Chapter 3 Chapter two
After a while, I felt the importance of the opportunity that Melora had given me, and in spite of many strange things that happened in the later days, in my life, during the first year with the pastor, I Is extremely happy.I realized that this is the path to freedom that leads to another realm.
Melora is my god of luck.There was a mutual attraction between the two of us.She had discovered early on that I dared to break through the old environment, and she was deeply moved by my courage.
Of course, here, there are people I don't like.The most annoying thing is Miss Kylo.Her father was also a pastor.She was always a prim and serious person; she always told people that she would not have come to where she was if it had not been for unfortunate fate.She liked Melora, but she was ambitious herself, and because of that, she could tell quickly if other people were as greedy as she was, and she saw that I was her kind.
The other is Mrs. Yue, who is in charge of the kitchen; Understand why I came here, she is not as mean to me as Miss Kailo, once I have a conflict with Miss Kailo, Mrs. Yue always defends me clearly.She did this simply because Miss Caroline was her enemy.
Tom Belt, the groom, and Bailey Thomas, the stable boy, were kind to me, but I would not have been more intimate with them; They are also aware of the ambiguous relationship. Even so, they did not hold a grudge against me because of it, but instead had an attitude of respecting me and keeping them at arm's length.The reason I do this is because of my grandmother.Sometimes they also asked me about my grandmother's anecdotes. They hoped to get her advice on love, or they wanted to ask for some herbs to make their skin smooth and youthful.In this way, my life will be easier.
For the first few days, Melora was rarely seen.I still think that she left me after doing a good deed, or entrusted me to Mrs. Yue, and let her control me.So, I worked hard.
On the first day of settling in here, when Melora and her father came into my room, I asked if they could come home once and tell my grandma I had a job here, and they said yes.Melora walked into the kitchen with me and personally wrapped a large bag of delicious food for me to take home.I ran home, excitedly telling my grandmother about my experience at Trey Link Fair.
Grandma held me in her arms, tears welling up in her eyes, I had never seen her so excited. "The Vicar is a fine man," she said. "There is no better man at St. Langston. His daughter is a fine girl. You'll do well there, dear."
I told her about Hagarty, and about Mrs. Rolt, and how they almost became my foremen, and how surprised they were when they saw me walk away!
We opened the basket for Granny and Jo, and I said it was for them, and I had eaten well at the vicar's.
All this is really like a dream is slowly sliding into reality.Didn't I once dream that I could become a goddess who provides food and clothing for my family?
However, with the passage of time, this elation gradually disappeared.I don't see Melora all day long, scrubbing pots, pans, sorting dishes or mopping floors.Fortunately, eating well can be regarded as a kind of material compensation.At least, here, there is no need to eat "blue sky sunset".
In the days when I first arrived here, everything I saw and heard was an eye-opener for me.
One day, I was scrubbing the freezer where cheese and butter were stored, and Bert walked into the kitchen to chat with Mrs. Yue. I heard him kiss Mrs. Yue loudly, and I couldn't help pricking up my ears out of curiosity. "Don't be like this, young man," Mrs. Yue reproached with a smile on her face.Belt ignored it, and then there was the sound of scuffling and heavy panting.Just hear her say, "Sit down, don't do this, others will see, and it won't do you any good if they find out, Mr. Belt." Ma'am?" "No, no." And then, "And there's the new girl, you know?" "Oh, I've seen her, she has a big mouth. It's annoying. . . and more Open your mouth, I really don't understand. It's not easy for the pastor to feed us all, and we have to hire someone; she is never polite and courteous at the table, and I dare say she works much harder when she is eating than when she is dry " "The pastor's money is so tight?" "Oh, you know. The pastor is such a good-natured person, he always treats people with all his money."
Then, they changed to a topic of greater interest.
I thought while mopping the floor.In the parsonage, I saw such fine things that it's hard to imagine that they were ever out of stock.
I don't quite believe this is true, maybe it's just the servants talking casually!
Within a week of being here, I realized my luck had struck again.That day, I went to Melora's room to clean. Melora and Miss Kailo were in class in the library. I went to the bookcase, picked up a book and opened it. There were illustrations in the book and explanations under the pictures.I stared at it, trying to figure out what it meant.I felt like a bird in a cage, ignorant of the wonderful world outside, and it made me angry and intimidated.
I thought, if I try to remember the shape of these words and keep copying them, will I be able to learn to read and write?Thinking about it, I completely forgot to clean the room.
I sat on the floor, took out several books, and compared them word by word, trying to find out the code to break.I was still sitting stupidly on the floor when Melora came in.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
I quickly closed the book and said, "I'm cleaning the room."
She laughed. "Nonsense, you're sitting on the floor reading. What are you reading? I didn't know you could read, Clentha."
"You are laughing at me," I cried, "don't laugh at me! Don't think you have a right to laugh at me because you bought my labor power in the market!"
"Kronsa!" Her voice was stern, just like she ordered Miss Caro that day.
I felt my lips tremble, and she immediately became pleasant.
"Then why are you playing with these books?" she said. "Tell me why, I want to know."
I spit out the truth. "It's not fair," I said, "If someone taught me, I'd be able to read."
"So you like reading?"
"Of course I like it, more than anything else."
She sat cross-legged on the bed, looking at her small and exquisite feet. "OK, that's easy," she said, "I can teach you to read."
So it started, she taught me to read, but warned me from time to time that I would get bored soon!I can't even learn it!I shared the attic with Beth and Kit, and I got up before dawn to write the words Melora taught me: and I stole some candles from Mrs. Jo and read late into the night.
I threatened Beth and Kit that, because of my grandmother's supernatural powers, there would be disaster for anyone who denounced me, and they promised to keep it secret.
My progress was so fast that Melora was amazed.When I wrote my name that day, she was very excited.
"What a pity!" she said. "You shouldn't be doing these menial jobs. You should be sitting in the classroom and reading."
A few days later, Reverend Charles called me into his study.He was thin, with a benevolent gleam in his eyes: lately his complexion seemed yellow.His clothes were always too big, and his light brown hair was often matted.He had always been careless with himself, and wracked his brains with poverty and the human soul, and his chief concern was for his daughter Melora.
People say that Mr. Pastor regards his daughter as an angel and often prays for her; for me, the happiest thing is that Melora inherited her father's compassion for the poor.Mr. Pastor is frowning all day long. I thought he was grieved for those who could not enter heaven, but since I overheard the chat between Mrs. Yue and Belter, I realized how he feeds the people in this house. People are exhausted.
"My daughter told me she taught you to read and write, which is good, good, you want to read, don't you, Clentha?"
"Yes, very much."
"why?"
I felt unable to tell the real reason, so I said tactfully, "Because I want to understand the contents of the book, sir, such as the 'Bible'."
After hearing this answer, he was very happy. "Then, my boy," said he, "we shall do our best to help you, since you have the ability. My daughter suggests that you attend Miss Carroll's lessons with her from tomorrow. I will tell Mrs. Time doesn't work."
I don't think it's necessary to hide my excitement. The joy is indescribable.He patted me on the shoulder and said, "But if you'd rather work than take Miss Carroll's lessons, you're totally free to choose, Clentha."
"I won't!" I yelled nervously.
"Go," he said, "and ask God to guide you along the way."
Mr. Pastor gave me this unique treatment, but it caused an uproar. "I've never heard of it!" murmured Mrs. Yo, "bringing up a lady like her! Believe me, the vicar is crazy." Beth and Kit were also muttering that my grandmother put a spell on the vicar because she wanted her niece to be able to write and read and be a lady.This really worked. The old woman can do this no matter what she thinks.I thought to myself: I hope this can make grandma's business flourish. Miss Carroll treated me very coldly; and I could see that she wanted to tell me that, though she was a commoner herself, she would never be so low as to teach a commoner like me to read and write. "It's a whim in the head," she said, facing me. "Why?" Melora asked. "If I had to start with the most basic ABC knowledge, I would not be able to complete the teaching plan." "She has learned some basics, she can read and write." "I strongly protest." "What do you want to do?" Melora asked, "Do you want to ask for leave?" "Perhaps so. I want you to understand that I was a tutor at the Baron's." "You've said it more than once," Melora returned tartly, "and since you're so sorry about it, maybe you can find another one." I really didn't expect that Melora would be so embarrassing for her own victory. "Sit down, child," said Miss Carroll.So, I obeyed the order obediently, I really wanted to read. Of course, Miss Carroll did not teach me willingly, so her lessons were messed up; but I was determined to learn, which surprised Melora and Miss Carroll!After I was able to write and read, I started to teach myself, and it was very effective.Melora lent me book after book, and I devoured them. I learned about many things that happened abroad, and I also understood the development of history.Before long, I'll be on par with Melora, but I secretly want to surpass her. I still have to contend with Miss Kylo.She hates me and is always looking for a chance to prove that my efforts on me are a waste of time, but I finally have the weapon enough to subdue her. I know this truth: If you want to subdue your enemy, you must first understand him carefully; if you want to defeat the enemy, you must find the weak link.Therefore, I have been quietly paying attention to Miss Kailo's behavior.Finally, I discovered that she had a dark secret: she longed for a home to end her current single life.Whenever the word "spinster" was uttered, she always fell for it, and I later found out that she was targeting the Reverend Charles. When Miss Carroll and I were alone in the room, her attitude towards me was often hostile; she never praised my progress; Looked very impatient. I really hate her.But then I found out that I didn't know much about her, because I was actually looking for a sense of security myself, and I shouldn't hate her so much. One day, Melora had already walked out of the classroom, and I was sorting out the books, when I was careful, the books slipped to the floor.Miss Caro said with a sneer, "That's not the right attitude towards knowledge." "I accidentally fell to the ground, you know?" "Be polite when talking to me." "why?" "Because I have status, I am a noble lady-and you can't be a lady in this life." I deliberately threw the book on the table, then looked up at her and cast a contemptuous glance.This is called tit for tat, who told her to be so mean in the past. "But, at the very least," I said word for word, "I will never have the cheek to court an old pastor and dream of marrying him." She turned pale all of a sudden. "How dare you!" she cried.My words hit her hard. "Oh, of course I dare to do this to you," I refused to give in. "I just repay you with the attitude you usually treat me. Now listen, Miss Carroll, we owe no one, in the future I won't talk about you anymore...and you'll give me a good lecture and treat me like Melora's sister, understand?" She said nothing, and had nothing to say; her lips were still trembling.I had no choice but to walk out of the classroom, full of the pride of the winner.In the days to come, she tried her best to teach me and never mocked me.And I made progress, and she also praised me. I feel as great as Julius Caesar.
