Two days later Mr Harding was called to the palace to discuss the wardenship of Hiram's Hospital with Mr Slope. The chaplain kept the old man waiting for half an hour, and when he did arrive, he behaved just as if he were an important man of business and Mr Harding a young man applying for a job.
Now, concerning this post of warden,' he began, 'of course you know the income would be very much reduced. In addition, you would be expected to have the house painted inside every seven years and outside every three years. And the duties – well, I believe, if I am correctly informed, there were hardly any duties to speak of in the past.' He gave a scornful laugh. 'Things are a great deal changed, not only in Barchester, Mr Harding, but also in the wider world. Work is now required from every man who receives wages, and new men are needed in the Church, as in other professions. For example, the bishop is anxious to have a Sunday school attached to the Hospital, for the children of the poor, and the teachers would be under your control and care.'
Mr Harding was now getting very angry, which was what Mr Slope wanted. 'And if I disagree with his lordship's views?' the old man asked, as calmly as he could.
I hope you do not, but if you do, I assume you would feel unable to accept the post.' Mr Slope intended Mr Harding to refuse the appointment, which would then be vacant for a person of his own choosing.
I shall consult my friends, but you may tell the bishop, Mr Slope, that I shall not accept the wardenship if I find the conditions that you mention are attached to it,' and Mr Harding left the room.
Mr Slope was delighted. He considered he could take Mr Harding's last speech as an absolute refusal of the appointment, and that is what he told the bishop and Mrs Proudie.
The bishop was sorry to hear it, but Mrs Proudie said firmly, 'There is no cause for sorrow. Mr Quiverful is more in need of it, and, as warden, will be much more useful to us.'
I suppose I had better see Quiverful?' said the chaplain.
I suppose you had,' said the bishop.
Meanwhile poor Mr Harding was feeling very miserable. He had lost the wardenship a second time, and been insulted by a man young enough to be his son, but that he could put up with. What really made him unhappy was the thought that he belonged to the past, that his efforts were no longer needed or appreciated, that everything he had done might be worthless.
He went first to Eleanor's house, to tell her his troubles, but found that Mr Slope had visited her the day before. The chaplain had made a very different speech to her from the one he had made to her father, full of flattery and heartfelt hopes that Mr Harding would take the wardenship. So she was surprised and disappointed to see her father looking so unhappy, and could not really sympathize with or understand his dislike of Mr Slope.
Mr Harding's next move was to discuss the matter with the archdeacon, so he drove to Plumstead in a hired carriage. Dr Grantly was out, so, while waiting for him, Mr Harding took the opportunity to discuss recent events with his daughter Susan.
How can Eleanor bear that Mr Slope?' she asked.
He's a very clever man,' said her father. 'He has made her think he is a good and honest clergyman.'
Good and honest indeed!' said Susan scornfully. 'I only hope he won't be clever enough to make her forget her position.'
Good heavens! Do you mean marry him?'
What is so improbable about it? Of course that would be his plan if he thought he had any chance of success. Eleanor has a thousand pounds a year of her own.'
But you can't think she likes him, Susan?'
Why not? She has no one to look after her.'
But don't we look after her?'
Oh father, how innocent you are! It is to be expected that she will marry again, but she should wait the proper time, and then at least marry a gentleman.'
Now Mr Harding had something else to worry about. To have as a son-in-law, the husband of his favourite child, the only man in the world whom he really disliked, would be a misfortune he felt he could not bear. In fact, if the truth were known, Eleanor had no more idea of marrying Mr Slope than of marrying the bishop. But it was true she had forgiven him his sermon, his pride, and even his shiny face and oily manners, so in time might she not accept him as an admirer? Strangely enough, Mr Slope was innocent of the crime he was being accused of. This man whose eyes were generally so wide open to everything around him had not yet discovered that the young widow was rich as well as beautiful. It was an error which he was soon to correct.
Dr Grantly did not arrive until dinnertime. He was in an excellent mood and explained why, as they sat down to eat.
It's all agreed,' he said, rubbing his hands joyfully. 'Arabin has accepted! If anyone can get rid of Slope, Arabin can.'
Francis Arabin was an old Oxford friend of Dr Grantly's, a clergyman of the highest reputation, and also a gentleman. He and Mr Slope had been carrying on a long battle on spiritual matters in the letters pages of The Jupiter for some months now, and Dr Grantly thought his friend's intelligence and deep religious knowledge would be extremely useful in the fight against the Proudies. Mr Arabin had therefore been offered, and had accepted, the post of vicar of a small church near Plumstead. Dr Grantly was delighted that Arabin would be so near at hand, for advice and support, and amused that Mr Slope would come face to face with his spiritual enemy very soon.
At the end of the meal Mr Harding finally managed to speak of what was worrying him. The archdeacon's response was firm.
