登陆注册
5382100000029

第29章 CHAPTER VI(1)

TROUBLES GATHER ABOUT RUTH

The next day the weather was brave and glorious; a perfect "bridal of the earth and sky;" and every one turned out of the inn to enjoy the fresh beauty of nature. Ruth was quite unconscious of being the object of remark;and, in her light, rapid passings to and fro, had never looked at the doors and windows, where many watchers stood observing her, and commenting upon her situation or her appearance. "She's a very lovely creature," said one gentleman, rising from the breakfast-table to catch a glimpse of her as she entered from her morning's ramble. "Not above sixteen I should think. Very modest and innocent-looking in her white gown!" His wife, busy administering to the wants of a fine little boy, could only say (without seeing the young girl's modest ways, and gentle, downcast countenance)-- "Well! I do think it's a shame such people should be allowed to come here.

To think of such wickedness under the same roof! Do come away, my dear, and don't flatter her by such notice." The husband returned to the breakfast-table; he smelt the broiled ham and eggs, and he heard his wife's commands. Whether smelling or hearing had most to do in causing his obedience, I cannot tell; perhaps you can. "Now, Harry, go and see if nurse and baby are ready to go out with you.

You must lose no time this beautiful morning." Ruth found Mr. Bellingham was not yet come down; so she sallied out for an additional half-hour's ramble. Flitting about through the village, trying to catch all the beautiful sunny peeps at the scenery between the cold stone houses, which threw the radiant distance into aerial perspective far away, she passed by the little shop; and, just issuing from it, came the nurse and baby, and little boy. The baby sat in placid dignity in her nurse's arms, with a face of queenly calm. Her fresh, soft, peachy complexion was really tempting; and Ruth, who was always fond of children, went up to coo and to smile at the little thing, and after some "peep-boing," she was about to snatch a kiss, when Harry, whose face had been reddening ever since the play began, lifted up his sturdy little right arm and hit Ruth a great blow on the face. "Oh, for shame, sir!" said the nurse, snatching back his hand; "how dare you do that to the lady who is so kind as to speak to Sissy!" "She's not a lady!" said he indignantly. "She's a bad, naughty girl--mamma;said so, she did; and she shan't kiss our baby." The nurse reddened in her turn. She knew what he must have heard; but it was awkward to bring it out, standing face to face with the elegant young lady. "Children pick up such notions, ma'am," said she at last, apologetically, to Ruth, who stood, white and still, with a new idea running through her mind. "It's no notion; it's true, nurse; and I heard you say it yourself. Go away, naughty woman!" said the boy, in infantile vehemence of passion to Ruth. To the nurse's infinite relief, Ruth turned away, humbly and meekly, with bent head, and slow, uncertain steps. But as she turned, she saw the mild sad face of the deformed gentleman, who was sitting at the open window above the shop; he looked sadder and graver than ever; and his eyes met her glance with an expression of deep sorrow. And so, condemned alike by youth and age, she stole with timid step into the house. Mr. Bellingham was awaiting her in the sitting-room. The glorious day restored all his buoyancy of spirits. He talked gaily away, without pausing for a reply;while Ruth made tea, and tried to calm her heart, which was yet beating with the agitation of the new ideas she had received from the occurrence of the morning. Luckily for her, the only answers required for some time were mono-syllables; but those few words were uttered in so depressed and mournful a tone, that at last they struck Mr. Bellingham with surprise and displeasure, as the condition of mind they unconsciously implied did not harmonise with his own. "Ruth, what is the matter this morning? You really are very provoking.

Yesterday, when everything was gloomy, and you might have been aware that I was out of spirits, I heard nothing but expressions of delight; to-day, when every creature under heaven is rejoicing, you look most deplorable and woe-begone. You really should learn to have a little sympathy." The tears fell quickly down Ruth's cheeks, but she did not speak. She could not put into words the sense she was just beginning to entertain of the estimation in which she was henceforward to be held. She thought he would be as much grieved as she was at what had taken place that morning; she fancied she should sink in his opinion if she told him how others regarded her; besides, it seemed ungenerous to dilate upon the suffering of which he was the cause. "I will not," thought she, "embitter his life; I will try and be cheerful.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 岭南逸史

    岭南逸史

    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。
  • 天请问经

    天请问经

    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。
  • 穿越悍妃驯懒王

    穿越悍妃驯懒王

    不能怪我贪吃,谁让我上辈子是饿死的呢!还好上天对我不薄,穿越到大户人家。不过我的“母大虫”称号让男人闻风丧胆呀,不然凭我的姿色怎么会二十二岁还待字闺中呢,这在古代可是老姑娘了呀!好在姐夫姐姐帮我绑架了新郎,终于把我成功嫁了出去。可新郎居然是个懒汉。哼!看我的。我就不信我的现代驭夫术不能把你驯的服服帖帖的!【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 魔女降世竹马接招

    魔女降世竹马接招

    “怎么样,本座的脸捏着舒服吗,”夜竹寒黑着脸看向怀中的女子。“当然舒服”那女子一脸享受的回答着。“君玥凌,你不仅看光了本座的身子,还捏了本座的脸是不是该对本座负责呢?”夜竹寒微眯着那双妖艳的眸子,一点一点的朝某女.....
  • 人性的优点

