章节正文
together in private, we shall be once more mother and
son."
"I am afraid you will spoil all," said Jonas. "Old
Granville will suspect something if you seem to care
too much for me."
The selfish nature of Jonas was cropping out, and
his mother felt, with a pang, that he would be
reconciled to part with her forever for the sake of the
brilliant prospects and the large fortune which Mr.
Granville could offer him.
She was outwardly cold, but such affection as she
was capable of she expended on this graceless and
ungrateful boy.
"You seem to forget that I may have some feeling
in the matter," said Mrs. Brent coldly, but with
inward pain. "If the result of this plan were to be
that we should be permanently separated, I would
never consent to it."
"Just as you like, mother," said Jonas, with an
ill grace. "I don't look much like Phil."
"No, there will be a difficulty. Still Mr.
Granville has never seen Philip since he was three years
old, and that is in our favor. He thinks I am Mr.
Brent's first wife."
"Shall you tell him?"
"I don't know. I will be guided by circumstances.
Perhaps it may be best. I wouldn't like to have it
discovered that I had deceived him in that."
"How are you going to manage about this place,
mother?"
"I am going to write to your Uncle Jonas to take
charge of it. I will let him have it at a nominal
rent. Then, if our plan miscarries we shall have a
place to come back to."
"Were you ever in Philadelphia, mother?"
"No; but there will be no trouble in journeying
there. I shall pack your clothes and my own to-
night. Of course, Jonas, when you meet Mr. Granville
you must seem to be fond of him. Then you
must tell him how kind I have been to you. In fact,
you must act precisely as Philip might be expected
to do."
"Yes, mother; and you must be careful not to call
me Jonas. That will spoil all, you know."
"Rest assured that I shall be on my guard. If
you are as careful as I am, Philip----"
Jonas burst into a guffaw at the new name.
"It's just like play-acting, mother," he said.
"But it will pay better," said Mrs. Brent quietly.
"I think it will be best for me to begin calling you
Philip at once--that is, as soon as we have left
town--so that we may both get accustomed to it."
"All right, mother. You've got a good headpiece."
"I will manage things properly. If you consent
to be guided by me, all will be right."
"Oh, I'll do it mother. I wish we were on our
way."
"You can go to bed if you like. I must stay up
late to-night. I have to pack our trunks."
The next day the pair of adventurers left
Gresham. From the earliest available point Mrs.
Brent telegraphed to Mr. Granville that she was on
her way, with the son from whom he had so long
been separated.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE CONSPIRACY SUCCEEDS.
In a handsome private parlor at the Continental
Hotel a man of about forty-five years
of age sat in an easy-chair. He was of middle
height, rather dark complexion, and a pleasant
expression. His right foot was bandaged, and rested
on a chair. The morning Daily Ledger was in his
hand, but he was not reading. His mind, judging
from his absorbed look, was occupied with other
thoughts.
"I can hardly realize," he said half-aloud, "that
my boy will so soon be restored to my arms. We
have been separated by a cruel fate, but we shall
soon be together again. I remember how the dear
child looked when I left him at Fultonville in the
care of the kind inn-keeper. I am sorry he is dead,
but his widow shall be suitably repaid for her kind
devotion."
He had reached this point when a knock was
heard at the door.
"Come in!" said Mr. Granville.
A servant of the hotel appeared.
"A lady and a boy are in the parlor below, sir.
They wish to see you."
Though Mr. Granville had considerable control
over his feelings, his heart beat fast when he heard
these words.
"Will you show them up at once?" he said, in a
tone which showed some trace of agitation.
The servant bore the message to Mrs. Brent and
Jonas, who were sitting in the hotel parlor.
If Mr. Granville was agitated, the two conspirators
were not wholly at their ease. There was a red spot
on each of Mrs. Brent's cheeks--her way of expressing
emotion--and Jonas was fidgeting about uneasily
in his chair, staring about him curiously.
"Mind what I told you," said his mother, in a low
voice. "Remember to act like a boy who has suddenly
been restored to his long-lost father. Everything
depends on first impressions."
"I wish it was all over; I wish I was out of it,"
said Jonas, wiping the perspiration from his face.
"Suppose he suspects?"
"He won't if you do as I tell you. Don't look
gawky, but act naturally."
Just then the servant reappeared.
"You are to come up-stairs," he said. "The
gentleman will see you."
"Thank you," said Mrs. Brent, rising. "Come."
Jonas rose, and with the manner of a cur that
expected a whipping, followed his mother and the
servant.
"It's only one flight," said the servant, "but we
can take the elevator."
