Chapter 4 CHAPTER IV THE BALL IN THE GARDEN OF SAINT AUBI
Two years have passed in a blink of an eye, and I will be sixteen next May.
Aunt Sophie said: "I think you will graduate in a year, and I don't know what to do with you. You have to go out and make more friends. When I was your age, the topic of every day was always 'social' Entertainment'. I think Tamaris will have some kind of dance or something: I don't know about Rachel, maybe her aunt has other plans for her, I'll talk to her another day."
My favorite thing is to go home on vacation.Aunt Sophie always picks me up at the station, has never been absent over the years, and she's the best guardian ever; Temaris and Rachel never come to pick them up.Seeing the envious looks on Tamariss and Rachel's faces made me so proud - because she was my Aunt Sophie!
After dropping Tamaris and Rachel home, we'd go back to the Yamanashi House, where there was always tea or lunch ready - depending on the time - and I'd start talking about the school. living, while Aunt Sophie and Lily listened intently.I found it amazing that these old things sounded really interesting--much better than they were when they happened.
Lily said, "I think you must have had a good time at school."
One day, Aunt Sophie told me a piece of news.
"Anyway," said Aunt Sophie, "there's been a rumor—just a rumour—that there might be a wedding at St Aubie's soon."
"Oh? Why didn't Temaris mention it?"
"You've just come home, haven't you? And it's only happened within a month or two. The heroine, Miss Fiona Charleton, is the earl's daughter, and that's just right, even Lady St. I agree. Hey, it's time for Chris Pai to settle down...since the first marriage change."
"You mean he's going to marry this Miss Fiona Charlton?"
"It hasn't been announced yet. She and her mother lived in the St. Abby's Mansion for a while, and visited the ancestral property. All this seems very promising...Of course, it is still too early to draw conclusions. Maybe the first One experience made him more cautious."
"Just because he was married?"
"Men always become more cautious when they encounter this kind of misfortune, but I don't think he is an easy person to live with; otherwise she would not leave him. And before she had time to enjoy the new life she chose , but died in a train accident."
"Have you seen Miss Fiona?"
"Saw it once. She rode out with him and we didn't introduce each other formally, just saying things like 'it's a nice morning' and 'good day'. Not pretty, but the power of the family can make up for it."
"Temaris will tell me all about it," I said.
"The whole village is waiting to see a good show!"
"These people just like to meddle in their own business."
"God bless them, because their own lives are so mundane that they look for excitement in other people."
I have been thinking of Chris Pie since then, and the way he took me away from that horrible scene, and I have taken a special interest in him after that—no, earlier than that; From the moment the soul is stabbed all over the body.I would love to talk about him with Temalis, but I dare not; I cannot take it lightly with Temalis.
As soon as I got home, the first person I called on must have been Flora of Seven Magpie House, as I privately and romantically named it.
I don't think Lucy welcomes me to visit them; but Flora likes me to go, so I choose to visit Flora while Lucy is out shopping, and then sneak back so that Lucy doesn't will find out.
Once, Flora was sitting in the garden not far from the dwarf mulberry tree, with the doll still in the pram beside her.When she saw me, her face immediately lit up with joy and her attitude always looked like I had never left.
"I knew you'd come," she said.
"Really? I just came home from vacation yesterday."
She looked at me in bewilderment, and I continued, "Has anything happened since I left?"
"He's got a bad case of laryngitis; once I thought he wouldn't last! Whenever he starts coughing it scares me to death."
"Is he better now?"
"Strong as a calf, no danger. Disease lurks all around, you know, but luckily he's a little fighter, and nothing can knock him down!"
"I'm glad he's fine."
She nodded and continued to describe the symptoms of pseudomembranous laryngitis. Suddenly, she said, "I'm going to take him upstairs now, the humidity is a bit heavy."
She was pushing the pram towards the back door of the house, and I couldn't resist the temptation to follow her in, and I wanted to see those magpies again and wonder if there was really something evil hiding in them?Maybe, I have to go up and find out.
She gently carried him upstairs: then she sat on the chair and hugged him with both hands, with infinite tenderness and love on her face.
I walked forward to look at the picture of seven magpies. "A sad..." I began to read.
"Er Xi," she said. "Keep reading."
I followed suit, and when it came to the last paragraph, she read out first: "Seven is the secret..." Then she shook her head and said:
"I can't say." She held the doll tightly with a serious face.
There was something weird about it, and the words had a very special meaning to her; what secret?I doubt it.Her mind was full of fantasies, there was no doubt about it: anyone who could see a doll as a baby was basically incapable of normal thinking.
I suddenly became aware of someone downstairs, and immediately said, "It must be your sister who is back."
She didn't answer, and continued to look at her doll.
There was the sound of footsteps in the stairwell—a very heavy one, definitely not Lucy.
The man yelled, "Lucy! Are you there?"
It's Chris Pie.The door was opened suddenly, and he stood there looking at me, then turned to Flora, and then his eyes fell on the picture of seven magpies.
Then something happened that puzzled me.Flora stood up suddenly, and the doll slipped from her hands and fell to the floor; for a few seconds we all stared at the shattered china doll; Beside the doll, hands pounded heavily on the chest.
"No...don't!" she yelled. "It's not true, no, I don't have it, it's a secret...can't tell."
Chris sent to her side and pulled her up, she was still sobbing: "I didn't mean to... I didn't, I didn't."
He lifted her easily—as he had done in the woods—and carried her back to the room, where he laid her on her bed; turning his head suddenly to me, he directed me to take the broken doll away.I obeyed him and ran downstairs with the doll, put the doll on the kitchen table, and returned to Flora's room immediately.Flora was still sobbing in bed, and Chris Pie was not there.Seconds later, though, he reappeared—with a glass in one hand and stirring with the other.
He gave it to Flora, who drank it meekly.
"It will calm her down," he told me.
I thought to myself: That's weird, how does he know what to do when she's upset?How to calm her down?
He whispered to me: "It's all right, she's not excited anymore, she'll fall asleep soon." I was taken aback by his "view on taking care of her" again.
We stood by and watched her, and within five minutes she stopped talking to herself.
"Now she doesn't remember much, let's wait a little longer."
It was a strange sight; in this cottage, Flora was lying in bed while Chrispy and I stood looking at her.He must have known the house and the people who lived in it very well, and he must have gone straight to the place where Lucy's medicines had become a necessity in her sister's life over the years.He acts and behaves as if he is the master here; but why not elsewhere?
Flora soon fell asleep.
Chris Pie looked at me and directed me to follow him downstairs.
When he got to the kitchen, he said, "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see Flora. I come often. She goes upstairs, so I go up with her."
"Miss Lucy is not here?"
"No. I think she's going shopping."
"Now, we have to get this out of the way," he nodded, pointing to the broken doll on the table. "It's got to be fixed. I've got to go into town and get a similar one, and she won't wake up until dark, so it has to be done by then; gotta get a new doll for the crib."
"But, she will know..."
"Miss Lucy would tell her: she had a nightmare; she knew how to deal with it. But gotta find an identical one, a dollhouse... not in Harp Green... where we're going is a bit Far. I should leave a note for Miss Lucy, telling her what happened, and that we'll be back in about an hour or so."
"We...?" I said.
"I want you to help me choose a doll, and we'll take the broken one with us; choosing a doll should be a piece of cake for you compared to me."
"I've got to go home and tell Aunt Sophie, or she'll be worried."
He looked at me thoughtfully, and said, "I'll go back to drive the carriage, and you go back and tell your aunt the situation, and tell her that you will go with me to choose a doll; you should be familiar with that doll, but I never Didn't look at it carefully, so I need your help."
I was so excited about the adventure that I said, "Okay, okay."
"Take the doll and I'll meet you soon."
I ran all the way home, and luckily Aunt Sophie was home, so I told her what had happened out of breath.
She looks confused. "I've never heard of anything like it! My God! It's killing her."
"He was very worried about her."
"My God! I'm busy."
"I'm going with him. I can't let any misfortune happen to Flora."
"Indeed, you have to find a doll to replace it as soon as possible. His suggestion is the most sensible."
Even before I had finished talking with Aunt Sophie, he was waiting in the carriage; I ran out with the doll and climbed into the carriage and sat beside him.
Those two horses were running pretty fast, and he and I sat in front, what a thrill... galloping to save a life, I thought.This is the second rescue operation we have faced together, and his behavior deeply touched my heart.
He didn't say anything more on the way, and we had already entered the city after about thirty minutes.He parked the carriage in the vestibule of a small hotel, and it seemed that they not only knew him, but respected him.
He picked me up and we went straight to the store.
He put Flora's broken doll on the counter, and said, "We're going to buy a doll, and it must look like this one."
"This model was discontinued a few years ago."
"Then find the most similar one, you should have it here."
When we looked at the doll, he always looked at me hesitantly, which made me proud.
"It can't look like a girl," I said. "The broken one has short hair, and the clothes have to match it."
It took us a while to find a doll that would pass the scrutiny - it looks similar to the broken doll.Even so, though, I'm not entirely sure.We put clothes on the new dolls and walked out of the toy store.
"It's time we went back," he said; and we set off for home.
"The hair color is correct, but we're going to have to do some grooming. This one looks too girly."
"You or Miss Lucy can do the work."
I'm going to do it, and I want to extend this expedition as long as possible.When we got back to the cabin, Lucy ran out right away.
She looks very worried.
"It's okay, we found a replacement." Chris Pie said, patting her arm reassuringly. "It will work, as long as she can see the doll when she wakes up, she won't notice anything different," he continued.
"I'll put it back in the crib," said Lucy.
They let me cut its hair; when it was done, the new doll looked much more like the previous one.
Lucy carried it upstairs while Chris Pie and I were alone in the kitchen.He looked at me intently, and I couldn't help but wonder if he still thought I was featureless at this moment.
He said, "You did a great favor." A surge of pride rose in me. "Flora's not quite right," he went on. "We have to treat her well, that doll is her heart."
"Yeah, I know. She thinks of it as you when you were a kid."
A smile crossed his face, and I couldn't imagine anyone less doll-like than he.
"After this, she'll have to be more careful; I hope she doesn't remember, it's going to bother her a lot."
Lucy came down, and said, "She slept peacefully; I should keep an eye on her, and make sure I'm there when she wakes."
"That's right," he said.Then she looked at her with a smile that I can only describe as tenderness.It really surprised me because I had never seen him like this.He continues to amaze me.
I thought to myself: He likes her very much.But it was only natural, since Flora had been his nurse since she fell ill.
Now, he is watching me.
"I would venture to assume that your aunt is expecting you to come home," he said.
