During the last ten days of July in the year 1852, in the ancient cathedral city of Barchester, a most important question was asked every hour and answered every hour in different ways – 'Who is to be the new bishop?'
Old Dr Grantly, who had for many years occupied the bishop's chair, was dying, just as the government of the country was about to change. The bishop's son, Archdeacon Grantly, had recently taken on many of his father's duties, and it was fairly well understood that the present prime minister would choose him as the new bishop. It was a difficult time for the archdeacon. The prime minister had never promised him the post in so many words, but those who know anything of government will be well aware that encouragement is often given by a whisper from a great man or one of his friends. The archdeacon had heard such a whisper, and allowed himself to hope.
A month ago, the doctors had said the old man would live just four more weeks. Only yesterday they had examined him again, expressed their surprise, and given him another two weeks. Now the son was sitting by his father's bedside, calculating his chances. The government would fall within five days, that much was certain; his father would die within – no, he refused to think that. He tried to keep his mind on other matters, but the race was so very close, and the prize so very great. He looked at the dying man's calm face. As far as he and the doctors could judge, life might yet hang there for weeks to come. The old bishop slept for twenty of the twenty-four hours, but during his waking moments he was able to recognize both his son and his dear old friend, Mr Harding, the archdeacon's father-in-law. Now he lay sleeping like a baby. Nothing could be easier than the old man's passing from this world to the next.
But by no means easy were the emotions of the man who sat there watching. He knew it must be now or never. He was already over fifty, and there was little chance that the next prime minister would think as kindly of him as the present one did. He thought long and sadly, in deep silence, and then at last dared to ask himself whether he really desired his father's death.
The question was answered in a moment. The proud man sank on his knees by the bedside, and, taking the bishop's hand in his own, prayed eagerly that his sins would be forgiven.
Just then the door opened and Mr Harding entered. Dr Grantly rose quickly, and as he did so, Mr Harding took both his hands and pressed them warmly. There was a stronger feeling between them than there had ever been before.
God bless you, my dears,' said the bishop in a weak voice as he woke. 'God bless you!' and so he died.
God bless you, my dears,' said the bishop in a weak voice as he woke.
At first neither the archdeacon nor his father-in-law knew that life was gone, but after a little while Mr Harding said gently, 'I believe it's all over. Our dear bishop is no more – dear, good, excellent old man! Well, it's a great relief, archdeacon. May all our last moments be as peaceful as his!'
In his mind Dr Grantly was already travelling from the darkened room of death to the prime minister's study. He had brought himself to pray for his father's life, but now that life was over, every minute counted. However, he did not want to appear unfeeling, so he allowed Mr Harding to lead him downstairs to the sitting room. Then, when a few more moments had passed, he said, 'We should arrange for a telegraph message to be sent to the prime minister immediately.'
Do you think it necessary?' asked Mr Harding, a little surprised. He did not know how high the archdeacon's hopes of being appointed bishop were.
I do,' replied Dr Grantly. 'Anything might happen if we delay. Will you send it?'
I? Oh, certainly. Only I don't know exactly what to say.'
Dr Grantly sat down and wrote out this message:
By electric telegraph, for the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, London. The Bishop of Barchester is dead. Message sent by Mr Septimus Harding.
There,' he said, 'just take it to the telegraph office. Here's the money,' and he pulled a coin out of his pocket.
Mr Harding felt very much like a messenger, but he accepted the piece of paper and the coin. 'But you've put my name at the bottom, archdeacon,' he said.
Dr Grantly hesitated. How could he sign such a note himself? 'Well, yes,' he said, 'there should be the name of some clergyman, and who is more suitable than an old friend like yourself? But I beg you, my dear Mr Harding, not to lose any time.'
Mr Harding got as far as the door of the room, when he suddenly remembered the news which he had come to tell his son-in-law, and which the bishop's death had driven from his mind. 'But archdeacon,' he said, turning back, 'I forgot to tell you – the government has fallen!'
Fallen!' repeated the archdeacon, in a voice which clearly expressed his anxiety. After a moment's thought he said, 'We had better send the message anyway. Do it at once, my dear friend – a few minutes' time is of the greatest importance.'