Melora is most proud of the progress I have made in my studies.When my homework is better than hers, she is sincerely happy for me; she regards me as a plant she cultivated herself;I gradually realized that she was a different girl - not as simple as I thought.She's as stubborn as I am serious - she has a strong sense of right and wrong about life, perhaps instilled by her father.Anything, as long as she thinks it is right, she will do it, never caring how difficult it is.In the parsonage she had authority over her, largely because her mother had been lost in infancy and her father had loved her so much.That is why her father had to keep me when she asked for a valet.Regarding this incident, just as Mrs. Yue complained, it was unprecedented and extremely absurd, so Mrs. Yue could never imagine what happened later. Now I have my own room next door to Melora; I spend a lot of time with her.I mend her clothes, do the laundry, study with her, and then go for a walk.She was very happy to teach me, and taught me to ride a horse, and we rode together on the grasslands. All this seems unsurprising to me.As grandma said, I am realizing my dream little by little. Melora was about my height, just a little thinner, and when she gave me clothes she didn't want to wear, I just had to make a few tweaks to fit them perfectly. I still remember how I was dressed the first time I came home: a blue and white plaid dress, white socks, black leather shoes—all given to me by Melora.I carried the basket, which of course contained all kinds of food. Mrs. Yue always likes to say something that spoils the fun.When I was getting ready to take home something, she said, "Melora is like her father, who likes to be overly generous and smacks her face to make herself fat." I desperately wanted to forget those words.I think the servants always like to chatter like this: but there is always a sense of foreboding in their hearts. Walking into the woods, I ran into Pengast's daughter, Hetty, whom I had always thought of with envy before I went to the labor market in Trey Link.The only daughter of a farm owner, she has two older brothers: Tom runs the farm with her father; Reuben works on the Drumgranz construction crew.It was this Ruben who saw the seventh virgin soul when the walls of Abbas Manor collapsed, and he became insane ever since.Hetty was the baby of the family; she was plump and lovely; her precocious figure was always talked about by the older women of the village, who warned Pengast, in a prophetic voice, "Beware of your baby Daughter, don’t have a baby lying in a cradle waiting to be fed while you wear your wedding ring.” I understood what they meant; the way she walked was seductive; The thick lips are very sexy, the chestnut hair is always tied with a headband, the collar is cut low, and the skirt is very short and too revealing. She had long been engaged to Saul Candy at the Feld Mine.It was a very mismatched pair—Saul was ten years older than her, with a rigid expression. But Hetty's family appreciates this marriage very much, because Saul is really not someone to wait for, he has money to hire people to work, everyone calls him Master Saul, and he has business skills; but he pursues Hetty, people are I can't think of it.It's also possible that Hetty was just joking with him!She wanted to let it go for a while before officially flying into the marriage cage. And now she's making fun of me again: "Yo, isn't that Clentha Carley--so pretty, all dressed up!" I imitated Melora's tone and said calmly, "I'm going home to see grandma." "Hehe! You really look like a lady now, don't lose your identity!" I ignored it and went straight home.Hetty laughed loudly from behind.I didn't care what she said, but I was quite happy.I can read and write now. Compared with this, the hair tie on her head and the leather shoes on her feet are really worthless.I really don't understand, how could I envy her so much before? Grandma was alone at home, and she kissed me with infinite pride in her eyes.No matter where I go, I will always love her, she is the driving force of my life. "Where's Joe?" I asked. She was delighted to hear me ask about Jo.Talked endlessly about Joe. I know that veterinarian named Polente who has a good business around Morente.That day, he came to our cabin.He heard that Joe was good at handling small animals, and he was looking for a helper, so he thought of training Joe to become a veterinarian. "So Joe went to Mr. Polent's?" "What do you think? Maybe this is a good chance life gave him." "To be a veterinarian? But I always wanted him to be a real doctor." "Veterinarian is a good job too, dear." "That's different." I was a little unhappy. "Oh, he's going there for a while, and Mr. Pollent pays him back. Joe's so happy. He's all about helping Mr. Pollent treat animals." I repeated my grandmother's words, "Go for an internship for a while." "I seem to have lifted a big stone from my heart," said grandma, "Now I see that you all have your own place, so I feel more at ease!" "Grandma," I said, "I believe that as long as you work hard, you will succeed. No one would have thought that I would be here today, sitting here in leather shoes and a lace skirt." "Yeah, it's really unexpected." She also felt the same way. "It's my dream; I'm trying to make it come true! Isn't it like this, Grandma? The world is so big . . . there's so much to see, just work hard, don't you?" Grandma held my hand, "Don't forget, honey, life can't always be smooth sailing. If your dream is also someone else's dream, what you want, and others want it, what should you do? You are now a lucky star , that pastor's daughter helped you. But, don't forget that this is only your current luck. There may be times of bad luck." I didn't pay much attention to her words, I was intoxicated with my joy; and I was also sorry for Jo.Joe went to study veterinary medicine, and if he went to study with Dr. Hillard now, I would be as happy as a magician who has found the key to the kingdom of the earth. But anyway, this is the beginning of a new life for Joe. More people came to see my grandma for medical treatment, people believed in her spells again, and the food in our family continued to flow.People envy her nieces and nephews. Mr. Polent came to the door himself on horseback and said, "I'll pick him up now, will you?" All this is really like a magic trick!If you think this is the power of witchcraft, then treat it as witchcraft!If you have this kind of witchcraft, you can easily remove tumors from patients and cure various diseases: you can predict the future and guide people's lives. In this way, grandma is also lucky. The three of us in our family have never been so happy. On the way back to the pastor's house, I sang while walking.
I had become Melora's inseparable companion. I imitated her in everything—from the way she walked to the way she talked, how she acted.When speaking, pay attention to keep a calm tone, the voice is neither low nor high, do not lose your temper easily, and keep a rational and calm mind. Mrs. Jo didn't dare to gossip in front of me anymore, Beth and Kit didn't make a fuss anymore; Bert and Bailey Thomas stopped calling me out loud when they saw me, people called me Miss, even Miss Caro I am also polite, I have long since quit working in the kitchen.My job is to manage Melora's clothes, comb her hair, walk with her, read to her or read to her, and talk to her. It's really like a lady's life!In a blink of an eye, another two years have passed. But there are many things I want.I was always down when Melora got an invitation or went to visit a friend.Sometimes Miss Carroll went with her, sometimes his father, but never my turn.No wonder, who would invite Melora's personal maid as a guest? Melora often went to the doctor's place with her father, and sometimes she also went to the Abbas Manor, but she never went to the Talent Hall. According to her, it was because Jin's father was a captain and was often away, so Jin He rarely invited friends to his house during the holidays; but when Melora went to Abbas, he often ran into Kim there because he was Justin's friend. Whenever Melora came back from Abbas, she always looked sullen, and I guessed it had something to do with where she went or who was there.I always feel that it is always a glorious thing to be invited by the owner of Abbas Manor. I believe I will have such a day. Easter happens to be Sunday.The pastor's house always seemed very busy on Sundays; the bells rang from morning to night, and we lived very close to the bell tower, so it sounded like the bells were ringing at home. I used to go to church, and even though it was a bit chilly, I wanted to go because I could wear Melora's straw hat and her long coat.Sitting in a church pew, I feel fulfilled and important. I like the music in the church very much. Whenever the music sounds, my heart is always surging, and my heart is full of pious gratitude to God. It is God who made my dreams come true.Pastor Charles' dry preaching is always tiresome. Whenever this happens, I quietly observe the congregants sitting there and the arrangement in the church. All religious services took place in the side room of the church; there were also many servants sitting there, and the front seats were reserved for members of the vicar's family, but were often empty. Surrounded by windows of fine panes, said to be of the finest glass in Cornwall—blue, red, green, purple, shining in the sun; It was donated to the church by St. Langston's family years ago. There are some portraits of people on the two walls, all of whom are important figures of the late St. Langston's family.Even in the classroom, I could feel the power of the Langstons to have it all. On this day, the whole family of St. Langston came to church, it may be because of Easter, Sir Justin, his face was much darker than before; and his wife, she was tall , with a long hooked nose, looks dignified and vain; their two sons, Justin and John, don't seem to have changed much from the last time I was in the hole in the wall.Justin looked grim, more like their mother than John.John, who was slightly shorter than his brother and less handsome, looked around the church as if looking for someone. I especially like the celebration ceremony of Easter and the flowers that decorate the altar. I love to listen to the beautiful melody of "Song of Resurrection", as if I have also experienced the process of death and resurrection.When the pastor was preaching, I carefully studied the congregants sitting on the stools listening to the lecture, and I remembered how Justin's father courted my grandmother, and how my grandmother secretly had a tryst with him for her Pedro. I can't help but imagine what will happen to my position in grandma? I suddenly noticed that Melora, who was sitting next to me, was also surveying the people on the bench; she was so engrossed and lost in her thoughts—she was gazing at Justin St. Langston.Her face was filled with tranquility and happiness, and she looked more charming than before.She is fifteen years old, and it is the season of love.Apparently, she was in love with young Justin St. Langston. This discovery opened the door for me to explore the secrets of Melora's heart. I want to get to the bottom of it, and I will talk to her more about Justin in the future. I keep an eye on the members of St. Justin's family.Towards the end of the service, I discovered that the object of John's eyes was Hetty Pengast!Melora and Justin were easy to understand, but John and Hetty, it was incredible. During this season, the afternoon sun is most pleasant.Melora wanted to go for a walk.So, we put on huge straw hats.Her skin was particularly prone to tanning and freckles, and my healthy brown skin was more casual, but I thought that almost all the ladies wear hats, so I followed suit. Melora stood there, looking sad; I guessed it might have something to do with her seeing Justin in the classroom that day.Justin is twenty-two years old, seven years older than Melora.In his eyes, she might just be a child!I don't think it's right for Justin St. Langston to marry a clergyman's daughter; I've become much more worldly. Melora said, "Kronsa, I want to tell you something this afternoon," and I thought she was going to tell me her secret.As usual, when we walked, she walked ahead, and from time to time she made a ladylike air, as if to remind me that I was all dependent on her now. When she led me to the fence gate between the garden and the cemetery, I was a little surprised and puzzled. She turned to me and said, "Oh, Clentha, it's nice to be out for a walk with you, away from Miss Carroll. Miss Carroll is so prim, don't you think?" "It's her duty!" Strange that I should defend Miss Carroll. "Oh, yes, poor Carol! But, Crentha, are you happy to have you as my companion?" I nod. "But, I think now, if you were my sister, you wouldn't need company." We walked across the cemetery to the church. "What do you want to say to me?" I asked. "First, I'll take you somewhere. How long have you been here, Kronsa?" "I was about eight years old when I came here." "You are fifteen years old this year, and it has been seven years. You don't know what happened seven years ago. It has been ten years since that happened." She took me to a newer tombstone and stopped, "You read the words on it." She said. "Mary Ann Martin died at thirty-eight," I whispered. "She's my mother. She died ten years ago. Read on." "'Clenza Martin,' Clenza!" She nodded, a puzzling expression. "Clenza! I love your name. I've liked you since the first time I heard your name was Clenza. Do you remember? In the hole in the wall, you said your name was Clenza Cali. Also Strange how the past is becoming clearer and clearer. That Clentha Martin was my sister. You see, it says she lived three weeks and two days! And the hour of her death, and The date on the last tombstone is the same. The tombstones here all have a story, just walk around and take a look.” "So your mother died giving birth to Cronza?" Melora nodded. "I wanted to have a sister. I was five years old and I wanted to have a sister every day. When she was born, I was so ecstatic that I thought I would be able to play with her right away. They told me it would be when she grew up. Big. I remember asking my dad, 'I've been waiting for so long, can she play with me?' I also made a lot of plans for her. I called her Clenza before she was born. My dad wanted Give her a Cornish name, but then he said Cronsha is a good name, because it means the best things in the world-peace and love. Mom often talks about the baby still in the womb, she said it must It was a girl. So we called her Clenza. But then both Clenza and Mum died. Everything changed. A nanny, a tutor, a housekeeper...but I wanted a sister more than anything think……" "I can understand." "That's why when I saw you standing there . . . your name is Clentha too. Do you know what I mean?" "I thought you were out of sympathy." "I pity the people who stand there selling their labor, but I can't bring them all home, can I? Dad is often worried about the daily expenses at home now." She smiled and said, "But I'm glad you can Come to us." I stared at the stele.I meditate on the opportunities that fate has brought me.Otherwise, it would be a completely different situation.If that little Cronza had survived... if her name hadn't been Cronza... where would I be now?I thought of Hagarty's small eyes, Mrs. Rolt's thin lips, Justin's ugly face.This is the god of destiny that connected this series of things to create me now. Thinking of this, I can't help but be in awe. After returning from the cemetery, Melora and I grew closer.She really regarded me as her own sister, and I readily accepted her brotherhood.That night I helped her with her hair and we talked about Justin St. Langston. "What do you think of him?" As soon as I said that, I found her blushing. "He's handsome." "Prettier than John?" "Oh! John!" Her tone was full of contempt. "Does he talk to you often?" "Who? Justin? Every time I go to his house, he's very polite, but he's always so busy and busy all day long. He's graduating from college this year, so he'll be able to stay at home more often." Speaking of this, she couldn't help laughing, imagining that she would often see him when riding a horse on the pasture in the future, and he could touch him when she went to their house with her father. "You like him?" I asked. She nodded and smiled. "Better than gold?" I asked him again. "King? Oh, he's wild!" She wrinkled her nose. "I like Kim, but, Justin, he's more of a knight. Like Galahad and Sir Launcelot. King isn't chivalrous." I thought about Kim carrying Joe to our little mud hut, and I thought, Justin would never do it.I also think of Kim lying to Melora for us that Joe fell from a tree and broke his leg. Melora and I were indeed like sisters; we shared our secrets and explored our lives together.The difference is, she loves Justin and I love Kim.
