stories by english authors in italy(旅意英国作家的故事)-第2节
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blunt refusal； we saw the miscreant strike out from the shoulder and
Richard go down。
The time thus lost； however； short…lived as was the combat； was fatal
to the victor。 There were few better runners in Dalton than my companion
and myself； and we gained on the book…maker； who had probably trained
on gin and bad tobacco； hand over hand。 As we drew near him he turned
round and inquired； with many expletives； made half inarticulate by want
of breath； what we wanted with a gentleman engaged on his own private
affairs。
〃Well；〃 I said；for as I could trust my agricultural friend with the more
practical measures that were likely to follow I thought it only fair that I
should do the talking；〃we want first the five…pound note which that
young gentleman； whom you have just knocked down； intrusted to your
care； and then the fifty pounds you have lost to him。〃
He called Heaven to witness that he had never made a bet in his life
with any young gentleman； but that； having been molested； he believed by
a footpad； as he was returning home to his family； he had been compelled
to defend himself。
〃I heard you make the bet and saw you take the money；〃 I remarked；
with confidence。
〃That's good enough；〃 said the farmer。 〃Now if you don't shell out that
money this instant； I'll have you back in the ring in a brace of shakes and
tell them what has happened。 Last year they tore a welsher pretty nigh to
pieces； and this year； if you don't 'part；' they'll do it quite。〃
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The book…maker turned livid；I never saw a man in such a funk in my
life；and produced a greasy pocket…book； out of which he took Richard's
bank…note； and ten quite new ones； and I noticed there were more left； so
that poverty was not his excuse for fraud。
〃Let me look at 'em against the sun；〃 said the farmer； 〃to see as the
water…mark is all right。〃
This was a precaution I should never have thought of； and it gave me
for the first time a sense of the great intelligence of my father's
parishioner。
〃Yes； they're all correct。 And now you may go； but if ever you show
your face again on Southick （Southwick） race…course it will be the worst
for you。〃
He slunk away； and we returned to Richard； who was sitting on the
ground； looking at his nose； which was bleeding and had attained vast
dimensions。
〃Did you get the money？〃 were his first words； which I thought very
characteristic。
〃Yes； there it is； squireten fivers and your own note。〃
〃Very good； I should never have seen a shilling of it but for you and
Charley； so we will just divide it into three shares。〃
The farmer said； 〃No；〃 but eventually took his L16 13s。 4d。； and quite
right too。 Of course I did not take Richard's money； but he afterward
bought me a rifle with it； which I could not refuse。 The farmer； as may be
well imagined； could be trusted to say nothing of our adventure； but it was
impossible to hide Richard's nose。 He was far too honest a fellow to tell a
lie about it； and the whole story came out。 His father was dreadfully
shocked at it； and Lady Jane in despair： the one about his gambling
propensities； and the other about his nose； she thought； if the injury did not
prove fatal； he would be disfigured for life。
He was well in a week； but the circumstances had the gravest
consequences。 It was decided that something must be done with the heir of
the Luscombes to wean him from low company （this was not me； but
grooms and racing people）； but even this predilection was ascribed in part
to his fragile constitution。 A fashionable physician came down from
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London to consider the case。 He could not quite be brought to the point
desired by Lady Jane； to lay Richard's love of gambling at the door of the
delicacy of his lungs； but he was brought very near it。 The young fellow；
his 〃opinion〃 was； had been brought up too much like a hothouse flower；
his tastes were what they were chiefly because he had no opportunities of
forming better ones； with improved strength his moral nature would
become more elevated。 That he was truthful was a great source of
satisfaction （this was with reference to his distinct refusal to give up
gambling to please anybody） and a most wholesome physical sign。 〃My
recommendation is that he should be temporarily removed from his
present dull surroundings； there is not scope in them for his mind； he
should be sent abroad for a month or two with his tutor。 That will do him a
world of good。〃
If it was not very good advice； it was probably quite as judicious as
other 〃opinions〃 for which a hundred and fifty guineas have been
cheerfully paid。 It was at all events a great comfort to hear that there was
nothing constitutionally wrong with 〃dearest Richard；〃 and that he only
wanted a tonic for mind and body。 The doctor's verdict was accepted by
both parents； but there was an insurmountable obstacle to its being carried
into effect in Master Richard himself。 My father could not leave his parish
and his family； and with no other tutor could the young gentleman be
induced to go。
Now it happened that the butler at the Court； John Maitland； who； as is
often the case in such households； had the gravity and dignity of a bishop；
was so fortunate as to be a favourite both with the old folks and the young
one。 He really was a superior person； and not only 〃honest as the day〃 in
Richard's eyes （which； as we have seen； was not a guarantee of
straightforwardness）； but in those of every one else。 He had been born in
the village； had been page to Mr。 Luscombe's father； and had lived more
than fifty years at the Court。 The relations between master and servant
were feudal； mingled with the more modern attachment that comes of
good service properly appreciated。 He thought the Luscombes； if not the
only old family in the world； the best； and worshippedthough in a
dignified and ecclesiastical mannerthe ground trodden on both by the
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squire and Master Richard。 My own impression was that under pretence of
giving way to the latter he played into the parental hands； but as this was
certainly for my young friend's good； I never communicated my
suspicions to him。 Maitland； at all events； had more influence over him
than any man except my father。 Still it astonished us all not a little；
notwithstanding the high opinion we entertained of him； when we heard
that the butler was to be intrusted with the guardianship of Richard abroad。
Such a thing could not have happened in any other family； but so it was
arranged； and partly as valet； partly as confidential companion and
treasurer Maitland started with his young master on his travels。
These were to last for not less than six months； and Italy； because of its
warm climate； was the country to which they were bound。 That it would
do the young fellow good； both moral and physical； we all hoped； but my
father had his doubts。 He feared that Maitland's influence over his
companion would wane when away from the Court； but it never entered
into his mind that he would willingly permit any wrong doing； and still
less that the man would himself succumb to any temptation that involved
dishonesty。
They travelled by easy stages； though they used the railway； of course；
they did so only for a few hours a day； and got out and remained at places
of interest。 Richard was very amenable； and indeed showed no desire for
dissipation； his one weaknessthat of having a 〃spree〃had no
opportunity of being gratified； and Maitland wrote home the most
gratifying letters； not only respecting the behaviour of his charge； but of
the improvement in his health。 As they drew nearer to Italy；