The bishop has no power to appoint a new man as warden, or indeed to make the warden a Sunday school teacher! All of Barchester expects you to return to Hiram's Hospital, and that's what you will do. I tell you what, my friend, I shall see the bishop when he has neither his wife nor his chaplain beside him, and I think you'll find the matter will end with you becoming warden without any conditions whatever. Leave it to me.'
And so the matter was arranged between them. Dr Grantly's good humour continued till bedtime, when, in the privacy of their room, Mrs Grantly gave him her opinion of what Eleanor might do. His face looked stern, and he said, 'If she does, I'll never speak to her again. I won't be connected to such dirt as that,' and he gave a shudder which shook the whole room.
Mr Slope lost no time in visiting Mr Quiverful to ask if he would like to be warden of the Hospital. Mr Quiverful, in giving his enthusiastic reply, happened to mention that Mr Harding might not need the post because his daughter Eleanor had an income of a thousand a year. This unexpected information caused Mr Slope to cut short his visit, and he rode home, thinking hard. Why should he not marry the widow, and make the thousand pounds a year his own? And then it struck him that perhaps it would be easier to gain her approval, if he did all in his power to help her father become warden, instead of Quiverful.
He was confident he could manage this, although it would involve a complete change of direction, but he knew he must step cautiously. If he quarrelled with the Proudies and was then refused by the widow, he would have lost all his influence and power. He also remembered that Mrs Bold's brother-in-law was his enemy, the archdeacon, and swore he would never bow the knee to that man, not even for a thousand pounds a year.
Another circumstance influenced him. The vision of the signora was continually before his eyes. It would be too much to say Mr Slope was lost in love, but yet he thought he had never seen so beautiful a woman. He had never been so tempted before, and now it was difficult to resist the temptation – it was hard to consider any plan which would require him to give up his special friendship with this lady.
He decided he urgently needed to find out the truth about Mrs Bold's fortune, so he started making enquiries at once. He was not a man who ever let much grass grow under his feet.
About the time that Mr Slope was visiting Mr Quiverful, a discussion took place at Dr Stanhope's house between Charlotte and Bertie about his unwillingness to earn any kind of income. Finally Charlotte said, in her sensible way, 'Well, Bertie, if you won't work, will you marry a wife with money?'
I won't marry one without any,' he replied. 'But wives with money aren't easy to find nowadays – the vicars pick them all up.'
And a vicar will pick up Mrs Bold too, if you don't hurry.'
Whew!' whistled Bertie. 'A widow! With a son!'
A baby that will very likely die. The lady is very beautiful, and she has a thousand pounds a year.'
Well, no one can call me unreasonable, and if you'll arrange it all for me, I'll marry the widow.'
Charlotte was just explaining to him that he must court the lady himself, and was praising her beauty, when Madeline was carried into the room by her servants.
Madeline, I'm going to be married,' Bertie began as soon as the servants had left.
There's no other foolish thing left that you haven't done,' said Madeline, 'so you are quite right to try that.'
Well, that's Charlotte's advice to me. But your opinion ought to be the best; you have experience to guide you.'
Yes, I have,' said Madeline in a hard voice. But she looked very sad, and Bertie was sorry that his words had hurt her.
Charlotte wants me to marry Mrs Bold,' he said. 'She has a thousand a year and a fine baby son.'
If it's true she has a thousand a year and has ladylike manners, I advise you to marry her,' said Madeline. 'Even you aren't fool enough to marry for love. Marriage is a poor bargain for husband or wife. A man should not sacrifice his freedom unless he gets something in return, but a woman generally has no choice – she has no other way of living.'
But Bertie has no other way of living!' said Charlotte.
Then for heaven's sake let him marry Mrs Bold,' said Madeline, and so it was decided.
Mr Slope's enquiries about the widow's income had determined him to try his hand at courting her. He had therefore attempted to persuade the bishop that the post of warden should be offered to Mr Harding, but matters were more complicated than he had imagined. Mrs Proudie, anxious for her power to be as visible as possible, had already made it clear to Mrs Quiverful that her husband would be appointed warden.
Ah, my lord,' said Mr Slope, half laughing, 'we shall all be in trouble if the ladies interfere. I only speak, my lord, in your own best interests. As far as personal feelings go, Mrs Proudie is the best friend I have. But still, in my present position, my first duty is to your lordship.' He smiled his most flattering smile.
I am quite sure of that, Mr Slope,' said the bishop gratefully. 'Do you really think Mr Harding should be the warden?'
I do, my lord. What has passed between Mrs Proudie and Mrs Quiverful may be a little inconvenient, but I really do not think that should count in a matter of so much importance.'
He left the poor bishop dreadfully undecided, but on the whole almost determined to oppose Mrs Proudie's wishes, which was exactly what Mr Slope was hoping for.
