双语译林·小妇人 第三十一章 海外来信 OUR FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT
- 第三十一章 海外来信
- CHAPTER 31 OUR FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT
第三十一章 海外来信
最亲爱的全家：
此刻我真真切切地坐在巴斯饭店内临街的窗前，在伦敦皮卡迪利大街。这旅馆并不是时髦交际场所，但叔叔几年前在这里留宿过，而且不想去别的旅馆。不过，我们没打算长待，所以没什么。噢，我无法一五一十地表达我是多么喜欢这里的一切！恐怕永远不能了，因此只能从记事本中摘录点滴情况给你们寄去，自从出发以来啥事也没干，除了素描和简短潦草地写些东西。
曾在哈利法克斯港发出过一封短信，当时感觉糟极了。但从那以后，日子过得快活起来了，很少生病，整天在甲板上，有许多快乐的人来逗我开心。每个人对我都很友善，尤其是那些军官。别笑，乔，在船上是真的非常需要男士们，可以扶靠他们，他们还可以伺候你。他们没事做，让他们变得有用是一种慈悲，否则，他们恐怕会抽烟抽死。
婶婶和弗洛一路上身体不舒服，喜欢独自待着，所以为她们做了力所能及的事以后，我就出去玩个痛快。多么悠闲地在甲板上散步，多么绚丽的落日，多么清新的空气和壮观的波涛！简直就像当初我们骑上骏马雄赳赳地奔驰一样刺激。真希望贝丝能来，这对她的身体是很有好处的。至于乔，她可能会爬上去坐在主桅前的三角帆上，或者管它叫什么来着的高高的东西上，与轮机员交朋友，在船长的传声筒上咋呼，她会这样喜不自胜的。
一切都美极了，但看到爱尔兰海岸时，我还是很高兴，觉得它非常可爱。郁郁葱葱，阳光灿烂，到处可见棕色的小屋，某些山上还有废墟，山谷里有绅士们的乡间宅邸，狩猎区里有鹿在吃草。天还很早，但起早欣赏美景不感到遗憾。海湾里小船很多，岸上风景如画，头顶是玫瑰红的朝霞。这个画面令我毕生难忘。
在昆士顿镇，新认识的一个朋友伦诺克斯先生下船离开了我们。我说起基拉尼湖时，他看着我，叹息着吟诵起来：
噢，你可曾听说过凯特·基阿尼？
她就住在基拉尼湖畔；
她眼睛一瞥，
危险，避之不及，
凯特·基阿尼的目光能致命。
难道不是很荒唐的吗？
在利物浦只停泊了几个小时。那里又脏乱又嘈杂，很高兴能早点离开。叔叔匆匆跑下船，买了一副狗皮手套、一双丑陋而笨重的鞋子和一把雨伞，还把胡子剃成络腮式的了，这可是头等大事。然后，他自吹自擂，这下像个真正的英国人了。可他第一次去擦鞋，擦鞋童一眼就看出前面站着的是美国人，笑嘻嘻地说：“擦毕[1]了，先生。我是用最新美国佬鞋油擦的。”叔叔被逗得哈哈大笑。噢，一定得告诉你们那个荒唐的伦诺克斯做了什么！他让朋友沃德为我订购了一束花，沃德回船与我们同行的。我打开房门就一眼看到了一束漂亮的鲜花，卡片上面写着“罗伯特·伦诺克斯敬献”。好不好玩，姐姐们？我喜欢旅游。
如果不抓紧点，恐怕永远没空写伦敦的事了。这次旅行就像驱车经过一个很长的画廊，有看不完的美景。农舍让我欣喜，茅草屋顶，常春藤爬上屋檐，格子窗户，门口有壮实的妇女，身边带着脸色红润的孩子们。连牛看上去都比我们的更安静些，站在齐膝的苜蓿草中，母鸡满足地咯咯叫着，好像它们从来不会像美国佬的小鸡那样神经质地叫。从来没见过这么完美的颜色——草碧绿、天湛蓝、谷物金黄，森林葱郁，一路过来我欣喜若狂。弗洛也和我一样，我们不停地从这边跳到那边，不想放过每一个美景，而我们正在以时速六十英里向前疾驶呢。婶婶感到疲倦睡觉去了，但叔叔在读他的旅行指南，对任何事物都无动于衷。这就是我们的状况：我跳起来——“噢，那树丛中灰灰的地方肯定是凯尼尔沃思！”弗洛冲到我的舷窗来——“多美呀！我们总有一天要去那里，是不是，爸爸？”叔叔平静地欣赏着自己的靴子——“不行，乖乖，除非你要喝啤酒，否则不会去那里，那是个酿酒厂。”