"It is of no consequence," Mrs. Brent began, but
Jonas said eagerly:
"Let's ride on the elevator, ma!"
"Very well, Philip," said Mrs. Brent.
A minute later the two stood at the door of Mr.
Granville's room. Next they stood in his presence.
Mr. Granville, looking eagerly toward the door,
passed over Mrs. Brent, and his glance rested on the
boy who followed her. He started, and there was a
quick feeling of disappointment. He had been picturing
to himself how his lost boy would look, but
none of his visions resembled the awkward-looking
boy who stood sheepishly by the side of Mrs. Brent.
"Mr. Granville, I presume," said the lady.
"Yes, madam. You are----"
"Mrs. Brent, and this," pointing to Jonas, "is the
boy you left at Fultonville thirteen years ago.
Philip, go to your father."
Jonas advancedawkwardly to Mr. Granville's
chair, and said in parrot-like tones:
"I'm so glad to see you, pa!"
"And you are really Philip?" said Mr. Granville
slowly.
"Yes, I'm Philip Brent; but I suppose my name
is Granville now."
"Come here, my boy!"
Mr. Granville drew the boy to him, and looked
earnestly in his face, then kissed him affectionately.
"He has changed since he was a little child, Mrs.
Brent," he said, with a half-sigh.
"That's to be expected, sir. He was only three
years old when you left him with us."
"But it seems to me that his hair and complexion
are lighter."
"You can judge of that better than I," said Mrs.
Brent plausibly. "To me, who have seen him daily,
the change was not perceptible."
"I am greatly indebted to you for your devoted
care--to you and your husband. I am grieved to
hear that Mr. Brent is dead."
"Yes, sir; he left me six months since. It was a
grievous loss. Ah, sir, when I give up Philip also, I
shall feel quite alone in the world," and she pressed
a handkerchief to her eyes. "You see, I have come
to look upon him as my own boy!"
"My dear madam, don't think that I shall be so
cruel as to take him from you. Though I wish him
now to live with me, you must accompany him. My
home shall be yours if you are willing to accept a
room in my house and a seat at my table."
"Oh, Mr. Granville, how can I thank you for your
great kindness? Ever since I received your letter
I have been depressed with the thought that I
should lose dear Philip. If I had a child of my own
it would be different; but, having none, my affections
are centered upon him."
"And very naturally," said Mr. Granville. "We
become attached to those whom we benefit. Doubtless
he feels a like affection for you. You love this
good lady, Philip, who has supplied to you the place
of your own mother, who died in your infancy, do
you not?"
"Yes, sir," answered Jonas stolidly. "But I want
to live with my pa!"
"To be sure you shall. My boy, we have been
separated too long already. Henceforth we will live
together, and Mrs. Brent shall live with us."
"Where do you live, pa?" asked Jonas.
"I have a country-seat a few miles from Chicago,"
answered Mr. Granville. "We will go there as soon
as I am well enough. I ought to apologize, Mrs.
Brent, for inviting you up to my room, but my rheumatism
makes me a prisoner."
"I hope your rheumatism will soon leave you,
sir."
"I think it will. I have an excellent physician,
and already I am much better. I may, however,
have to remain here a few days yet."
"And where do you wish Philip and I to remain
in the meantime?"
"Here, of course. Philip, will you ring the bell?"
"I don't see any bell," answered Jonas, bewildered.
son."
"I am afraid you will spoil all," said Jonas. "Old
Granville will suspect something if you seem to care
too much for me."
The selfish nature of Jonas was cropping out, and
his mother felt, with a pang, that he would be
reconciled to part with her forever for the sake of the
brilliant prospects and the large fortune which Mr.
Granville could offer him.
She was outwardly cold, but such affection as she
was capable of she expended on this graceless and
ungrateful boy.
"You seem to forget that I may have some feeling
in the matter," said Mrs. Brent coldly, but with
inward pain. "If the result of this plan were to be
that we should be permanently separated, I would
never consent to it."
"Just as you like, mother," said Jonas, with an
ill grace. "I don't look much like Phil."
"No, there will be a difficulty. Still Mr.
Granville has never seen Philip since he was three years
old, and that is in our favor. He thinks I am Mr.
Brent's first wife."
"Shall you tell him?"
"I don't know. I will be guided by circumstances.
Perhaps it may be best. I wouldn't like to have it
discovered that I had deceived him in that."
"How are you going to manage about this place,
mother?"
"I am going to write to your Uncle Jonas to take
charge of it. I will let him have it at a nominal
rent. Then, if our plan miscarries we shall have a
place to come back to."
"Were you ever in Philadelphia, mother?"