The chaplain then went on to call on Eleanor Bold, who was playing with baby Johnny in her sitting room. When Mr Slope was announced, Eleanor quickly pushed back her long dark hair, which the baby had pulled down from her widow's cap. Mr Slope stopped for a moment in the doorway, realizing at once how lovely she was, and thinking that, even if she had no fortune at all, she would bring comfort and joy to any man's home.
When Mr Slope was announced, Eleanor quickly pushed back her long dark hair, which the baby had pulled down from her widow's cap.
He sat down close to Eleanor and said confidentially, 'May I ask you a simple question, Mrs Bold?'
Certainly,' she smiled, 'and I shall give you an honest answer.'
My question is this: is your father really anxious to go back to Hiram's Hospital as warden?'
Why do you ask me? Why not ask him yourself?'
My dear Mrs Bold, there are wheels within wheels, which I fear I have little time to explain to you. No one respects your father more than I do, but I doubt if he respects me.' (He certainly did not.) 'I am afraid there is a feeling in Barchester, I will not call it a prejudice, which runs against me, and your father shares this feeling. Can you deny it?'
Eleanor made no answer, and Mr Slope, in the eagerness of his speech, moved his chair a little nearer to hers. 'That is why I cannot ask him this question as I can ask it of you. But you, my dear Mrs Bold, since I came to Barchester, you have allowed me to regard you as a friend.' Eleanor moved her head slightly; it looked more like a shake than a nod, but Mr Slope took no notice of it. 'To you I can speak openly, and express the feelings of my heart. When I spoke to your father about the post of warden, he gave me the impression he would refuse it, and so the bishop, perhaps mistakenly, has offered it to Mr Quiverful.'
Then, Mr Slope, there is an end of it!' and tears came to Eleanor's lovely eyes and rolled down her face.
Mr Slope would have given much to be allowed to dry those tears, but he knew his moment had not yet come. Instead he promised to do all he could to persuade the bishop to change his mind, his stated purpose being to protect the interests of Mr Harding, whom he so sincerely admired, and to bring greater happiness to Mrs Bold, whom he dared to call his friend. It was indeed a clever and convincing performance.
At the bishop's palace, revolution was stirring. Since his recent conversation with Mr Slope, the bishop knew it was time to be firm with his wife. If he could only defeat her once, he would be a man indeed! So with great daring he went to her private sitting room to speak to her. He found her at her desk, adding up the bills and frowning over all the expense of a bishop's family.
Excuse me, my dear,' he began. 'If you are free, I wish to speak to you.' Mrs Proudie looked sourly up at him, and his courage failed him. 'But I see you are busy – another time –'
What is it, bishop?' asked the lady reluctantly.
It is about the Quiverfuls, my dear. But as you are busy –'
What about the Quiverfuls? It is perfectly understood that they are to have the hospital. There is no doubt, is there?'
This was the moment when the bishop needed to show his bravery, in order to win the battle. He said, very gently, 'Well, my dear, I just wanted to mention that Mr Slope seems to think Mr Harding should have the post.'
Mr Slope seems to think!' she said scornfully. 'I hope, my lord, you will not allow yourself to be governed by a chaplain.'
Certainly not, my dear. Nothing is less probable. But –'
Nonsense,' said Mrs Proudie rudely. 'Mr Quiverful will be the warden, not Mr Harding. And that's the end of it.'
I believe you are right, my dear,' said the bishop, creeping back to the safety of his study.
That evening Mr Slope heard from the bishop that Mrs Proudie's orders concerning the wardenship were to be obeyed. He also received a visit, in his room, from the lady of the house herself. She had something very particular to say to him.
Mr Slope, I must tell you, I did not at all approve of your behaviour with that Italian woman at my reception. Anyone would have thought you were her lover.'
Good heavens, my dear madam,' said Mr Slope with a look of horror. 'Why, she is a married woman!'
That is what she calls herself, certainly. Since then you have visited her and sat with her alone. I consider it my duty to warn you, Mr Slope, that that woman is not a suitable companion for an unmarried young clergyman like you.' How Mr Slope hated her at this moment! But she had not finished. 'There is another thing, Mr Slope. You are far too ready to interfere. Kindly do not give the bishop any more guidance at all. If his lordship wants advice, he knows where to look for it.' And she sailed out.
Mr Slope now knew there certainly was not room in Barchester for the energies of both himself and Mrs Proudie; victory over her had become a matter of urgency.
Meanwhile Eleanor had been made aware of her family's concerns about her apparent liking for Mr Slope. When she had innocently mentioned Mr Slope's offer to help her father, Dr Grantly had accused her of betraying the family's interests in making such an unreliable friend, and Eleanor had felt angry that her brother-in-law, and even her dear father, did not respect her judgement. She was all the more annoyed, because she was not quite sure how far she herself trusted Mr Slope.
