Chapter 18

  Chapter18

  Thedayhedidhehouse,and,indeed,spentmostofthetimeinhisownroom,sickwithawildterrorofdying,aindifferenttolifeitself.Thesciousnessofbeinghunted,srackeddown,hadbeguntodominatehim.Ifthetapestrydidbuttrembleinthewind,heshook.Thedeadleavesthatwereblownagainsttheleadedpanesseemedtohimlikehisownwastedresolutionsandwildregrets.Whenheclosedhiseyes,hesawagainthesailorsfacepeeringthroughthemist-stainedglass,andhorrorseemedoncemoretolayitshanduponhisheart.

  Butperhapsithadbeenonlyhisfancythathadcalledvengeaofthenightahehideousshapesofpunishmentbeforehim.Actuallifewaschaos,buttherewassomethingterriblylogitheimagination.Itwastheimaginationthatsetremorsetodogthefeetofsin.Itwastheimaginationthatmadeeachcrimebearitsmisshapenbrood.Intheonworldoffactthewickedwerenotpunished,noodrewarded.Successwasgiventothestrong,failurethrustupontheweak.Thatwasall.Besides,hadanystrangerbeenprowlingroundthehouse,hewouldhavebeeheservantsorthekeepers.Hadanyfoot-marksbeenfoundontheflower-beds,thegardenerswouldhavereportedit.Yes,ithadbeenmerelyfancy.SibylVanesbrotherhadnotebacktokillhim.Hehadsailedawayinhisshiptofounderiersea.Fromhim,atanyrate,hewassafe.Why,themandidnotknowwhohewas,couldnotknowwhohewas.Themaskofyouthhadsavedhim.

  Aifithadbeenmerelyanillusion,howterribleitwastothinkthatscecouldraisesuchfearfulphantoms,andgivethemvisibleform,andmakethemmovebeforeone!Whatsortoflifewouldhisbeif,dayandnight,shadowsofhiscrimeweretopeerathimfromsilenters,tomockhimfromsecretplaces,towhisperinhisearashesatatthefeast,towakehimwithigersashelayasleep!Asthethoughtcreptthroughhisbrain,hegrewpalewithterror,andtheairseemedtohimtohavebeesuddenlycolder.Oh!inwhatawildhourofmadnesshehadkilledhisfriend!Howghastlythemerememoryofthese!Hesawitallagain.Eachhideousdetailcamebawithaddedhorror.Outoftheblacke,terribleandswathedinscarlet,rosetheimageofhissin.WhenLordHenrycameinatsixoclock,hefoundhimgasonewhoseheartwillbreak.

  Itwasnottillthethirddaythatheveogoout.Therewassomethingintheclear,pine-stedairofthatwintermthatseemedthimbackhisjoyousnessandhisardourforlife.Butitwasnotmerelythephysicalditionsofenvirohathadcausedthege.Hisownnaturehadrevoltedagainsttheexcessofanguishthathadsoughttomaimandmartheperfeofitscalm.Withsubtleandfinelywroughttemperamentsitisalwaysso.Theirstrongpassionsmusteitherbruiseorbend.Theyeitherslaytheman,orthemselvesdie.Shallowsorrowsandshallowlovesliveon.Thelovesandsorrowsthataregreataredestroyedbytheirowude.Besides,hehadvincedhimselfthathehadbeeimofaterror-striimagination,andlookedbaowonhisfearswithsomethingofpityandnotalittleofpt.

  Afterbreakfast,hewalkedwiththeduchessforanhourinthegardenandthendroveacrosstheparktojointheshooting-party.Thecrispfrostlaylikesaltuponthegrass.Theskywasaedcupofbluemetal.Athinfilmoficeborderedtheflat,reed-grownlake.

  Attheerofthepine-woodhecaughtsighteoffreyClouston,theduchesssbrother,jerkingtwospentcartridgesoutofhisgun.Hejumpedfromthecart,andhavingtoldthegroomtotakethemarehome,madehiswaytowardshisguestthroughthewitheredbraandroughundergrowth.

  "Haveyouhadgoodspeoffrey?"heasked.

  "Nood,Dorian.Ithinkmostofthebirdshavegoheopen.Idaresayitwillbebetterafterlunch,wheonewground."

  Dorianstrolledalongbyhisside.Thekeenaromaticair,thebrownandredlightsthatglimmeredinthewood,thehoarsecriesofthebeatersringingoutfromtimetotime,andthesharpsnapsofthegunsthatfollowed,fasatedhimandfilledhimwithasenseofdelightfulfreedom.Hewasdomihecarelessnessofhappiness,bythehighindifferenceofjoy.