"I think so," I said reluctantly.
"Goodbye then, thank you for everything you did today."
It sounded like a eviction order, but I ran home full of joy.
I couldn't resist not going to Seven Magpie House.Two days later, Flora was still sitting in her usual place in the garden, next to the pram; I greeted her and saw her welcome me with a smile. "Is he... this afternoon... okay?" I asked nervously. "Sleep soundly. He always wakes me up with a chuckle." I went over and bent down to look at the doll: the cut hair and the dress helped a lot, but I'm surprised she didn't notice the difference. "He looks as good as ever," I said cautiously. A shadow fell across her face. "I had a nightmare," she said, her lips trembling. "If it's a nightmare, don't take it to heart, it's best to forget about it," I said. "It's okay." She looked at me happily. "I didn't do that, did I? Did I hold him tight? I didn't let my heart suffer any... damage?" "No, of course not. He's fine, intact, you see..." I stopped short, that's not what I should have said. She stared at the dwarf mulberry tree. "It's just a nightmare, isn't it?" she said cheerfully. "That's it." "Of course. You know, man, you have nightmares sometimes," I told her more firmly. I thought of that horrible moment in the woods, before...and after Chris Pie showed up. "You have too?" she said. "But you weren't there at the time." I didn't understand her and I was right next to her when the doll accidentally slipped from her hand.but i better Agree with everything she says. I said, "It's all right, you just have to look at him to see that nothing has changed." "No," she murmured, "nothing has changed, he's here...he's always been here." She closed her eyes, then opened them wide and said, "That's because when I looked at him... I saw his... small body..." Her mind was racing, apparently, breaking the doll really freaked her out. All I could say was, "Okay, everything's fine now." She nodded with a smile. I chatted with her for a while, until it occurred to me that Lucy would be home soon; so I bade her good-bye, and promised to see her again soon.As soon as I left the cabin I saw Chris Pie.Saint Aubie, not far from the cabin when we met him. "Oh, you've just been to the cottage," he said. "I think our little trick worked." "I don't think she's completely forgotten about that." "Why do you think so?" "She looked troubled." "What kind of obsession?" he asked sharply. "I'm not sure either. It's about the way she talks." "What did she say?" "Something about him not being there, but being there." "She's insane, and you don't need to take what she says too seriously." "Of course not, but there seems to be a pattern." "What do you mean by that? Mode?" "I mean, sometimes what she said would have a coherent relationship with what she said another day, and it would complement each other." "You sound like a sensible young lady." young lady!I love the name, it's not just a little girl anymore.I think he respects young ladies more than he respects little girls. "Well, I often go to the Seven Magpie House." "Why do you call it that?" "Because there's a picture on the wall in the nursery..." "So you named it after that painting." "I think it has a special meaning to Flora." "What's the name of that painting?" "The picture of seven magpies. You have been to that room, and you must have seen it; there are seven magpies hanging on the wall in the painting." "What's so special about it?" "The rhyme. Flora said it was cut out of a book by Lucy and framed for her. You probably know the rhyme too. 'One sad, two happy,' and to 'Seven is a secret, you can't tell', Flora knows this poem, she mentioned it to me more than once." He was silent for a while, and then said coldly: "Do you think there is any mystery hidden here?" "Yes, I think so. Whenever Flora tells me, her attitude always becomes very strange." "Is that why you're so interested?" "I think that's just... one of the reasons. I'm sorry for what happened to Flora. I think there must be something bothering her." "And you want to find out that answer?" "I like to explore." "I can see that sometimes..." He stopped, and since I obviously wanted to hear the second half, he added, "Sometimes the truth can get you in a lot of trouble." Surprised, I said, "I don't see that..." "Oftentimes people don't see the trouble until it hits them." "Is this the usual warning people give troublesome people, or is it true?" "I would venture to assume that in some circumstances, this will be true." We have arrived at Yamanashi House. "Goodbye," he said. I walked in thinking about him.I've been hoping to see him again all through the holidays, maybe he'll call me out for a talk, but he doesn't; Temalis says he's gone abroad, and I can't stop myself from thinking: maybe Miss Fiona was with him too go.
Shortly thereafter, we went back to school for our final term.I often think about what our fate will be after graduation.I turned seventeen last May, and Temaris said it was marriageable age, and she thought St. There will be many entertainment programs for her to introduce her into the social circle.Rachel, on the other hand, was a little unsure. The Great Clock House has now been transformed into a joyful place.In fact, I told Aunt Sophie: I think Mrs. Dourion must have gone to great lengths to change everything so completely that she could forget about her husband altogether. Aunt Sophie agreed with me. All Harpgreen was taken aback when word came out in the village that there was going to be a wedding, not Chrispy and Fiona—hopes were lost, I fear—but Mrs. Dourion finding a new husband. He is Archie.Grindel—a widower in his fifties, he has been staying on the ranch in the suburbs for these years; now he has handed over the ranch to his two sons, and he has moved to the big bell house to live with his new wife. He was plump and ruddy and laughing loudly, and the difference between him and Mr. Dorian, and the difference between Rachel's Aunt Seda--now Mrs. Grindelwald--and what she had been, it's the same.The only thing left unchanged was the stable, but since it was etched with unpleasant memories, no one wanted to enter it at all. Aunt Sita still wore her bright clothes and had her hair done with Spanish hairpins; she often laughed out loud.Rachel likes Archie, so all this is in sharp contrast to before. But for me, the spirit of Mr. Dourion still lingers here, wondering how he would feel if he knew what happened at home?I will not forget him, because I played a very important part in his tragedy. Aunt Sophie was happy and joyful, and she said that after all the vicissitudes, Shida should have a decent life; and now she held it in both hands. The wedding stirred up the lives of the neighbors. "If there is one, there will be two. This wedding is just the beginning." Lily predicted. But there are still no rumors in the village of Krispy and Fiona's engagement.
School days are over and our legal guardians are forced to face social issues.Mrs. St. Aubie didn't mind getting involved in order to bring her daughter into society; Rachel's Aunt didn't know what to do; at a loss. Aunt Sophie had a party to discuss what could be done as the situation allowed. At the same time, I often saw Chris Pie; and he also noticed me, and often looked at me with what I called a "conspiracy" smile.After all, even though neither of us ever talked about it, our relationship was full of drama, and that new doll was the result of all of us working together! I still visit Flora often.Lin, since Lucy still doesn't welcome me, I always avoid seeing her; and I keep reminding myself that it is Flora who likes me and hopes that I can see her often. In the end they decided to have a ball, arranged by Aunt Sophie, at St. Aubie's Park--it was the most suitable venue, and there happened to be a big ballroom in the park.Mrs. St. Aubie was very interested in it; it was the same as what Aunt Sophie used to call the "carnival days" of old, so we were all excited to look forward to it.I figured Chris Pie would be there, too, since it was a dance for his sister—in fact, it was for the three of us. Miss Fiona's name has not been mentioned