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elinor wyllys-2-第20部分

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s you have also fixed upon some amiable young girl; who would be a pleasant companion for you。〃

Hazlehurst was silent。

〃I dare say you have; and I might have spared you the advice。 If that is the case; you must make the most of the next three months; persuade her to marry you; and we can take her to Russia; to do the honours for us。〃

〃Things have not gone quite so far as that; yet;〃 said Harry; just a little embarrassed。

〃Well; my good fellow; settle the matter your own way; I have at least satisfied my conscience; by telling you not to follow my own bad example;〃 said the minister; as he rose from table。

It seemed that Mr。 Henley; like most old bachelors; regretted not having married; though he thought that his habits had all become too confirmed; to make it worth while to attempt a change。 As a general rule; it will be found that your decidedly old maid is contented with her lot; while your very old bachelor is dissatisfied with his。 The peculiar evils of a single lifefor every life must have its ownare most felt by women early in the day; by men; in old age。 The world begins very soon to laugh at the old maid; and continues to laugh; until shamed out of the habit by her good nature; and her respectable life。 The bachelor; on the contrary; for a long time finds an ally in the world; he goes on enjoying the pleasures it offers; until old age makes him weary of themand then; as his head grows grey; when he finds himself going out of favour; he begins to feel the want of something bettera home to retreat to。 He looks about him; and he finds that his female contemporary has outlived her peculiar annoyances; 〃the world forgetting; by the world forgot;〃 she has long since found some collateral home; or; in her right as a woman; has made a home for herself; where she lives as pleasantly as her neighbours。 Perhaps he sets about imitating her example; but; poor fellow; he finds it an awkward task; he can never succeed in making his household gods smile with a good will; on a home where no female voice is heard at the fire…side。

{〃the world forgetting。。。。〃 = Alexander Pope (English poet; 1688…1744); 〃Eloisa to Abelard〃 I。207…208: 〃How happy is the blameless Vestal's lot! The world forgetting; by the world forgot。〃}

So thought Mr。 Henley; and he had been intending to recommend to Harry to look out for a wife; for some time past。 The minister's ideas on the subject of love and matrimony were; to be sure; rather matter of fact; and statesmanlike; he would have been quite satisfied if Hazlehurst had married the first young girl; of a respectable family; that he met with; the hundredth part of Mrs。 Creighton's attractions he would have thought sufficient。 Harry forgave him; however; for the sake of the kindness intended by the advice he had given; and the minister had the satisfaction of seeing his secretary; that evening; at a concert; quite gallant and attentive to a party of ladies; several of whom were young and pretty; although one was young and ugly。

〃Who is that?〃 he asked of a friend; 〃that lady to whom Hazlehurst is talking? Half the young people here have grown up; since I was last at home。〃

〃That is Mrs。 Creighton。〃

〃No; not Mrs。 Creighton; I know hera charming woman; the lady on the right。〃

〃That is Miss Van Alstyne。 Mrs。 St。 Leger is next to her; the young girl before her is Miss Emma Taylor。〃

〃A pretty girlbut noisy; it seems。〃

〃On the next bench; with Ellsworth; are Mrs。 Tallman Taylor; the great beauty; and Miss Wyllys; the heiress。〃

〃Yes; I know the family very well; but I never saw Mr。 Wyllys's granddaughter before。〃

〃She is quite plain;〃 observed one gentleman。

〃Very plain;〃 replied the other; turning away。

The evening proved very sultry; and after accompanying the ladies home from the concert; Mr。 Ellsworth proposed to Harry a stroll in the open air。 The friends set out together; taking the direction of the spring; and; being alone; their conversation gradually became of a confidential nature。 They touched upon politics; Mr。 Henley's character and views; and various other topics; concluding with their own personal affairs。 At length; when they had been out some little time; Mr。 Ellsworth; after a moment's silence; turned to Harry and said:

〃Hazlehurst; I have a confession to make; but I dare say you will not give me much credit for franknessyou have very probably guessed already what I have to tell。〃

〃I certainly have had some suspicions of my own for the last few days; but I may be mistaken; I am not very good at guessing。〃

〃I can have no motive;〃 continued Mr。 Ellsworth; 〃in concealing from you my regard for Miss Wyllys; and I hope you will wish me success。〃

