登陆注册
4705900000038

第38章

CAPTAIN FITZCHROME. Well, your ballad is very pleasant: you shall show me the scene, and I will sketch it; but just now I am more interested about your love. What heroine of the twelfth century has risen from the ruins of the old castle, and looked down on you from the ivied battlements?

MR. CHAINMAIL. You are nearer the mark than you suppose. Even from those battlements a heroine of the twelfth century has looked down on me.

CAPTAIN FITZCHROME. Oh! some vision of an ideal beauty. I suppose the whole will end in another tradition and a ballad.

MR. CHAINMAIL. Genuine flesh and blood; as genuine as Lady Clarinda. I will tell you the story.

Mr. Chainmail narrated his adventures.

CAPTAIN FITZCHROME. Then you seem to have found what you wished.

Chance has thrown in your way what none of the gods would have ventured to promise you.

MR. CHAINMAIL. Yes, but I know nothing of her birth and parentage.

She tells me nothing of herself, and I have no right to question her directly.

CAPTAIN FITZCHROME. She appears to be expressly destined for the light of your baronial hall. Introduce me in this case, two heads are better than one.

MR. CHAINMAIL. No, I thank you. Leave me to manage my chance of a prize, and keep you to your own chance of a -

CAPTAIN FITZCHROME. Blank. As you please. Well, I will pitch my tent here, till I have filled my portfolio, and shall be glad of as much of your company as you can spare from more attractive society.

Matters went on pretty smoothly for several days, when an unlucky newspaper threw all into confusion. Mr. Chainmail received newspapers by the post, which came in three times a week. One morning, over their half-finished breakfast, the Captain had read half a newspaper very complacently, when suddenly he started up in a frenzy, hurled over the breakfast table, and, bouncing from the apartment, knocked down Harry Ap Heather, who was coming in at the door to challenge his supposed rival to a boxing-match.

Harry sprang up, in a double rage, and intercepted Mr. Chainmail's pursuit of the Captain, placing himself in the doorway, in a pugilistic attitude. Mr. Chainmail, not being disposed for this mode of combat, stepped back into the parlour, took the poker in his right hand, and displacing the loose bottom of a large elbow chair, threw it over his left arm as a shield. Harry, not liking the aspect of the enemy in this imposing attitude, retreated with backward steps into the kitchen, and tumbled over a cur, which immediately fastened on his rear.

Mr. Chainmail, half-laughing, half-vexed, anxious to overtake the Captain, and curious to know what was the matter with him, pocketed the newspaper, and sallied forth, leaving Harry roaring for a doctor and tailor, to repair the lacerations of his outward man.

Mr. Chainmail could find no trace of the Captain. Indeed, he sought him but in one direction, which was that leading to the farm; where he arrived in due time, and found Miss Susan alone. He laid the newspaper on the table, as was his custom, and proceeded to converse with the young lady: a conversation of many pauses, as much of signs as of words. The young lady took up the paper, and turned it over and over, while she listened to Mr. Chainmail, whom she found every day more and more agreeable, when suddenly her eye glanced on something which made her change colour, and dropping the paper on the ground, she rose from her seat, exclaiming:

"Miserable must she be who trusts any of your faithless sex! never, never, never, will I endure such misery twice." And she vanished up the stairs. Mr. Chainmail was petrified. At length, he cried aloud: "Cornelius Agrippa must have laid a spell on this accursed newspaper;" and was turning it over, to look for the source of the mischief, when Mrs. Ap Llymry made her appearance.

MRS. AP LLYMRY. What have you done to poor dear Miss Susan? she is crying ready to break her heart.

MR. CHAINMAIL. So help me the memory of Richard Coeur-de-Lion, I have not the most distant notion of what is the matter.

MRS. AP LLYMRY. Oh, don't tell me, sir; you must have ill-used her. I know how it is. You have been keeping company with her, as if you wanted to marry her; and now, all at once, you have been insulting her. I have seen such tricks more than once, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself.

