高中英语阅读素材英语名著The Warsons华森夫妇.doc

TheWatsonsJane AustenELECBOOK CLASSICSebc0051. Jane Austen: The WatsonsThis file is free for individual use only. It must not be altered or resold.Organisations wishing to use it must first obtain a licence.Low cost licenses are available. 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UKJaneAusten:TheWatsonsTHEWATSONS3hefirstwinterassemblyintheTownofD.inSurrywastobeheldonTuesdayOctoberthe13th,anditwasgenerallyexpectedtobeaverygoodone;alonglistofCountryFamilieswasconfidentlyrunoverassureofattending,andsanguinehopeswereentertainedthattheOsbornesthemselveswouldbethere.TheEdwardesinvitationtotheWatsonsfollowedofcourse.TheEdwardeswerepeopleoffortunewholivedintheTownandkepttheircoach;theWatsonsinhabitedavillageaboutthreemilesdistant,werepoorandhadnoclosecarriage;andeversincetherehadbeenBallsintheplace,theformerwereaccustomedtoinvitetheLattertodressdineandsleepattheirHouse,oneverymonthlyreturnthroughoutthewinter.Onthepresentoccasion,asonlytwoofMr.W.schildrenwereathome,andonewasalwaysnecessaryascompaniontohimself,forhewassicklyandhadlosthiswife,oneonlycouldprofitbythekindnessoftheirfriends;MissEmmaWatsonwhowasveryrecentlyreturnedtoherfamilyfromthecareofanAuntwhohadbroughtherup,wastomakeherfirstpublicappearanceintheNeighbourhood;andhereldestsister,whosedelightinaBallwasnotlessenedbyatenyearsEnjoyment,hadsomemeritinchearfullyundertakingtodriveherandallherfineryintheoldchairtoD.ontheimportantmorning.AstheysplashedalongthedirtyLaneMissWatsonthusinstructedandcautionedherClassicsinLiterature:JaneAustenElecBookTJaneAusten:TheWatsons4inexperiencedsister.IdaresayitwillbeaverygoodBall,andamongsomanyofficers,youwillhardlywantpartners.YouwillfindMrs.Edwardesmaidverywillingtohelpyou,andIwouldadviseyoutoaskMaryEdwardesopinionifyouareatallatalossforshehasaverygoodTaste.IfMr.E.doesnotlosehismoneyatcards,youwillstayaslateasyoucanwishfor;ifhedoes,hewillhurryyouhomeperhapsbutyouaresureofsomecomfortablesoup.Ihopeyouwillbeingoodlooks.Ishouldnotbesurprisedifyouweretobethoughtoneoftheprettiestgirlsintheroom,thereisagreatdealinNovelty.PerhapsTomMusgravemaytakenoticeofyoubutIwouldadviseyoubyallmeansnottogivehimanyencouragement.Hegenerallypaysattentiontoeverynewgirl,butheisagreatflirtandnevermeansanythingserious.IthinkIhaveheardyouspeakofhimbefore,saidEmma.Whoishe?AyoungManofverygoodfortune,quiteindependant,andremarkablyagreable,anuniversalfavouritewhereverhegoes.Mostofthegirlshereaboutsareinlovewithhim,orhavebeen.IbelieveIamtheonlyoneamongthemthathaveescapedwithawholeheart,andyetIwasthefirsthepaidattentionto,whenhecameintothisCountry,sixyearsago;andverygreatattentionindeeddidhepayme.Somepeoplesaythathehasneverseemedtolikeanygirlsowellsince,thoheisalwaysbehavinginaparticularwaytooneoranother.Andhowcameyourhearttobetheonlycoldone?saidEmmasmiling.TherewasareasonforthatrepliedMissW.changingcolour.IhavenotbeenverywellusedEmmaamongthem,Ihopeyouwillhavebetterluck.DearSister,Ibegyourpardon,ifIhaveunthinkinglygivenyoupain.WhenfirstweknewTomMusgrave,continuedMissW.withoutseemingtohearher,IwasClassicsinLiterature:JaneAustenElecBookJaneAusten:TheWatsons5verymuchattachedtoayoungManofthenameofPurvisaparticularfriendofRoberts,whousedtobewithusagreatdeal.EverybodythoughtitwouldhavebeenaMatch.Asighaccompaniedthesewords,whichEmmarespectedinsilencebuthersisterafterashortpausewentonYouwillnaturallyaskwhyitdidnottakeplace,andwhyheismarriedtoanotherWoman,whileIamstillsingle.ButyoumustaskhimnotmeyoumustaskPenelope.YesEmma,Penelopewasatthebottomofitall.ShethinkseverythingfairforaHusband;Itrustedher,shesethimagainstme,withaviewofgaininghimherselfanditendedinhisdiscontinuinghisvisitsandsoonaftermarryingsomebodyelse.Penelopemakeslightofherconduct,butIthinksuchTreacheryverybad.Ithasbeentheruinofmyhappiness.IshallneverloveanyManasIlovedPurvis.IdonotthinkTomMusgraveshouldbenamedwithhiminthesameday.YouquiteshockmebywhatyousayofPenelopesaidEmma.Couldasisterdosuchathing?Rivalry,Treacherybetweensisters!IshallbeafraidofbeingacquaintedwithherbutIhopeitwasnotso.AppearanceswereagainstherYoudonotknowPenelope.Thereisnothingshewouldnotdotogetmarriedshewouldasgoodastellyousoherself.Donottrustherwithanysecretsofyourown,takewarningbyme,donottrusther;shehashergoodqualities,butshehasnoFaith,noHonour,noScruples,ifshecanpromoteherownadvantage.Iwishwithallmyheartshewaswellmarried.IdeclareIhadratherhaveherwell-marriedthanmyself.Thanyourself!YesIcansupposeso.Aheart,woundedlikeyourscanhavelittleinclinationforMatrimony.Notmuchindeedbutyouknowwemustmarry.IcoulddoverywellsingleformyownpartAlittleCompany,andapleasantBallnowClassicsinLiterature:JaneAustenElecBookJaneAusten:TheWatsons6andthen,wouldbeenoughforme,ifonecouldbeyoungforever,butmyFathercannotprovideforus,anditisverybadtogrowoldandbepoorandlaughedat.IhavelostPurvis,itistruebutveryfewpeoplemarrytheirfirstLoves.IshouldnotrefuseamanbecausehewasnotPurvis.NotthatIcaneverquiteforgivePenelope.Emmashookherheadinacquiescence.PenelopehoweverhashadherTroublescontinuedMissW.shewassadlydisappointedinTomMusgrave,whoafterwardstransferredhisattentionsfrommetoher,andwhomshewasveryfondof;buthenevermeansanythingserious,andwhenhehadtrifledwithherlongenough,hebegantoslightherforMargaret,andpoorPenelopewasverywretched.Andsincethen,shehasbeentryingtomakesomematchatChichester;shewonttelluswithwhom,butIbelieveitisaricholdDr.Harding,Uncletothefriendshegoestosee;andshehastakenavastdealoftroubleabouthimandgivenupagreatdealofTimetonopurposeasyet.Whenshewentawaytheotherdayshesaiditshouldbethelasttime.IsupposeyoudidnotknowwhatherparticularBusinesswasatChichesternorguessattheobjectthatcouldtakeheraway,fromStantonjustasyouwerecominghomeaftersomanyyearsabsence.Noindeed,Ihadnotthesmallestsuspicionofit.IconsideredherengagementtoMrs.Shawjustatthattimeasveryunfortunateforme.Ihadhopedtofindallmysistersathome;tobeabletomakeanimmediatefriendofeach.IsuspecttheDr.tohaveanattackoftheAsthma,andthatshewashurriedawayonthataccounttheShawsarequiteonherside.AtleastIbelievesobutshetellsmenothing.Sheprofessestokeepherowncounsel;shesays,andtrulyenough,that“toomanyCooksspoiltheBroth”.Iamsorryforheranxieties,saidEmma,butClassicsinLiterature:JaneAustenElecBookJaneAusten:TheWatsons7Idonotlikeherplansorheropinions.Ishallbeafraidofher.Shemusthavetoomasculineandboldatemper.TobesobentonMarriagetopursueaManmerelyforthesakeofsituationisasortofthingthatshocksme;Icannotunderstandit.PovertyisagreatEvil,buttoawomanofEducationandfeelingitoughtnot,itcannotbethegreatest.IwouldratherbeTeacherataschool(andIcanthinkofnothingworse)thanmarryaManIdidnotlike.IwouldratherdoanythingthanbeTeacherataschoolsaidhersister.Ihavebeenatschool,Emma,andknowwhataLifetheylead;youneverhave.IshouldnotlikemarryingadisagreableMananymorethanyourself,butIdonotthinktherearemanyverydisagreableMen;IthinkIcouldlikeanygoodhumouredManwithacomfortableIncome.IsupposemyAuntbroughtyouuptoberatherrefined.IndeedIdonotknow.MyconductmusttellyouhowIhavebeenbroughtup.Iamnojudgeofitmyself.IcannotcomparemyAuntsmethodwithanyotherpersons,becauseIknownoother.ButIcanseeinagreatmanythingsthatyouareveryrefined.Ihaveobservediteversinceyoucamehome,andIamafraiditwillnotbeforyourhappiness.Penelopewilllaughatyouverymuch.ThatwillnotbeformyhappinessIamsure.Ifmyopinionsarewrong,Imustcorrectthemiftheyareabovemysituation,Imustendeavourtoconcealthem.ButIdoubtwhetherRidicule,HasPenelopemuchwit?Yesshehasgreatspirits,andnevercareswhatshesays.MargaretismoregentleIimagine?Yesespeciallyincompany;sheisallgentlenessandmildnesswhenanybodyisby.Butsheisalittlefretfulandperverseamongourselves.Poorcreature!sheispossessedwiththenotionofTomMusgravesbeingmoreseriouslyinlovewithher,thanheeverwaswithanyClassicsinLiterature:JaneAustenElecBookJaneAusten:TheWatsons8bodyelse,andisalwaysexpectinghimtocometothepoint.ThisisthesecondtimewithinthistwelvemonththatshehasgonetospendamonthwithRobertandJaneonpurposetoegghimon,byherabsencebutIamsuresheismistaken,andthathewillnomorefollowhertoCroydonnowthanhedidlastMarch.Hewillnevermarryunlesshecanmarrysomebodyverygreat;MissOsborneperhaps,orsomethinginthatstile.YouraccountofthisTomMusgrave,Elizabeth,givesmeverylittleinclinationforhisacquaintance.Youareafraidofhim,Idonotwonderatyou.NoindeedIdislikeanddespisehim.DislikeandDespiseTomMusgrave!No,thatyounevercan.Idefyyounottobedelightedwithhimifhetakesnoticeofyou.IhopehewilldancewithyouandIdaresayhewill,unlesstheOsbornescomewithalargeparty,andthenhewillnotspeaktoanybodyelse.Heseemstohavemostengagingmanners!saidEmma.Well,weshallseehowirresistableMr.TomMusgraveandIfindeachother.IsupposeIshallknowhimassoonasIentertheBall-room;hemustcarrysomeofhisCharminhisface.YouwillnotfindhimintheBall-roomIcantellyou,YouwillgoearlythatMrs.Edwardesmaygetagoodplacebythefire,andhenevercomestilllate;andiftheOsbornesarecoming,hewillwaitinthePassage,andcomeinwiththem.IshouldliketolookinuponyouEmma.IfitwasbutagooddaywithmyFather,Iwouldwrapmyselfup,andJamesshoulddrivemeover,assoonasIhadmadeTeaforhim;andIshouldbewithyoubythetimetheDancingbegan.What!wouldyoucomelateatnightinthisChair?TobesureIwould.There,Isaidyouwereveryrefined;andthatsaninstanceofit.EmmaforamomentmadenoansweratlastshesaidIwishElizabeth,youhadnotmadeapointofmygoingtothisBall,ClassicsinLiterature:JaneAustenElecBookJaneAusten:TheWatsons9Iwishyouweregoinginsteadofme.Yourpleasurewouldbegreaterthanmine.Iamastrangerhere,andknownobodybuttheEdwardes;myEnjoymentthereforemustbeverydoubtful.Yoursamongallyouracquaintancewouldbecertain.Itisnottoolatetochange.VerylittleapologycouldberequisitetotheEdwardes,whomustbemoregladofyourcompanythanofmine,andIshouldmostreadilyreturntomyFather;andshouldnotbeatallafraidtodrivethisquietoldCreature