Miss Carroll had a nervous headache, which was coming from time to time; and Melora, out of concern for her sickness, insisted that she lie down and rest.She closed the curtains, told Mrs. Yue not to disturb Miss Kellogg, let her sleep until four o'clock in the afternoon, and asked for afternoon tea to be delivered to Kellogg's room.After taking care of Miss Kailo, Melora found me and said she wanted to go horseback riding.I'm glad she doesn't go to Berthe, that means I'm with her. Melora mounted her pony and I mounted the harness horse.When I was on my horse, I wished the villagers could see me, and Hetty Pengast had better see what I looked like. Unfortunately, we only met a few children, watching us from the side of the road, the boys saluting and the girls curtseying.For me, this is also a kind of psychological satisfaction. After a while, we came to the wilderness highlands, and the beautiful natural scenery was refreshing.In the boundless wilderness, there are few human tracks, and what you see is a large swamp, the boundless sky and scattered small mountains.On a cloudy day, this view is depressing, but on this day, the sun is shining, the water of the small river is sparkling, and the grass is green and dewdrops on the grass. Melora touched the horse's side lightly, and the pony slowed down; I followed her across the grass slope and stopped in front of a group of stones; A huge stone, and a large flat stone lay flat on top of the three stones. "How strange!" Melora said, "that there's no one here. Just you and me. Do you know where this is? It's a cemetery. A long time ago...three or four thousand years ago, That is, before the birth of Christ, the local residents dug this cemetery and erected these stones. No matter who, no matter how strong they are, they can't push these stones down. Don't you think it's strange? Kronsa... …stand here, by this stone, and think of those people of old." I stared at her: the few strands of curly hair exposed under her straw hat swayed in the wind, she looked sincere and lovely. “你有什么感想，克伦莎？” “人生如梦。” “如果人生不是那么短暂，你想干些什么呢？” “生活……做自己想做的任何事……追求想要的东西。” “你的话与众不同，克伦莎，我为你感到骄傲。一般来说，我总能知道别人接下去会说什么，比如说凯洛小姐和我爸爸，这真让人受不了。但是，你却常常让我惊讶不已！” “那你跟贾斯廷·圣·朗斯顿在一起时，是怎么样的感觉？” 她转过身，“我说话的时候，他根本就不注意听，”她有些哀怨，“刚才你说人生如梦，但是，一个人要长大成熟可真是太慢了。” “那是因为你今年才十五岁，你每大一岁，总是拿十五岁与漫漫人生做比较。但当你活到四十岁或是五十岁，你就会觉得岁月如梭了。” “这是谁告诉你的？” “我外婆，她高人一筹。” “我听贝丝、基特说起过她。都说她有一种超人的力量，她用她的智能帮助别人……”她沉思了一会说，“这些石头叫做圈地石，爸爸说很久以前，是坎尔特人建造的，他们是最早来这儿的人。” 我们牵着马蹓躂了一会，靠在石柱旁休息的马儿在一边吃草。梅洛拉讲述她父亲告诉她的有关康沃尔的遥远历史。我聚精会神地听着，想到自己是最早来这儿的人的后裔，也是树立这些石柱的人的后代，心中产生无限骄傲。 “我们快到德瑞斯了”，梅洛拉说完示意我上马，“你一定听说过这个名字，他们是这一带最有钱的庄园主，他们拥有的土地绵延不绝。” “比圣·朗斯顿家还富有？” “是的。我们走吧，不用害怕迷路。迷了路也会重新找到回家的路的，那才有趣呢！” 她跃身上马疾奔，我随后跟上。 “这太危险了。”她转过身朝我说，意思是说我刚学会骑马，不能跑那么快；她拉住缰绳，让我们俩的马在草原上慢慢地小跑。 “荒草上的一切看上去十分相似，很容易迷路的。所以你得找个标记，比如说前面的那块岩石。那儿可能就是德瑞斯了。” “你能肯定吗？” 她朝我笑笑说，“跟我来吧！” 我们翻上一个石坡，发现是一个石建筑群，一块大石碑站在山坡上，从比较远的地方看，真像是个巨人一样。 我们翻下山坡，牵着马穿过一片丛林，爬上一个小山头，山坡十分陡峭；梅洛拉靠在石头边休息，她兴奋地告诉我说她没错，这儿就是德瑞斯花园。 “你瞧！”她说，我顺着她的眼光望去，看到一所大房子。房子是石结构的、石墙、石尖顶，像个被花园围住的宏伟城堡，出现在这儿的荒原上真好像是沙漠中的海市蜃楼；我凝神欣赏结满果子的果树，碧草如茵的草坪。“这儿一定就是德瑞斯家。”梅洛拉肯定地说。 “像个城堡。” “实际上也是个城堡，德瑞斯家是康沃尔郡东部地区首屈一指的富豪之家，然而，有人说他们家是注定要断子绝孙的。” “像这样富有的人家，有一天也会破落？” “噢，克伦莎。你太看重人世间的物质财富了。你难道没从我爸爸的讲道中受点教育？” “没有，你呢？” “没有，但我有自己的看法。不管德瑞斯多么有钱，他们最终将两手空空、销声匿迹！” "how could be?" “是因为疯狂。这也是他们这个家族的病根。也是代代都有这个隐患。人们说幸好他们家没有儿子来传宗接代，现在这一代便是这个家族的掘墓人。” “噢，那倒是件好事。” “但他们可不这样认为。他们想尽办法要把根留住。很多人都想这样，我真不明白。” “这是因为人的尊严，”我说，“给人的感觉是在你死后有人把你的生命中的一部分传下去，彷佛你仍活在世上。” “那为什么女儿就不能传宗接代呢？” “因为取名字时不能用女方的姓氏。女孩子们一旦结婚，就像泼出去的水收不回来了” 梅洛拉想了一会说，“马丁家族到我死的时候就完了。想想，你的家，卡利家族幸好有你弟弟——从树上摔下来的那个男孩。” 我们现在是亲密无问，我又觉得可以信赖她，我就把那次事故的真实情况告诉了她。她认真地听完后说：“我很高兴你救了他，很高兴，金也帮了大忙。” “你不会告诉别人吧？” “当然不会，况且谁也不该再伤害你们了。克伦莎，你说奇怪不？我们生活在这么个偏僻的小地方，但却也有那么多的事，像大城市里一样……也许比大城市里的事还要复杂、神秘，你想想德瑞斯家族的命运就可以明白了。” “我以前从没听说过这个家族。” “从没听说过？好吧，我说给你听。两百年前，德瑞斯家的一位母亲生了个怪胎——面目狰狞。他们把这个怪胎关在一个十分隐密的房间里，雇了个大力士看管，跟别人说小孩子一出生就死了。其实，这头怪胎还活着。他后来长得不仅外观吓人，而且邪气逼人；他们家里的人都害怕极了！有人说是因为孩子的母亲有个魔鬼情人。那时，这个家还有另外几个儿子；后来，其中的一个结婚了，娶了一位新娘。婚礼的那天晚上，他们玩捉迷藏的游戏，新娘找了个地方躲起来了。那一天刚好是圣诞节，看管怪物的大力士也参加了酒宴，他狂饮后烂醉如泥，更糟的是他把钥匙插在锁孔里忘了拿走。新娘对整幢房子不太熟悉；以前她在夜里听到过怪叫，别人就告诉她有一个房间里经常闹鬼。当她看到门锁上挂着钥匙，就顺手把门打开，那怪物就朝她扑来。他倒是没伤着她，她实在太娇弱柔美了，然而她又无力挣脱，就拚命喊叫，好让别人知道她在哪里。她的丈夫听到声音，猜到了几分，拿起枪冲进房间，打死了怪物，但是新娘被吓疯了。怪物临死前，诅咒他们这家说发生在这个新娘身上的悲剧，还会在下一代身上重演。” 我听完这故事，惊异地说不出话来。 “有人说现在的德瑞斯夫人就有点疯疯癫癫。在满月的夜里，她常去荒原上的那些石头边独自狂舞。她的丈夫其实只是看管她的守卫，千真万确，这就是诅咒的结果。我跟你说他们是行将灭亡的家族，你用不着羡慕他们的财富。当然，既然他们这一家已到了最后一代，咒语不久也将不复存在了。那样，只剩下朱迪思一人了。” “朱迪思是那个在夜里跳舞的人的女儿？”梅洛拉点点头。 “你相信那个修女变石头的传说吗？”我问。 梅洛拉显得有些疑虑。“嗯，我只是觉得当我站在那些石头边时，它们好像全都是有生命的物质。” “我也有这样的感觉。” “克伦莎，将来，等满月高挂天空时，我们再去看看，我一直有这个想法。” “你是不是觉得月光里有一种神奇的力量？” “是的。古代的坎尔特人特别崇拜太阳和月亮。他们还奉献祭品。那天，当我看到你站在墙洞里，我还以为你就是那第七位处女呢！” “我当时就知道你会这么想，你当时的表情怪极了，像见了鬼似的。” “那天夜里，”梅洛拉继续往下说，“我做了个梦，梦见你被关进了阿巴斯的墙里，我拚命扒墙上的石头，挖得双手都是血。但我最后终于帮你逃了出来，克伦莎，虽然我自己遍体鳞伤，”她转过身极目向旷野眺望，“我们该回家了。”她说。 回家的路上，我们都有些心情沉重。过了好一会儿，我们俩都尽力想使气氛轻松些。梅洛拉说，全世界就数康沃尔的传说故事最多。 "Why?" I asked. “因为我们这儿的人，情愿这些传说故事是生活中的真人真事。” 我俩的心情总算愉悦了些，一路上海阔天空地闲聊。 然而，实际上，我俩谁都没在认真听对方说话。我猜她又在想自己的心事，我也沉浸在自己的梦中。
日子平平常常地过去，我的日子也有点随心所欲。每次回家看望外婆，我都对她说，做富家小姐真是轻松快乐，如我预料的一样。她却说我的快乐是因为我不断追求新的目标；她还说只要生活的目标正确，就该这样不断进取。外婆自己最近的日子也不差；我和乔带给她的美味，她享受不完；昨天，彭加斯特杀了头猪，赫蒂当即拿来了一大块腿肉。外婆腌制加工之后，就可以吃上很长一段日子了。外婆的名声越来越响。乔在兽医那儿干得挺卖力，兽医对他寄以很大希望，还不时地给他些零用钱。乔说他跟主人家里的人一起生活，就像一家人一样：“这一切来得这么顺利，真怪！”我说。 “就像严酷的冬天过后迎来了明媚的春天，大自然真叫人吃惊，”外婆说，“但你得记住，亲爱的，冬天还会再来的，不可能全年都是夏日阳光灿烂的日子。” 但是，我就相信自己的日子永远充满灿烂的阳光，难得的阴雨天算不了什么。 每当我看着乔跟着兽医一起去阿巴斯牲口棚行医时，他总坐在兽医后面，看上去像个男仆人似的，这真让人难受。他应该是兽医的朋友、助手，是同等的。当然，如果他能跟着真正的医生实习，那就更好了。 当梅洛拉穿上最好的外套，戴上长长的白手套去朋友家作客时，我仍觉得不平。我很想跟她一起去，学她怎样步入客厅，怎样与人得体地聊天。然而，现实生活中自然不会有人邀请我的。约太太总要规劝我说，尽管梅洛拉待我如同手足，但我终究是她的女佣，一个与凯洛小姐的地位差不多的人。这是我生活中的遗憾。 当梅洛拉和我坐在一起学十字绣时，凯洛小姐要求我们把自己喜欢的箴言绣在棉布上。我绣了“天下无难事，只怕有心人”，这确实是我的信念，所以我一针一脚绣得十分仔细。梅洛拉绣了“将心比心，宽厚待人”；她说如果你遵循这条原则，那你的朋友就遍布天涯。 我永远不会忘掉这个夏天：坐在打开的窗户前做功课，或是坐在草坪上的橡树底下刺绣；蜜蜂在四周飞舞，各色鲜花竞相怒放，香气袭人；松树和泥土的气味掺杂在来自厨房的烤肉味中。 这一年夏天的蝴蝶特别多，乳白色的蝴蝶纷飞在紫色的草丛中。我情不自禁地想去抓一只蝴蝶，彷佛想告诉自己：“快抓住稍纵即逝的此时此刻。”我真想让时间永远停留在那一刻，但是，日月飞逝，在我说“现在”那一瞬间，它早已一去不复返了。我想到了栅栏那边的墓地和墓碑，它们彷佛提示我，时间永远不是我们芸芸众生所能把握住的东西；但我频频回首往事，我是多么希望那个夏天永远过不完！也许是我的直觉告诉我那个夏天以后，我好不容易在生活中找到的最佳位置也将永远消失。 一年前，贾斯廷就大学毕业了，所以，我们常常见到他。有时候，他骑着马穿过庄园。他现在是任重道远，一些田园、家中的事务都由他一人处理，这对他来说也是为将来正式继承的一种锻练。当他碰见我和梅洛拉在一起，他就朝我们欠欠身子以示行礼，或是忧郁地笑笑。只要那天我们遇见了他，梅洛拉就会整天处于一种兴奋的状态中，她显得比往日妩媚动人，有时也显得安详宁静，彷佛沉浸在自己美好的遐想之中。 金比贾斯廷小几岁，仍在上大学。我想到他毕业后，我也能时常见到他，心中就充满了喜悦。 一天下午，我们坐在草坪上刺绣，我刚绣完我喜欢的那句格言，已在绣句号时，贝丝跑了过来，边跑边喊：“小姐！阿巴斯庄园出事了！” 梅洛拉的脸色一下子变得惨白，手中的针线落到了草地上。“出了什么事？”她迫不及待地问；我很清楚，她最担心的是她的贾斯廷。 “那位贾斯廷老爷，在自己的书房里中风了。医生已在救他，情况不妙，没多大希望，人人都这么说。” 梅洛拉舒了口气问：“谁告诉你的？” “噢，贝尔特先生听那边的马夫说的。他还说那边的人忙成一团。” 贝丝走了以后，我们又在草坪上坐了一会，但怎么也无法集中精神刺绣了。梅洛拉显然是在想这种事对她的贾斯廷少爷的命运会有什么样的影响。一旦贾斯廷老爷去世，那他就是贾斯廷爵士，阿巴斯就是他的了。看不出梅洛拉是否很伤心，她是一向不愿听到别人的痛苦的，她伤心，也许是因为这样一来，她与贾斯廷少爷之间的距离将更遥远了。
凯洛小姐带来了另一条消息。她对当地望族的生老病死、男女婚嫁之类的事一向十分关心，因而她天天读报。 她走进教室，手里拿着报纸。梅洛拉朝我看看，做了个鬼脸，凯洛小姐看到。梅洛拉的意思是：“现在我们又可以听听她说某某先生结婚了或是不幸与世长辞了……凯洛小姐本人曾在这家当过家敦，而且亲如一家。” “报上有条有趣的新闻。”她说。 “哦？”梅洛拉装得饶有兴趣的样子。可怜的凯洛小姐！梅洛拉所以经常说她不会享受现实生活，常沉湎于过去的梦里。 “阿巴斯庄园将有隆重的婚礼。” 梅洛拉哑口无言。 “千真万确，”凯洛小姐一字一顿地故意放慢节奏，想把悬念拖长，藉以激发我们的兴趣，“贾斯廷·圣·朗斯顿行将完成大婚。” 我还是第一次这样深深地感受到别人的痛楚。对于我来说，贾斯廷跟谁结婚都毫不重要，但是，对于可怜的梅洛拉来说就不一样了。她心中的那个梦破灭了。从这件事中，我也有了教训。一个人仅有雄心勃勃的理想是毫无用处的，重要的是要付诸行动。那么，梅洛拉为自己的梦想做了什么呢？遇到贾斯廷时朝他甜甜地笑一笑：去他家喝午茶时把自己打扮一新，仅比而已！而他呢，一直把她当成小妹妹。 “他跟谁结婚？”梅洛拉的声音彷佛来自遥远的星球。 “真怪，怎么到现在才宣布，”凯洛小姐说，她还想卖关子，“贾斯廷爵士病得厉害，随时有可能撒手红尘，但也许也是由于这个原因才赶着举行婚礼。” “到底他跟谁结婚？”梅洛拉又追问。 凯洛小姐实在无法再拖延了。 “朱迪思·德瑞斯小姐，”她说。
