第 25 节
作者:圈圈      更新:2021-02-18 22:40      字数:9322
  gratitude。  She was joined so warmly by her Husband in pressing
  me to accompany them to their Castle in Bavaria; that I found it
  impossible to resist their entreaties。  During a week which we
  passed at Strasbourg; the interests of Marguerite were not
  forgotten: In our application to her Father we succeeded as amply
  as we could wish。  The good old Man had lost his Wife:  He had no
  Children but this unfortunate Daughter; of whom He had received
  no news for almost fourteen years。  He was surrounded by distant
  Relations; who waited with impatience for his decease in order to
  get possession of his money。  When therefore Marguerite appeared
  again so unexpectedly; He considered her as a gift from heaven:
  He received her and her Children with open arms; and insisted
  upon their establishing themselves in his House without delay。
  The disappointed Cousins were obliged to give place。  The old Man
  would not hear of his Daughter's retiring into a Convent: He
  said that She was too necessary to his happiness; and She was
  easily persuaded to relinquish her design。  But no persuasions
  could induce Theodore to give up the plan which I had at first
  marked out for him。  He had attached himself to me most
  sincerely during my stay at Strasbourg; and when I was on the
  point of leaving it; He besought me with tears to take him into
  my service: He set forth all his little talents in the most
  favourable colours; and tried to convince me that I should find
  him of infinite use to me upon the road。  I was unwilling to
  charge myself with a Lad but scarcely turned of thirteen; whom I
  knew could only be a burthen to me:  However; I could not resist
  the entreaties of this affectionate Youth; who in fact possessed
  a thousand estimable qualities。  With some difficulty He
  persuaded his relations to let him follow me; and that permission
  once obtained; He was dubbed with the title of my Page。  Having
  passed a week at Strasbourg; Theodore and myself set out for
  Bavaria in company with the Baron and his Lady。  These Latter as
  well as myself had forced Marguerite to accept several presents
  of value; both for herself; and her youngest Son:  On leaving
  her; I promised his Mother faithfully that I would restore
  Theodore to her within the year。
  I have related this adventure at length; Lorenzo; that you might
  understand the means by which 'The Adventurer; Alphonso
  d'Alvarada got introduced into the Castle of Lindenberg。'  Judge
  from this specimen how much faith should be given to your Aunt's
  assertions!
  VOLUME II
  CHAPTER I
  Avaunt! and quit my sight!  Let the Earth hide thee!
  Thy bones are marrowless; thy blood is cold!
  Thou hast no speculation in those eyes
  Which Thou dost glare with! Hence; horrible shadow!
  Unreal mockery hence!
  Macbeth。
  Continuation of the History of Don Raymond。
  My journey was uncommonly agreeable:  I found the Baron a Man of
  some sense; but little knowledge of the world。  He had past a
  great part of his life without stirring beyond the precincts of
  his own domains; and consequently his manners were far from being
  the most polished:  But He was hearty; good…humoured; and
  friendly。  His attention to me was all that I could wish; and I
  had every reason to be satisfied with his behaviour。 His ruling
  passion was Hunting; which He had brought himself to consider as
  a serious occupation; and when talking over some remarkable
  chace; He treated the subject with as much gravity as it had
  been a Battle on which the fate of two kingdoms was depending。  I
  happened to be a tolerable Sportsman:  Soon after my arrival at
  Lindenberg I gave some proofs of my dexterity。  The Baron
  immediately marked me down for a Man of Genius; and vowed to me
  an eternal friendship。
  That friendship was become to me by no means indifferent。  At the
  Castle of Lindenberg I beheld for the first time your Sister; the
  lovely Agnes。  For me whose heart was unoccupied; and who grieved
  at the void; to see her and to love her were the same。  I found
  in Agnes all that was requisite to secure my affection。  She was
  then scarcely sixteen; Her person light and elegant was already
  formed; She possessed several talents in perfection; particularly
  those of Music and drawing:  Her character was gay; open; and
  good…humoured; and the graceful simplicity of her dress and
  manners formed an advantageous contrast to the art and studied
  Coquetry of the Parisian Dames; whom I had just quitted。  From
  the moment that I beheld her; I felt the most lively interest in
  her fate。  I made many enquiries respecting her of the Baroness。
  'She is my Niece;' replied that Lady; 'You are still ignorant;
  Don Alphonso; that I am your Countrywoman。  I am Sister to the
  Duke of Medina Celi:  Agnes is the Daughter of my second Brother;
  Don Gaston:  She has been destined to the Convent from her
  cradle; and will soon make her profession at Madrid。'
  (Here Lorenzo interrupted the Marquis by an exclamation of
  surprise。
  'Intended for the Convent from her cradle?' said He; 'By heaven;
  this is the first word that I ever heard of such a design!'
