登陆注册
5154600000055

第55章

A faint blush passed over Emily's countenance; pride and anxiety struggled in her breast; and, till she recollected, that appearances did, in some degree, justify her aunt's suspicions, she could not resolve to humble herself so far as to enter into the defence of a conduct, which had been so innocent and undesigning on her part.She mentioned the manner of Valancourt's introduction to her father; the circumstances of his receiving the pistol-shot, and of their afterwards travelling together; with the accidental way, in which she had met him, on the preceding evening.She owned he had declared a partiality for her, and that he had asked permission to address her family.

'And who is this young adventurer, pray?' said Madame Cheron, 'and what are his pretensions?' 'These he must himself explain, madam,'

replied Emily.'Of his family my father was not ignorant, and Ibelieve it is unexceptionable.' She then proceeded to mention what she knew concerning it.

'Oh, then, this it seems is a younger brother,' exclaimed her aunt, 'and of course a beggar.A very fine tale indeed! And so my brother took a fancy to this young man after only a few days acquaintance!--but that was so like him! In his youth he was always taking these likes and dislikes, when no other person saw any reason for them at all; nay, indeed, I have often thought the people he disapproved were much more agreeable than those he admired;--but there is no accounting for tastes.He was always so much influenced by people's countenances; now I, for my part, have no notion of this, it is all ridiculous enthusiasm.What has a man's face to do with his character? Can a man of good character help having a disagreeable face?'--which last sentence Madame Cheron delivered with the decisive air of a person who congratulates herself on having made a grand discovery, and believes the question to be unanswerably settled.

Emily, desirous of concluding the conversation, enquired if her aunt would accept some refreshment, and Madame Cheron accompanied her to the chateau, but without desisting from a topic, which she discussed with so much complacency to herself, and severity to her niece.

'I am sorry to perceive, niece,' said she, in allusion to somewhat that Emily had said, concerning physiognomy, 'that you have a great many of your father's prejudices, and among them those sudden predilections for people from their looks.I can perceive, that you imagine yourself to be violently in love with this young adventurer, after an acquaintance of only a few days.There was something, too, so charmingly romantic in the manner of your meeting!'

Emily checked the tears, that trembled in her eyes, while she said, 'When my conduct shall deserve this severity, madam, you will do well to exercise it; till then justice, if not tenderness, should surely restrain it.I have never willingly offended you; now I have lost my parents, you are the only person to whom I can look for kindness.

Let me not lament more than ever the loss of such parents.' The last words were almost stifled by her emotions, and she burst into tears.

Remembering the delicacy and the tenderness of St.Aubert, the happy, happy days she had passed in these scenes, and contrasting them with the coarse and unfeeling behaviour of Madame Cheron, and from the future hours of mortification she must submit to in her presence--a degree of grief seized her, that almost reached despair.Madame Cheron, more offended by the reproof which Emily's words conveyed, than touched by the sorrow they expressed, said nothing, that might soften her grief; but, notwithstanding an apparent reluctance to receive her niece, she desired her company.The love of sway was her ruling passion, and she knew it would be highly gratified by taking into her house a young orphan, who had no appeal from her decisions, and on whom she could exercise without controul the capricious humour of the moment.

On entering the chateau, Madame Cheron expressed a desire, that she would put up what she thought necessary to take to Tholouse, as she meant to set off immediately.Emily now tried to persuade her to defer the journey, at least till the next day, and, at length, with much difficulty, prevailed.

The day passed in the exercise of petty tyranny on the part of Madame Cheron, and in mournful regret and melancholy anticipation on that of Emily, who, when her aunt retired to her apartment for the night, went to take leave of every other room in this her dear native home, which she was now quitting for she knew not how long, and for a world, to which she was wholly a stranger.She could not conquer a presentiment, which frequently occurred to her, this night--that she should never more return to La Vallee.Having passed a considerable time in what had been her father's study, having selected some of his favourite authors, to put up with her clothes, and shed many tears, as she wiped the dust from their covers, she seated herself in his chair before the reading desk, and sat lost in melancholy reflection, till Theresa opened the door to examine, as was her custom before she went to bed, if was all safe.She started, on observing her young lady, who bade her come in, and then gave her some directions for keeping the chateau in readiness for her reception at all times.

'Alas-a-day! that you should leave it!' said Theresa, 'I think you would be happier here than where you are going, if one may judge.'

