登陆注册
5382100000007

第7章 CHAPTER II(2)

Thomsons, she returned to her post in the ante-room. There she stood, thinking or dreaming. She was startled back to actual life by a voice close to her.

One of the dancing young ladies had met with a misfortune. Her dress, of some gossamer material, had been looped up by nosegays of flowers, and one of these had fallen off in the dance, leaving her gown to trail. To repair this, she had begged her partner to bring her to the room where the assistants should have been. None were there but Ruth. "Shall I leave you?" asked the gentleman. "Is my absence necessary?" "Oh, no!" replied the lady; "a few stitches will set all to rights. Besides, I dare not enter that room by myself." So far she spoke sweetly and prettily.

But now she addressed Ruth. "Make haste--don't keep me an hour!" And her voice became cold and authoritative. She was very pretty, with long dark ringlets and sparkling black eyes.

These had struck Ruth in the hasty glance she had taken, before she knelt down to her task. She also saw that the gentleman was young and elegant. "Oh, that lovely galop! how I long to dance to it! Will it never be done?

What a frightful time you are taking; and I'm dying to return in time for this galop!" By way of showing a pretty, childlike impatience, she began to beat time with her feet to the spirited air the band was playing. Ruth could not darn the rent in her dress with this continual motion, and she looked up to remonstrate. As she threw her head back for this purpose, she caught the eye of the gentleman who was standing by; it was so expressive of amusement at the airs and graces of his pretty partner, that Ruth was infected by the feeling, and had to bend her face down to conceal the smile that mantled there. But not before he had seen it; and not before his attention had been thereby drawn to consider the kneeling figure, that, habited in black up to the throat, with the noble head bent down to the occupation in which she was engaged, formed such a contrast to the flippant, bright, artificial girl, who sat to be served with an air as haughty as a queen on her throne. "Oh, Mr. Bellingham! I'm ashamed to detain you so long. I had no idea any one could have spent So much time over a little tear No wonder Mrs. Mason charges so much for dressmaking, if her workwomen are so slow." It was meant to be witty, but Mr. Bellingham looked grave. He saw the scarlet colour of annoyance flush to that beautiful cheek, which was partially presented to him. He took a candle from the table, and held it so that Ruth had more light. She did not look up to thank him, for she felt ashamed that he should have seen the smile which she had caught from him. "I am sorry I have been so long, ma'am," said she gently, as she finished her work; "I was afraid it might tear out again if I did not do it carefully."She rose. "I would rather have had it torn than have missed that charming galop,"said the young lady, shaking out her dress as a bird shakes its plumage.

"Shall we go, Mr. Bellingham?" looking up at him. He was surprised that she gave no word or sign of thanks to the assistant.

He took up a camellia that some one had left on the table. "Allow me, Miss Duncombe, to give this, in your name, to this young lady, as thanks for her dexterous help." "Oh, of course," said she. Ruth received the flower silently, but with a grave, modest motion of her head. They had gone, and she was once more alone. Presently her companions returned. "What was the matter with Miss Duncombe? Did she come here?" asked they. "Only her lace dress was torn, and I mended it," answered Ruth quickly. "Did Mr. Bellingham come with her?--they say he's going to be married to her. Did he come, Ruth?" "Yes," said Ruth, and relapsed into silence. Mr. Bellingham danced on gaily and merrily through the night, and fitted with Miss Duncombe as he thought good. But he looked often to the side-door where the milliner's apprentices stood; and once he recognised the tall, slight figure, and the rich auburn hair of the girl in black; and then his eye sought for the camellia. It was there, snowy white in her bosom.

And he danced on more gaily than ever. The cold grey dawn was drearily lighting up the streets when Mrs. Mason and her company returned home. The lamps were extinguished, yet the shutters of the shops and dwelling-houses were not opened. All sounds had an echo unheard by day. One or two houseless beggars sat on doorsteps, and shivering, slept with heads bowed on their knees, or resting against the cold hard support afforded by the wall. Ruth felt as if a dream had melted away, and she were once more in the actual world. How long it would be, even in the most favourable chance, before she should again enter the shire-hall, or hear a band of music, or even see again those bright, happy people--as much without any semblance of care or woe as if they belonged to another race of beings! Had they ever to deny themselves a wish, much less a want? Literally and figuratively their lives seemed to wander through flowery pleasure-paths. Here was cold, biting, mid-winter for her, and such as her--for those poor beggars almost a season of death; but to Miss Duncombe and her companions, a happy, merry time--when flowers still bloomed, and fires crackled, and comforts and luxuries were piled around them like fairy gifts. What did they know of the meaning of the word, so terrific to the poor? What was winter to them?

