第 106 节
作者:泰达魔王      更新:2021-02-24 23:21      字数:9321
  become fair。  Then; indeed; he departed; after taking
  leave of the Pathfinder; in the manner of one who believed
  he was in company of a distinguished character for the
  last time。  The two separated like those who respect one
  another; while each felt that the other was all enigma to
  himself。
  CHAPTER XXIX。
  Playful she turn'd that he might see
  The passing smile her cheek put on;
  But when she marked how mournfully
  His eyes met hers; that smile was gone。
  _Lalla Rookh。_
  The occurrences of the last few days had been too ex…
  citing; and had made too many demands on the fortitude
  of our heroine; to leave her in the helplessness of grief。
  She mourned for her father; and she occasionally shud…
  dered as she recalled the sudden death of Jennie; and all
  the horrible scenes she had witnessed; but on the whole
  she had aroused herself; and was no longer in the deep
  depression which usually accompanies grief。  Perhaps the
  overwhelming; almost stupefying sorrow that crushed poor
  June; and left her for nearly twenty…four hours in a state
  of stupor; assisted Mabel in conquering her own feelings;
  for she had felt called on to administer consolation to the
  young Indian woman。  This she had done in the quiet;
  soothing; insinuating way in which her sex usually exerts
  its influence on such occasions。
  The morning of the third day was set for that on which
  the _Scud_ was to sail。  Jasper had made all his prepara…
  tions; the different effects were embarked; and Mabel had
  taken leave of June; a painful and affectionate parting。  In
  a word; all was ready; and every soul had left the island
  but the Indian woman; Pathfinder; Jasper; and our hero…
  ine。  The former had gone into a thicket to weep; and the
  three last were approaching the spot where three canoes
  lay; one of which was the property of June; and the other
  two were in waiting to carry the others off to the _Scud_。
  Pathfinder led the way; but; when he drew near the shore;
  instead of taking the direction to the boats; he motioned
  to his companions to follow; and proceeded to a fallen tree
  which lay on the margin of the glade and out of view of
  those in the cutter。  Seating himself on the trunk; he
  signed to Mabel to take her place on one side of him and
  to Jasper to occupy the other。
  〃Sit down here Mabel; sit down there; Eau…douce;〃 he
  commenced; as soon as he had taken his own seat。  〃I've
  something that lies heavy on my mind; and now is the
  time to take it off; if it's ever to be done。  Sit down; Mabel;
  and let me lighten my heart; if not my conscience; while
  I've the strength to do it。〃
  The pause that succeeded lasted two or three minutes; and
  both the young people wondered what was to come next;
  the idea that Pathfinder could have any weight on his con…
  science seeming equally improbable to each。
  〃Mabel;〃 our hero at length resumed; 〃we must talk
  plainly to each other afore we join your uncle in the cut…
  ter; where the Saltwater has slept every night since the
  last rally; for he says it's the only place in which a man
  can be sure of keeping the hair on his head; he does。  Ah's
  me! what have I to do with these follies and sayings now?
  I try to be pleasant; and to feel light…hearted; but the power
  of man can't make water run up stream。  Mabel; you know
  that the Sergeant; afore he left us; had settled it 'atween
  us two that we were to become man and wife; and that we
  were to live together and to love one another as long as
  the Lord was pleased to keep us both on 'arth; yes; and
  afterwards too?〃
  Mabel's cheeks had regained a little of their ancient
  bloom in the fresh air of the morning; but at this un…
  looked…for address they blanched again; nearly to the pal…
  lid hue which grief had imprinted there。  Still; she looked
  kindly; though seriously; at Pathfinder and even endeav…
  ored to force a smile。
  〃Very true; my excellent friend;〃 she answered; 〃this
  was my poor father's wish; and I feel certain that a whole
  life devoted to your welfare and comforts could scarcely
  repay you for all you have done for us。〃
  〃I fear me; Mabel; that man and wife needs be bound
  together by a stronger tie than such feelings; I do。  You
  have done nothing for me; or nothing of any account; and
  yet my very heart yearns towards you; it does; and there…
  fore it seems likely that these feelings come from some…
  thing besides saving scalps and guiding through woods。〃
  Mabel's cheek had begun to glow again; and though she
  struggled hard to smile; her voice trembled a little as she
  answered。
  〃Had we not better postpone this conversation; Path…