Mr Harding went out and sent the message. Within thirty minutes of leaving Barchester, it arrived on the prime minister's desk in London. The great man read it, then sent it on to the man who was to take his place. In this way our unfortunate friend the archdeacon lost his chance of becoming a bishop.
There was much discussion in the newspapers about who would take old Dr Grantly's place. The Jupiter, that well-regarded daily paper which is known for the accuracy of its information, was silent for a while, but at last spoke out, saying that Dr Proudie would be chosen.
And so it was. Just a month after the old bishop's death, Dr Proudie became Bishop of Barchester.
There was a home for elderly men in Barchester, called Hiram's Hospital. Previously Mr Harding had been warden of the home, and he had greatly enjoyed his duties there. But when there were accusations in the newspapers, including The Jupiter, that the large income he received could more usefully be spent on the old men themselves, he had given up the post, and become vicar of a small church in the city. Modest man that he was, his one desire was to do what was right, and to avoid any publicity.
However, his family and friends were very angry that he had been unjustly accused, and public discussion of the wardenship became so heated that the government had to take action. Consequently a law was passed, stating that the warden's income should be £450 a year, and that it was the bishop's duty to appoint the warden; Mr Harding's name was not mentioned.
Mr Harding had two daughters. The elder, Susan, was married to the archdeacon, and Mr Harding spent much of his time with his younger daughter, Eleanor. She had fallen in love with and married a young man called John Bold, but only two years after their marriage, he had become ill and died. For weeks after he was gone, the idea of future happiness in this world was hateful to the young widow; tears and sleep were her only relief. But when she realized she was pregnant, she regained her interest in life, and when her son was born, eight months after his father's death, her joy was inexpressible.
The baby, young Johnny, was all that could be desired. 'Is he not delightful?' Eleanor would say to Mr Harding, looking up from her knees in front of her child, her beautiful eyes wet with soft tears, and naturally he would agree with her.
The baby really was delightful: he took his food eagerly, waved his toes joyfully in the air whenever his legs were uncovered, and did not scream. These are supposed to be the strongest points of baby perfection, and in all these our baby was excellent.
It should not be thought that Eleanor ever forgot her dead husband; she kept his memory fresh in her heart. But yet she was happy with her baby. It was wonderful to feel that a human being existed who owed everything to her, whose needs could all be satisfied by her, whose little heart would first love her and her only, and whose childish tongue would make its first effort in calling her by the sweetest name a woman can hear. And so her feelings became calmer, and she began a mother's duties eagerly and gratefully.
John Bold had left his widow everything that he possessed, and, with an income of a thousand pounds a year, Eleanor felt comparatively rich. John's sister, Mary, came to live with Eleanor, to help take care of baby Johnny. Eleanor had hoped her father, Mr Harding, would also come to live in her house, but he refused, saying that he was quite happy in his modest rooms over a shop in Barchester High Street.
The new bishop, Dr Proudie, was a man who was well aware of his own importance. He considered he was born to move in high circles, and circumstances certainly supported his opinion so far. For some years he had lived in London, where he had been chaplain to the Queen's officers. This high connection and his own natural gifts recommended him to persons in power. Liberal ideas were beginning to take hold of the country as a whole, and as a liberal clergyman, Dr Proudie was involved in various changes in religious matters. His name began to appear in the newspapers, and he became known as a useful and rising churchman. Although he was not a man of great intelligence, and did not even have much business sense, he added a certain weight to the meetings he attended, and his presence at them was generally appreciated.
During this period, he had never doubted his own powers, but always looked forward patiently to the day when he himself would give the orders, while lesser people obeyed. Now his reward and his time had come. He was an ambitious man, and, with his fashionably open-minded views, was not prepared to bury himself at Barchester as the old bishop had done. No! London would still be his ground, for some of the year, at least. How else could he keep himself in the public eye, how else give the government, in all religious matters, the full benefit of his wise advice?
In person Dr Proudie was a good-looking man, smartly dressed, but perhaps a little below medium height. People may have thought him fortunate in becoming Bishop of Barchester, but he still had his cares. He had a large family, of whom the three eldest were grown-up daughters, and he had a wife. No one dared breathe a word against Mrs Proudie, but she did not appear to add much to her husband's happiness. The truth was that in all domestic matters she ruled over her husband. But she was not satisfied with making the decisions at home, and tried to stretch her power over all his movements, even involving herself in spiritual matters. In other words, the bishop was henpecked.