同类推荐
  • 诸佛心印陀罗尼经

    诸佛心印陀罗尼经

    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。
  • 上清太霄隐书元真洞飞二景经

    上清太霄隐书元真洞飞二景经

    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。
  • 沙弥十戒法并威仪

    沙弥十戒法并威仪

    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。
  • 客杭日记

    客杭日记

    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。
  • 三峰藏和尚语录

    三峰藏和尚语录

    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。
热门推荐
  • 霸主召唤系统

    霸主召唤系统

    龙轩重生来到了异世勇者大陆,脑海中多了一个霸主召唤系统,不管是斗士还是斗圣,统统召唤出来…………
  • 豪门攻心计:傲娇小前妻

    豪门攻心计:傲娇小前妻

    “老公,是你说我和别的男人怎么样你都不会管我的,那我和别的男人进酒店,又怎么招惹你了?”女子勾人的美眸微微一眨,眼里尽是无辜。男人一股怒气冲上脑门,该死的!他不过随口说出的气话,这个女人竟然拿来说事儿了!好,很好,进酒店是吧?那他就把整个J市的酒店都拆了!看她怎么进!某日,“少爷,今天少奶奶直接去申总裁的家了!”男人青筋突起,一脚踹开某男家的门,抱起自己这个胆敢出轨的小妻子,毫不留情的摔进了车里,俯身上前,像匹饿狼一样吃干抹净!看你丫的还敢不敢出去拈花惹草!![推荐新书《腹黑男神:王妃萌萌哒》]
  • 宠妻无度:权少的闪婚新娘

    宠妻无度:权少的闪婚新娘

    一夜之间,天翻地覆。他从天而降,将她锁紧金丝笼。却不知一切早有步步为营。
  • 喂我好像喜欢上你了0a

    喂我好像喜欢上你了0a

    “乖乖女”“小公主”“混世魔王”还是“腹黑女”,她时而聪明冷静,时而冷酷无情,而时而呆萌可爱。在敌人面前绝不手软,在朋友面前仗义执言,在特殊人面前完全是个傻子,对!就是个傻子,忙前忙后帮别人牵红线,当月老,可没发现自己的幸福也在慢慢向她走来。在樱花树下,樱花漫天飞舞“喂!我好像喜欢上你了!”男孩冷酷酷地羞红着脸对女孩讲道。
  • 雪夜龙藏

    雪夜龙藏

    他原本是一名孤儿,一名杀手,在异世重生重生,他如何一步一步登上巅峰?是强敌的来袭,还是亲者的背叛,亦或是命运的捉弄?是巨龙冲天,还是杀神临世。亦正亦邪,谁又能说得清、道得明。
  • 异界虫族基地

    异界虫族基地

    带着虫族基地穿越了,出农民,爆狗,从现在开始,这里就是我的领地。
  • 高情商故事:在故事中遇见更优秀的自己

    高情商故事:在故事中遇见更优秀的自己

    一滴水珠就可折射出太阳的光辉,一朵小花即能蕴涵天堂的美好,一个经典的故事承载着深刻的人生哲理。《高情商故事:在故事中遇见更优秀的自己》所选的高情商故事虽简短,却包含了无穷的人生智慧,为我们打开了一扇扇通往大千世界的明窗,不仅可以激发思考,还可以点燃我们内心深处的智慧火花,使人见微知著,从一滴水看见大海,由一缕阳光洞见整个宇宙。轻轻松松读故事,长智慧,《高情商故事:在故事中遇见更优秀的自己》是每一个不甘平庸的人提升自我的成长必读书。
  • 四书五经·诗 书 礼 易 春秋

    四书五经·诗 书 礼 易 春秋

    本书是“中华传统文化经典名句”丛书之一。从中国传统文化经典名著五经的《诗经》《尚书》《礼记》《周易》《春秋》中,遴选部分代表名句,分主题原文呈现并有白话文注释,配以精美书法作品,附传统经典名篇全文及生僻字注音,同时定向邀请具有深厚文化底蕴及汉语言文字造诣的书法教育家、清华大学德艺双馨的师生校友、社会各界实力派书法名家书写主题内容,经典名句、传统丹青、中文释义三位一体,以传统艺术形式承载民族优秀文化思想。
  • 棒球学园之挥棒吧,少女!

    棒球学园之挥棒吧,少女!

    阴差阳错,她女扮男装进入棒球学园打棒球。教练不看好她,她就努力进步给她看。队友不相信她,她就赢得胜利给他们看。他说他爱她,就算她是个男生。她莞尔一笑:“好,等我拿到世界冠军,就给你个惊喜。”青春无悔,梦想不死!
  • 过分爱

    过分爱

    在最美好的年华,苏落、叶璇、子夜三人本是特别要好的朋友,直到上了大学遇到顾北辰等人后,三人关系发生巨变