    人性的优点

    克服了忧虑,也就赢得了幸福与快乐……通过本书让可以学到:克服忧虑的准则;分析忧虑的基本技巧;如何培养消除忧虑的习惯;保持平安快乐的7大办法;不要为批评而烦恼;保持精力旺盛的6种方法。因此,这是改变你生活的健康快乐指南书。作为卡耐基三大经典著作之一,自问世以来,它就引导无数人消除内心焦虑,摆脱生活愁苦,过上了快乐幸福的日子。
  • 我的绝色总裁老婆

    我的绝色总裁老婆

    【本书又名《神起地球》】没有人知道他从哪里来,但是见过他真面目的对他只有一个评价,那就是和魔鬼签订过契约的人。外人都称呼他为魔王,可是他自己却知道,他内心多么渴望一份宁静。接受了契约婚礼,奈何老婆冷如冰山,看一个非洲战场上的王,如何在不和谐的家庭里面左右逢源……书友①群:6670230(接近满员)书友②群:4664808(大量空位)
  • 妃成勿咬

    妃成勿咬

    选秀当天,偏偏冤家路窄!想得美,占用她一辈子,门儿都没有!“你是我的!”强势的帅哥眼神,看得她有些花痴。“别咬我,滚开!”这家伙是谁?太难缠了!郁闷女从此命犯桃花!
  • Watching (The Making of Riley Paige—Book 1)

    Watching (The Making of Riley Paige—Book 1)

    "A masterpiece of thriller and mystery! The author did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side that is so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. The plot is very intelligent and will keep you entertained throughout the book. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page."--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)WATCHING (The Making of Riley Paige—Book One) is book #1 in a new psychological thriller series by #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose free bestseller Once Gone (Book #1) has received over 1,000 five star reviews.
  • 冷王的腹黑医妃

    冷王的腹黑医妃

    他是尊南国神秘莫测的皇家恶魔冷王,却对她情有独钟,一心一意;她是尊南国人人可欺的叶府弱小嫡女。现代神医杀手戏剧般穿越而来,从此强势逆袭:欺她者死、负她者亡、辱她者灭...却唯独对他毫无办法..
  • 替嫁皇后

    替嫁皇后

    文案:她是皇后,还是个不受宠的皇后只因为样貌丑陋,新婚之夜,把皇帝吓倒,连发了三天高烧,从此皇上不敢踏进她的寝宫一步不来正好,省得她清闲,但是上天偏偏不让她如意妃嫔找她麻烦,皇帝不让她如意,于是——夺实权,掌后宫,整皇帝,欺蛮妃原来,她能坐上后位,全拜那位英俊潇洒,温文儒雅,受万人敬仰,永不褪去的笑容却让她有想打落他牙齿的冲动的大国师所赐,更过份的是,他竟蛊惑皇帝利用她,圣旨一下,她替人代嫁邻国十一皇子听说,十一皇子冷血无情,手段异常残忍听说,十一皇子从不近女人身,讨厌女人到了极点听说,靠近他的女子都死于非命听说……她忍不住打了个寒颤,要真是这样,她会不会因此而尸骨无存?洞房花烛夜某女在左等右等不见新郎前来后,呈大字型倒在新床上呼呼大睡,却不料,身穿红色嫁衣华服的她被他像拎小鸡似的给扔到地上,而某男却极为冷静的走到床边躺下她醒来,对床上的男子怒目而视,站起身退后几步——一!二!三!默念完三个数字后,某女以迅雷不及掩耳之势,飞快的跑到床边,凌空跳起,“呯”地一声,准确无误的攻击目标——“啊——该死的女人,你在做什么?”男子惨叫一声,愤怒的黑眸瞪着眼前一屁股坐在他小腹上的女子,双眼几乎喷出火来------------------------亲们必看隆重推出:亲亲会员窗透初晓所作七言打油诗一首月国有后莫晓曈,样貌丑陋人也痴。宜号妃子仗龙威,以下犯上目无人。灵魂穿越附了身,同样身躯却换神。怯懦皇后摇身变,惩治宜妃还立威。哪晓夜帝色迷心,后宫乱事皆不闻。国师横手救下人,预其将令天下澄。海桑来使众人难,丑后一言惊天人。为雪前耻巧设局,帝王献身苦难言。靖璃为皇扫凤宫,宜妃沦为浣衣娘。火烧言居欲报仇,国师挥袖丝未损。宜妃撒娇故为难,国后勉当守夜人。一曲狼音惊宫人,风塌倒塌成笑闻。夜帝见机心生计,丑后替嫁转送人。国师深夜入闺房,指尖流转改面容。丑后变身倾国城,羡煞旁人还愤神。夫君凶狠不是人,洞房花烛心踌躇。泰山压顶灭其威,春宵一夜守空房。一介丑后成王妃,有苦难言想杀人。凶猛白虎见丑妃,竟不发威还粘人。讨厌皇子迷其容,死缠烂打使计谋。路遇孤女收入府,孤女意图惹人疑。王爷牵手心乱跳,教训太子快人心。活宝属下冷主子,如此搭档少见闻。旧病发作无计寻,晓瞳一抱安心疾。真相大白口目瞠,耳听为虚眼见实。