Perhaps this disagreement with Dr Grantly made her feel a little isolated, and perhaps that feeling of isolation made her more eager than she would normally have been to accept Charlotte's invitation to spend the evening at the Stanhopes' house.
Indeed, when she arrived there, and discovered Mr Slope was also one of the guests, she almost decided to leave at once. But clever Charlotte made her feel at home immediately; Eleanor was introduced to kind old Dr Stanhope, and was smiled on by Madeline. She had no suspicion that Mr Slope was planning to court her; nor did she notice how much time he spent at the signora's side, or even the guilty looks he sent in her direction. For most of the evening she was left alone with Bertie, and the time simply flew by. Bertie did not flatter her, or sigh like a lover, but he was amusing and friendly, yet at the same time respectful. And when he left Eleanor at her own door at one o'clock in the morning, after a delightful walk in the moonlight, she thought he was one of the most charming men she had ever met.
apply v. to make a formal, usually written request for something such as a job, or permission to do something 申請
assume v. to think that something is true, although you have no proof of it 假定,假設(shè)
vacant adj. not being occupied at present and available for someone to start doing 空缺的
refusal n. an act of saying or showing that you will not do something that someone has asked you to do 拒絕
put up with to accept an unpleasant situation or person without complaining 忍受,忍耐
innocent adj. not having much experience of the bad things in the world, so that you are easily deceived 天真的,閱世不深的
privacy n. the state of being free from public attention 隱私
stern adj. severe, serious or strict 嚴(yán)厲的
shudder n. a shaking movement 戰(zhàn)栗,發(fā)抖
strike v. to suddenly come into your mind 突然意識到,突然想到
tempt v. to make someone want to have or do something, even though they know they really should not 誘惑,引誘
enquiry n. a question you ask in order to get information 詢問,打聽
whew interj. used when you are surprised, very hot, or feeling glad that something bad does not happen 喲,哎呀(表示驚訝、感到炎熱或因壞事沒發(fā)生而感到高興)
court v. (old-fashioned) to have a romantic relationship and may get married with [舊用法]追求(女子)
for someone's sake in order to help, improve, or please someone 為了某人的緣故