for a long time, and I think the neighbors have probably forgotten her.Rachel's aunt and Archie.Grindel's marriage was in its ninth day. Today's Dazhong Mansion is friendly, friendly and full of laughter, and I often go there.The nightmare in the stables is still with me, and I think most people have forgotten about it; and the stables are no longer in use because there are no more horses in the clock house.Once I went inside and closed the door behind me; then I stood in the middle for a while, looking at the rafters above—he seemed to be resurrected, although his whole body was limp...but he still used his terrible pair of eyes Eyes staring at me—the same eyes I had when I lay helpless in the barrow woods—I was terrified, fear overwhelmed me again. I turned around and ran out immediately.So stupid, he can't hurt me now, he's dead, he took his own life because he was unmasked and couldn't face life again. Shaking, I ran back to the Yamanashi House and swore to myself never to go there again.That's the end of the episode, and if possible, all of this will fade away; Chris Pie rescued me in time, and we became friends... sort of; but, of course, the main thing is to thank Flora's doll incident.I think he should not hate me. Temaris once said that people especially like those they have helped, because every contact makes them more sure of themselves.He saved me from a terrible time, and maybe Temaris is right, when he sees me, he remembers what he has done for me. Now the talk between the three of us can never be separated from the upcoming dance.For the gowns, Aunt Sophie took us to Salisbury to buy cloth, I chose lavender, Tamaris fiery red and Rachel blue.Aunt Sophie looked a little sad, no doubt thinking of the ball that had been held for her to "enter the social circle", and the tailor who had made her gowns, and had heard her mother talk about that past.The tailor in the village - Mary.Tucker - takes care of everything for us. "Her manual skills are quite good," she said. "I'm really looking forward to..." I went to the Great Bell House more and more often.Archie.Glyndor was very funny; and there was no doubt that Aunt Sida was completely intoxicated by the joy of being dressed in beautiful clothes, carousing and singing wildly in the house.There are constant changes here, so I always have a heart of surprises. Daniel.Grindel, Archie's eldest son, took over the ranch with his younger brother Jack. Daniel, tall and awkward, perpetually overwhelmed.I liked him, and nicknamed him "the gentle big guy" for his size; he didn't talk much, and his father told us that he communicated better with animals than anyone else. "It was the same with my grandfather," said Jack.Grindel said. "He passed that on to Daniel." Jack is short, fat like his father, and talkative; both of them give people the impression that they are people who like to enjoy life. Juston.Marchmont is via Jack.Grindel's introduction to join our circle, and therefore he is fully responsible for this. Juston.Marchmon, that name keeps coming up in the conversations between Temaris and Rachel;His figure was slender - almost "slender".His appearance is quite good-looking, as Temaris said: in terms of worldly judgment, his noble temperament is almost unbelievable. Jack met him in the interior of Europe; they crossed the English Channel together because of Guston.Marchmont was planning to stay at the hotel for a few days, so Jack invited him to Glyndor's ranch as a guest. Jack seemed to think that Guston was condescending to be a guest; Guston did not imply that, of course, and there was an air of elegance about him.I can see, however, why a man of Grindelwald--well-off, but humble in manners--would allow himself to take Guston G.Marchmont's guest is regarded as the greatest honor in life. Jack wasted no time in introducing this charming gentleman to the village, whom we guessed from Guston's name as a French mother, who had always settled in France and was now planning to move back to Scotland—his father Died not long ago, so he inherited all the local estates. His clothes showed his advanced taste and noble temperament; his suit was in fashion, and Temaris told me that his riding posture was very pompous.He is simply charming.Mrs. Saint Aubie soon took a liking to him; she sparred happily with him, and he courted her frequently.He kept bringing up the idea of going back to Scotland, but everyone, including Jack.Glyndor—were anxious for him to stay a few more days. "You guys are testing me," he said. "It made me hesitate." Temaris says he must stay until the ball is over, or she will never forgive him. "My dear little lady," he answered. "I cannot refuse your beautiful eyes. Then I will go as soon as the ball is over." She and Rachel went on and on about Guston, and I didn't join in, because while he didn't really ignore me—he would compliment me occasionally when I thought about it—yet, I think he hurt me. self-esteem.When he mentioned us he always said "three elegant ladies" and added me, though only as a courtesy; I noticed that his eyes rarely fell on me, while Tamari Ruth and Rachel get most of his smiles. He was, of course, a very charming man--by comparison, Chris Pie looked cold and heartless, and the Grindel brothers were bumpkins.But, it's not fair to say that, the Grindel brothers are very nice, and I think Daniel's gentle, kind smile is better than Guston.Marchmont's charm is more acceptable. Mary Tucker made our gowns at the tailor's house in St Aubie's.One day, when we were busy trying on dresses, the two of them were talking about Guston as usual.Marchmont.I said, "I think half of what he said was not from the heart." "Some are," Temaris retorted. "You're just jealous because he doesn't pay much attention to you." I thought about it carefully, is it true? Among us, Rachel was the first to have an admirer—Daniel.Glyndor.Rachel was pretty, and looked helpless and feminine; Daniel was the protective type. I noticed that whenever Daniel saw Rachel, there was a dreamy look in his eyes.And Temaris couldn't understand how anyone could notice other girls and ignore her when she was there.I saw such tender eyes once, when I was in the pasture, and he held a newborn lamb in his hands. "So what!" said Temaris. "He's just a farmer anyway." "What's wrong with that," Rachel defended him vigorously. "He was very nice, and Aunt Sita was glad she married his father." "Do you like him?" Temaris asked her. "He's a nice guy," Rachel said. "Will you marry him?" "What kind of problem is that!" Rachel yelled. "You will! You will! Perhaps, he is just right for you." Rachel didn't answer, she was too embarrassed.I guess Tamaris took Daniel and Guston.Marchmont put together for comparison. She went on talking about him, and was glad he'd stayed for the prom. "I told him I'd never forgive him if he didn't stay a few more days; then he said: 'You left me with no choice.' Sweet right?" "What he said was really sweet," Rachel admitted. "His riding skills are superb," Temaris continued. "He is one with the horse... like a warrior of old." "He looks like a cross between a robber and a knight," I said. "I can even imagine him saying: 'Stand up and bring this!' or riding to fight against Cornwall." "I've always hated Cornwall, the fun-killers who shut down entertainment venues, opera houses... I hate these fun-killers," said Temaris. "I don't think you'd use your imagination to put those adjectives on Guston Marchmont," I said. "Of course not!" Temaris said with a dark smile. She went on talking about him, who was undoubtedly a nobleman. Rachel laughed dreamily, and I said, "Since he's so perfect, I doubt he'd want to settle in this small place." "Perhaps, he has his reasons." Temaris said mysteriously. The prom was getting closer and closer as the days flew by, and the dresses were done.Tamaris told me: The potted plants in the greenhouse will be used to decorate the big ballroom; and the restaurant will also provide buffet-style meals; they arranged for the orchestra to play; and her mother walks in the garden every day for the dance There was enough energy for the occasion that day, and a special dress