  finder?〃 she said; 〃we are not alone; and nothing is so
  unpleasant to a listener; they say; as family matters in
  which he feels no interest。〃
  〃It's because we are not alone; Mabel; or rather because
  Jasper is with us; that I wish to talk of this matter。  The
  Sergeant believed I might make a suitable companion for
  you; and; though I had misgivings about it;  yes; I had
  many misgivings;  he finally persuaded me into the idee;
  and things came round 'atween us; as you know。  But;
  when you promised your father to marry me; Mabel; and
  gave me your hand so modestly; but so prettily; there was
  one circumstance; as your uncle called it; that you didn't
  know; and I've thought it right to tell you what it is;
  before matters are finally settled。  I've often taken a poor
  deer for my dinner when good venison was not to be
  found; but it's as nat'ral not to take up with the worst
  when the best may be had。〃
  〃You speak in a way; Pathfinder; that is difficult to be
  understood。  If this conversation is really necessary; I
  trust you will be more plain。〃
  〃Well then; Mabel; I've been thinking it was quite
  likely; when you gave in to the Sergeant's wishes; that you
  did not know the natur' of Jasper Western's feelings
  towards you?〃
  〃Pathfinder!〃 and Mabel's cheek now paled to the livid
  hue of death; then it flushed to the tint of crimson; and
  her whole frame shuddered。  Pathfinder; however; was too
  intent on his own object to notice this agitation; and Eau…
  douce had hidden his face in his hands in time to shut out
  its view。
  〃I've been talking with the lad; and; on comparing his
  dreams with my dreams; his feelings with my feelings; and
  his wishes with my wishes; I fear we think too much alike
  consarning you for both of us to be very happy。〃
  〃Pathfinder; you forget; you should remember that we
  are betrothed!〃 said Mabel hastily; and in a voice so low
  that it required acute attention in the listeners to catch
  the syllables。  Indeed the last word was not quite intel…
  ligible to the guide; and he confessed his ignorance by the
  usual;
  〃Anan?〃
  〃You forget that we are to be married; and such allu…
  sions are improper as well as painful。〃
  〃Everything is proper that is right; Mabel; and every…
  thing is right that leads to justice and fair dealing; though
  it _is painful_ enough; as you say; as I find on trial; I do。
  Now; Mabel; had you known that Eau…douce thinks of you
  in this way; maybe you never would have consented to be
  married to one as old and as uncomely as I am。〃
  〃Why this cruel trial; Pathfinder?  To what can all this
  lead?  Jasper Western thinks no such thing: he says
  nothing he feels nothing。〃
  〃Mabel!〃 burst from out of the young man's lips; in a
  way to betray the uncontrollable nature of his emotions;
  though he uttered not another syllable。
  Mabel buried her face in both her hands; and the two
  sat like a pair of guilty beings; suddenly detected in the
  commission of some crime which involved the happiness
  of a common patron。  At that instant; perhaps; Jasper
  himself was inclined to deny his passion; through an ex…
  treme unwillingness to grieve his friend; while Mabel; on
  whom this positive announcement of a fact that she had
  rather unconsciously hoped than believed; came so unex…
  pectedly; felt her mind momentarily bewildered; and she
  scarcely knew whether to weep or to rejoice。  Still she was
  the first to speak; since Eau…douce could utter naught that
  would be disingenuous; or that would pain his friend。
  〃Pathfinder;〃 said she; 〃you talk wildly。  Why mention
  this at all?〃
  〃Well; Mabel; if I talk wildly; I _am_ half wild; you know;
  by natur'; I fear; as well as by habit。〃  As he said this; he
  endeavored to laugh in his usual noiseless way; but the
  effect produced a strange and discordant sound; and it
  appeared nearly to choke him。  〃Yes; I _must_ be wild; I'll
  not attempt to deny it。〃
  〃Dearest Pathfinder! my best; almost my only friend!
  you _cannot; do not_ think I intended to say that!〃 inter…
  rupted Mabel; almost breathless in her haste to relieve his
  mortification。  〃If courage; truth; nobleness of soul and
  conduct; unyielding principles; and a hundred other excel…
  lent qualities can render any man respectable; esteemed;
  or beloved; your claims are inferior to those of no other
  human being。〃
  〃What tender and bewitching voices they have; Jasper!〃
  resumed the guide; now laughing freely and naturally。
  〃Yes; natur' seems to have made them on purpose to sing
  in our ears; when the music of the woods is silent。  But
  we must come to a right understanding; we must。  I ask
  you again; Mabel; if you had