还乡The Return Of The Native-第18部分

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te　make　her　ridiculous。　　In　short；　if　it　is　anyhow　possible　they　must　marry　now。”
“I　thought　that　till　half　an　hour　ago。　　But；　after　all；　why　should　her　going　off　with　him　to　Anglebury　for　a　few　hours　do　her　any　harm？　　Anybody　who　knows　how　pure　she　is　will　feel　any　such　thought　to　be　quite　unjust。　　I　have　been　trying　this　morning　to　help　on　this　marriage　with　Wildeve—yes；　I；　ma’am—in　the　belief　that　I　ought　to　do　it；　because　she　was　so　wrapped　up　in　him。　　But　I　much　question　if　I　was　right；　after　all。　　However；　nothing　came　of　it。　　And　now　I　offer　myself。”
Mrs。　Yeobright　appeared　disinclined　to　enter　further　into　the　question。　　“I　fear　I　must　go　on；”　she　said。　　“I　do　not　see　that　anything　else　can　be　done。”
And　she　went　on。　　But　though　this　conversation　did　not　divert　Thomasin’s　aunt　from　her　purposed　interview　with　Wildeve；　it　made　a　considerable　difference　in　her　mode　of　conducting　that　interview。　　She　thanked　God　for　the　weapon　which　the　reddleman　had　put　into　her　hands。
Wildeve　was　at　home　when　she　reached　the　inn。　　He　showed　her　silently　into　the　parlour；　and　closed　the　door。　　Mrs。　Yeobright　began—
“I　have　thought　it　my　duty　to　call　today。　　A　new　proposal　has　been　made　to　me；　which　has　rather　astonished　me。　　It　will　affect　Thomasin　greatly；　and　I　have　decided　that　it　should　at　least　be　mentioned　to　you。”
“Yes？　　What　is　it？”　he　said　civilly。　
“It　is；　of　course；　in　reference　to　her　future。　　You　may　not　be　aware　that　another　man　has　shown　himself　anxious　to　marry　Thomasin。　　Now；　though　I　have　not　encouraged　him　yet；　I　cannot　conscientiously　refuse　him　a　chance　any　longer。　　I　don’t　wish　to　be　short　with　you；　but　I　must　be　fair　to　him　and　to　her。”
“Who　is　the　man？”　said　Wildeve　with　surprise。　
“One　who　has　been　in　love　with　her　longer　than　she　has　with　you。　　He　proposed　to　her　two　years　ago。　　At　that　time　she　refused　him。”
“Well？”
“He　has　seen　her　lately；　and　has　asked　me　for　permission　to　pay　his　addresses　to　her。　　She　may　not　refuse　him　twice。”
“What　is　his　name？”
Mrs。　Yeobright　declined　to　say。　　“He　is　a　man　Thomasin　likes；”　she　added；　“and　one　whose　constancy　she　respects　at　least。　　It　seems　to　me　that　what　she　refused　then　she　would　be　glad　to　get　now。　　She　is　much　annoyed　at　her　awkward　position。”
“She　never　once　told　me　of　this　old　lover。”
“The　gentlest　women　are　not　such　fools　as　to　show　EVERY　card。”
“Well；　if　she　wants　him　I　suppose　she　must　have　him。”
“It　is　easy　enough　to　say　that；　but　you　don’t　see　the　difficulty。　　He　wants　her　much　more　than　she　wants　him；　and　before　I　can　encourage　anything　of　the　sort　I　must　have　a　clear　understanding　from　you　that　you　will　not　interfere　to　injure　an　arrangement　which　I　promote　in　the　belief　that　it　is　for　the　best。　　Suppose；　when　they　are　engaged；　and　everything　is　smoothly　arranged　for　their　marriage；　that　you　should　step　between　them　and　renew　your　suit？　　You　might　not　win　her　back；　but　you　might　cause　much　unhappiness。”
“Of　course　I　should　do　no　such　thing；”　said　Wildeve　“But　they　are　not　engaged　yet。　　How　do　you　know　that　Thomasin　would　accept　him？”
“That’s　a　question　I　have　carefully　put　to　myself；　and　upon　the　whole　the　probabilities　are　in　favour　of　her　accepting　him　in　time。　　I　flatter　myself　that　I　have　some　influence　over　her。　　She　is　pliable；　and　I　can　be　strong　in　my　remendations　of　him。”
“And　in　your　disparagement　of　me　at　the　same　time。”