was prepared; all the invitation cards were sent out.This will be the first ball to be held in the mansion since the death of Chris Pie's wife. "That's all about to change now," she declares. "I'm an adult, and not even Chris Pie can ignore that." I went to see Flora, and sat in the garden, not far from the dwarf mulberries, and told her about the ball.I don't think she understands what I'm saying, but she likes to hear my voice; she'll interrupt me a lot and say things like "he's a little restless, I think the teething is bothering him." but that's all right, I went on and she sat there listening and laughing like she was glad I was there. After I left her, I ran into Chris Pie. I guessed that he was going to visit the Seven Magpie House again. It seemed that something would happen there at any time, and he had to rush to the scene as quickly as possible. I cherish that memory... when Flora accidentally broke the doll, he was so worried.I like to think of him taking care of his two aging nannies. "Hello," he said. "I can guess where you just went." "She likes me to go." "When Miss Lucy is away!" I blushed and defended myself repeatedly: "Well, Flora likes me to go find her." "Has she ever revealed anything to you?" "Reveal? No, at least not directly." "You mean she said it indirectly?" "Well, sometimes she repeats things that were said." "What words?" "I guess it has something to do with the dwarf mulberries, she keeps saying there's something missing there." "Is there something there?" "No. She's been staring at the bushes, and I think she's disturbed by something there." "I see. It's good of you to come and see her. The ball seems to have taken up all the thoughts of those people." "Everyone can't wait for that day to come." “每个人之中也包括你吗？” 我点点头说：“我猜一定很好玩。” “我还听说那个该死的大人物保证一定会出席。” “你是指……？” “你知道我指的是谁。你对他也有这样特殊的见解吗？” “我想大家对他的参与都感到很快乐。” “大家？也包括你吗？” "Of course." “我懂了。好了，我不打扰你了。” 他举起帽子，微微地鞠个躬，并对我笑。 然后他便往莲家的方向走去了。
舞会的前一天我到大钟宅找瑞琪儿。 她看来容光焕发，和以往完全不同；当我以为她要向我透露些什么时，她的眼睛又掠过迟疑的神情；我忆起每当害怕时，她总会跑来向我求助。她和泰玛莉丝相差很大，她孤独、羞怯、不让别人分享她的秘密。 我又再次地看她的礼服；对自己的则已看了五十多次。 “你穿上这件礼服让我都快认不出来了，”莉莉夸张地说道：“相信我，真的是相得益彰，令人赏心悦目。” 我很紧张，不知道有没有人愿意和我跳舞？我们一次又一次地练习舞步，直到个个都几乎成了专家为止；但我所担心的是舞伴问题。泰玛莉丝会有一大堆，不光只是因为她美丽迷人的外表，还有舞会地点就在她家，而她母亲又是这里的女主人，没有人会想到苏菲姨妈是促成这一切的人；男士们会认为自己有义务陪泰玛莉丝跳舞。而瑞琪儿是不会有问题的，她那无助脆弱的模样谁会不想靠近她？但，我呢？也许杰克．格林多或丹尼尔会来邀我跳舞。克里斯派呢？我无法想像他跳舞会是什么模样。 瑞琪儿突然说：“丹尼尔已经向我求婚了。” 我满脸惊讶地盯着她看，我马上想到：她是我们三个人之中第一个接到求婚讯息的人，泰玛莉丝知道了会不高兴的，她总认为自己在各方面都该名列第一。 “多让人兴奋啊！”我大叫。 “我不知道该怎么办，这很难决定。” “他的人很好且又仁慈，你和他处得又很好。你答应他了吗？” She shook her head. “为什么？你不喜欢他吗？” “我是喜欢他，非常喜欢。我们一直是好朋友，甚至在他父亲娶我姨妈之前，当然了，之后我们的见面次数更频繁。不久之前……”她停了一下再继续。“我……嗯……我真的非常喜欢他。” “我知道，是因为太快的原因。”我说。“我们才刚毕业不久，当然还是有些人很早就结婚的，况且你们都认识这么久了。” “是没错，但这不同……” "What did you say?" “我无法对他说，他看起来……你是知道的，相当好。他一直都对我很好，让我很有安全感……尤其是自从……” 对她的感受我完全可以体会，我可以想像她在房间里，听着渐近的脚步声……停在她的房门外——幸好她第二次锁上门——听着他沉重的呼吸声传入空寂的房里。在这之后她非常需要安全感——我也是，自从树林里那可怕的经验后。 “他认为我们一直是好朋友，所以绝对不会有问题。”她继续说。 “当然没问题。只是可能有点太快了，你还没这个心理准备。” 她的双跟盯着前方。 “我想现在我无法再……” “但，你很喜欢他。” “没错……我是喜欢他……但是……” “你只是需要多一点的时间。”我说，心想着苏菲姨妈一定也会这么说的。 “等着看泰玛莉丝听到后的反应吧！” “别让她知道，佛莱迪，请你不要对她提起这件事。” “我当然不会，只是很想看她脸上的表情，她什么都想抢先一步。” 我的脸上挂满了微笑，相信瑞琪儿一定会嫁给丹尼尔。多完美啊——嫁给喜妲姨妈的继子，我相信她会和喜妲姨妈一样快乐。在杜利恩先生控制的大钟宅内饱受折磨后，这个结局可说是再完美不过了。
圣奥比邸园里的大舞厅看起来很壮观，从温室搬来的棕榈树盆栽，和百花争艳的灌木已经安排在大厅四周；地板用滑石粉打得光光亮亮的；大厅一端放了一个讲坛，一端则是身穿晚礼服的音乐表演者。这一切看起来气派非凡，令人敬畏。 圣奥比夫人为了今天——和客人喧寒问暖——身体神奇而迅速地复原了。她的唯一特权是在舞会开始时：她庄严地坐在华丽的椅子上，接受人们前来致敬。 苏菲和喜妲姨妈不时地在她身边徘徊，好似在提醒大家她们的份量和泰玛莉丝相当；不过，这里是圣奥比邸园，所以女主人之位当然首归圣奥比夫人了。而瑞琪儿和我则是有荣幸能被邀来参加舞会的人。 瑞琪儿和我分别坐在泰玛莉丝两旁；苏菲姨妈坐在我旁边，而喜妲姨妈则坐在瑞琪儿的另一边。虽然在家里苏菲姨妈和莉莉不断宣称我看起来很美，但现在我越来越没有信心了。 “看看你，简直就是舞会之后。”苏菲姨妈说。 然后莉莉又加上：“佛莱德小姐，我从不知礼服对女孩子能产生这么大的魔力。你看起来很棒，真的。” 无论她们怎么说，在泰玛莉丝艳丽的火红礼服，及瑞琪儿轻柔的蓝绉绸映衬之下，我知道自己和“舞会之后”的美梦还相差很远；所谓的“看起来很棒”可能只适合在家里提提就算了，在这么豪华的舞会里最好别拿出来现丑。 舞曲才刚扬起，佳斯顿．马奇蒙立刻就站到我们三人面前；他抬起眼睛，然后说些关于“三位迷人的女巫”之类的话；之后才问泰玛莉丝，是否他有这荣幸能请她跳支舞，这正好如她所愿，身份不凡的圣奥比小姐很高雅地滑向舞池。接着前来的是格林多兄弟；丹尼尔邀瑞琪儿一起跳，而我则随着杰克滑入舞池。 杰克跳得很好，他推说是舞厅的大小及地板好的关系，说泰玛莉丝如今已是成年人了，希望这里能常有类似的节目。我们之间的对话只停留在这些平凡的琐事上。 第一首曲子结束后，佳斯顿．马奇蒙和瑞琪儿共舞；泰玛莉丝和丹尼尔一起；而和我跳的是位中年人，他是圣奥比家的朋友，我只见过他一次面。 当我的舞伴把我带回座位时，我很惊讶地看到克里斯派正和苏菲姨妈在聊天。 看到我走向前，他马上就站了起来；就在此时，佳斯顿．马奇蒙也正和瑞琪儿一块儿回来，瑞琪儿的脸上有着红红的彩霞，看起来很快乐。 “瑞琪儿小姐，依你在舞池上的表现来看，我非夸奖你不可，你跳得真好。”佳斯顿说。 瑞琪儿低低地说了些话，然后音乐又开始奏始。我看见佳斯顿的目光落在我身上，而就在他要开口的那一刻，克里斯派把手伸向我说，“这支舞是属于我的。” 我们走进舞池时，我看到佳斯顿的眼睛依然盯着我们俩个看。 克里斯派说：“把你从万人迷——马奇蒙的手中夺走，希望你不会太失望。” 我大笑，心里觉得既开心又兴奋。 “喔，当然不会，”我说。“他来邀我是因为——他觉得自己应该这么做。” “你确定人们对他的期许那么高，没有一点虚伪吗？” “某方面来说，他确实如此。” “你是不是在故作神秘？你是说在某方面而言，他对自己的行为并不是很负责？” “我可没这个意思。我只是认为，在社交场合里他的表现永远都是那么地得体，显然他也知道这点。” “我看得出你并不像其他人一样那么喜欢他，我很高兴见你如此；我的舞跳得恐怕没他好，他看起来像个专家。说到跳舞，你可能已发现我有点笨手笨脚的，我看我们坐下好了，嗯？这样你会比较舒服。”他没等我回答就拉着我，往一旁布满棕榈盆栽的位子走去。 我们坐在那里看着别人跳舞。有一阵子我们谁也没说话，我看到佳斯顿正和一位客人跳舞。 克里斯派眼睛盯着他说：“的确是个专家。告诉我，你觉得佛萝拉喜欢那个新娃娃吗？我们给她的那个。你认为她真的能接受吗？” “有时我很乐观，但有时……又无法确定。我觉得，有时她看起来好像知道那只不过是个洋娃娃，她的脸会整个皱起来。” "real?" “嗯，这是事实。” “以前也这样过吗？说是说，她的脸也曾整个皱起来过吗？” “我不确定，可能有吧！” “可怜的佛萝拉！”他沉默了一会儿，然后说：“这么说来，你依然定期去探望她。” "Ok." “这么吵讲话很不方便，我们待会儿一起用餐，我到时会来找你。你有没有卡片或什么的？” 我把自己的节目安排表递给他，然后他在晚餐前最后一支舞的空格内潦草地签上他的名字。 “好了，”他说。“现在你有足够的时间可和那些懂得跳舞的人跳。不过，这一支舞可是我的。” 我很失望他没邀我多跳几支，同时也为他专横的态度感到不满；他甚至不认为有必要事先经过我的同意，就直接替我决定。这使我想起泰玛莉丝，圣奥比这家人都是同一副德性！ 我忍不住地说：“你一向都是这样，告诉别人该做什么吗？” 他扬起眉毛，平静地看着我，笑着对我说：“这样做完全不需要浪费时间，就可以达到你所想要的。” “你一向无往不利吗？” “哎呀，当然不是了。” “或许，我的最后一支舞已被某人订走了？” “不会吧？你的节目安排表上最后这支舞是空白的。” “呃，舞会才刚开始，而且……” “那不就成了，嗯？我们到时一起用餐，我想和你谈谈。” 我为此感到很高兴，同时也注意到，当他带我回座时，有好几对眼睛正盯着我们俩看。 我和佳斯顿跳了一支舞。克里斯派一带我回座，他马上就走过来，之后克里斯派就离开了；我想他并不想跳舞，甚至可说是不屑跳舞，而原因无疑：他跳得不是很好。 之后我看到他和一个男人交谈——看样子像是邸园地产的管理人。再过一会儿则是一个年纪较长的男人——听说他的土地离圣奥比家族的只有几哩，今晚特地带妻子及女儿来参加舞会。 佳斯顿的舞真的跳得很好，他甚至让我觉得自己跳得也不错。 他说我看起来很迷人，且我衣服的颜色是他的最爱。我想当他和泰玛莉丝跳舞时，他的最爱应该是火红色；而在和瑞琪儿跳时，他的最爱则变成蓝色。哎——也许他的为人真的很虚伪，不过他确实想讨好每个人，这和克里斯派有天壤之别。 他聊到圣奥比邸园和克里斯派；这块产业可真大，你不觉得吗？搞不好是全威特夏最大的。 “泰玛莉丝告诉我，你对境内某座小屋里的那对老姊妹很感兴趣。” “你是指露西小姐和佛萝拉．莲小姐吗？” “这就是她们的名字吗？她们其中一个真的把洋娃娃当成婴儿，带着四处逛吗？” "This is real." “很奇怪不是吗？” “这情形已经持续很久了。” “把洋娃娃当成是'邸园之主'？” “当他还是个婴儿时，她曾是他的保姆。” “如今他把这对姊妹照料得无微不至。” “她们俩都曾先后是他的保姆。人们对自己的保姆总有一份特殊之情，他能这样照顾她们，算是非常仁慈的了。” “相当仁慈。泰玛莉丝说你和精神失常的那位处得很好，并对很多事都非常感兴趣。” “我为她们俩感到很遗憾。” “你有一颗善良的心，我了解，所以你常常去看她们。泰玛莉丝告诉我，你都选在另一位——没发疯的那位——不在时去，且你希望能把原因徵结——致使那可怜的老女人失常的原因——找出。” “泰玛莉丝告诉你这些！” “难道这不是事实？” "Uh……" “当然了，我们都想查个水落石出。”他说。“这其中一定暗藏了什么玄机，使她有了这么大的转变，你不觉得吗？” "I do not know either." “或许，经由你的调查能使真相公诸于世。” 这支舞已近尾声了。 “我们一定要再跳支舞，”他说。“我玩得很开心。我想你的舞一定都被订走了。” “还有一、二支舞还空着。”我说，他带我回座。 之后我和好几位年轻男子跳，心里并质疑着：为什么佳斯顿对这两姊妹这么有兴趣呢？我猜一定是泰玛莉丝又用她那戏剧化的口吻把事情扭曲了，她说话向来都很夸张；不过，当然了，佛萝拉和她的洋娃娃也的确不寻常。 我很快地就把佳斯顿抛之脑后，没耐心地等着晚餐前的那支舞，我怕克里斯派把这件事忘了；还好当音乐一奏起，他马上就出现在我眼前。 他挽着我的手步入舞池，一旁的人已经开始跳了。我们沿着大厅绕一圈，然后他便说：“我们去选用餐的位子吧！否则搞不好得和别人一起坐。” 他带我回到之前我们坐的位子。位子旁摆了张桌子，桌上有两只杯子及两套餐具。 “就这个好了，”他说。“把你的节目安排表放在桌上，好让别人知道这位子已有人坐了；然后跟我走，我们去拿些吃的。” 餐厅内的台架上摆了个大长桌；桌上每隔一段的距离就有一组烛台，还有一大堆食物——冷鸡肉、鲑鱼、各式各样的肉及沙拉，这些食物看起来可口诱人。我们俩是最先到达的人。 在克里斯派的带领之下，我们各自拿了自己喜欢的食物，回到我们的位子时，桌上已摆了一个冰筒，筒子里有瓶香槟。 音乐一停止，人们就开始由大舞厅往餐厅的方向移去。 “你真有先见之明！”我说。“会想到抢先一步。” “没错。我们避开了人潮，而且有满桌的食物等着我们。” 他在我的对面坐了下来，一位仆人走过来为我们倒香槟。 克里斯派举起酒杯，并彻底地打量我一番。 “敬祝，”他说。“弗雷德莉卡步入成年。她为自己已脱离童年而感到快乐吗？” "I think so." “如今你有何打算？” “我还没想到那么多。” “大多数的女孩都想结婚，这似乎是最终目标。你呢？” “我没想到这些。” “哦，少来了。每个女孩都会想到这些。” “也许你不认识每一个女孩，只有一些。” “也许你说对了。不管怎么说，你还在起跑点上，而这可是你的第一个舞会；你玩得开心吗？” “非常开心。” “听起来好像满意外的样子。” “只是不知道会发生什么事，例如：没有人前来邀你共舞？”我说。 “这就足够让你陷入别扭的形势了。我敢打赌你一定不喜欢等着别人来邀请你，你宁愿自己能主动地去邀请别人。” “这可是每个人的心声。” “那么你就可以上前邀佳斯顿．马奇蒙共舞了。” “我才不会这么做。” “哦？我忘了你不像其他人一样被他迷得团团转。你的判别能力相当高明。” “我是……有一点点希望。” “结果，我走过来要求你离开那位舞中之王和我走。”他很专注地看着我。“你和我之间有些不寻常的邂逅，你不认为吗？你还记得我们一起去买洋娃娃的情景吗？还有……古塚树林内的那件事。” 我感到一阵战栗。我记得吗？怎么可能忘得了，那梦魇随时随地都准备掠攫我，瞬刻间把我带回树林里，让我再次面对那份恐惧。 他伸出手越过桌面，很快地握一下我的手然后说：“对不起，我不该提到这件事的。” “没关系，”我回答道。“只是，那不是我这辈子能忘得掉的事。” “那个经历太可怕了，幸好我及时路过！” “他因这件事……而死，”我说。“我永远也忘不了。” “他有这种下场已经算是幸运的了。当多年来隐藏在圣人面具后的真面目被揭穿而曝光时，他完全没有勇气去面对这个事实。” “当他走进马厩，决定上吊时，心里一定非常地绝望。” “千万不要这么想，只要记得：幸好我及时出现。我完全不后悔当初所做的事。” “你从没想过，也许他是因为你的轻视而决定自杀吗？当初在树林里时，我以为你把他打死了。你难道不担心吗？” “怎么会？他是个懦夫……是个伪君子；外表装得有如高洁的圣人，行为表现却和最低等的动物没两样。对于我能及时出现、和事后的结局，我的心里只有快乐两个字。能替这个世界消灭一个令人憎恨的家伙，我也算是做了一件善事——而且，亲爱的弗雷德莉卡，你的平安及幸福远比他那糟糕透顶的生命重要多了。往这方面想，你就不会对那个该死的败类心软，这个世界少了他后变得更好了；我有正当的理由把他杀了，但由他自己动手的确方便多了。” 他的脸上连一点点的怜悯痕迹都没有，但我无法不对自己承认；无论如何，杜利恩先生是真心地想当好人。 克里斯派继续说：“原谅我，我不该提起这件事的；但我只想确定你没因为这件事而不快乐，绝对不要这样。生命有时是很丑陋的，你必须了解这一点；只要记得那些快乐的事，然后把其他的翦除。” 他和蔼可亲地对我笑，我想起泰玛莉丝曾说过：人们喜欢那些他们曾冒险解救过的人，因为每次的接触总能再度让他们忆起自己的英勇事迹。 “你还想来点鲑鱼吗？”他问道。 "no thank you." “我想多听听你对佛萝拉的看法。她有和你说话，不是吗？” “一些。不过，我告诉过你，那些话常叫我摸不着头绪。” “你还说，有时她似乎了解娃娃已被换过？” “它和过去那个并没有那么相像，不是吗？那个旧的已跟了她这么久，而新生产的款式和以前的也不同。” “但，她并没有真的说……？” “没有。她只是看起来很疑惑的样子……不过她常常也是如此。” “就像她试着想要想起什么一样？” “可以这么说。但，也许更像是：她试着不想想起什么似的。” “就像她试着想告诉你什么似的。” 我迟疑着，而他则专注地看着我。 “是吗？”他再问。“就像她试着想告诉你什么似的。” “这件事可能和婴儿室里的那幅画有关。”我说。“她常盯着那幅画看，然后双唇抖动着，我可看出她在对自己道……'七是秘密不能说'。” “所以，是那幅画……” “我不知道。我想它有某种特定的功用。” 我记得早先和佳斯顿．马奇蒙的对话，然后继续说：“一定是发生了什么事导致她精神失常……非常戏剧化的事，或许这和那个不能说的秘密有极大的牵连。” 他突然安静地低头盯着他的盘子。 我继续说：“我想事情发生在很久以前，当你还是个婴儿时。她被吓得无法接受事实。也或许那是她的错，而她一直假装事情没发生……她想回到事发之前的那些日子，这就是为什么她不要你长大，希望你永远停留在婴儿阶段。” 他慢慢地说：“这个论点很有趣。” “我该想到，如果真的发生过什么事，人们应该都会知道的；除非那件事只有佛萝拉一个人知道，这真是太神秘了，有一、二次她曾提到过'盖瑞西湖'。” “盖瑞．西湖？” “我猜那是个名字。” “她有没有提过什么有关他的事？” “她只是叫他的名字而已。” “邻居里有人姓西湖，一对中年夫妇，有一个出外传教的女儿；和一个已经出国去的儿子，我想不是去澳洲就是纽西兰。我对他们的事知道得不多。” “只有一、二次，我听到她喃喃自语地念着他的名字。” “我想她真的很喜欢你。” “我知道她喜欢我去看她。” “只有在露西小姐不在家时。” “我有个感觉——露西小姐不喜欢人们去看她们。或许是因为她怕这样会使佛萝拉变得很沮丧。” “但，这对你丝毫也产生不了影响。” “反正，我喜欢和佛萝拉说话，而她也很喜欢和我谈。我看不出这有什么害处。” “而你对真理向来就充满了好奇心。” "That's right." “你对那几只神秘的鹊鸟极感兴趣，并怀疑那幅画就是：造成可怜的佛萝拉小姐失常之徵结所在。” “我的想法是，可能和一件震惊骇人的事有关。这种事不是没发生过。” “而弗雷德莉卡．海曼小姐成了兼职侦探，下定决心要打开这个谜底。” “这么说太夸张了。” 他笑着我，然后说：“那就说……想使真相大白？” “我想任何人都会有兴趣的。” “尤其是某些人。”他举起酒杯。“我该祝你：调查顺利。” “如果能知道其中的一些原因，就更能把真相确切地理出。” “或许真相恐怖得不该揭露出？或许，真相只会使事情变得更糟。” “是有这个可能。” “我们一直在谈别人，说说你自己的事吧！不去找佛萝拉小姐时，你都做些什么事？” “我最近才刚离开学校，目前对未来还没有确切的计划。” “像今晚这样的聚会，以后还会有更多，你可有得忙了。相信母亲已为我妹妹安排一些节目，我敢说你和瑞琪儿也会一起加入的。” “自从我来之后，我们三个就形影不离了。” “你在哈普葛林的这些日子快乐吗？” “非常快乐，苏菲姨妈对我相当好。” “你母亲的事我很遗憾。” “她从来不曾好好地享受人生，真可悲……我父亲离开了她，而且她最想住的西达大宅——她的老家——也已出卖；住在一幢小房子，每天望着她心中永远的家，难怪她 一直快乐不起来。 " “所以哈普葛林的生活比较快乐？” “我很幸运有苏菲姨妈这么好的亲戚。” “你父亲……？” “我从没看过他。他和我母亲早就分手了。” 他点头说：“这些事总是不断地重演着。” 我怀疑他是否想到那位离他而去的妻子。 “当你结婚后，我希望你能过着和在山梨之屋一样快乐的生活。” “谢谢你。我也希望你能快乐。” “你知
I couldn't resist not going to Seven Magpie House.Two days later, Flora was still sitting in her usual place in the garden, next to the pram; I greeted her and saw her welcome me with a smile. "Is he... this afternoon... okay?" I asked nervously. "Sleep soundly. He always wakes me up with a chuckle." I went over and bent down to look at the doll: the cut hair and the dress helped a lot, but I'm surprised she didn't notice the difference. "He looks as good as ever," I said cautiously. A shadow fell across her face. "I had a nightmare," she said, her lips trembling. "If it's a nightmare, don't take it to heart, it's best to forget about it," I said. "It's okay." She looked at me happily. "I didn't do that, did I? Did I hold him tight? I didn't let my heart suffer any... damage?" "No, of course not. He's fine, intact, you see..." I stopped short, that's not what I should have said. She stared at the dwarf mulberry tree. "It's just a nightmare, isn't it?" she said cheerfully. "That's it." "Of course. You know, man, you have nightmares sometimes," I told her more firmly. I thought of that horrible moment in the woods, before...and after Chris Pie showed up. "You have too?" she said. "But you weren't there at the time." I didn't understand her and I was right next to her when the doll accidentally slipped from her hand.but i better Agree with everything she says. I said, "It's all right, you just have to look at him to see that nothing has changed." "No," she murmured, "nothing has changed, he's here...he's always been here." She closed her eyes, then opened them wide and said, "That's because when I looked at him... I saw his... small body..." Her mind was racing, apparently, breaking the doll really freaked her out. All I could say was, "Okay, everything's fine now." She nodded with a smile. I chatted with her for a while, until it occurred to me that Lucy would be home soon; so I bade her good-bye, and promised to see her again soon.As soon as I left the cabin I saw Chris Pie.Saint Aubie, not far from the cabin when we met him. "Oh, you've just been to the cottage," he said. "I think our little trick worked." "I don't think she's completely forgotten about that." "Why do you think so?" "She looked troubled." "What kind of obsession?" he asked sharply. "I'm not sure either. It's about the way she talks." "What did she say?" "Something about him not being there, but being there." "She's insane, and you don't need to take what she says too seriously." "Of course not, but there seems to be a pattern." "What do you mean by that? Mode?" "I mean, sometimes what she said would have a coherent relationship with what she said another day, and it would complement each other." "You sound like a sensible young lady." young lady!I love the name, it's not just a little girl anymore.I think he respects young ladies more than he respects little girls. "Well, I often go to the Seven Magpie House." "Why do you call it that?" "Because there's a picture on the wall in the nursery..." "So you named it after that painting." "I think it has a special meaning to Flora." "What's the name of that painting?" "The picture of seven magpies. You have been to that room, and you must have seen it; there are seven magpies hanging on the wall in the painting." "What's so special about it?" "The rhyme. Flora said it was cut out of a book by Lucy and framed for her. You probably know the rhyme too. 'One sad, two happy,' and to 'Seven is a secret, you can't tell', Flora knows this poem, she mentioned it to me more than once." He was silent for a while, and then said coldly: "Do you think there is any mystery hidden here?" "Yes, I think so. Whenever Flora tells me, her attitude always becomes very strange." "Is that why you're so interested?" "I think that's just... one of the reasons. I'm sorry for what happened to Flora. I think there must be something bothering her." "And you want to find out that answer?" "I like to explore." "I can see that sometimes..." He stopped, and since I obviously wanted to hear the second half, he added, "Sometimes the truth can get you in a lot of trouble." Surprised, I said, "I don't see that..." "Oftentimes people don't see the trouble until it hits them." "Is this the usual warning people give troublesome people, or is it true?" "I would venture to assume that in some circumstances, this will be true." We have arrived at Yamanashi House. "Goodbye," he said. I walked in thinking about him.I've been hoping to see him again all through the holidays, maybe he'll call me out for a talk, but he doesn't; Temalis says he's gone abroad, and I can't stop myself from thinking: maybe Miss Fiona was with him too go.
Shortly thereafter, we went back to school for our final term.I often think about what our fate will be after graduation.I turned seventeen last May, and Temaris said it was marriageable age, and she thought St. There will be many entertainment programs for her to introduce her into the social circle.Rachel, on the other hand, was a little unsure. The Great Clock House has now been transformed into a joyful place.In fact, I told Aunt Sophie: I think Mrs. Dourion must have gone to great lengths to change everything so completely that she could forget about her husband altogether. Aunt Sophie agreed with me. All Harpgreen was taken aback when word came out in the village that there was going to be a wedding, not Chrispy and Fiona—hopes were lost, I fear—but Mrs. Dourion finding a new husband. He is Archie.Grindel—a widower in his fifties, he has been staying on the ranch in the suburbs for these years; now he has handed over the ranch to his two sons, and he has moved to the big bell house to live with his new wife. He was plump and ruddy and laughing loudly, and the difference between him and Mr. Dorian, and the difference between Rachel's Aunt Seda--now Mrs. Grindelwald--and what she had been, it's the same.The only thing left unchanged was the stable, but since it was etched with unpleasant memories, no one wanted to enter it at all. Aunt Sita still wore her bright clothes and had her hair done with Spanish hairpins; she often laughed out loud.Rachel likes Archie, so all this is in sharp contrast to before. But for me, the spirit of Mr. Dourion still lingers here, wondering how he would feel if he knew what happened at home?I will not forget him, because I played a very important part in his tragedy. Aunt Sophie was happy and joyful, and she said that after all the vicissitudes, Shida should have a decent life; and now she held it in both hands. The wedding stirred up the lives of the neighbors. "If there is one, there will be two. This wedding is just the beginning." Lily predicted. But there are still no rumors in the village of Krispy and Fiona's engagement.
