登陆注册
5255000000015

第15章 CHAPTER III THE PLANTAGENET LADY(4)

At length the rubbing, as it is termed technically, was finished and the two prepared to depart out of the gloom of the great church which had gathered about them as the evening closed in. Solitary and small they looked in it surrounded by all those mementoes of the dead, enveloped as it were in the very atmosphere of death. Who has not felt that atmosphere standing alone at nightfall in one of our ancient English churches that embody in baptism, marriage and burial the hopes, the desires, and the fears of unnumbered generations?

For remember, that in a majority of instances, long before the Cross rose above these sites, they had been the sacred places of faith after faith. Sun-worshippers, Nature-worshippers, Druids, votaries of Jove and Venus, servants of Odin, Thor and Friga, early Christians who were half one thing and half another, all have here bowed their brows to earth in adoration of God as they understood Him, and in these hallowed spots lies mingled the dust of every one of them.

So Godfrey felt in that hour and the same influences impinged upon and affected even the girl's bold, denying soul. She acknowledged them to herself, and after a woman's way, turned and almost fiercely laid the blame upon her companion.

"You have infected me with your silly superstitions," she said, stamping her foot as they shut and locked the door of the church. "I feel afraid of something, I don't know what, and I was never afraid of anything before."

"What superstitions?" he asked, apologetically. "I don't remember mentioning any."

"There is no need for you to mention them, they ooze out of you. As though I could not read your mind! There's no need for you to talk to tell me what you are thinking of, death--and separations which are as bad, and unknown things to come, and all sorts of horrors."

"That's odd," he remarked, still without emotion, for he was used to these attacks from Isobel which, as he knew, when she was upset, always meant anything but what she said, "for as a matter of fact I was thinking of a separation. I am going away, Isobel, or rather, my father is sending me away."

He turned, and pointing to the stormy western sky where the day died in splendour, added simply in the poetic imagery that so often springs to the lips of youth:

"There sets our sun; at least it is the last we shall look upon together for a whole year. You go to London to-morrow, don't you?

Before you come back I shall be gone."

"Gone! Why? Where? Oh! what's the use of asking? I knew something of the sort was coming. I felt it in that horrible old church. And after all, why should I mind? What does it matter if you go away for a year or ten years--except that you are the only friend I have--especially as no doubt you are glad to get out of this dreadful hole? Don't stand there looking at me like a moon-calf, whatever that may be, but tell me what you mean, or I'll, I'll----" and she stopped.

Then he told her--well, not quite everything, for he omitted his father's disparaging remarks about herself.

She listened in her intent fashion, and filled in the gaps without difficulty.

"I see," she said. "Your father thinks that I am corrupting you about religion, as though anybody could corrupt you when you have got an idea into your stupid head; at least, on those subjects. Oh! I hate him, worse even than I do my own, worse than you do yourself."

Godfrey, thinking aloud, began to quote the Fourth Commandment. She cut him short:

"Honour my father!" she said. "Why should we honour our fathers unless they are worthy of honour? What have we to thank them for?"

"Life," suggested Godfrey.

"Why? You believe that life comes from God, and so do I in a way. If so, what has a father to do with it who is just a father and no more?

With mothers perhaps it is different, but you see I love my mother and he treats her like--like a dog, or worse," and her grey eyes filled with tears. "However, it is your father we are talking of, and there is no commandment telling me to honour /him/. I say I hate him and he hates me, and that's why he is sending you away. Well, I hope you won't find anyone to contaminate you in Switzerland."

"Oh! Isobel, Isobel," he broke out, "don't be so bitter, especially as it is of no use. Besides after all you have got everything that a girl can have--money and position and looks----"

"Looks!" she exclaimed, seizing on the last word, "when you know I am as ugly as a toad."

He stared at her.

"I don't know it; I think you beautiful."

"Wait till you see someone else and you will change your mind," she snapped, flushing.

"And you are going to come out," he went on hastily.

"Yes, at a fancy ball in this Plantagenet lady's dress, but I almost wish I was--to go out instead--like her."

"And I daresay you will soon be married," he blurted, losing his head for she bewildered him.

"Married! Oh! you idiot. Do you know what marriage means--to a woman?

Married! I can bear no more of this. Goodbye," and turning she walked, or rather ran into the darkness, leaving him amazed and alone.

This was the last time that Godfrey spoke with Isobel for a long while. Next morning he received a note addressed in her clear and peculiar writing, which from the angular formation of the letters and their regularity, at a distance looked not unlike a sheet of figures.