Mrs Grantly, the archdeacon's wife, in her happy home at Plumstead, knew how to give orders, but in a pleasant and lady-like way. She never brought shame to her husband; her voice was never loud or her looks sharp. Doubtless she valued power, but she understood the limits of a woman's influence.
Not so Mrs Proudie. It was this lady's habit to give the sharpest of orders to everybody, including her husband, even in public. Successful as he had been in the eyes of the world, it seemed that in the eyes of his wife he was never right. All hope of defending himself had long passed; indeed, he was aware that instant obedience produced the closest to peace which his home could ever achieve.
Mrs Proudie was in her own way a religious woman, and one of her strongest beliefs was the need to keep Sunday completely separate from the other days of the week. During the week her daughters were permitted to wear low-cut dresses and attend evening parties, always accompanied by their mother. But on Sunday they had to pay for these sins, by going to church three times and listening to lengthy evening prayers read by herself. Unfortunately for those under her roof who had no such weekday pleasures as low-cut dresses and evening parties to pay for, namely her servants and her husband, strict observance of Sunday duties included everybody.
In these religious matters Mrs Proudie allowed herself to be guided by a young clergyman, Mr Slope. So, because Dr Proudie was guided by his wife, Mr Slope had, through Mrs Proudie, gained a good deal of control over Dr Proudie's religious thinking. When Dr Proudie was appointed Bishop of Barchester, Mr Slope was happy to give up his post as vicar in a poor part of London, to become chaplain to the bishop.
Obadiah Slope and Mrs Proudie shared similar religious beliefs; their relationship was close and their conversations confidential. Mr Slope had regularly visited the Proudies' London home and knew the Misses Proudie well. It was no more than natural that his heart should discover some softer feeling than friendship for Mrs Proudie's eldest daughter, Olivia, and he made a declaration of affection to her. However, after finding how little money her father would give her on marrying, he withdrew his offer. As soon as it was known that Dr Proudie would become bishop, Mr Slope regretted his earlier caution, and began to look more kindly on Miss Proudie again. But he had lost his chance; Olivia was too proud to look at him a second time, and, besides, she had another lover showing interest in her. So Mr Slope sighed his lover's sighs without reward, and the two of them soon found it convenient to develop a hatred for each other.
It may seem strange that Mrs Proudie's friendship for the young vicar should remain firm in such circumstances, but to tell the truth, she had known nothing of his relationship with Olivia. Although very fond of him herself, she expected her daughters to make much more impressive marriages.
Mr Slope soon comforted himself with the thought that, as chaplain to the bishop, he might become richer and more powerful than if he had married the bishop's daughter. As he sat in the train, facing Dr and Mrs Proudie as they started their first journey to Barchester, he began to make a plan for his future life. He understood, correctly, that public life would suit the new bishop better than the small details of cathedral business. Therefore, he, Slope, would in effect be Bishop of Barchester. He knew he would have a hard battle to fight, because power would be equally desired by another great mind – Mrs Proudie would also choose to be Bishop of Barchester. He felt confident, however, that he would win in the end.
In appearance he was tall, with large hands and feet, but on the whole his figure was good. His face, however, was the colour of bad-quality beef, and his hair, which was long, straight, and a dull reddish colour, was kept plentifully oiled. His mouth was large, but his lips were thin and bloodless. It was not a pleasant experience to shake his hand, as there was always a cold dampness to his skin. His face usually wore a frown, as if he thought most of the world far too wicked for his care.