贾斯廷爵士没死，但他中风整个人瘫痪了。人们再也见不到他扛着枪打猎的神气模样或在林中散步的悠闲劲。希拉德医生一天看他两次，问得最多的一句话是：“今天怎么样啊？” 我们都盼着他死，但他苟延残喘地活着；渐渐地，我们接受了这样一个事实：尽管他瘫痪了，甚至连走路都不行，但他却还能活上好一阵子。 自从得知贾斯廷要结婚的消息后，梅洛拉把自己关在房间里，什么人也不愿见——连我去她都不开门。她说她头痛，别打搅她。 后来等我再进去时，她却显得十分镇静，但是脸色依然苍白。 她说：“就是这个朱迪思·德瑞斯。她会带来厄运的，我担心的是这件事。” 我觉得她并不是真正地爱贾斯廷少爷，他在她心目中只是个纯真的梦。我还以为她对他感情炽烈，梦寐以求，就如同我全心全力跟自己的梦奋斗一样，勇往直前。 现在看来我的判断错了，要不然，不管贾斯廷跟谁结婚，她对他的爱都会依然如故。我这样的推测在当时看来是颇为合情合理的。
从报上登出通告后，又过了六星期，婚礼举行了。 圣·朗斯顿的不少村民都打算赶到德瑞斯教堂去观看婚礼。梅洛拉显得心神不宁，揣度着自己会不会收到请帖？ 婚礼的那天，我们坐在花园里，彼此都有些情绪低落，彷佛是等待宣判的罪犯。 我们不时地从外人那儿得到各种最新消息，幸运的是我们有这样庞大的传播媒介：牧师家里的佣人，阿巴斯庄园的佣人，还有德瑞斯庄园的佣人；消息源源不断而来。 新娘穿着漂亮的礼服，礼服上缀满花边；她的婚纱和桔黄色的花环是家族祖传下来的，凡是德瑞斯家的新娘都用过。 我把听来的消息告诉梅洛拉。 “我上次说的那个新娘不是德瑞斯家族的，”她向我指出，“她是个外族人，所以她并不知道屋子里关着头怪物。” “你跟朱迪思有过接触吗？”我问。 “只有过一次，在阿巴斯庄园。她相当高？个子，很苗条、很漂亮、黑头发，还有一双大大的黑眼睛。” “幸好她还有漂亮这点优势。这么说，圣·朗斯顿家会富裕起来了，对吧？听说她有好大一笔嫁妆。” 梅洛拉转向我，很生气的样子，她很少发怒的。她一把抓住我的肩膀，使劲摇晃我：“不要说钱！不要老想着钱！这世界上除了钱，难道就没有别的价值了吗？我告诉你，她会给阿巴斯庄园带来厄运的，她就是祸水。他们这些人全是祸根。” “跟我们没关系。” 她眼睛流露出无比的愤怒，彷佛充满了怒火。 “他们是我们的邻居，怎么能说没关系？” “我可看不出有什么关系！他们对我们漠不关心，为什么你要这么在乎他们？” “他们仍是我的朋友。” “朋友！他们对你置若罔闻，连请帖都没给你。” “我本来就不想去参加他们的婚礼。” “但请不请与去不去是两码事。” “哦，别谈这个了，克伦莎。我告诉你，一切都会跟从前大不一样了，昔日欢乐永远不可能重现，难道你没察觉到吗？” 是的，我也感觉到了。与其说已经改变，倒不如说正在改变，其中最主要的原因是我们都已长大。 梅洛拉马上就要十七岁了，再过几个月，我也十七岁了。 我们都得盘起头发，像个大人样；我们已告别欢乐、单纯的昨天，还没长大，就已开始怀念儿时的欢笑。
贾斯廷老爷的生命已脱离危险。他的长子贾斯廷要娶新娘了，这是他们家上下高兴的事，所以，圣·朗斯顿家决定办个舞会。舞会定于入秋之前举行，要选一个暖和的夜晚，这样，参加舞会的客人既可以待在室内娱乐，也可以到户外欣赏夜景。 邀请信如雪片似的纷纷发出，梅洛拉和她的父亲也收到了请帖。新郎、新娘到义大利度蜜月去了，舞会刚好为他们回来洗尘、庆贺。 请帖上清清楚楚地写着这将是个化装舞会，真是别出心裁。据说是贾斯廷爵士的主意，他自己无法参加，但他倒是满腔热情。 我不知道梅洛拉收到请帖的是什么样的心情？我看她一会儿情绪激动，一会儿又闷闷不乐。她的整个性情随着年龄长大变了许多；以前她一向沉静内向，而我因为自己心中藏不住秘密因而常羡慕她文静的性格。 “我真希望你也能去，克伦莎，哦！要是你也能去跳舞，那该多好！你想不想去？” “我非常想去阿巴斯庄园的大房子里，这对我意义重大。” She nodded.我们俩人总有一种想在一块儿的默契，许多事不需要我做太多的说明，她都能理解。 后来，连着好几天，我发现她总是皱着眉，心事重重的样子。我一提及舞会，她就不耐烦地耸耸肩。 第四天，她从她父亲的书房出来时，一脸沮丧。 “爸爸不舒服，”她对我说，“很多日子了，他都不大舒服。” 我也注意到了，牧师的脸色一日差似一日。 “他说，他去不了舞会了。”梅洛拉说。 我正在想如果牧师去参加化装舞会，他穿什么服装呢？除了他平日的打扮外，好像很难想像他有别的形象。 “那你也去不了了？” “至少我不能一个人去。” “噢……梅洛拉。” 她不耐烦地耸耸肩膀。那天下午，她和凯洛小姐骑着马出去了，我看着她们扬长而去的背影，心里难受极了！ 梅洛拉一从外边回来，就直奔我的房间；她两颊闪着快乐的光泽，兴奋得脸都红了。 她坐在我床上，一弹一跳地晃了一会儿，然后安静下来，歪着脑袋说：“灰姑娘，想不想去参加舞会啊？” “梅洛拉，”我吸了口气问，“你是说……” She nodded. “他们请你参加。嗯，也不能完全这么说，因为朗斯顿夫人根本不知道你……但我帮你弄到了请帖，太好了！克伦莎。你能陪我去，比爸爸，比凯洛小姐陪我都要好。” “你怎么弄到请帖的？” “今天下午，我去拜访了圣·朗斯顿夫人。运气不错，她刚好在家，我就跟她说，我爸爸身体不舒服，不能陪我来参加舞会，但我有个朋友和我一起生活——能不能把爸爸的请帖转给我的这位朋友，她一口答应了。” “梅洛拉……万一她发现了我是……怎么办？” “她不会知道的。我把你名字改了。她以为你是我姑妈。你只要装出一副大人带着小姑娘参加舞会的样子就行了。我真太高兴了，克伦莎。现在，我们来想想穿什么样的衣服。化装舞会！想像一下，大家都打扮得漂漂亮亮。顺便告诉你，从现在起，你叫卡莱恩小姐。” “卡莱恩小姐？”我自言自语，接着问梅洛拉，“那我穿什么呢？” 她歪着脑袋想了一会说：“你得做点额外的针线活。你知道的，我爸爸不可能给我们很多钱去买衣服，他近来连日常的开支都难以应付，我们只能一切从简了！” “可是没有礼服怎么去参加舞会？” “别泄气。有志者事竟成，瞧你现在垂头丧气的样子，太差劲了，”她搂着我说，“有个妹妹真好，”接着又笑着问我，“关于同甘共苦，你外婆有何高见？” “她说与人分享快乐，就有双倍的欢乐；与人分担忧愁，痛苦就减轻了一半。” “是这样的。你能与我一起去参加舞会，我的欢乐成倍增长，”说完她把我推开，重新端坐在床上，“现在考虑一下该怎么打扮吧！再想想我们的努力能进行到哪一步？按照阿巴斯画廊里挂着的那些画像来设计吧！哦，对了，你还没见过那些人物肖像。天鹅丝绒，你的黑头发很谐调，加上西班牙式的梳子和发罩，你就成了美丽、高贵的西班牙女廊。” 我也由衷地喜欢她的建议。我说，“我有西班牙梳子和发罩；我的祖父辈是西班牙人，我血管里流着他们的血。” “对了，你穿红色丝绒。我妈妈有一套晚礼服，从没穿过，”她站起身，拉住我的手转了好几圈，“至于面具，好解决，用黑丝绒自己做，在上面缀上珠子。我们有三星期的时间准备这一切。” 我比她还要激动。要是圣·朗斯顿夫人知道了我的真实身份，说什么也不会邀请我的，但我兴高采烈的情绪一点也没有因为这个原因而受到影响，反之，我马上就要去参加舞会了。那件丝绒晚礼服，我已试穿过了，大红色的，挺漂亮，只是需要稍加修改就行了，这个我们自己就可以动手做。凯洛小姐的针线活一向很不错，这次，尽管她不怎么情愿，但她还是帮了很大的忙。 我很高兴我的晚礼服没花一分钱，这样，查尔斯给梅洛拉的每一分钱都可以用在梅洛拉身上。我和她商量后决定，她最好是把自己打扮成希腊式的，因此，我们买来了白天鹅绒，金丝线和金黄的金属饰片。 整套服装是宽松式，里面以金丝线打了折，她金黄色的头发披散在肩膀上，再配上黑丝绒面罩，她看上去真是美极了！ 离舞会还有些日子，但我们的主要话题除了贾斯廷爵士的健康状况，便是日思夜想的舞会。一想到万一爵士在舞会之前去世，那么舞会就可能被取消，我俩担心极了！ 我回家时把一切讲给外婆听。 “我马上就要变成漂亮的西班牙女郎，这是我有生以来最令人激动的事。” 她伤感地看着我说，“亲爱的，别期待太多！” “我可没对舞会抱太大的希望，”我说，“我只是想自己将被当作客人去阿巴斯；穿着红丝绒晚礼服。外婆，下次我穿上那套衣服时，你就会知道那有多美丽。”
Mr. Pastor gave me this unique treatment, but it caused an uproar. "I've never heard of it!" murmured Mrs. Yo, "bringing up a lady like her! Believe me, the vicar is crazy." Beth and Kit were also muttering that my grandmother put a spell on the vicar because she wanted her niece to be able to write and read and be a lady.This really worked. The old woman can do this no matter what she thinks.I thought to myself: I hope this can make grandma's business flourish. Miss Carroll treated me very coldly; and I could see that she wanted to tell me that, though she was a commoner herself, she would never be so low as to teach a commoner like me to read and write. "It's a whim in the head," she said, facing me. "Why?" Melora asked. "If I had to start with the most basic ABC knowledge, I would not be able to complete the teaching plan." "She has learned some basics, she can read and write." "I strongly protest." "What do you want to do?" Melora asked, "Do you want to ask for leave?" "Perhaps so. I want you to understand that I was a tutor at the Baron's." "You've said it more than once," Melora returned tartly, "and since you're so sorry about it, maybe you can find another one." I really didn't expect that Melora would be so embarrassing for her own victory. "Sit down, child," said Miss Carroll.So, I obeyed the order obediently, I really wanted to read. Of course, Miss Carroll did not teach me willingly, so her lessons were messed up; but I was determined to learn, which surprised Melora and Miss Carroll!After I was able to write and read, I started to teach myself, and it was very effective.Melora lent me book after book, and I devoured them. I learned about many things that happened abroad, and I also understood the development of history.Before long, I'll be on par with Melora, but I secretly want to surpass her. I still have to contend with Miss Kylo.She hates me and is always looking for a chance to prove that my efforts on me are a waste of time, but I finally have the weapon enough to subdue her. I know this truth: If you want to subdue your enemy, you must first understand him carefully; if you want to defeat the enemy, you must find the weak link.Therefore, I have been quietly paying attention to Miss Kailo's behavior.Finally, I discovered that she had a dark secret: she longed for a home to end her current single life.Whenever the word "spinster" was uttered, she always fell for it, and I later found out that she was targeting the Reverend Charles. When Miss Carroll and I were alone in the room, her attitude towards me was often hostile; she never praised my progress; Looked very impatient. I really hate her.But then I found out that I didn't know much about her, because I was actually looking for a sense of security myself, and I shouldn't hate her so much. One day, Melora had already walked out of the classroom, and I was sorting out the books, when I was careful, the books slipped to the floor.Miss Caro said with a sneer, "That's not the right attitude towards knowledge." "I accidentally fell to the ground, you know?" "Be polite when talking to me." "why?" "Because I have status, I am a noble lady-and you can't be a lady in this life." I deliberately threw the book on the table, then looked up at her and cast a contemptuous glance.This is called tit for tat, who told her to be so mean in the past. "But, at the very least," I said word for word, "I will never have the cheek to court an old pastor and dream of marrying him." She turned pale all of a sudden. "How dare you!" she cried.My words hit her hard. "Oh, of course I dare to do this to you," I refused to give in. "I just repay you with the attitude you usually treat me. Now listen, Miss Carroll, we owe no one, in the future I won't talk about you anymore...and you'll give me a good lecture and treat me like Melora's sister, understand?" She said nothing, and had nothing to say; her lips were still trembling.I had no choice but to walk out of the classroom, full of the pride of the winner.In the days to come, she tried her best to teach me and never mocked me.And I made progress, and she also praised me. I feel as great as Julius Caesar.