It was short and ran:--

Dear Old Godfrey,--Don't be vexed with me because I was so cross this evening. Something in that old church upset me, and you know I have a dreadful temper. I didn't mean anything I said. I daresay it is a good thing you should go away and see the world instead of sticking in this horrid place. Leave your address with Mother Parsons, and I will write to you; but mind you answer my letters or I shan't write any more. Good-bye, old boy.

Your affectionate Isobel.

Who is always thinking of you.

P.S.--I'll get this to the Abbey with your milk. Can't leave it myself, as we are starting for town at half-past seven to-morrow morning to catch the early train.

同类推荐
  • Arizona Sketches

    Arizona Sketches

    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。
  • 智觉禅师自行录

    智觉禅师自行录

    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。
  • 题云际寺准上人房

    题云际寺准上人房

    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。
  • 运气门

    运气门

    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。
  • 濒湖炮炙法

    濒湖炮炙法

    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
  • 幽默是一种能力

    幽默是一种能力

    本书以幽默为切入点,本书为你准备的50个培养幽默感的好方法则。是让你可以用最快速度成为幽默高手的“随身指南”,它将指导你在每一天的工作中去挖掘可以成为幽默的细节,并将这些细节提炼成便于记忆的习惯准则,你可以随时随地的启动你的幽默细胞,让它们随时舞动。现在就开始行动吧!每天学习一个幽默的好方法,50天之后,你将会领会幽默的真正含义,培养出自己的幽默感,让你的人生充满快乐!
  • 穿越之沦为绝色祸天下

    穿越之沦为绝色祸天下

    她是二十一世纪的少女,有着对生活的向往、幻想与追求。她拥有姣好的面容以及良好的家世背景,只是没想到有天会被好友推下山崖并且穿越到这个知名的时空…她不知道是怎样遇到他的?只不过从此后她就不是她了,她被他改变了容貌,从此灌上了别人的名字生活…目前男主人物简介:邪神:他武功天下第一,自始打遍天下难逢敌手;他医术精湛,死人他也有办法让他复活;他用毒极至,就算是天下最毒的鹤顶红也不放在眼里;他有令人畏惧的权势,但却以邪奸自诩,所以他要看天下大乱,不为别的,只为满足他邪恶的内心。只是曾几何时看到她心中多了那么点涟猗。月蜮:他是被兄弟姐妹泄欲的对象。机缘巧合下他遇到了邪神,并且爱上了他。最终他要求邪神将自己变成女人,从此跟在邪神身边效力。可遇到她后,他的心竟开始莫名的悸动。夜蜮(蝙蝠怪):他是邪神用吸血蝙蝠的脑子加上人的身体打造的怪物。邪神创造他只是为了把他变成采花大盗,所以在他的眼里除了情欲还是情欲。可他见到她后,内心开始理智。龙逸敖:天羽国四王爷。他掌握着全国百分之八十的军队,更是全国首富,红颜知己遍布天下,但他的心只为她停留。叶子青:武林盟主,天下第一楼楼主。是她现在这个身份的未婚夫。既使后来他发现她不是原来的她,依然对她深爱无悔。平陵:死亡团首领,江湖第一杀手。在一次刺杀行动中受伤,被她救下后就身不由己的爱上她。昶野:魔门门主。涉及江湖各行各业的神秘组织,终身与武林正道为敌,为了打击叶子青恶意的将她绑架,最后还是敌不她的诱惑。水恒子:大氓国国师,先知派掌门。拥有神奇的占卜能力,轻易的洞悉她的身世。一次偶然的邂逅,让他愿意放弃一切陪她归隐田园。天君:相当神秘的人物,传说是血族君上,唯一能与邪神分均力敌之人。派人几次置她死地,可一次偶遇让他对她始终无法忘怀。====================================推荐雪的新文:《傲倾苍穹》推荐好友文文:倏久安然《许你一夜长眠》落叶孤单《暴君,你好坏!》我最近一直在看这书,非常好看,你也赶紧去看看!....^_^
  • 劫中得书记

    劫中得书记

    《劫中得书记》乃郑振铎先生在抗战烽火劫难中搜求古书之记录,其间种种为之欢喜为之愁之行状,为灾难中的祖国保存文化薪火之情思,无不怦然动人。这是一幅真正的爱书人的绝美的自画像。
  • 废材小痞妃

    废材小痞妃

    她,21世纪嗜血特种兵,意外穿越后是玄天大陆东方家痴傻的大小姐。当清冷的眼眸再次睁开,她惊才艳绝,智慧无双。他,风华绝代,手段残忍又神秘莫测。一场相遇,一把血魔琴,一根白玉萧。乱世红尘中,且看两个强者如何金戈铁马,上天入地,打造一片属于他们的盛世风云。
  • 华娱小明星

