Kitabı oku: «Незнакомка из Уайлдфелл-Холла. Уровень 2 / The Tenant of Wildfell Hall», sayfa 7

“And, Mrs. Graham,” said he again, five minutes after, “we were disputing something. Well, the question, or questions for you to answer – ”

“Hold your tongue, Fergus!” cried Rose.

“I won't! The questions are these: first, concerning your birth, extraction, and previous residence. Some people say that you are a foreigner, and some an Englishwoman; some a native of the north country, and some of the south; some say – ”

“Well, Mr. Fergus, I'll tell you. I'm an Englishwoman. I was born in the country, neither in the extreme north nor south of our happy isle. In the country I have passed my life, and now I hope you are satisfied.”

“Except this – ”

“No, not one more!” laughed she, and, to escape my brother's persecutions, drew me into conversation.

“Mr. Markham,” said she, “have you forgotten the fine sea-view we were speaking of some time ago? I think I must trouble you, now, to tell me the nearest way to it. I shall, perhaps, be able to walk there, and take my sketch. I want to see it.”

“Oh, don't tell her, Gilbert!” cried Rose; “she will go with us. I suppose, Mrs. Graham, it is a very long walk, too far for you. But we were thinking about a picnic there. I'm sure we shall all be delighted to have you amongst us.”

Poor Mrs. Graham looked dismayed, and attempted to make excuses.

“Just a nice walk for the gentlemen,” continued Rose; “but the ladies will have their pony-carriage, which will be large enough to contain little Arthur and three ladies, together with your sketching apparatus, and our provisions.”

We rose, and took our leave.

But this was only March: a cold, wet April, and two weeks of May passed over before we ventured forth on our expedition. The company consisted of Mrs. and Master Graham, Mary and Eliza Millward, Jane and Richard Wilson, and Rose, Fergus, and Gilbert Markham.

Mr. Lawrence was invited to join us, but, for some reason he refused to give us his company.. The decision was not displeasing to me.

It was about midday when we reached the place of our destination. Mrs. Graham walked all the way to the cliffs. I have a very pleasant recollection of that walk, along the hard, white, sunny road. Eliza was not beside me; but she was with her friends in the pony-carriage. I was too happy in the company of Mrs. Graham to regret the absence of Eliza Millward.

At length our walk was ended. I looked at my companion to see what she thought of the glorious scene. She said nothing: but she stood still. She had very fine eyes – not brown, but very dark grey. A cool breeze blew from the sea – soft, pure, salubrious. She looked very lovely; my heart warmly cleaved to her.

Mrs. Graham seated herself at a distance from me. Eliza was my nearest neighbour. Soon my heart began to warm towards her once again; and we were all very merry and happy together.

Then Mrs. Graham took her camp-stool and drawing materials. She begged Miss Millward to take charge of her precious son, left us and proceeded along the steep, stony hill.

I rose and cannily slipped away. A few rapid strides soon brought me to her – a narrow ledge of rock at the verge of the cliff. She did not hear me. My shadow across her paper alarmed her. She looked hastily round.

“Oh! I didn't know it was you. Why did you startle me so?” said she testily. “Well, what did you come for? Are they all coming?”

“No; this little ledge can scarcely contain them all.”

“I'm glad, for I'm tired.”

“Well, then, I won't talk. I'll only sit and watch your drawing.”

“Oh, but you know I don't like that.”

“Then I'll admire this magnificent prospect.”

She made no objection to this. I sat beside her there, and said nothing.

“Are you there still, Mr. Markham?” said she at length. “Why don't you go and amuse yourself with your friends?”

“Because I am tired of them, like you.”

“What was Arthur doing when you came away?”

“He was with Miss Millward, where you left him.”

Soon declared her sketch completed, and closed the book. We returned.

The journey homeward was not so agreeable to me as the former part of the day. Now Mrs. Graham was in the carriage, and Eliza Millward was the companion of my walk.