complicated adj. difficult to understand or deal with, because many parts or details are involved 難懂的;難處理的
interfere v. to deliberately get involved in a situation that does not concern you, and try to influence what happens in a way that annoys people 介入,干涉
dreadfully adv. extremely or very much 非常,極其
doorway n. the space where a door opens into a room or building 門口,門道,出入口
wheels within wheels used to say that a situation is complicated and difficult to understand because it involves things that you know nothing about 復(fù)雜的形勢
deny v. to say that something is not true, or that you do not believe something 否認(rèn),否定
prejudice n. an unreasonable dislike and distrust of people who are different from you in some way 偏見,歧視
daring n. courage that makes you willing to take risks 勇氣,膽量
sourly adv. in an unfriendly or bad-tempered way 不快地
why interj. used to show that you are surprised or annoyed 哎呀,嗨(表示驚訝或生氣)
companion n. someone you spend a lot of time with, especially a friend 伴侶,同伴
sail v. to move forward gracefully and confidently 優(yōu)雅而自信地走
innocently adv. done or said without intending to harm or offend someone 不帶惡意地
betray v. to be disloyal to someone who trusts you so that they are harmed or upset 背叛,出賣
unreliable adj. unable to be trusted or depended on 不可信賴的,不可靠的
amusing adj. funny and entertaining 好笑的,有趣的
兩天后,哈丁先生奉命來到主教宅邸,跟斯洛普先生協(xié)商海勒姆養(yǎng)老院院長人選。特遣牧師讓老人干等了半個鐘頭才到,到了以后又表現(xiàn)得像一個有頭有臉的商人,把哈丁先生當(dāng)成了一個前來求職的年輕小伙。
“好了,說到院長這個職位嘛,”他開口道,“當(dāng)然你也知道,薪水會降低很多。另外,您得每七年粉刷一次內(nèi)墻,每三年粉刷一次外墻。至于職責(zé)嘛——其實,據(jù)我看,如果我得到的消息沒錯的話,過去也幾乎談不上有什么職責(zé)?!彼p蔑地笑了一聲,“世道已經(jīng)變啦,不僅僅在巴徹斯特是如此,哈丁先生,外面的世界也一樣。如今,但凡領(lǐng)薪水的人都得干活,教會也需要補充新人,跟其他行當(dāng)一樣。比如說,主教很想趕緊給醫(yī)院建一所主日學(xué)校,用來教導(dǎo)窮人的孩子們,學(xué)校的老師將由您來管理和操心?!?/p>
哈丁先生此時已經(jīng)十分氣惱,這正是斯洛普先生想要的效果?!耙俏腋鹘檀笕艘庖娤嘧竽??”老人盡可能平靜地問。
“我希望您別那樣,不過,您要是真那樣的話,我想您會覺得自己無法接受這個職位?!彼孤迤障壬拇蛩闶瞧仁构∠壬芙^這一職位,那樣的話他就可以自己找人來填補空缺。
“我得跟朋友們商量一下。不過,斯洛普先生,您可以轉(zhuǎn)告主教,要是我發(fā)現(xiàn)當(dāng)院長要附帶您說的那些條件,那么我是不會接受的?!惫∠壬f完走出了房間。
斯洛普先生心中竊喜。在他看來,哈丁先生最后說的那段話可以理解為徹底拒絕了這個職位,于是就這么轉(zhuǎn)告了主教和普勞蒂太太。
聽到這樣的結(jié)果,主教深表遺憾,普勞蒂太太卻堅決地說:“沒必要難過??址蛳壬枰@個職位,還有,他當(dāng)院長對我們來說更有利?!?/p>
“那我最好跟奎沃夫見個面?”特遣牧師問。
“要我說,確實如此?!敝鹘陶f。
此時此刻,可憐的哈丁先生陷入了痛苦之中。他再次失去了院長一職,還被一個年齡足以當(dāng)他兒子的家伙羞辱了一番,不過,這些也不是不能忍受。真正讓他難過的是,他覺得自己屬于過去,如今的社會不再需要他賣力,也不再欣賞他的貢獻(xiàn),他所做的一切也許都沒有什么價值。
他先去了埃莉諾的家,想跟她倒苦水,結(jié)果卻發(fā)現(xiàn),斯洛普先生前一天剛剛來過。特遣牧師對埃莉諾說的那一套,跟對她父親說的不一樣,不光是滿嘴奉承,還說自己真心希望哈丁先生能夠擔(dān)任院長。因此,看到父親一臉不高興,埃莉諾又是驚訝又是失望,無法真正感受和理解父親對斯洛普先生的憎惡。