    华娱小明星

    一纸价值1000万的中奖彩票直接将群众演员岳华捧上人生巅峰!究竟是福还是祸!
  • 初恋的故事(爱情罐头条形码)

    初恋的故事(爱情罐头条形码)

    为了不离开她,他做出一个大胆的选择,爱情和生活却双双出现危机。当梦想、青春、纯真与现实相遇,他该何去何从?和她约好热恋八年后结婚的诺言还能否坚守?小说作者取材自己真实的恋爱经历,真诚讲述一段纯真的初恋。为了不与恋爱四年的大学女友分开,“我”做出一个大胆的决定,考上大学生村官,到了一个偏僻的乡镇。两人的感情却出现一次又一次的危机……村里的书记执意要“我”做上门女婿,女友又遭遇被人追求的局面。
  • 爹爹闪开之娘亲要翻墙

    爹爹闪开之娘亲要翻墙

    慕云歌,二十一世纪顶级特工,一场实验,灵魂互换,魂坠异世。什么?她竟然被人下了媚药!靠!有木有搞错?为了自救,她只好强了那个连样貌都木有看清的男人,然后带球跑路!渣爹不疼,亲娘不爱!嫌她败坏家风,将她送到了那个鸟不拉屎的偏远小城!木有关系!姐这天才的封号可不是白得的!素手翻云,破烂庄园大变天,金银财宝滚滚来!小日子过的也是风生水起。什么?一封家书召她回京?靠!你说回去就回去!不过听说京中金银遍地,回去捞点也无妨!什么?召她回来是为了代妹出嫁?开什么玩笑!当她是肉包子吗?想怎么捏就怎么捏!别忘了,刚出锅的包子可是很烫手的!不过出嫁也无妨!看在那聘礼还算可观的面子上,嫁了就嫁了!反正嫁谁不是嫁!什么?未来相公还是个病入膏肓一只脚迈入鬼门关的?让她嫁过去只为了冲喜?靠!太特么.靠谱了!只要那男人一蹬腿,万贯家财可就都落入她的兜中!这笔买卖很划算!姐.嫁了!精彩片段展示:“爹爹,红杏出墙是什么意思?”某小宝一脸天真无知的请教着。“.怎么问这个?”某男人躺在软榻上,疑惑的看着站在一旁的儿子。“娘亲说她要红杏出墙,可是小宝不懂这是什么意思,所以就想着爹爹一定知道的。”“什么!?”“娘亲说爹爹虽然长的很帅,但是中看不中用!所以她要红杏出墙,去找个中看又中用!帅气又多金的来!”某男人闻言腾的从软榻上跳起,脸色阴沉,瞬间消失在房内。他一定要让那个女人知道,他是中看也中用的!某小宝看着男人暴走的背影得意道:“我就说爹爹没病,看这不是生龙活虎的吗?哪里有病入膏肓的样子了?”
  • 二胎

    二胎

    方淳70年代生,现居杭州,硕士,浙江省作家协会成员,曾出版长篇小说《病人》,另在《作家》《青年作家》《文学界》《西湖》《福建文学》《雨花》《当代小说》《浙江作家》《三角洲文学》等杂志发表小说、散文若干。美莲拿起拖布又把地擦了一遍,土黄木纹的地砖铺了不到半年,看上去还是簇簇新的,地砖的釉面闪着清洁的亮光,花纹是几年前流行的式样,一个方方的菱形套着一个方方的菱形,花哨而生动,空间似乎被线条和色彩充满了。美莲的家,有老式的家具,也有一些新潮的家具。
  • 晚清民国大学之旅

    晚清民国大学之旅

    本书回忆中国大学在晚清民国时期的整个进程,包括那时的大学、大学教师、大学生们,包括那些可歌可泣的人物,那些惊心动魄的场面,那些流芳青史的运动,那些意义非凡的事件,那些艰难、曲折、复杂、漫长的办学历程,那些或快乐有趣或感人肺腑的校园小插曲,那些振聋发聩、空谷足音的思想和言语,那些山水秀丽、楼宇精致、书声朗朗的校园。你也可以把它看成是一部关于1949年以前中国大学的百科全书;是中国近、现代大学发展史的“民间版”、“通俗版”、“故事版”;是中华民族的精神家园;老一辈知识分子的朝圣之路。因为,那正是我们的魂,我们的根啊!
  • 肾病用药配餐指南

    肾病用药配餐指南

    《肾病用药配餐指南》是一本关于肾病的用药配餐指南,共分为三部分,包括肾病的基本常识、肾病的用药常识以及肾病的药膳食疗,为肾病患者的用药、保健提供全面的解析,是肾病患者的良师益友、家庭医生。