登陆注册
5378900000016

第16章

'Ah!' said Mr.Britain.'But the most extraordinary thing, Clemmy, is that I should live to be brought round, through you.That's the strange part of it.Through you! Why, I suppose you haven't so much as half an idea in your head.'

Clemency, without taking the least offence, shook it, and laughed and hugged herself, and said, 'No, she didn't suppose she had.'

'I'm pretty sure of it,' said Mr.Britain.

'Oh! I dare say you're right,' said Clemency.'I don't pretend to none.I don't want any.'

Benjamin took his pipe from his lips, and laughed till the tears ran down his face.'What a natural you are, Clemmy!' he said, shaking his head, with an infinite relish of the joke, and wiping his eyes.Clemency, without the smallest inclination to dispute it, did the like, and laughed as heartily as he.

'I can't help liking you,' said Mr.Britain; 'you're a regular good creature in your way, so shake hands, Clem.Whatever happens, I'll always take notice of you, and be a friend to you.'

'Will you?' returned Clemency.'Well! that's very good of you.'

'Yes, yes,' said Mr.Britain, giving her his pipe to knock the ashes out of it; 'I'll stand by you.Hark! That's a curious noise!'

'Noise!' repeated Clemency.

'A footstep outside.Somebody dropping from the wall, it sounded like,' said Britain.'Are they all abed up-stairs?'

'Yes, all abed by this time,' she replied.

'Didn't you hear anything?'

'No.'

They both listened, but heard nothing.

'I tell you what,' said Benjamin, taking down a lantern.'I'll have a look round, before I go to bed myself, for satisfaction's sake.Undo the door while I light this, Clemmy.'

Clemency complied briskly; but observed as she did so, that he would only have his walk for his pains, that it was all his fancy, and so forth.Mr.Britain said 'very likely;' but sallied out, nevertheless, armed with the poker, and casting the light of the lantern far and near in all directions.

'It's as quiet as a churchyard,' said Clemency, looking after him;'and almost as ghostly too!'

Glancing back into the kitchen, she cried fearfully, as a light figure stole into her view, 'What's that!'

'Hush!' said Marion in an agitated whisper.'You have always loved me, have you not!'

'Loved you, child! You may be sure I have.'

'I am sure.And I may trust you, may I not? There is no one else just now, in whom I CAN trust.'

'Yes,' said Clemency, with all her heart.

'There is some one out there,' pointing to the door, 'whom I must see, and speak with, to-night.Michael Warden, for God's sake retire! Not now!'

Clemency started with surprise and trouble as, following the direction of the speaker's eyes, she saw a dark figure standing in the doorway.

'In another moment you may be discovered,' said Marion.'Not now!

Wait, if you can, in some concealment.I will come presently.'

He waved his hand to her, and was gone.'Don't go to bed.Wait here for me!' said Marion, hurriedly.'I have been seeking to speak to you for an hour past.Oh, be true to me!'

Eagerly seizing her bewildered hand, and pressing it with both her own to her breast - an action more expressive, in its passion of entreaty, than the most eloquent appeal in words, - Marion withdrew; as the light of the returning lantern flashed into the room.

'All still and peaceable.Nobody there.Fancy, I suppose,' said Mr.Britain, as he locked and barred the door.'One of the effects of having a lively imagination.Halloa! Why, what's the matter?'

Clemency, who could not conceal the effects of her surprise and concern, was sitting in a chair: pale, and trembling from head to foot.

'Matter!' she repeated, chafing her hands and elbows, nervously, and looking anywhere but at him.'That's good in you, Britain, that is! After going and frightening one out of one's life with noises and lanterns, and I don't know what all.Matter! Oh, yes!'

'If you're frightened out of your life by a lantern, Clemmy,' said Mr.Britain, composedly blowing it out and hanging it up again, 'that apparition's very soon got rid of.But you're as bold as brass in general,' he said, stopping to observe her; 'and were, after the noise and the lantern too.What have you taken into your head? Not an idea, eh?'

But, as Clemency bade him good night very much after her usual fashion, and began to bustle about with a show of going to bed herself immediately, Little Britain, after giving utterance to the original remark that it was impossible to account for a woman's whims, bade her good night in return, and taking up his candle strolled drowsily away to bed.

When all was quiet, Marion returned.

'Open the door,' she said; 'and stand there close beside me, while I speak to him, outside.'

Timid as her manner was, it still evinced a resolute and settled purpose, such as Clemency could not resist.She softly unbarred the door: but before turning the key, looked round on the young creature waiting to issue forth when she should open it.

The face was not averted or cast down, but looking full upon her, in its pride of youth and beauty.Some simple sense of the slightness of the barrier that interposed itself between the happy home and honoured love of the fair girl, and what might be the desolation of that home, and shipwreck of its dearest treasure, smote so keenly on the tender heart of Clemency, and so filled it to overflowing with sorrow and compassion, that, bursting into tears, she threw her arms round Marion's neck.

'It's little that I know, my dear,' cried Clemency, 'very little;but I know that this should not be.Think of what you do!'

'I have thought of it many times,' said Marion, gently.

'Once more,' urged Clemency.'Till to-morrow.' Marion shook her head.

'For Mr.Alfred's sake,' said Clemency, with homely earnestness.

'Him that you used to love so dearly, once!'

She hid her face, upon the instant, in her hands, repeating 'Once!'

as if it rent her heart.

