we two-第5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！


oughs　to　interrupt　the　meeting？〃

Erica　made　an　indignant　exclamation。

〃Perhaps　that　was　what　the　telegram　was　about；〃　she　continued；　after　a　moment's　thought。　　〃We　found　it　here　when　we　came　in。　　Father　said　nothing；　but　went　out　very　quickly　to　answer　it。　　Oh！　Now　we　shall　have　a　dreadful　time　of　it；　I　suppose；　and　perhaps　he'll　get　hurt　again。　　I　did　hope　they　had　given　up　that　sort　of　thing。〃

She　looked　so　troubled　that　Charles　Osmond　regretted　he　had　said　anything；　and　hastened　to　assure　her　that　what　he　had　heard　was　the　merest　rumor；　and　very　possibly　not　true。

〃I　am　afraid；〃　she　said；　〃it　is　too　bad　not　to　be　true。〃

It　struck　Charles　Osmond　that　that　was　about　the　saddest　little　sentence　he　had　ever　heard。

Partly　wishing　to　change　the　subject；　party　from　real　interest；　he　made　some　remark　about　a　lovely　little　picture；　the　only　one　in　the　room；　its　frame　was　lighted　up　by　the　flickering　blaze；　and　even　in　the　imperfect　light　he　could　see　that　the　subject　was　treated　in　no　ordinary　way。　　It　was　a　little　bit　of　the　Thames　far　away　from　London；　with　a　bank　of　many…tinted　trees　on　one　side；　and　out　beyond　a　range　of　low　hills；　purple　in　the　evening　light。　　In　the　sky　was　a　rosy　sunset　glow；　melted　above　into　saffron　color；　and　this　was　reflected　in　the　water；　gilding　and　mellowing　the　foreground　of　sedge　and　water　lilies。　　But　what　made　the　picture　specially　charming　was　that　the　artist　had　really　caught　the　peculiar　solemn　stillness　of　evening；　merely　to　look　at　that　quiet；　peaceful　river　brought　a　feeling　of　hush　and　calmness。　　It　seemed　a　strange　picture　to　find　as　the　sole　ornament　in　the　study　of　a　man　who　had　all　his　life　been　fighting　the　world。

Erica　brightened　up　again；　and　seemed　to　forget　her　anxiety　when　he　questioned　her　as　to　the　artist。

〃There　is　such　a　nice　story　about　that　picture；〃　she　said；　〃I　always　like　to　look　at　it。　　It　was　about　two　years　ago；　one　very　cold　winter's　day；　and　a　woman　came　with　some　oil　paintings　which　she　was　trying　to　sell　for　her　husband；　who　was　ill；　he　was　rather　a　good　artist；　but　had　been　in　bad　health　for　a　long　time；　till　at　last　she　had　really　come　to　hawking　about　his　pictures　in　this　way；　because　they　were　in　such　dreadful　distress。　　Father　was　very　much　worried　just　then；　there　was　a　horrid　libel　case　going　on；　and　that　morning　he　was　very　busy；　and　he　sent　the　woman　away　rather　sharply；　and　said　he　had　no　time　to　listen　to　her。　　Then　presently　he　was　vexed　with　himself　because　she　really　had　looked　in　great　trouble；　and　he　thought　he　had　been　harsh；　and；　though　he　was　dreadfully　pressed　for　time；　he　would　go　out　into　the　square　to　see　if　he　couldn't　find　her　again。　　I　went　with　him；　and　we　had　walked　all　round　and　had　almost　given　her　up；　when　we　caught　sight　of　her　coming　out　of　a　house　on　the　opposite　side。　　And　then　it　was　so　nice；　father　spoke　so　kindly　to　her；　and　found　out　more　about　her　history；　and　said　that　he　was　too　poor　to　buy　her　pictures；　but　she　looked　dreadfully　tired　and　cold；　so　he　asked　her　to　come　in　and　rest；　and　she　came　and　sat　by　the　fire；　and　stayed　to　dinner　with　us；　and　we　looked　at　her　pictures；　because　she　seemed　so　proud　of　them　and　liked　us　to。　　One　of　them　was　that　little　river　scene；　which　father　took　a　great　fancy　to；　and　praised　a　great　deal。　　She　left　us　her　address；　and　later　on；　when　the　libel　case　was　ended；　and　father　had　got　damages；　and　so　had　a　little　spare　money；　he　sent　some　to　this　poor　artist；　and　they　were　so　grateful；　though；　do　you　know；　I　think　the　dinner　pleased　them　more　than　the　money；　and　they　would　insist　on　sending　this　picture　to　father。　　I'll　light　the　gas；　and　then　you'll　see　it　better。〃

She　twisted　a　piece　of　paper　into　a　spill；　and　put　an　end　to　the　gloaming。　　Charles　Osmond　stood　up　to　get　a　nearer　view　of　the　painting；　and　Erica；　too；　drew　nearer；　and　looked　at　it　for　a　minute　in　silence。