A man of courage and above average intelligence, he firmly believed, like Dr Proudie, in simplifying church ceremony, and like Mrs Proudie, in enforcing total respect for Sunday churchgoing. He had excellent powers of self-expression, which were appreciated more by women than by men. A frequent guest in many London homes, he had been admired by the ladies and unwillingly accepted by the men, but he had an oily, unpleasant way with him which did not seem likely to make him popular in Barchester society.
bishop n. a priest who is the head of all the churches and priests in a large area 主教
archdeacon n. a priest of a high rank who works under a bishop 執(zhí)事長(zhǎng)
pray v. to speak to God in order to ask for help or give thanks 祈禱,禱告
relief n. a feeling of comfort when something bad has ended or has not happened 寬心,輕松
telegraph n. an old-fashioned method of sending messages using radio or electrical signals 電報(bào)
10 Downing Street the headquarters of the government of Great Britain 唐寧街十號(hào)(英國(guó)政府所在地)
accusation n. a statement saying that someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something wrong 控告;指責(zé)
vicar n. a priest in charge of a church in a particular area 代牧
consequently adv. as a result 結(jié)果,因此
mention v. to talk about something or someone in a conversation, piece of writing, etc, especially without saying very much or giving details 提及,說起
inexpressible adj. a feeling that is too strong to be expressed in words 難以言傳的
owe something to somebody to have something or achieve something because of what someone else has done 因某人的作為而得到某物
possess v. to have or to own something 擁有,持有
comparatively adv. as judged better or worse than something else or a previous state 相對(duì)地,比較地
chaplain n. a priest responsible for the religious needs of a club, the army, a hospital, etc (社團(tuán)、軍隊(duì)、醫(yī)院等的)特遣牧師
recommend v. to say that something or someone is good, or suggest them for a particular purpose or job 推薦,介紹
liberal adj. allowing people or organizations a lot of political or economic freedom (政治或經(jīng)濟(jì)上)開明的,自由的
appreciate v. to understand how good or useful someone or something is 欣賞,賞識(shí)
henpecked adj. (a man) who is always being told what to do by his wife, and is afraid to disagree with her (男人)怕老婆的,懼內(nèi)的
obedience n. the state of doing what they are told to do, or what a law, rule, etc says they should do 順從,遵從
lengthy adj. continuing for a long time, often too long 長(zhǎng)時(shí)間的;過長(zhǎng)的
low-cut adj. (a dress) shaped to show a woman's neck and the top of her chest(衣裙)低胸的,低領(lǐng)的
