登陆注册
5227000000127

第127章 CHAPTER THE THIRTY-FIRST SEEDS OF THE FUTURE (FIRS

"NOT SO large as Windygates. But--shall we say snug, Jones?"

"And comfortable, Smith. I quite agree with you."

Such was the judgment pronounced by the two choral gentlemen on Julius Delamayn's house in Scotland. It was, as usual with Smith and Jones, a sound judgment--as far as it went. Swanhaven Lodge was not half the size of Windygates; but it had been inhabited for two centuries when the foundations of Windygates were first laid--and it possessed the advantages, without inheriting the drawbacks, of its age. There is in an old house a friendly adaptation to the human character, as there is in an old hat a friendly adaptation to the human head. The visitor who left Swanhaven quitted it with something like a sense of leaving home.

Among the few houses not our own which take a strong hold on our sympathies this was one. The ornamental grounds were far inferior in size and splendor to the grounds at Windygates. But the park was beautiful--less carefully laid out, but also less monotonous than an English park. The lake on the northern boundary of the estate, famous for its breed of swans, was one of the curiosities of the neighborhood; and the house had a history, associating it with more than one celebrated Scottish name, which had been written and illustrated by Julius Delamayn. Visitors to Swanhaven Lodge were invariably presented with a copy of the volume (privately printed). One in twenty read it. The rest were "charmed," and looked at the pictures.

The day was the last day of August, and the occasion was the garden-party given by Mr. and Mrs. Delamayn.

Smith and Jones--following, with the other guests at Windygates, in Lady Lundie's train--exchanged their opinions on the merits of the house, standing on a terrace at the back, near a flight of steps which led down into the garden. They formed the van-guard of the visitors, appearing by twos and threes from the reception rooms, and all bent on going to see the swans before the amusements of the day began. Julius Delamayn came out with the first detachment, recruited Smith and Jones, and other wandering bachelors, by the way, and set forth for the lake. An interval of a minute or two passed--and the terrace remained empty. Then two ladies--at the head of a second detachment of visitors--appeared under the old stone porch which sheltered the entrance on that side of the house. One of the ladies was a modest, pleasant little person, very simply dressed. The other was of the tall and formidable type of "fine women," clad in dazzling array. The first was Mrs. Julius Delamayn. The second was Lady Lundie.

"Exquisite!" cried her ladyship, surveying the old mullioned windows of the house, with their framing of creepers, and the grand stone buttresses projecting at intervals from the wall, each with its bright little circle of flowers blooming round the base. "I am really grieved that Sir Patrick should have missed this."

"I think you said, Lady Lundie, that Sir Patrick had been called to Edinburgh by family business?"

"Business, Mrs. Delamayn, which is any thing but agreeable to me, as one member of the family. It has altered all my arrangements for the autumn. My step-daughter is to be married next week."

"Is it so near as that? May I ask who the gentleman is?"

"Mr. Arnold Brinkworth."

"Surely I have some association with that name?"

"You have probably heard of him, Mrs. Delamayn, as the heir to Miss Brinkworth's Scotch property?"

"Exactly! Have you brought Mr. Brinkworth here to-day?"

"I bring his apologies, as well as Sir Patrick's. They went to Edinburgh together the day before yesterday. The lawyers engage to have the settlements ready in three or four days more, if a personal consultation can be managed. Some formal question, I believe, connected with title-deeds. Sir Patrick thought the safest way and the speediest way would be to take Mr. Brinkworth with him to Edinburgh--to get the business over to-day--and to wait until we join them, on our way south, to-morrow."

"You leave Windygates, in this lovely weather?"

"Most unwillingly! The truth is, Mrs. Delamayn, I am at my step-daughter's mercy. Her uncle has the authority, as her guardian--and the use he makes of it is to give her her own way in every thing. It was only on Friday last that she consented to let the day be fixed--and even then she made it a positive condition that the marriage was not to take place in Scotland.

Pure willfulness! But what can I do? Sir Patrick submits; and Mr. Brinkworth submits. If I am to be present at the marriage I must follow their example. I feel it my duty to be present--and, as a matter of course, I sacrifice myself. We start for London to-morrow."

"Is Miss Lundie to be married in London at this time of year?"

"No. We only pass through, on our way to Sir Patrick's place in Kent--the place that came to him with the title; the place associated with the last days of my beloved husband. Another trial for _me!_ The marriage is to be solemnized on the scene of my bereavement. My old wound is to be reopened on Monday next--simply because my step-daughter has taken a dislike to Windygates."

