Chapter 16 Chapter Sixteen
The idea of having a masquerade ball, I remember, first came up on a Sunday.That afternoon, a large group of guests arrived.Frank Crawley was having lunch with us one day, and the three of us were looking forward to an afternoon of bliss under the chestnut tree, when a car motor sounded around the corner of the drive.It was too late to say hello to Frith.The car drove up to us in a blink of an eye.At that time, we were caught off guard on the platform with cushions and newspapers under our armpits.
We had no choice but to bite the bullet and go forward to meet those uninvited guests.Things are often like this, the guests either don't come, or they come in groups of three or four, and there is an endless stream.About half an hour later, another car drove up, and then three more neighbors from Chris came to visit on foot.The rest of the day is over.One afternoon, we were busy receiving batch after batch of casual acquaintances, and as usual, we had to accompany them around the house, walk in the rose garden, take a walk on the lawn, and be courteous He led them to the Happy Valley for sightseeing.
Needless to say, the guests stayed for refreshments.So, instead of lounging under the chestnut tree eating cucumber sandwiches, I would have to set up the whole tea set in the drawing room and sit and drink tea, which I always loathed.Frith, of course, was well-placed, frowning and ordering Robert to do this and that, while I was flustered and confused, and I didn't know what to do with the pair of huge silver samovars and kettles.When should I use the boiling water to make tea, and how to make tea just right? I just don't know what to do;
On this occasion, Frank Crowley is really a rare good helper.He took a cup of tea from my hand and handed it to the guest.As I tended to the silver teapot in my hand, my reply seemed more vague and incomprehensible than usual.At this time, he would quietly insert a word from the side very gracefully, take over the conversation, and cleverly relieve me.Maxim had been on the other side of the living room, dealing with some annoying guy, showing him a book or a picture or something.He displayed his consummate social skills and acted as the perfect hostess.
As for stuff like making tea, it seemed to him nothing more than trivial details.His own cup of tea had been left cold on a coffee table behind the flowers.And Frank and I had to take care of a large group of guests and satisfy their appetites on this side.I made tea from the kettle, steaming from my head, while the attentive Frank juggled pancakes and cakes.The idea of having a masquerade ball was suggested by Mrs. Crowan.This lady lives in Chris and is a nasty gossip.There was a moment of silence in the drawing room--as is always the case at any tea-party--and I saw Frank start to open his mouth to utter the usual silly "Angel flies overhead" or something.At this moment, Mrs. Crowan carefully placed the cake in her hand on the side of the plate, and looked up at Maxim who happened to be standing beside her. ①Western superstitions believe that the reason why everyone shut up at the same time by chance is due to ghosts and gods.
"Oh, Mr. de Winter," she said, "I've been meaning to ask you something for a long time. Tell me, do you mean to revive Manderley's Masquerade Ball?" She grinned, revealing her row of protruding teeth, which probably counted as a sweet smile to her.I quickly lowered my head, using the teapot's warm cover as a cover, and kept drinking the cup of tea in front of me.
Maxim pondered for a while before opening his mouth. When he spoke, he was completely calm and dry. "I haven't thought about it," he said. "I don't think anyone else has thought of it."
"Oh, but I dare say we all talk about it a lot," went on Mrs. Crowan. "It used to be a great summer festival for our part of the world. You don't know how much joy it gave us back then.
Can't I convince you to reconsider? "
"Oh, I can't tell," said Maxim dryly. "It's too much work to prepare. You'd better ask Frank Crowley, he'll take care of it."
"Oh, Mr. Crawley, you must be on my side," she said with real persistence.There are also one or two people who are helping. "It's the most popular move, you know, we all miss the Manderley carnival."
I heard Frank beside me say in a calm tone, "If Maxim doesn't object, I don't care about the preparations. That's for him and Mrs. de Winter to decide, not for me."
Of course I was immediately targeted.Mrs. Crowan moved the seat so that the thermal cover could no longer cover me. "Listen, Mrs. de Winter, you've got to convince your husband. You're the only one he'll listen to. He should have a ball to congratulate you as a bride."
"That's right," echoed a male guest. "You know, we've missed the wedding, we haven't had the fun, and you've had the nerve to take it all away from us. Hands up for a masquerade at Manderley. You see, De Winter." Unanimously agree!" The people present laughed and applauded.
Maxim lit a cigarette and our eyes met over the teapot.
"What do you think?" he said.
"I don't know," I said hesitantly, "I don't care."
"Of course she longs to have a celebratory ball for her," repeated Mrs Crowan. "Which girl doesn't want a scene like this? I say, Mrs. de Winter, you'd look charming as a Dresden shepherdess with your hair tucked under your big three-cornered hat."
I think, with my clumsy hands and feet and my bony shoulders, I can still play the role of an elegant Dresden shepherdess!This woman is such an idiot.No wonder no one agrees with her.This time I had to thank Frank again for taking the conversation away from me.
"Actually, Maxim," he said, "someone talked to me about it the other day. 'Mr. Crawley, I reckon we ought to have some sort of ceremony to congratulate the bride?' The man Say it. 'I hope Mr. de Winter will give another ball. We've all had a good time.' It's Tucker, on our own farm,' he added, turning to Mrs. Crowin. said such a sentence. "Certainly, they enjoy any kind of amusement. 'I can't tell,' I told him. 'Mr. de Winter never mentioned it to me.'"
"You hear me," said Mrs. Crowan, triumphantly, to everyone in the drawing-room. "What did I just say? Your own people want a ball too. If you don't care about us, you have to think about them too!"
Maxim's puzzled eyes still looked over the teapot and looked at me.It suddenly occurred to me that maybe he was worried that I would not be able to bear it; besides, he knew me very well and knew that I was timid and shy and might not be able to deal with Yu Ru.
I don't want him to see me as useless, and I don't want him to think that I don't live up to him.
"I think it's going to be fun," I said.
Maxim turned away and shrugged. "That being the case, of course the matter is settled," he said. "Well, Frank, please get to work on the arrangement. It's best to ask Mrs. Danvers to help you. She must remember the arrangement of the ball."
"So the wonderful Mrs. Danvers is still with you?" said Mrs. Crowan.
"Yes," said Maxim curtly. "Would you like some more pastry? Are you done? Then let us all go for a walk in the garden."
We walked out of the house and came to the terrace, and everyone was talking about how the dance should be held, and what day would be the best day; finally, to my great relief, the group of people who came by car I thought it was time to leave, and the people who came on foot, because they could hitchhike, also left together.I went back to the parlour, poured another cup of tea, and being relieved of the company, I tasted it; Frank came in, and we broke up the rest of the pancakes and ate them all, It felt like we were doing something sneaky in partnership.