confidential adj. spoken or written in secret and intended to be kept secret 機(jī)密的
withdraw v. to take back an offer, request, etc so that you no longer will do what you said 收回(請(qǐng)求等)
caution n. the quality of being very careful to avoid danger or risks 小心,謹(jǐn)慎
on the whole used to say that something is generally true 總的來說,總體而言
wicked adj. behaving in a way that is morally wrong 邪惡的
一八五二年七月下旬,在古老的大教堂城市巴徹斯特,有一個(gè)很重要的問題人們時(shí)刻都在問,而回答也是五花八門。這個(gè)問題就是:“誰將成為新任主教?”
多年來,穩(wěn)坐主教寶座的一直是老格蘭特利博士,如今他大限將至,正是國(guó)內(nèi)政權(quán)即將更迭之時(shí)。執(zhí)事長(zhǎng)格蘭特利是主教的兒子,最近剛剛接手了父親的不少職責(zé)。普遍認(rèn)為,現(xiàn)任首相會(huì)選他為新主教。對(duì)于執(zhí)事長(zhǎng)而言,這段日子很難挨。首相從未對(duì)他作出太多言語(yǔ)上的承諾。不過,對(duì)政府多少有些了解的人都很清楚,大人物或首相的朋友往往吹吹耳風(fēng),就能慫恿他做決定。執(zhí)事長(zhǎng)聽說有人為他吹了耳風(fēng),就抱了希望。
一個(gè)月前,醫(yī)生就說過老主教只能再撐一個(gè)月??删驮谧蛱?,他們又給他檢查了一遍,在驚訝之余預(yù)測(cè)他可以再活兩個(gè)星期。此刻,做兒子的坐在父親床邊,盤算著自己的機(jī)會(huì)。本屆政府會(huì)在五天之內(nèi)垮臺(tái),這一點(diǎn)是肯定的;父親的大限將在——不,他不愿去想這個(gè)。他努力去想別的,但這場(chǎng)權(quán)力之爭(zhēng)甚是激烈,戰(zhàn)利品又如此豐厚。他看了看這個(gè)垂死老人平靜的臉。根據(jù)他和醫(yī)生們的判斷,父親可能還會(huì)勉強(qiáng)撐上幾個(gè)星期。老主教一天要睡二十個(gè)小時(shí),但在清醒的時(shí)候,他還能認(rèn)出自己的兒子和親愛的老朋友哈丁先生——執(zhí)事長(zhǎng)的岳父。此刻,老主教睡得像一個(gè)嬰兒??礃幼?,這位老人去往另一個(gè)世界的過程將會(huì)無比輕松。
但坐在一旁凝望的這個(gè)人心里一點(diǎn)兒也不輕松。他明白機(jī)不可失,時(shí)不再來。他已經(jīng)年過半百,而下一任首相十之八九不會(huì)像現(xiàn)任首相這么器重他。他陷入了深深的沉默之中,哀傷地想了很久,才終于鼓起勇氣問自己,是不是巴望著父親死。
很快,問題就有了答案。這個(gè)心高氣傲的人跪倒在床邊,握住主教的一只手,熱切地祈禱自己的罪惡能被原宥。
就在這時(shí),門開了,哈丁先生走了進(jìn)來。格蘭特利博士一骨碌站起身時(shí),哈丁先生緊緊地握住他的雙手。此時(shí)此刻,兩個(gè)人之間產(chǎn)生了從未如此深摯的情誼。
“上帝保佑你們,親愛的?!敝鹘绦蚜耍锰撊醯穆曇粽f,“上帝保佑你們!”他就這樣咽了氣。
執(zhí)事長(zhǎng)和他岳父一開始還不知道主教已經(jīng)辭世,但過了一小會(huì)兒,哈丁先生輕聲說:“我想一切都已經(jīng)結(jié)束了。我們親愛的主教已經(jīng)不在人世——一位親切和藹、品德高尚的老人家!好了,這是極大的解脫,執(zhí)事長(zhǎng)。愿我們所有人都能像他一樣,走得如此平靜!”
格蘭特利博士的思緒已經(jīng)從這個(gè)充滿死亡陰影的房間神游到了首相的書房。他曾經(jīng)為父親的生命祈禱,但既然生命已逝,就該爭(zhēng)分奪秒了。不過,他不想表現(xiàn)出一副沒心肝的樣子,于是任由哈丁先生把他領(lǐng)進(jìn)樓下的會(huì)客廳。接下來,他又等了一會(huì)兒才說:“我們應(yīng)該立刻派人去給首相發(fā)個(gè)電報(bào)?!?/p>
“你覺得有必要嗎?”哈丁先生有些詫異地問。他并不知道,執(zhí)事長(zhǎng)有多么希望獲得主教的職位。
“有啊?!备裉m特利博士回答,“夜長(zhǎng)夢(mèng)多。要不您跑一趟?”
“我?哦,當(dāng)然可以。只是我不知道究竟該怎么措辭?!?/p>
格蘭特利博士坐下來,寫了這么一張紙條:
發(fā)一封電報(bào)給首相,地址是倫敦唐寧街十號(hào)。內(nèi)容是:巴徹斯特主教逝世。發(fā)信人:塞普蒂默斯·哈丁先生。
“好了,”他說,“把這個(gè)送到電報(bào)局就行了。給您錢。”說著,他從口袋里掏出一枚硬幣。
哈丁先生覺得自己像個(gè)送信的,但還是接過了紙條和硬幣?!翱赡阍诘紫侣涞氖俏业拿?,執(zhí)事長(zhǎng)?!彼f。
格蘭特利博士猶豫了。這樣的電報(bào),他怎么能簽自己的名字呢?“哦,是啊,”他說,“是應(yīng)該落一個(gè)神職人員的名字??沙四@樣的老朋友以外,還有更合適的人選嗎?我求求您,親愛的哈丁先生,別再浪費(fèi)時(shí)間了?!?/p>
哈丁先生走到房門口,才突然想起自己來是要告訴女婿一個(gè)消息,主教的死讓他一時(shí)忘了這事。“可是,執(zhí)事長(zhǎng),”他轉(zhuǎn)身說,“我剛才忘記跟你說了——本屆政府已經(jīng)倒臺(tái)!”