"This day week, then, is the day of the marriage?"

"Yes. This day week. There have been reasons for hurrying it which I need not trouble you with. No words can say how I wish it was over.--But, my dear Mrs. Delamayn, how thoughtless of me to assail _ you_ with my family worries! You are so sympathetic.

That is my only excuse. Don't let me keep you from your guests. I could linger in this sweet place forever! Where is Mrs. Glenarm?"

"I really don't know. I missed her when we came out on the terrace. She will very likely join us at the lake. Do you care about seeing the lake, Lady Lundie?"

"I adore the beauties of Nature, Mrs. Delamayn--especially lakes!"

"We have something to show you besides; we have a breed of swans on the lake, peculiar to the place. My husband has gone on with some of our friends; and I believe we are expected to follow, as soon as the rest of the party--in charge of my sister--have seen the house."

同类推荐
  • 华严经文义要决问答

    华严经文义要决问答

    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。
  • 约翰王

    约翰王

    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。
  • 明季南略

    明季南略

    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。
  • 六十种曲寻亲记

    六十种曲寻亲记

    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。
  • 仁斋直指方论(附补遗)

    仁斋直指方论(附补遗)

    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
  • 名人传记丛书:达·芬奇

    名人传记丛书:达·芬奇

    名人传记丛书——达·芬奇——名字与作品一样不朽于世:“立足课本,超越课堂”,以提高中小学生的综合素质为目的,让中小学生从课内受益到课外,是一生的良师益友。
  • 续佐治药言

    续佐治药言

    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。
  • 嫁给比尔·盖茨

    嫁给比尔·盖茨

    美琳达天生喜欢笑,总是笑口常开,而且笑容很甜。直到现在,她也没有改变她那对人贴心的微笑。她用真诚与乐观在同学、老师、同事中赢得了良好的声誉。有段时间,美琳达梦想像母亲一样做一名出色的主管,这与她的专业特长也相吻合。直到她怀着兴奋与不安的心情走进期待已久的微软,那简约、现代的办公环境,以及宽松、活泼的工作气氛,使得这位带着灵气的女性平生第一次体验到工作的乐趣。这里吸引住了她,也开始了她的人生追求。那年她成了营销部门的职员。营销部门在微软是一个非常重要的部门。在营销部经理露丝的介绍下,美琳达认识了这里的全部员工。
  • 天谴幻想

    天谴幻想

    故事发生在一个名为“泡沫”的虚构国家,讲述的是一种名为“天谴”的吃人怪物突然出现,人类与之展开战争的故事。主角是一群孤儿和留守儿童,童年的不幸造成了他们阴暗的性格,冷漠,残忍,偏激,藐视他人生命,但内心深处却又都有一丝柔软之处,并因此走上拯救世界之路。世人却无法理解他们的行为,误解、辱骂、诽谤接踵而至。故事讲述的,就是这么一群“身负骂名的英雄”的故事。
  • 靳影帝的隐婚甜妻

    靳影帝的隐婚甜妻

    【萌宝来袭,宠文爽文,身心干净,1v1】这是一部娱乐圈双重生文,男女主重归于好,抱着萌娃秀尽恩爱、撒尽狗粮的故事。粉丝眼里的靳绍煜性子清冷、不善交流、无欲无求...这年头,怎么能连个微博都没有?一众迷妹实在为他的终身大事而发愁。后来,她们抓狂了,靳影帝不仅不是孤身一人,媳妇还是国民女神?纳尼?还怀孕了?高冷的靳影帝对着镜头十分正经来了一句,“我们结婚了。”接下来的日子,粉丝们表示影帝家狗粮天天打折,虐狗简直不要太狠!她们期待已久的微博开通,别人秀生活、秀努力、秀奖杯...靳影帝秀老婆、秀老婆、秀老婆...【小剧场】上节目的靳影帝。主持人提问:“喜欢一个人是什么样的感觉?”靳影帝:“看见温舒韵的感觉。”不甘心再提问:“你对另一半有什么要求和希望?”靳影帝:“是温舒韵。”主持人:“...”说好的矜贵高冷呢?——上综艺的靳影帝。导演:“任务失败的一方要站在指定位置接受惩罚。”冷水浇下来之际,温舒韵被靳影帝紧紧护在怀里,而他浑身湿透。在场人和电视机前的观众,冷不丁,又被塞了一大碗狗粮。靳影帝温声缓缓来了一句,“我家这位体质弱,怕她感冒。”摔!看个综艺都要屠狗是不是?
  • 比尔·盖茨最实用的11种经营策略

