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The Black Dwarf-Part26_WALTER SCOTT(1771-1832)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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death such a costly mausoleum in affected sorrow; others cleared

him from the imputation of hypocrisy, and averred that the



monument had been constructed under the direction and at the sole

expense of Mr. Ratcliffe.



Before these monuments the wedding guests were assembled. They

were few in number; for many had left the castle to prepare for



the ensuing political explosion, and Ellieslaw was, in the

circumstances of the case, far from being desirous to extend



invitations farther than to those near relations whose presence

the custom of the country rendered indispensable. Next to the



altar stood Sir Frederick Langley, dark, moody, and thoughtful,

even beyond his wont, and near him, Mareschal, who was to play



the part of bridesman, as it was called. The thoughtless humour

of this young gentleman, on which he never deigned to place the



least restraint, added to the cloud which overhung the brow of

the bridegroom



"The bride is not yet come out of her chamber," he whispered to

Sir Frederick; "I trust that we must not have recourse to the



violent expedients of the Romans which I read of at College. It

would be hard upon my pretty cousin to be run away with twice in



two days, though I know none better worth such a violent

compliment."



Sir Frederick attempted to turn a deaf ear to this discourse,

humming a tune, and looking another may, but Mareschal proceeded



in the same wild manner.

"This delay is hard upon Dr. Hobbler, who was disturbed to



accelerate preparations for this joyful event when he had

successfully extracted the cork of his third bottle. I hope you



will keep him free of the censure of his superiors, for I take it

this is beyond canonical hours.--But here come Ellieslaw and my



pretty cousin--prettier than ever, I think, were it not she seems

so faint and so deadly pale--Hark ye, Sir Knight, if she says not



YES with right good-will, it shall be no wedding, for all that

has come and gone yet."



"No wedding, sir?" returned Sir Frederick, in a loud whisper,

the tone of which indicated that his angry feelings were



suppressed with difficulty.

"No--no marriage," replied Mareschal, "there's my hand and glove



on't."

Sir Frederick Langley took his hand, and as he wrung it hard,



said in a lower whisper, "Mareschal, you shall answer this," and

then flung his hand from him.



"That I will readily do," said Mareschal, "for never word escaped

my lips that my hand was not ready to guarantee.- So, speak up,



my pretty cousin, and tell me if it be your free will and

unbiassed resolution to accept of this gallantknight for your



lord and husband; for if you have the tenth part of a scruple

upon the subject, fall back, fall edge, he shall not have you."



"Are you mad, Mr. Mareschal?" said Ellieslaw, who, having been

this young man's guardian during his minority, often employed a



tone of authority to him. "Do you suppose I would drag my

daughter to the foot of the altar, were it not her own choice?"



"Tut, Ellieslaw," retorted the young gentleman, "never tell me of

the contrary; her eyes are full of tears, and her cheeks are



whiter than her white dress. I must insist, in the name of

common humanity, that the ceremony be adjourned till to-morrow."



"She shall tell you herself, thou incorrigible intermeddler in

what concerns thee not, that it is her wish the ceremony should



go on--Is it not, Isabella, my dear?"

"It is," said Isabella, half fainting--"since there is no help,



either in God or man."

The first word alone was distinctlyaudible. Mareschal shrugged



up his shoulders and stepped back. Ellieslaw led, or rather

supported, his daughter to the altar. Sir Frederick moved



forward and placed himself by her side. The clergyman opened his

prayer-book, and looked to Mr. Vere for the signal to commence



the service.

"Proceed," said the latter.



But a voice, as if issuing from the tomb of his deceased wife,




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