登陆注册
5213900000053

第53章

admiration of her for the world; though to take a lady amongst them was, in fact, against the rules.It was not, then, till the second race was due to start that they made their way into the paddock.

Here the Derby horses were being led solemnly, attended each by a little posse of persons, looking up their legs and down their ribs to see whether they were worthy of support, together with a few who liked to see a whole horse at a time.Presently they found the animal which had been recommended to the Colonel.It was a chestnut, with a starred forehead, parading in a far corner.The Colonel, who really loved a horse, was deep in admiration.He liked its head and he liked its hocks; above all, he liked its eye.

A fine creature, all sense and fire--perhaps just a little straight in the shoulder for coming down the hill! And in the midst of his examination he found himself staring at his niece.What breeding the child showed, with her delicate arched brows, little ears, and fine, close nostrils; and the way she moved--so sure and springy.

She was too pretty to suffer! A shame! If she hadn't been so pretty that young fellow wouldn't have fallen in love with her.If she weren't so pretty--that husband of hers wouldn't--! And the Colonel dropped his gaze, startled by the discovery he had stumbled on.If she hadn't been so pretty! Was that the meaning of it all?

The cynicism of his own reflection struck him between wind and water.And yet something in himself seemed to confirm it somehow.

What then? Was he to let them tear her in two between them, destroying her, because she was so pretty? And somehow this discovery of his--that passion springs from worship of beauty and warmth, of form and colour--disturbed him horribly, for he had no habit of philosophy.The thought seemed to him strangely crude, even immoral.That she should be thus between two ravening desires--a bird between two hawks, a fruit between two mouths! It was a way of looking at things that had never before occurred to him.The idea of a husband clutching at his wife, the idea of that young man who looked so gentle, swooping down on her; and the idea that if she faded, lost her looks, went off, their greed, indeed, any man's, would die away--all these horrible ideas hurt him the more for the remarkable suddenness with which they had come to him.

A tragic business! Dolly had said so.Queer and quick--were women! But his resolution that the day was to be jolly soon recurred to him, and he hastily resumed inspection of his fancy.

Perhaps they ought to have a ten-pound note on it, and they had better get back to the Stand! And as they went the Colonel saw, standing beneath a tree at a little distance, a young man that he could have sworn was Lennan.Not likely for an artist chap to be down here! But it WAS undoubtedly young Lennan, brushed-up, in a top-hat.Fortunately, however, his face was not turned in their direction.He said nothing to Olive, not wishing--especially after those unpleasant thoughts--to take responsibility, and he kept her moving towards the gate, congratulating himself that his eyes had been so sharp.In the crush there he was separated from her a little, but she was soon beside him again; and more than ever he congratulated himself that nothing had occurred to upset her and spoil the day.Her cheeks were warm enough now, her dark eyes glowing.She was excited no doubt by thoughts of the race, and of the 'tenner' he was going to put on for her.

He recounted the matter afterwards to Mrs.Ercott."That chestnut Tabor put me on to finished nowhere--couldn't get down the hill--knew it wouldn't the moment I set eyes on it.But the child enjoyed herself.Wish you'd been there, my dear!" Of his deeper thoughts and of that glimpse of young Lennan he did not speak, for on the way home an ugly suspicion had attacked him.Had the young fellow, after all, seen and managed to get close to her in the crush at the paddock gateway?

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • Stardust

    Stardust

    When her adopted parents die, Jody Hendrick is devastated--both emotionally and financially. Her parents left her destitute, and Jody must find a way to support herself. But good news is on the way--a distant relative has left her half of a luxurious Irish hotel.When Jody meets the owner of the other half, handsome and charming Conor Blake, she's immediately smitten. But soon her stepsister, Rochelle, arrives with the deed to the hotel. Even worse, she has her eye on Conor as well--and will stop at nothing to have him.
  • 烹饪制作小窍门(最实用的居家小书)

    烹饪制作小窍门(最实用的居家小书)