〃Father　took　me　up　the　Thames　once；〃　she　said；　by　and　by。　　〃It　was　so　lovely。　　Some　day；　when　all　these　persecutions　are　over；　we　are　going　to　have　a　beautiful　tour；　and　see　all　sorts　of　places。　　But　I　don't　know　when　they　will　be　over。　　As　soon　as　one　bigot〃　she　broke　off　suddenly；　with　a　stifled　exclamation　of　dismay。

Charles　Osmond；　in　the　dim　light；　with　his　long　gray　beard；　had　not　betrayed　his　clerical　dress；　but；　glancing　round　at　him　now；　she　saw　at　once　that　the　stranger　to　whom　she　had　spoken　so　unreservedly　was　by　no　means　one　of　her　father's　followers。

〃Well！〃　he　said；　smiling；　half　understanding　her　confusion。

〃You　are　a　clergyman！〃　she　almost　gasped。

〃Yes；　why　not？〃

〃I　beg　your　pardon；　I　never　thoughtyou　seemed　so　much　too〃

〃Too　what？〃urged　Charles　Osmond。　　Then；　as　she　still　hesitated；　〃Now；　you　must　really　let　me　hear　the　end　of　that　sentence；　or　I　shall　imagine　everything　dreadful。〃

〃Too　nice；〃　murmured　Erica；　wishing　that　she　could　sink　through　the　floor。

But　the　confession　so　tickled　Charles　Osmond　that　he　laughed　aloud；　and　his　laughter　was　so　infectious　that　Erica；　in　spite　of　her　confusion；　could　not　help　joining　in　it。　　She　had　a　very　keen　sense　of　the　ludicrous；　and　the　position　was　undoubtedly　a　laughable　one；　still　there　were　certain　appalling　recollections　of　the　past　conversation　which　soon　made　her　serious　again。　　She　had　talked　of　persecutions　to　one　who　was；　at　any　rate；　on　the　side　of　persecutors；　had　alluded　to　bigots；　and；　worst　of　all；　had　spoken　in　no　measured　terms　of　〃tiresome　Christians。〃

She　turned；　rather　shyly；　and　yet　with　a　touch　of　dignity；　to　her　visitor；　and　said：

〃It　was　very　careless　of　me　not　to　notice　more；　but　it　was　dark；　and　I　am　not　used　to　seeing　any　but　our　own　people　here。　　I　am　afraid　I　said　things　which　must　have　hurt　you；　I　wish　you　had　stopped　me。〃

The　beautiful　color　had　spread　and　deepened　in　her　cheeks；　and　there　was　something　indescribably　sweet　and　considerate　in　her　tone　of　apology。　　Charles　Osmond　was　touched　by　it。

〃It　is　I　who　should　apologize；〃　he　said。　　〃I　am　not　at　all　sure　that　I　was　justified　in　sitting　there　quietly；　knowing　that　you　were　under　a　delusion；　but　it　is　always　very　delightful　to　me　in　this　artificial　world　to　meet　any　one　who　talks　quite　naturally；　and　the　interest　of　hearing　your　view　of　the　question　kept　me　silent。　　You　must　forgive　me；　and　as　you　know　I　am　too　nice　to　be　a　clergyman〃

〃Oh；　I　beg　your　pardon。　　How　rude　I　have　been；〃　cried　Erica；　blushing　anew；　〃but　you　did　make　me　say　it。〃

〃Of　course；　and　I　take　it　as　a　high　compliment　from　you；〃　said　Charles　Osmond；　laughing　again　at　the　recollection。　　〃Come；　may　we　not　seal　our　friendship？　　We　have　been　sufficiently　frank　with　each　other　to　be　something　more　than　acquaintances　for　the　future。〃

Erica　held　out　her　hand　and　found　it　taken　in　a　strong；　firm　clasp；　which　somehow　conveyed　much　more　than　an　ordinary　handshake。

〃And；　after　all；　you　ARE　too　nice　for　a　clergyman！〃　she　thought　to　herself。　　Then；　as　a　fresh　idea　crossed　her　mind；　she　suddenly　exclaimed：　〃But　you　came　to　tell　us　about　Mr。　Randolph's　roughs；　did　you　not？　　How　came　you　to　care　that　we　should　know　beforehand？〃

〃Why；　naturally　I　hoped　that　a　disturbance　might　be　stopped。〃

〃Is　it　natural？〃　questioned　Erica。　　〃I　should　have　thought　it　more　natural　for　you　to　think　with　your　own　party。〃

〃But　peace　and　justice　and　freedom　of　speech　must　all　stand　before　party　questions。〃

