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