"No; but there will be no trouble in journeying
there. I shall pack your clothes and my own to-
night. Of course, Jonas, when you meet Mr. Granville
you must seem to be fond of him. Then you
must tell him how kind I have been to you. In fact,
you must act precisely as Philip might be expected
to do."
"Yes, mother; and you must be careful not to call
me Jonas. That will spoil all, you know."
"Rest assured that I shall be on my guard. If
you are as careful as I am, Philip----"
Jonas burst into a guffaw at the new name.
"It's just like play-acting, mother," he said.
"But it will pay better," said Mrs. Brent quietly.
"I think it will be best for me to begin calling you
Philip at once--that is, as soon as we have left
town--so that we may both get accustomed to it."
"All right, mother. You've got a good headpiece."
"I will manage things properly. If you consent
to be guided by me, all will be right."
"Oh, I'll do it mother. I wish we were on our
way."
"You can go to bed if you like. I must stay up
late to-night. I have to pack our trunks."
The next day the pair of adventurers left
Gresham. From the earliest available point Mrs.
Brent telegraphed to Mr. Granville that she was on
her way, with the son from whom he had so long
been separated.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE CONSPIRACY SUCCEEDS.
In a handsome private parlor at the Continental
Hotel a man of about forty-five years
of age sat in an easy-chair. He was of middle
height, rather dark complexion, and a pleasant
expression. His right foot was bandaged, and rested
on a chair. The morning Daily Ledger was in his
hand, but he was not reading. His mind, judging
from his absorbed look, was occupied with other
thoughts.
"I can hardly realize," he said half-aloud, "that
my boy will so soon be restored to my arms. We
have been separated by a cruel fate, but we shall
soon be together again. I remember how the dear
child looked when I left him at Fultonville in the
care of the kind inn-keeper. I am sorry he is dead,
but his widow shall be suitably repaid for her kind
devotion."
He had reached this point when a knock was
heard at the door.
"Come in!" said Mr. Granville.
A servant of the hotel appeared.
"A lady and a boy are in the parlor below, sir.
They wish to see you."
Though Mr. Granville had considerable control
over his feelings, his heart beat fast when he heard
these words.
"Will you show them up at once?" he said, in a
tone which showed some trace of agitation.
The servant bore the message to Mrs. Brent and
Jonas, who were sitting in the hotel parlor.
If Mr. Granville was agitated, the two conspirators
were not wholly at their ease. There was a red spot
on each of Mrs. Brent's cheeks--her way of expressing
emotion--and Jonas was fidgeting about uneasily
in his chair, staring about him curiously.
"Mind what I told you," said his mother, in a low
voice. "Remember to act like a boy who has suddenly
been restored to his long-lost father. Everything
depends on first impressions."
"I wish it was all over; I wish I was out of it,"
said Jonas, wiping the perspiration from his face.
"Suppose he suspects?"
"He won't if you do as I tell you. Don't look
gawky, but act naturally."
Just then the servant reappeared.
"You are to come up-stairs," he said. "The
gentleman will see you."
"Thank you," said Mrs. Brent, rising. "Come."
Jonas rose, and with the manner of a cur that
expected a whipping, followed his mother and the
servant.
"It's only one flight," said the servant, "but we
can take the elevator."
"It is of no consequence," Mrs. Brent began, but
Jonas said eagerly:
"Let's ride on the elevator, ma!"
"Very well, Philip," said Mrs. Brent.
A minute later the two stood at the door of Mr.
Granville's room. Next they stood in his presence.
Mr. Granville, looking eagerly toward the door,
passed over Mrs. Brent, and his glance rested on the
boy who followed her. He started, and there was a
quick feeling of disappointment. He had been picturing
to himself how his lost boy would look, but
none of his visions resembled the awkward-looking
boy who stood sheepishly by the side of Mrs. Brent.
"Mr. Granville, I presume," said the lady.
"Yes, madam. You are----"
"Mrs. Brent, and this," pointing to Jonas, "is the
boy you left at Fultonville thirteen years ago.
Philip, go to your father."
Jonas advancedawkwardly to Mr. Granville's
chair, and said in parrot-like tones:
"I'm so glad to see you, pa!"
"And you are really Philip?" said Mr. Granville
slowly.
"Yes, I'm Philip Brent; but I suppose my name
is Granville now."
"Come here, my boy!"
Mr. Granville drew the boy to him, and looked
earnestly in his face, then kissed him affectionately.
"He has changed since he was a little child, Mrs.
Brent," he said, with a half-sigh.
"That's to be expected, sir. He was only three
years old when you left him with us."