  Suddenlyfromalumpytussockofoldgrasssometwentyyardsinfrontofthem,withblack-tippedearseredlonghinderlimbsthrowingitforward,startedahare.Itboltedforathicketofalders.SirGeoffreyputhisguntohisshoulder,buttherewassomethingintheanimalsgraovementthatstrangelycharmedDray,andhecriedoutatonce,"Dontshootit,Geoffrey.Letitlive."

  "Whatnonsense,Dorian!"laughedhispanion,andastheharebouothethicket,hefired.Thereweretwocriesheard,thecryofahareinpain,whichisdreadful,theaninagony,whichisworse.

  "Goodheavens!Ihavehitabeater!"exclaimedSirGeoffrey."Whatanassthemanwastogetinfrontoftheguns!Stopshootingthere!"hecalledoutatthetopofhisvoice."Amanishurt."

  Thehead-keepercamerunningupwithastihishand.

  "Where,sir?Whereishe?"heshouted.Atthesametime,thefiringceasedalongtheline.

  "Here,"answeredSirGeoffreyangrily,hurryingtowardsthethicket."Whyohdontyoukeepyourmenback?Spoiledmyshootingfortheday."

  Dorianwatchedthemastheypluothealder-clump,brushiheswingingbranchesaside.Inafewmomentstheyemerged,draggingabodyafterthemintothesunlight.Heturnedawayinhorror.Itseemedtohimthatmisfortunefollowedwhereverhewent.HeheardSirGeoffreyaskifthemanwasreallydead,andtheaffirmativeahekeeper.Thewoodseemedtohimtohavebeesuddenlyalivewithfaces.Therewasthetramplingofmyriadfeetandthelowbuzzofvoices.Agreatcopper-breastedpheasantcamebeatingthroughtheboughsoverhead.

  Afterafewmoments--thatweretohim,inhisperturbedstate,likeendlesshoursofpaiahandlaidonhisshoulder.Hestartedandlookedround.

  "Dorian,"saidLordHenry,"Ihadbettertellthemthattheshootingisstoppedforto-day.Itwouldnotlookwelltogoon."

  "Iwishitwerestoppedforever,Harry,"heansweredbitterly."Thewholethingishideousandcruel.Istheman...?"

  Hecouldnotfinishthesentence.

  "Iamafraidso,"rejoinedLordHenry."Hegotthewholechargeofshotinhischest.Hemusthavediedalmostinstantaneously.e;letusgohome."

  Theywalkedsidebysideinthedireoftheavenuefornearlyfiftyyardswithoutspeaking.ThenDorianlookedatLordHenryandsaid,withaheavysigh,"Itisabadomen,Harry,averybadomen."

  "Whatis?"askedLordHenry."Oh!thisact,Isuppose.Mydearfellow,ittbehelped.Itwasthemansownfault.Whydidhegetinfrontoftheguns?Besides,itisnothingtous.Itisratherawkwardfeoffrey,ofcourse.Itdoesnotdotopepperbeaters.Itmakespeoplethinkthatoneisawildshot.AndGeoffreyisnot;heshootsverystraight.Butthereisalkingaboutthematter."

  Dorianshookhishead."Itisabadomen,Harry.Ifeelasifsomethinghorribleweregoingtohappentosomeofus.Tomyself,perhaps,"headded,passinghishandoverhiseyes,withagestureofpain.

  Theeldermanlaughed."Theonlyhorriblethingintheworldisennui,Dorian.Thatistheonesinforwhichthereisniveness.Butwearenotlikelytosufferfromituhesefellowskeepchatteringaboutthisthingatdinner.Imusttellthemthatthesubjectistobetabooed.Asforomens,thereisnosuchthingasanomeisendusheralds.Sheistoowiseortoocruelforthat.Besides,whatohcouldhappentoyou,Dorian?Youhaveeverythingintheworldthatamanwant.Thereisnoonewhowouldnotbedelightedtogeplaceswithyou."

  "ThereishwhomIwouldnotgeplaces,Harry.Dontlaughlikethat.Iamtellingyouthetruth.ThewretchedpeasantwhohasjustdiedisbetteroffthanIam.Ihavenoterrorofdeath.Itistheingofdeaththatterrifiesme.Itsmonstrouswiowheelintheleadenairaroundme.Goodheavens!dontyouseeamanmovingbehireesthere,watgme,waitingforme?"

  LordHenrylookedinthedireinwhichthetremblingglovedhandointing."Yes,"hesaid,smiling,"Iseethegardenerwaitingforyou.Isupposehewantstoaskyouwhatflowersyouwishtohaveoableto-night.Howabsurdlynervousyouare,mydearfellow!Youmusteandseemydoctor,whebacktotown."