School days are over and our legal guardians are forced to face social issues.Mrs. St. Aubie didn't mind getting involved in order to bring her daughter into society; Rachel's Aunt didn't know what to do; at a loss. Aunt Sophie had a party to discuss what could be done as the situation allowed. At the same time, I often saw Chris Pie; and he also noticed me, and often looked at me with what I called a "conspiracy" smile.After all, even though neither of us ever talked about it, our relationship was full of drama, and that new doll was the result of all of us working together! I still visit Flora often.Lin, since Lucy still doesn't welcome me, I always avoid seeing her; and I keep reminding myself that it is Flora who likes me and hopes that I can see her often. In the end they decided to have a ball, arranged by Aunt Sophie, at St. Aubie's Park--it was the most suitable venue, and there happened to be a big ballroom in the park.Mrs. St. Aubie was very interested in it; it was the same as what Aunt Sophie used to call the "carnival days" of old, so we were all excited to look forward to it.I figured Chris Pie would be there, too, since it was a dance for his sister—in fact, it was for the three of us. Miss Fiona's name has not been mentioned for a long time, and I think the neighbors have probably forgotten her.Rachel's aunt and Archie.Grindel's marriage was in its ninth day. Today's Dazhong Mansion is friendly, friendly and full of laughter, and I often go there.The nightmare in the stables is still with me, and I think most people have forgotten about it; and the stables are no longer in use because there are no more horses in the clock house.Once I went inside and closed the door behind me; then I stood in the middle for a while, looking at the rafters above—he seemed to be resurrected, although his whole body was limp...but he still used his terrible pair of eyes Eyes staring at me—the same eyes I had when I lay helpless in the barrow woods—I was terrified, fear overwhelmed me again. I turned around and ran out immediately.So stupid, he can't hurt me now, he's dead, he took his own life because he was unmasked and couldn't face life again. Shaking, I ran back to the Yamanashi House and swore to myself never to go there again.That's the end of the episode, and if possible, all of this will fade away; Chris Pie rescued me in time, and we became friends... sort of; but, of course, the main thing is to thank Flora's doll incident.I think he should not hate me. Temaris once said that people especially like those they have helped, because every contact makes them more sure of themselves.He saved me from a terrible time, and maybe Temaris is right, when he sees me, he remembers what he has done for me. Now the talk between the three of us can never be separated from the upcoming dance.For the gowns, Aunt Sophie took us to Salisbury to buy cloth, I chose lavender, Tamaris fiery red and Rachel blue.Aunt Sophie looked a little sad, no doubt thinking of the ball that had been held for her to "enter the social circle", and the tailor who had made her gowns, and had heard her mother talk about that past.The tailor in the village - Mary.Tucker - takes care of everything for us. "Her manual skills are quite good," she said. "I'm really looking forward to..." I went to the Great Bell House more and more often.Archie.Glyndor was very funny; and there was no doubt that Aunt Sida was completely intoxicated by the joy of being dressed in beautiful clothes, carousing and singing wildly in the house.There are constant changes here, so I always have a heart of surprises. Daniel.Grindel, Archie's eldest son, took over the ranch with his younger brother Jack. Daniel, tall and awkward, perpetually overwhelmed.I liked him, and nicknamed him "the gentle big guy" for his size; he didn't talk much, and his father told us that he communicated better with animals than anyone else. "It was the same with my grandfather," said Jack.Grindel said. "He passed that on to Daniel." Jack is short, fat like his father, and talkative; both of them give people the impression that they are people who like to enjoy life. Juston.Marchmont is via Jack.Grindel's introduction to join our circle, and therefore he is fully responsible for this. Juston.Marchmon, that name keeps coming up in the conversations between Temaris and Rachel;His figure was slender - almost "slender".His appearance is quite good-looking, as Temaris said: in terms of worldly judgment, his noble temperament is almost unbelievable. Jack met him in the interior of Europe; they crossed the English Channel together because of Guston.Marchmont was planning to stay at the hotel for a few days, so Jack invited him to Glyndor's ranch as a guest. Jack seemed to think that Guston was condescending to be a guest; Guston did not imply that, of course, and there was an air of elegance about him.I can see, however, why a man of Grindelwald--well-off, but humble in manners--would allow himself to take Guston G.Marchmont's guest is regarded as the greatest honor in life. Jack wasted no time in introducing this charming gentleman to the village, whom we guessed from Guston's name as a French mother, who had always settled in France and was now planning to move back to Scotland—his father Died not long ago, so he inherited all the local estates. His clothes showed his advanced taste and noble temperament; his suit was in fashion, and Temaris told me that his riding posture was very pompous.He is simply charming.Mrs. Saint Aubie soon took a liking to him; she sparred happily with him, and he courted her frequently.He kept bringing up the idea of going back to Scotland, but everyone, including Jack.Glyndor—were anxious for him to stay a few more days. "You guys are testing me," he said. "It made me hesitate." Temaris says he must stay until the ball is over, or she will never forgive him. "My dear little lady," he answered. "I cannot refuse your beautiful eyes. Then I will go as soon as the ball is over." She and Rachel went on and on about Guston, and I didn't join in, because while he didn't really ignore me—he would compliment me occasionally when I thought about it—yet, I think he hurt me. self-esteem.When he mentioned us he always said "three elegant ladies" and added me, though only as a courtesy; I noticed that his eyes rarely