登陆注册
4708700000003

第3章

The other day I paid a call on Miss Dolly Foster for the purpose of presenting to her my small offering on the occasion of her marriage to Lord Mickleham. It was a pretty little bit of jewelry--a pearl heart, broken (rubies played the part of blood)and held together by a gold pin, set with diamonds, the whole surmounted by an earl's coronet. I had taken some trouble about it, and was grateful when Miss Dolly asked me to explain the symbolism.

"It is my heart," I observed. "The fracture is your making; the pin--"Here Miss Dolly interrupted; to tell the truth I was not sorry, for I was fairly graveled for the meaning of the pin.

"What nonsense, Mr. Carter!" she said; "but it's awfully pretty.

Thanks so very very much. Aren't relations funny people?""If you wish to change the subject, pray do," said I. "I'll change anything except my affections.""Look here," she pursued, holding out a bundle of letters. "Here are the congratulatory epistles from relations. Shall I read you a few?""It will be a most agreeable mode of passing the time," said I.

"This is from Aunt Georgiana--she's a widow--lives at Cheltenham.

'My dearest Dorothea--'"

"Who?"

"Dorothea's my name, Mr. Carter. It means the gift of heaven, you know."" 'My dearest Dorothea, I have heard the news of your engagement to Lord Mickleham with deep thankfulness. To obtain the love of an honest man is a great prize. I hope you will prove worthy of it. Marriage is a trial and an opportunity--'""Hear, hear!" said I. "A trial for the husband and--""Be quiet, Mr. Carter. 'A trial and an opportunity. It searches the heart and affords a sphere of usefulness which--' So she goes on, you know. I don't see why I need be lectured just because I'm going to be married, do you, Mr. Carter?""Let's try another," said I. "Who's that on pink paper?""Oh, that's Georgy Vane. She's awful fun. 'Dear old Dolly,--So you've brought it off. Hearty congrats. I thought you were going to be silly and throw away--' There's nothing else there, Mr. Carter. Look here. Listen to this. It's from Uncle William. He's a clergyman, you know. 'My dear Niece,--I have heard with great gratification of your engagement. Your aunt and I unite in all good wishes. I recollect Lord Mickleham's father when I had a curacy near Worcester. He was a regular attendant at church and a supporter of all good works in the diocese. If only his son takes after him (fancy Archie!) You have secured a prize. I hope you have a proper sense of the responsibilities you are undertaking. Marriage affords no small opportunities, it also entails certain trials--'""Why, you're reading Aunt Georgiana again."

"Am I? No, it's Uncle William."

"Then let's try a fresh cast--unless you'll finish Georgy Vane's.""Well, here's Cousin Susan's. She's an old maid, you know. It's very long. Here's a bit: 'Woman has it in her power to exercise a sacred influence. I have not the pleasure of knowing Lord Mickleham, but I hope, my dear, that you will use your power over him for good. It is useless for me to deny that when you stayed with me, I thought you were addicted to frivolity. Doubtless marriage will sober you. Try to make a good use of its lessons I am sending you a biscuit tin'--and so on.""A very proper letter," said I.

Miss Dolly indulged in a slight grimace, and took up another letter.

"This," she said, "is from my sister-in-law, Mrs. Algernon Foster.""A daughter of Lord Doldrums, wasn't she?"

"Yes. 'My dear Dorothea,--I have heard your news. I do hope it will turn out happily. I believe that any woman who conscientiously does her duty can find happiness in married life.

Her husband and children occupy all her time and all her thoughts, and if she can look for few of the lighter pleasures of life, she has at least the knowledge that she is of use in the world. Please accept the accompanying volumes (it's Browning) as a small--' I say, Mr. Carter, do you think it's really like that?""There is still time to draw back," I observed.

同类推荐
  • 三光注龄资福延寿妙经

    三光注龄资福延寿妙经

    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。
  • PHAEDRA

    PHAEDRA

    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。
  • THE HISTORY OF TOM JONES

    THE HISTORY OF TOM JONES

    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。
  • 近世社会龌龊史

    近世社会龌龊史

    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。
  • 海国四说

    海国四说

    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
  • 你的信仰价值百万

    你的信仰价值百万

    本书对读者坚定其信仰具有极大的推动力,书中通过大量的案例、耐心细致的论证,让读者明白,正确坚定的信念力,可以逆转人生,使人生奇迹般的摆脱物质和精神的双重贫困,实现内心安宁,力量强大,物质充足,身心健康。期待更多的读者阅读受益,在生活和工作中,以正确的信仰指引自己,获得更大的幸福。
  • 好名字好前程大全集(超值金版)

    好名字好前程大全集(超值金版)

