°®°®Ð¡ËµÍø > ÆäËûµç×ÓÊé > the black dwarf(ºÚÙªÈå) >

µÚ31ÕÂ

the black dwarf(ºÚÙªÈå)-µÚ31ÕÂ

С˵£º the black dwarf(ºÚÙªÈå) ×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£¡




low¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sitting¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡ground£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Musing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡full¡¡¡¡sadly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡sullen¡¡¡¡¡¡mind¡£¡¡

FAERY¡¡QUEEN¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡intruder¡¡on¡¡Miss¡¡Vere's¡¡sorrows¡¡was¡¡Ratcliffe¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ellieslaw¡¡had£»¡¡in¡¡

the¡¡agitation¡¡of¡¡his¡¡mind£»¡¡forgotten¡¡to¡¡countermand¡¡the¡¡order¡¡he¡¡had¡¡given¡¡

to¡¡call¡¡him¡¡thither£»¡¡so¡¡that¡¡he¡¡opened¡¡the¡¡door¡¡with¡¡the¡¡words£»¡¡¡¨You¡¡sent¡¡

for¡¡¡¡¡¡me£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Vere¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡looking¡¡¡¡¡¡around¡¨Miss¡¡¡¡¡¡Vere£»¡¡¡¡¡¡alone£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

ground£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡in¡¡tears£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Leave¡¡meleave¡¡me£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡unhappy¡¡young¡¡lady¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡leave¡¡¡¡¡¡you£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡repeatedly¡¡

requesting¡¡¡¡¡¡admittance¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡take¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡leave¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡you£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡refused£»¡¡

until¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡father¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡sent¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡£¡¡Blame¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡not£»¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡am¡¡¡¡bold¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

intrusive£»¡¡I¡¡have¡¡a¡¡duty¡¡to¡¡discharge¡¡which¡¡makes¡¡me¡¡so¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡cannot¡¡listen¡¡to¡¡youI¡¡cannot¡¡speak¡¡to¡¡you£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡take¡¡my¡¡

best¡¡wishes£»¡¡and¡¡for¡¡God's¡¡sake¡¡leave¡¡me¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Tell¡¡me¡¡only£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡¡¨is¡¡it¡¡true¡¡that¡¡this¡¡monstrous¡¡match¡¡is¡¡to¡¡

go¡¡forward£»¡¡and¡¡this¡¡very¡¡night£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡heard¡¡the¡¡servants¡¡proclaim¡¡it¡¡as¡¡I¡¡was¡¡

on¡¡the¡¡great¡¡staircaseI¡¡heard¡¡the¡¡directions¡¡given¡¡to¡¡clear¡¡out¡¡the¡¡chapel¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Spare¡¡¡¡¡¡me£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡replied¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡luckless¡¡¡¡¡¡bride£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨and¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

state¡¡in¡¡which¡¡you¡¡see¡¡me£»¡¡judge¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cruelty¡¡of¡¡these¡¡questions¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Married£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡Sir¡¡¡¡¡¡Frederick¡¡¡¡¡¡Langley£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡night£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡

cannotshall¡¡not¡¡be¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡MUST¡¡be£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Ratcliff£»¡¡or¡¡my¡¡father¡¡is¡¡ruined¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ah£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡understand£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡answered¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨and¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡sacrificed¡¡

yourself¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡save¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡whoBut¡¡¡¡¡¡let¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡virtue¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡child¡¡¡¡¡¡atone¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

faults¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡father¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡rake¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡up¡£What¡¡¡¡¡¡CAN¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡done£¿¡¡