fell on me, while Tamari Ruth and Rachel get most of his smiles. He was, of course, a very charming man--by comparison, Chris Pie looked cold and heartless, and the Grindel brothers were bumpkins.But, it's not fair to say that, the Grindel brothers are very nice, and I think Daniel's gentle, kind smile is better than Guston.Marchmont's charm is more acceptable. Mary Tucker made our gowns at the tailor's house in St Aubie's.One day, when we were busy trying on dresses, the two of them were talking about Guston as usual.Marchmont.I said, "I think half of what he said was not from the heart." "Some are," Temaris retorted. "You're just jealous because he doesn't pay much attention to you." I thought about it carefully, is it true? Among us, Rachel was the first to have an admirer—Daniel.Glyndor.Rachel was pretty, and looked helpless and feminine; Daniel was the protective type. I noticed that whenever Daniel saw Rachel, there was a dreamy look in his eyes.And Temaris couldn't understand how anyone could notice other girls and ignore her when she was there.I saw such tender eyes once, when I was in the pasture, and he held a newborn lamb in his hands. "So what!" said Temaris. "He's just a farmer anyway." "What's wrong with that," Rachel defended him vigorously. "He was very nice, and Aunt Sita was glad she married his father." "Do you like him?" Temaris asked her. "He's a nice guy," Rachel said. "Will you marry him?" "What kind of problem is that!" Rachel yelled. "You will! You will! Perhaps, he is just right for you." Rachel didn't answer, she was too embarrassed.I guess Tamaris took Daniel and Guston.Marchmont put together for comparison. She went on talking about him, and was glad he'd stayed for the prom. "I told him I'd never forgive him if he didn't stay a few more days; then he said: 'You left me with no choice.' Sweet right?" "What he said was really sweet," Rachel admitted. "His riding skills are superb," Temaris continued. "He is one with the horse... like a warrior of old." "He looks like a cross between a robber and a knight," I said. "I can even imagine him saying: 'Stand up and bring this!' or riding to fight against Cornwall." "I've always hated Cornwall, the fun-killers who shut down entertainment venues, opera houses... I hate these fun-killers," said Temaris. "I don't think you'd use your imagination to put those adjectives on Guston Marchmont," I said. "Of course not!" Temaris said with a dark smile. She went on talking about him, who was undoubtedly a nobleman. Rachel laughed dreamily, and I said, "Since he's so perfect, I doubt he'd want to settle in this small place." "Perhaps, he has his reasons." Temaris said mysteriously. The prom was getting closer and closer as the days flew by, and the dresses were done.Tamaris told me: The potted plants in the greenhouse will be used to decorate the big ballroom; and the restaurant will also provide buffet-style meals; they arranged for the orchestra to play; and her mother walks in the garden every day for the dance There was enough energy for the occasion that day, and a special dress was prepared; all the invitation cards were sent out.This will be the first ball to be held in the mansion since the death of Chris Pie's wife. "That's all about to change now," she declares. "I'm an adult, and not even Chris Pie can ignore that." I went to see Flora, and sat in the garden, not far from the dwarf mulberries, and told her about the ball.I don't think she understands what I'm saying, but she likes to hear my voice; she'll interrupt me a lot and say things like "he's a little restless, I think the teething is bothering him." but that's all right, I went on and she sat there listening and laughing like she was glad I was there. After I left her, I ran into Chris Pie. I guessed that he was going to visit the Seven Magpie House again. It seemed that something would happen there at any time, and he had to rush to the scene as quickly as possible. I cherish that memory... when Flora accidentally broke the doll, he was so worried.I like to think of him taking care of his two aging nannies. "Hello," he said. "I can guess where you just went." "She likes me to go." "When Miss Lucy is away!" I blushed and defended myself repeatedly: "Well, Flora likes me to go find her." "Has she ever revealed anything to you?" "Reveal? No, at least not directly." "You mean she said it indirectly?" "Well, sometimes she repeats things that were said." "What words?" "I guess it has something to do with the dwarf mulberries, she keeps saying there's something missing there." "Is there something there?" "No. She's been staring at the bushes, and I think she's disturbed by something there." "I see. It's good of you to come and see her. The ball seems to have taken up all the thoughts of those people." "Everyone can't wait for that day to come." “每个人之中也包括你吗？” 我点点头说：“我猜一定很好玩。” “我还听说那个该死的大人物保证一定会出席。” “你是指……？” “你知道我指的是谁。你对他也有这样特殊的见解吗？” “我想大家对他的参与都感到很快乐。” “大家？也包括你吗？” "Of course." “我懂了。好了，我不打扰你了。” 他举起帽子，微微地鞠个躬，并对我笑。 然后他便往莲家的方向走去了。
舞会的前一天我到大钟宅找瑞琪儿。 她看来容光焕发，和以往完全不同；当我以为她要向我透露些什么时，她的眼睛又掠过迟疑的神情；我忆起每当害怕时，她总会跑来向我求助。她和泰玛莉丝相差很大，她孤独、羞怯、不让别人分享她的秘密。 我又再次地看她的礼服；对自己的则已看了五十多次。 “你穿上这件礼服让我都快认不出来了，”莉莉夸张地说道：“相信我，真的是相得益彰，令人赏心悦目。” 我很紧张，不知道有没有人愿意和我跳舞？我们一次又一次地练习舞步，直到个个都几乎成了专家为止；但我所担心的是舞伴问题。泰玛莉丝会有一大堆，不光只是因为她美丽迷人的外表，还有舞会地点就在她家，而她母亲又是这里的女主人，没有人会想到苏菲姨妈是促成这一切的人；男士们会认为自己有义务陪泰玛莉丝跳舞。而瑞琪儿是不会有问题的，她那无助脆弱的模样谁会不想靠近她？但，我呢？也许杰克．格林多或丹尼尔会来邀我跳舞。克里斯派呢？我无法想像他跳舞会是什么模样。 瑞琪儿突然说：“丹尼尔已经向我求婚了。” 我满脸惊讶地盯着她看，我马上想到：她是我们三个人之中第一个接到求婚讯息的人，泰玛莉丝知道了会不高兴的，她总认为自己在各方面都该名列第一。 “多让人兴奋啊！”我大叫。 “我不知道该怎么办，这很难决定。” “他的人很好且又仁慈，你和他处得又很好。你答应他了吗？” She shook her head. “为什么？你不喜欢他吗？” “我是喜欢他，非常喜欢。我们一直是好朋友，甚至在他父亲娶我姨妈之前，当然了，之后我们的见面次数更频繁。不久之前……”她停了一下再继续。“我……嗯……我真的非常喜欢他。” “我知道，是因为太快的原因。”我说。“我们才刚毕业不久，当然还是有些人很早就结婚的，况且你们都认识这么久了。” “是没错，但这不同……” "What did you say?" “我无法对他说，他看起来……你是知道的，相当好。他一直都对我很好，让我很有安全感……尤其是自从……” 对她的感受我完全可以体会，我可以想像她在房间里，听着渐近的脚步声……停在她的房门外——幸好她第二次锁上门——听着他沉重的呼吸声传入空寂的房里。在这之后她非常需要安全感——我也是，自从树林里那可怕的经验后。 “他认为我们一直是好朋友，所以绝对不会有问题。”她继续说。 “当然没问题。只是可能有点太快了，你还没这个心理准备。” 她的双跟盯着前方。 “我想现在我无法再……” “但，你很喜欢他。” “没错……我是喜欢他……但是……” “你只是需要多一点的时间。”我说，心想着苏菲姨妈一定也会这么说的。 “等着看泰玛莉丝听到后的反应吧！” “别让她知道，佛莱迪，请你不要对她提起这件事。” “我当然不会，只是很想看她脸上的表情，她什么都想抢先一步。” 我的脸上挂满了微笑，相信瑞琪儿一定会嫁给丹尼尔。多完美啊——嫁给喜妲姨妈的继子，我相信她会和喜妲姨妈一样快乐。在杜利恩先生控制的大钟宅内饱受折磨后，这个结局可说是再完美不过了。
