第 36 节
作者:片片      更新:2021-02-27 00:51      字数:9322
  snapped her fingers like castanets; whooped like a Bacchanal; and bounded from the floor like a tennis…ball;aye; till the colour of her garters was no particular mystery。  She made the less secret of this; perhaps; that they were sky…blue; and fringed with silver。
  The time has been that this would have been special fun; or rather; last night was the only time I can recollect these four years when it would not have been so; yet; at this moment; I cannot tell you how I longed to be rid of Dame Martin。  I almost wished she would sprain one of those 'many…twinkling' ankles; which served her so alertly; and when; in the midst of her exuberant caprioling; I saw my former partner leaving the apartment; and with eyes; as I thought; turning towards me; this unwillingness to carry on the dance increased to such a point; that I was almost about to feign a sprain or a dislocation myself; in order to put an end to the performance。  But there were around me scores of old women; all of whom looked as if they might have some sovereign recipe for such an accident; and; remembering Gil Blas; and his pretended disorder in the robber's cavern; I thought it as wise to play Dame Martin fair; and dance till she thought proper to dismiss me。  What I did I resolved to do strenuously; and in the latter part of the exhibition I cut and sprang from the floor as high and as perpendicularly as Dame Martin herself; and received; I promise you; thunders of applause; for the common people always prefer exertion and agility to grace。  At length Dame Martin could dance no more; and; rejoicing at my release; I led her to a seat; and took the privilege of a partner to attend her。
  'Hegh; sirs;' exclaimed Dame Martin; 'I am sair forfoughen! Troth!  callant; I think ye hae been amaist the death o' me。'
  I could only atone for the alleged offence by fetching her some refreshment; of which she readily partook。
  'I have been lucky in my partners;' I said; 'first that pretty young lady; and then you; Mrs; Martin。'
  'Hout wi' your fleeching;' said Dame Martin。  'Gae wagae wa; lad; dinna blaw in folk's lugs that gate; me and Miss Lilias even'd thegither!  Na; na; ladod; she is maybe four or five years younger than the like o' me;bye and attour her gentle havings。'
  'She is the laird's daughter?'  said I; in as careless a tone of inquiry as I could assume。
  'His daughter; man?  Na; na; only his nieceand sib aneugh to him; I think。'
  'Aye; indeed;' I replied; 'I thought she had borne his name?'
  'She bears her ain name; and that's Lilias。'
  'And has she no other name?'  asked I。
  'What needs she another till she gets a gudeman?'  answered my Thetis; a little miffed perhapsto use the women's phrasethat I turned the conversation upon my former partner; rather than addressed it to herself。
  There was a little pause; which was interrupted by Dame Martin observing; 'They are standing up again。'
  'True;' said I; having no mind to renew my late violent CAPRIOLE; and I must go help old Willie。'
  Ere I could extricate myself; I heard poor Thetis address herself to a sort of merman in a jacket of seaman's blue; and a pair of trousers (whose hand; by the way; she had rejected at an earlier part of the evening) and intimate that she was now disposed to take a trip。
  'Trip away; then; dearie;' said the vindictive man of the waters; without offering his hand; 'there;' pointing to the floor; 'is a roomy berth for you。'
  Certain I had made one enemy; and perhaps two; I hastened to my original seat beside Willie; and began to handle my bow。  But I could see that my conduct had made an unfavourable impression; the words; 'flory conceited chap;''hafflins gentle;' and at length; the still more alarming epithet of 'spy;' began to be buzzed about; and I was heartily glad when the apparition of Sam's visage at the door; who was already possessed of and draining a can of punch; gave me assurance that my means of retreat were at hand。  I intimated as much to Willie; who probably had heard more of the murmurs of the company than I had; for he whispered; 'Aye; aye;awa wi' yeower lang hereslide out cannydinna let them see ye are on the tramp。'
  I slipped half a guinea into the old man's hand; who answered; 'Truts pruts!  nonsense but I 'se no refuse; trusting ye can afford it。  Awa wi' yeand if ony body stops ye; cry on me。'
