castle rackrent(拉克伦特堡)-第15节
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chose to interfere or ask any impertinent questions； for they knew my
master was a man very apt to give a short answer himself； and likely to
call a man out for it afterwards： he was a famous shot； had killed his
man before he came of age； and nobody scarce dared look at him whilst at
Bath。 Sir Kit's character was so well known in the country that he lived in
peace and quietness ever after； and was a great favourite with the ladies；
especially when in process of time； in the fifth year of her confinement；
my Lady Rackrent fell ill and took entirely to her bed； and he gave out that
she was now skin and bone； and could not last through the winter。 In this
he had two physicians' opinions to back him （for now he called in two
physicians for her）； and tried all his arts to get the diamond cross from her
on her death…bed； and to get her to make a will in his favour of her
separate possessions； but there she was too tough for him。 He used to
swear at her behind her back after kneeling to her face； and call her in the
presence of his gentleman his stiff…necked Israelite； though before he
married her that same gentleman told me he used to call her （how he could
bring it out； I don't know） 'my pretty Jessica！' To be sure it must have
been hard for her to guess what sort of a husband he reckoned to make her。
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When she was lying； to all expectation； on her death…bed of a broken heart；
I could not but pity her； though she was a Jewish； and considering too it
was no fault of hers to be taken with my master； so young as she was at
the Bath； and so fine a gentleman as Sir Kit was when he courted her； and
considering too； after all they had heard and seen of him as a husband；
there were now no less than three ladies in our county talked of for his
second wife； all at daggers drawn with each other； as his gentleman swore；
at the balls； for Sir Kit for their partnerI could not but think them
bewitched； but they all reasoned with themselves that Sir Kit would make
a good husband to any Christian but a Jewish； I suppose； and especially as
he was now a reformed rake； and it was not known how my lady's fortune
was settled in her will； nor how the Castle Rackrent estate was all
mortgaged； and bonds out against him； for he was never cured of his
gaming tricks； but that was the only fault he had； God bless him！
My lady had a sort of fit； and it was given out that she was dead； by
mistake： this brought things to a sad crisis for my poor master。 One of
the three ladies showed his letters to her brother； and claimed his promises；
whilst another did the same。 I don't mention names。 Sir Kit； in his
defence； said he would meet any man who dared to question his conduct；
and as to the ladies； they must settle it amongst them who was to be his
second； and his third； and his fourth； whilst his first was still alive； to his
mortification and theirs。 Upon this； as upon all former occasions； he had
the voice of the country with him； on account of the great spirit and
propriety he acted with。 He met and shot the first lady's brother： the
next day he called out the second； who had a wooden leg； and their place
of meeting by appointment being in a new…ploughed field； the wooden…leg
man stuck fast in it。 Sir Kit； seeing his situation； with great candour fired
his pistol over his head； upon which the seconds interposed； and
convinced the parties there had been a slight misunderstanding between
them： thereupon they shook hands cordially； and went home to dinner
together。 This gentleman； to show the world how they stood together； and
by the advice of the friends of both parties； to re…establish his sister's
injured reputation； went out with Sir Kit as his second； and carried his
message next day to the last of his adversaries： I never saw him in such
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fine spirits as that day he went outsure enough he was within ames…ace
of getting quit handsomely of all his enemies； but unluckily； after hitting
the toothpick out of his adversary's finger and thumb； he received a ball in
a vital part； and was brought home； in little better than an hour after the
affair； speechless on a hand…barrow to my lady。 We got the key out of his
pocket the first thing we did； and my son Jason ran to unlock the barrack…
room； where my lady had been shut up for seven years； to acquaint her
with the fatal accident。 The surprise bereaved her of her senses at first；
nor would she believe but we were putting some new trick upon her； to
entrap her out of her jewels； for a great while； till Jason bethought himself
of taking her to the window； and showed her the men bringing Sir Kit up
the avenue upon the hand…barrow； which had immediately the desired
effect； for directly she burst into tears； and pulling her cross from her
bosom； she kissed it with as great devotion as ever I witnessed； and lifting
up her eyes to heaven； uttered some ejaculation； which none present heard；
but I take the sense of it to be； she returned thanks for this unexpected
interposition in her favour when she had least reason to expect it。 My
master was greatly lamented： there was no life in him when we lifted
him off the barrow； so he was laid out immediately； and 'waked' the same
night。 The country was all in an uproar about him； and not a soul but
cried shame upon his murderer； who would have been hanged surely； if he
could have been brought to his trial； whilst the gentlemen in the country
were up about it； but he very prudently withdrew himself to the Continent
before the affair was made public。 As for the young lady who was the
immediate cause of the fatal accident； however innocently； she could never
show her head after at the balls in the county or any place； and by the
advice of her friends and physicians； she was ordered soon after to Bath；
where it was expected； if anywhere on this side of the grave； she would
meet with the recovery of her health and lost peace of mind。 As a proof
of his great popularity； I need only add that there was a song made upon
my master's untimely death in the newspapers； which was in everybody's
mouth； singing up and down through the country； even down to the
mountains； only three days after his unhappy exit。 He was also greatly
bemoaned at the Curragh ＇See GLOSSARY 22＇； where his cattle were
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well known； and all who had taken up his bets were particularly
inconsolable for his loss to society。 His stud sold at the cant at the
greatest price ever known in the county ＇See GLOSSARY 23＇； his
favourite horses were chiefly disposed of amongst his particular friends；
who would give any price for them for his sake； but no ready money was
required by the new heir； who wished not to displease any of the
gentlemen of the neighbourhood just upon his coming to settle amongst
them； so a long credit was given where requisite； and the cash has never
been gathered in from that day to this。
But to return to my lady。 She got surprisingly well after my master's
decease。 No sooner was it known for certain that he was dead； than all
the gentlemen within twenty miles of us came in a body； as it were； to set
my lady at liberty； and to protest against her confinement； which they now
for the first time understood was against her own consent。 The ladies too
were as attentive as possible； striving who should be foremost with their
morning visits； and they that saw the diamonds spoke very handsomely of
them； but thought it a pity they were not