圣奥比邸园里的大舞厅看起来很壮观，从温室搬来的棕榈树盆栽，和百花争艳的灌木已经安排在大厅四周；地板用滑石粉打得光光亮亮的；大厅一端放了一个讲坛，一端则是身穿晚礼服的音乐表演者。这一切看起来气派非凡，令人敬畏。 圣奥比夫人为了今天——和客人喧寒问暖——身体神奇而迅速地复原了。她的唯一特权是在舞会开始时：她庄严地坐在华丽的椅子上，接受人们前来致敬。 苏菲和喜妲姨妈不时地在她身边徘徊，好似在提醒大家她们的份量和泰玛莉丝相当；不过，这里是圣奥比邸园，所以女主人之位当然首归圣奥比夫人了。而瑞琪儿和我则是有荣幸能被邀来参加舞会的人。 瑞琪儿和我分别坐在泰玛莉丝两旁；苏菲姨妈坐在我旁边，而喜妲姨妈则坐在瑞琪儿的另一边。虽然在家里苏菲姨妈和莉莉不断宣称我看起来很美，但现在我越来越没有信心了。 “看看你，简直就是舞会之后。”苏菲姨妈说。 然后莉莉又加上：“佛莱德小姐，我从不知礼服对女孩子能产生这么大的魔力。你看起来很棒，真的。” 无论她们怎么说，在泰玛莉丝艳丽的火红礼服，及瑞琪儿轻柔的蓝绉绸映衬之下，我知道自己和“舞会之后”的美梦还相差很远；所谓的“看起来很棒”可能只适合在家里提提就算了，在这么豪华的舞会里最好别拿出来现丑。 舞曲才刚扬起，佳斯顿．马奇蒙立刻就站到我们三人面前；他抬起眼睛，然后说些关于“三位迷人的女巫”之类的话；之后才问泰玛莉丝，是否他有这荣幸能请她跳支舞，这正好如她所愿，身份不凡的圣奥比小姐很高雅地滑向舞池。接着前来的是格林多兄弟；丹尼尔邀瑞琪儿一起跳，而我则随着杰克滑入舞池。 杰克跳得很好，他推说是舞厅的大小及地板好的关系，说泰玛莉丝如今已是成年人了，希望这里能常有类似的节目。我们之间的对话只停留在这些平凡的琐事上。 第一首曲子结束后，佳斯顿．马奇蒙和瑞琪儿共舞；泰玛莉丝和丹尼尔一起；而和我跳的是位中年人，他是圣奥比家的朋友，我只见过他一次面。 当我的舞伴把我带回座位时，我很惊讶地看到克里斯派正和苏菲姨妈在聊天。 看到我走向前，他马上就站了起来；就在此时，佳斯顿．马奇蒙也正和瑞琪儿一块儿回来，瑞琪儿的脸上有着红红的彩霞，看起来很快乐。 “瑞琪儿小姐，依你在舞池上的表现来看，我非夸奖你不可，你跳得真好。”佳斯顿说。 瑞琪儿低低地说了些话，然后音乐又开始奏始。我看见佳斯顿的目光落在我身上，而就在他要开口的那一刻，克里斯派把手伸向我说，“这支舞是属于我的。” 我们走进舞池时，我看到佳斯顿的眼睛依然盯着我们俩个看。 克里斯派说：“把你从万人迷——马奇蒙的手中夺走，希望你不会太失望。” 我大笑，心里觉得既开心又兴奋。 “喔，当然不会，”我说。“他来邀我是因为——他觉得自己应该这么做。” “你确定人们对他的期许那么高，没有一点虚伪吗？” “某方面来说，他确实如此。” “你是不是在故作神秘？你是说在某方面而言，他对自己的行为并不是很负责？” “我可没这个意思。我只是认为，在社交场合里他的表现永远都是那么地得体，显然他也知道这点。” “我看得出你并不像其他人一样那么喜欢他，我很高兴见你如此；我的舞跳得恐怕没他好，他看起来像个专家。说到跳舞，你可能已发现我有点笨手笨脚的，我看我们坐下好了，嗯？这样你会比较舒服。”他没等我回答就拉着我，往一旁布满棕榈盆栽的位子走去。 我们坐在那里看着别人跳舞。有一阵子我们谁也没说话，我看到佳斯顿正和一位客人跳舞。 克里斯派眼睛盯着他说：“的确是个专家。告诉我，你觉得佛萝拉喜欢那个新娃娃吗？我们给她的那个。你认为她真的能接受吗？” “有时我很乐观，但有时……又无法确定。我觉得，有时她看起来好像知道那只不过是个洋娃娃，她的脸会整个皱起来。” "real?" “嗯，这是事实。” “以前也这样过吗？说是说，她的脸也曾整个皱起来过吗？” “我不确定，可能有吧！” “可怜的佛萝拉！”他沉默了一会儿，然后说：“这么说来，你依然定期去探望她。” "Ok." “这么吵讲话很不方便，我们待会儿一起用餐，我到时会来找你。你有没有卡片或什么的？” 我把自己的节目安排表递给他，然后他在晚餐前最后一支舞的空格内潦草地签上他的名字。 “好了，”他说。“现在你有足够的时间可和那些懂得跳舞的人跳。不过，这一支舞可是我的。” 我很失望他没邀我多跳几支，同时也为他专横的态度感到不满；他甚至不认为有必要事先经过我的同意，就直接替我决定。这使我想起泰玛莉丝，圣奥比这家人都是同一副德性！ 我忍不住地说：“你一向都是这样，告诉别人该做什么吗？” 他扬起眉毛，平静地看着我，笑着对我说：“这样做完全不需要浪费时间，就可以达到你所想要的。” “你一向无往不利吗？” “哎呀，当然不是了。” “或许，我的最后一支舞已被某人订走了？” “不会吧？你的节目安排表上最后这支舞是空白的。” “呃，舞会才刚开始，而且……” “那不就成了，嗯？我们到时一起用餐，我想和你谈谈。” 我为此感到很高兴，同时也注意到，当他带我回座时，有好几对眼睛正盯着我们俩看。 我和佳斯顿跳了一支舞。克里斯派一带我回座，他马上就走过来，之后克里斯派就离开了；我想他并不想跳舞，甚至可说是不屑跳舞，而原因无疑：他跳得不是很好。 之后我看到他和一个男人交谈——看样子像是邸园地产的管理人。再过一会儿则是一个年纪较长的男人——听说他的土地离圣奥比家族的只有几哩，今晚特地带妻子及女儿来参加舞会。 佳斯顿的舞真的跳得很好，他甚至让我觉得自己跳得也不错。 他说我看起来很迷人，且我衣服的颜色是他的最爱。我想当他和泰玛莉丝跳舞时，他的最爱应该是火红色；而在和瑞琪儿跳时，他的最爱则变成蓝色。哎——也许他的为人真的很虚伪，不过他确实想讨好每个人，这和克里斯派有天壤之别。 他聊到圣奥比邸园和克里斯派；这块产业可真大，你不觉得吗？搞不好是全威特夏最大的。 “泰玛莉丝告诉我，你对境内某座小屋里的那对老姊妹很感兴趣。” “你是指露西小姐和佛萝拉．莲小姐吗？” “这就是她们的名字吗？她们其中一个真的把洋娃娃当成婴儿，带着四处逛吗？” "This is real." “很奇怪不是吗？” “这情形已经持续很久了。” “把洋娃娃当成是'邸园之主'？” “当他还是个婴儿时，她曾是他的保姆。” “如今他把这对姊妹照料得无微不至。” “她们俩都曾先后是他的保姆。人们对自己的保姆总有一份特殊之情，他能这样照顾她们，算是非常仁慈的了。” “相当仁慈。泰玛莉丝说你和精神失常的那位处得很好，并对很多事都非常感兴趣。” “我为她们俩感到很遗憾。” “你有一颗善良的心，我了解，所以你常常去看她们。泰玛莉丝告诉我，你都选在另一位——没发疯的那位——不在时去，且你希望能把原因徵结——致使那可怜的老女人失常的原因——找出。” “泰玛莉丝告诉你这些！” “难道这不是事实？” "Uh……" “当然了，我们都想查个水落石出。”他说。“这其中一定暗藏了什么玄机，使她有了这么大的转变，你不觉得吗？” "I do not know either." “或许，经由你的调查能使真相公诸于世。” 这支舞已近尾声了。 “我们一定要再跳支舞，”他说。“我玩得很开心。我想你的舞一定都被订走了。” “还有一、二支舞还空着。”我说，他带我回座。 之后我和好几位年轻男子跳，心里并质疑着：为什么佳斯顿对这两姊妹这么有兴趣呢？我猜一定是泰玛莉丝又用她那戏剧化的口吻把事情扭曲了，她说话向来都很夸张；不过，当然了，佛萝拉和她的洋娃娃也的确不寻常。 我很快地就把佳斯顿抛之脑后，没耐心地等着晚餐前的那支舞，我怕克里斯派把这件事忘了；还好当音乐一奏起，他马上就出现在我眼前。 他挽着我的手步入舞池，一旁的人已经开始跳了。我们沿着大厅绕一圈，然后他便说：“我们去选用餐的位子吧！否则搞不好得和别人一起坐。” 他带我回到之前我们坐的位子。位子旁摆了张桌子，桌上有两只杯子及两套餐具。 “就这个好了，”他说。“把你的节目安排表放在桌上，好让别人知道这位子已有人坐了；然后跟我走，我们去拿些吃的。” 餐厅内的台架上摆了个大长桌；桌上每隔一段的距离就有一组烛台，还有一大堆食物——冷鸡肉、鲑鱼、各式各样的肉及沙拉，这些食物看起来可口诱人。我们俩是最先到达的人。 在克里斯派的带领之下，我们各自拿了自己喜欢的食物，回到我们的位子时，桌上已摆了一个冰筒，筒子里有瓶香槟。 音乐一停止，人们就开始由大舞厅往餐厅的方向移去。 “你真有先见之明！”我说。“会想到抢先一步。” “没错。我们避开了人潮，而且有满桌的食物等着我们。” 他在我的对面坐了下来，一位仆人走过来为我们倒香槟。 克里斯派举起酒杯，并彻底地打量我一番。 “敬祝，”他说。“弗雷德莉卡步入成年。她为自己已脱离童年而感到快乐吗？” "I think so." “如今你有何打算？” “我还没想到那么多。” “大多数的女孩都想结婚，这似乎是最终目标。你呢？” “我没想到这些。” “哦，少来了。每个女孩都会想到这些。” “也许你不认识每一个女孩，只有一些。” “也许你说对了。不管怎么说，你还在起跑点上，而这可是你的第一个舞会；你玩得开心吗？” “非常开心。” “听起来好像满意外的样子。” “只是不知道会发生什么事，例如：没有人前来邀你共舞？”我说。 “这就足够让你陷入别扭的形势了。我敢打赌你一定不喜欢等着别人来邀请你，你宁愿自己能主动地去邀请别人。” “这可是每个人的心声。” “那么你就可以上前邀佳斯顿．马奇蒙共舞了。” “我才不会这么做。” “哦？我忘了你不像其他人一样被他迷得团团转。你的判别能力相当高明。” “我是……有一点点希望。” “结果，我走过来要求你离开那位舞中之王和我走。”他很专注地看着我。“你和我之间有些不寻常的邂逅，你不认为吗？你还记得我们一起去买洋娃娃的情景吗？还有……古塚树林内的那件事。” 我感到一阵战栗。我记得吗？怎么可能忘得了，那梦魇随时随地都准备掠攫我，瞬刻间把我带回树林里，让我再次面对那份恐惧。 他伸出手越过桌面，很快地握一下我的手然后说：“对不起，我不该提到这件事的。” “没关系，”我回答道。“只是，那不是我这辈子能忘得掉的事。” “那个经历太可怕了，幸好我及时路过！” “他因这件事……而死，”我说。“我永远也忘不了。” “他有这种下场已经算是幸运的了。当多年来隐藏在圣人面具后的真面目被揭穿而曝光时，他完全没有勇气去面对这个事实。” “当他走进马厩，决定上吊时，心里一定非常地绝望。” “千万不要这么想，只要记得：幸好我及时出现。我完全不后悔当初所做的事。” “你从没想过，也许他是因为你的轻视而决定自杀吗？当初在树林里时，我以为你把他打死了。你难道不担心吗？” “怎么会？他是个懦夫……是个伪君子；外表装得有如高洁的圣人，行为表现却和最低等的动物没两样。对于我能及时出现、和事后的结局，我的心里只有快乐两个字。能替这个世界消灭一个令人憎恨的家伙，我也算是做了一件善事——而且，亲爱的弗雷德莉卡，你的平安及幸福远比他那糟糕透顶的生命重要多了。往这方面想，你就不会对那个该死的败类心软，这个世界少了他后变得更好了；我有正当的理由把他杀了，但由他自己动手的确方便多了。” 他的脸上连一点点的怜悯痕迹都没有，但我无法不对自己承认；无论如何，杜利恩先生是真心地想当好人。 克里斯派继续说：“原谅我，我不该提起这件事的；但我只想确定你没因为这件事而不快乐，绝对不要这样。生命有时是很丑陋的，你必须了解这一点；只要记得那些快乐的事，然后把其他的翦除。” 他和蔼可亲地对我笑，我想起泰玛莉丝曾说过：人们喜欢那些他们曾冒险解救过的人，因为每次的接触总能再度让他们忆起自己的英勇事迹。 “你还想来点鲑鱼吗？”他问道。 "no thank you." “我想多听听你对佛萝拉的看法。她有和你说话，不是吗？” “一些。不过，我告诉过你，那些话常叫我摸不着头绪。” “你还说，有时她似乎了解娃娃已被换过？” “它和过去那个并没有那么相像，不是吗？那个旧的已跟了她这么久，而新生产的款式和以前的也不同。” “但，她并没有真的说……？” “没有。她只是看起来很疑惑的样子……不过她常常也是如此。” “就像她试着想要想起什么一样？” “可以这么说。但，也许更像是：她试着不想想起什么似的。” “就像她试着想告诉你什么似的。” 我迟疑着，而他则专注地看着我。 “是吗？”他再问。“就像她试着想告诉你什么似的。” “这件事可能和婴儿室里的那幅画有关。”我说。“她常盯着那幅画看，然后双唇抖动着，我可看出她在对自己道……'七是秘密不能说'。” “所以，是那幅画……” “我不知道。我想它有某种特定的功用。” 我记得早先和佳斯顿．马奇蒙的对话，然后继续说：“一定是发生了什么事导致她精神失常……非常戏剧化的事，或许这和那个不能说的秘密有极大的牵连。” 他突然安静地低头盯着他的盘子。 我继续说：“我想事情发生在很久以前，当你还是个婴儿时。她被吓得无法接受事实。也或许那是她的错，而她一直假装事情没发生……她想回到事发之前的那些日子，这就是为什么她不要你长大，希望你永远停留在婴儿阶段。” 他慢慢地说：“这个论点很有趣。” “我该想到，如果真的发生过什么事，人们应该都会知道的；除非那件事只有佛萝拉一个人知道，这真是太神秘了，有一、二次她曾提到过'盖瑞西湖'。” “盖瑞．西湖？” “我猜那是个名字。” “她有没有提过什么有关他的事？” “她只是叫他的名字而已。” “邻居里有人姓西湖，一对中年夫妇，有一个出外传教的女儿；和一个已经出国去的儿子，我想不是去澳洲就是纽西兰。我对他们的事知道得不多。” “只有一、二次，我听到她喃喃自语地念着他的名字。” “我想她真的很喜欢你。” “我知道她喜欢我去看她。” “只有在露西小姐不在家时。” “我有个感觉——露西小姐不喜欢人们去看她们。或许是因为她怕这样会使佛萝拉变得很沮丧。” “但，这对你丝毫也产生不了影响。” “反正，我喜欢和佛萝拉说话，而她也很喜欢和我谈。我看不出这有什么害处。” “而你对真理向来就充满了好奇心。” "That's right." “你对那几只神秘的鹊鸟极感兴趣，并怀疑那幅画就是：造成可怜的佛萝拉小姐失常之徵结所在。” “我的想法是，可能和一件震惊骇人的事有关。这种事不是没发生过。” “而弗雷德莉卡．海曼小姐成了兼职侦探，下定决心要打开这个谜底。” “这么说太夸张了。” 他笑着我，然后说：“那就说……想使真相大白？” “我想任何人都会有兴趣的。” “尤其是某些人。”他举起酒杯。“我该祝你：调查顺利。” “如果能知道其中的一些原因，就更能把真相确切地理出。” “或许真相恐怖得不该揭露出？或许，真相只会使事情变得更糟。” “是有这个可能。” “我们一直在谈别人，说说你自己的事吧！不去找佛萝拉小姐时，你都做些什么事？” “我最近才刚离开学校，目前对未来还没有确切的计划。” “像今晚这样的聚会，以后还会有更多，你可有得忙了。相信母亲已为我妹妹安排一些节目，我敢说你和瑞琪儿也会一起加入的。” “自从我来之后，我们三个就形影不离了。” “你在哈普葛林的这些日子快乐吗？” “非常快乐，苏菲姨妈对我相当好。” “你母亲的事我很遗憾。” “她从来不曾好好地享受人生，真可悲……我父亲离开了她，而且她最想住的西达大宅——她的老家——也已出卖；住在一幢小房子，每天望着她心中永远的家，难怪她 一直快乐不起来。 " “所以哈普葛林的生活比较快乐？” “我很幸运有苏菲姨妈这么好的亲戚。” “你父亲……？” “我从没看过他。他和我母亲早就分手了。” 他点头说：“这些事总是不断地重演着。” 我怀疑他是否想到那位离他而去的妻子。 “当你结婚后，我希望你能过着和在山梨之屋一样快乐的生活。” “谢谢你。我也希望你能快乐。” “你知