下一步,哈丁先生想跟執(zhí)事長聊聊這件事,于是乘著雇來的馬車前往普拉姆斯特德。格蘭特利博士出門去了,哈丁先生一邊等他,一邊趁這個機會跟女兒蘇珊聊了聊近況。
“埃莉諾怎么受得了那個斯洛普先生呢?”她問。
“他很精明,”她的父親回答,“已經(jīng)給她留下了一個善良誠實的神職人員形象?!?/p>
“他可真是既善良又誠實!”蘇珊輕蔑地說,“我只是希望,他不會精明得讓她忘記了自己的身份。”
“天哪!你是說嫁給他嗎?”
“這有什么不可能的呢?只要覺得自己有一線成功的機會,他肯定會這么打算。埃莉諾自己就有每年一千鎊的收入?!?/p>
“可是,你該不會認(rèn)為她喜歡他吧,蘇珊?”
“為什么不?她身邊又沒人照顧?!?/p>
“不是我們在照顧她嗎?”
“哦,父親,您可太天真了!可想而知,她還會再婚,可她應(yīng)該等待合適的時機,怎么也得嫁個紳士才行。”
這下子,哈丁先生又添了一樁煩心事。世上唯一一個討他嫌的人居然會成為他的女婿,成為他最心愛的孩子的丈夫,他覺得這樣的不幸根本無法忍受。而事實上,埃莉諾根本沒想過要嫁給斯洛普先生,就跟沒想過要嫁給主教一樣。不過,她的確原諒了他布道時說的那些話,他目中無人的態(tài)度,甚至還有他那張油膩得發(fā)光的臉和他油腔滑調(diào)的作風(fēng)。這樣一來,假以時日,她不是也有可能接受他這個追求者嗎?奇怪的是,對于扣在自己頭上的這項罪名,斯洛普先生的確很無辜。這個通常是眼觀六路的人暫時還沒發(fā)現(xiàn),這位年輕的寡婦不僅貌美如花,而且身家富厚。這個失誤很快就會被他糾正過來。
直到晚飯時間,格蘭特利博士才回到家里,一副興高采烈的模樣。大家坐下來吃飯的時候,他解釋了這當(dāng)中的緣故。
“已經(jīng)達(dá)成協(xié)議了,”他一邊說,一邊高興地搓著雙手,“阿拉賓同意了!要說這世上有人能除掉斯洛普的話,那就只能是阿拉賓了?!?/p>
弗朗西斯·阿拉賓是格蘭特利博士在牛津的老朋友——一位德高望重的神職人員,也是一位紳士。他和斯洛普先生就宗教問題展開了拉鋸戰(zhàn),到現(xiàn)在兩人已經(jīng)在《朱庇特報》的讀者來信專欄斗了好幾個月。格蘭特利博士覺得,對付普勞蒂夫婦,自己這個朋友的智慧和淵博的宗教知識能助他一臂之力。所以,他請阿拉賓先生來擔(dān)任普拉姆斯特德附近一座小教堂的代牧,對方也答應(yīng)了他。格蘭特利博士很高興,因為阿拉賓如今近在咫尺,可以給他提供建議和支持。一想到要不了多久,斯洛普先生就會跟他的宗教敵人當(dāng)面對抗,他就忍不住發(fā)笑。
晚飯快吃完的時候,哈丁先生終于說出了心中的困擾。執(zhí)事長的回答十分堅決。
“主教沒有權(quán)力另行指派院長,更沒有權(quán)力讓院長去當(dāng)主日學(xué)校的老師!巴徹斯特所有的人都等著您重返海勒姆養(yǎng)老院,您也確實應(yīng)該回去。我跟您說,我的朋友,等主教的妻子和特遣牧師都不在他身邊的時候,我就去見他。依我看,您會發(fā)現(xiàn)結(jié)果就是您當(dāng)上了院長,沒有任何附加條件。這事兒就交給我吧?!?/p>
這件事就這樣說定了。格蘭特利博士一直保持著好心情,直到該上床睡覺的時候,到了沒有外人的臥室里,格蘭特利太太告訴他,她認(rèn)為埃莉諾可能會有什么樣的打算。博士沉下臉說:“她要是真那樣,我就再也不跟她說話了。我可不會跟那種卑鄙小人結(jié)親?!彼蛄藗€顫抖,整個房間似乎都跟著晃了一晃。
斯洛普先生一刻也沒耽擱,就去拜訪了奎沃夫先生,問他愿不愿意擔(dān)任養(yǎng)老院院長??址蛳壬o出了熱情的回答,還順口提了一句,哈丁先生可能不需要這個職位,因為他女兒埃莉諾每年有一千英鎊的收入。這始料未及的信息讓斯洛普先生提早告辭。騎馬回家的路上,他冥思苦想。自己干嗎不娶了這個寡婦,把那一千英鎊的年收入據(jù)為己有呢?他突然想到,如果自己竭盡所能幫助她父親而不是奎沃夫當(dāng)上院長,可能會更容易贏得她的芳心。
盡管需要徹底扭轉(zhuǎn)事態(tài)的發(fā)展方向,他還是相信自己能把這件事情辦妥,但他清楚自己必須謹(jǐn)慎行事。要是這邊跟普勞蒂夫婦起了爭執(zhí),那邊又遭到寡婦拒絕,他的影響力和權(quán)勢會蕩然無存。他還想了起來,博爾德太太那個當(dāng)執(zhí)事長的姐夫是他的敵人,于是暗自發(fā)誓,哪怕是為了一千英鎊的年收入也絕不向此人屈膝。
左右他的還有一個因素。內(nèi)羅尼太太的身影一刻不停地在他眼前晃。要說斯洛普先生已經(jīng)墜入愛河,未免太過夸張,可他覺得,自己還從沒見過如此美貌的女子。他從未受過如此誘惑,也很難抵擋這種誘惑——如果要他放棄跟這位女士的特殊友情,什么樣的計劃他都很難予以考慮。
他認(rèn)為當(dāng)務(wù)之急是核實博爾德太太的財產(chǎn),于是立刻開始著手調(diào)查。他從來都不是那種干等著腳下長草的人。
******
大概就在斯洛普先生拜訪奎沃夫先生的時候,在斯坦諾普博士的家里,夏洛特和伯蒂在討論伯蒂不愿掙錢的事。最后,夏洛特用一副洞達(dá)世情的派頭說:“好吧,伯蒂,你要是不愿意工作,那你愿不愿意娶一個有錢的妻子呢?”
“沒錢的我可不愿意娶?!彼卮?,“可是,有錢的妻子眼下可不好找啊——都讓代牧們給挑走啦?!?/p>
“你要是不抓緊的話,博爾德太太也要讓代牧給挑走啦?!?/p>
“喲!”伯蒂打了個呼哨,“一個寡婦!還帶著個兒子!”
