登陆注册
5695700000021

第21章 THE TURQUOISE RING(1)

Stephen stood absolutely still in front of the opening in the trees, and as Rose turned she met him face to face. She had never dreamed his eyes could be so stern, his mouth so hard, and she gave a sob like a child.

"You seem to be in trouble," Stephen said in a voice so cold she thought it could not be his.

"I am not in trouble, exactly," Rose stammered, concealing her discomfiture as well as possible. "I am a little unhappy because I have made some one else unhappy; and now that you know it, you will be unhappy too, and angry besides, I suppose, though you've seen everything there was to see.""There is no occasion for sorrow, Stephen said. "I didn't mean to break in on any interview; I came over to give you back your freedom. If you ever cared enough for me to marry me, the time has gone by. I am willing to own that I over-persuaded you, but I am not the man to take a girl against her inclinations, so we will say good-by and end the thing here and now. I can only wish --here his smothered rage at fate almost choked him--"that, when you were selecting another husband, you had chosen a whole man!"Rose quivered with the scorn of his tone. "Size isn't everything!" she blazed.

"Not in bodies, perhaps; but it counts for something in hearts and brains, and it is convenient to have a sense of honor that's at least as big as a grain of mustard-seed.""Claude Merrill is not dishonorable," Rose exclaimed impetuously; "or at least he isn't as bad as you think: he has never asked me to marry him.""Then he probably was not quite ready to speak, or perhaps you were not quite ready to hear," retorted Stephen, bitterly; "but don't let us have words,--there'll be enough to regret without adding those. I have seen, ever since New Year's, that you were not really happy or contented; only I wouldn't allow it to myself: I kept hoping against hope that I was mistaken.There have been times when I would have married you,willing or unwilling, but I didn't love you so well then; and now that there's another man in the case, it's different, and I'm strong enough to do the right thing. Follow your heart and be happy; in a year or two I shall be glad I had the grit to tell you so. Good-by, Rose!"Rose, pale with amazement, summoned all her pride, and drawing the turquoise engagement ring from her finger, handed it silently to Stephen, hiding her face as he flung it vehemently down the river-bank. His dull eyes followed it and half uncomprehendingly saw it settle and glisten in a nest of brown pine-needles. Then he put out his hand for a last clasp and strode away without a word.

Presently Rose heard first the scrape of his boat on the sand, then the soft sound of his paddles against the water, then nothing but the squirrels and the woodpeckers and the thrushes, then not even these,--nothing but the beating of her own heart.

She sat down heavily, feeling as if she were wide awake for the first time in many weeks. How had things come to this pass with her?

Claude Merrill had flattered her vanity and given her some moments of restlessness and dissatisfaction with her lot; but he had not until to-day really touched her heart or tempted her, even momentarily, from her allegiance to Stephen. His eyes had always looked unspeakable things; his voice had seemed to breathe feelings that he had never dared put in words; but to-day he had really stirred her, for although he had still been vague, it was easy to see that his love for her had passed all bounds of discretion. She remembered his impassioned farewells, his despair, his doubt as to whether he could forget her by plunging into the vortex of business, or whether he had better end it all in the river, as so many other broken-hearted fellows had done. She had been touched by his misery, even against her better judgment; and she had intended to confess it all to Stephen sometime, telling him that she should never again accept attentions from a stranger, lest a tragedy like this should happen twice in a lifetime.

She had imagined that Stephen would be his large-minded, great- hearted, magnanimous self, and beg her to forget this fascinating will- o'the-wisp by resting in his deeper, serener love. She had meant to becontrite and faithful, praying nightly that poor Claude might live down his present anguish, of which she had been the innocent cause.

同类推荐
  • 三句半搞定商务英语口语

    三句半搞定商务英语口语

    本书涵盖了大部分的商务情景——商务交往、外贸业务、谈判、公司事务及商务旅行等,每个情景你仅需掌握“三旬半”——“半”是指最常用简单的句型。“三句”是最简洁实用的三个交流短句。如果你按照模仿、复述的学习方法。不断熟练运用到实践中,一回生。二回熟。来来回回想忘都难。三句半搞定你的商务英语口语,助你完成由菜鸟到高手的完美蜕变。
  • 喊女溪(英汉对照)

    喊女溪(英汉对照)

    《喊女溪》是美国作家桑德拉·希斯内罗斯的短篇小说集。作品记录了的女性成长的轨迹——童年、青春期和青年。而从中也可以看到希斯内罗斯这位墨西哥裔的女作家在双重文化背景之下的独特视角,窥见她在不断的矛盾与努力中寻求自我蜕变的成长经历。
  • 看古希腊神话故事学英语

    看古希腊神话故事学英语

    神话是远古人类思想与生活的反映,是原始信仰的产物。希腊神话故事经历了丰富的时代变迁和历史风云,几乎成为希腊乃至欧洲一切文学和艺术活动的基本素材。马克思曾说:“希腊神话不只是希腊艺术的宝库,而且是它的土壤”。希腊神话也是欧美文艺取之不尽的艺术源泉。希腊神话具有无穷的认识价值和永久的审美魅力。希腊神话还为现代奥林匹克运动会的形成奠定了基础。在古希腊这个神话王国中,优美动人的神话故事和曲折离奇的民间传说为古奥运会的起源蒙上一层神秘的色彩。那些经久不衰的神话故事让我们着迷,那些如雷贯耳的名字至今仍被我们尊为“大师”。时隔千年,希腊神话还对我们产生影响。
  • The Great Disarmament 百万大裁军