“Well；　you　may　depend　upon　my　not　praising　you；”　she　said　drily。　　“And　if　this　seems　like　manoeuvring；　you　must　remember　that　her　position　is　peculiar；　and　that　she　has　been　hardly　used。　　I　shall　also　be　helped　in　making　the　match　by　her　own　desire　to　escape　from　the　humiliation　of　her　present　state；　and　a　woman’s　pride　in　these　cases　will　lead　her　a　very　great　way。　　A　little　managing　may　be　required　to　bring　her　round；　but　I　am　equal　to　that；　provided　that　you　agree　to　the　one　thing　indispensable；　that　is；　to　make　a　distinct　declaration　that　she　is　to　think　no　more　of　you　as　a　possible　husband。　　That　will　pique　her　into　accepting　him。”
“I　can　hardly　say　that　just　now；　Mrs。　Yeobright。　
It　is　so　sudden。”
“And　so　my　whole　plan　is　interfered　with！　It　is　very　inconvenient　that　you　refuse　to　help　my　family　even　to　the　small　extent　of　saying　distinctly　you　will　have　nothing　to　do　with　us。”
Wildeve　reflected　unfortably。　　“I　confess　I　was　not　prepared　for　this；”　he　said。　　“Of　course　I’ll　give　her　up　if　you　wish；　if　it　is　necessary。　　But　I　thought　I　might　be　her　husband。”
“We　have　heard　that　before。”
“Now；　Mrs。　Yeobright；　don’t　let　us　disagree。　　Give　me　a　fair　time。　　I　don’t　want　to　stand　in　the　way　of　any　better　chance　she　may　have；　only　I　wish　you　had　let　me　know　earlier。　　I　will　write　to　you　or　call　in　a　day　or　two。　　Will　that　suffice？”
“Yes；”　she　replied；　“provided　you　promise　not　to　municate　with　Thomasin　without　my　knowledge。”
“I　promise　that；”　he　said。　　And　the　interview　then　terminated；　Mrs。　Yeobright　returning　homeward　as　she　had　e。
By　far　the　greatest　effect　of　her　simple　strategy　on　that　day　was；　as　often　happens；　in　a　quarter　quite　outside　her　view　when　arranging　it。　　In　the　first　place；　her　visit　sent　Wildeve　the　same　evening　after　dark　to　Eustacia’s　house　at　Mistover。　
At　this　hour　the　lonely　dwelling　was　closely　blinded　and　shuttered　from　the　chill　and　darkness　without。　　Wildeve’s　clandestine　plan　with　her　was　to　take　a　little　gravel　in　his　hand　and　hold　it　to　the　crevice　at　the　top　of　the　window　shutter；　which　was　on　the　outside；　so　that　it　should　fall　with　a　gentle　rustle；　resembling　that　of　a　mouse；　between　shutter　and　glass。　　This　precaution　in　attracting　her　attention　was　to　avoid　arousing　the　suspicions　of　her　grandfather。　
The　soft　words；　“I　hear；　wait　for　me；”　in　Eustacia’s　voice　from　within　told　him　that　she　was　alone。　
He　waited　in　his　customary　manner　by　walking　round　the　enclosure　and　idling　by　the　pool；　for　Wildeve　was　never　asked　into　the　house　by　his　proud　though　condescending　mistress。　　She　showed　no　sign　of　ing　out　in　a　hurry。　　The　time　wore　on；　and　he　began　to　grow　impatient。　　In　the　course　of　twenty　minutes　she　appeared　from　round　the　corner；　and　advanced　as　if　merely　taking　an　airing。　
“You　would　not　have　kept　me　so　long　had　you　known　what　I　e　about；”　he　said　with　bitterness。　　“Still；　you　are　worth　waiting　for。”
“What　has　happened？”　said　Eustacia。　　“I　did　not　know　you　were　in　trouble。　　I　too　am　gloomy　enough。”
“I　am　not　in　trouble；”　said　he。　　“It　is　merely　that　affairs　have　e　to　a　head；　and　I　must　take　a　clear　course。”
“What　course　is　that？”　she　asked　with　attentive　interest。　
“And　can　you　forget　so　soon　what　I　proposed　to　you　the　other　night？　　Why；　take　you　from　this　place；　and　carry　you　away　with　me　abroad。”
“I　have　not　forgotten。　　But　why　have　you　e　so　unexpectedly　to　repeat　the　question；　when　you　only　promised　to　e　next　Saturday？　　I　thought　I　was　to　have　plenty　of　time　to　consider。”
“Yes；　but　the　situation　is　different　now。”
“Explain　to　me。”
“I　don’t　want　to　explain；　for　I　may　pain　you。”
“But　I　must　know　the　reason　of　this　hurry。”
“It　is　simply　my　ardour；　dear　Eustacia。　　Everything　is　smooth　now。”
“Then　why　are　you　so　ruffled？”
“I　am　not　aware　of　it。　　All　is　as　it　should　be。　
Mrs。　Yeobright—but　she　is　nothing　to　us。”
“Ah；　I　knew　she　had　something　to　do　with　it！　e；　I　don’t　like　reserve。”
“No—she　has　nothing。　　She　only　says　she　wishes　me　to　give　up　Thomasin　because　another　man　is　anxious　to　marry　her。　　The　woman；　now　she　no　longer　needs　me；　actually　shows　off！”
