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当前位置:首页 -> 11级英语阅读 - > 经典名著:诺觉桑寺(12)
经典名著:诺觉桑寺(12)
添加时间:2024-01-12 10:50:32 浏览次数: 作者:简·奥斯汀
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  • CHAPTER 12

    “Mrs. Allen,” said Catherine the next morning, “will there be any harm in my calling on Miss Tilney to-day? I shall not be easy till I have explained everything.”

    “Go, by all means, my dear; only put on a white gown; Miss Tilney always wears white.”

    Catherine cheerfully complied, and being properly equipped, was more impatient than ever to be at the pump-room, that she might inform herself of General Tilney’s lodgings1, for though she believed they were in Milsom Street, she was not certain of the house, and Mrs. Allen’s wavering convictions only made it more doubtful. To Milsom Street she was directed, and having made herself perfect in the number, hastened away with eager steps and a beating heart to pay her visit, explain her conduct, and be forgiven; tripping lightly through the church-yard, and resolutely2 turning away her eyes, that she might not be obliged to see her beloved Isabella and her dear family, who, she had reason to believe, were in a shop hard by. She reached the house without any impediment, looked at the number, knocked at the door, and inquired for Miss Tilney. The man believed Miss Tilney to be at home, but was not quite certain. Would she be pleased to send up her name? She gave her card. In a few minutes the servant returned, and with a look which did not quite confirm his words, said he had been mistaken, for that Miss Tilney was walked out. Catherine, with a blush of mortification3, left the house. She felt almost persuaded that Miss Tilney was at home, and too much offended to admit her; and as she retired4 down the street, could not withhold5 one glance at the drawing-room windows, in expectation of seeing her there, but no one appeared at them. At the bottom of the street, however, she looked back again, and then, not at a window, but issuing from the door, she saw Miss Tilney herself. She was followed by a gentleman, whom Catherine believed to be her father, and they turned up towards Edgar’s Buildings. Catherine, in deep mortification, proceeded on her way. She could almost be angry herself at such angry incivility; but she checked the resentful sensation; she remembered her own ignorance. She knew not how such an offence as hers might be classed by the laws of worldly politeness, to what a degree of unforgivingness it might with propriety6 lead, nor to what rigours of rudeness in return it might justly make her amenable7.

    Dejected and humbled8, she had even some thoughts of not going with the others to the theatre that night; but it must be confessed that they were not of long continuance, for she soon recollected9, in the first place, that she was without any excuse for staying at home; and, in the second, that it was a play she wanted very much to see. To the theatre accordingly they all went; no Tilneys appeared to plague or please her; she feared that, amongst the many perfections of the family, a fondness for plays was not to be ranked; but perhaps it was because they were habituated to the finer performances of the London stage, which she knew, on Isabella’s authority, rendered everything else of the kind “quite horrid10.” She was not deceived in her own expectation of pleasure; the comedy so well suspended her care that no one, observing her during the first four acts, would have supposed she had any wretchedness about her. On the beginning of the fifth, however, the sudden view of Mr. Henry Tilney and his father, joining a party in the opposite box, recalled her to anxiety and distress11. The stage could no longer excite genuine merriment—no longer keep her whole attention. Every other look upon an average was directed towards the opposite box; and, for the space of two entire scenes, did she thus watch Henry Tilney, without being once able to catch his eye. No longer could he be suspected of indifference12 for a play; his notice was never withdrawn13 from the stage during two whole scenes. At length, however, he did look towards her, and he bowed—but such a bow! No smile, no continued observance attended it; his eyes were immediately returned to their former direction. Catherine was restlessly miserable15; she could almost have run round to the box in which he sat and forced him to hear her explanation. Feelings rather natural than heroic possessed16 her; instead of considering her own dignity injured by this ready condemnation—instead of proudly resolving, in conscious innocence17, to show her resentment18 towards him who could harbour a doubt of it, to leave to him all the trouble of seeking an explanation, and to enlighten him on the past only by avoiding his sight, or flirting19 with somebody else—she took to herself all the shame of misconduct, or at least of its appearance, and was only eager for an opportunity of explaining its cause.

    The play concluded—the curtain fell—Henry Tilney was no longer to be seen where he had hitherto sat, but his father remained, and perhaps he might be now coming round to their box. She was right; in a few minutes he appeared, and, making his way through the then thinning rows, spoke20 with like calm politeness to Mrs. Allen and her friend. Not with such calmness was he answered by the latter: “Oh! Mr. Tilney, I have been quite wild to speak to you, and make my apologies. You must have thought me so rude; but indeed it was not my own fault, was it, Mrs. Allen? Did not they tell me that Mr. Tilney and his sister were gone out in a phaeton together? And then what could I do? But I had ten thousand times rather have been with you; now had not I, Mrs. Allen?”