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 异灵警案

    异灵警案

    我只是一名小实习警察好吗,怎么今天任务这么特殊。看到那具冰冷的尸体,我感觉到生命的脆弱。也只是这一瞬间的感想,而后被警中冰女王看中。调部门出任务,这算什么事情,然而我却不知道,真正等待我的,却是一个阴谋。
  • 女相师

    女相师

    凌沐妍不过想变卖传家宝好为娘亲换药钱,谁能想到传家宝里跳出一个清俊男子来,自称是凌家几代供奉的神仙,于是两人借用相术踏上了混吃混喝的美好生活。
  • 责任心是管出来的

    责任心是管出来的

    本书以解决企业员工缺乏责任心这一问题为主线,通过对“责任心是管出来的”这一论题的阐述,勾勒出一套完整的责任心管理系统,就员工的责任心问题提出了一些新的见解,为企业管理者提供了系统的赢得员工责任心的经营策略。本书更多地从企业管理者的角度出发,是一本提高企业管理者管理能力的指导手册,也是一本企业管理培训读本。
  • 风驭

    风驭

    一个战场上的小兵,偶然间以杂役的身份进入修道者的世界,不甘心生活的平凡,不甘于生命的无法掌控,任他荆棘重重,我自驭风乘龙,剑啸天下!
  • 诛佞记

    诛佞记

    明洪武十四年春。明太祖朱元璋将爱女安庆公主下嫁于壬戌年殿试二甲第一名进士——欧阳伦。欧阳伦小人得志,遂将青梅竹马的未婚妻——表妹弃遗。致授业母舅吐血身死,舅母自缢身亡,表妹悲愤交加、失心癫狂。洪武二十三年正月,欧阳伦置大明律条于不顾,公然对抗朝廷“盐茶国有,私人不得染指营运”的禁令,勾结湖广、陕西等地方官大肆运销。茶马互市、牟取暴利,且收受贿赂、侵吞赋税,阴买死士、杀人灭口。自洪武十六年始,欧阳伦即分别收受湖广史近山、云南邱汝昌等贪官的巨额贿赂。致洪武二十一年秋,云南曲源府大旱之年官府无钱粮赈灾,使曲源一地饿殍遍野,百姓聚众骚乱。
  • 神医下套之佳人太能逃

    神医下套之佳人太能逃

    第一次,男子站在他的那片药田之中,俊美无俦的面容上还是一贯的淡漠神情。“过来,浇水。”于是,她每日都得去药田报到;第二次,男子淡淡地说:“听说,你的厨艺甚好。”于是,她每日都得为他做晚膳;第三次,男子说:“明日起,我教你浅显医术。”于是,她开始每天手捧医书;第四次,男子借着醉意,对她“上下其手”。忽而展开一抹纯真笑靥,说:“叶忻沫,你是我的。”于是,她的心沦陷。最终,易大庄主就用他那若无其事的姿态,处心积虑且理所当然地,将一向聪慧过人的叶忻沫,一点一点吞吃入腹。【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 落跑萌妃:腹黑王爷很傲娇

    落跑萌妃:腹黑王爷很傲娇

    她,是来自二十一世纪的大龄肥胖女职员,异世重生,她改头换面,变身倾世女娇娃唐果果。奈何造化弄人,相同的遭遇再一次降临,看似穷途末路,但又见柳暗花明,绝地逢生。原本一生只为夺位复仇的腹黑王爷苏卿墨,却沉沦在她的古灵精怪的异世情怀之中,相似的遭遇令二人的心更加紧密的联系在一起。夺位之路,注定不再孤单,而后宫生活,也注定不会枯燥……本文轻微玛丽苏,虐中带甜,喜欢本文的小伙伴可以加群10834331,一起沟通。微博求互关,兮兮微博是:唐子兮cici
  • 痴情帝王苦情妃

    痴情帝王苦情妃

    楚曦玉身上积了厚厚的一层雪,就那么僵硬的站在大殿外,满面泪水。冰辛的冷气混着浓厚的血腥侵袭着她的呼吸,难闻至极,令她心口一窒。那个原本应该坐着她父皇的皇位上,如今坐着的却是那个她熟悉万分,却又陌生无比的男人。而她的父皇,楚国的皇帝,此刻已是再无声息的尸体
  • Bulfinch's Mythology

    Bulfinch's Mythology

    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 Conquest of Canaan

    The Conquest of Canaan

    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。