Wildeve’s　vexation　has　escaped　him　in　spite　of　himself。　
Eustacia　was　silent　a　long　while。　　“You　are　in　the　awkward　position　of　an　official　who　is　no　longer　wanted；”　she　said　in　a　changed　tone。　
“It　seems　so。　　But　I　have　not　yet　seen　Thomasin。”
“And　that　irritates　you。　　Don’t　deny　it；　Damon。　　You　are　actually　nettled　by　this　slight　from　an　unexpected　quarter。”
“Well？”
“And　you　e　to　get　me　because　you　cannot　get　her。　　This　is　certainly　a　new　position　altogether。　　I　am　to　be　a　stop…gap。”
“Please　remember　that　I　proposed　the　same　thing　the　other　day。”
Eustacia　again　remained　in　a　sort　of　stupefied　silence。　　What　curious　feeling　was　this　ing　over　her？　　Was　it　really　possible　that　her　interest　in　Wildeve　had　been　so　entirely　the　result　of　antagonism　that　the　glory　and　the　dream　departed　from　the　man　with　the　first　sound　that　he　was　no　longer　coveted　by　her　rival？　　She　was；　then；　secure　of　him　at　last。　　Thomasin　no　longer　required　him。　　What　a　humiliating　victory！　He　loved　her　best；　she　thought；　and　yet—dared　she　to　murmur　such　treacherous　criticism　ever　so　softly？what　was　the　man　worth　whom　a　woman　inferior　to　herself　did　not　value？　　The　sentiment　which　lurks　more　or　less　in　all　animate　nature—that　of　not　desiring　the　undesired　of　others—was　lively　as　a　passion　in　the　supersubtle；　epicurean　heart　of　Eustacia。　　Her　social　superiority　over　him；　which　hitherto　had　scarcely　ever　impressed　her；　became　unpleasantly　insistent；　and　for　the　first　time　she　felt　that　she　had　stooped　in　loving　him。
“Well；　darling；　you　agree？”　said　Wildeve。　
“If　it　could　be　London；　or　even　Budmouth；　instead　of　America；”　she　murmured　languidly。　　“Well；　I　will　think。　　It　is　too　great　a　thing　for　me　to　decide　offhand。
I　wish　I　hated　the　heath　less—or　loved　you　more。”
“You　can　be　painfully　frank。　　You　loved　me　a　month　ago　warmly　enough　to　go　anywhere　with　me。”
“And　you　loved　Thomasin。”
“Yes；　perhaps　that　was　where　the　reason　lay；”　he　returned；　with　almost　a　sneer。　　“I　don’t　hate　her　now。”
“Exactly。　The　only　thing　is　that　you　can　no　longer　get　her。”
“e—no　taunts；　Eustacia；　or　we　shall　quarrel。　　If　you　don’t　agree　to　go　with　me；　and　agree　shortly；　I　shall　go　by　myself。”
“Or　try　Thomasin　again。　　Damon；　how　strange　it　seems　that　you　could　have　married　her　or　me　indifferently；　and　only　have　e　to　me　because　I　am—cheapest！　Yes；　yes—it　is　true。　　There　was　a　time　when　I　should　have　exclaimed　against　a　man　of　that　sort；　and　been　quite　wild；　but　it　is　all　past　now。”
“Will　you　go；　dearest？　　e　secretly　with　me　to　Bristol；　marry　me；　and　turn　our　backs　upon　this　dog…hole　of　England　for　ever？　　Say　Yes。”
“I　want　to　get　away　from　here　at　almost　any　cost；”　she　said　with　weariness；　“but　I　don’t　like　to　go　with　you。　　Give　me　more　time　to　decide。”
“I　have　already；”　said　Wildeve。　　“Well；　I　give　you　one　more　week。”
“A　little　longer；　so　that　I　may　tell　you　decisively。　　I　have　to　consider　so　many　things。　　Fancy　Thomasin　being　anxious　to　get　rid　of　you！　I　cannot　forget　it。”
“Never　mind　that。　　Say　Monday　week。　　I　will　be　here　precisely　at　this　time。”
“Let　it　be　at　Rainbarrow；”　said　she。　　“This　is　too　near　home；　my　grandfather　may　be　walking　out。”
“Thank　you；　dear。　　On　Monday　week　at　this　time　I　will　be　at　the　Barrow。　　Till　then　good…bye。”
“Good…bye。　No；　no；　you　must　not　touch　me　now。
Shaking　hands　is　enough　till　I　have　made　up　my　mind。”
Eustacia　watched　his　shadowy　form　till　it　had　disappeared。　　She　placed　her　hand　to　her　forehead　and　breathed　heavily；　and　then　her　rich；　romantic　lips　parted　under　that　homely　impulse—a　yawn。　　She　was　immediately　angry　at　having　betrayed　even　to　herself　the　possible　evanescence　of　her　passion　for　him。　　She　could　not　admit　at　once　that　she