Melora is most proud of the progress I have made in my studies.When my homework is better than hers, she is sincerely happy for me; she regards me as a plant she cultivated herself;I gradually realized that she was a different girl - not as simple as I thought.She's as stubborn as I am serious - she has a strong sense of right and wrong about life, perhaps instilled by her father.Anything, as long as she thinks it is right, she will do it, never caring how difficult it is.In the parsonage she had authority over her, largely because her mother had been lost in infancy and her father had loved her so much.That is why her father had to keep me when she asked for a valet.Regarding this incident, just as Mrs. Yue complained, it was unprecedented and extremely absurd, so Mrs. Yue could never imagine what happened later. Now I have my own room next door to Melora; I spend a lot of time with her.I mend her clothes, do the laundry, study with her, and then go for a walk.She was very happy to teach me, and taught me to ride a horse, and we rode together on the grasslands. All this seems unsurprising to me.As grandma said, I am realizing my dream little by little. Melora was about my height, just a little thinner, and when she gave me clothes she didn't want to wear, I just had to make a few tweaks to fit them perfectly. I still remember how I was dressed the first time I came home: a blue and white plaid dress, white socks, black leather shoes—all given to me by Melora.I carried the basket, which of course contained all kinds of food. Mrs. Yue always likes to say something that spoils the fun.When I was getting ready to take home something, she said, "Melora is like her father, who likes to be overly generous and smacks her face to make herself fat." I desperately wanted to forget those words.I think the servants always like to chatter like this: but there is always a sense of foreboding in their hearts. Walking into the woods, I ran into Pengast's daughter, Hetty, whom I had always thought of with envy before I went to the labor market in Trey Link.The only daughter of a farm owner, she has two older brothers: Tom runs the farm with her father; Reuben works on the Drumgranz construction crew.It was this Ruben who saw the seventh virgin soul when the walls of Abbas Manor collapsed, and he became insane ever since.Hetty was the baby of the family; she was plump and lovely; her precocious figure was always talked about by the older women of the village, who warned Pengast, in a prophetic voice, "Beware of your baby Daughter, don’t have a baby lying in a cradle waiting to be fed while you wear your wedding ring.” I understood what they meant; the way she walked was seductive; The thick lips are very sexy, the chestnut hair is always tied with a headband, the collar is cut low, and the skirt is very short and too revealing. She had long been engaged to Saul Candy at the Feld Mine.It was a very mismatched pair—Saul was ten years older than her, with a rigid expression. But Hetty's family appreciates this marriage very much, because Saul is really not someone to wait for, he has money to hire people to work, everyone calls him Master Saul, and he has business skills; but he pursues Hetty, people are I can't think of it.It's also possible that Hetty was just joking with him!She wanted to let it go for a while before officially flying into the marriage cage. And now she's making fun of me again: "Yo, isn't that Clentha Carley--so pretty, all dressed up!" I imitated Melora's tone and said calmly, "I'm going home to see grandma." "Hehe! You really look like a lady now, don't lose your identity!" I ignored it and went straight home.Hetty laughed loudly from behind.I didn't care what she said, but I was quite happy.I can read and write now. Compared with this, the hair tie on her head and the leather shoes on her feet are really worthless.I really don't understand, how could I envy her so much before? Grandma was alone at home, and she kissed me with infinite pride in her eyes.No matter where I go, I will always love her, she is the driving force of my life. "Where's Joe?" I asked. She was delighted to hear me ask about Jo.Talked endlessly about Joe. I know that veterinarian named Polente who has a good business around Morente.That day, he came to our cabin.He heard that Joe was good at handling small animals, and he was looking for a helper, so he thought of training Joe to become a veterinarian. "So Joe went to Mr. Polent's?" "What do you think? Maybe this is a good chance life gave him." "To be a veterinarian? But I always wanted him to be a real doctor." "Veterinarian is a good job too, dear." "That's different." I was a little unhappy. "Oh, he's going there for a while, and Mr. Pollent pays him back. Joe's so happy. He's all about helping Mr. Pollent treat animals." I repeated my grandmother's words, "Go for an internship for a while." "I seem to have lifted a big stone from my heart," said grandma, "Now I see that you all have your own place, so I feel more at ease!" "Grandma," I said, "I believe that as long as you work hard, you will succeed. No one would have thought that I would be here today, sitting here in leather shoes and a lace skirt." "Yeah, it's really unexpected." She also felt the same way. "It's my dream; I'm trying to make it come true! Isn't it like this, Grandma? The world is so big . . . there's so much to see, just work hard, don't you?" Grandma held my hand, "Don't forget, honey, life can't always be smooth sailing. If your dream is also someone else's dream, what you want, and others want it, what should you do? You are now a lucky star , that pastor's daughter helped you. But, don't forget that this is only your current luck. There may be times of bad luck." I didn't pay much attention to her words, I was intoxicated with my joy; and I was also sorry for Jo.Joe went to study veterinary medicine, and if he went to study with Dr. Hillard now, I would be as happy as a magician who has found the key to the kingdom of the earth. But anyway, this is the beginning of a new life for Joe. More people came to see my grandma for medical treatment, people believed in her spells again, and the food in our family continued to flow.People envy her nieces and nephews. Mr. Polent came to the door himself on horseback and said, "I'll pick him up now, will you?" All this is really like a magic trick!If you think this is the power of witchcraft, then treat it as witchcraft!If you have this kind of witchcraft, you can easily remove tumors from patients and cure various diseases: you can predict the future and guide people's lives. In this way, grandma is also lucky. The three of us in our family have never been so happy. On the way back to the pastor's house, I sang while walking.