〃Yet　you　think　that　we　are　wrong；　and　that　Christianity　is　right？〃

〃Yes；　but　to　my　mind　perfect　justice　is　part　of　Christianity。〃

〃Oh；〃　said　Erica；　in　a　tone　which　meant　unutterable　things。

〃You　think　that　Christians　do　not　show　perfect　justice　to　you？〃　said　Charles　Osmond；　reading　her　thoughts。

〃I　can't　say　I　think　they　do；〃　she　replied。　　Then；　suddenly　firing　up　at　the　recollection　of　her　afternoon's　experiences；　she　said：　〃They　are　not　just　to　us；　though　they　preach　justice；　they　are　not　loving；　though　they　talk　about　love。　　If　they　want　us　to　think　their　religion　true；　I　wonder　they　don't　practice　it　a　little　more　and　preach　it　less。　　What　is　the　use　of　talking　of　'brotherly　kindness　and　charity；'　when　they　hardly　treat　us　like　human　beings；　when　they　make　up　wicked　lies　about　us；　and　will　hardly　let　us　sit　in　the　same　room　with　them！〃

〃Come；　now；　we　really　are　sitting　in　the　same　room；〃　said　Charles　Osmond；　smiling。

〃Oh；　dear；　what　am　I　to　do！〃　exclaimed　Erica。　　〃I　can't　remember　that　you　are　one　of　them！　　You　are　so　very　unlike　most。〃

〃I　think；〃　said　Charles　Osmond；　〃you　have　come　across　some　very　bad　specimens。〃

Erica；　in　her　heart；　considered　her　visitor　as　the　exception　which　proved　the　rule；　but　not　wishing　to　be　caught　tripping　again；　she　resolved　to　say　no　more　upon　the　subject。

〃Let　us　talk　of　something　else；〃　she　said。

〃Something　nicer？〃　said　Charles　Osmond；　with　a　little　mischievous　twinkle　in　his　eyes。

〃Safer；〃　said　Erica；　laughing。　　〃But　stop；　I　hear　my　father。〃

She　went　out　into　the　passage　to　meet　him。　　Charles　Osmond　heard　her　explaining　his　visit　and　the　news　he　had　brought；　heard　Raeburn's　brief　responses；　then；　in　a　few　moments；　the　two　entered　the　room；　a　picturesque　looking　couple；　the　clergyman　thought；　the　tall；　stately　man；　with　his　broad　forehead　and　overshadowing　masses　of　auburn　hair；　the　little　eager…faced；　impetuous　girl；　so　winsome　in　her　unconventional　frankness。

The　conversation　became　a　trifle　more　ceremonious；　though　with　Erica　perched　on　the　arm　of　her　father's　chair；　ready　to　squeeze　his　hand　at　every　word　which　pleased　her；　it　could　hardly　become　stiff。　　Raeburn　had　just　heard　the　report　of　Mr。　Randolph's　scheme；　and　had　already　taken　precautionary　measures；　but　he　was　surprised　and　gratified　that　Charles　Osmond　should　have　troubled　to　bring　him　word　about　it。　　The　two　men　talked　on　with　the　most　perfect　friendliness；　and　by　and　by；　to　Erica's　great　delight；　Charles　Osmond　expressed　a　wish　to　be　present　at　the　meeting　that　night；　and　made　inquiries　as　to　the　time　and　place。

〃Oh；　couldn't　you　stay　to　tea　and　go　with　us？〃　she　exclaimed；　forgetting　for　the　third　time　that　he　was　a　clergyman；　and　offering　the　ready　hospitality　she　would　have　offered　to　any　one　else。

〃I　should　be　delighted；〃　he　said；　smiling；　〃if　you　can　really　put　up　with　one　of　the　cloth。〃

Raeburn；　amused　at　his　daughter's　spontaneous　hospitality；　and　pleased　with　the　friendly　acceptance　it　had　met　with；　was　quite　ready　to　second　the　invitation。　　Erica　was　delighted；　she　carried　off　the　cat　and　the　toast　into　the　next　room；　eager　to　tell　her　mother　all　about　the　visitor。

〃The　most　delightful　man；　mother；　　not　a　bit　like　a　clergyman。　　I　didn't　find　out　for　ever　so　long　what　he　was；　and　said　all　sorts　of　dreadful　things；　but　he　didn't　mind；　and　was　not　the　least　offended。〃

〃When　will　you　learn　to　be　cautious；　I　wonder；〃　said　Mrs。　Raeburn；　smiling。　　〃You　are　a　shocking　little　chatter…box。〃

And　as　Erica　flitted　busily　about；　arranging　the　tea　table；　her　mother　watched　her　half　musedly；　half　anxiously。　　She　had　always　been　remarkably　frank　and　outspoken；　and　there　was　something　so　transparently　sincere　about　her；　that　she　seldom　gave　offense。　　But　the　mother　could　not　help　wondering　how　it　would　be　as　she　grew　older　and　mixed　with　a　greater　variety　of　people。　　In　fact；　in　every　way　she　was　anxious　about　the　child's　future；　for　Eri