    子曰:名不正则言不顺。姓名,由此可见,姓名对人们来说,是何等的重要。姓名,由姓和名组成,也称名字。人的姓名,是人类为区分个体,给每个个体给定的特定名称符号,是通过语言文字信息区别人群个体差异的标志。由于有了姓名,人类才能正常有序的交往,因此每个人都有一个属于自己的名字。人名是在语言产生以后才出现的。各个民族对人的命名都有很多习惯。这种习惯受到历史、社会、民族等很多文化因素的制约,一个人的名字通常都有一定的含义。
  • 牵魂午夜电梯

    牵魂午夜电梯

    无数的国产片和欧美片告诉你,电梯是一个鱼龙混杂的地方,午夜不要随便乘电梯,可你偏偏不信,结果当然是不乖的孩子受到了惩罚……
  • 生命从来未曾看轻任何人

    生命从来未曾看轻任何人

    疲于应对的工作、寡淡无味的感情、得过且过的生活态度,这些只会无限地消耗你的激情和能量,赶快摆脱吧!《生命从来未曾看轻任何人》里的47篇温暖人心的佳作、100多个打动心灵的故事都是作者用自己一生的经历提炼的真谛。为当下目标不清、方向不明的年轻人找回初心,让他们接近梦想。
  • 金田贵媳

    金田贵媳

    别人穿越,大富大贵! 咋,咱就穿成了没吃又没穿,房子漏水还快倒了? 不公平! 老天爷,你怎么能这样!都不关心关心咱呢? 什么,给个小正太就算关心了? 喂,不是应该他养我,怎么变成了我养他? 活也要自己干! 我穿来这就是为了劳动的了? 虽说劳动最光荣,但是,这不能这样的啊! 天啊!你杀了我比较快吧! 咦?咱的身份不一般? 啊?不是种田的?还得宫斗? 本小姐不想啊! ------------------------------------------ 谢谢洋山芋小王子做的封面!
  • 穿越火线之兵行天下

    穿越火线之兵行天下

    金丹新书《最强幸运主播》求收藏,求推荐,希望兄弟们多多支持!当李九苏醒,发现过往的一切,只不过是南柯一梦,而眼前才是真实的世界。这里战火漫天,人类分为了两个阵营,保卫者与潜伏者。潜伏者为了反抗超级智能“天神”的统治,与保卫者展开了一场全球战争……身为觉醒者的李九,带着从《穿越火线》游戏中磨练出的超强战术意识,踏上了兵行天下的征途……
  • 风起凤翎

    风起凤翎

    信手拈花的不一定是佛,也可能是魔!那个无情无欲的神,他根本不在意一只蝼蚁的偷生,还是一个朝代的繁盛。身负守护冥海重任的巫族,十六岁便侥幸通过考试入了宫门的摩里黎月,她将面对的是万人之上的敬仰,还是一人之下的孤独?她想要有一个朋友,可是那个孩子只是颗流星,他不能一直留在这里,他的人生轨迹,他的宿命,是无止境的漂流,跟着他的宿命,不断的流浪,直至死亡。从她未成年开始就入主祭司所一等神官,跪倒在她脚下的百官仰望着她的一切,而她却只在意那个高高端坐在玉座上的远古神,他的心里在想什么,他为什么要用自己的心,造了这一个洗荡十万怨灵的场。
  • 新股民炒股一定要会算计

    新股民炒股一定要会算计

    新股民炒股一定要会算计新股民炒股一定要会算计新股民炒股一定要会算计新股民炒股一定要会算计新股民炒股一定要会算计新股民炒股一定要会算计新股民炒股一定要会算计新股民炒股一定要会算计
  • 绝色魔女:邪君宠入骨

    绝色魔女:邪君宠入骨

    【超级爽文】她,神域至尊魔女,统领亿万生灵,一朝被挚爱背叛,魂飞魄散。五百年后,君莫舞醒转过来,魂穿成一位废材大小姐。苍海沧田,昔日挚爱已是至尊神帝,号令八荒,君临天下。“你欠我的,终究会以命来还!”君莫舞以绝世之姿,浴火涅槃,神凰血脉,独步九重天!这辈子,幸得命运垂怜,武道巅峰,她不再是孓然一身。邪君相伴,仗剑江湖,龙凰共舞,惬意逍遥!
  • 简·奥斯汀信件集

    简·奥斯汀信件集

    奥斯汀在小说里探讨爱情与婚姻,那么生活中的她呢?她的信是我们现在唯一可以直接了解她的方式了。听她娓娓道来那些家长里短的闲言碎语、俏皮的玩笑,还有细腻的小心思。在通讯并不发达的年代,写信是便捷又神秘的沟通方式,就像我们今天用电话、短信、微信那样平常。奥斯汀的信有时候不是同一天写的,今天写一点,明天写一点,然后再一起寄出,有点像日记。信虽不及小说有章有法,却让我们看到一个更加真实的奥斯汀。