“一個很可能會夭折的孩子。那位女士很漂亮,每年還有一千鎊的收入?!?/p>
“好吧,讓誰來說,我也不是一個不明理的人。如果你能為我打點好一切,那么我就娶那個寡婦好了。”
夏洛特正在解釋為什么他必須自己去追求那位女士,正對她的美貌贊不絕口時,仆人們把馬德琳抬進了房間。
“馬德琳,我要結(jié)婚啦?!逼腿艘蛔撸倬驼f。
“這世上就沒有你沒干過的蠢事,”馬德琳說,“所以啊,你去結(jié)婚試試看也沒什么錯?!?/p>
“哦,這是夏洛特給我出的主意。不過,你的意見應(yīng)該是最好的,畢竟你是憑經(jīng)驗行事?!?/p>
“沒錯,我確實是過來人?!瘪R德琳說,口氣非常生硬??伤雌饋砗茈y過,伯蒂也覺得過意不去,因為自己的話傷到了她。
“夏洛特想讓我娶博爾德太太?!彼f,“她年收入有一千鎊,還有個可愛的小男孩?!?/p>
“如果她真的一年有一千鎊收入,舉止又像個淑女,那我建議你娶她?!瘪R德琳說,“就算是你,也不會蠢到為愛情結(jié)婚的地步。無論男女,婚姻都是一樁賠本買賣。男人不該為此犧牲自由,除非另有回報。女人呢,一般都是別無選擇——因為她們沒有別的活法?!?/p>
“可伯蒂沒有別的活法!”夏洛特說。
“那就看在上帝的份上,讓他去娶博爾德太太吧?!瘪R德琳說。事情就這么說定了。
******
斯洛普先生查明寡婦的收入后,下定了決心要去追她。于是他努力說服主教將院長一職委任給哈丁先生。然而,事情比他想象的復(fù)雜。普勞蒂太太急著彰顯自己的勢力,已經(jīng)向奎沃夫太太明確表示,她丈夫?qū)蝗蚊鼮樵洪L。
“哦,我的大人,”斯洛普先生似笑非笑地說,“如果女士們插手,我們會有麻煩的。我的大人,我這都是在為您著想。就個人感情而言,普勞蒂太太是我最好的朋友。盡管如此,就我目前的身份而言,我的首要職責(zé)是為您效力?!闭f到這里,他露出了自己最諂媚的笑容。
“這一點我完全相信,斯洛普先生。”主教滿懷感激地說,“你真覺得應(yīng)該讓哈丁先生來當(dāng)院長嗎?”
“是的,大人。普勞蒂太太跟奎沃夫太太說過了那些話,可能會有點兒麻煩??晌矣X得,在這么要緊的一件事情上,那么點兒麻煩并不是什么大事?!?/p>
他這番話使可憐的主教猶疑不決。不過,總體上講,主教幾乎已經(jīng)決心要跟自己的太太唱反調(diào)了,這正是斯洛普先生想達(dá)成的目的。
接下來,特遣牧師去拜訪埃莉諾·博爾德,她正在會客廳里陪小約翰尼玩。仆人通報斯洛普先生來訪時,埃莉諾趕緊把烏黑的長發(fā)塞回了寡婦帽里,那是孩子給拽出來的。斯洛普先生在門口站了一小會兒,立刻意識到她是多么可愛,并且覺得,就算她不名一文,也能給任何一個男人的家?guī)頁嵛亢蜌g樂。
他坐到埃莉諾身邊,神神秘秘地說:“我可以問您一個簡單的問題嗎,博爾德太太?”
“當(dāng)然可以,”她微笑著說,“我會誠實地回答你?!?/p>
“我的問題就是,您父親真的很想回海勒姆養(yǎng)老院去當(dāng)院長嗎?”
“您干嗎問我呢?干嗎不自己問他呢?”
“親愛的博爾德太太,情況錯綜復(fù)雜,我怕是沒時間跟您一一解釋了。沒有人比我更尊重您的父親,但我覺得他不一定瞧得起我?!保ㄋ?dāng)然瞧不起斯洛普先生。)“我擔(dān)心的是,巴徹斯特目前存在一種針對我的態(tài)度,我不會稱之為歧視,而您父親也有這種態(tài)度。這一點您不否認(rèn)吧?”
埃莉諾未置可否。斯洛普先生說得激動不已,于是把椅子朝她那邊挪了挪。“就是因為這個,這個問題我可以問您,卻不可以問他。但是您,我親愛的博爾德太太,自從我來到巴徹斯特,您一直都允許我把您當(dāng)朋友對待?!卑@蛑Z的腦袋輕輕動了一下,看上去更像是搖頭而不是點頭,斯洛普先生卻沒有留意?!霸谀媲埃铱梢蚤_誠布公,傾訴衷腸。之前我跟您父親聊的時候,他給我的印象是他打算拒絕這個職位,所以主教做了個興許錯誤的決定,把這個位子給了奎沃夫先生?!?/p>
“既然如此,斯洛普先生,這事情就沒希望了!”淚水涌進埃莉諾美麗的雙眸,從她臉上滑落下來。
如能為埃莉諾擦淚,再大的代價斯洛普先生也在所不惜,不過他很清楚,時機尚未成熟。因此他只是信誓旦旦地說,自己會盡力說服主教改變想法,說這么做是為了維護哈丁先生的利益,同時讓博爾德太太過得更開心,因為哈丁先生是他真心景仰的人,博爾德太太則是他冒昧稱為朋友的人。千真萬確,這是一番高明而有說服力的表演。
******
在主教的宅邸里,造反的情緒正在醞釀。最近跟斯洛普先生聊過以后,主教已經(jīng)明白,是時候?qū)ψ约旱钠拮硬扇娪矐B(tài)度了。只要能擊敗她一次,他就可以成為真正的男人!于是他鼓足勇氣去了她的私人會客廳,打算跟她談?wù)?。進房之后,他看見妻子坐在桌邊算賬,因為家里大大小小的花銷眉頭緊鎖。
“打擾一下,親愛的?!彼_腔道,“你要是有時間的話,我想跟你聊聊?!逼談诘偬痤^,臉色陰沉地看著他,他頓時泄了氣?!安贿^,我看你挺忙的——下次吧——”
“你有什么事,主教?”普勞蒂太太不情不愿地問。
“奎沃夫家的事,親愛的。不過,既然你還在忙——”
“奎沃夫家的什么事?大家都清楚明白地知道,養(yǎng)老院會歸他們管。這一點毫無疑問,對吧?”