Maxim amuses Jasper by throwing sticks on the lawn.I don't know if it's the same in all families. When the guests leave, they feel refreshed and energized.For a while, neither of us mentioned the ball.Afterwards, when I had finished my tea and wiped my sticky fingers with my handkerchief, I said to Frank, "Honestly, what do you think of the masquerade?"
Frank hesitated for a moment, then glanced out of the corner of his eye at Maxim on the lawn outside the window. "I can't tell," he said. "Maxim doesn't seem to object, does he? I think he agrees with the suggestion."
"It's hard for him to disagree," I said. "Mrs. Crowan is such a nuisance. Do you really believe her that Manderley's Masquerade is the only thing people around here talk about and dream about all the time?"
"I think they all like a little entertainment," Frank said. "You know, we're pretty ruthless here in these matters. In fact, I don't think Mrs. Crowan was exaggerating when she said congratulations to you.
After all, Mrs. de Winter, you are a bride. "
These few words sound pompous and boring.I wish Frank wasn't always so rigid about propriety.
"I'm no bride," I said. "I've never even had a proper wedding. I didn't wear white gowns and orange blossoms. I didn't have a girl behind me as a bridesmaid. I don't want you throwing me a meaningless ball."
"The Manderley, with its lights and lights, is very beautiful," said Frank. "I said, you'll love it.
You don't have to do anything, just come out to greet the guests when the time comes, it won't take much effort.Maybe you'd do me a favor and dance with me? "
dear frank.I really like his slightly serious chivalry.
"I'll dance with you as many times as you like," I said. "I dance only with you and Maxim."
"Oh, that's inappropriate," said Frank solemnly. "Then you'll offend your guests. You should dance with whoever invites you."
I couldn't help laughing, and quickly turned my face away.Look at this honest man, it's funny how he's kept in the dark when he's taken over by others.
"Mrs. Crowan suggested that I play the Dresden shepherdess. Do you think this idea is advisable?" I asked mischievously.
He looked me over gravely, without a hint of a smile on his face. "Yes, I think it's desirable," he said. "I think you look very well in that attire."
I laughed out loud. "Oh, Frank, honey, I really like you," I said.He blushed slightly.
I think he must have been a little surprised by my abrupt remarks, and even a little bit sad, because I was laughing at him!
"I don't see what's funny in what I'm saying," he said grimly.
Maxim came in from the landing officer, and Jasper hopped after him. "What's so happy about it?" he said.
"There's something chivalrous about Frank," I said. "He doesn't think Mrs. Crowan's suggestion is ridiculous. It seems that I can really play a Dresden shepherdess."
"Mrs. Crowan is a bloody nuisance," said Maxim. "If she had to write so many invitations, she would not be so enthusiastic about going to the matter herself. However, it has always been the case. In the eyes of the locals, Manderley is like a roof at the end of the jetty for tourists. Tent to rest; these folks want us to put on a show to amuse them. I'm afraid we'll have to get the whole county!"
"I have records in my office," Frank said. "Actually, it doesn't take much effort. It just takes a little time to put the stamps on."
"That's your job," Maxim said, smiling at me.
"Oh, that's up to the office," Frank said. "Mrs de Winter needn't bother at all."
I don't know what they'd say if I suddenly announced my intention to do the whole thing for the ball.Maybe it was a laugh at first, and then the subject changed to something else.Of course I was happy to be relieved of the responsibilities on my shoulders, but thinking that I didn't even have the ability to stick stamps, it inevitably increased my sense of inferiority.I couldn't help but think of the writing desk in the morning room, and the pigeonhole file rack, each label was written in that kind of pointed italic pen.
"What will you be wearing then?" I asked Maxim.
"I never wear makeup," Maxim said. "It's the only privilege the master has. Don't you, Frank?"
"I can't play a Dresden shepherdess," I said. "What am I supposed to be? I'm not very good at dressing up."
"Alice in Wonderland with a ribbon on her head, that's all," Maxim said sarcastically. "Look at the way you put your fingers in your mouth now, isn't it very similar!"
"Don't be so rude," I said. "I know my hair is straight and ugly, but it's not that ugly. I tell you, I'll surprise you and Frank, and you won't recognize me then."
"You can be anything, as long as you don't paint your face black and look like a monkey," Maxim said.
"Well, it's settled," I said. "No one will know what fancy dress I'm wearing until the last minute, and you don't even want to ask. Come with me, Jasper, and let them talk nonsense, we don't care." When I went out into the garden , I heard Maxim laughing in the room, and he said something to Frank that I didn't catch.
I hope he will stop treating me like a child, a pampered child who doesn’t care about anything else, who will love me when he’s in the mood, and usually forgets about me or forgets about me. With a pat on the shoulder, he said "Go and play by yourself".I wish I could figure out a way to make me appear wiser and older.Is it always going on like this?If he walks in front of me alone, I can't fathom his emotions, and I don't understand the distress hidden in his heart?Can we never stay together.He as a man and I as a woman, standing side by side, hand in hand, with no gap between them?I don't want to be a child.I will be his wife, his mother.I want to be a little older.I stood on the platform, biting my nails, looking out to the sea, and as I stood there, I wondered again in my heart: Is it because Maxim ordered that the furniture in those rooms in the West Wing be changed? Why is it so intact?I don't know how many times this question has turned in my mind that day.I don't know if he, like Mrs. Danvers, walked into the West Wing from time to time, touched the hairbrush on the dressing table, opened the wardrobe door, and put his hand in the pile of clothes.
"Hi, Jesper," I called out. "Run, run with me, run, do you hear?" I spread my legs and ran across the lawn frantically, with anger burning in my heart and bitter tears in my eyes.Jesper hopped after me, barking hysterically.
News of the masquerade ball spread like wildfire.My maid Clarice's eyes sparkle with excitement, that's all.As could be seen from her attitude, the servants in the whole house were overjoyed. "Mr. Frith says it's the same as it was then again," said Clarice eagerly. "I heard him say that to Alice in the passage this morning. What are you wearing, ma'am?"
"I don't know, Clarice, I can't think of it," I said.
"My mother asked me to find out and tell her," Clarice said. "She remembers the last ball at Manderley so vividly that she hasn't forgotten it. What do you think of renting a suit from London?"
"I haven't made up my mind, Clarice," I said. "But to tell you the truth, I'll tell you when I've decided, and I'll tell you only one person. Only you and I know this secret, so we can't let it out."
"Oh, ma'am, that's exciting," Clarice said in a low voice. "I can't wait for that day to come soon."
I'm curious to know how Mrs. Danvers reacts to the news.Since that afternoon, I've dreaded even hearing her voice on the intercom, and I was lucky to escape this embarrassment with Robert running errands between us.I can't forget the look on her face when she left the library after talking to Maxim.Thank goodness she didn't see me hiding in the gallery.I also wondered if she thought I had told Maxim about Favell's visit.
