登陆注册
15289300000016

第16章

The plain facts, as stated by the engineer, were briefly these: Frank was not possessed of the necessary abilities to fit him for his new calling; and it was useless to waste time by keeping him any longer in an employment for which he had no vocation. This, after three years' trial, being the conviction on both sides, the master had thought it the most straightforward course for the pupil to go home and candidly place results before his father and his friends. In some other pursuit, for which he was more fit, and in which he could feel an interest, he would no doubt display the industry and perseverance which he had been too much discouraged to practice in the profession that he had now abandoned. Personally, he was liked by all who knew him; and his future prosperity was heartily desired by the many friends whom he had made in the North. Such was the substance of the report, and so it came to an end.

Many men would have thought the engineer's statement rather too carefully worded; and, suspecting him of trying to make the best of a bad case, would have entertained serious doubts on the subject of Frank's future. Mr. Vanstone was too easy-tempered and sanguine--and too anxious, as well, not to yield his old antagonist an inch more ground than he could help--to look at the letter from any such unfavorable point of view. Was it Frank's fault if he had not got the stuff in him that engineers were made of? Did no other young men ever begin life with a false start? Plenty began in that way, and got over it, and did wonders afterward. With these commentaries on the letter, the kind-hearted gentleman patted Frank on the shoulder. "Cheer up, my lad!" said Mr. Vanstone. "We will be even with your father one of these days, though he has won the wager this time!"The example thus set by the master of the house was followed at once by the family--with the solitary exception of Norah, whose incurable formality and reserve expressed themselves, not too graciously, in her distant manner toward the visitor. The rest, led by Magdalen (who had been Frank's favorite playfellow in past times) glided back into their old easy habits with him without an effort. He was "Frank" with all of them but Norah, who persisted in addressing him as "Mr. Clare." Even the account he was now encouraged to give of the reception accorded to him by his father, on the previous night, failed to disturb Norah's gravity. She sat with her dark, handsome face steadily averted, her eyes cast down, and the rich color in her cheeks warmer and deeper than usual. All the rest, Miss Garth included, found old Mr. Clare's speech of welcome to his son quite irresistible. The noise and merriment were at their height when the servant came in, and struck the whole party dumb by the announcement of visitors in the drawing-room. "Mr. Marrable, Mrs. Marrable, and Miss Marrable; Evergreen Lodge, Clifton."Norah rose as readily as if the new arrivals had been a relief to her mind. Mrs. Vanstone was the next to leave her chair. These two went away first, to receive the visitors. Magdalen, who preferred the society of her father and Frank, pleaded hard to be left behind; but Miss Garth, after granting five minutes' grace, took her into custody and marched her out of the room. Frank rose to take his leave.

"No, no," said Mr. Vanstone, detaining him. "Don't go. These people won't stop long. Mr. Marrable's a merchant at Bristol. I've met him once or twice, when the girls forced me to take them to parties at Clifton. Mere acquaintances, nothing more. Come and smoke a cigar in the greenhouse. Hang all visitors--they worry one's life out. I'll appear at the last moment with an apology; and you shall follow me at a safe distance, and be a proof that I was really engaged."Proposing this ingenious stratagem in a confidential whisper, Mr. Vanstone took Frank's arm and led him round the house by the back way. The first ten minutes of seclusion in the conservatory passed without events of any kind. At the end of that time, a flying figure in bright garments flashed upon the two gentlemen through the glass--the door was flung open--flower-pots fell in homage to passing petticoats--and Mr. Vanstone's youngest daughter ran up to him at headlong speed, with every external appearance of having suddenly taken leave of her senses.

"Papa! the dream of my whole life is realized," she said, as soon as she could speak. "I shall fly through the roof of the greenhouse if somebody doesn't hold me down. The Marrables have come here with an invitation. Guess, you darling--guess what they're going to give at Evergreen Lodge!""A ball!" said Mr. Vanstone, without a moment's hesitation.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 解梦自查

    解梦自查

    人总是做着五彩缤纷的梦,而梦境事实上是在预示和启迪着你的人生前途。究竟什么是“梦”呢?梦是窥探内心的一面隐秘之镜,是另一种虚幻却又真实的人生体验。本书是在吸纳古今中外著名的解梦大师、心理学家们对梦研究的卓越成果的基础上编写而成的。其目的在于帮助读者朋友们用理性的态度认识梦,用科学的方法解析梦,用辩证的观点看待梦,从而能够驾驭自己的梦。
  • 绝世杀手穿越草包变天才