“倒臺(tái)!”執(zhí)事長(zhǎng)重復(fù)道,聲音明顯透著焦慮。片刻思索之后,他說:“咱們最好還是把消息發(fā)過去。趕緊去辦吧,我親愛的朋友——幾分鐘的時(shí)間也至關(guān)重要啊?!?/p>
哈丁先生出門去發(fā)電報(bào)。電報(bào)從巴徹斯特發(fā)出后不到三十分鐘,就到了倫敦首相的辦公桌上。這位大人物看完就把它轉(zhuǎn)交給自己的繼任者。就這樣,執(zhí)事長(zhǎng)——我們這位不幸的朋友,失去了成為主教的機(jī)會(huì)。
關(guān)于誰將接替老格蘭特利博士成為主教這個(gè)問題,報(bào)紙上議論紛紛?!吨毂犹貓?bào)》是一份頗受尊重的日?qǐng)?bào),以信息準(zhǔn)確著稱。在這件事情上,該報(bào)沉默了一陣才發(fā)聲,認(rèn)為普勞蒂博士將被選中。
的確如此。老主教過世才一個(gè)月,普勞蒂博士就成了巴徹斯特的主教。
******
巴徹斯特有一家老人院,名叫海勒姆養(yǎng)老院。哈丁先生曾經(jīng)擔(dān)任這里的院長(zhǎng),也非常樂于承擔(dān)他應(yīng)負(fù)的職責(zé)。但后來包括《朱庇特報(bào)》在內(nèi)的各家報(bào)紙發(fā)起抨擊,說他豐厚的薪水用在養(yǎng)院里的老人身上更有意義。于是他辭去這份工作,成為了市里一座小教堂的代牧。他為人謙遜,一心向善,行事低調(diào)不張揚(yáng)。
然而,媒體對(duì)他的不公正指責(zé)讓他的親友十分憤慨。公眾對(duì)院長(zhǎng)一職如此熱烈地議論,政府不得不有所行動(dòng)。結(jié)果,政府通過了一條法令,規(guī)定院長(zhǎng)的年薪為四百五十英鎊,且該職位由主教任命。哈丁先生的名字未被提及。
哈丁先生有兩個(gè)女兒。長(zhǎng)女蘇珊嫁給了執(zhí)事長(zhǎng),哈丁先生多數(shù)時(shí)間都跟次女埃莉諾待在一起。埃莉諾曾愛上一個(gè)名叫約翰·博爾德的年輕人并嫁給了他。但結(jié)婚不過兩年,博爾德就病死了。他去世后的幾個(gè)星期里,這位年輕的寡婦根本不愿去想未來的幸福,淚水和睡眠是她唯一的解脫。然而,發(fā)現(xiàn)自己已經(jīng)懷孕的時(shí)候,她重拾了對(duì)生活的熱情。丈夫過世八個(gè)月之后,兒子出生,埃莉諾的喜悅之情無法言表。
嬰兒小約翰尼讓人無可挑剔?!八懭讼矚g了,不是嗎?”埃莉諾常常對(duì)哈丁先生說,同時(shí)把目光從膝前的孩子身上移開,抬頭望著他,溫情的淚水潤(rùn)濕她美麗的雙眸。哈丁先生自然點(diǎn)頭稱是。
那孩子的確討人喜歡:他吃東西很有胃口,腿沒蓋住的時(shí)候會(huì)在空中快樂地晃動(dòng)腳指頭,也從不大聲尖叫。這些是一個(gè)完美寶寶應(yīng)該具備的最重要的特質(zhì),而我們的寶貝在這些方面都很出色。
我們可不能認(rèn)為埃莉諾把死去的丈夫忘得一干二凈;他永遠(yuǎn)活在她的心里。只不過,孩子的陪伴讓她很幸福。這個(gè)孩子一切都得仰賴她,她可以滿足他所有的需求,他幼小的心靈愛上的第一個(gè)且唯一一個(gè)人就是她,他牙牙學(xué)語(yǔ),頭一聲叫的就是她,用的是女人能聽到的最動(dòng)聽的稱呼——這種感覺非常美妙。于是,她的情感漸漸趨于平靜,開始急切而滿懷感激地履行做母親的職責(zé)。
