　this　answer
neither　father　nor　mother　had　pressed　the　matter　further。　　As　to　her
own　feelings　she　could　then　say　nothing；　for　she　then　knew　nothing；
nothing　but　this；　that　she　loved　no　one　better　than　him；　or　rather
that　she　loved　no　one　else。　　She　would　ask　herself　if　she　could　love
him；　but　he　must　give　her　some　little　time　for　that。　　In　the
meantimeand　she　smiled　sweetly　at　him　as　she　made　the　promiseshe
would　endeavour　to　do　nothing　that　would　offend　him；　and　then　she
added　that　on　that　evening　she　would　dance　with　him　any　dances　that
he　liked。　　Maurice；　with　a　self…denial　that　was　not　very　wise；
contented　himself　with　engaging　her　for　the　first　quadrille。

They　were　to　dance　that　night　in　the　mess…room　of　the　officers　at
Newcastle。　　This　scheme　had　been　added　on　as　an　adjunct　to　the
picnic；　and　it　therefore　became　necessary　that　the　ladies　should
retire　to　their　own　or　their　friends'　houses　at　Newcastle　to　adjust
their　dresses。　　Marian