If so, she must hate me all the more.Now, I just shudder when I think of how she grabbed my arm and whispered in my ear in such a creepy way.I wanted to put everything about that afternoon behind me, which is why I avoided talking to her, even on the intercom.
The dance is being planned.All the preparations seemed to have taken place in the estate offices, where Maxim and Frank went every morning to discuss business.Frank was right, I didn't have to worry about it at all, and I didn't even put a postage stamp on it.I began to worry about my fancy dress.I'm at a loss on the subject, and seem too incompetent; and I've been trying to figure out who's going to be at the ball: Chris's guests, and those around here; and the bishop's wife, who's had a great time at the last ball. , there was Beatrice and Giles, there was that loathsome Mrs Crowan, and a great many strangers who had never met me.All of these people would judge me, with some curiosity to see how I would handle the situation.Finally, in despair, I thought of the book Beatrice had given me as a wedding gift.So one morning I sat down in the library, turning the pages of the book in one last hope, frantically going through illustration after illustration, but nothing seemed to fit.The sumptuous velvet and silk gowns in the reproductions of Rubens, Rembrandt, and others are all rich in flowers and of extraordinary workmanship.
I grabbed a pen and paper, and copied one or two of them, but none of them were to my liking.In a fit of rage, I simply threw those sketches into the wastebasket and never thought about them again.
In the evening, when I was changing clothes and preparing to go to dinner, someone knocked on my bedroom door.I said "Come in," thinking it must be Clarice.The door opened, and it was not Clarice, but Mrs. Danvers with a piece of paper in her hand. "I hope you will forgive me for disturbing you at this hour," she said. "I don't know if you really don't want these pictures anymore. At the end of the day, I always bring all the wastebaskets in the house to go through, so that I don't accidentally throw away anything of value. Robert said to me, This is the paper you threw in the library wastebasket."
When I saw her, I felt chills all over my body, and when I came up, I couldn't even speak.She shoved the paper in front of me.When I saw it, it turned out to be a sketch I copied casually in the morning.
"No, Mrs. Danvers," I said after a moment. "It's all right to throw it away. It's just a sketch. I don't want it."
"That's good," she said. "I think it's better to ask you yourself, in order to avoid misunderstanding."
"Yes," I said, "of course it's that good." I thought she would turn and go away, but she lingered at the door, refusing to leave.
"It seems that you haven't decided what costume to wear yet?" she said, with a hint of mockery and schadenfreude in her tone.I think she must have heard from Clarice that I was struggling with fancy dress.
"Yes," I said. "Haven't made up my mind yet."
She continued to stare at me, her hand resting on the doorknob.
"I don't see why you don't take a portrait from the gallery and copy it as it is," she said.
I pretended to grind my nails, but in fact my nails were already very short and brittle, so I shouldn't sharpen them any more, but at least I had something to do, and I didn't have to look up at her.
"Yeah, maybe it's not a bad idea," I said, but I murmured to myself; Hey, why didn't I think of that.It seems that my problem can be easily solved.But I didn't want her to know, so I continued to grind my nails quietly.
"The portraits in the gallery all offer good fashion," said Mrs. Danvers. "Especially the portrait of the girl in white with the hat in her hand. I don't understand why Mr. de Winter didn't make this a costume ball, with everyone in fancy dress from about the same era and looking too It's pleasing to the eye. A clown dancing with a lady who is wearing makeup and beauty spots is always awkward to watch." "Some people like more tricks," I said. "They think this is more interesting." ① Refers to the black beauty patches on the faces of European ladies in the 17th and 18th centuries.
"I don't like it," said Mrs. Danvers.What surprised me was that her tone of voice was not only normal, but also very friendly.I don't know why she took the trouble to bring me the sketches I threw away herself.
She finally wants to shake hands with me and make peace?Or had she already found out that I had never complained to Maxim about Favere, so she was thanking me for my silence in this way?
"Didn't Mr. de Winter suggest what fancy dress you should wear?" she said.
"No," I said after a moment's hesitation. "No, I'm going to surprise him and Mr. Crawley. I don't want them to know anything about it."
"I know I'm not worthy to give you advice," she said. "But if you finally make up your mind, I advise you to have your clothes made by a shop in London. No one can do this kind of thing well here. As far as I know, Worth Tailors in Bond Street, the seamstress outstanding."
"I'll keep that in mind," I said.
"Well," she went on, opening the door, "madame, if I had been in my place, I would have thought carefully about the pictures in the gallery, especially the one I have just mentioned. You needn't worry that I might take away yours. The secret is out. I will keep it to myself."
"Thank you, Mrs. Danvers," I said.She went out of the house and closed the door softly.I continue to change clothes.
Her attitude today is so different from the last time we met, it is really unpredictable, and maybe it is all due to that annoying Favere.
Rebecca's cousin.Why doesn't Maxim like Rebecca's cousin?Why was he not allowed to come to Manderley?Beatrice called him a swinger, and said little else.The more I thought about it, the more I felt that Beatrice had a point.
Those burning blue eyes, that flabby mouth, and that unbridled laugh.Some people might find him charming, the giggling chicks behind the counters in candy stores, for example, and the girls at movie theaters who sell brochures.I can imagine how this person would look at them with a smile on his face, hissing and playing a ditty softly.That kind of stare, that kind of whistle, makes people feel uncomfortable.I don't know how well he knew Manderley, it seemed as casual as at home, and Jasper certainly knew him.But these two facts, and what Maxim had said to Mrs. Danvers, were not in the same breath.Also, I couldn't connect this person with the Rebecca I imagined.How could Rebecca, who was beautiful, seductive, and well-bred, have a cousin like Favere?Isn't this outrageous.I expected him to be the ugly, shameless member of the family.Rebecca was open-minded and showed sympathy for him from time to time, but she also knew that Maxim did not like him, so she invited him to Manderley while Maxim was away.This may have caused some quarrels, and Rebecca always took sides with her cousin, so whenever Fevre was mentioned thereafter, there would always be a somewhat awkward situation.
At dinner, I took my usual seat in the restaurant.Maxim is the chief.At this moment, I couldn't help thinking about it, and imagined that Rebecca was sitting where I was now, holding a knife and fork to eat the fish.The phone rang, and Frith came in to announce, "Ma'am, Mr. Favell is waiting for you." Rebecca got up from her chair and cast a quick glance at Maxim, who said no. Squeak, just bury your head in eating fish.She came back from the call, took her seat again, and talked about some irrelevant things in a nonchalant brisk tone, so as to cover up the hazy shadow that hung between them.At first, Maxim had a sullen face, reluctantly answering; later she told him what happened today and who she saw in Chris, and finally gradually dispelled the haze in his heart and made him feel cheerful again.That was it, and by the time they finished the next course, he was laughing again.He smiled at her and reached out to her across the table.
"Look at you so preoccupied, what are you thinking about?" Maxim said.