約翰·博爾德把所有財(cái)產(chǎn)都留給了自己的遺孀,加上一年一千英鎊的收入,埃莉諾覺得經(jīng)濟(jì)上比較寬裕。約翰的姐姐瑪麗搬來跟她同住,幫忙照顧小約翰尼。埃莉諾原本希望父親哈丁先生也搬來一起住,但他沒答應(yīng),說一個(gè)人住挺好。他住在巴徹斯特主街一家商鋪樓上幾間簡(jiǎn)樸的房子里。
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新任主教普勞蒂博士自視頗高,認(rèn)為自己生來就是要活躍于上流社會(huì)。到目前為止,境遇顯然也證實(shí)了他的想法。他在倫敦住了一些年頭,擔(dān)任特遣牧師服務(wù)于女王手下的公務(wù)員。高層人脈再加上自身的天賦,使他得到了權(quán)貴的青睞。那時(shí)候自由主義正開始席卷整個(gè)國(guó)家,作為一名信奉自由主義的神職人員,普勞蒂博士參與了宗教事務(wù)的諸多變革。他的名字開始見諸報(bào)端,被稱作有益社會(huì)的教壇新星。他算不上絕頂聰明,甚至沒什么生意頭腦,但他還是為自己出席的各種會(huì)議增添了一定的分量,而他的出席也往往受到歡迎。
在那段時(shí)間里,他從未質(zhì)疑自己的權(quán)力,一直在耐心等待有那么一天——他本人可以發(fā)號(hào)施令,手下人唯命是從。如今,他終于等來回報(bào),時(shí)機(jī)成熟。他野心勃勃,思想時(shí)髦開放,不打算像老主教那樣,把自己一輩子都埋葬在巴徹斯特。不!倫敦仍然會(huì)是他的陣地,至少這一年有一段時(shí)間是如此。要不然,他怎么能夠繼續(xù)留在公眾的視野里,又怎么能夠在各種宗教事務(wù)中讓政府充分聽取自己的真知灼見呢?
就外表而言,普勞蒂博士是個(gè)相貌英俊、衣著光鮮的男人,只是身高可能略低于平均水平。人們也許會(huì)覺得他很走運(yùn),能當(dāng)上巴徹斯特的主教,但他也有自己的煩惱。他家里人口不少,最大的三個(gè)女兒已經(jīng)長(zhǎng)大成人,他還有個(gè)妻子。沒人敢說普勞蒂太太的壞話,但她似乎沒給自己的丈夫增添多少快樂。事實(shí)上,家里所有的事都由她說了算。然而,她并不滿足于在家里做主,還想控制丈夫的一舉一動(dòng),甚至想?yún)⑴c宗教事務(wù)。換句話說,主教是個(gè)“妻管嚴(yán)”。
在普拉姆斯特德,執(zhí)事長(zhǎng)的妻子格蘭特利太太家庭幸福,她知道如何用一種令人愉悅且不失淑女風(fēng)范的方式來發(fā)號(hào)施令。她從不讓丈夫喪失顏面,也從不大聲說話,或是給人臉色看。她無疑很看重權(quán)力,卻也明白女人的影響力要適可而止。
普勞蒂太太跟她不一樣。這位太太習(xí)慣對(duì)所有的人呼來喝去,對(duì)自己的丈夫也不例外,哪怕是在公眾場(chǎng)合。普勞蒂先生在世人眼里是個(gè)成功人士,然而他在妻子眼里似乎一無是處。他早已死心,不為自己做任何辯解。事實(shí)上他很清楚,只有立馬就范,才能使家里盡可能地安寧。
普勞蒂太太有她自己的方式表達(dá)宗教信仰,她最堅(jiān)定的信仰,就是必須把星期天跟一周當(dāng)中的其他幾天截然分開。平時(shí),她允許女兒們穿低胸連衣裙參加晚會(huì),自己也往往陪伴在側(cè)。到了星期天,女兒們就得一天跑三趟教堂,還得聽她親自誦讀冗長(zhǎng)的夜禱,以此償清平日里積下的罪孽。不幸的是,她家屋檐下的所有人都必須嚴(yán)格履行星期天的職責(zé),盡管其中一些人,即她的仆人和丈夫,不用為穿低胸衣裙和參加晚會(huì)贖罪。
