tales from two hemispheres[1].(两个半球的故事)-第22节
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relented； and they had many a pleasant chat together。 He now
volunteered to write all her exercises； and she made no objections。 He
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learned that she was the daughter of a well…to…do peasant in the sea…
districts of Norway （and it gave him quite a shock to hear it）； and that
she was going to school in the city； and boarded with an old lady who kept
a pension in the house adjoining the one in which he lived。
One day in the autumn Ralph was surprised by the sudden arrival of
his father； and the fact of his failure in the examination could no longer be
kept a secret。 The old Colonel flared up at once when Ralph made his
confession； the large veins upon his forehead swelled； he grew coppery…
red in his face； and stormed up and down the floor； until his son became
seriously alarmed； but； to his great relief； he was soon made aware
that his father's wrath was not turned against him personally； but
against the officials of the Military Academy who had rejected him。 The
Colonel took it as an insult to his own good name and irreproachable
standing as an officer； he promptly refused any other explanation； and
vainly racked his brain to remember if any youthful folly of his could
possibly have made him enemies among the teachers of the Academy。
He at last felt satisfied that it was envy of his own greatness and rapid
advancement which had induced the rascals to take vengeance on his son。
Ralph reluctantly followed his father back to the country town where the
latter was stationed； and the fair…haired Bertha vanished from his horizon。
His mother's wish now prevailed； and he began； in his own easy way； to
prepare himself for the University。 He had little taste for Cicero； and still
less for Virgil； but with the use of a 〃pony〃 he soon gained sufficient
knowledge of these authors to be able to talk in a sort of patronizing way
about them； to the great delight of his fond parents。 He took quite a
fancy； however； to the ode in Horace ending with the lines：
Dulce ridentem； Dulce loquentem； Lalagen amabo。
And in his thought he substituted for Lalage the fair…haired Bertha；
quite regardless of the requirements of the metre。
To make a long story short； three years later Ralph returned to the
capital； and； after having worn out several tutors； actually succeeded in
entering the University。
The first year of college life is a happy time to every young man； and
Ralph enjoyed its processions； its parliamentary gatherings； and its leisure；
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as well as the rest。 He was certainly not the man to be sentimental over
the loss of a young girl whom； moreover； he had only known for a few
weeks。 Nevertheless； he thought of her at odd times； but not enough to
disturb his pleasure。 The standing of his family； his own handsome
appearance； and his immaculate linen opened to him the best houses of the
city； and he became a great favorite in society。 At lectures he was seldom
seen； but more frequently in the theatres； where he used to come in during
the middle of the first act； take his station in front of the orchestra box； and
eye； through his lorgnettes； by turns； the actresses and the ladies of the
parquet。
II。
Two months passed； and then came the great annual ball which the
students give at the opening of the second semester。 Ralph was a man of
importance that evening； first； because he belonged to a great family；
secondly； because he was the handsomest man of his year。 He wore a
large golden star on his breast （for his fellow… students had made him a
Knight of the Golden Boar）； and a badge of colored ribbons in his button…
hole。
The ball was a brilliant affair； and everybody was in excellent spirits；
especially the ladies。 Ralph danced incessantly； twirled his soft mustache；
and uttered amiable platitudes。 It was toward midnight； just as the
company was moving out to supper； that he caught the glance of a pair of
dark…blue eyes； which suddenly drove the blood to his cheeks and
hastened the beating of his heart。 But when he looked once more the
dark…blue eyes were gone； and his unruly heart went on hammering
against his side。 He laid his hand on his breast and glanced furtively at
his fair neighbor； but she looked happy and unconcerned； for the flavor of
the ice…cream was delicious。 It seemed an endless meal； but； when it was
done； Ralph rose； led his partner back to the ball…room； and hastily
excused himself。 His glance wandered round the wide hall； seeking the
well…remembered eyes once more； and； at length； finding them in a remote
corner； half hid behind a moving wall of promenaders。 In another
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moment he was at Bertha's side。
〃You must have been purposely hiding yourself； Miss Bertha；〃 said he；
when the usual greetings were exchanged。 〃I have not caught a glimpse
of you all this evening； until a few moments ago。〃
〃But I have seen you all the while；〃 answered the girl； frankly。 〃I
knew you at once as I entered the hall。〃
〃If I had but known that you were here；〃 resumed Ralph； as it were；
invisibly expanding with an agreeable sense of dignity； 〃I assure you； you
would have been the very first one I should have sought。〃
She raised her large grave eyes to his； as if questioning his sincerity；
but she made no answer。
〃Good gracious！〃 thought Ralph。 〃She takes things terribly in
earnest。〃
〃You look so serious； Miss Bertha；〃 said he； after a moment's pause。
〃I remember you as a bright…eyed； flaxen…haired little girl； who threw her
German exercise…book to me across the yard； and whose merry laughter
still rings pleasantly in my memory。 I confess I don't find it quite easy to
identify this grave young lady with my merry friend of three years ago。〃
〃In other words； you are disappointed at not finding me the same as I
used to be。〃
〃No； not exactly that； but〃
Ralph paused and looked puzzled。 There was something in the
earnestness of her manner which made a facetious compliment seem
grossly inappropriate； and in the moment no other escape suggested itself。
〃But what？〃 demanded Bertha； mercilessly。
〃Have you ever lost an old friend？〃 asked he； abruptly。
〃Yes； how so？〃
〃Then；〃 answered he； while his features lighted up with a happy
inspiration〃then you will appreciate my situation。 I fondly cherished
my old picture of you in my memory。 Now I have lost it； and I cannot
help regretting the loss。 I do not mean； however； to imply that this new
acquaintancethis second edition of yourself； so to speakwill prove less
interesting。〃
She again sent him a grave； questioning look； and began to gaze
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intently upon the stone in her bracelet。
〃I suppose you will laugh at me；〃 began she； while a sudden blush
flitted over her countenance。 〃But this is my first ball； and I feel as if I
had rushed into a whirlpool； from which I have； since the first rash plunge
was made； been vainly trying to escape。 I feel so dreadfully forlorn。 I
hardly know anybody here except my cousin； who invited me； and I hardly
think I know him either。〃
〃Well； since you are irredeemably committed；〃 replied Ralph； as the
music； after some prefatory flourishes； broke into the delicious rhythm of
a Strauss waltz； 〃then it is no use struggling against fate。 Come； let us