I was startled, and my face suddenly turned red.At that moment, for about sixty seconds, I became one with Rebecca, and my own dull form was no longer there, and I had never been to Manderley at all.My mind, my body, the whole is in the misty illusion of the past.
"Did you know that instead of eating fish, you were wrinkling your brows and pouting and doing a series of inexplicable antics?" said Maxim. "At first, you pricked up your ears, as if you heard the phone ringing, and then you muttered something and sneaked a glance at me. Then, you shook your head, pursed your lips and smiled, and shrugged your shoulders. It took about a second to do this. A series of moves. Are you practicing how to show your face at a masquerade ball?" He looked at me from across the table and laughed.
I thought to myself, if he really read my thoughts, my moods, my suspense, and knew that at that moment I regarded him as the old Maxim, and I myself seemed to be Rebecca, what would he do? How to say? "You look like a naughty little brat," he said. "Tell me what's going on?"
"Nothing," I said hastily. "I didn't do anything."
"Tell me what you were thinking just now?"
"Why tell you? You never tell me what you're thinking."
"You never seem to ask, do you?"
"No, I asked you once."
"I do not remember."
"That's in the library."
"Very likely. What did I say then?"
"You told me you were wondering who the Serres had drafted to play against the Middlesex team."
Maxim laughed again. "You're disappointed. What do you want me to think?"
"Some other very different things."
"What kind of thing?"
"Oh, then I can't tell."
"Well, I don't think you can tell. I'm thinking of Serres and Middlesex if I tell you I'm thinking of Serres and Middlesex. We men are better than you The imagination is straightforward, my dear baby. But no one can fathom what thoughts are turning in the woman's twisting and turning mind. Do you know that your appearance just now is not at all like yourself? The look on your face His demeanor is very different from usual.”
"Really? What kind of demeanor?"
"I don't think I can tell. You look much older all of a sudden, and you look cunning. It's not pleasant to look at."
"I didn't mean to do that."
"Yeah, I don't think that's what you meant."
I drank from the glass, watching him over the rim.
"Don't you want me to look a few years older?" I said.
"No."
"why?"
"Because that doesn't suit you."
"I'm going to be an old woman one day, it's inevitable. I'm going to have gray hair on my head, and my face will be wrinkled and look old."
"I don't care about that."
"Then what do you care about?"
"I don't want to see you just now. Your mouth is crooked, and there is a flash of insight in your eyes, but it's a kind of reason that shouldn't be understood."
These words are so strange, I couldn't help feeling impulsive: "Maxim, what do you mean by these words? How can there be any reason that you shouldn't understand?"
He didn't answer my question right away.Frith walked into the restaurant and changed the dishes on the table.Maxim waited for Frith to turn behind the screen and go out through the side door for serving food before continuing.
"You had a certain expression on your face when I first met you," he said slowly. "You still have that look on your face. I won't describe it, and I can't really describe it well. Anyway, it's one of the reasons I married you. But just now, when you winked and pouted, When there were some strange movements, that expression disappeared. It was replaced by another expression."
"What look? Tell me, Maxim," I said eagerly.
He looked at me, raised his eyebrows, and whistled softly. "Listen, my darling. When you were a little girl, were you not allowed to read certain forbidden books? Did your father keep them locked away?"
"That's right," I said.
"That's it. After all, a husband is not much different from a father. I'd rather not let you suddenly understand something, and it's better to lock it up tightly. That's the thing. Now, eat your peaches." , stop asking me questions, or I will punish you to stand in a corner."
"I hope you don't treat me like a six-year-old," I said.
"Then how should I treat you?"
"Be like other men treat their wives."
"You mean you want me to beat you?"
"Don't be so half-truth, okay? Why do you have to joke about everything?"
"I'm not joking. I'm serious."
"You don't. I can see it in your eyes. You've been teasing me like I'm a silly girl."
"Alice in Wonderland. That's a good idea I've got for you. Have you got the belt and hair ribbon?"
"I warn you, don't be fooled when you see me in my fancy dress."
"It goes without saying that you will be stunned, swallow the peach quickly, and don't talk with the thing in your mouth.
I have a lot of letters to write after dinner. "He got up before I had finished eating, and walked up and down the room. Then he told Frith to take the coffee to the library. I sat in silence, full of resentment; I ate slowly on purpose. , trying to delay as long as possible, trying to annoy him, but Frith, not caring about me and my plate of peaches, immediately sent the coffee, and Maxim went off to the library alone.
After I ate I went upstairs to the Bards Gallery to see the portraits.Needless to say, I am quite familiar with these paintings, but I have never been thinking about those portraits as much as I am now, trying to use a certain one as a model to copy my masquerade eyes.Mrs. Danvers was right.What a fool I was to not have thought of drawing inspiration from here sooner.I've always liked the girl in white with the wide-brimmed hat.The painting was by the painter Rayburn, and the person in the painting is Caroline de Winter.She was the sister of Great-Grand Maxim, married to a prominent Whig, and for many years had been the beauty of London.This portrait was painted before that, when she was not out of the cabinet.The white dress was easy to imitate: balloon sleeves, ruffle trim, and bodice.The hard part was probably the hat, and I had to wear a wig.There's no way my straight hair can curl like that.Perhaps the old London Worth shop that Mrs. Danvers referred to will rush me into a complete outfit.I'm going to make a copy of the picture and send it to them, and tell them to do it exactly, and I'll send my measurements along with it.
With my mind set, I was so relieved, as if a big rock had been removed from my heart.I almost began to look forward to the prom as soon as possible.In the end, maybe I'll enjoy the ball as much as little Clarice did.
The next morning I wrote to the tailor, enclosing a facsimile of the portrait.I got a satisfactory answer; they said that my order was a great honor to their little shop, and that the garment was immediately sewn, and that they would manage to get that wig out, too.