MR. CHAINMAIL. My dear madam, you wrong me utterly. I have none but the kindest feelings and the most honourable purposes towards her. She has been disturbed by something she has seen in this rascally paper.

MRS. AP LLYMRY. Why, then, the best thing you can do is to go away, and come again tomorrow.

MR. CHAINMAIL. Not I, indeed, madam. Out of this house I stir not, till I have seen the young lady, and obtained a full explanation.

MRS. AP LLYMRY. I will tell Miss Susan what you say. Perhaps she will come down.

Mr. Chainmail sat with as much patience as he could command, running over the paper, from column to column. At length he lighted on an announcement of the approaching marriage of Lady Clarinda Bossnowl with Mr. Crotchet the younger. This explained the Captain's discomposure, but the cause of Miss Susan's was still to be sought: he could not know that it was one and the same.

Presently, the sound of the longed-for step was heard on the stairs; the young lady reappeared, and resumed her seat: her eyes showed that she had been weeping. The gentleman was now exceedingly puzzled how to begin, but the young lady relieved him by asking, with great simplicity: "What do you wish to have explained, sir?"

MR. CHAINMAIL. I wish, if I may be permitted, to explain myself to you. Yet could I first wish to know what it was that disturbed you in this unlucky paper. Happy should I be if I could remove the cause of your inquietude!

MISS SUSANNAH. The cause is already removed. I saw something that excited painful recollections; nothing that I could now wish otherwise than as it is.

MR. CHAINMAIL. Yet, may I ask why it is that I find one so accomplished living in this obscurity, and passing only by the name of Miss Susan?

同类推荐
  • 玉溪子丹经指要

    玉溪子丹经指要

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 无上内秘真藏经

    无上内秘真藏经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 虬髯客传

    虬髯客传

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Free Trade

    Free Trade

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 道德真经口义

    道德真经口义

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 情缘情未到

    情缘情未到

    华文大陆,这是一个原始而古老的时代,与现代世界不一样,这里文明落后,人们还停留在传统的农耕时期。一个名字叫作陈琉夕的女子,因为一次科研实验而不幸穿越来到这个陌生的大陆,携带着现代的科技知识与智能机械,她开始在这里生活并且经历着种种不同的事情。爱情本来就是一场被上帝安排的缘分,陈琉夕从来没有想过自己来到这个时代后会遇上属于自己的爱情。在这里,她遇到了一生所挚爱之人,她痛过,伤过,恨过,但最终她还是选择去爱。可惜,爱情之路哪能一帆风顺,国家的斗争,人心的复杂,这一切种种成为了她的挑战,而她最后能否与心爱之人在一起?【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 江山为聘礼

    江山为聘礼

    他出生时被命定为天煞孤星,刑克六亲,凶恶残暴,孤鸾寡宿,寂寞之命。三岁那年,克死生母,一双黑眸一夜之间换成蓝眸,举国震惊,视为妖孽。六岁那年,克死长兄,帝君大怒将其囚禁深宫。七岁那年,克死幼弟,帝君将其逐出皇宫,离群索居。十岁那年,帝君病重,疑其克他将他赶往不毛之地终生不得回朝。十八岁那年,帝君驾崩,他率军逼宫,叔伯兄弟三死两伤,踏着众人鲜血尸骨,坐上了九龙之座。他是狄戎国最富传奇色彩的帝王。他是凶恶残暴六亲不认能征善战的帝王。他是天子一怒浮尸千里血流成河的帝王。国师预言,他是天煞孤星、孤鸾寡宿,注定一生孤寂无人相爱之命。直到有一天潜入大燕,他遇上一个不应该几次三番总遇到的女人,顺安侯府宅门闺秀燕都第一美人裴瑞祎。缘分这种东西,就连冷硬不屑粗狂如他,一旦踏入了命运的转盘,就只能任其摆布,无力抵抗。***顺安侯府的小姐们个个美名远扬,九小姐瑞祎更是名声鹊起,冠盖京华。作为待价而沽用以联姻的庶女,裴瑞祎表示一定为自己谋一个锦绣前程。第一次见面,她送他好大一颗珠,他不解,问何意。她道:王爷有眼无珠,我给你补上!第二次见面,她送他好大一拥抱,他愤怒,讨公道。她道:美人投怀送抱,你应感到荣幸!第三次见面,她恃美行凶夺了他初吻,他视她如猛兽,避之如蛇蝎。她道:王爷别闹了,快娶我回家。最终他未迎她回家别娶佳人,而她另许他人闺中待嫁。很多年后,他忆及当初,泪落于枕,“如果时光能倒流,我愿以江山为聘,天下为礼,迎你归家。”裴瑞祎也只淡淡一笑,只可惜世事没有如果!
  • 九公主

