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The Black Dwarf-Part18_WALTER SCOTT(1771-1832)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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intercourse, or conversation, displayed the powers of an active

and well-informed mind. For some time before taking up his final



residence at the castle, he had been an occasionalvisitor there,

and was at such times treated by Mr. Vere (contrary to his



general practice towards those who were inferior to him in rank)

with marked attention, and even deference. Yet his arrival



always appeared to be an embarrassment to his host, and his

departure a relief; so that, when he became a constantinmate of



the family, it was impossible not to observe indications of the

displeasure with which Mr. Vere regarded his presence. Indeed,



their intercourse formed a singularmixture of confidence and

constraint. Mr. Vere's most important affairs were regulated by



Mr. Ratcliffe; and although he was none of those indulgent men of

fortune, who, too indolent to manage their own business, are glad



to devolve it upon another, yet, in many instances, he was

observed to give up his own judgment, and submit to the contrary



opinions which Mr. Ratcliffe did not hesitatedistinctly to

express.



Nothing seemed to vex Mr. Vere more than when strangers indicated

any observation of the state of tutelage under which he appeared



to labour. When it was noticed by Sir Frederick, or any of his

intimates, he sometimes repelled their remarks haughtily and



indignantly, and sometimes endeavoured to evade them, by saying,

with a forced laugh, "That Ratcliffe knew his own importance, but



that he was the most honest and skilful fellow in the world; and

that it would be impossible for him to manage his English affairs



without his advice and assistance." Such was the person who

entered the room at the moment Mr. Vere was summoning him to his



presence, and who now heard with surprise, mingled with obvious

incredulity, the hasty narrative of what had befallen Isabella.



Her father concluded, addressing Sir Frederick and the other

gentlemen, who stood around in astonishment, "And now, my



friends, you see the most unhappy father in Scotland. Lend me

your assistance, gentlemen--give me your advice, Mr. Ratcliffe.



I am incapable of acting, or thinking, under the unexpected

violence of such a blow."



"Let us take our horses, call our attendants, and scour the

country in pursuit of the villains," said Sir Frederick.



"Is there no one whom you can suspect," said Ratcliffe, gravely,

"of having some motive for this strange crime? These are not the



days of romance, when ladies are carried off merely for their

beauty."



"I fear," said Mr. Vere, "I can too well account for this strange

incident. Read this letter, which Miss Lucy Ilderton thought fit



to address from my house of Ellieslaw to young Mr. Earnscliff;

whom, of all men, I have a hereditary right to call my enemy.



You see she writes to him as the confidant of a passion which he

has the assurance to entertain for my daughter; tells him she



serves his cause with her friend very ardently, but that he has a

friend in the garrison who serves him yet more effectually. Look



particularly at the pencilled passages, Mr. Ratcliffe, where this

meddling girl recommends bold measures, with an assurance that



his suit would be successful anywhere beyond the bounds of the

barony of Ellieslaw."



"And you argue, from this romantic letter of a very romantic

young lady, Mr. Vere," said Ratcliffe, "that young Earnscliff has



carried off your daughter, and committed a very great and

criminal act of violence, on no better advice and assurance than



that of Miss Lucy Ilderton?"

"What else can I think?" said Ellieslaw.



"What else CAN you think?" said Sir Frederick; "or who else

could have any motive for committing such a crime?"



"Were that the best mode of fixing the guilt," said Mr.

Ratcliffe, calmly, "there might easily be pointed out persons to



whom such actions are more congenial, and who have also




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