同类推荐
  • 春日灞亭同苗员外寄

    春日灞亭同苗员外寄

    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 Golden Asse

    The Golden Asse

    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。
  • 佛说较量寿命经

    佛说较量寿命经

    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。
  • 通玄真经注

    通玄真经注

    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。
  • 根本说一切有部苾刍尼毗奈耶

    根本说一切有部苾刍尼毗奈耶

    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
  • 人性的弱点(译林人文精选)

    人性的弱点(译林人文精选)

    《人性的弱点》主要讲述了如何构建成功的人际关系,主要包括商务沟通和与人交往的策略,以及如何处理好与家人的关系,从而为你事业的成功打下良好的基础。作为卡耐基成功的励志经典图书、全球自我教育与成人训练的范本,它汇集了卡耐基的思想精华和激动人心的内容,无数读者通过阅读和实践书中介绍的各种方法,不仅走出困境,有的还成为世人仰慕的杰出人士。
  • 丑女穿越有外挂

    丑女穿越有外挂

    一个土肥圆的高中女生刘丽居然在一夜之间穿越成美貌千金小姐南宫琉璃,还受到众多古装帅哥的青睐,草鸡变凤凰不过如此,怎么有这种天上掉下来的好事?当然,这次古代之旅可不是只有好事,有流氓?踩翻你!有绿茶表?我尽量保证不打你的脸!美男们,快到怀里来!穿越时空,叱诧风云,指点江山甚至傲视众生都不在话下!【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 清谈墨子

    清谈墨子

    本书通过介绍话说墨子、人生最大的艺术、修身养性、智慧与谋略、节约生命、追求真理、一阴一阳之谓道等内容,评述了墨子的人生态度和处世策略。
  • 娇妻作妖

    娇妻作妖

    童洛,肤白貌美大长腿,童颜巨乳小花旦。沈渊,矜贵冷漠腹黑男,权势滔天傲病娇。在某个淫靡奢乱场合,十八线小明星一不小心被沈家长孙当成了妖艳贱货利用,于是……【开始】沈渊厌恶的目光扫过刚才隔壁房间出来衣衫不整的妖艳女人,皱了皱眉:“五十万,脱光上床,拍几张照片。”童洛理了理滑落的肩带,想了想床上那个十七八岁的纯情小少男,点点头:“这个价格,留内衣,不露脸。”【然后】沈渊冷漠:“以你的身份也想嫁入沈家?从我弟弟身边滚开。”童洛眨眼:“您这套路不对吧,不应该加个‘给你多少万’?”【最后】沈大爷黑脸看着屏幕里露肩露腿的妖娆身姿,冷声:“你一年片酬多少,我给,呆在家。”童影后绽着一脸甜笑,一脸无辜:“自力更生也有错?大爷你让让,挡着我大红大紫的路了。”
  • 哈佛教授与女儿的对话

    哈佛教授与女儿的对话

    《哈佛教授与女儿的对话》汇集了诸多名人故事和具有深刻哲理的寓言故事,这些伟大的思想精华有益于孩子们道德灵感和生命智慧的索取。青少年时期正是形成观念的时候,孩子在此时接受的教育是高尚的思想,并且要修炼良好的举止操行,形成健康、睿智的思维方式和生活态度。《哈佛教授与女儿的对话》中的每个故事都具有丰富的教育意义和深刻的人生哲理,通俗易懂的故事能够深入浅出地道出大道理,并且能令孩子高兴。
  • 网游之无人能敌

    网游之无人能敌

    我的剑亮的可以刺瞎你们的眼睛。这是王丹阳的口头禅。全能战神,这是在王阳在绝代这款游戏的称呼,曾经最大的公会,炽阳,因为有一个人的存在,而叱咤绝代。但是后来发生了一系列的变故,王阳因为一些原因退出了游戏,离开了公会...甚至连温饱都是问题...当神话的出现,彻底的改变了这一切。我是一名剑客,平常我不喜欢出剑,但是当我拔出剑,亮的可以刺瞎你们的双眼!
  • 大明诡事

    大明诡事

    洪武三十一年,朱元璋传位于皇孙朱允,号建文,其四子朱棣不服,起兵于顺天府,南下靖难。江湖朝堂风起云涌,登云府的一群年轻人为了完成师命,走上了充满危险的前路…
  • 旷世商女:逆天废物三小姐

    旷世商女:逆天废物三小姐

    当第一杀手意外穿越成‘傻子’三小姐肿么办?徐颖表示没有压力,傻子嘛!你们既然说是,那我就装,直到装到你们后悔的那一日。只是,成日的装傻子,终有一日,她竟然被貌若‘傻子’的男人给算计了,这算不是算是一物降一物?某男笑得很嫩的对着某女道,“娘子,我们是不是该……”“滚粗!”某女冷若冰霜的脸顿时瓦解,冷脸变热脸,红艳美不胜收,只是谁又能想到,她那都是怒火!小夏新建了一个读者群,亲们喜欢这文的可以加群哦!群141606849
  • 还珠格格第三部(全集)

    还珠格格第三部(全集)

    小燕子和永琪之间出现了第三者?这对欢喜冤家与江南才女知画间的三角难题要如何解开?晴儿和萧剑相爱却不能相守,两人痛苦不已,他们要选择分手,还是不顾一切地私奔,从此亡命天涯……
  • 案例:用户至上(第23辑)

    案例:用户至上(第23辑)

    用户至上的年代,传统的企业管理思想受到了巨大的冲击。“用户至上”不再作为一个空洞的口号,而是企业生存发展的方法论。用户、市场、企业之间的关系也重新进行了排列组合。对企业来说,真正了解用户需求,保证用户价值实现,成了共同追求的目标。谁能适应这种变化,谁就能走在时代的前端。