在這些宗教問題上,普勞蒂太太心甘情愿地聽命于一位年輕的神職人員——斯洛普先生。這樣一來,由于普勞蒂博士對(duì)妻子唯命是從,斯洛普先生就通過普勞蒂太太,有力地控制了普勞蒂博士的宗教思想。普勞蒂博士被任命為巴徹斯特主教之后,斯洛普先生高高興興地放棄了倫敦某個(gè)貧民區(qū)的代牧一職,當(dāng)了主教的特遣牧師。
奧巴代亞·斯洛普和普勞蒂太太有相似的宗教信仰,兩人關(guān)系密切,談話推心置腹。以前在倫敦時(shí),斯洛普先生就總是定期登門拜訪普勞蒂一家,跟幾位普勞蒂小姐混得很熟。自然而然,他心里對(duì)普勞蒂太太的長(zhǎng)女奧利維婭產(chǎn)生了超出友誼的柔情,并且曾向她表白。然而,當(dāng)他發(fā)現(xiàn)奧利維婭的父親給不了幾個(gè)錢的嫁妝,就收回了他的話。普勞蒂博士即將當(dāng)上主教的消息一傳開,斯洛普先生立刻對(duì)當(dāng)初的謹(jǐn)慎追悔莫及,開始重新對(duì)普勞蒂小姐表示好感。可他已經(jīng)沒機(jī)會(huì)了。奧利維婭自尊心太強(qiáng),不愿給他第二次機(jī)會(huì),更何況眼下有另一位追求者在向她示愛。于是,斯洛普先生只得為愛情空嘆一聲,兩人也很快發(fā)現(xiàn)相互懷恨非常合宜。
在這種情況下,普勞蒂太太竟然還能牢牢維系與這個(gè)年輕代牧的友情,看起來也許有點(diǎn)奇怪。但事實(shí)上,對(duì)于斯洛普先生和奧利維婭之間的關(guān)系,她一無所知。她對(duì)斯洛普先生很有好感,卻還是希望女兒們能嫁得更好。
很快,斯洛普先生就有了聊以自慰的想法:如今他當(dāng)上了主教的特遣牧師,可能會(huì)比娶主教的女兒還有錢有勢(shì)。等到他跟普勞蒂博士夫婦面對(duì)面地坐在火車上,第一次前往巴徹斯特的時(shí)候,他已經(jīng)開始為將來的生活打算了。他有一種合情合理的認(rèn)識(shí):相對(duì)于教堂事務(wù)的繁文縟節(jié),公共生活更適合新任主教。這樣一來,他斯洛普就成了巴徹斯特事實(shí)上的主教。他明白自己還得打一場(chǎng)硬仗,因?yàn)榱硪粋€(gè)有頭腦的人也在覬覦權(quán)力——普勞蒂太太也想成為巴徹斯特主教。不過他信心十足,認(rèn)為自己會(huì)是最后的贏家。
從外形上看,斯洛普先生個(gè)頭高,手腳大,但整體來說身材不錯(cuò)。然而,他的臉是劣質(zhì)牛肉的顏色,暗紅色頭發(fā)又長(zhǎng)又直,總是擦著很多的頭油。他嘴形寬闊,嘴唇卻單薄無血色。跟他握手可不是一件舒服的事,因?yàn)樗钠つw總是又冷又潮。他總是眉頭緊鎖,似乎是覺得世上的大多數(shù)事物過于罪惡,他不屑一顧。
他有膽量和過人的智慧,像普勞蒂博士那樣堅(jiān)決擁護(hù)教堂禮節(jié)的簡(jiǎn)化,又像普勞蒂太太那樣,堅(jiān)信星期天做禮拜要無條件遵從。他很擅長(zhǎng)自我表達(dá),這一點(diǎn)女人比男人更為贊賞。在倫敦,他是不少人家中的常客,受到眾女士的青睞,也讓男人們被迫接受了他的存在。不過,他有一種令人討厭的油滑做派,似乎不太可能受到巴徹斯特社交圈的歡迎。
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