  Dorianheavedasighofreliefashesawthegardenerapproag.Themantouchedhishat,glanomentatLordHenryiatingmanner,andthenproducedaletter,whichhehaohismaster."HerGraetowaitforananswer,"hemurmured.

  Dorianputtheletterintohispocket."TellherGracethatIamingin,"hesaid,coldly.Themanturnedroundarapidlyinthedireofthehouse.

  "Howfondwomenareofdoingdangerousthings!"laughedLordHenry."ItisohequalitiesihatIadmiremost.Awomanwillflirtwithanybodyintheworldaslongasotherpeoplearelookingon."

  "Howfondyouareofsayingdangerousthings,Harry!Inthepresentinstance,youarequiteastray.Iliketheduchessverymuch,butIdontloveher."

  "Andtheduchesslovesyouverymuch,butshelikesyouless,soyouareexcellentlymatched."

  "Youaretalkingsdal,Harry,andthereisneveranybasisforsdal."

  "Thebasisofeverysdalisanimmoralcertainty,"saidLordHenry,lightingacigarette.

  "Youwouldsacrifiybody,Harry,forthesakeofanepigram."

  "Thewoestothealtarofitsownaccord,"wastheanswer.

  "IwishIcouldlove,"criedDraynoteofpathosinhisvoice."ButIseemtohavelostthepassionandfottenthedesire.Iamtoomutratedonmyself.Myownpersonalityhasbeeaburdentome.Iwanttoescape,togoaway,tet.Itwassillyofmetoedowall.IthinkIshallsendawiretoHarveytohavetheyachtgotready.Onayaeissafe."

  "Safefromwhat,Dorian?Youareirouble.Whynottellmewhatitis?YouknowIwouldhelpyou."

  "Ittellyou,Harry,"heansweredsadly."AndIdaresayitisonlyafanihisunfortunateacthasupsetme.Ihaveahorriblepresehatsomethingofthekindmayhappentome."

  "Whatnonsense!"

  "Ihopeitis,butIthelpfeelingit.Ah!hereistheduchess,lookinglikeArtemisinatailor-madegown.Youseewehaveeback,Duchess."

  "Ihaveheardallaboutit,Mr.Gray,"sheanswered."Peoffreyisterriblyupset.Anditseemsthatyouaskedhimnottoshootthehare.Howcurious!"

  "Yes,itwasverycurious.Idontknowwhatmademesayit.Somewhim,Isuppose.Itlookedtheloveliestoflittlelivethings.ButIamsorrytheytoldyouabouttheman.Itisahideoussubject."

  "Itisanannoyingsubject,"brokeinLordHenry."Ithasnopsychologicalvalueatall.NowifGeoffreyhaddohingonpurpose,howiinghewouldbe!Ishouldliketoknowsomeonewhohadittedarealmurder."

  "Howhorridofyou,Harry!"criedtheduchess."Isntit,Mr.Gray?Harry,Mr.Grayisillagain.Heisgoingtofaint."

  Doriandrewhimselfupwithaneffortandsmiled."Itisnothing,Duchess,"hemurmured;"mynervesaredreadfullyoutoforder.Thatisall.IamafraidIwalkedtoofarthism.IdidnthearwhatHarrysaid.Wasitverybad?Youmusttellmesomeothertime.IthinkImustgoandliedown.Youwillexcuseme,wontyou?"

  Theyhadreachedthegreatflightofstepsthatledfromtheservatoryontotheterrace.AstheglassdoorclosedbehindDorian,LordHenryturnedandlookedattheduchesswithhisslumberouseyes."Areyouverymulovewithhim?"heasked.

  Shedidnotanswerforsometime,butstoodgazingatthelandscape."IwishIknew,"shesaidatlast.

  Heshookhishead."Knowledgewouldbefatal.Itistheuaintythatcharmsone.Amistmakesthingswonderful."

  "Onemayloseonesway."

  "Allwaysendatthesamepoint,mydearGladys."

  "Whatisthat?"

  "Disillusion."

  "Itwasmydebutinlife,"shesighed.

  "Itcametoyoued."

  "Iamtiredofstrawberryleaves."

  "Theybeeyou."

  "Onlyinpublic."

  "Youwouldmissthem,"saidLordHenry.

  "Iwillnotpartetal."

  "Monmouthhasears."

  "Oldageisdullofhearing."

  "Hasheneverbeenjealous?"

  "Iwishhehadbeen."

  Heglancedaboutasifinsearething."Whatareyoulookingfor?"sheinquired.

  "Thebuttonfromyourfoil,"heanswered."Youhavedroppedit."

  Shelaughed."Ihavestillthemask."

  "Itmakesyoureyeslovelier,"washisreply.

  Shelaughedagaieethshowedlikewhiteseedsinascarletfruit.