Time¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡pressesI¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡remedywith¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡four¡­and¡­¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡twenty¡¡¡¡¡¡hours¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡

might¡¡find¡¡manyMiss¡¡Vere£»¡¡you¡¡must¡¡implore¡¡the¡¡protection¡¡of¡¡the¡¡only¡¡

human¡¡being¡¡who¡¡has¡¡it¡¡in¡¡his¡¡power¡¡to¡¡control¡¡the¡¡course¡¡of¡¡events¡¡which¡¡

threatens¡¡to¡¡hurry¡¡you¡¡before¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡what¡¡human¡¡being£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡Miss¡¡Vere£»¡¡¡¨has¡¡such¡¡power£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Start¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡name¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡¡¡¡¡coming¡¡¡¡¡¡near¡¡¡¡¡¡her£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡129¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡130¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡BLACK¡¡DWARF¡¡



speaking¡¡in¡¡a¡¡low¡¡but¡¡distinct¡¡voice¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡is¡¡he¡¡who¡¡is¡¡called¡¡Elshender¡¡the¡¡

Recluse¡¡of¡¡Mucklestane¡­Moor¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡are¡¡mad£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡or¡¡you¡¡mean¡¡to¡¡insult¡¡my¡¡misery¡¡by¡¡an¡¡ill¡­¡¡

timed¡¡jest£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡am¡¡as¡¡much¡¡in¡¡my¡¡senses£»¡¡young¡¡lady£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡her¡¡adviser£»¡¡¡¨as¡¡

you¡¡are£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡am¡¡no¡¡idle¡¡jester£»¡¡far¡¡less¡¡with¡¡misery£»¡¡least¡¡of¡¡all¡¡with¡¡your¡¡

misery¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡swear¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨who¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡far¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡

seems£©¡¡actually¡¡possesses¡¡the¡¡means¡¡of¡¡redeeming¡¡you¡¡from¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡hateful¡¡

union¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡of¡¡insuring¡¡my¡¡father's¡¡safety£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡even¡¡that£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡¡¨if¡¡you¡¡plead¡¡his¡¡cause¡¡with¡¡himyet¡¡

how¡¡to¡¡obtain¡¡admittance¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Recluse£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Fear¡¡not¡¡that£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Miss¡¡Vere£»¡¡suddenly¡¡recollecting¡¡the¡¡incident¡¡of¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡rose£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡remember¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡desired¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡call¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡aid¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡

extremity£»¡¡and¡¡gave¡¡me¡¡this¡¡flower¡¡as¡¡a¡¡token¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ere¡¡it¡¡faded¡¡away¡¡entirely£»¡¡

I¡¡would¡¡need£»¡¡he¡¡said£»¡¡his¡¡assistance£º¡¡is¡¡it¡¡possible¡¡his¡¡words¡¡can¡¡have¡¡been¡¡

aught¡¡but¡¡the¡¡ravings¡¡of¡¡insanity£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Doubt¡¡it¡¡not¡¡fear¡¡it¡¡notbut¡¡above¡¡all£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡¡¨let¡¡us¡¡lose¡¡no¡¡

timeare¡¡you¡¡at¡¡liberty£»¡¡and¡¡unwatched£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡believe¡¡so£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Isabella£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨but¡¡what¡¡would¡¡you¡¡have¡¡me¡¡to¡¡do£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Leave¡¡the¡¡castle¡¡instantly£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡¡¨and¡¡throw¡¡yourself¡¡at¡¡the¡¡

feet¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡extraordinary¡¡¡¡man£»¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡circumstances¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡seem¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡argue¡¡

the¡¡extremity¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡contemptible¡¡¡¡¡¡poverty£»¡¡¡¡¡¡possesses¡¡¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡almost¡¡

absolute¡¡influence¡¡over¡¡your¡¡fate¡£¡¡Guests¡¡and¡¡servants¡¡are¡¡deep¡¡in¡¡their¡¡

carousethe¡¡leaders¡¡sitting¡¡in¡¡conclave¡¡on¡¡their¡¡treasonable¡¡schemesmy¡¡

horse¡¡stands¡¡ready¡¡in¡¡the¡¡stableI¡¡will¡¡saddle¡¡one¡¡for¡¡you£»¡¡and¡¡meet¡¡you¡¡at¡¡