这样安静了片刻——接着弗洛又叫起来：“天哪，有个绞架，一个人正在往上爬。”“在哪儿，哪儿？”我尖声叫着，往外望，看见远处有两根高高的柱子，之间有一根横梁，梁上挂着几根链条。“是煤矿哪。”叔叔说，单眼一眨。“这儿有可爱的羊群躺着呢。”我说。“看，爸爸，它们是不是很漂亮？”弗洛富有情感地补充了一句。“是鹅群，小姐们。”叔叔回答说。他的语气使我们安静了下来，后来弗洛坐着欣赏起《卡文迪什船长调情记》，而我独享景色。
我们抵达伦敦时正下雨，这是意料之中的。因此，除了雾和雨伞看不到其他东西。我们住下来，打开行李，在大雨间隙买了些东西。玛丽婶婶给我买了些新物品，我走得太匆忙，准备不充分。一顶装饰着蓝色羽毛的白帽子，配上棉布裙衫，还有从没见过的最漂亮的披风。在摄政街购物太棒了。东西都挺便宜，漂亮的丝带只要六便士一码，我买了点备用，但手套要到巴黎买。你们说这是不是有点儿高雅和富有？
叔叔婶婶出去了。出于好玩，弗洛和我叫了辆双轮双座马车出去兜风，后来得知，小姐单独乘出租马车并不时髦。太逗了！我们被木挡板关在车厢里，车夫驾着车子飞快地跑着。弗洛害怕了，她叫我去制止他。可是他在外面，高坐在后面的什么地方，我无法接近。他听不到我的叫声，也没看到我在前面挥动着阳伞，事情就这么着，很无奈，马车哐当哐当一路奔驰，以非常危险的高速拐着每一个弯。终于，绝望之中我看到车厢的顶上有一扇小门，一捅就打开了，一只红眼睛出现了，他用喝醉了的声音说：
“干什么，小姐？”
我尽可能严肃地下达了命令，砰地关上门。“好，好，小姐。”那人让马漫步走着，仿佛去参加葬礼。我又把门捅开说：“稍稍快一点。”于是他又策马奔跑起来，跟前面一样慌张，我们只能听天由命了。
今天天气晴朗，我们到附近的海德公园散步，我们比自己的外表更有贵族气派。德文郡公爵就住在附近。我经常看到他的随从在后门闲逛，惠灵顿公爵的宅邸离这儿也不远。天哪，我看到的都是些什么景象啊！就像《笨拙》杂志的漫画一样好看，胖墩墩的富孀坐在红黄四轮马车里出行，华服仆从脚穿丝绸长袜，身穿天鹅绒外套坐在后面，扑了粉的马车夫坐在车前。伶俐的女佣们带着脸色极红润的孩子，标致的姑娘们看上去半睡不醒，戴着古怪的英国帽子和穿着淡紫色山羊皮衣的小伙子们懒洋洋地闲逛着。身着红色上衣的高个子士兵们，头上斜扣着松饼帽子，样子很滑稽，很想给他们画速写。“洛腾街”法语叫Route de Roi，意思是“国王之路”，可是现在更像是骑术学校。那里的马很棒，男士们骑术很高，尤其是马夫，可是女士们僵硬地骑在马上跳跃着，与我们的规则不一样。我很想让她们看看美国式的飞奔，因为她们穿着单薄的骑装，戴着高帽，驾驭着马儿小跑着，表情很严肃，像玩具诺亚方舟里的女人。这里人人都会骑马，不管是年长的男士、矮胖的妇人，还是小孩。这里的年轻人很会调情，看到过一对情侣交换玫瑰花蕾，纽扣眼里插一朵玫瑰花，很时髦的，我认为这是一个相当好的创意。
下午去了威斯敏斯特教堂，别指望我来描写它，那是不可能的——只能说太宏伟壮观了！傍晚要去看费其特的戏，我生命中最幸福的一天，就在这一站恰到好处地结束了。
午夜