"But it seems to me that his hair and complexion
are lighter."
"You can judge of that better than I," said Mrs.
Brent plausibly. "To me, who have seen him daily,
the change was not perceptible."
"I am greatly indebted to you for your devoted
care--to you and your husband. I am grieved to
hear that Mr. Brent is dead."
"Yes, sir; he left me six months since. It was a
grievous loss. Ah, sir, when I give up Philip also, I
shall feel quite alone in the world," and she pressed
a handkerchief to her eyes. "You see, I have come
to look upon him as my own boy!"
"My dear madam, don't think that I shall be so
cruel as to take him from you. Though I wish him
now to live with me, you must accompany him. My
home shall be yours if you are willing to accept a
room in my house and a seat at my table."
"Oh, Mr. Granville, how can I thank you for your
great kindness? Ever since I received your letter
I have been depressed with the thought that I
should lose dear Philip. If I had a child of my own
it would be different; but, having none, my affections
are centered upon him."
"And very naturally," said Mr. Granville. "We
become attached to those whom we benefit. Doubtless
he feels a like affection for you. You love this
good lady, Philip, who has supplied to you the place
of your own mother, who died in your infancy, do
you not?"
"Yes, sir," answered Jonas stolidly. "But I want
to live with my pa!"
"To be sure you shall. My boy, we have been
separated too long already. Henceforth we will live
together, and Mrs. Brent shall live with us."
"Where do you live, pa?" asked Jonas.
"I have a country-seat a few miles from Chicago,"
answered Mr. Granville. "We will go there as soon
as I am well enough. I ought to apologize, Mrs.
Brent, for inviting you up to my room, but my rheumatism
makes me a prisoner."
"I hope your rheumatism will soon leave you,
sir."
"I think it will. I have an excellent physician,
and already I am much better. I may, however,
have to remain here a few days yet."
"And where do you wish Philip and I to remain
in the meantime?"
"Here, of course. Philip, will you ring the bell?"
"I don't see any bell," answered Jonas, bewildered.
- suspect [´sʌspekt, sə´spekt]
v.怀疑；觉得 n.嫌疑犯 (初中英语单词) - selfish [´selfiʃ] a.自私的，利己的 (初中英语单词)
- affection [ə´fekʃən] n.友爱；慈爱 (初中英语单词)
- capable [´keipəbəl] a.有能力；能干的 (初中英语单词)
- coldly [´kəuldli] ad.冷淡地 (初中英语单词)
- properly [´prɔpəli] ad.适当地；严格地 (初中英语单词)
- available [ə´veiləbəl] a.可用的；有效的 (初中英语单词)
- parlor [´pɑ:lə] n.客厅；起居室 (初中英语单词)
- reading [´ri:diŋ] n.(阅)读；朗读；读物 (初中英语单词)
- considerable [kən´sidərəbəl] a.重要的；值得重视 (初中英语单词)
- wholly [´həul-li] ad.完全，十足；统统 (初中英语单词)
- eagerly [´i:gəli] ad.渴望地，急切地 (初中英语单词)
- disappointment [,disə´pɔintmənt] n.失望；挫折 (初中英语单词)
- advanced [əd´vɑ:nst] a.先进的；高级的 (初中英语单词)
- handkerchief [´hæŋkətʃif] n.手帕，手绢 (初中英语单词)
- willing [´wiliŋ] a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词)
- henceforth [´hens´fɔ:θ] ad.今后；从今以后 (初中英语单词)
- precisely [pri´saisli] ad.精确地；刻板地 (高中英语单词)
- conspiracy [kən´spirəsi] n.密谋；协同作用 (高中英语单词)
- complexion [kəm´plekʃən] n.肤色；情况；局面 (高中英语单词)
- elevator [´eliveitə] n.电梯；升降机 (高中英语单词)
- permanently [´pə:mənəntli] ad.永久地；持久地 (英语四级单词)
- awkwardly [´ɔ:kwədli] a.笨拙地；棘手地 (英语四级单词)
- infancy [´infənsi] n.婴儿期；初期 (英语四级单词)
- rheumatism [´ru:mətizəm] n.风湿病 (英语四级单词)
- assured [ə´ʃuəd] a.确实的 n.被保险人 (英语六级单词)
- calling [´kɔ:liŋ] n.点名；职业；欲望 (英语六级单词)
- indebted [in´detid] a.负债的；感恩的 (英语六级单词)
- depressed [di´prest] a.消沉的；萧条的 (英语六级单词)
- inviting [in´vaitiŋ] a.动人的 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
章节正文
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