the professor(教授)-第3节
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tradesman。 I asked； moreover； if he could give me employment。
His answer expressed no approbation of my conduct； but he said I
might come down to —shire； if I liked； and he would ‘see what
could be done in the way of furnishing me with work。’ I repressed
all—even mental comment on his note—packed my trunk and
carpet…bag； and started for the North directly。
“After two days’ travelling （railroads were not then in
existence） I arrived； one wet October afternoon； in the town of X—
。 I had always understood that Edward lived in this town； but on
inquiry I found that it was only Mr。 Crimsworth’s mill and
warehouse which were situated in the smoky atmosphere of
Bigben Close； his residence lay four miles out； in the country。
“It was late in the evening when I alighted at the gates of the
habitation designated to me as my brother’s。 As I advanced up the
avenue； I could see through the shades of twilight； and the dark
gloomy mists which deepened those shades； that the house was
large； and the grounds surrounding it sufficiently spacious。 I
paused a moment on the lawn in front； and leaning my back
against a tall tree which rose in the centre； I gazed with interest on
the exterior of Crimsworth Hall。
“‘Edward is rich；’ thought I to myself。 ‘I believed him to be
doing well—but I did not know he was master of a mansion like
this。’ Cutting short all marvelling； speculation； conjecture； &c。； I
advanced to the front door and rang。 A man…servant opened it—I
announced myself—he relieved me of my wet cloak and carpet…
bag； and ushered me into a room furnished as a library； where
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there was a bright fire and candles burning on the table； he
informed me that his master was not yet returned from X—
market； but that he would certainly be at home in the course of
half an hour。
“Being left to myself； I took the stuffed easy chair； covered with
red morocco； which stood by the fireside； and while my eyes
watched the flames dart from the glowing coals； and the cinders
fall at intervals on the hearth； my mind busied itself in conjectures
concerning the meeting about to take place。 Amidst much that was
doubtful in the subject of these conjectures； there was one thing
tolerably certain—I was in no danger of encountering severe
disappointment； from this； the moderation of my expectations
guaranteed me。 I anticipated no overflowings of fraternal
tenderness； Edward’s letters had always been such as to prevent
the engendering or harbouring of delusions of this sort。 Still； as I
sat awaiting his arrival； I felt eager—very eager—I cannot tell you
why； my hand； so utterly a stranger to the grasp of a kindred hand；
clenched itself to repress the tremor with which impatience would
fain have shaken it。
“I thought of my uncles； and as I was engaged in wondering
whether Edward’s indifference would equal the cold disdain I had
always experienced from them； I heard the avenue gates open：
wheels approached the house； Mr。 Crimsworth was arrived； and
after the lapse of some minutes； and a brief dialogue between
himself and his servant in the hall； his tread drew near the library
door—that tread alone announced the master of the house。
“I still retained some confused recollection of Edward as he was
ten years ago—a tall； wiry； raw youth； now； as I rose from my seat
and turned towards the library door； I saw a fine…looking and
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powerful man； light…complexioned； well…made； and of athletic
proportions； the first glance made me aware of an air of
promptitude and sharpness； shown as well in his movements as in
his port； his eye； and the general expression of his face。 He greeted
me with brevity； and； in the moment of shaking hands； scanned
me from head to foot； he took his seat in the morocco covered arm…
chair； and motioned me to another sent。
“‘I expected you would have called at the counting…house in the
Close；’ said he； and his voice； I noticed； had an abrupt accent；
probably habitual to him； he spoke also with a guttural northern
tone； which sounded harsh in my ears； accustomed to the silvery
utterance of the South。
“‘The landlord of the inn； where the coach stopped； directed me
here；’ said I。 ‘I doubted at first the accuracy of his information； not
being aware that you had such a residence as this。’
“‘Oh； it is all right！’ he replied； ‘only I was kept half an hour
behind time； waiting for you—that is all。 I thought you must be
coming by the eight o’clock coach。’
“I expressed regret that he had had to wait； he made no answer；
but stirred the fire； as if to cover a movement of impatience； then
he scanned me again。
“I felt an inward satisfaction that I had not； in the first moment
of meeting； betrayed any warmth； any enthusiasm； that I had
saluted this man with a quiet and steady phlegm。
“‘Have you quite broken with Tynedale and Seacombe？’ he
asked hastily。
“‘I do not think I shall have any further communication with
them； my refusal of their proposals will； I fancy； operate as a
barrier against all future intercourse。’
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“‘Why；’ said he； ‘I may as well remind you at the very outset of
our connection； that “no man can serve two masters。”
Acquaintance with Lord Tynedale will be incompatible with
assistance from me。’ There was a kind of gratuitous menace in his
eye as he looked at me in finishing this observation。
“Feeling no disposition to reply to him； I contented myself with
an inward speculation on the differences which exist in the
constitution of men’s minds。 I do not know what inference Mr。
Crimsworth drew from my silence—whether he considered it a
symptom of contumacity or an evidence of my being cowed by his
peremptory manner。 After a long and hard stare at me； he rose
sharply from his seat。
“‘To…morrow；’ said he； ‘I shall call your attention to some other
points； but now it is supper time； and Mrs。 Crimsworth is probably
waiting； will you come？’
“He strode from the room； and I followed。 In crossing the hall； I
wondered what Mrs。 Crimsworth might be。 ‘Is she；’ thought I； ‘as
alien to what I like as Tynedale； Seacombe； the Misses
Seacombe—as the affectionate relative now striding before me？ or
is she better than these？ Shall I； in conversing with her； feel free
to show something of my real nature； or—’ Further conjectures
were arrested by my entrance into the dining…room。
“A lamp； burning under a shade of ground…glass； showed a
handsome apartment； wainscoted with oak； supper was laid on the
table； by the fire…place； standing as if waiting our entrance；
appeared a lady； she was young； tall； and well shaped； her dress
was handsome and fashionable： so much my first glance sufficed
to ascertain。 A gay salutation passed between her and Mr。
Crimsworth； she chid him； half playfully； half poutingly； for being
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