    比尔·盖茨最实用的11种经营策略

    一个人的成功其实是思想和智慧的成功,所以说如果一个人的思想贫瘠,那才是最大的失败。本书纵观比尔·盖茨一生的经商历程,筛选了很多经典的商业故事,从而来发现他的成功秘诀,解读他的财富密码。读完这本书,你会发现这本书就是一堂生动的成功课。面对比尔·盖茨的巨大成功,有人可能会问:比尔·盖茨为什么能取得如此巨大的成功?历史为什么偏偏选择他?
  • 十二剑仙

    十二剑仙

    指引星河的天河剑,掌控冥界的云海剑,预知吉凶的古巫剑……十二仙剑,剑斩诸天。十二位持剑人,都有不一样的故事,一样维护诸天的决心!
  • 血脉帝皇

    血脉帝皇

    在蛮荒大陆上百族争鸣,修炼方式各不相同,圣兽城是一个修练血脉为尊的世界,看一个身世迷离血脉被废侥幸没死,得不无上强者传承,熔炼血脉,融合帝魂,报仇,查出身世之迷去,征战四方,成就帝位。
  • 重生悍妇

    重生悍妇

    本文爽文,重生,宅斗,绝对的宠文,欢迎入坑啊!前世,她是名门淑女,嫁入侯府十余载,虽无所出,却贤良淑德,亦是妇德典范。奈何早逝,原以为会风光大葬,却落得个草席裹尸,暴尸荒野,尸骨无存的下场。一朝惨死,得知真相,她才明白,这一切,不过是他们的蓄谋已久,而她不过是为他人做嫁衣。重生一世,她誓不做贤良妇,即使背上悍妇之名又如何?小剧场:某日,茶馆内。“听说了吗?王爷又被撵出府了,而且还鼻青脸肿的。”“听说又是王妃打的。”“又?”“王妃是出了名的悍妇,偏偏王爷又是个惧内的。”“听说这次被揍,是因为王爷被个打更的看了一眼。”“……”
  • 离婚吧我们

    离婚吧我们

    是谁说一场婚姻只是两个人的事?莫北北和沈浩的婚姻却是几个人甚至是几家人的事,七大姑八大姨甚至是隔辈的表亲都出来了,莫北北觉得她结婚之后的亲戚便多了起来,一个个都对着她们的婚姻指手画脚…偏偏沈浩是个二十四孝子,他从不会违逆妈妈的半句话。曾有人说,莫北北是沈浩一辈子最反叛的一次。恋爱三年结婚三年,六年的时光终于被时间给一点点的消磨掉了吗?“喂,你就是莫北北吧,你知道我是谁吗,我是沈浩的爱人,是他即将准备娶进门的妻子,所以,麻烦你让让好不好?我肚子里的宝宝有些等不及了呢。”小三笑的嚣张而挑衅,她的身后站着的是强大的后援团,莫北北的公公婆婆沈浩的亲爸妈,孤身一人的莫北北的爱情和婚姻将最终走向何方?◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆装饰辉煌的咖啡厅。绫子笑的张扬,“喂,庆祝我第二次离婚吧。”明明是在笑眼角的泪却是一滴滴的流了下来,她笑着哭,“北北现在的男人怎么都是这样了呢?前一个是现在这一个又是,连沈浩也是…天底下真的没有好男人了吗?”莫北北冷笑,天底下哪有不吃腥的猫不啃骨头的狗?◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆很想很想开这个坑,今天刚好十月初十,嘻嘻,赶在生日这天开。一场婚姻不只是有小三不只是有七年之痒,还会有尖酸的婆婆有好心却只会添乱更没什么能力的娘家人有七大姑八大姨所以有了这篇文,写婚姻写小三写现实写外遇写那些还在婚姻中纠缠着较劲的人写一场夹杂了太多吵闹怨责的爱情到底能走到哪里…。。。。。。。推荐偶自己的新文——离婚不打折:。。。。。。。。。。。。。如果爱请狠狠的爱。要是不爱了,那么亲爱的,我们离婚吧