    九公主

    推荐偶的女强爽文【异能儿子火爆娘亲】:云烈焰,国际特工异能组组长,代号“火神”,一朝穿越,沦为东盛国丞相府的白痴七小姐云烈焰,人称“京城第一傻”,还附带了一只球。未婚先孕?东盛国容不下她?某女素手一扬,一场大火烧了半个京城,扬长而去。------------------------------------------------------------------------------新婚之夜,他丢给她一纸休书,亲眼看着自己宠爱的小妾毁了她的倾国之容。她张狂的笑着,从城楼上一跃而下,如飞蛾扑火。她成了全天下人的笑柄,堂堂镜月国九公主,被像货物一样,卖进了人间魔窟——梦都。只是没有人知道,那个进入梦都的人,已经不再是原来的九公主,而是传说中的苍北高原上,落雪国赫赫有名的镇国女将军。死而复生,对这个一生戎马却死于非命的女将军而言,她的人生才刚刚开始。“你生是本侯的妻,死是本侯的鬼,本侯绝不允许你另嫁他人,纵然本侯死了,你也要给本侯陪葬的!”她本是他明媒正娶的妻,若是另嫁他人,他安定候的脸面何存?“别忘了,你曾经白纸黑字休了我!这休书,我可是日日带着,生恐弄丢了去!侯爷可是要本宫一字一句的念给你听,帮你温习一下!”她扬扬手中的纸,笑的好不惬意!“璃倾,你是我的。”他于她,如同帝王一般强势,不允许任何人抢走属于他的东西。“我是我自己的。”她笑的张扬,从来没有一个人能够束缚住她的脚步,哪怕,强势如他!“倾儿,朕后悔了,朕不该送你走。”他望着她,满目的歉意。“皇兄就是不送,我也会走。”她转身离开,不带一丝的留恋。“倾儿,我一直在等着你回来,我知道,你不会死的。”“倾儿,给我一次机会可好?”…****************************************************亲们有兴趣的话可以去偶的新浪微博:http://m.wkkk.net/2109086074(关于文文的,有什么问题需要私下问的,都可以去那里。欢迎大家共同交流!)【依旧是古穿古,女强。喜欢的亲们请点下面的“放入书架”+“投票推荐”+留言+鲜花+钻石,O(∩_∩)O谢谢支持!】推荐自己的新文:【豪门冷婚】:完结文【惹上魔鬼皇叔】:(已设置半价促销,订阅全本只要半价,欢迎订阅!)
  • 先婚厚爱:你好,陆太太

    先婚厚爱:你好,陆太太

    某咖啡厅里,安若虞看着眼前这个正含情脉脉看着自己老公的女人咬牙切齿的道“尹小姐,你是从小到大活的太顺自我感觉太良好了吧,这个世界是都是你说了算,地球都是绕着你转是吧?”再转过头看了一眼笑得正欢的某妖孽道“笑什么笑,回去罚抄结婚证书五遍,抄不完今天别想吃饭”“是,陆太太”她原以为世界上曾经出现过那么一个人之后,其他的人都会变成将就,此花开后更无花。而狐狸先生身体力行的告诉她,此花开尽还有花,会离开的人不算真正的爱人。本文甚宠,大虐无力偶尔小虐,猫系傲娇女主,狐狸系腹黑男主现已开新书《竹马老公,太强势》欢迎收藏围观
  • 邪王好闷骚:狂妻,别撩火!