需要主教拿出勇氣斗贏他妻子的時刻到了。于是他輕聲細(xì)語地說:“是這樣,親愛的,我只是想說,斯洛普先生似乎覺得,這個職位應(yīng)該給哈丁先生?!?/p>
“斯洛普先生似乎覺得!”她不屑地說,“我希望,我的大人,希望你不會聽?wèi){一個特遣牧師的擺布?!?/p>
“當(dāng)然不會,親愛的。這絕不可能??墒恰?/p>
“胡說八道?!逼談诘偬敛豢蜌獾卣f,“院長得讓奎沃夫先生來當(dāng),而不是哈丁先生。這件事到此為止?!?/p>
“我看你說得對,親愛的?!闭f完之后,主教溜回了書房這安全地帶。
當(dāng)天晚上,斯洛普先生從主教口中得知,關(guān)于院長職位一事,他必須聽從夫人的命令。斯洛普還在自己的住所接待了一位訪客——主教宅邸的女主人。她有一些特別的話要跟斯洛普先生講。
“斯洛普先生,我不得不告訴你,對于你和那個意大利女人在我家招待會上的行為,我很有意見。誰都會認(rèn)為你是她的情人?!?/p>
“天哪,我親愛的太太,”斯洛普先生一臉驚恐地說,“嗨,她可是個有夫之婦??!”
“她自己是這么說的,沒錯。打那以后,你還去看過她,跟她單獨相處。我覺得我有責(zé)任警告你,斯洛普先生,對于你這樣的未婚青年神職人員來說,那個女人可不是個合適的伴侶?!边@一刻,斯洛普先生對普勞蒂太太恨之入骨!可她還沒打住?!斑€有一件事,斯洛普先生,你太喜歡指手畫腳了。麻煩你不要再給主教提什么建議。主教大人如果需要建議,自然知道該上哪兒去問?!闭f完揚長而去。
事到如今,斯洛普先生已經(jīng)明白,巴徹斯特一山不能容二虎,即他與普勞蒂太太。打敗她已經(jīng)成了當(dāng)務(wù)之急。
******
與此同時,家里人已經(jīng)讓埃莉諾意識到,她對斯洛普先生表現(xiàn)出的好感讓他們很擔(dān)心。在此之前,她無意之中提了一句,斯洛普先生主動要求幫助她的父親。格蘭特利博士指責(zé)她不該結(jié)交這么一個不可靠的朋友,背叛家庭的利益??吹浇惴蚰酥劣H愛的父親都不尊重自己的判斷,埃莉諾感到十分氣惱。更讓她生氣的是,連她自己都不清楚自己對斯洛普先生有多信任。
或許是因為跟格蘭特利博士的分歧讓她感覺有些孤立無援,又或許是因為這種孤立感讓她比平常樂意接受夏洛特的邀請,這天傍晚去斯坦諾普家做客。
說真的,到那兒以后,發(fā)現(xiàn)斯洛普先生也是座上賓,她差點決定轉(zhuǎn)身就走。不過,機敏的夏洛特立刻讓她感到很自在。她把埃莉諾介紹給和藹的老斯坦諾普博士,馬德琳也沖她微笑。埃莉諾一點兒都沒意識到,斯洛普先生正打算追求自己,也沒注意到他在內(nèi)羅尼太太身邊待了多長時間,甚至沒注意到他朝自己投過來的歉疚目光。當(dāng)晚大多數(shù)時間,她都被安排跟伯蒂獨處,時間過得飛快。伯蒂并沒有討好她,也沒有像情人那樣嘆息,可他風(fēng)趣友好,又恭敬有禮。他陪著埃莉諾在月光下愉快地散步之后,凌晨一點才在她家門口跟她道別。埃莉諾覺得,這是她平生見過的最具魅力的男士之一。
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