  Upstairs,inhisownroom,Draywaslyingonasofa,withterroriinglingfibreofhisbody.Lifehadsuddenlybeetoohideousaburdenforhimtobear.Thedreadfuldeathoftheunluckybeater,shotihicketlikeawildanimal,hadseemedtohimtopre-figuredeathforhimselfalso.HehadnearlyswoowhatLordHenryhadsaidinacemoodoficaljesting.

  Atfiveoclockheranghisbellforhisservantandgavehimorderstopackhisthingsforthenight-expresstotown,andtohavethebroughamatthedoorbyeight-thirty.HewasdetermitosleepanhtatSelbyRoyal.Itwasanill-omenedplace.Deathwalkedthereinthesunlight.Thegrassoftheforesthadbeenspottedwithblood.

  TheeaoLordHenry,tellinghimthathewasgoinguptotowntosulthisdoctorandaskinghimtoeainhisguestsinhisabsence.Asheuttingitintotheenvelope,aknockcametothedoor,andhisvaletinformedhimthatthehead-keeperwishedtoseehim.Hefrownedandbithislip."Sendhimin,"hemuttered,aftersomemomeation.

  Assoonasthemaered,Dorianpulledhischequebookoutofadrareaditoutbeforehim.

  "Isupposeyouhaveeabouttheunfortunateactofthism,Thornton?"hesaid,takingupapen.

  "Yes,sir,"ahegamekeeper.

  "Wasthepoorfellowmarried?Hadheanypeopledepeonhim?"askedDorian,lookingbored."Ifso,Ishouldnotlikethemtobeleftinwant,andwillsendthemanysumofmoneyyoumaythinknecessary."

  "Wedontknowwhoheis,sir.ThatiswhatItookthelibertyofingtoyouabout."

  "Dontknowwhoheis?"saidDorian,listlessly."Whatdoyoumean?Wasntheoneofyourmen?"

  "No,sir.Neversawhimbefore.Seemslikeasailor,sir."

  Thependroppedfrrayshand,aasifhishearthadsuddenlystoppedbeating."Asailor?"hecriedout."Didyousayasailor?"

  "Yes,sir.Helooksasifhehadbeenasortofsailor;tattooedonbotharms,andthatkindofthing."

  "Wasthereanythingfoundonhim?"saidDorian,leaningforwardandlookingatthemanwithstartledeyes."Anythingthatwouldtellhisname?"

  "Somemoney,sir--notmudasix-shooter.Therewasnonameofanykind.Adet-lookingman,sir,butrough-like.Asortofsailorwethink."

  Dorianstartedtohisfeet.Aterriblehopeflutteredpasthim.Heclutchedatitmadly."Whereisthebody?"heexclaimed."Quick!Imustseeitatonce."

  "ItisiystableintheHomeFarm,sir.Thefolkdontliketohavethatsortofthingintheirhouses.Theysayacorpsebringsbadluck."

  "TheHomeFarm!Gothereatondmeetme.Tellohegroomstmyhorseround.No.Nevermind.Illgotothestablesmyself.Itwillsavetime."

  Ihanaquarterofanhour,Drayingdownthelongavenueashardashecouldgo.Thetreesseemedtosweeppasthimiralprocession,andwildshadowstoflingthemselvesacrosshispath.Ohemareswervedatawhitegate-postandnearlythrewhim.Helashedheracrosstheneckwithhiscrop.Sheclefttheduskyairlikeanarrow.Thestonesflewfromherhoofs.

  AtlasthereachedtheHomeFarm.Twomeeringintheyard.Heleapedfromthesaddleandthrewthereinstoohem.Iheststablealightwasglimmering.Somethiotellhimthatthebodywasthere,andhehurriedtothedoorandputhishandupoch.

  Therehepausedforamoment,feelingthathewasonthebrinkofadiscoverythatwouldeithermakeormarhislife.Thehrustthedooropeered.

  Onaheapofsaginthefarerwaslyingthedeadbodyofamandressedinacoarseshirtandapairofbluetrousers.Aspottedhandkerchiefhadbeenplacedovertheface.Acoarsedle,stuabottle,sputteredbesideit.

  Drayshuddered.Hefeltthathiscouldhehandtotakethehandkerchiefaway,andcalledouttoohefarm-servantstoetohim.

  "Takethatthingofftheface.Iwishtoseeit,"hesaid,clutgatthedoor-postforsupport.

  Whenthefarm-servanthaddoneso,hesteppedforward.Acryofjoybrokefromhislips.ThemanwhohadbeenshotihicketwasJamesVane.

  Hestoodthereforsomeminuteslookingatthedeadbody.Asherodehome,hiseyeswerefulloftears,forheknewhewassafe.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读

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