    “My dear, you tumble my gown,” was Mrs. Allen’s reply.

    Her assurance, however, standing21 sole as it did, was not thrown away; it brought a more cordial, more natural smile into his countenance22, and he replied in a tone which retained only a little affected23 reserve: “We were much obliged to you at any rate for wishing us a pleasant walk after our passing you in Argyle Street: you were so kind as to look back on purpose.”

    “But indeed I did not wish you a pleasant walk; I never thought of such a thing; but I begged Mr. Thorpe so earnestly to stop; I called out to him as soon as ever I saw you; now, Mrs. Allen, did not—Oh! You were not there; but indeed I did; and, if Mr. Thorpe would only have stopped, I would have jumped out and run after you.”

    Is there a Henry in the world who could be insensible to such a declaration? Henry Tilney at least was not. With a yet sweeter smile, he said everything that need be said of his sister’s concern, regret, and dependence24 on Catherine’s honour. “Oh, do not say Miss Tilney was not angry,” cried Catherine, “because I know she was; for she would not see me this morning when I called; I saw her walk out of the house the next minute after my leaving it; I was hurt, but I was not affronted25. Perhaps you did not know I had been there.”

    “I was not within at the time; but I heard of it from Eleanor, and she has been wishing ever since to see you, to explain the reason of such incivility; but perhaps I can do it as well. It was nothing more than that my father—they were just preparing to walk out, and he being hurried for time, and not caring to have it put off—made a point of her being denied. That was all, I do assure you. She was very much vexed26, and meant to make her apology as soon as possible.”

    Catherine’s mind was greatly eased by this information, yet a something of solicitude27 remained, from which sprang the following question, thoroughly28 artless in itself, though rather distressing29 to the gentleman: “But, Mr. Tilney, why were you less generous than your sister? If she felt such confidence in my good intentions, and could suppose it to be only a mistake, why should you be so ready to take offence?”

    “Me! I take offence!”

    Nay30, I am sure by your look, when you came into the box, you were angry.”

    “I angry! I could have no right.”

    “Well, nobody would have thought you had no right who saw your face.” He replied by asking her to make room for him, and talking of the play.

    He remained with them some time, and was only too agreeable for Catherine to be contented31 when he went away. Before they parted, however, it was agreed that the projected walk should be taken as soon as possible; and, setting aside the misery32 of his quitting their box, she was, upon the whole, left one of the happiest creatures in the world.

    While talking to each other, she had observed with some surprise that John Thorpe, who was never in the same part of the house for ten minutes together, was engaged in conversation with General Tilney; and she felt something more than surprise when she thought she could perceive herself the object of their attention and discourse33. What could they have to say of her? She feared General Tilney did not like her appearance: she found it was implied in his preventing her admittance to his daughter, rather than postpone34 his own walk a few minutes. “How came Mr. Thorpe to know your father?” was her anxious inquiry35, as she pointed36 them out to her companion. He knew nothing about it; but his father, like every military man, had a very large acquaintance.

    When the entertainment was over, Thorpe came to assist them in getting out. Catherine was the immediate14 object of his gallantry; and, while they waited in the lobby for a chair, he prevented the inquiry which had travelled from her heart almost to the tip of her tongue, by asking, in a consequential37 manner, whether she had seen him talking with General Tilney: “He is a fine old fellow, upon my soul! Stout38, active—looks as young as his son. I have a great regard for him, I assure you: a gentleman-like, good sort of fellow as ever lived.”

    “But how came you to know him?”

    “Know him! There are few people much about town that I do not know. I have met him forever at the Bedford; and I knew his face again to-day the moment he came into the billiard-room. One of the best players we have, by the by; and we had a little touch together, though I was almost afraid of him at first: the odds39 were five to four against me; and, if I had not made one of the cleanest strokes that perhaps ever was made in this world—I took his ball exactly—but I could not make you understand it without a table; however, I did beat him. A very fine fellow; as rich as a Jew. I should like to dine with him; I dare say he gives famous dinners. But what do you think we have been talking of? You. Yes, by heavens! And the general thinks you the finest girl in Bath.”

    “Oh! Nonsense! How can you say so?”