夜色已很深了。但是不告诉你们昨晚发生了什么，就无法在早上把信寄出。你们猜，我们喝茶的时候谁来了？劳里的英国朋友双胞胎弗雷德·沃恩和弗兰克·沃恩！我太吃惊了，要不是看了名片不可能认出他们。他俩都长得很高，还留了腮胡。弗雷德是英国式的英俊。弗兰克身体好多了，只有一点点跛，不用靠拐杖了。他们从劳里的信里得知我们住在这里，便来邀请我们到他们家去。但叔叔不愿意去，所以我们要再找时间回访他们。他们陪我们去剧院看戏，大家都高兴极了。弗兰克全身心地和弗洛攀谈，弗雷德和我谈论过去、现在和将来的趣事，仿佛我们一直都熟悉。告诉贝丝，弗兰克向她问候，听说她身体不好感到很难过。当我谈到乔时，弗雷德笑了，他向“那个大帽子致意”。他俩都没忘记劳伦斯营地，也没忘记一起度过的美好时光。那似乎是很多年以前的事儿了，是不是？
婶婶在墙壁上敲了三次了，必须搁笔了。我真的感到自己像一个放肆的伦敦贵妇人，坐在这里写到这么晚，房间里满是漂亮的东西，脑子里翻腾着公园、剧院、新衣衫。还有那些好献殷勤的男士，他们一声“啊！”，然后用手捻着金黄色的胡子，十足的英国贵族气派。我渴望见到你们大家，尽管我废话连篇。
永远是你们亲爱的艾美 于伦敦
亲爱的姐姐们：
上一封信跟你们谈起过伦敦之旅——沃恩一家真友好，多次为我们举办了愉快的聚会。汉普顿宫和肯辛顿博物馆之行，尤其让我开心——在汉普顿看到了拉斐尔的漫画，博物馆的展厅里满是透纳[2]、劳伦斯[3]、雷诺兹[4]、贺加斯[5]等巨擘的绘画。在里士满公园度过的那一天真快活，享受了地地道道的英国式野餐。那里有很多漂亮的橡树和鹿群，画都画不完。我也听到了夜莺歌唱，看到了云雀腾飞。多亏弗雷德和弗兰克，我们尽情“兜”伦敦，离开的时候不免有些难过。英国人尽管接受你很慢，但是一旦决心接受你了，我想那是再好客不过了。沃恩一家希望冬天在罗马见到我们。要是他们失约，我肯定会非常失望的，因为格莱斯和我已是好朋友了，男孩们也很好——尤其是弗雷德。
瞧，我们刚刚落脚，他就又来了，说是来度假的，要去瑞士。婶婶刚开始显得有点冷淡，但他泰然处之，她也不说什么了。现在我们相处得很好，很高兴他来了，因为他的法语说得很溜，跟本地人没有区别，我不知道没有他，我们会怎么样。叔叔认识不到十个单词，他总是把英语讲得很响，好像声音大一点儿人家就能听懂了。婶婶的法语发音是老式的，弗洛和我自以为很懂，结果发现我们的法语也不怎么样。非常感谢有弗雷德去“说大戏”，叔叔就是这样说的。
我们度过了多么美好的时光！从早到晚观光，中午在轻松愉快的小餐馆里美餐，经历了各种各样好笑的奇遇。下雨的日子里，我陶醉在卢浮宫的绘画里。对其中的一些极品，乔可能会淘气地嗤之以鼻。她没有艺术热情，但我不同，我要尽快地陶冶自己的眼力和品位。她可能更欣赏伟人的遗物，我已看到她所崇拜的拿破仑三角帽和灰色大衣，他儿时的摇篮和他的旧牙刷。还看到了玛丽·安托瓦内特[6]的小鞋，圣但尼[7]的指环，查理大帝[8]的剑，有趣的东西还有许多。回家后可以跟你们谈上好几个小时，但现在没有时间来写。
皇宫是个极其富丽堂皇的地方，有很多珠宝首饰和可爱的东西，我因买不起而几近发疯。弗雷德要给我买一些，我当然不允许。布洛涅树林和香榭丽舍大街tres magnifique[9]。我见过几次皇室成员。皇帝长得很丑，看上去冷酷无情；皇后漂亮但苍白，而且依我看穿着很不得体——紫色的裙衫，绿色的帽子，黄色的手套。小拿泊[10]是个英俊的男孩，他坐在四马大车上，一边与家庭教师聊天，一边向经过的人群飞吻，每一匹马上的御者都穿着红色绸缎短上衣，车前车后各有一个骑马的卫兵。