Clarice was so excited that she could barely contain herself, and as the big, festive day approached, I, too, was getting prom fever.Giles and Beatrice were to spend the night there that day, but fortunately there were no one else; but it is estimated that many people will be there for dinner.I thought that on such an occasion we would have to hold a feast and keep a large number of guests at the manor, but Maxim decided against it. "One dance alone is enough for us," he said.我不知道他这么决定是仅仅为我着想呢，还是像他说的那样真个讨厌高朋满座。我常听人说起，昔日曼陀丽办起宴会来，总是宾客盈门，人满为患，所以有些来客只得住浴室，睡沙发。如今，这所空荡荡的巨宅内就我们几个，能在这儿过夜留宿的客人，算算至多也只有比阿特丽斯和贾尔斯一对。
整幢屋子一改旧观，开始呈现出一种喜庆节日前的热闹气氛。打杂工人在大厅里装修地板，作为舞池；客厅里有些家具被搬开了，这样可以沿墙放置几张便餐长桌；庭院和玫瑰园里张灯结彩；不论走到哪里，都能看到筹备舞会的忙碌景象；到处是从田庄召来打杂的帮工；弗兰克差不多天天上这儿来吃中饭；仆人们也是非舞会不谈；弗里思更是挺胸凸肚，煞有介事地四下巡视，仿佛整个晚会全靠他这根擎天柱撑着；罗伯特老是丢三拉四，像掉了魂似的，午餐时忘了送上餐巾，有时还忘了端盘子上菜。他那副愁眉锁眼的苦相，活像是急着要去赶火车。苦恼的是屋里的几条狗。杰斯珀夹着尾巴在大厅里转悠，见了打杂的人张口就咬。它老是站在平台上，莫名其妙地狂吠一阵，随后发疯似地一头钻进草坪的某个角落狠命大嚼青草。丹弗斯太太不多出面干预，老是竭力抽身回避，但我一直意识到她的存在。帮工们在客厅里布置便餐桌的时候，我听到她的声音；大厅里铺设地板时，也是她在那儿发号施令。可是每次等我到场，她总是先我一步悄然离去；我可以瞥见她的裙角在门边一擦而过，或者听见她走在楼梯上的脚步声。我这个女主人是摆摆样子的木偶，人兽全不把我当一回事。我走到东，站到西，什么也干不了，反而得手碍脚帮倒忙。“请让一让，太太，”我总是听到背后有人对我这么说，那人肩上扛着两把椅子，大汗淋淋，打我身边走过去，抱歉地朝我笑笑。
“实在对不起，”我急忙往边上一闪，接着，为了掩盖自己的游手好闲，就说，“我能帮你点忙吗？把这些椅子放到藏书室去怎么样？”那人反倒搞糊涂了。“太太，丹弗斯太太吩咐我们把椅子搬到后屋去，别放在这儿得事。”
“哦，”我说，“当然，当然。我好糊涂。照她说的，把椅子搬到后屋去吧。”接着我就赶紧转身走开，嘴里还支吾其词地嘟哝找张纸找支笔什么的，一心想让那人以为我也在忙得不亦乐乎。其实这是枉费心机。看到他带着几分惊讶的神色穿过大厅，我知道自己的花招根本瞒不过他。
盛大的喜庆日终于来临了。拂晓时，天色灰蒙蒙的，一片迷雾，不过气压计上的水银柱升得很高，所以我们一点也不担心。迷雾往往是晴天的预兆。果然不出迈克西姆所料，十一点钟光景雾散了：蔚蓝晴空，万里无云，好一个阳光灿烂的宁静夏日。整个上午，园丁们忙着把鲜花搬进屋子来，其中有今年最后一批白紫丁香；有亭亭玉立的羽扇豆和飞燕草，长得足有五英尺之高；有数以百计的玫瑰花；还有各色品种的百合花。
丹弗斯太太终于露面了。她从容不迫地吩咐园丁们该把花放在哪儿，接着便亲自动手，用她那敏捷、灵巧的手指选花装瓶。我在一旁望着她插枝弄花，完全看呆了：她娴熟地装满一瓶又一瓶，亲自把花从花房搬进客厅，摆在屋内各个角落。她布置的花瓶，不但有气派，数量也恰到好处，在需要色彩渲染的地方，就配上姹紫嫣红，而那些原该显示其朴质本色的墙壁，就任其空着。
为了不碍别人的手脚，迈克西姆和我在庄园办事处隔壁弗兰克的单身寓所里吃中饭。
我们三人谈笑风生，兴致勃勃，犹如乘着葬礼还没开始说笑几句的宾客。我们开着莫名其妙的无谓玩笑，心里却老是惦挂着接下来几小时内要发生的事。我心里的感受就跟结婚那天早上一样，同是那种“木已成舟，追悔莫及”的无可奈何的感觉。
不管怎么说，这次晚会好歹得挺过去。谢天谢地，沃斯老店的衮衮诸公总算及早把我的服装送来了。衣眼包在薄棉纸里，看上去精美工致。假发也没说的，足以乱真。早饭后我试着穿戴了一回，我照着镜子一看可傻了眼，自己的顿然改观，显得神采奕奕，仿佛完全变成了另一个人，一个更有韵致、更有生气、更活泼可爱的角色。迈西克姆和弗兰克老是追问我穿什么化装舞服。
“到时候包管你们认不出我来，”我对他们说。“你们俩不大吃一惊才怪呢！”
“你总不至于装扮个小丑吧，嗯？”迈克西姆闷闷不乐地说。“不会挖空心思拚命想逗人发笑吧？”
“放心吧，不会的，”我神气十足地说。
“我还是希望你装扮成漫游仙境的爱丽丝，”他说。
“从您的发型来看，倒可以扮个圣女贞德，”弗兰克腼腆地说。
“我可从来没想过，”我不以为然地说。弗兰克涨红了脸。“任您怎么装束打扮，我相信我们都会喜欢的，”他用那种典型的弗兰克式的夸张口气说。
“别再助长她的气焰，弗兰克，”迈克西姆说。“她已被自己那套宝贝化装服迷了心窍，再也别想管得住她啦。现在只能指望比阿特丽斯了，她会使你安分些的。要是她不喜欢你的舞服，她会马上给你指出来。说到我那位亲爱的大姐，上帝保佑她，逢到这种场合，她就总是要出洋相，我记得有一回她扮成蓬派杜①夫人，进来吃晚饭时绊了一跤，那头假发松了。'这鬼东西真叫我受不了，'她说起话来一向就是这么没遮拦。说着，她随手把假发往椅子上一扔，后来整个晚上，她就一直这么露着自己的一头短发。
可以想象，配着那身浅蓝缎子撑裙，或是任何其他化装舞服，她会是怎么个怪模样。那一年，可怜的贾尔斯老兄也大为不妙。他扮个厨师，整个晚上坐在长条酒桌旁，样子比谁都可怜。我想他大概觉得比阿特丽斯丢了他的脸。“①十八世纪法国贵妇，以其发型著称于世。