〃Certainly;〃 replied Harry; who was evidently somewhat prepared for the disclosure。

〃It is now some time since I have been attached to her; but it is only lately that I have been able to urge my suit as I could wish。 The better I know Elinor Wyllys; the more anxious I am for success。 I never met with a woman of a more lovely character。〃

〃You only do her justice。〃

〃There is something about her that is peculiar; different from the common…place set of young ladies one meets with every day; and yet she is perfectly feminine and womanly。〃

And Mr。 Ellsworth here ran over various good qualities of Elinor's。 It is impossible to say; whether Harry smiled or not; at this lover…like warmth: if he did; it was too dark for his friend to observe it。

〃In a situation like mine; with a daughter to educate; the choice of a wife is particularly important。 Of course I feel much anxiety as to the decision of a woman like Miss Wyllys; one whose good opinion is worth the wooing: and yet; if I do not deceive myself; her manner is not discouraging。〃

〃Is she aware of your feelings?〃 asked Harry。

〃Yes; I have only proposed in form quite lately; however; a day or two after you arrived。 Miss Wyllys scarcely seemed prepared for my declaration; although I thought I had spoken sufficiently distinctly to be understood; some time since。 She wished for time to consider: I was willing to wait as long as she pleased; with the hope of eventually succeeding。 Her friends are quite well disposed towards me; think。 Mr。 Wyllys's manner to me has always been gratifying; and I hope her aunt is in my favour。 To speak frankly; there have been times when I have felt much encouraged as regards Miss Wyllys herself。 You will not think me a coxcomb; Hazlehurst; for opening my heart to you in this way。〃

〃Certainly not; you honour me by your confidence。〃

〃I should like to have your honest opinion as to my future prospects; for; of course; one can never feel sure until everything is settled。 Josephine is hardly a fair judgeshe is very sanguine; but like myself she is interested in the affair。〃

〃Mrs。 Creighton has so much discernment; that I should think she could not be easily deceived。 If my kinswoman knows your views; I should say that you have reason to be encouraged by her manner。 There is nothing like coquetry about her; I am convinced she thinks highly of you。〃

〃Thank you; it gives me great pleasure to hear you say so。 The question must now be decided before long。 I was only prevented from explaining myself earlier; by the fear of speaking too soon。 For though I have known Miss Wyllys some time; yet we have seldom met。 I dare say you are surprised that I did not declare myself sooner; I am inclined to think you would have managed an affair of the kind more expeditiously; for you are more rapid in most of your movements than myself。 But although I might imagine love at first sight; I never could fancy a declaration worth hearing; the first day。〃

〃Do you insinuate that such is the practice of your humble servant?〃 asked Hazlehurst; smiling。

〃Oh; no; but I was afraid you might disapprove of my deliberation。 My chief hope rests upon Miss Wyllys's good sense and the wishes of her friends; who; I think; are evidently favourable to me。 She has no silly; high…flown notions; she is now of an agethree or four…and…twenty I thinkto take a reasonable view of the world; and I hope she will find the sincere affection of a respectable man; whose habits and position resemble her own; sufficient for her。〃

〃You wish; I suppose; to hear me repeat; that such will undoubtedly be the result;〃 said Harry; smiling again。

〃Perhaps I do;〃 replied Mr。 Ellsworth; in the same tone。 〃I suppose you are discerning enough to be aware that I have a rival in Mr。 Stryker。〃

〃Stryker attentive to Elinor? It has not struck me; I had fancied him rather an admirer of Mrs。 Creighton's。〃

〃Of Josephine? Oh; no; she can't endure him; they are quarrelling half the time when together。 No; it is very evident that Stryker is courting Miss Wyllys's favour。 But I confess I feel encouraged by her conduct towards him; there is a quiet civility in it; which speaks anything but very decided approbation。〃

〃I know Elinor too well; not to feel assured she must despise a man of Stryker's character;〃 said Harry; with some indignation。 〃He can't appreciate her; it can be nothing more; on his part; than downright fortune…hunting。〃

〃No doubt; there you mention another motive I have; for not being too hasty in my declaration to Miss Wyllys。 I could wish to convince her 
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