登陆注册
5383200000150

第150章 RETRIBUTION(5)

It led through a dense, semi-tropical forest in the direction of the swamp beyond, the way being well beaten, but here and there jealously crowded by an undergrowth of brambles and the prickly Spanish bayonet.I know not how far I had walked, my head bent in thought, before Ifelt the ground teetering under my feet, and there was the bayou.It was a narrow lane of murky, impenetrable water, shaded now by the forest wall.Imaged on its amber surface were the twisted boughs of the cypresses of the swamp beyond,--boughs funereally draped, as though to proclaim a warning of unknown perils in the dark places.On that side where I stood ancient oaks thrust their gnarled roots into the water, and these knees were bridged by treacherous platforms of moss.As Isought for a safe resting-place a dull splash startled me, the pink-and-white water lilies danced on the ripples, and a long, black snout pushed its way to the centre of the bayou and floated there motionless.

I sat down on a wide knee that seemed to be fashioned for the purpose, and reflected.It may have been about half-past five, and I made up my mind that, rather than return and risk explanations, I would wait where I was until Mrs.Temple appeared.I had much to think of, and for the rest the weird beauty of the place, with its changing colors as the sun fell, held me in fascination.

When the blue vapor stole through the cypress swamp, my trained ear caught the faintest of warning sounds.

Mrs.Temple was coming.

I could not repress the exclamation that rose to my lips when she stood before me.

``I have changed somewhat,'' she began quite calmly;``I have changed since you were at Temple Bow.''

I stood staring at her, at a loss to know whether by these words she sought to gain an advantage.I knew not whether to pity or to be angry, such a strange blending she seemed of former pride and arrogance and later suffering.There were the features of the beauty still, the eyes defiant, the lips scornful.Sorrow had set its brand upon this protesting face in deep, violet marks under the eyes, in lines which no human power could erase: sorrow had flecked with white the gold of the hair, had proclaimed her a woman with a history.For she had a new and remarkable beauty which puzzled and astonished me,--a beauty in which maternity had no place.

The figure, gowned with an innate taste in black, still kept the rounded lines of the young woman, while about the shoulders and across the open throat a lace mantilla was thrown.She stood facing me, undaunted, and I knew that she had come to fight for what was left her.I knew further that she was no mean antagonist.

``Will you kindly tell me to what circumstance I owe the honor of this--summons, Mr.Ritchie?'' she asked.

``You are a travelled person for one so young.I might almost say,'' she added with an indifferent laugh, ``that there is some method and purpose in your travels.''

``Indeed, you do me wrong, Madame,'' I replied; ``I am here by the merest chance.''

Again she laughed lightly, and stepping past me took her seat on the oak from which I had risen.I marvelled that this woman, with all her self-possession, could be the same as she who had held her room, cowering, these four days past.Admiration for her courage mingled with my other feelings, and for the life of me I knew not where to begin.My experience with women of the world was, after all, distinctly limited.Mrs.Temple knew, apparently by intuition, the advantage she had gained, and she smiled.

``The Ritchies were always skilled in dealing with sinners,'' she began; ``the first earl had the habit of hunting them like foxes, so it is said.I take it for granted that, before my sentence is pronounced, I shall have the pleasure of hearing my wrong-doings in detail.I could not ask you to forego that satisfaction.''

``You seem to know the characteristics of my family, Mrs.Temple,'' I answered.``There is one trait of the Ritchies concerning which I ask your honest opinion.''

``And what is that?'' she said carelessly.

``I have always understood that they have spoken the truth.Is it not so?''

She glanced at me curiously.

``I never knew your father to lie,'' she answered; ``but after all he had few chances.He so seldom spoke.''

``Your intercourse with me at Temple Bow was quite as limited,'' I said.

``Ah,'' she interrupted quickly, ``you bear me that grudge.It is another trait of the Ritchies.''

``I bear you no grudge, Madame,'' I replied.``I asked you a question concerning the veracity of my family, and I beg that you will believe what I say.''

``And what is this momentous statement?'' she asked.

I had hard work to keep my temper, but I knew that Imust not lose it.

``I declare to you on my honor that my business in New Orleans in no way concerns you, and that I had not the slightest notion of finding you here.Will you believe that?''

``And what then?'' she asked.

``I also declare to you that, since meeting your son, my chief anxiety has been lest he should run across you.''

``You are very considerate of others,'' she said.``Let us admit for the sake of argument that you come here by accident.''

It was the opening I had sought for, but despaired of getting.

``Then put yourself for a moment in my place, Madame, and give me credit for a little kindliness of feeling, and a sincere affection for your son.''

There was a new expression on her face, and the light of a supreme effort in her eyes.

``I give you credit at least for a logical mind,'' she answered.``In spite of myself you have put me at the bar and seem to be conducting my trial.''

``I do not see why there should be any rancor between us,'' I answered.``It is true that I hated you at Temple Bow.When my father was killed and I was left a homeless orphan you had no pity for me, though your husband was my mother's brother.But you did me a good turn after all, for you drove me out into a world where I learned to rely upon myself.Furthermore, it was not in your nature to treat me well.''

``Not in my nature?'' she repeated.