I had become Melora's inseparable companion. I imitated her in everything—from the way she walked to the way she talked, how she acted.When speaking, pay attention to keep a calm tone, the voice is neither low nor high, do not lose your temper easily, and keep a rational and calm mind. Mrs. Jo didn't dare to gossip in front of me anymore, Beth and Kit didn't make a fuss anymore; Bert and Bailey Thomas stopped calling me out loud when they saw me, people called me Miss, even Miss Caro I am also polite, I have long since quit working in the kitchen.My job is to manage Melora's clothes, comb her hair, walk with her, read to her or read to her, and talk to her. It's really like a lady's life!In a blink of an eye, another two years have passed. But there are many things I want.I was always down when Melora got an invitation or went to visit a friend.Sometimes Miss Carroll went with her, sometimes his father, but never my turn.No wonder, who would invite Melora's personal maid as a guest? Melora often went to the doctor's place with her father, and sometimes she also went to the Abbas Manor, but she never went to the Talent Hall. According to her, it was because Jin's father was a captain and was often away, so Jin He rarely invited friends to his house during the holidays; but when Melora went to Abbas, he often ran into Kim there because he was Justin's friend. Whenever Melora came back from Abbas, she always looked sullen, and I guessed it had something to do with where she went or who was there.I always feel that it is always a glorious thing to be invited by the owner of Abbas Manor. I believe I will have such a day. Easter happens to be Sunday.The pastor's house always seemed very busy on Sundays; the bells rang from morning to night, and we lived very close to the bell tower, so it sounded like the bells were ringing at home. I used to go to church, and even though it was a bit chilly, I wanted to go because I could wear Melora's straw hat and her long coat.Sitting in a church pew, I feel fulfilled and important. I like the music in the church very much. Whenever the music sounds, my heart is always surging, and my heart is full of pious gratitude to God. It is God who made my dreams come true.Pastor Charles' dry preaching is always tiresome. Whenever this happens, I quietly observe the congregants sitting there and the arrangement in the church. All religious services took place in the side room of the church; there were also many servants sitting there, and the front seats were reserved for members of the vicar's family, but were often empty. Surrounded by windows of fine panes, said to be of the finest glass in Cornwall—blue, red, green, purple, shining in the sun; It was donated to the church by St. Langston's family years ago. There are some portraits of people on the two walls, all of whom are important figures of the late St. Langston's family.Even in the classroom, I could feel the power of the Langstons to have it all. On this day, the whole family of St. Langston came to church, it may be because of Easter, Sir Justin, his face was much darker than before; and his wife, she was tall , with a long hooked nose, looks dignified and vain; their two sons, Justin and John, don't seem to have changed much from the last time I was in the hole in the wall.Justin looked grim, more like their mother than John.John, who was slightly shorter than his brother and less handsome, looked around the church as if looking for someone. I especially like the celebration ceremony of Easter and the flowers that decorate the altar. I love to listen to the beautiful melody of "Song of Resurrection", as if I have also experienced the process of death and resurrection.When the pastor was preaching, I carefully studied the congregants sitting on the stools listening to the lecture, and I remembered how Justin's father courted my grandmother, and how my grandmother secretly had a tryst with him for her Pedro. I can't help but imagine what will happen to my position in grandma? I suddenly noticed that Melora, who was sitting next to me, was also surveying the people on the bench; she was so engrossed and lost in her thoughts—she was gazing at Justin St. Langston.Her face was filled with tranquility and happiness, and she looked more charming than before.She is fifteen years old, and it is the season of love.Apparently, she was in love with young Justin St. Langston. This discovery opened the door for me to explore the secrets of Melora's heart. I want to get to the bottom of it, and I will talk to her more about Justin in the future. I keep an eye on the members of St. Justin's family.Towards the end of the service, I discovered that the object of John's eyes was Hetty Pengast!Melora and Justin were easy to understand, but John and Hetty, it was incredible. During this season, the afternoon sun is most pleasant.Melora wanted to go for a walk.So, we put on huge straw hats.Her skin was particularly prone to tanning and freckles, and my healthy brown skin was more casual, but I thought that almost all the ladies wear hats, so I followed suit. Melora stood there, looking sad; I guessed it might have something to do with her seeing Justin in the classroom that day.Justin is twenty-two years old, seven years older than Melora.In his eyes, she might just be a child!I don't think it's right for Justin St. Langston to marry a clergyman's daughter; I've become much more worldly. Melora said, "Kronsa, I want to tell you something this afternoon," and I thought she was going to tell me her secret.As usual, when we walked, she walked ahead, and from time to time she made a ladylike air, as if to remind me that I was all dependent on her now. When she led me to the fence gate between the garden and the cemetery, I was a little surprised and puzzled. She turned to me and said, "Oh, Clentha, it's nice to be out for a walk with you, away from Miss Carroll. Miss Carroll is so prim, don't you think?" "It's her duty!" Strange that I should defend Miss Carroll. "Oh, yes, poor Carol! But, Crentha, are you happy to have you as my companion?" I nod. "But, I think now, if you were my sister, you wouldn't need company." We walked across the cemetery to the church. "What do you want to say to me?" I asked. "First, I'll take you somewhere. How long have you been here, Kronsa?" "I was about eight years old when I came here." "You are fifteen years old this year, and it has been seven years. You don't know what happened seven years ago. It has been ten years since that happened." She took me to a newer tombstone and stopped, "You read the words on it." She said. "Mary Ann Martin died at thirty-eight," I whispered. "She's my mother. She died ten years ago. Read on." "'Clenza Martin,' Clenza!" She nodded, a puzzling expression. "Clenza! I love your name. I've liked you since the first time I heard your name was Clenza. Do you remember? In the hole in the wall, you said your name was Clenza Cali. Also Strange how the past is becoming clearer and clearer. That Clentha Martin was my sister. You see, it says she lived three weeks and two days! And the hour of her death, and The date on the last tombstone is the same. The tombstones here all have a story, just walk around and take a look.” "So your mother died giving birth to Cronza?" Melora nodded. "I wanted to have a sister. I was five years old and I wanted to have a sister every day. When she was born, I was so ecstatic that I thought I would be able to play with her right away. They told me it would be when she grew up. Big. I remember asking my dad, 'I've been waiting for so long, can she play with me?' I also made a lot of plans for her. I called her Clenza before she was born. My dad wanted Give her a Cornish name, but then he said Cronsha is a good name, because it means the best things in the world-peace and love. Mom often talks about the baby still in the womb, she said it must It was a girl. So we called her Clenza. But then both Clenza and Mum died. Everything changed. A nanny, a tutor, a housekeeper...but I wanted a sister more than anything think……" "I can understand." "That's why when I saw you standing there . . . your name is Clentha too. Do you know what I mean?" "I thought you were out of sympathy." "I pity the people who stand there selling their labor, but I can't bring them all home, can I? Dad is often worried about the daily expenses at home now." She smiled and said, "But I'm glad you can Come to us." I stared at the stele.I meditate on the opportunities that fate has brought me.Otherwise, it would be a completely different situation.If that little Cronza had survived... if her name hadn't been Cronza... where would I be now?I thought of Hagarty's small eyes, Mrs. Rolt's thin lips, Justin's ugly face.This is the god of destiny that connected this series of things to create me now. Thinking of this, I can't help but be in awe. After returning from the cemetery, Melora and I grew closer.She really regarded me as her own sister, and I readily accepted her brotherhood.That night I helped her with her hair and we talked about Justin St. Langston. "What do you think of him?" As soon as I said that, I found her blushing. "He's handsome." "Prettier than John?" "Oh! John!" Her tone was full of contempt. "Does he talk to you often?" "Who? Justin? Every time I go to his house, he's very polite, but he's always so busy and busy all day long. He's graduating from college this year, so he'll be able to stay at home more often." Speaking of this, she couldn't help laughing, imagining that she would often see him when riding a horse on the pasture in the future, and he could touch him when she went to their house with her father. "You like him?" I asked. She nodded and smiled. "Better than gold?" I asked him again. "King? Oh, he's wild!" She wrinkled her nose. "I like Kim, but, Justin, he's more of a knight. Like Galahad and Sir Launcelot. King isn't chivalrous." I thought about Kim carrying Joe to our little mud hut, and I thought, Justin would never do it.I also think of Kim lying to Melora for us that Joe fell from a tree and broke his leg. Melora and I were indeed like sisters; we shared our secrets and explored our lives together.The difference is, she loves Justin and I love Kim.