    《烹饪制作小窍门》介绍了在从事烹调过程中所用的基础知识,其中包括常见的专业术语、烹制法,以及味型等,让读者在操作时能加深理解。书中主要介绍了常见菜品的制作,介绍的原料以常见的海鲱、鸡、鸭、鱼、肉、时令蔬菜等为主,介绍了传统的川菜、粤菜、创新的重庆菜、江湖菜以及返璞归真的农家菜,满足消费者追求奇、新、异的消费心理。
  • 我与我的世界

    我与我的世界

    《我与我的世界》是曹聚仁先生晚年所写的回忆录,后由家人整理增补,按“传记文学”自觉经营,坦诚自白,纵横上下,酣畅洒脱,是一部具有重要史料价值与文本意义的传记。它将其生平世界“不加掩饰地揭示出来”。从金华童年的”神道黄昏”,到浙江一师的“四大金刚”;从“国学”和“文坛”,到“我与鲁迅”和“文白论战”,从上海春秋、报刊生涯,到抗战军兴、执笔从戎;不但阅历丰富、见识繁多,而且他颇想勾画出那一时代的生活轮廓及文化工作”,所以“史的意味,比较更重一些”。正因如此,才是一本既有史料价值,又具文学可读性的大家作品。
  • 女人成功靠自己

    女人成功靠自己

    《女人幸福靠自己》内容简介:一个光着脚的人和一个饥饿的人结伴而行。光脚人对幸福的定义是有一双鞋,饥饿的人对幸福的定义是有一餐饱饭,但是当他们看到路边有一个坐在轮椅上的人时,他们突然感觉自己是幸福的:虽然没有鞋穿,但至少还有一双可以走路的脚;虽然饥肠辘辘,但身体还是健康的。而轮椅上的人说:“我也是幸福的,因为我还活着。”
  • 暗算

    暗算

    《暗算》是著名作家麦家代表作,被誉为“最好读的茅盾文学奖作品”,入选英国“企鹅经典”文库。在一处特殊之地,有一群有特殊禀赋的人。他们听天外之音,读无字之书,苦苦破译密码,也是破解自己一生的命运。设密与解密、天才与疯狂、爱情与仇恨对撞交错。在智力的博弈与较量背后,人性之光在熠熠闪烁。《暗算》是中国谍战影视开山之作、同名电视剧原著小说,也是梁朝伟、周迅主演电影《听风者》原著。其波澜壮阔的想象空间,将世界性的主题带进了中国文学。由著名设计师精心设计精装典藏版,开启全新视觉与阅读盛宴。
  • 现代人智慧全书:智慧用人术

    现代人智慧全书:智慧用人术

    本书全面、系统、分门别类地将现代人生存立世必须具备的智慧告诉您。指导您做适者生存、永立人上的强者。
  • 一只猎雕的遭遇

    一只猎雕的遭遇

    动物小说之所以比其他类型的小说更有吸引力,是因为这个题材最容易刺破人类文化的外壳和文明社会种种虚伪的表象,可以毫无遮掩地直接表现丑陋与美丽融于一体的原生态的生命。人类文化和社会文明会随着时代的变迁而不断更新,但生命中残酷竞争、顽强生存和追求辉煌的精神内核是永远不会改变的。因此,动物小说更有理由赢得读者,也更有理由追求不朽。
  • 万民节日:庙会(文化之美)

    万民节日:庙会(文化之美)

    庙会作为民俗文化的一个古老载体,是传统、历史、民间、民俗文化的一个剪影,也是一个时代经济文化发展的缩影。
  • 红色账簿:全景展示中共革命史中的货币战争(1921~1927)

    红色账簿:全景展示中共革命史中的货币战争(1921~1927)

    弱小的在野党,如何打败了掌握国家资源的执政党?不拿薪饷的队伍,如何战胜了拿着高福利的正规军?全新的角度来诠释红色历史,隐秘资料首次公布,颠覆你的革命观!全书运用财富与经济的视角,对我党从1921年到1927年的革命历程进行了纪实性的叙述,展示了真实的货币与战争之间那些曲折动人的故事。
  • 尸碎诸天

    尸碎诸天

    天地有难如泉涌,万劫不复我独行。人族永不屈服!!!