the¡¡little¡¡garden¡­gateO£»¡¡let¡¡no¡¡doubt¡¡of¡¡my¡¡prudence¡¡or¡¡fidelity¡¡prevent¡¡

your¡¡taking¡¡the¡¡only¡¡step¡¡in¡¡your¡¡power¡¡to¡¡escape¡¡the¡¡dreadful¡¡fate¡¡which¡¡

must¡¡attend¡¡the¡¡wife¡¡of¡¡Sir¡¡Frederick¡¡Langley£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Miss¡¡¡¡¡¡Vere£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨you¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡always¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡esteemed¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

man¡¡of¡¡honour¡¡and¡¡probity£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡drowning¡¡wretch¡¡will¡¡always¡¡catch¡¡at¡¡the¡¡

feeblest¡¡twig£»I¡¡will¡¡trust¡¡youI¡¡will¡¡follow¡¡your¡¡adviceI¡¡will¡¡meet¡¡you¡¡

at¡¡the¡¡garden¡­gate¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡bolted¡¡the¡¡outer¡­door¡¡of¡¡her¡¡apartment¡¡as¡¡soon¡¡as¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Ratcliffe¡¡left¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡130¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡131¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡BLACK¡¡DWARF¡¡



her£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡descended¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡garden¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡separate¡¡¡¡¡¡stair¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡communication¡¡

which¡¡¡¡¡¡opened¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡dressing¡­room¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡¡¡inclined¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

retract¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡consent¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡hastily¡¡¡¡¡¡given¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡plan¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡hopeless¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

extravagant¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡descent¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡private¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡

entered¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡chapel¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡­stair£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡heard¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡voice¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

female¡­servants¡¡as¡¡they¡¡were¡¡employed¡¡in¡¡the¡¡task¡¡of¡¡cleaning¡¡it¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Married£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡to¡¡sae¡¡bad¡¡a¡¡manEwhow£»¡¡sirs£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡onything¡¡rather¡¡than¡¡

that¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨They¡¡are¡¡rightthey¡¡are¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Miss¡¡Vere£»¡¡¡¨anything¡¡rather¡¡than¡¡

that£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡hurried¡¡to¡¡the¡¡garden¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Ratcliffe¡¡was¡¡true¡¡to¡¡his¡¡appointment¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡horses¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡saddled¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡garden¡­gate£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡minutes¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡

were¡¡advancing¡¡rapidly¡¡towards¡¡the¡¡hut¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Solitary¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡While¡¡the¡¡ground¡¡was¡¡favourable£»¡¡the¡¡speed¡¡of¡¡their¡¡journey¡¡was¡¡such¡¡

as¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡prevent¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡communication£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡steep¡¡¡¡¡¡ascent¡¡¡¡¡¡compelled¡¡

them¡¡to¡¡slacken¡¡their¡¡pace£»¡¡a¡¡new¡¡cause¡¡of¡¡apprehension¡¡occurred¡¡to¡¡Miss¡¡

Vere's¡¡mind¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Mr¡£¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡pulling¡¡up¡¡her¡¡horse's¡¡bridle£»¡¡¡¨let¡¡us¡¡prosecute¡¡

no¡¡farther¡¡a¡¡journey£»¡¡which¡¡nothing¡¡but¡¡the¡¡extreme¡¡agitation¡¡of¡¡my¡¡mind¡¡

can¡¡vindicate¡¡my¡¡having¡¡undertakenI¡¡am¡¡well¡¡aware¡¡that¡¡this¡¡man¡¡passes¡¡

among¡¡the¡¡vulgar¡¡as¡¡being¡¡possessed¡¡of¡¡supernatural¡¡powers£»¡¡and¡¡carrying¡¡

on¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡intercourse¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡beings¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡another¡¡¡¡¡¡world£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡

aware¡¡I¡¡am¡¡neither¡¡to¡¡be¡¡imposed¡¡on¡¡by¡¡such¡¡follies£»¡¡nor£»¡¡were¡¡I¡¡to¡¡believe¡¡

in¡¡their¡¡existence£»¡¡durst¡¡I£»¡¡with¡¡my¡¡feelings¡¡of¡¡religion£»¡¡apply¡¡to¡¡this¡¡being¡¡

in¡¡my¡¡distress¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡thought£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Miss¡¡¡¡¡¡Vere£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡replied¡¡¡¡¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨my¡¡¡¡¡¡character¡¡

and¡¡¡¡¡¡habits¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡thinking¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡well¡¡known¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡you£»¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡might¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡

held¡¡me¡¡exculpated¡¡from¡¡crediting¡¡in¡¡such¡¡absurdity¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡mode£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Isabella£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨can¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡being£»¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡miserable¡¡

himself¡¡in¡¡appearance£»¡¡possess¡¡the¡¡power¡¡of¡¡assisting¡¡me£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Miss¡¡Vere¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡momentary¡¡pause£»¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡am¡¡¡¡bound¡¡

by¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡solemn¡¡¡¡¡¡oath¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡secrecyYou¡¡¡¡¡¡must£»¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡farther¡¡¡¡¡¡explanation£»¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡

satisfied¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡pledged¡¡¡¡¡¡assurance£»¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡does¡¡¡¡¡¡possess¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡power£»¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡

you¡¡can¡¡inspire¡¡him¡¡with¡¡the¡¡will£»¡¡and¡¡that£»¡¡I¡¡doubt¡¡not£»¡¡you¡¡will¡¡be¡¡able¡¡to¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡131¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡132¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡BLACK¡¡DWARF¡¡



do¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Mr¡£¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Miss¡¡Vere£»¡¡¡¨you¡¡may¡¡yourself¡¡be¡¡mistaken£»¡¡you¡¡

ask¡¡an¡¡unlimited¡¡degree¡¡of¡¡confidence¡¡from¡¡me¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Recollect£»¡¡Miss¡¡Vere£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡replied£»¡¡¡¨that¡¡when£»¡¡in¡¡your¡¡humanity£»¡¡you¡¡

asked¡¡me¡¡to¡¡interfere¡¡with¡¡your¡¡father¡¡in¡¡favour¡¡of¡¡Haswell¡¡and¡¡his¡¡ruined¡¡

familywhen¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡requested¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡prevail¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡thing¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡

abhorrent¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡natureto¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡forgive¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡injury¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡remit¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡penaltyI¡¡

stipulated¡¡that¡¡you¡¡should¡¡ask¡¡me¡¡no¡¡questions¡¡concerning¡¡the¡¡sources¡¡of¡¡

my¡¡influenceYou¡¡found¡¡no¡¡reason¡¡to¡¡distrust¡¡me¡¡then£»¡¡do¡¡not¡¡distrust¡¡me¡¡

now¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡the¡¡extraordinary¡¡mode¡¡of¡¡life¡¡of¡¡this¡¡man£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Miss¡¡Vere£»¡¡¡¨his¡¡

seclusionhis¡¡¡¡¡¡figurethe¡¡¡¡¡¡deepness¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡mis¡­anthropy¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

express¡¡in¡¡his¡¡languageMr¡£¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡what¡¡can¡¡I¡¡think¡¡of¡¡him¡¡if¡¡he¡¡really¡¡

possesses¡¡the¡¡powers¡¡you¡¡ascribe¡¡to¡¡him£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨This¡¡¡¡¡¡man£»¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡lady£»¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡bred¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡Catholic£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡sect¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡affords¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

thousand¡¡instances¡¡of¡¡those¡¡who¡¡have¡¡retired¡¡from¡¡power¡¡and¡¡affluence¡¡to¡¡

