elinor wyllys-2-第21节
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〃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 that my attachment is sincere。〃
〃Certainly。 I forget twenty times a day that she is now a fortune; until I see some fellow; like William Hunter; or Stryker; paying their court to her。 I have never been accustomed to consider her in that light; of old。 In fact I had no idea of her reputation as an heiress; until I found it so well established when I arrived here。 But Saratoga is just the place to make such discoveries。 I was quite behind the age in every respect; it seems; for although it did not require much penetration to find out your secret; Ellsworth; yet I was taken entirely by surprise。 You never made any allusion to anything of the kind; in your letters to me。〃
〃It was so seldom that I met Miss Wyllys; that for a time my mind was undecided。 But; of course; I should have written you word; if anything had been finally settled; even if you had not come to look after me in propria persona。〃
Having reached their hotel; the gentlemen parted。 Mr。 Ellsworth would; in all probability; have been less communicative with his friend Hazlehurst; on the subject of their recent conversation; had he been aware of the state of things which formerly existed between Elinor and himself。 He had only heard some vague stories of an engagement between them; but had always supposed it mere gossip; from having seen Harry's attention to Jane; when they were all in Paris together; while he knew; on the other hand; that Hazlehurst had always been on the most intimate terms with the Wyllyses; as a family connexion。 He was aware that Harry had been very much in love with Miss Graham; for he had remarked it himself; and he supposed that if there had ever been any foundation for the report of an engagement with Elinor; it had probably been a mere childish caprice; soon broken; and which had left no lasting impression on either party。
CHAPTER IX {XXXII}。
〃Nor have these eyes; by greener hills Been soothed; in all my wanderings。〃 WORDSWORTH。
{William Wordsworth (English poet; 1770…1850); 〃Yarrow Visited; September 1814〃 lines 11…12}
CHARLIE HUBBARD had been at Lake George for some days; and it was a settled thing; that after he had established himself there; and fixed upon a point for his picture; his friends from Saratoga were to pay him a visit。 Accordingly; the Wyllyses; with a party large enough to fill a coach; set out for the excursion; leaving Mrs。 Stanley; Jane; her sister; Mrs。 Hazlehurst; and their children; at the Springs。 The weather was fine; and they set out gaily; with pleasant prospects before them。
Charlie was very glad to see them; and as he had already been some time on the ground; he thought himself qualified to play cicerone。 Most of the party had a relish for natural scenery; and of course they were prepared to enjoy very much; a visit to such a lovely spot。 Robert Hazlehurst; it is true; was indifferent to everything of the kind; he acknowledged himself a thorough utilitarian in taste; and avowed his preference for a muddy canal; running between fields; well covered with corn and pumpkins; turnips and potatoes; rather than the wildest lake; dotted with useless islands; and surrounded with inaccessible Alps; but as he frankly confessed his want of taste; and assured his friends that he accompanied them only for the sake of their society; they were bound to overlook the defect。 Mr。 Stryker also said a great deal about his indifference towards les ormeaux; les rameaux; et les hameaux; affecting much more than he felt; and affirming that the only lakes he liked; were the ponds of the Tuileries; and the parks of London; the only trees; those of the Boulevards; and as for villages; he could never endure one; not even the Big Village of Washington。 He only came; he said; because he must follow the ladies; and was particularly anxious to give Mrs。 Creighton an opportunity of finishing his education; andto fish。 Some of the party were: sorry he had joined them; but Mrs。 Creighton had asked him。
{〃cicerone〃 = guide (Italian); 〃les ormeaux; les rameaux; et les hameaux。。。〃 = elms; branches; and hamlets (French)}
〃Are Mrs。 Hilson and her sister still at Saratoga?〃 inquired Charlie Hubbard of Hazlehurst; the evening they arrived at Caldwell。
{〃Caldwell〃 = village at the southern end of Lake George in New York State; the village has since been renamed Lake George}
〃I believe so; they were there the day before; yesterday; for Mrs。 Hilson asked me to a pic…nic; at Barkydt's {sic} but I was engaged。 I think I saw Miss Hubbard in the street; yesterday。〃
