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the purcell papers-2-第15章

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of the O'Maras; he looked back in the

direction in which he had left his

companion; and leaning upon the battlement;

he ruminated long and moodily。 At

length he raised himself and said:



'He loves the girl; and WILL love her

moreI have an opportunity of winning

favour; of doing service; which shall bind

him to me; yes; he shall have the girl; if

I have art to compass the matter。 I must

think upon it。'



He entered the avenue and was soon

lost in the distance。



Days and weeks passed on; and young

O'Mara daily took his rod and net; and

rambled up the river; and scarce twelve

hours elapsed in which some of those

accidents; which invariably bring lovers

together; did not secure him a meeting of

longer or shorter duration; with the

beautiful girl whom he so fatally

loved。



One evening; after a long interview with

her; in which he had been almost irresistibly

prompted to declare his love; and

had all but yielded himself up to the

passionate impulse; upon his arrival at

home he found a letter on the table

awaiting his return; it was from his

father to the following effect:





          'To Richard O'Mara。

          'September; 17; Lm; England。



     'MY DEAR SON;

 'I have just had a severe attack of

my old and almost forgotten enemy; the

gout。 This I regard as a good sign; the

doctors telling me that it is the safest

development of peccant humours; and I

think my chest is less tormenting and

oppressed than I have known it for some

years。 My chief reason for writing to

you now; as I do it not without difficulty;

is to let you know my pleasure in certain

matters; in which I suspect some shameful;

and; indeed; infatuated neglect on your

part; 〃quem perdere vult deus prius

dementat:〃 how comes it that you have

neglected to write to Lady Emily or any of

that family? the understood relation

subsisting between you is one of extreme

delicacy; and which calls for marked and

courteous; nay; devoted attention upon

your side。 Lord  is already offended;

beware what you do; for as you will find;

if this match be lost by your fault or folly;

by  I will cut you off with a shilling。

I am not in the habit of using threats

when I do not mean to fulfil them; and

that you well know; however I do not

think you have much real cause for alarm

in this case。 Lady Emily; who; by the

way; looks if possible more charming than

ever; is anything but hard…hearted; at

least when YOU solicit; but do as I desire;

and lose no time in making what excuse

you may; and let me hear from you when

you can fix a time to join me and your

mother here。

          'Your sincere well…wisher and father;

                    'RICHARD O'MARA。'





In this letter was inclosed a smaller one;

directed to Dwyer; and containing a

cheque for twelve pounds; with the following

words:





'Make use of the enclosed; and let me

hear if Richard is upon any wild scheme

at present: I am uneasy about him; and

not without reason; report to me speedily

the result of your vigilance。

                    'R。 O'MARA。'





Dwyer just glanced through this brief;

but not unwelcome; epistle; and deposited

it and its contents in the secret recesses of

his breeches pocket; and then fixed his

eyes upon the face of his companion; who

sat opposite; utterly absorbed in the perusal

of his father's letter; which he read again

and again; pausing and muttering between

whiles; and apparently lost in no very

pleasing reflections。 At length he very

abruptly exclaimed:



'A delicate epistle; trulyand a politic

would that my tongue had been burned

through before I assented to that doubly…

cursed contract。 Why; I am not pledged

yetI am not; there is neither writing;

nor troth; nor word of honour; passed

between us。 My father has no right to

pledge me; even though I told him I liked

the girl; and would wish the match。 'Tis

not enough that my father offers her my

heart and hand; he has no right to do it;

a delicate woman would not accept professions

made by proxy。 Lady Emily! Lady

Emily! with all the tawdry frippery; and

finery of dress and demeanourcompare

HER with  Pshaw! Ridiculous! How

blind; how idiotic I have been。'



He relapsed into moody reflections;

which Dwyer did not care to disturb; and

some ten minutes might have passed before

he spoke again。 When he did; it was in

the calm tone of one who has irrevocably

resolved upon some decided and important

act。



'Dwyer;' he said; rising and approaching

that person; 'whatever god or demon told

you; even before my own heart knew it;

that I loved Ellen Heathcote; spoke truth。

I love her madlyI never dreamed till

now how fervently; how irrevocably; I am

hershow dead to me all other interests

are。 Dwyer; I know something of your

disposition; and you no doubt think it

strange that I should tell to you; of all

persons; SUCH a secret; but whatever be

your faults; I think you are attached to

our family。 I am satisfied you will not

betray me。 I know'




'Pardon me;' said Dwyer; 'if I say that

great professions of confidence too

frequently mark distrust。 I have no possible

motive to induce me to betray you; on the

contrary; I would gladly assist and direct

whatever plans you may have formed。

Command me as you please; I have said

enough。'



'I will not doubt you; Dwyer;' said

O'Mara; ' I have taken my resolutionI

have; I think; firmness to act up to it。 To

marry Ellen Heathcote; situated as I am;

were madness; to propose anything else

were worse; were villainy not to be named。

I will leave the country to…morrow; cost

what pain it may; for England。 I will at

once break off the proposed alliance with

Lady Emily; and will wait until I am my

own master; to open my heart to Ellen。

My father may say and do what he likes;

but his passion will not last。 He will

forgive me; and even were he to disinherit

me; as he threatens; there is some property

which must descend to me; which his will

cannot affect。 He cannot ruin my

interests; he SHALL NOT ruin my happiness。

Dwyer; give me pen and ink; I will write

this moment。'



This bold plan of proceeding for many

reasons appeared inexpedient to Dwyer;

and he determined not to consent to its

adoption without a struggle。



'I commend your prudence;' said he; 'in

determining to remove yourself from the

fascinating influence which has so long

bound you here; but beware of offending

your father。 Colonel O'Mara is not a man

to forgive an act of deliberate disobedience;

and surely you are not mad enough to

ruin yourself with him by offering an out…

rageous insult to Lady Emily and to her

family in her person; therefore you must

not break off the understood contract which

subsists between you by any formal act

hear me out patiently。 You must let Lady

Emily perceive; as you easily may; without

rudeness o
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