  'I believe it; my dear Lorenzo;' answered Don Raymond; 'But you
  must listen to me with patience。  You will not be less surprised;
  when I relate some particulars of your family still unknown to
  you; and which I have learnt from the mouth of Agnes herself。'
  He then resumed his narrative as follows。)
  You cannot but be aware that your Parents were unfortunately
  Slaves to the grossest superstition:  When this foible was called
  into play; their every other sentiment; their every other passion
  yielded to its irresistible strength。  While She was big with
  Agnes; your Mother was seized by a dangerous illness; and given
  over by her Physicians。  In this situation; Donna Inesilla vowed;
  that if She recovered from her malady; the Child then living in
  her bosom if a Girl should be dedicated to St。 Clare; if a Boy to
  St。 Benedict。  Her prayers were heard; She got rid of her
  complaint; Agnes entered the world alive; and was immediately
  destined to the service of St。 Clare。
  Don Gaston readily chimed in with his Lady's wishes: But knowing
  the sentiments of the Duke; his Brother; respecting a Monastic
  life; it was determined that your Sister's destination should be
  carefully concealed from him。  The better to guard the secret; it
  was resolved that Agnes should accompany her Aunt; Donna Rodolpha
  into Germany; whither that Lady was on the point of following her
  new…married Husband; Baron Lindenberg。  On her arrival at that
  Estate; the young Agnes was put into a Convent; situated but a
  few miles from the Castle。  The Nuns to whom her education was
  confided performed their charge with exactitude:  They made her
  a perfect Mistress of many talents; and strove to infuse into her
  mind a taste for the retirement and tranquil pleasures of a
  Convent。  But a secret instinct made the young Recluse sensible
  that She was not born for solitude:  In all the freedom of youth
  and gaiety; She scrupled not to treat as ridiculous many
  ceremonies which the Nuns regarded with awe; and She was never
  more happy than when her lively imagination inspired her with
  some scheme to plague the stiff Lady Abbess; or the ugly ill…
  tempered old Porteress。  She looked with disgust upon the
  prospect before her:  However no alternative was offered to her;
  and She submitted to the decree of her Parents; though not
  without secret repining。
  That repugnance She had not art enough to conceal long:  Don
  Gaston was informed of it。  Alarmed; Lorenzo; lest your affection
  for her should oppose itself to his projects; and lest you should
  positively object to your Sister's misery; He resolved to keep
  the whole affair from YOUR knowledge as well as the Duke's; till
  the sacrifice should be consummated。  The season of her taking
  the veil was fixed for the time when you should be upon your
  travels:  In the meanwhile no hint was dropped of Donna
  Inesilla's fatal vow。  Your Sister was never permitted to know
  your direction。  All your letters were read before She received
  them; and those parts effaced; which were likely to nourish her
  inclination for the world:  Her answers were dictated either by
  her Aunt; or by Dame Cunegonda; her Governess。  These particulars
  I learnt partly from Agnes; partly from the Baroness herself。
  I immediately determined upon rescuing this lovely Girl from a
  fate so contrary to her inclinations; and ill…suited to her
  merit。  I endeavoured to ingratiate myself into her favour:  I
  boasted of my friendship and intimacy with you。  She listened to
  me with avidity; She seemed to devour my words while I spoke in
  your praise; and her eyes thanked me for my affection to her
  Brother。  My constant and unremitted attention at length gained
  me her heart; and with difficulty I obliged her to confess that
  She loved me。  When however; I proposed her quitting the Castle
  of Lindenberg; She rejected the idea in positive terms。
  'Be generous; Alphonso;' She said; 'You possess my heart; but use
  not the gift ignobly。  Employ not your ascendancy over me in
  persuading me to take a step; at which I should hereafter have
  to blush。  I am yo