    The Great Disarmament 百万大裁军

    《百万大裁军》讲述了一个关于裁军的故事。1985年5月23日至6月6日中央军委在北京召开的扩大会议,会议的主要内容就是贯彻党中央、国务院关于裁减军队员额100万,军队进行精简整编和体制改革。
  • 商务英语900句“袋”着走

    商务英语900句“袋”着走

    本书提炼出外企员工日常交流中使用最高频的话题情景,力求生活化,真实化。全书点面结合,通过句型替换,举一反三,以一句顶万句,方便记忆。 本书采用口袋书设计,方便携带,可谓挤地铁乘公交的上选佳品。便于随时随地学习,为自己充电。上班前看一眼,一天都能用得到。
热门推荐
  • 我家皇叔萌萌哒

    我家皇叔萌萌哒

    【爽文!宠文!宠文!宠文!宠字强调三遍!】上辈子蠢死的苏月桐重生了!重生的第一件事,当然是让自己爽!于是当街退婚,戳穿渣男,再一顿吊打,让他记住了敢惹姑奶奶的下场!重生的第二件事,还是让自己爽!白莲花,绿茶婊,扎堆来,照单全收,统统往死里整!整不死还来?苏月桐扭头看向身后英武帅气的男人,“嘤嘤嘤,皇叔她们欺负我……”楚奕寒摸她狗头,一脸宠溺:“乖~”苏月桐再回首,谈笑间贱人灰飞烟灭,不留一丝渣渣。“月儿,收拾完贱人该办正事了。”“什……什么正事?皇叔你靠这么近做什么?”“我的衣服,别扯!”啊喂能不能好好演高冷皇叔了?她还是颗小嫩芽呢!
  • 渔妇

    渔妇

    穿越了,寄人篱下,婶母不喜,叔父不爱,还要逼她替堂姐出嫁。无奈,那就嫁吧!嫁到偏僻渔村,从此婆婆妯娌小姑一箩筐,吵吵闹闹过日子。无所谓,做个渔妇也不错。抓个鱼,捉个虾,采采紫菜,捞上来,全是银子。只是,只是夫君,你身上的那块玉佩到底是谁家的传家之宝?新书《锦医归》已经上传,坑品有保证,请大家放心入坑!
  • 经济学的陷阱全集

    经济学的陷阱全集

    是馅饼还是陷阱?陷阱布阵处处玄机为我们展现最真实的经济生活,圈套连环招招奇谋为我们提供最智慧的经济法则。认识了馅饼或者陷阱背后的经济学,我们最终才能做出理性的决策和判断,才能更好地行走于社会。本书教会你看透经济学的真实面目,分清到底是馅饼还是陷阱。
  • 古代青少年成才史话

    古代青少年成才史话

    《中国文化知识读本:古代青少年成才史话》讲述古代青少年成才的众多实例,分析其成长背景、良师益友的熏陶、中国古代青少年成才的内因。《中国文化知识读本:古代青少年成才史话》鼓励青少年树立远大理想,并为实现理想付出勤奋持久的努力。
  • 骗婚:惹上极品CEO

    骗婚:惹上极品CEO

    (文文已大结局!)黑耀爵,他是商业帝国里的王,鬼斧神工般雕刻的五官,阴邪的气息犹如地狱的王者一般,让人只消一眼便臣服与他怖人的气势之下。花解语,她是道上赫赫有名的神偷,只要是她想要的东西,从来就没有失手过。但是面对着那个王者般的男子时,却一而再再而三的失手了。一个是腹黑的总裁,一个是绝色的神偷,因为一条项链而命运紧紧的纠缠在一起的两人,究竟是谁先失了心?又是谁先爱上了谁?
  • 切肤之爱(一)

    切肤之爱(一)

    东京都内流传着许多都市传说。像是什么凌晨三点出现在六本木袭击行人的猫人啦,每年二月十三日零点在秋叶原现身的,手执红色灯笼以眼杀人的和服少女啦,撑红伞的雪夜杀人狂魔和专门偷窃小孩儿哭声的黑色巨鸟也是常常被人提及。最近在都内一则都市传说流传甚广,主角被人们称为“捧匣的燕尾服绅士”。这位绅士主要出没于浅草一带,尤其是深夜的浅草线。三流八卦杂志《HOMES》还为这事作了期特别节目,采访了不少自称亲眼见过“捧匣的燕尾服绅士”的目击者。
  • 我在古代当舰长

    我在古代当舰长

    当来到这个有些超脱了千秋想象的世界,是懵比的。可以发出无形剑气的剑式,还有大杀器的机械巨铠,更甚至还有妖精族和幽族。还好,千秋有着‘寰宇’,一切都不值一提。神秘‘种子’送来的基因编程,能量护盾,奇点,因果律....还有主脑?~~~金手指,霸四方。我的目的只是当舰长。且看穷苦千秋,如何在架空世界发家致富。(该世界不属于任何历史范本,切勿对号入座,往后还有别的大陆版块,会有更神奇的等待着。)
  • 我们生命中的九一八

    我们生命中的九一八

    本书为纪念2015年世界反法西斯战争胜利70周年而出版。十四年抗战不仅撼动世界,更影响了一代中国人的命运。本书精选几十位名人关于“九一八”的记载文字,令人重新感受“九一八”事变之于时代及其个人的意义,再次见证那段感人肺腑的民族记忆。
  • 褚主簿宅会毕庶子钱

    褚主簿宅会毕庶子钱

    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。
  • 爱上楼兰王:牵手梵花开

    爱上楼兰王:牵手梵花开

    故事纯属虚构]<br/>那一场顽皮的尝试,我带着戏弄和阴谋去诱他,却无可救药的爱上了那个木头...<br/>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;