第 50 节
作者:打倒一切      更新:2024-04-07 21:07      字数:9322
  by her。  But the knowledge would have been useless here;
  it was not called for; neither clemency nor dignity
  was put to the trialEleanor brought no message。
  Very little passed between them on meeting; each found
  her greatest safety in silence; and few and trivial were
  the sentences exchanged while they remained upstairs;
  Catherine in busy agitation completing her dress;
  and Eleanor with more goodwill than experience intent upon
  filling the trunk。  When everything was done they left
  the room; Catherine lingering only half a minute behind
  her friend to throw a parting glance on every well…known;
  cherished object; and went down to the breakfast…parlour;
  where breakfast was prepared。  She tried to eat; as well
  to save herself from the pain of being urged as to make
  her friend comfortable; but she had no appetite; and could
  not swallow many mouthfuls。  The contrast between this
  and her last breakfast in that room gave her fresh misery;
  and strengthened her distaste for everything before her。
  It was not four and twenty hours ago since they had
  met there to the same repast; but in circumstances
  how different! With what cheerful ease; what happy;
  though false; security; had she then looked around her;
  enjoying everything present; and fearing little in future;
  beyond Henry's going to Woodston for a day! Happy;
  happy breakfast! For Henry had been there; Henry had sat
  by her and helped her。  These reflections were long
  indulged undisturbed by any address from her companion;
  who sat as deep in thought as herself; and the appearance
  of the carriage was the first thing to startle and recall
  them to the present moment。  Catherine's colour rose at the
  sight of it; and the indignity with which she was treated;
  striking at that instant on her mind with peculiar force;
  made her for a short time sensible only of resentment。
  Eleanor seemed now impelled into resolution and speech。
  〃You must write to me; Catherine;〃 she cried;
  〃you must let me hear from you as soon as possible。
  Till I know you to be safe at home; I shall not have
  an hour's comfort。  For one letter; at all risks;
  all hazards; I must entreat。  Let me have the satisfaction
  of knowing that you are safe at Fullerton; and have found
  your family well; and then; till I can ask for your
  correspondence as I ought to do; I will not expect more。
  Direct to me at Lord Longtown's; and; I must ask it;
  under cover to Alice。〃
  〃No; Eleanor; if you are not allowed to receive
  a letter from me; I am sure I had better not write。
  There can be no doubt of my getting home safe。〃
  Eleanor only replied; 〃I cannot wonder at your feelings。
  I will not importune you。  I will trust to your own kindness
  of heart when I am at a distance from you。〃 But this;
  with the look of sorrow accompanying it; was enough to melt
  Catherine's pride in a moment; and she instantly said;
  〃Oh; Eleanor; I will write to you indeed。〃
  There was yet another point which Miss Tilney was anxious
  to settle; though somewhat embarrassed in speaking of。
  It had occurred to her that after so long an absence from home;
  Catherine might not be provided with money enough for the
  expenses of her journey; and; upon suggesting it to her
  with most affectionate offers of accommodation; it proved
  to be exactly the case。  Catherine had never thought on
  the subject till that moment; but; upon examining her purse;
  was convinced that but for this kindness of her friend;
  she might have been turned from the house without even
  the means of getting home; and the distress in which she
  must have been thereby involved filling the minds of both;
  scarcely another word was said by either during the time
  of their remaining together。  Short; however; was that time。
  The carriage was soon announced to be ready; and Catherine;
  instantly rising; a long and affectionate embrace supplied
  the place of language in bidding each other adieu;
  and; as they entered the hall; unable to leave the house
  without some mention of one whose name had not yet been
  spoken by either; she paused a moment; and with quivering
  lips just made it intelligible that she left 〃her kind
  remembrance for her absent friend。〃 But with this
  approach to his name ended all possibility of restraining
  her feelings; and; hiding her face as well as she could
  with her handkerchief; she darted across the hall;
  jumped into the chaise; and in a moment was driven from the door。
  CHAPTER 29
  Catherine was too wretched to be fearful。  The journey
  in itself had no terrors for her; and she began it without
  either dreading its length or feeling its solitariness。
  Leaning back in one comer of the carriage; in a violent
  burst of tears; she was conveyed some miles beyond
  the walls of the abbey before she raised her head;
  and the highest point of ground within the park was almost
  closed from her view before she was capable of turning
  her eyes towards it。  Unfortunately; the road she now
  travelled was the same which only ten days ago she had
  so happily passed along in going to and from Woodston;
  and; for fourteen miles; every bitter feeling was rendered
  more severe by the review of objects on which she had
  first looked under impressions so different。  Every mile;
  as it brought her nearer Woodston; added to her sufferings;
  and when within the distance of five; she passed the
  turning which led to it; and thought of Henry; so near;
  yet so unconscious; her grief and agitation were excessive。
  The day which she had spent at that place had
  been one of the happiest of her life。  It was there;
  it was on that day; that the general had made use of such
  expressions with regard to Henry and herself; had so spoken
  and so looked as to give her the most positive conviction
  of his actually wishing their marriage。  Yes; only ten
  days ago had he elated her by his pointed regardhad he
  even confused her by his too significant reference! And
  nowwhat had she done; or what had she omitted to do;
  to merit such a change?
  The only offence against him of which she could accuse
  herself had been such as was scarcely possible to reach
  his knowledge。  Henry and her own heart only were privy
  to the shocking suspicions which she had so idly entertained;
  and equally safe did she believe her secret with each。
  Designedly; at least; Henry could not have betrayed her。
  If; indeed; by any strange mischance his father should have
  gained intelligence of what she had dared to think and look for;
  of her causeless fancies and injurious examinations;
  she could not wonder at any degree of his indignation。
  If aware of her having viewed him as a murderer; she could
  not wonder at his even turning her from his house。
  But a justification so full of torture to herself;
  she trusted; would not be in his power。
  Anxious as were all her conjectures on this point;
  it was not; however; the one on which she dwelt most。
  There was a thought yet nearer; a more prevailing;
  more impetuous concern。  How Henry would think; and feel;
  and look; when he returned on the morrow to Northanger
  and heard of her being gone; was a question of force and
  interest to rise over every other; to be never ceasing;
  alternately irritating and soothing; it sometimes suggested
  the dread of his calm acquiescence; and at others was answered
  by the sweetest confidence in his regret and resentment。
  To the general; of course; he would not dare to speak;
  but to Eleanorwhat might he not say to Eleanor about
  her?
  In this unceasing recurrence of doubts and inquiries;
  on any one article of which her mind was incapable of more
  than momentary repose; the hours passed away; and her journey
  advanced much faster than she looked for。  The pressing
  anxieties of thought; which prevented her from noticing
  anything before her; when once beyond the neighbourhood
  of Woodston; saved her at the same time from watching
  her progress; and though no object on the road could engage
  a moment's attention; she found no stage of it tedious。
  From this; she was preserved too by another cause;
  by feeling no eagerness for her journey's conclusion;
  for to return in such a manner to Fullerton was almost
  to destroy the pleasure of a meeting with those she
  loved best; even after an absence