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第11节

the holly-tree(圣树)-第11节

小说: the holly-tree(圣树) 字数: 每页4000字

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     〃You   have   observed   it   for   my   sake;   sir?〃   said   I;   wondering   how   his 

frank face could face it out so。 

     〃Yes!and Angela's;〃 said he。 

     I found the room reeling round in an uncertain way; like a labouring; 

humming…top。         〃Explain yourself;〃 said I; holding on by one hand to an 

arm…chair。 



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                            THE HOLLY…TREETHREE BRANCHES 



     〃Dear   old   darling   Charley!〃   returned   Edwin;   in   his   cordial   manner; 

〃consider!      When you were going on so happily with Angela; why should 

I compromise you with the old gentleman by making you a party to our 

engagement;        and   (after  he   had   declined    my    proposals)     to  our   secret 

intention?      Surely it was better that you should be able honourably to say; 

'He never took counsel with me; never told me; never breathed a word of 

it。'  If Angela suspected it; and showed me all the favour and support she 

couldGod       bless   her   for  a  precious    creature    and   a  priceless   wife!I 

couldn't help that。       Neither I nor Emmeline ever told her; any more than 

we told you。       And for the same good reason; Charley; trust me; for the 

same good reason; and no other upon earth!〃 

     Emmeline was Angela's cousin。              Lived with her。       Had been brought 

up with her。      Was her father's ward。        Had property。 

     〃Emmeline   is   in   the   chaise;   my  dear   Edwin!〃   said   I;   embracing   him 

with the greatest affection。 

     〃My   good   fellow!〃   said   he;   〃do   you   suppose   I   should   be   going   to 

Gretna Green without her?〃 

     I ran out with Edwin; I opened the chaise door; I took Emmeline in my 

arms; I folded her to my heart。           She was wrapped in soft white fur; like 

the snowy landscape:          but was warm; and young; and lovely。 I put their 

leaders to with my own hands; I gave the boys a five… pound note apiece; I 

cheered them as they drove away; I drove the other way myself as hard as 

I could pelt。 

     I   never   went   to   Liverpool;   I   never   went   to America;   I   went   straight 

back to London; and I married Angela。               I have never until this time; even 

to   her;   disclosed   the   secret   of   my   character;   and   the   mistrust   and   the 

mistaken journey into which it led me。             When she; and they; and our eight 

children and their sevenI mean Edwin and Emmeline's; whose oldest girl 

is   old   enough   now   to   wear   white   for   herself;   and   to   look   very   like   her 

mother   in   itcome   to   read   these   pages;   as   of   course   they   will;   I   shall 

hardly fail to be found out at last。 Never mind!              I can bear it。    I began at 

the Holly…Tree; by idle accident; to associate the Christmas time of   year 

with human interest; and with some inquiry into; and some care for;  the 



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                           THE HOLLY…TREETHREE BRANCHES 



lives of those by whom I find myself surrounded。                I hope that I am none 

the worse for it; and that no one near me or afar off is the worse for   it。 

And I say; May the green Holly…Tree flourish; striking its roots deep into 

our   English   ground;   and   having   its   germinating   qualities   carried   by   the 

birds of Heaven all over the world! 



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