“不，不是这么回事，”弗兰克说。“难道你忘了，他在试骑一匹新到手的牝马时，摔掉了门牙，他觉得怪难为情，怎么也不肯张开嘴。”
“哦，是那缘故吗？可怜的贾尔斯。他总是那么化装打扮。”
“比阿特丽斯说他喜欢玩哑谜猜字游戏，”我说。“她曾告诉我，每年圣诞节他们总要玩这种猜谜游戏。”
“我知道，”迈克西姆说。“所以我从来不在她那儿过圣诞节。”
“再吃点芦笋吧，德温特夫人，要不要再来个马铃薯？”
“不，真的不要了，弗兰克，我不饿，谢谢你。”
“紧张了，”迈克西姆摇摇头说。“没关系，明天这时候就事过境迁啦。”
“但愿如此，”弗兰克神情严肃地说。“我刚才也正打算吩咐所有的汽车在明晨五时准备送客。”
我有气无力地笑了，泪水涌上眼眶。“哦，天哪，”我说。“我们给客人发份电报，叫他们别来吧。”
“别这样，鼓起勇气，勉为其难吧，”迈克西姆说。“今后几年里我们不必再举行什么舞会啦。弗兰克，我有点放心不下，觉得我们该上宅子去了，你说呢？”
弗兰克表示同意。我勉勉强强跟在他们后面，心里真舍不得离开这间既拥挤又不舒适的小餐室。这间餐室是弗兰克单身汉家庭的一个缩影，可今天在我看来，却象征着平静和安宁。我们到家时，发现乐队已经光临。他们在大厅里四下站着，涨红了脸，神态很不自然。弗里思则摆出一副煞有介事的架势，请他们用点心。乐师们将留在这儿过夜，所以在我们对他们表示过欢迎并说了几句应景得体的笑话之后，他们就被领到自己的房间去休息，然后再由人陪着游览庄园。
下午过得真慢，就像出远门之前的那一个小时一样，行装早已打点停当，就眼巴巴地等着上路。我漫无目的地从一个房间转到另一个房间，失魂落魄之状好似悻悻然跟在我身后的小狗杰斯珀。
我什么事也插不上手，最好还是走开，带着杰斯珀去散布，走远点。等我决计要这么做的时候，却又来不及了，迈克西姆和弗兰克已在吩咐上茶，而茶点刚用完，比阿特丽斯和贾尔斯联袂而至。黄昏就这么在不知不觉中间突然降临了。
“这儿又和往昔一样啦，”比阿特丽斯说着吻一下迈克西姆泪下打量一番。“所有细节全没忘记，可庆可贺。这些鲜花雅致极了，”她转过脸对我说了一句。“是你布置的吧？”
“不，”我怪不好意思地说。“一切都让丹弗斯太太包啦。”
“噢。我是说，毕竟……”比阿特丽斯没把话说完，弗兰克就过来给她点烟，而烟一点着，她似乎把刚才要说的话给忘了。
“是不是还跟以前一样，由米切尔酒家承办筵席？”贾尔斯问。
“是的，”迈克西姆说。“我想一切全都照旧，是吗，弗兰克？办事处里保存着所有的记录。我们什么也没忘掉。我想，要请的客人一个也没有漏掉吧。”
“就我们几个自己人呆在一块，多轻松自在，”比阿特丽斯说。“我记得有一回我们也是这个时候到的，可这儿已经来了二十五位客人。全是要留在这儿过夜的。”
“你们打算穿什么化装服呀？我想迈克西姆还是老规矩，不肯屈尊化装吧？”
“还是老规矩，”迈克西姆说。
“我觉得这样很不对头。如果你也化装一下，整个舞会的气氛就会活跃多了。”
“你倒不妨说说，曼陀丽的舞会有哪一口开得不活跃？”
“当然没有，我的老弟，筹备得太出色啦。不过我总觉得男主人应该带个头。”
“我看有女主人出场助兴尽够啦！”迈克西姆说。“我可犯不着逼自己淌一身臭汗，搞得浑身不自在，而且还得像个傻瓜似地晃来晃去！”
“哦，这话多荒唐。根本用不着叫你当傻瓜。凭你这样一表人才，亲爱的迈克西姆，穿什么服装都行。不必像可怜的贾尔斯那样，为自己的身腰体形担心。”
“贾尔斯今晚上穿什么？”我问。“哦，说不定天机不可泄漏吧？”
“不，没有的事，”贾尔斯满面春风。“说实在的，我还真花了不少心血呢，专门请了我们当地的裁缝赶制了化装服。我要扮个阿拉伯酋长。”
“我的老天，”迈克西姆说。
“那身装束可不赖，”比阿特丽斯兴冲冲地说。“他脸上当然还得涂油彩，眼镜也得拿掉。那副头饰可是地道的真货，是我们从一个过去在东方侨居的朋友那儿借来的，其余的行头则都由裁缝照报纸仿制。贾尔斯那身打扮，看起来还挺帅呢。”
“你打算扮什么，莱西夫人？”弗兰克间。
“哦，我嘛，恐怕就没有那么神气啦，”比阿特丽斯说。“为了跟贾尔斯配个对，我也弄了一套东方服装。不瞒你们说，我的行头全是冒牌货。头颈里挂几患念珠，脸上蒙一层面纱。”
“听上去挺不错，”我彬彬有礼地说。
“哦，不太糟就是了。穿在身上挺舒服，这可是个优点。嫌热了，就干脆把面纱卸下。你准备穿什么？”
“别问她，”迈克西姆说。“她对谁也不说，还从未见过有瞒得这么紧的秘密。我知道她甚至还写信到伦敦去定制衣服呢。”
“亲爱的，”比阿特丽斯对此印象颇深，“你总不见得倾家荡产搞了套行头，存心要让咱们全下不了台？你知道，我的行头可是自己胡乱凑合的。”
“别担心，”我笑着说。“其实我的衣服也挺简朴。迈克西姆老是取笑我，所以我决定要让他大吃一惊。”
“是该这样，”贾尔斯说。“迈克西姆过分自命清高。其实他是心怀嫉妒，巴不得也像我们一样乔装打扮，就是嘴上不愿这么说罢了。”
“决没有这种事，”迈克西姆说。
“克劳利，你呢？”贾尔斯问。
弗兰克露出负疚的神情。“我很忙，一直到最后一刻才考虑这事。昨晚上我翻箱倒柜找出条旧裤子，还有件蓝条子运动服，我想把一只眼睛蒙上，装扮个海盗。”
“见鬼，你干吗不给我们来封信借套服装呢？”比阿特丽斯说。“我们有套荷兰佬的服装，那是罗杰去年冬天在瑞士做的。你穿上一定很合身。”
“我不愿让我的总管事打扮成荷兰佬到处逛荡，”迈克西姆说。“那么一出丑之后，他别再想从谁那儿收到租啦。还是让他扮他的海盗吧。这样，说不定还能唬住几个人。”
“什么不好扮，偏偏扮个海盗！”比阿特丽斯在我耳边嘀咕了一句。
我假装没听见。可怜的弗兰克，比阿特丽斯总是跟他过不去。
“我脸部化个装要多长时间？”贾尔斯问。
“至少得两个小时，”比阿特丽斯说。“要是我呀，现在就得考虑动手了。会有多少客人吃饭？”
“十六个，”迈克西姆说。“连我们自己在内。没有生客，都是你认识的人。”
“我性急火燎，巴不得现在就开始更衣化装呢，”比阿特丽斯说。
“这玩意儿真带劲啊。我很高兴，迈克西姆，你总算决定重开舞会。”
“这你还得感谢她呢，”迈克西姆说着朝我一点头。
“哦，没有的事，”我说。“全怪那个克罗温夫人。”
“扯淡，”迈克西姆朝我微笑着说。“瞧你那股高兴劲儿，不就像个小孩第一次参加宴会？”
"Not at all."