{〃Barkydt's〃 = Barhydt's Pond; a 〃little ear…shaped lake。。。surrounded by pyramidal firs; pines and evergreens;〃 once famous for its trout fishing; owned by Jacobus Barhydt (often spelled Barhyte)。 A pleasure spot two miles east of Saratoga Springs; it was; in the 1830s; the site of a popular tavern and restaurant。 Jacobus Barhydt died in 1840; and the property was dispersed; to be reassembled in 1881 by New York banker Spencer Trask as a summer estate After many changes; it is now owned by the Corporation of Yaddo; and run as a world…famous summer center for creative artists and writers}
〃Had they the same party with them still?〃
〃Yes; it seemed to be very much the same party。〃
Hubbard looked mortified; but he was soon busy answering inquiries as to the projected movements for the next day。
The following morning the whole party set out; in two skiffs; to pass the day on the lake。 Under Charlie's guidance; they rowed about among the islands; now coasting the shores; now crossing from one point to another; wherever the views were finest; generally keeping near enough; as they moved leisurely along; for conversation between the two boats。
〃How beautifully clear the water is!〃 exclaimed Elinor。
〃The water in the Swiss lakes is limpid I suppose; Charlie; like most mountain streams?〃 observed Mr。 Wyllys。
〃It is clear; sir; and in the heart of the Alps it has a very peculiar coloura blueish tingefrom the glaciers; like molten lapis lazuli; entirely different from the deep; ultra…marine blue of the Mediterranean。〃
〃Have you any views of the Swiss lakes?〃 asked Elinor。〃
〃Yes; I can show you severaland; as usual; there is a difference in their colouring: from Lugarn; a little bit of lapis lazuli; lying like a jewel; in the green pastures; half way up the Alps; just below the ice and snow; to the reedy lake of Morat; on the plains of Neufchatel; more like an agate;〃 added Charlie; smiling。
〃We shall hope to see them; when we pass through New York;〃 said Elinor; listening with interest。
〃I will show them to you with great pleasure; faute de mieux; Miss Elinor; but I hope you will one day see the originals。〃
{〃faute de mieux〃 = for want of something better (French)}
〃In the mean time; however; we shall be very glad to enjoy your pictures。 Have you any Italian views?〃
〃Yes; quite a number; wherever I went; I made sketches at least; though I have not yet had time to finish them all as pictures。 In my boxes there are Venetian lagoons; and Dutch canals; a view of the Seine; in the heart of Paris; and the Thames; at London; the dirty; famous Tiber; classic Arno; and classic Avon。〃
〃You make our eyes water; Charlie; with such a catalogue;〃 said Mr。 Wyllys。 〃You must certainly get up an exhibition; and add several of your American pictures to those you have just brought home。〃
〃I really hope you will do so;〃 said Elinor。 〃The transparent amber…like water of the Canada; and the emerald colour of Niagara; would appear finely in such a collection。〃
{〃Canada〃 = from the context; probably Trenton Falls on the West Canada Creek; a major tourist attraction during the 19th century}
〃I shall never dare attempt Niagara;〃 exclaimed Charlie。 〃All the beauties of all the other waters in the world are united there。 It will not do to go beyond the rapids; I should be lost if I but ventured to the edge of the whirlpool itself。〃
〃I have no doubt you will try it yet;〃 said Harry。
The young artist shook his head。 〃I am sometimes disposed to throw aside the brush in disgust; at the temerity of man; which can attempt to copy even what is most noble; in the magnificent variety; and the simple grandeur of nature。〃
〃You have been sufficiently successful in what you have attempted hitherto;〃 said Harry。 〃I saw your view of Lake Ontario; in Philadelphia; just after I arrived; and I can never forget the impression it produced on me。 Of all your pictures that I have seen; that is my favourite。〃
〃It is indeed a noble picture;〃 said Mr。 Wyllys。
〃And few men but yourself; Charlie; could have given so deep an interest to a broad field of water; with only a strip of common…place shore in the fore…ground; and a bank of clouds in the distance。 A common painter would have thrown in some prettiness of art; that would have ruined it; but you have given it a simple dignity that is really wonderful!〃 said Hazlehurst。
〃You mortify me;〃 said Charlie; 〃it is so much inferior to what I could wish。〃
〃Captain C…;〃 continued Harry; 〃who was stationed at Oswego for several years; told me he should have known your picture witho