第 25 节
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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