“我真想瞧瞧你的化装舞服，”比阿特丽斯说。
“平常得很。说真的，毫无特别之处，”我一个劲儿地推诿。
“德温特夫人说我们会认不出她来，”弗兰克说。
大家都望着我笑。我很得意，脸也红了，心里甜滋滋的。人们待我真好啊，全都那么和蔼可亲。想到舞会，想到我还是舞会上的女主人，我突然感到乐不可支。
我是新娘，这次舞会是为我举行的，为了对我表示庆贺。我坐在藏书室里的书桌上，不住晃动两腿，其余的人就这么围住我站着。我真想撒腿跑上楼去，穿上我那套舞服，对着镜子试试那头假发，然后再走到墙上的大穿衣镜前，例过去照照，转过来看看。想到贾尔斯、比阿特丽斯、弗兰克和迈克西姆全这么目不转睛地望着我，谈论着我的化装舞服，真是新鲜事，一种自豪感在心头油然而生。他们都被门在葫芦里，不知道我准备的究竟是什么样的穿戴。我不由想到裹在棉纸里的那一件柔软轻薄的雪白舞裙，想着它会如何帮我掩盖住线条平直、毫无韵致的身段和瘦削难看的肩胛。我还想到，戴上那一络络滑溜、闪亮的发卷，原来平直的头发就全被盖没了。
“什么时候啦？”我漫不经心地问，还打了个呵欠，装作满不在乎的样子。“我看我们是不是得考虑上楼了？……”
在一路穿过大厅，往我们各自的房间走去的时候，我才第一次认识到这座巨宅真不愧是举行盛典的理想场所，那些房间看上去多么气派。甚至连那座客厅，往常就我们这几个人时，我总觉得它刻板而又肃穆，现在却是五彩缤纷，绚丽夺目，四周角落里摆满了鲜花。鲜红的玫瑰花插在银盆里，端放在铺着洁白台布的餐桌上。落地长窗洞开着，通向平台，待到暮色苍茫之际，那儿的彩灯就会竟放异彩。在大厅上方的吟游诗人画廊里，乐队已经支起乐谱架子，乐器也已—一摆开。大厅里呈现出一片静等嘉宾光临的不平常的气氛，给我一种以前从未感觉到的温暖。这种暖意来自夜晚本身的宁静和清朗，来自画像下面的那些鲜花，以及我们漫步登上宽阔的石筑楼梯时发出的阵阵爽朗笑声。
原先严峻、沉寂的气氛已荡然无存。曼陀丽以一种不可思议的神秘方式苏醒过来，不再是我熟悉的那座静综萧瑟的古宅。此刻它显示出某种前所未有的深刻涵义，一种无拘无束、洋洋自得、赏心悦目的气氛，整幢屋子令人回忆起消逝已久的往昔年华，那时候这座大厅就是宴会厅，墙上挂满兵器和缀锦花毯，武士们坐在大厅中央的狭长餐桌旁，发出比我们今日更为豪爽的欢笑，大声呼唤上酒，要人献歌助兴，随手抓起堆在菖蒲上的大块大块兽肉，朝呼呼熟睡的猎犬扔去。后来，不知过了多少年，大厅里固有的欢乐气氛之中又掺杂了几分典雅和庄重，而卡罗琳?德温特——就是我今晚要装扮的那位少女——穿着那身洁白的衣裙，顺着宽阔的石梯款步拾级而下，翩然跳起小步舞。但愿我们能拨开岁月的层层云翳，一睹她的真容。但愿我们别用现代风行的快步舞曲，贬辱了古宅的尊严，这种曲调既不合时，又无浪漫气息，同曼陀而格格不入。我不知不觉中突然和丹弗斯太太见解一致了：我们确实应该开一个体现某一时代风貌的古装舞会，而不该搞成现在这种不伦不类的人种大杂烩似的格局，而那位贾尔斯老兄，用心良苦，情真意诚的贾尔斯，竟扮起阿拉伯酋长来了。我发现克拉丽斯在卧室里等着我，她那张小圆脸激动得透出红光。我们像一对女学生，相互轻轻地对笑。我吩咐她把门锁上。接着，屋里顿时响起一阵带神秘意味的薄绵纸的瑟瑟声。我们像密谋起事的阴谋家，说起话来压着嗓子，走起路来赔着脚尖。我觉得自己又像个圣诞节前夜的小姑娘了，光着脚板在自己房里走来走去，偷偷摸摸地连声傻笑，压低着嗓门喷嘴惊叹。这一切都勾起我对童年的回忆，想到当年临睡前挂起袜子①的情景。不用担心迈克西姆，他在自己的更衣室里，通那儿的门已被关上。房里只有克拉丽斯，她是我的心腹，我的帮手。那套衣服穿着合身。我站着一动不动，克拉丽斯笨手笨脚地替我扣上褡扣，我简直有点不耐烦了。①西洋风俗，圣诞节前夜挂上袜子，第二天就能在里面找到圣诞老人赠送的礼物。
“真好看，太太，”她一边嘴里念叨，一边仰着身子打量我。“依我说，这身衣眼就是给英国女王穿也配啊！”
“左肩下面怎么样？”我着急地问。“那条扣带会不会露出来？”
“没有，太太，没露出来。”
“怎么样？看上去怎么样？”没等她回答，我就在镜子前担来转去，照个不已，一会儿皱额蹙眉，一会儿咧嘴嘻笑。我已有一种飘然升华之感，不再受自己形体的约束。
我那呆板乏味的个性终于被淹没了。“把假发拿来，”我兴奋地说。“当心，别压坏了，千万不能把发卷压平了。戴上以后要让它显得蓬松一些。”克拉丽斯站在我肩膀后面，我朝镜子里看去。正好看见她那张圆脸，嘴巴微微张开，眼睛炯炯发亮。我把自己的头发梳平，拢到耳后。我用颤抖的手指轻轻捏住柔软、光亮的发卷，一面低声笑着，一面抬头望望克拉丽斯。
“哦，克拉丽斯，”我说，“德温特先生会怎么说呢？”
我用卷曲的假发，盖住自己耗子毛似的短发，尽量收敛起脸上的微笑，不让那股得意劲儿流露出来。就在这时，有人来了，砰砰嘭嘭地敲门。
“谁呀？”我不胜惊慌地说。“你可不能进来。”
“是我，亲爱的，别吓着了，”比阿特丽斯说。“打扮得怎么样啦？我想来看看。”
“不，不，”我说。“你不能进来，我还没准备好呢。”
张皇失措的克拉丽斯站在我身边，手里满是发夹。那一绺绺发卷放在盒子里已经有些松散。这时，我正从克拉丽斯手里接过一只只发夹，将一绺绺发卷夹紧。“我打扮好了会下楼来的，”我大声说。“去吧，你们全下楼去，别等我。告诉迈克西姆，他不能进来。”