Miss Carroll had a nervous headache, which was coming from time to time; and Melora, out of concern for her sickness, insisted that she lie down and rest.She closed the curtains, told Mrs. Yue not to disturb Miss Kellogg, let her sleep until four o'clock in the afternoon, and asked for afternoon tea to be delivered to Kellogg's room.After taking care of Miss Kailo, Melora found me and said she wanted to go horseback riding.I'm glad she doesn't go to Berthe, that means I'm with her. Melora mounted her pony and I mounted the harness horse.When I was on my horse, I wished the villagers could see me, and Hetty Pengast had better see what I looked like. Unfortunately, we only met a few children, watching us from the side of the road, the boys saluting and the girls curtseying.For me, this is also a kind of psychological satisfaction. After a while, we came to the wilderness highlands, and the beautiful natural scenery was refreshing.In the boundless wilderness, there are few human tracks, and what you see is a large swamp, the boundless sky and scattered small mountains.On a cloudy day, this view is depressing, but on this day, the sun is shining, the water of the small river is sparkling, and the grass is green and dewdrops on the grass. Melora touched the horse's side lightly, and the pony slowed down; I followed her across the grass slope and stopped in front of a group of stones; A huge stone, and a large flat stone lay flat on top of the three stones. "How strange!" Melora said, "that there's no one here. Just you and me. Do you know where this is? It's a cemetery. A long time ago...three or four thousand years ago, That is, before the birth of Christ, the local residents dug this cemetery and erected these stones. No matter who, no matter how strong they are, they can't push these stones down. Don't you think it's strange? Kronsa... …stand here, by this stone, and think of those people of old." I stared at her: the few strands of curly hair exposed under her straw hat swayed in the wind, she looked sincere and lovely. “你有什么感想，克伦莎？” “人生如梦。” “如果人生不是那么短暂，你想干些什么呢？” “生活……做自己想做的任何事……追求想要的东西。” “你的话与众不同，克伦莎，我为你感到骄傲。一般来说，我总能知道别人接下去会说什么，比如说凯洛小姐和我爸爸，这真让人受不了。但是，你却常常让我惊讶不已！” “那你跟贾斯廷·圣·朗斯顿在一起时，是怎么样的感觉？” 她转过身，“我说话的时候，他根本就不注意听，”她有些哀怨，“刚才你说人生如梦，但是，一个人要长大成熟可真是太慢了。” “那是因为你今年才十五岁，你每大一岁，总是拿十五岁与漫漫人生做比较。但当你活到四十岁或是五十岁，你就会觉得岁月如梭了。” “这是谁告诉你的？” “我外婆，她高人一筹。” “我听贝丝、基特说起过她。都说她有一种超人的力量，她用她的智能帮助别人……”她沉思了一会说，“这些石头叫做圈地石，爸爸说很久以前，是坎尔特人建造的，他们是最早来这儿的人。” 我们牵着马蹓躂了一会，靠在石柱旁休息的马儿在一边吃草。梅洛拉讲述她父亲告诉她的有关康沃尔的遥远历史。我聚精会神地听着，想到自己是最早来这儿的人的后裔，也是树立这些石柱的人的后代，心中产生无限骄傲。 “我们快到德瑞斯了”，梅洛拉说完示意我上马，“你一定听说过这个名字，他们是这一带最有钱的庄园主，他们拥有的土地绵延不绝。” “比圣·朗斯顿家还富有？” “是的。我们走吧，不用害怕迷路。迷了路也会重新找到回家的路的，那才有趣呢！” 她跃身上马疾奔，我随后跟上。 “这太危险了。”她转过身朝我说，意思是说我刚学会骑马，不能跑那么快；她拉住缰绳，让我们俩的马在草原上慢慢地小跑。 “荒草上的一切看上去十分相似，很容易迷路的。所以你得找个标记，比如说前面的那块岩石。那儿可能就是德瑞斯了。” “你能肯定吗？” 她朝我笑笑说，“跟我来吧！” 我们翻上一个石坡，发现是一个石建筑群，一块大石碑站在山坡上，从比较远的地方看，真像是个巨人一样。 我们翻下山坡，牵着马穿过一片丛林，爬上一个小山头，山坡十分陡峭；梅洛拉靠在石头边休息，她兴奋地告诉我说她没错，这儿就是德瑞斯花园。 “你瞧！”她说，我顺着她的眼光望去，看到一所大房子。房子是石结构的、石墙、石尖顶，像个被花园围住的宏伟城堡，出现在这儿的荒原上真好像是沙漠中的海市蜃楼；我凝神欣赏结满果子的果树，碧草如茵的草坪。“这儿一定就是德瑞斯家。”梅洛拉肯定地说。 “像个城堡。” “实际上也是个城堡，德瑞斯家是康沃尔郡东部地区首屈一指的富豪之家，然而，有人说他们家是注定要断子绝孙的。” “像这样富有的人家，有一天也会破落？” “噢，克伦莎。你太看重人世间的物质财富了。你难道没从我爸爸的讲道中受点教育？” “没有，你呢？” “没有，但我有自己的看法。不管德瑞斯多么有钱，他们最终将两手空空、销声匿迹！” "how could be?" “是因为疯狂。这也是他们这个家族的病根。也是代代都有这个隐患。人们说幸好他们家没有儿子来传宗接代，现在这一代便是这个家族的掘墓人。” “噢，那倒是件好事。” “但他们可不这样认为。他们想尽办法要把根留住。很多人都想这样，我真不明白。” “这是因为人的尊严，”我说，“给人的感觉是在你死后有人把你的生命中的一部分传下去，彷佛你仍活在世上。” “那为什么女儿就不能传宗接代呢？” “因为取名字时不能用女方的姓氏。女孩子们一旦结婚，就像泼出去的水收不回来了” 梅洛拉想了一会说，“马丁家族到我死的时候就完了。想想，你的家，卡利家族幸好有你弟弟——从树上摔下来的那个男孩。” 我们现在是亲密无问，我又觉得可以信赖她，我就把那次事故的真实情况告诉了她。她认真地听完后说：“我很高兴你救了他，很高兴，金也帮了大忙。” “你不会告诉别人吧？” “当然不会，况且谁也不该再伤害你们了。克伦莎，你说奇怪不？我们生活在这么个偏僻的小地方，但却也有那么多的事，像大城市里一样……也许比大城市里的事还要复杂、神秘，你想想德瑞斯家族的命运就可以明白了。” “我以前从没听说过这个家族。” “从没听说过？好吧，我说给你听。两百年前，德瑞斯家的一位母亲生了个怪胎——面目狰狞。他们把这个怪胎关在一个十分隐密的房间里，雇了个大力士看管，跟别人说小孩子一出生就死了。其实，这头怪胎还活着。他后来长得不仅外观吓人，而且邪气逼人；他们家里的人都害怕极了！有人说是因为孩子的母亲有个魔鬼情人。那时，这个家还有另外几个儿子；后来，其中的一个结婚了，娶了一位新娘。婚礼的那天晚上，他们玩捉迷藏的游戏，新娘找了个地方躲起来了。那一天刚好是圣诞节，看管怪物的大力士也参加了酒宴，他狂饮后烂醉如泥，更糟的是他把钥匙插在锁孔里忘了拿走。新娘对整幢房子不太熟悉；以前她在夜里听到过怪叫，别人就告诉她有一个房间里经常闹鬼。当她看到门锁上挂着钥匙，就顺手把门打开，那怪物就朝她扑来。他倒是没伤着她，她实在太娇弱柔美了，然而她又无力挣脱，就拚命喊叫，好让别人知道她在哪里。她的丈夫听到声音，猜到了几分，拿起枪冲进房间，打死了怪物，但是新娘被吓疯了。怪物临死前，诅咒他们这家说发生在这个新娘身上的悲剧，还会在下一代身上重演。” 我听完这故事，惊异地说不出话来。 “有人说现在的德瑞斯夫人就有点疯疯癫癫。在满月的夜里，她常去荒原上的那些石头边独自狂舞。她的丈夫其实只是看管她的守卫，千真万确，这就是诅咒的结果。我跟你说他们是行将灭亡的家族，你用不着羡慕他们的财富。当然，既然他们这一家已到了最后一代，咒语不久也将不复存在了。那样，只剩下朱迪思一人了。” “朱迪思是那个在夜里跳舞的人的女儿？”梅洛拉点点头。 “你相信那个修女变石头的传说吗？”我问。 梅洛拉显得有些疑虑。“嗯，我只是觉得当我站在那些石头边时，它们好像全都是有生命的物质。” “我也有这样的感觉。” “克伦莎，将来，等满月高挂天空时，我们再去看看，我一直有这个想法。” “你是不是觉得月光里有一种神奇的力量？” “是的。古代的坎尔特人特别崇拜太阳和月亮。他们还奉献祭品。那天，当我看到你站在墙洞里，我还以为你就是那第七位处女呢！” “我当时就知道你会这么想，你当时的表情怪极了，像见了鬼似的。” “那天夜里，”梅洛拉继续往下说，“我做了个梦，梦见你被关进了阿巴斯的墙里，我拚命扒墙上的石头，挖得双手都是血。但我最后终于帮你逃了出来，克伦莎，虽然我自己遍体鳞伤，”她转过身极目向旷野眺望，“我们该回家了。”她说。 回家的路上，我们都有些心情沉重。过了好一会儿，我们俩都尽力想使气氛轻松些。梅洛拉说，全世界就数康沃尔的传说故事最多。 "Why?" I asked. “因为我们这儿的人，情愿这些传说故事是生活中的真人真事。” 我俩的心情总算愉悦了些，一路上海阔天空地闲聊。 然而，实际上，我俩谁都没在认真听对方说话。我猜她又在想自己的心事，我也沉浸在自己的梦中。
