登陆注册
5382100000027

第27章 CHAPTER V(2)

It was most true enjoyment to Ruth. It was opening a new sense; vast ideas of beauty and grandeur filled her mind at the sight of the mountains, now first beheld in full majesty. She was almost overpowered by the vague and solemn delight; but by-and-by her love for them equalled her awe, and in the night-time she would softly rise, and steal to the window to see the white moon-light, which gave a new aspect to the everlasting hills that girdle the mountain village. Their breakfast-hour was late, in accordance with Mr. Bellingham's tastes and habits; but Ruth was up betimes, and out and away, brushing the dewdrops from the short crisp grass; the lark sung high above her head, and she knew not if she moved or stood still, for the grandeur of this beautiful earth absorbed all idea of separate and individual existence. Even rain was a pleasure to her. She sat in the window-seat of their parlour (she would have gone out gladly, but that such a proceeding annoyed Mr. Bellingham, who usually at such times lounged away the listless hours on a sofa, and relieved himself by abusing the weather); she saw the swift-fleeting showers come athwart the sunlight like a rush of silver arrows; she watched the purple darkness on the heathery mountain-side, and then the pale golden gleam which succeeded. There was no change or alteration of nature that had not its own peculiar beauty in the eyes of Ruth; but if she had complained of the changeable climate, she would have pleased Mr. Bellingham more:

her admiration and her content made him angry, until her pretty motions and loving eyes soothed down his impatience. "Really, Ruth," he exclaimed one day, when they had been imprisoned by rain a whole morning, "one would think you had never seen a shower of rain before; it quite wearies me to see you sitting there watching this detestable weather with such a placid countenance; and for the last two hours you have said nothing more amusing or interesting than--'Oh, how beautiful!'

or, 'There's another cloud coming across Moel Wynn.'" Ruth left her seat very gently, and took up her work. She wished she had the gift of being amusing; it must be dull for a man accustomed to all kinds of active employments to be shut up in the house. She was recalled from her absolute self-forgetfulness. What could she say to interest Mr.

Bellingham? While she thought, he spoke again-- "I remember when we were reading here three years ago, we had a week of just such weather as this; but Howard and Johnson were capital whist-players, and Wilbraham not bad, so we got through the days famously. Can you play ecarte , Ruth, or picquet?" "No, sir; I have sometimes played at beggar-my-neighbour," answered Ruth humbly, regretting her own deficiencies. He murmured impatiently, and there was silence for another half-hour. Then he sprang up, and rang the bell violently. "Ask Mrs. Morgan for a pack of cards. Ruthie, I'll teach you ecarte ," said he. But Ruth was stupid, not so good as a dummy, he said; and it was no fun betting against himself. So the cards were flung across the table--on the floor--anywhere. Ruth picked them up. As she rose, she sighed a little with the depression of spirits consequent upon her own want of power to amuse and occupy him she loved. "You're pale, love!" said he, half repenting of his anger at her blunders over the cards. "Go out before dinner; you know you don't mind this cursed weather; and see that you come home full of adventures to relate. Come, little blockhead! give me a kiss, and begone." She left the room with a feeling of relief; for if he were dull without her, she should not feel responsible, and unhappy at her own stupidity.

The open air, that kind of soothing balm which gentle mother Nature offers to us all in our seasons of depression, relieved her. The rain had ceased, though every leaf and blade was loaded with trembling glittering drops.

同类推荐
  • Days with Sir Roger de Coverley

    Days with Sir Roger de Coverley

    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。
  • 六十种曲东郭记

    六十种曲东郭记

    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。
  • 庚巳编

    庚巳编

    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。
  • MAGGIE

    MAGGIE

    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。
  • 明伦汇编官常典贤裔部

    明伦汇编官常典贤裔部

    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
  • 食品安全(“科学与文化”系列科普图书)

    食品安全(“科学与文化”系列科普图书)

    食品安全是一种公共安全,也是一个国家的公共安全问题,食品安全关系到国民生活质量和水平。
  • 凡路镇仙

    凡路镇仙

    天地封禁,本源枯竭,仙路不存,飞升无望。传说唯有那归墟之中,方存在那一丝可能......
  • 譬如朝露

    譬如朝露

    半年后的某一天,丽人坊来个女客户,她说,她有一张我们这儿的卡,不知还能不能用。那张卡名字写的是纪子轩。阿芳问,怎么在你手里?她笑笑,我在老公的包里发现的,没想到,他还有美容院的卡。原来纪子轩结婚了。从她们的对话里,我知道这个女的是银行职员,哥哥是一名检察官。纪子轩说不结婚,原来是假的,只是没有合适的结婚对象。像我这样,没有户口,没有身份,没有金钱,他怎么会和我结婚呢?
  • 都是打嗝惹的祸

    都是打嗝惹的祸

    《都是打嗝惹的祸》收录的作品分为今古传奇、人生百味、人间真情、超级想象、世相百态五部分。作者的文字轻快精准,文如其人,极具穿透力,同时又丰满而有温度,通过一篇篇文章,你可以触摸到作者独特的心灵气质——既拥有清冷的理智,又不乏湿润的心情。在看似微小的故事情节中,你能读出作者四溢的智慧灵光,可谓“清水出芙蓉,天然去雕饰”。《都是打嗝惹的祸》是一本值得阅读和收藏的好书。
  • 快穿:女主驾到,女配休猖狂

    快穿:女主驾到,女配休猖狂

    这世上总是有那么多的艳冠京华、才貌双全的女人,被处处不如自己的女人给害死了。而江玖龄的任务,就是要成为被女配逆袭的女主,让那些把女主当成垫脚石的女配回归到她原来的位置上。慈爱养母/孪生妹妹/天才驱魔师/伪善闺蜜/衷心女官……你们,准备好了吗?
  • 无心魅惑的总裁

    无心魅惑的总裁

    墨幽舞,若是当初我从没遇见你,结局是否会改变?陌白,若是当初我从没遇见你,我是否还会再被你所伤?
  • 老公不好养

    老公不好养

    “我想要的礼物是你!”十八岁成人礼,她将自己送到他面前,却被他当作跳梁小丑推开!八岁那一年起,她的世界里就只有安御风!默默守候十几年,等来的却是他和其他女人的婚讯!黯然离开,再见,她被别的男人拥在怀里,冷眼看着一向凉薄的他暴跳如雷……
  • 末世超级炼妖师

    末世超级炼妖师

    异形生物降临地球,各种地球生物变异进化,丧尸出现,妖兽横行,人类危机四伏。刘乐在末世来临前得到一个来自天空的神秘晶体,与身体融合后得到炼妖师系统。打丧尸,杀异形,炼化妖兽,拥有妖兽体质,刘乐开启了超级进化之路。欢迎加QQ群:101599874
  • 慕少你离我远远远点

    慕少你离我远远远点

    【宠文~宠文~宠文】恶魔校草摇身一变,突然变成了她的未婚夫。“乔溪,你被禁止告诉任何人我们俩的关系。”“乔溪,这只是暂时的,你别妄想。”可不知哪日起——“谁敢欺负你,我有一百种方法让她从人间蒸发。”“她是我的未婚妻,谁敢动她?”乔溪:不是说过这是暂时的了吗?不是说好了不告诉任何人吗?她以后还怎么解除婚约,怎么找对象啊!慕凌辰:你就别想着逃了,不可能,慕家女主人的位置已经打上你的烙印。
  • 末世执法官

    末世执法官

    一个会画符的业余制符师,一本不靠谱的神秘黄皮书, 一片有温度的末世小封地。 我为执法官,愿以法平天下。