    “And what do you think I said?”—lowering his voice—“well done, general, said I; I am quite of your mind.”

    Here Catherine, who was much less gratified by his admiration40 than by General Tilney’s, was not sorry to be called away by Mr. Allen. Thorpe, however, would see her to her chair, and, till she entered it, continued the same kind of delicate flattery, in spite of her entreating41 him to have done.

    That General Tilney, instead of disliking, should admire her, was very delightful42; and she joyfully43 thought that there was not one of the family whom she need now fear to meet. The evening had done more, much more, for her than could have been expected.



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    1 lodgings ['lɒdʒɪŋz] f12f6c99e9a4f01e5e08b1197f095e6e   第9级
    n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍
    参考例句:
    • When he reached his lodgings the sun had set. 他到达公寓房间时,太阳已下山了。
    • I'm on the hunt for lodgings. 我正在寻找住所。
    2 resolutely ['rezəlju:tli] WW2xh   第7级
    adj.坚决地,果断地
    参考例句:
    • He resolutely adhered to what he had said at the meeting. 他坚持他在会上所说的话。
    • He grumbles at his lot instead of resolutely facing his difficulties. 他不是果敢地去面对困难,而是抱怨自己运气不佳。
    3 mortification ['mɔ:tifi'keiʃən] mwIyN   第11级
    n.耻辱,屈辱
    参考例句:
    • To my mortification, my manuscript was rejected. 使我感到失面子的是:我的稿件被退了回来。
    • The chairman tried to disguise his mortification. 主席试图掩饰自己的窘迫。
    4 retired [rɪˈtaɪəd] Njhzyv   第8级
    adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的
    参考例句:
    • The old man retired to the country for rest. 这位老人下乡休息去了。
    • Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby. 许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。
    5 withhold [wɪðˈhəʊld] KMEz1   第7级
    vt.拒绝,不给;使停止,阻挡;vi.忍住;克制
    参考例句:
    • It was unscrupulous of their lawyer to withhold evidence. 他们的律师隐瞒证据是不道德的。
    • I couldn't withhold giving some loose to my indignation. 我忍不住要发泄一点我的愤怒。
    6 propriety [prəˈpraɪəti] oRjx4   第10级
    n.正当行为;正当;适当
    参考例句:
    • We hesitated at the propriety of the method. 我们对这种办法是否适用拿不定主意。
    • The sensitive matter was handled with great propriety. 这件机密的事处理得极为适当。
    7 amenable [əˈmi:nəbl] pLUy3   第9级
    adj.经得起检验的;顺从的;对负有义务的;肯接受的
    参考例句:
    • His scientific discoveries are amenable to the laws of physics. 他在科学上的发现经得起物理定律的检验。
    • He is amenable to counsel. 他这人听劝。
    8 humbled [ˈhʌmbld] 601d364ccd70fb8e885e7d73c3873aca   第7级
    adj. 卑下的,谦逊的,粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下,贬低
    参考例句:
    • The examination results humbled him. 考试成绩挫了他的傲气。
    • I am sure millions of viewers were humbled by this story. 我相信数百万观众看了这个故事后都会感到自己的渺小。
    9 recollected [ˌrekə'lektɪd] 38b448634cd20e21c8e5752d2b820002   第7级
    adj.冷静的;镇定的;被回忆起的;沉思默想的v.记起,想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 )
    参考例句:
    • I recollected that she had red hair. 我记得她有一头红发。 来自《简明英汉词典》
    • His efforts, the Duke recollected many years later, were distinctly half-hearted. 据公爵许多年之后的回忆,他当时明显只是敷衍了事。 来自辞典例句
    10 horrid [ˈhɒrɪd] arozZj   第10级
    adj.可怕的;令人惊恐的;恐怖的;极讨厌的
    参考例句:
    • I'm not going to the horrid dinner party. 我不打算去参加这次讨厌的宴会。
    • The medicine is horrid and she couldn't get it down. 这种药很难吃,她咽不下去。
    11 distress [dɪˈstres] 3llzX   第7级
    n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛
    参考例句:
    • Nothing could alleviate his distress. 什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
    • Please don't distress yourself. 请你不要忧愁了。
    12 indifference [ɪnˈdɪfrəns] k8DxO   第8级
    n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎
    参考例句:
    • I was disappointed by his indifference more than somewhat. 他的漠不关心使我很失望。
    • He feigned indifference to criticism of his work. 他假装毫不在意别人批评他的作品。
    13 withdrawn [wɪðˈdrɔ:n] eeczDJ   第10级
    vt.收回;使退出;vi.撤退,退出
    参考例句:
    • Our force has been withdrawn from the danger area. 我们的军队已从危险地区撤出。
    • All foreign troops should be withdrawn to their own countries. 一切外国军队都应撤回本国去。
    14 immediate [ɪˈmi:diət] aapxh   第7级
    adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的
    参考例句:
    • His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call. 他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
    • We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting. 我们主张立即召开这个会议。
    15 miserable [ˈmɪzrəbl] g18yk   第7级
    adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的
    参考例句:
    • It was miserable of you to make fun of him. 你取笑他,这是可耻的。
    • Her past life was miserable. 她过去的生活很苦。
    16 possessed [pəˈzest] xuyyQ   第12级
    adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的
    参考例句:
    • He flew out of the room like a man possessed. 他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
    • He behaved like someone possessed. 他行为举止像是魔怔了。
    17 innocence [ˈɪnəsns] ZbizC   第9级
    n.无罪;天真;无害
    参考例句:
    • There was a touching air of innocence about the boy. 这个男孩有一种令人感动的天真神情。
    • The accused man proved his innocence of the crime. 被告人经证实无罪。
    18 resentment [rɪˈzentmənt] 4sgyv   第8级
    n.怨愤,忿恨
    参考例句:
    • All her feelings of resentment just came pouring out. 她一股脑儿倾吐出所有的怨恨。
    • She cherished a deep resentment under the rose towards her employer. 她暗中对她的雇主怀恨在心。
    19 flirting [flə:tɪŋ] 59b9eafa5141c6045fb029234a60fdae   第7级
    v.调情,打情骂俏( flirt的现在分词 )
    参考例句:
    • Don't take her too seriously; she's only flirting with you. 别把她太当真,她只不过是在和你调情罢了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
    • 'she's always flirting with that new fellow Tseng!" “她还同新来厂里那个姓曾的吊膀子! 来自子夜部分
    20 spoke [spəʊk] XryyC   第11级
    n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
    参考例句:
    • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company. 他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
    • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre. 辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
    21 standing [ˈstændɪŋ] 2hCzgo   第8级
    n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
    参考例句:
    • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing. 地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
    • They're standing out against any change in the law. 他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
    22 countenance [ˈkaʊntənəns] iztxc   第9级
    n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同
    参考例句:
    • At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance. 他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
    • I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive. 我脸色恶狠狠地,仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。
    23 affected [əˈfektɪd] TzUzg0   第9级
    adj.不自然的,假装的
    参考例句:
    • She showed an affected interest in our subject. 她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
    • His manners are affected. 他的态度不自然。
    24 dependence [dɪˈpendəns] 3wsx9   第8级
    n.依靠,依赖;信任,信赖;隶属
    参考例句:
    • Doctors keep trying to break her dependence of the drug. 医生们尽力使她戒除毒瘾。
    • He was freed from financial dependence on his parents. 他在经济上摆脱了对父母的依赖。
    25 affronted [əf'rʌntɪd] affronted   第10级
    adj.被侮辱的,被冒犯的v.勇敢地面对( affront的过去式和过去分词 );相遇
    参考例句:
    • He hoped they would not feel affronted if they were not invited . 他希望如果他们没有获得邀请也不要感到受辱。
    • Affronted at his impertinence,she stared at him coldly and wordlessly. 被他的无礼而冒犯,她冷冷地、无言地盯着他。 来自《简明英汉词典》
    26 vexed [vekst] fd1a5654154eed3c0a0820ab54fb90a7   第8级
    adj.争论不休的;(指问题等)棘手的;争论不休的问题;烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 );使苦恼;使生气;详细讨论
    参考例句:
    • The conference spent days discussing the vexed question of border controls. 会议花了几天的时间讨论边境关卡这个难题。
    • He was vexed at his failure. 他因失败而懊恼。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
    27 solicitude [səˈlɪsɪtju:d] mFEza   第12级
    n.焦虑
    参考例句:
    • Your solicitude was a great consolation to me. 你对我的关怀给了我莫大的安慰。
    • He is full of tender solicitude towards my sister. 他对我妹妹满心牵挂。
    28 thoroughly [ˈθʌrəli] sgmz0J   第8级
    adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地
    参考例句:
    • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting. 一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
    • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons. 士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。
    29 distressing [dis'tresiŋ] cuTz30   第7级
    a.使人痛苦的
    参考例句:
    • All who saw the distressing scene revolted against it. 所有看到这种悲惨景象的人都对此感到难过。
    • It is distressing to see food being wasted like this. 这样浪费粮食令人痛心。
    30 nay [neɪ] unjzAQ   第12级
    adv.不;n.反对票,投反对票者
    参考例句:
    • He was grateful for and proud of his son's remarkable, nay, unique performance. 他为儿子出色的,不,应该是独一无二的表演心怀感激和骄傲。
    • Long essays, nay, whole books have been written on this. 许多长篇大论的文章,不,应该说是整部整部的书都是关于这件事的。
    31 contented [kənˈtentɪd] Gvxzof   第8级
    adj.满意的,安心的,知足的
    参考例句:
    • He won't be contented until he's upset everyone in the office. 不把办公室里的每个人弄得心烦意乱他就不会满足。
    • The people are making a good living and are contented, each in his station. 人民安居乐业。
    32 misery [ˈmɪzəri] G10yi   第7级
    n.痛苦,苦恼,苦难;悲惨的境遇,贫苦
    参考例句:
    • Business depression usually causes misery among the working class. 商业不景气常使工薪阶层受苦。
    • He has rescued me from the mire of misery. 他把我从苦海里救了出来。
    33 discourse [ˈdɪskɔ:s] 2lGz0   第7级
    n.论文,演说;谈话;话语;vi.讲述,著述
    参考例句:
    • We'll discourse on the subject tonight. 我们今晚要谈论这个问题。
    • He fell into discourse with the customers who were drinking at the counter. 他和站在柜台旁的酒客谈了起来。
    34 postpone [pəˈspəʊn] rP0xq   第7级
    vi.延期,推迟;vt.使…延期;把…放在次要地位;把…放在后面
    参考例句:
    • I shall postpone making a decision till I learn full particulars. 在未获悉详情之前我得从缓作出决定。
    • She decided to postpone the converastion for that evening. 她决定当天晚上把谈话搁一搁。
    35 inquiry [ɪn'kwaɪərɪ] nbgzF   第7级
    n.打听,询问,调查,查问
    参考例句:
    • Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem. 许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
    • The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons. 调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。
    36 pointed [ˈpɔɪntɪd] Il8zB4   第7级
    adj.尖的,直截了当的
    参考例句:
    • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil. 他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
    • A safety pin has a metal covering over the pointed end. 安全别针在尖端有一个金属套。
    37 consequential [ˌkɒnsɪˈkwenʃl] caQyq   第11级
    adj.作为结果的,间接的;重要的
    参考例句:
    • She was injured and suffered a consequential loss of earnings. 她受了伤因而收入受损。
    • This new transformation is at least as consequential as that one was. 这一新的转变至少和那次一样重要。
    38 stout [staʊt] PGuzF   第8级
    adj.强壮的,结实的,勇猛的,矮胖的
    参考例句:
    • He cut a stout stick to help him walk. 他砍了一根结实的枝条用来拄着走路。
    • The stout old man waddled across the road. 那肥胖的老人一跩一跩地穿过马路。
    39 odds [ɒdz] n5czT   第7级
    n.让步,机率,可能性,比率;胜败优劣之别
    参考例句:
    • The odds are 5 to 1 that she will win. 她获胜的机会是五比一。
    • Do you know the odds of winning the lottery once? 你知道赢得一次彩票的几率多大吗?
    40 admiration [ˌædməˈreɪʃn] afpyA   第8级
    n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕
    参考例句:
    • He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene. 他对风景之美赞不绝口。
    • We have a great admiration for the gold medalists. 我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。
    41 entreating [enˈtri:tɪŋ] 8c1a0bd5109c6bc77bc8e612f8bff4a0   第9级
    恳求,乞求( entreat的现在分词 )
    参考例句:
    • We have not bound your feet with our entreating arms. 我们不曾用恳求的手臂来抱住你的双足。
    • The evening has come. Weariness clings round me like the arms of entreating love. 夜来到了,困乏像爱的恳求用双臂围抱住我。
    42 delightful [dɪˈlaɪtfl] 6xzxT   第8级
    adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的
    参考例句:
    • We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday. 上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
    • Peter played a delightful melody on his flute. 彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。
    43 joyfully ['dʒɔɪfəlɪ] joyfully   第8级
    adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地
    参考例句:
    • She tripped along joyfully as if treading on air. 她高兴地走着,脚底下轻飘飘的。
    • During these first weeks she slaved joyfully. 在最初的几周里,她干得很高兴。

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