日子平平常常地过去，我的日子也有点随心所欲。每次回家看望外婆，我都对她说，做富家小姐真是轻松快乐，如我预料的一样。她却说我的快乐是因为我不断追求新的目标；她还说只要生活的目标正确，就该这样不断进取。外婆自己最近的日子也不差；我和乔带给她的美味，她享受不完；昨天，彭加斯特杀了头猪，赫蒂当即拿来了一大块腿肉。外婆腌制加工之后，就可以吃上很长一段日子了。外婆的名声越来越响。乔在兽医那儿干得挺卖力，兽医对他寄以很大希望，还不时地给他些零用钱。乔说他跟主人家里的人一起生活，就像一家人一样：“这一切来得这么顺利，真怪！”我说。 “就像严酷的冬天过后迎来了明媚的春天，大自然真叫人吃惊，”外婆说，“但你得记住，亲爱的，冬天还会再来的，不可能全年都是夏日阳光灿烂的日子。” 但是，我就相信自己的日子永远充满灿烂的阳光，难得的阴雨天算不了什么。 每当我看着乔跟着兽医一起去阿巴斯牲口棚行医时，他总坐在兽医后面，看上去像个男仆人似的，这真让人难受。他应该是兽医的朋友、助手，是同等的。当然，如果他能跟着真正的医生实习，那就更好了。 当梅洛拉穿上最好的外套，戴上长长的白手套去朋友家作客时，我仍觉得不平。我很想跟她一起去，学她怎样步入客厅，怎样与人得体地聊天。然而，现实生活中自然不会有人邀请我的。约太太总要规劝我说，尽管梅洛拉待我如同手足，但我终究是她的女佣，一个与凯洛小姐的地位差不多的人。这是我生活中的遗憾。 当梅洛拉和我坐在一起学十字绣时，凯洛小姐要求我们把自己喜欢的箴言绣在棉布上。我绣了“天下无难事，只怕有心人”，这确实是我的信念，所以我一针一脚绣得十分仔细。梅洛拉绣了“将心比心，宽厚待人”；她说如果你遵循这条原则，那你的朋友就遍布天涯。 我永远不会忘掉这个夏天：坐在打开的窗户前做功课，或是坐在草坪上的橡树底下刺绣；蜜蜂在四周飞舞，各色鲜花竞相怒放，香气袭人；松树和泥土的气味掺杂在来自厨房的烤肉味中。 这一年夏天的蝴蝶特别多，乳白色的蝴蝶纷飞在紫色的草丛中。我情不自禁地想去抓一只蝴蝶，彷佛想告诉自己：“快抓住稍纵即逝的此时此刻。”我真想让时间永远停留在那一刻，但是，日月飞逝，在我说“现在”那一瞬间，它早已一去不复返了。我想到了栅栏那边的墓地和墓碑，它们彷佛提示我，时间永远不是我们芸芸众生所能把握住的东西；但我频频回首往事，我是多么希望那个夏天永远过不完！也许是我的直觉告诉我那个夏天以后，我好不容易在生活中找到的最佳位置也将永远消失。 一年前，贾斯廷就大学毕业了，所以，我们常常见到他。有时候，他骑着马穿过庄园。他现在是任重道远，一些田园、家中的事务都由他一人处理，这对他来说也是为将来正式继承的一种锻练。当他碰见我和梅洛拉在一起，他就朝我们欠欠身子以示行礼，或是忧郁地笑笑。只要那天我们遇见了他，梅洛拉就会整天处于一种兴奋的状态中，她显得比往日妩媚动人，有时也显得安详宁静，彷佛沉浸在自己美好的遐想之中。 金比贾斯廷小几岁，仍在上大学。我想到他毕业后，我也能时常见到他，心中就充满了喜悦。 一天下午，我们坐在草坪上刺绣，我刚绣完我喜欢的那句格言，已在绣句号时，贝丝跑了过来，边跑边喊：“小姐！阿巴斯庄园出事了！” 梅洛拉的脸色一下子变得惨白，手中的针线落到了草地上。“出了什么事？”她迫不及待地问；我很清楚，她最担心的是她的贾斯廷。 “那位贾斯廷老爷，在自己的书房里中风了。医生已在救他，情况不妙，没多大希望，人人都这么说。” 梅洛拉舒了口气问：“谁告诉你的？” “噢，贝尔特先生听那边的马夫说的。他还说那边的人忙成一团。” 贝丝走了以后，我们又在草坪上坐了一会，但怎么也无法集中精神刺绣了。梅洛拉显然是在想这种事对她的贾斯廷少爷的命运会有什么样的影响。一旦贾斯廷老爷去世，那他就是贾斯廷爵士，阿巴斯就是他的了。看不出梅洛拉是否很伤心，她是一向不愿听到别人的痛苦的，她伤心，也许是因为这样一来，她与贾斯廷少爷之间的距离将更遥远了。
凯洛小姐带来了另一条消息。她对当地望族的生老病死、男女婚嫁之类的事一向十分关心，因而她天天读报。 她走进教室，手里拿着报纸。梅洛拉朝我看看，做了个鬼脸，凯洛小姐看到。梅洛拉的意思是：“现在我们又可以听听她说某某先生结婚了或是不幸与世长辞了……凯洛小姐本人曾在这家当过家敦，而且亲如一家。” “报上有条有趣的新闻。”她说。 “哦？”梅洛拉装得饶有兴趣的样子。可怜的凯洛小姐！梅洛拉所以经常说她不会享受现实生活，常沉湎于过去的梦里。 “阿巴斯庄园将有隆重的婚礼。” 梅洛拉哑口无言。 “千真万确，”凯洛小姐一字一顿地故意放慢节奏，想把悬念拖长，藉以激发我们的兴趣，“贾斯廷·圣·朗斯顿行将完成大婚。” 我还是第一次这样深深地感受到别人的痛楚。对于我来说，贾斯廷跟谁结婚都毫不重要，但是，对于可怜的梅洛拉来说就不一样了。她心中的那个梦破灭了。从这件事中，我也有了教训。一个人仅有雄心勃勃的理想是毫无用处的，重要的是要付诸行动。那么，梅洛拉为自己的梦想做了什么呢？遇到贾斯廷时朝他甜甜地笑一笑：去他家喝午茶时把自己打扮一新，仅比而已！而他呢，一直把她当成小妹妹。 “他跟谁结婚？”梅洛拉的声音彷佛来自遥远的星球。 “真怪，怎么到现在才宣布，”凯洛小姐说，她还想卖关子，“贾斯廷爵士病得厉害，随时有可能撒手红尘，但也许也是由于这个原因才赶着举行婚礼。” “到底他跟谁结婚？”梅洛拉又追问。 凯洛小姐实在无法再拖延了。 “朱迪思·德瑞斯小姐，”她说。
贾斯廷爵士没死，但他中风整个人瘫痪了。人们再也见不到他扛着枪打猎的神气模样或在林中散步的悠闲劲。希拉德医生一天看他两次，问得最多的一句话是：“今天怎么样啊？” 我们都盼着他死，但他苟延残喘地活着；渐渐地，我们接受了这样一个事实：尽管他瘫痪了，甚至连走路都不行，但他却还能活上好一阵子。 自从得知贾斯廷要结婚的消息后，梅洛拉把自己关在房间里，什么人也不愿见——连我去她都不开门。她说她头痛，别打搅她。 后来等我再进去时，她却显得十分镇静，但是脸色依然苍白。 她说：“就是这个朱迪思·德瑞斯。她会带来厄运的，我担心的是这件事。” 我觉得她并不是真正地爱贾斯廷少爷，他在她心目中只是个纯真的梦。我还以为她对他感情炽烈，梦寐以求，就如同我全心全力跟自己的梦奋斗一样，勇往直前。 现在看来我的判断错了，要不然，不管贾斯廷跟谁结婚，她对他的爱都会依然如故。我这样的推测在当时看来是颇为合情合理的。
从报上登出通告后，又过了六星期，婚礼举行了。 圣·朗斯顿的不少村民都打算赶到德瑞斯教堂去观看婚礼。梅洛拉显得心神不宁，揣度着自己会不会收到请帖？ 婚礼的那天，我们坐在花园里，彼此都有些情绪低落，彷佛是等待宣判的罪犯。 我们不时地从外人那儿得到各种最新消息，幸运的是我们有这样庞大的传播媒介：牧师家里的佣人，阿巴斯庄园的佣人，还有德瑞斯庄园的佣人；消息源源不断而来。 新娘穿着漂亮的礼服，礼服上缀满花边；她的婚纱和桔黄色的花环是家族祖传下来的，凡是德瑞斯家的新娘都用过。 我把听来的消息告诉梅洛拉。 “我上次说的那个新娘不是德瑞斯家族的，”她向我指出，“她是个外族人，所以她并不知道屋子里关着头怪物。” “你跟朱迪思有过接触吗？”我问。 “只有过一次，在阿巴斯庄园。她相当高？个子，很苗条、很漂亮、黑头发，还有一双大大的黑眼睛。” “幸好她还有漂亮这点优势。这么说，圣·朗斯顿家会富裕起来了，对吧？听说她有好大一笔嫁妆。” 梅洛拉转向我，很生气的样子，她很少发怒的。她一把抓住我的肩膀，使劲摇晃我：“不要说钱！不要老想着钱！这世界上除了钱，难道就没有别的价值了吗？我告诉你，她会给阿巴斯庄园带来厄运的，她就是祸水。他们这些人全是祸根。” “跟我们没关系。” 她眼睛流露出无比的愤怒，彷佛充满了怒火。 “他们是我们的邻居，怎么能说没关系？” “我可看不出有什么关系！他们对我们漠不关心，为什么你要这么在乎他们？” “他们仍是我的朋友。” “朋友！他们对你置若罔闻，连请帖都没给你。” “我本来就不想去参加他们的婚礼。” “但请不请与去不去是两码事。” “哦，别谈这个了，克伦莎。我告诉你，一切都会跟从前大不一样了，昔日欢乐永远不可能重现，难道你没察觉到吗？” 是的，我也感觉到了。与其说已经改变，倒不如说正在改变，其中最主要的原因是我们都已长大。 梅洛拉马上就要十七岁了，再过几个月，我也十七岁了。 我们都得盘起头发，像个大人样；我们已告别欢乐、单纯的昨天，还没长大，就已开始怀念儿时的欢笑。
贾斯廷老爷的生命已脱离危险。他的长子贾斯廷要娶新娘了，这是他们家上下高兴的事，所以，圣·朗斯顿家决定办个舞会。舞会定于入秋之前举行，要选一个暖和的夜晚，这样，参加舞会的客人既可以待在室内娱乐，也可以到户外欣赏夜景。 邀请信如雪片似的纷纷发出，梅洛拉和她的父亲也收到了请帖。新郎、新娘到义大利度蜜月去了，舞会刚好为他们回来洗尘、庆贺。 请帖上清清楚楚地写着这将是个化装舞会，真是别出心裁。据说是贾斯廷爵士的主意，他自己无法参加，但他倒是满腔热情。 我不知道梅洛拉收到请帖的是什么样的心情？我看她一会儿情绪激动，一会儿又闷闷不乐。她的整个性情随着年龄长大变了许多；以前她一向沉静内向，而我因为自己心中藏不住秘密因而常羡慕她文静的性格。 “我真希望你也能去，克伦莎，哦！要是你也能去跳舞，那该多好！你想不想去？” “我非常想去阿巴斯庄园的大房子里，这对我意义重大。” She nodded.我们俩人总有一种想在一块儿的默契，许多事不需要我做太多的说明，她都能理解。 后来，连着好几天，我发现她总是皱着眉，心事重重的样子。我一提及舞会，她就不耐烦地耸耸肩。 第四天，她从她父亲的书房出来时，一脸沮丧。 “爸爸不舒服，”她对我说，“很多日子了，他都不大舒服。” 我也注意到了，牧师的脸色一日差似一日。 “他说，他去不了舞会了。”梅洛拉说。 我正在想如果牧师去参加化装舞会，他穿什么服装呢？除了他平日的打扮外，好像很难想像他有别的形象。 “那你也去不了了？” “至少我不能一个人去。” “噢……梅洛拉。” 她不耐烦地耸耸肩膀。那天下午，她和凯洛小姐骑着马出去了，我看着她们扬长而去的背影，心里难受极了！ 梅洛拉一从外边回来，就直奔我的房间；她两颊闪着快乐的光泽，兴奋得脸都红了。 她坐在我床上，一弹一跳地晃了一会儿，然后安静下来，歪着脑袋说：“灰姑娘，想不想去参加舞会啊？” “梅洛拉，”我吸了口气问，“你是说……” She nodded. “他们请你参加。嗯，也不能完全这么说，因为朗斯顿夫人根本不知道你……但我帮你弄到了请帖，太好了！克伦莎。你能陪我去，比爸爸，比凯洛小姐陪我都要好。” “你怎么弄到请帖的？” “今天下午，我去拜访了圣·朗斯顿夫人。运气不错，她刚好在家，我就跟她说，我爸爸身体不舒服，不能陪我来参加舞会，但我有个朋友和我一起生活——能不能把爸爸的请帖转给我的这位朋友，她一口答应了。” “梅洛拉……万一她发现了我是……怎么办？” “她不会知道的。我把你名字改了。她以为你是我姑妈。你只要装出一副大人带着小姑娘参加舞会的样子就行了。我真太高兴了，克伦莎。现在，我们来想想穿什么样的衣服。化装舞会！想像一下，大家都打扮得漂漂亮亮。顺便告诉你，从现在起，你叫卡莱恩小姐。” “卡莱恩小姐？”我自言自语，接着问梅洛拉，“那我穿什么呢？” 她歪着脑袋想了一会说：“你得做点额外的针线活。你知道的，我爸爸不可能给我们很多钱去买衣服，他近来连日常的开支都难以应付，我们只能一切从简了！” “可是没有礼服怎么去参加舞会？” “别泄气。有志者事竟成，瞧你现在垂头丧气的样子，太差劲了，”她搂着我说，“有个妹妹真好，”接着又笑着问我，“关于同甘共苦，你外婆有何高见？” “她说与人分享快乐，就有双倍的欢乐；与人分担忧愁，痛苦就减轻了一半。” “是这样的。你能与我一起去参加舞会，我的欢乐成倍增长，”说完她把我推开，重新端坐在床上，“现在考虑一下该怎么打扮吧！再想想我们的努力能进行到哪一步？按照阿巴斯画廊里挂着的那些画像来设计吧！哦，对了，你还没见过那些人物肖像。天鹅丝绒，你的黑头发很谐调，加上西班牙式的梳子和发罩，你就成了美丽、高贵的西班牙女廊。” 我也由衷地喜欢她的建议。我说，“我有西班牙梳子和发罩；我的祖父辈是西班牙人，我血管里流着他们的血。” “对了，你穿红色丝绒。我妈妈有一套晚礼服，从没穿过，”她站起身，拉住我的手转了好几圈，“至于面具，好解决，用黑丝绒自己做，在上面缀上珠子。我们有三星期的时间准备这一切。” 我比她还要激动。要是圣·朗斯顿夫人知道了我的真实身份，说什么也不会邀请我的，但我兴高采烈的情绪一点也没有因为这个原因而受到影响，反之，我马上就要去参加舞会了。那件丝绒晚礼服，我已试穿过了，大红色的，挺漂亮，只是需要稍加修改就行了，这个我们自己就可以动手做。凯洛小姐的针线活一向很不错，这次，尽管她不怎么情愿，但她还是帮了很大的忙。 我很高兴我的晚礼服没花一分钱，这样，查尔斯给梅洛拉的每一分钱都可以用在梅洛拉身上。我和她商量后决定，她最好是把自己打扮成希腊式的，因此，我们买来了白天鹅绒，金丝线和金黄的金属饰片。 整套服装是宽松式，里面以金丝线打了折，她金黄色的头发披散在肩膀上，再配上黑丝绒面罩，她看上去真是美极了！ 离舞会还有些日子，但我们的主要话题除了贾斯廷爵士的健康状况，便是日思夜想的舞会。一想到万一爵士在舞会之前去世，那么舞会就可能被取消，我俩担心极了！ 我回家时把一切讲给外婆听。 “我马上就要变成漂亮的西班牙女郎，这是我有生以来最令人激动的事。” 她伤感地看着我说，“亲爱的，别期待太多！” “我可没对舞会抱太大的希望，”我说，“我只是想自己将被当作客人去阿巴斯；穿着红丝绒晚礼服。外婆，下次我穿上那套衣服时，你就会知道那有多美丽。”