voluntary¡¡privations¡¡more¡¡strict¡¡even¡¡than¡¡his¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡he¡¡avows¡¡no¡¡religious¡¡motive£»¡¨¡¡replied¡¡Miss¡¡Vere¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¨¡¡replied¡¡Ratcliffe£»¡¡¡¨disgust¡¡with¡¡the¡¡world¡¡has¡¡operated¡¡his¡¡retreat¡¡

from¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡assuming¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡veil¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡superstition¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Thus¡¡¡¡¡¡far¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡tell¡¡

youhe¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡born¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡wealth£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡parents¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡designed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡

become¡¡¡¡¡¡greater¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡union¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡kinswoman£»¡¡¡¡¡¡whom¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡purpose¡¡

they¡¡bred¡¡up¡¡in¡¡their¡¡own¡¡house¡£¡¡You¡¡have¡¡seen¡¡his¡¡figure£»¡¡judge¡¡what¡¡the¡¡

young¡¡lady¡¡must¡¡have¡¡thought¡¡of¡¡the¡¡lot¡¡to¡¡which¡¡she¡¡was¡¡destinedYet£»¡¡

habituated¡¡to¡¡his¡¡appearance£»¡¡she¡¡showed¡¡no¡¡reluctance£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡friends¡¡of¡­¡¡

¡­of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡person¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡whom¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡speak¡¡¡¡¡¡of£»¡¡¡¡doubted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡excess¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡his¡¡

attachment£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡various¡¡¡¡¡¡acquisitions¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡mind£»¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡many¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡amiable¡¡

qualities£»¡¡had¡¡overcome¡¡the¡¡natural¡¡horror¡¡which¡¡his¡¡destined¡¡bride¡¡must¡¡

have¡¡entertained¡¡at¡¡an¡¡exterior¡¡so¡¡dreadfully¡¡inauspicious¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡did¡¡they¡¡judge¡¡truly£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡Isabella¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡shall¡¡hear¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He£»¡¡at¡¡least£»¡¡was¡¡fully¡¡aware¡¡of¡¡his¡¡own¡¡deficiency£»¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sense¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡haunted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡phantom¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'I¡¡¡¡¡¡am£»'¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡own¡¡

expression¡¡to¡¡me£»I¡¡mean¡¡to¡¡a¡¡man¡¡whom¡¡he¡¡trusted£»¡¡'I¡¡am£»¡¡in¡¡spite¡¡of¡¡

what¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡say£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡poor¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡miserable¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡outcast£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fitter¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡132¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡133¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡BLACK¡¡DWARF¡¡



smothered¡¡in¡¡the¡¡cradle¡¡than¡¡to¡¡have¡¡been¡¡brought¡¡up¡¡to¡¡scare¡¡the¡¡world¡¡in¡¡

which¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡crawl¡£'¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡person¡¡¡¡¡¡whom¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡addressed¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡vain¡¡¡¡¡¡endeavoured¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

impress¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡indifference¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡external¡¡¡¡¡¡form¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡natural¡¡

result¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡philosophy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡entreat¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡recall¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡superiority¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡mental¡¡

talents¡¡to¡¡the¡¡more¡¡attractive¡¡attributes¡¡that¡¡are¡¡merely¡¡personal¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'I¡¡hear¡¡

you£»'¡¡he¡¡would¡¡reply£»¡¡'but¡¡you¡¡speak¡¡the¡¡voice¡¡of¡¡cold¡­blooded¡¡stoicism£»¡¡or£»¡¡

at¡¡least£»¡¡of¡¡friendly¡¡partiality¡£¡¡But¡¡look¡¡at¡¡every¡¡book¡¡which¡¡we¡¡have¡¡read£»¡¡

those¡¡excepted¡¡of¡¡that¡¡abstract¡¡philosophy¡¡which¡¡feels¡¡no¡¡responsive¡¡voice¡¡

in¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡natural¡¡¡¡¡¡feelings¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Is¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡personal¡¡¡¡¡¡form£»¡¡¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡least¡¡¡¡¡¡c

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

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