我们经常在杜伊勒里公园散步，很棒的，虽然我更喜欢古色古香的卢森堡花园。拉雪兹神甫公墓很奇特，那里有许多坟墓看上去像一个个小房间。走近往里望，可以看到一张桌子，桌子上摆着死者的肖像或者画像，桌子周围还有几张椅子，供前来凭吊者坐的。这是非常有法国味的一件事。
我们的房间在里佛利大街，坐在阳台上，可以把这条灿烂的长街尽收眼底。在外面玩了一天很累了，晚上不想动，坐在阳台上聊天真是一种享受。弗雷德很逗，是我见过的青年中最容易相处的人——劳里除外，劳里的举止更有风度。我希望弗雷德黑一点，不喜欢白皮肤的男人。可是，沃恩家很富有，出身名门望族，因此我没觉得他们的黄头发不好，再说我自己的头发更黄。
下礼拜要动身去德国和瑞士。由于要赶路，所以只能给你们草草地写一点。每天记日记，尽量准确记住和清楚描写所见所闻，这是爸爸的建议。这对我也是个很好的练习，这些日记加上我的写生簿，能比这些短信更好地向你们传达此次旅行的情况。
再见，亲切地拥抱你们。
你们的艾美 于巴黎
亲爱的妈妈：
趁我们动身去伯尔尼之前有一会儿空闲，我要告诉您发生了些什么，因为有些事很重要，您一会儿就会明白。
在莱茵河溯流而上太棒了，我只是坐着尽情享受。拿出爸爸的旧旅行指南翻阅着。景色的美难以用语言来形容。在科布伦茨玩得很开心，弗雷德在船上认识了一些来自波恩的学生，他们给我们唱了小夜曲。那是个明月之夜，一点钟左右，弗洛和我被窗口下最动听的乐曲吵醒了。我们飞快地爬起来，躲在窗帘后面窥望，发现弗雷德和学生们在窗下唱着。这是平生见过的最浪漫的情景了——那河，那浮桥、对面岸上的大要塞，月光洒满大地，音乐可以融化石头的心。
他们唱完后，我们扔下去一些花朵，只见他们争抢着，还给看不见的姑娘们送来飞吻，然后笑着走开了，我猜想可能是去抽烟喝酒来着。次日早晨，弗雷德给我看他背心口袋里一朵压坏了的花，看上去很动情。我嘲笑他说，我并没有扔花，是弗洛扔的。这一说似乎让他很反感，他把花丢出窗外，恢复理智了。恐怕我跟这个男孩会有麻烦，现在已经有苗头了。
拿骚的温泉浴场很好玩，巴登巴登也一样。在巴登巴登，弗雷德输了钱，我骂了他。弗兰克不在身边的时候，他需要人照顾。凯特曾经说，她希望他早点成婚，我也同意她的看法，结婚对他有好处。法兰克福令人赏心悦目。我瞻仰了歌德故居、席勒雕像，还有丹尼克[11]的雕塑名作《阿里阿德涅骑豹》，它非常可爱。要是多懂一点希腊神话，就可以欣赏得更好。我不想请教，因为这故事尽人皆知，或者大家都不懂装懂。希望乔能从头至尾给我讲讲这个故事。我应该多读点书，发现自己孤陋寡闻，真苦恼。
现在言归正传——事情就发生在这里，弗雷德刚刚离开。他是那么友好，乐呵呵的，大家都相当喜欢他。在唱小夜曲之前，除了旅伴友谊，我从来没多想。自那晚以后，我开始感觉到月光下漫步、阳台交谈、每天的探险，对他来说不仅仅是好玩了。我没有卖弄风情，妈妈，真的，我永远记着您对我说的话，而且尽力而为。人家要喜欢我，我也没办法。我没有刻意让人家喜欢我。如果我不关心他们，会难过的，尽管乔说我这个人没心没肺。我知道妈妈这会儿会摇摇头，姐姐们会说：“噢，这唯利是图的小东西！”但我已决定，如果弗雷德求婚，我就接受，尽管我自己并没有发疯似的爱上他。我喜欢他，我们在一起相处得很惬意。他年轻英俊，还算聪明，腰缠万贯——比劳伦斯家富裕得多。我想他家不会反对的。我将会很幸福，因为他们都很善良，有教养，慷慨大方，而且他们喜欢我。弗雷德是双胞胎中的老大，我想他会继承产业的，那产业有多棒啊！在市区一条时髦的街上拥有宅邸，不像美国大房子那么花哨，但舒适度高两倍，实实在在的华贵，英国人信奉这种风格。我喜欢，它货真价实。