    邪王好闷骚:狂妻,别撩火!

    一朝穿越竟是废柴之身?呵~要么忍,要么残忍!看着一双双惊恐的眼睛,她拍了怕手冷笑:“知道我奉行什么吗?”“人前一刀,背后一刀,洗洗血手,回家磨刀,再来几刀!”可是这个粘着她死皮赖脸要娶她的男性生物是怎么回事?她被他烦不胜烦:“嫁给你,有什么好处?”他说:“只要你想‘开’了,我的宝贝都是你的。”她问:“什么宝贝?”他不说话,把手默默伸进衣襟开始掏宝贝......(女强男强,一对一,爽文,互宠,作者亲妈,坑品保证)
  • 暖恋微风

    暖恋微风

    七年前,因为误会,他们双双被分手,从此,她变得不敢再爱,他变得孤冷不再触碰爱情。七年后,他成为了娱乐圈的巨星,而她是一名小小的攻读硕士学位的研究生。他们在大学再次相遇,他霸气蛮横对众多女星的示爱视而不见,却独独对她柔情有加,带她参加庆功宴,让她当自己公司的跑腿,公开场合对她示爱,然而,不懂柔情的她,却将这些当成是他的捉弄,再加上痴情男生苦苦追求,萧大明星好苦恼!曾经青涩校园爱恋,还会死灰复燃吗?
  • 梦回尼罗河之帝国王妃

    梦回尼罗河之帝国王妃

    现代聪灵少女那菲,因为带有永恒生命魔力的“安卡”而穿越到三千年前的尼罗河畔,凭借着自己的智慧和坚毅,那菲得到了摄政王子拉美西斯的另眼相看,贵族西木特对她一见钟情,三人间剪不断的纠葛情爱,那菲将会如何选择? 偶然间,那菲收养调皮可爱的小男孩哈克什和他的妹妹玛利亚,但这两人却带来了一连串难解的谜团——困扰那菲多年的身世之谜,前世今生的轮回之惑,时间长河的穿越之旅,最后将会落足于何处?
  • 修真红包群

    修真红包群

    当鸿钧老祖拉陆羽进群时,他内心是拒绝的;当看见红包时,他内心是舒爽的;当发现群里的人都是神仙时,他内心是紧张的;当领到多宝道人,财神赵公明,三霄娘娘的红包时,他是兴奋的。当他默默的看着群里面聊天的女神仙时,他内心暗暗决定,我陆羽,将会是一个泡神仙的男人。
  • 漫威世界里的亚索

    漫威世界里的亚索

    当我还是个孩子的时候,哥哥问我:“风在躲,还是在追?”死亡如风,常伴吾身。长路漫漫,唯剑作伴。少年化身快乐风男行走在漫威世界里。..................开了一个群,感情趣的可以加:695335125
  • 美洲现代著名作家(世界文学百科)

    美洲现代著名作家(世界文学百科)

    "本套书系共计24册,包括三大部分。第一部分“文学大师篇”,主要包括中国古代著名作家、中国现代著名作家、世界古代著名作家、亚非现代著名作家、美洲现代著名作家、俄苏现代著名作家、中欧现代著名作家、西欧现代著名作家、南北欧现代著名作家等内容;第二部分“文学作品篇”,主要包括中国古代著名作品、中国现代著名作品、世界古代著名作品、亚非现代著名作品、美洲现代著名作品、俄苏现代著名作品、西欧现代著名作品、中北欧现代著名作品、东南欧现代著名作品等内容;第三部分“文学简史篇”,主要包括中国古代文学简史、中国近代文学简史、中国现代文学简史、世界古代文学简史、世界近代文学简史、世界现代文学简史等内容。