    绝世杀手穿越草包变天才

    谁来告诉她这是怎么一回事?穿越就算了,毕竟这是潮流。可是!她前世好歹是个二十好几的美女,咋穿越后就变成了一八岁的小女娃?!咋办?凉拌!好吧,就算只有八岁那又怎么样,她依旧是慕容浅语,她有这本事!更何况,这一世她不再是一个人,她有了朋友有了家人,还有……
  • 再回首,与你擦肩而过

    再回首,与你擦肩而过

    沐芷若心中一直有一个缺口,他叫伊洛泽。他对她说我会回来的一定,可是她一守便是十年。还好你终归是回来了,在我希望耗尽的时候。
  • 偶的波斯猫王子

    偶的波斯猫王子

    ”你叫叶初雪?”一个长的绝美的男子斜靠在门口,逆着灯光,叶初雪看着面前的男子,好帅,“从此你就是我的助理!“叶初雪不明所以的看着冷净炫,帅又怎么样,天天就会欺负我,————————分割线——————”你好我叫上官煜“一头黑丝的碎发,白皙的肤色,深蓝色的双眸中透着很深的疏离感,完美到无可挑剔的俊脸......."小心"上官煜抱过摔下的叶初夏,好熟悉的味道,好像在哪里闻到过,闻着他好安心”你没事吧“叶初雪抬头看着面前的上官煜,为什么为什么有一种很不真实的感觉,感觉他仿佛就是我身边的....一个很重要的....
  • 我们d约定

    我们d约定

    是他......他在一次旅行拿了我的初吻,现在还要我来照顾他,不行,可是天使又使用了他的笑容来威胁我了,害我只好答应
  • 豪门诱爱,总裁别太坏

    豪门诱爱,总裁别太坏

    许伊宁觉得自己上辈子一定是眼瞎,才会嫁给渣男,被闺蜜背叛,最后落得家破人亡,孩子流产,自己也被害死。这一辈子,她为复仇而来,却半路被人劫了心,纠缠不休。这位总裁,请你不要使坏!
  • 《盛世奇缘之天作之合》

    《盛世奇缘之天作之合》

    一个庶女,被世人称之为废物,好吧!废物就废物。一个王爷,被世人看好的天之娇子,却拒绝了大统天下。两人相遇,相识,相恋。分别……又相遇…她,带着两个孩子,游走世间各地,只为找回孩子的爹。她为何会有两个孩子呢!他都已经不在她们的身边了,她为何还要找回来?是为了什么?他,每日活在悔恨中,只求最在乎的两个人的消息。他,看着这熟悉的苑落,他想了又想,念了又念。她如今可还好?如今在哪里?胖了?还是瘦了?孩子乖不乖?有没有闹她,她有没有……想他。眼泪划过脸颊……
  • 都市超级兵王

    都市超级兵王

    这是一个混迹都市的兵王,不断被逆推的故事!荡气回肠、精彩纷呈,尽在《都市超级兵王》!
  • 拾真之路

    拾真之路

    当今世间,修真之风盛行。修真之术,有金、木、水、火、土五行属性之分,泾渭分明,人人与生俱来皆有自身对应属性,运用种种密法将之催发到极致,几可呼风唤雨、竟有震撼天地之威。楚开,楚家历史上前所未有的“怪才”。3岁识字,5岁熟读上古经典,7岁已精通琴棋书画、音律医术,人人谓之曰神童;怪在怪在,如此神童,自身属性居然一无所有。一无是处者除了浪费粮食还有何用?遂好事之人皆谓之曰废物。家道中落、寄人篱下,曾经的贵公子尝尽世间百态;五行缺五行的废物如何在弱肉强食的修真界行走,甚至生存?拾是寻找,是探索。这是一个关于成长的故事。天道无情、人心有情;天地不仁、人心有仁,所以,这也是一个关于“情”的故事。
  • 那年夏天我们遇见

    那年夏天我们遇见

    在这里,你们可以看到自己的原型,这同样也是每个人都会经历的。但每个人的青春又是不同的,你们可以看到狂放不羁的叛逆少年,娇小可爱的邻家妹妹,严厉无比的麻辣教师。。。。。。一切的一切我们都经历过,可又完全吗?回答是不。看看这本书吧,或许你能找回那年的自己!