同类推荐
  • 金光明经文句记

    金光明经文句记

    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。
  • 润州二首

    润州二首

    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。
  • 笠翁对韵

    笠翁对韵

    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。
  • 迦丁比丘说当来变经

    迦丁比丘说当来变经

    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。
  • 太上老君说救生真经

    太上老君说救生真经

    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。
热门推荐
  • 某不科学的疾风警备员

    某不科学的疾风警备员

    标签:魔禁、学园都市、某科学 作者:这是一个弱鸡警备员在试图在学园都市内装逼却被各种能力者、魔法师吊打的故事,纯爽文,单女主,另外,我永远喜欢上条当麻!上茵党万… 正在打字的作者被一把摔在墙上 上杉逸风抢过键盘:“你踏马写的啥?老子好歹也是个LV4,怎么就弱鸡了。”上杉逸风打字中:这是一个警备员维护学园都市正义,除暴安良,拯救失足…不,拯救失去梦想的瓜皮少年少女的励志故事,本文政治正确,符合学园都市核心价值观,非无敌流,不后宫,单女主,另外,我永远喜欢上条当…呸,我永远喜欢御坂美琴。上杉逸风:“简介你丫现在会写了吧?”作者(跪下递键盘):“你是主角,你来写。”
  • 地气

    地气

    住了百年的十里岭,说不能住人就不能住人了。不能住人的原因不是说这里缺少人住的地气。大白天看山下阴郁一片,一到晚上,黑黝黝的村庄里人脸对人脸两户人家,单调得就心慌。说谁家从前山的岭上迁往山下的团里了,咱岭上剩两户,水没水电没电的还坚持着,山下的人们笑话了,咱也不是没有本事的人,也该迁了。原先岭上有十几户人家,后来陆续都迁走了,就剩了两户,一户是来鱼,一户是德库。终于有一天来鱼和德库吵架了,两户互不上门,就连孩子们也绝了话题。岭上的两户人不常在一起说话,山越发黑了,黑得叫人寡气。
  • 王妃有点乖

    王妃有点乖

    “嘶——”一阵阵的疼痛席卷而来,柔弱的少女手上沾染了红色艳丽的鲜血,犹如死神一般,从脏乱不堪的地上爬起。她是慕容绾,一朝重生,却被权倾朝野的摄政王权久昭带回了帝都。他说,他是她的皇叔,是她此生的庇护,而她是整个帝都唯一的帝女慕容绾。他一朝动心,却是为了一个小丫头片子,“绾绾还是乖乖的从了本王!”小狐狸戏谑着对着他,“你是我皇叔。”某男嘴角扯了一扯,“你我可没有血缘关系。”“……”【宠文+男女主身心健康】
  • 青玉有缘,皇叔太难缠

    青玉有缘,皇叔太难缠

    灵力衰退,诛神应劫,就连一块刚刚化形的青玉也将要凐灭。青玉表示,好不容易化形的她要奋起,于是盛清颜重生了,盛清清穿越了,青玉转世成为盛清毓。终于成人了,可以吃美食啦,盛清毓扳着指头数数:变成人之后好像还得找个人搭伙过日子。”惊喜地发现自己的灵力还剩了点能用,于是盛清毓开始每日的翻墙遛狗,勾搭美男的人生。好不容易要将自己嫁出去了,盛清毓欢欢喜喜地去绣嫁衣。等等――坐在墙头的那个皇叔你是什么意思,居然敢坏姑奶奶的姻缘。皇叔邪魅一笑:“本王掐指一算,盛六小姐的姻缘似乎在本王这里。”
  • 卡尔威特的教育,蒙台梭利的教育,斯托夫人的教育大全集

    卡尔威特的教育,蒙台梭利的教育,斯托夫人的教育大全集

    本书是三个世纪以来世界上最优秀的三本经典教育著作《卡尔·威特的教育》、《蒙台梭利的教育》和《斯托夫人的教育》的合集。无数父母按照书中的方法成功地教育和培养出了优秀的孩子。本书将这三本顶级教育经典结集出版,让读者可以同时掌握教育的精髓和养育孩子的新方法。
  • 昭应李郎中见贻佳作

    昭应李郎中见贻佳作

    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。
  • 莲花与刀

    莲花与刀

    大芹给我们家小敏打电话,话没说两句就急上了。她说,卢小敏,如果真的是你拿了,就还给我们吧,算我求你了。小敏也急了,急得眼泪都要出来了。从小一起长大的闺蜜,好得穿一条裤子的大芹,居然对她说出了这种话!大芹居然怀疑她偷了他们的东西。“大芹非让我拿出来,我都不知道我拿了什么我怎么拿出来?”这是个星期天的早上。本来都计划好的,上午家乐福,下午横店电影城。小敏怀孕之后我们很少有这么一个充沛的星期天。现在看来肯定是泡汤了。百里之外的大芹在这个星期天的早上就像一口猝不及防的唾沫,狠狠地吐到了我们的脸上。
  • 我说你好,你说打扰

    我说你好,你说打扰

    他们的“孽”缘,一路从米兰追溯到北京;又从北京辗转至纽约。他曾亲手把她送进警局,却又亲自保释她出来;他曾明知她的图谋不轨,却又纵容她的故作矜持——让我讨厌或喜欢一座城市的理由,皆是你。
  • 分别功德论

    分别功德论

    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。
  • 被遗弃的小魚

    被遗弃的小魚

    和“丧家的狼”约好之后,韩林霞便决定回家弄钱。韩林霞去位于县城南面的火车站打听过,去广州的硬座车票是一百一十八元,加上吃饭,有一百四五十元就够了。她想,反正到了那儿就好说了,狼哥会管我的。我手头还有三十块钱,那么我回家再弄到一百一二就可以了。可是,该怎么“弄”呢?韩林霞骑着自行车一出五中大门就想这事。她先是打算向爹明着要,就说三天后的高考要交钱。但这办法不一定能成,因为哥哥两年前考过,爹知道这个时候已经不需要再交钱了。她接着又想,就说自己的生活费被人偷走了。这也不行,她忘了自己手头掌握的生活费只有几十块钱这个事实。