  I glided; by his advice; along the room as if looking for a partner; joined Sam; whom I disengaged with some difficulty from his can; and we left the cottage together in a manner to attract the least possible observation。  The horses were tied in a neighbouring shed; and as the moon was up; and I was now familiar with the road; broken and complicated as it is; we soon reached the Shepherd's Bush; where the old landlady was sitting up waiting for us; under some anxiety of mind; to account for which she did not hesitate to tell me that some folks had gone to Brokenburn from her house; or neighbouring towns; that did not come so safe back again。  'Wandering Willie;' she said; 'was doubtless a kind of protection。'
  Here Willie's wife; who was smoking in the chimney corner; took up the praises of her 'hinnie;' as she called him; and endeavoured to awaken my generosity afresh; by describing the dangers from which; as she was pleased to allege; her husband's countenance had assuredly been the means of preserving me。  I was not; however; to be fooled out of more money at this time; and went to bed in haste; full of vanous cogitations。
  I have since spent a couple of days betwixt Mount Sharon and this place; and betwixt reading; writing to thee this momentous history; forming plans for seeing the lovely Lilias; andpartly; I think; for the sake of contradictionangling a little in spite of Joshua'a scruplesthough I am rather liking the amusement better as I begin to have some success in it。
  And now; my dearest Alan; you are in full possession of my secretlet me as frankly into the recesses of your bosom。  How do you feel towards this fair ignis fatuus; this lily of the desert?  Tell me honestly; for however the recollection of her may haunt my own mind; my love for Alan Fairford surpasses the love of woman; I know; too; that when you DO love; it will be to
  Love once and love no more。
  A deep…consuming passion; once kindled in a breast so steady as yours; would never be extinguished but with life。  I am of another and more volatile temper; and though I shall open your next with a trembling hand and uncertain heart; yet let it bring a frank confession that this fair unknown has made a deeper impression on your gravity than you reckoned for; and you will see I can tear the arrow from my own wound; barb and all。  In the meantime; though I have formed schemes once more to see her; I will; you may rely on it; take no step for putting them into practice。  I have refrained from this hitherto; and I give you my word of honour; I shall continue to do so; yet why should you need any further assurance from one who is so entirely yours as D。L。
  PS。I shall be on thorns till I receive your answer。  I read; and re…read your letter; and cannot for my soul discover what your real sentiments are。  Sometimes I think you write of her as one in jestand sometimes I think that cannot be。  Put me at ease as soon as possible。
  LETTER XIII
  ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
  I write on the instant; as you direct; and in a tragi…comic humour; for I have a tear in my eye and a smile on my cheek。 Dearest Darsie; sure never a being but yourself could be so generoussure never a being but yourself could be so absurd!  I remember when you were a boy you wished to make your fine new whip a present to old Aunt Peggy; merely because she admired it; and now; with like unreflecting and inappropriate liberality; you would resign your beloved to a smoke…dried young sophister; who cares not one of the hairs which it is his occupation to split; for all the daughters of Eve。  I in love with your Liliasyour Green Mantleyour unknown enchantress!why I scarce saw her for five minutes; and even then only the tip of her chin was distinctly visible。  She was well made; and the tip of her chin was of a most promising cast for the rest of the face; but; Heaven save you!  she came upon business!  and for a lawyer to fall in love with a pretty client on a single consultation; would be as wise as if he became enamoured of a particularly bright sunbeam which chanced for a moment to gild his bar…wig。  I give you my word I am heart…whole and moreover; I assure you; that before I suffer a woman to sit near my heart's core; I must see her full face; without mask or mantle; aye; and know a good deal of her mind into the bargain。  So never fret yourself on my account; my kind and generous Darsie; but; for your own sake; have a care and let not an idle attachment; so lightly taken up; lead you into serious danger。
  On this subject I feel so apprehensive; that now when I am decorated with the honours of the gown; I should have abandoned my career at the very starting to come to you; but for my father having contrived to clog my heels with fetters of a professional nature。  I will tell you the matter at length; for it is comical enough; and why should not you list to my juridical adventures; as well as