“迈克西姆已下楼了，”她说。“跟我们在一起。他说他拚命敲过你那扇浴室的门，你没答理。别一个劲儿蘑菇下去，亲爱的，我们都急等着打破门葫芦呢。你真的不要人帮忙吗？”
“不要，”我一阵慌乱，不耐烦地大声嚷着。“走开，下楼去吧。”
干吗偏偏在这个节骨眼上来打扰我呢？搞得我手忙脚乱，不知道自己在干些什么。
我拿着一只发夹，刺来戳去，好不容易才将一络发卷叉住。我没再听见比阿特丽斯的声音，想必她已沿过道走开了。她穿着东方长袍不知是否合意，贾尔斯的脸不知化装得像不像。这一切多么荒唐可笑。这么折腾自己又何苦呢？我们这些人干吗这么孩子气？ "
镜子里那张瞪眼冲着我望着的脸蛋，我简直认不出来：一双亮晶晶的大眼睛，一张红润的樱桃小口，光洁、白皙的皮肤，这是谁呢？头上一绺绺发卷，像朵朵云彩向外飘散。镜子里的倩影同我判若两人。我望着望着，禁不住笑了，这是一种陌生的、嫣然绽开的微笑。
“哦，克拉丽斯！”我说。“哦，克拉丽斯！”我双手提着裙子，朝她行了个屈膝礼，裙子的荷叶边拖在地板上。她兴奋得不住格格傻笑，虽然红着脸，有点忸怩，心里却乐开了花。我在镜子前轻移莲步，孤芳自赏。
“把门打开，”我说。“我要下楼去了。先到前面看看动静，他们是不是在那儿。”她衔命而去，一边仍傻笑不止。我提起拖在地上的裙裾，跟在她后面沿着走廊走去。
她回过身来，朝我招招手。“他们已下楼了，”她小声说。“德温特先生、少校和莱西夫人。克劳利先生刚到。他们全站在大厅里。”我从主楼梯口的拱门偷偷朝下面的大厅张望。
不错，他们是在那儿。贾尔斯穿着白色的阿拉伯长袍，一边大声笑着，一边让大家看挂在身边的腰刀；比阿特丽斯身子裹在一件式样古怪的绿色长袍里，袖口处挂一串念珠；可怜的弗兰克穿着蓝条子运动衫和水手鞋，拘束不安的神态之中带着几分傻气；迈克西姆穿着晚礼服，是这一群中唯一保持日常装束的人。
“我不知道这会儿她还在磨蹭什么，”他说。“她在楼上卧室里已经耽了老半天了。
几点钟了，弗兰克？待会儿一大群出席晚宴的客人就要来到，搞得我们晕头转向。 "
乐师们已经换好装，衣冠楚楚地候在画廊里。有个乐师正在调试手里的提琴。提弓练指，轻轻拉了个七度音阶，然后又拨一下琴弦。灯光照在那张卡罗琳?德温特的画像上。
是的，我身上这套舞服完全是照我临摹的样子裁制的：灯笼袖管、腰带和级子蝴蝶结，还有这顶捏在我手里的松软的宽边帽。我戴的正是她头上的那种发卷，同画像上一样，蓬松地覆在脸上。我从来也没有像现在这么兴奋，这么快活，这么骄傲。我朝手持提琴的乐师一招手，然后把手指按在嘴唇上，示意他别作声。他微笑着鞠了个躬，随后穿过画廊，朝我站着的拱门这边走来。
“叫鼓手替我击鼓通报，”我低声嘱咐说。“叫他把鼓敲响，你知道该有怎么个格式，然后大声通报：卡罗琳?德温特小姐到。我要叫下面那些人大吃一惊。”他一点头，领会了我的意思。我的心莫名其妙地扑通扑通猛跳起来，双颊像火烧一般地热辣辣。多有趣！真是个疯狂、荒唐、幼稚的玩笑！我朝在走廊上缩成一团的克拉丽斯笑了笑，双手提起裙子。接着鼓声大作，在大厅里回响。一时间，甚至把我也吓愣了，虽说我明知鼓声就要响起，而且眼巴巴地盼着呢。我看见下面大厅里的那几位，带着迷惘的神情不胜惊愕地仰起头来。
“卡罗琳?德温特小姐到，”鼓手大声宣布。
我挪动步子走到楼梯口站定，脸上堆着微笑，手持宽边帽，俨然是画中那位少女。
我在期待，心想只要我缓步走下楼梯，掌声和欢呼声将随之而起，可是，大厅里鸦雀无声，没有鼓掌，也没人动弹。
他们全呆若木鸡，朝我瞪眼望着。比阿特丽斯失声呼叫，接着又忙不迭用手捂住嘴巴。我脸上还是挂着微笑，手搁在楼梯的扶手上。
“您好，德温特先生，”我说。
迈克西姆一动不动地站在那儿，抬起眼睛直勾勾地盯着我，手里拿着酒杯，脸上没有一丝儿血色，死灰一般惨白。我看见弗兰克走到他身边，像是要说什么，可是迈克西姆一把将他推开。我的一只脚已经跨到楼梯上，一见这阵势不禁犹豫起来：情况有点不妙，他们不明白我的用意吧。为什么迈克西姆这般模样？这什么他们全都哑了，像梦中人那样神情恍惚？
接着，迈克西姆移动身子，朝楼梯走来，目光死死地盯在我脸上。
“你知道自己干的什么好事？”他说，眼睛里冒着怒火，脸色还是死灰一般惨白。
我仿佛生了根似地动弹不得，手扔搁在楼梯扶手上。
“是那幅画像，”我说。他的眼神，还有他的声音，把我吓坏了。“是那幅画像，画廊里的那幅。”
长时间的静默。我们依然睁大眼睛对视着。大厅里，谁也没有移动一下身子。我阅了口气，手慢慢地伸到脖子上。“这是怎么回事？”我说。“我做了什么错事？”
但愿他们别这样木然不带表情地瞪着我！但愿有人开口说些什么！等迈克西姆再一次开口说话，我竟辨不出那是他的声音：不带感情，冷若冰霜，完全不是我所熟悉的那种声音。
“去，把衣服换掉，”他说。“随便换什么都行。找一件普通的晚礼服，哪一件都行。趁客人还没来，快去！”
我一句话也说不出来，只是懵懵地望着他。在他那张面具似的煞白的脸上，只有那对眸子是活的。
“你还站在这儿干吗？”他的嗓音粗暴而古怪。“难道你没听见我的话吗？”
我转过身