,home.YourCloathesIwouldundertaketofindmeansofsendingtoyou.MydearestEmmacriedElizabethwarmlydoyouthinkIwoulddosuchathing?NotfortheUniversebutIshallneverforgetyourgoodnatureinproposingit.Youmusthaveasweettemperindeed;Inevermetwithanythinglikeit!AndwouldyoureallygiveuptheBall,thatImightbeabletogotoit!BelievemeEmma,Iamnotsoselfishasthatcomesto.No,thoIamnineyearsolderthanyouare,Iwouldnotbethemeansofkeepingyoufrombeingseen.Youareverypretty,anditwouldbeveryhardthatyoushouldnothaveasfairachanceaswehaveallhad,tomakeyourfortune.NoEmma,whoeverstaysathomethiswinter,itshantbeyou.IamsureIshouldneverhaveforgiventhepersonwhokeptmefromaBallatnineteen.Emmaexpressedhergratitude,andforafewminutestheyjoggedoninsilence.Elizabethfirstspoke.YouwilltakenoticewhoMaryEdwardesdanceswith.IwillrememberherpartnersifIcanbutyouknowtheywillbeallstrangerstome.OnlyobservewhethershedanceswithCaptainHunter,morethanonce;Ihavemyfearsinthatquarter.NotthatherFatherorMotherlikeofficers,butifshedoesyouknow,itisalloverwithpoorSam.AndIhavepromisedtowritehimwordwhoshedanceswith.IsSamattachedtoMissClassicsinLiterature:JaneAustenElecBookJaneAusten:TheWatsons10Edwardes?Didnotyouknowthat?HowshouldIknowit?HowshouldIknowinShropshire,whatispassingofthatnatureinSurry?Itisnotlikelythatcircumstancesofsuchdelicacyshouldmakeanypartofthescantycommunicationwhichpassedbetweenyouandmeforthelastfourteenyears.IwonderInevermentioneditwhenIwrote.Sinceyouhavebeenathome,IhavebeensobusywithmypoorFatherandourgreatwashthatIhavehadnoleisuretotellyouanythingbutindeedIconcludedyouknewitall.Hehasbeenverymuchinlovewithherthesetwoyears,anditisagreatdisappointmenttohimthathecannotalwaysgetawaytoourBallsbutMr.Curtiswontoftensparehim,andjustnowitisasicklytimeatGuilfordDoyousupposeMissEdwardesinclinedtolikehim?Iamafraidnot:YouknowsheisanonlyChild,andwillhaveatleasttenthousandpounds.ButstillshemaylikeourBrother.Oh!no.TheEdwardeslookmuchhigher.HerFatherandMotherwouldneverconsenttoit.SamisonlyaSurgeonyouknow.SometimesIthinkshedoeslikehim.ButMaryEdwardesisratherprimandreserved;Idonotalwaysknowwhatshewouldbeat.UnlessSamfeelsonsuregroundswiththeLadyherself,itseemsapitytomethatheshouldbeencouragedtothinkofheratall.AyoungManmustthinkofsomebody,saidElizabethandwhyshouldnothebeasluckyasRobert,whohasgotagoodwifeandsixthousandpounds?WemustnotallexpecttobeindividuallyluckyrepliedEmma.TheLuckofonememberofaFamilyisLucktoall.MineisalltocomeIamsuresaidElizabethgivinganothersightotheremembranceofPurvis.Ihavebeenunluckyenough,andIcannotsaymuchforyou,asmyAuntmarriedagainsofoolishly.WellyouwillhaveagoodBallIdaresay.ThenextturningwillClassicsinLiterature:JaneAustenElecBookJaneAusten:TheWatsons11bringustotheTurnpike.YoumayseetheChurchToweroverthehedge,andtheWhiteHartisclosebyit.IshalllongtoknowwhatyouthinkofTomMusgrave.SuchwerethelastaudiblesoundsofMissWatsonsvoice,beforetheypassedthrotheTurnpikegateandenteredonthepitchingoftheTownthejumblingandnoiseofwhichmadefartherConversationmostthoroughlyundesirable.TheoldMaretrottedheavilyon,wantingnodirectionofthereinstotaketherightTurning,andmakingonlyoneBlunder,inproposingtostopattheMilleners,beforeshedrewuptowardsMr.Edwardesdoor.Mr.E.livedinthebesthouseintheStreet,andthebestintheplace,ifMr.TomlinsontheBankermightbeindulgedincallinghisnewlyerectedHouseattheendoftheTownwithaShrubberyandsweepintheCountry.Mr.E.sHousewashigherthanmostofitsneighbourswithtwowindowsoneachsidethedoor,thewindowsguardedbypostsandchain,thedoorapproachedbyaflightofstonesteps.HerewearesaidElizabethastheCarriageceasedmovingsafelyarrived;andbytheMarketClock,wehavebeenonlyfiveandthirtyminutescoming,whichIthinkisdoingprettywell,thoitwouldbenothingforPenelope.IsnotitaniceTown?TheEdwardeshaveanoblehouseyousee,andtheylivequiteinstile.ThedoorwillbeopenedbyaManinLiverywithapowderdhead,Icantellyou.EmmahadseentheEdwardesonlyonemorningatStanton,theywerethereforeallbutStrangerstoher,andthoherspiritswerebynomeansinsensibletotheexpectedjoysoftheEvening,shefeltalittleuncomfortableinthethoughtofallthatwastoprecedethem.HerconversationwithElizabethtoogivinghersomeveryunpleasantfeelings,withrespecttoherownfamily,hadClassicsinLiterature:JaneAustenElecBookJaneAusten:TheWatsons12madehermoreopentodisagreableimpressionsfromanyothercause,andincreasedhersenseoftheawkwardnessofrushingintoIntimacyonsoslightanacquaintance.TherewasnothinginthemannersofMrs.orMissEdwardestogiveimmediatechangetotheseIdeas;theMotherthoaveryfriendlywoman,hadareservedair,andagreatdealofformalCivilityandthedaughter,agenteellookinggirloftwenty-two,withherhairinpapers,seemedverynaturallytohavecaughtsomethingofthestileoftheMotherwhohadbroughtherup.Emmawassoonlefttoknowwhattheycouldbe,byElizabethsbeingobligedtohurryawayandsomevery,verylanguidremarksontheprobableBrilliancyoftheBall,wereallthatbrokeatintervalsasilenceofhalfanhourbeforetheywerejoinedbytheMasterofthehouse.Mr.Edwardeshadamucheasier,andmorecommunicativeairthantheLadiesoftheFamily;hewasfreshfromtheStreet,andhecamereadytotellwhatevermightinterest.AfteracordialreceptionofEmma,heturnedtohisdaughterwithWellMary,Ibringyougoodnews.TheOsborneswillcertainlybeattheBalltonight.HorsesfortwoCarriagesareorderedfromtheWhiteHart,tobeatOsborneCastlebynine.IamgladofitobservedMrs.E.,becausetheircominggivesacredittoourAssemblies.TheOsbornesbeingknowntohavebeenatthefirstBall,willdisposeagreatmanypeopletoattendthesecond.Itismorethantheydeserve,forinfacttheyaddnothingtothepleasureoftheEvening,theycomesolate,andgosoearly;butGreatPeoplehavealwaystheircharm.Mr.Edwardesproceededtorelateeveryotherlittlearticleofnewswhichhismorningsloungehadsuppliedhimwith,andtheychattedwithgreaterbriskness,tillMrs.E.smomentfordressingarrived,andtheyoungLadieswereClassicsinLiterature:JaneAustenElecBookJaneAusten:TheWatsons13carefullyrecommendedtolosenotime.Emmawasshewntoaverycomfortableapartment,andassoonasMrs.E.scivilitiescouldleavehertoherself,thehappyoccupation,thefirstBlissofaBallbegan.Thegirls,dressinginsomemeasuretogether,grewunavoidablybetteracquainted;EmmafoundinMissE.theshewofgoodsense,amodestunpretendingmind,andagreatwishofobligingandwhentheyreturnedtotheparlourwhereMrs.E.wassittingrespectablyattiredinoneofthetwoSattingownswhichwentthrothewinter,andanewcapfromtheMilliners,theyentereditwithmucheasierfeelingsandmorenaturalsmilesthantheyhadtakenaway.Theirdresswasnowtobeexamined;Mrs.Edwardsacknowledgedherselftooold-fashionedtoapproveofeverymodernextravagancehoweversanctionedandthocomplacentlyvi