我见过金银餐具、传家珠宝、老仆人，还有乡间别墅的图片，里面有狩猎场、大宅、漂亮的花园和骏马。哦，这些令人心满愿足！我可不愿像一些姑娘那样一味追抢爵位，结果却发现除了爵位啥也没有。我可能是唯利是图，但我对贫穷深恶痛绝，只要能够，我就不想再多忍受一分钟。四姐妹当中必须有一个人嫁得好。美格没做到，乔不愿意，贝丝还不能，所以我来吧，把周围的一切搞得温馨点。我不会跟不喜欢或看不起的人结婚的。这一点你们放心，尽管弗雷德不是我心中的白马王子，但是他言谈举止很得当，如果他很喜欢我，让我随心所欲，我终有一天会喜欢上他的。因此，上个礼拜，这件事一直在我脑子里转着，不由自主地看弗雷德喜欢我的神情。他虽然没说什么，但见微知著呀。他从来不跟弗洛一起走，坐马车，上餐桌，散步，总是靠近我的边上。单独在一起的时候，他显得很动感情，看到有人胆敢与我说话，他会皱眉头。昨晚用餐时，一个奥地利军官盯着我们看，然后对他的朋友说了些什么“美艳金发女郎”，那朋友是个风流倜傥的男爵。弗雷德的脸色就像凶猛的狮子，狠狠地切割着自己盘子上的肉，因用力过猛，肉差点儿飞出了盘子。他不是那种冷静而拘谨的英国人，性子有点暴躁，因为身上流淌着苏格兰人的血，那双漂亮的蓝眼睛可以让人猜到这一点。
哦，昨天傍晚大概日落时分，我们去了城堡，除了弗雷德，他要先去“存局候领”处取信，再来与我们会合。大家都玩得很尽兴，逛遍了遗迹、存放大酒桶的地窖和很久以前选帝侯为英国妻子建造的美丽花园。我最喜欢那个大露台，那里景观令人神往，其他人进屋参观房间时，我就坐在露台上，画着墙上灰色的石狮子头，其周围爬着红色的紫茎忍冬藤。我感到自己仿佛坠入了罗曼史：坐在那里，看着内卡河的溪水翻滚着流入山谷，听着城堡下面奥地利乐队演奏的乐曲，就像故事书中的女孩那样，等待着情人到来。我感觉到有什么事就要发生了，而我已做好了准备。我没脸红，也没颤抖，而是相当冷静，稍微有点儿激动罢了。
后来，我听到有弗雷德的声音，只见他匆匆穿过大拱门来找我。他看上去心烦意乱，所以我完全忘了自己，忙问发生了什么事。他说收到信，要他火速回家，弗兰克病重。他打算乘夜车立刻回家，时间只够说再见。我为他感到很难过，也为自己感到失望。但这种感觉只停留了那么一瞬，因为他握着我的手说：“很快就回来的，不会忘了我吧，艾美？”这种口气，我不可能误解他的意思。
我没承诺，但双眼看着他，他似乎满足了。他来不及了，仅够说说情况，道声再见。一小时后他就出发了，大家都放不下他。我知道他欲言又止，但他曾经暗示过，所以我猜想，他可能答应过父亲暂时不做求婚之类的事。他是个轻率的孩子，而老父亲害怕他娶进一个外国媳妇。不久就会在罗马见面，到了那个时候，如果我没改变主意的话，当他说：“你愿意吗？”我会说：“愿意，谢谢。”
当然这是很私密的事，我只是希望让您了解情况。请不要为我担心，别忘了我永远是您“谨慎的艾美”，我肯定不会鲁莽行事。尽管给我忠告。如果我能做到，肯定言听计从，真希望能与您好好面谈一次，妈咪。爱我，相信我。
永远属于您的艾美于海德堡
* * *
[1]原文系伦敦方言。
[2]英国画家（1775—1851）。
[3]英国画家（1769—1830）。
[4]英国画家（1723—1792）。
[5]英国画家（1697—1764）。
[6]法国末代王后，1755年生，1793年上断头台。
[7]公元二世纪基督教殉道士，法国的最高圣人。
[8]法兰克国王（742? —814）。
[9]法语：极尽恢弘辉煌。
[10]此时法国国王是拿破仑三世，小拿泊为其子嗣。
[11]德国雕塑家（1758—1841）。
CHAPTER 31 OUR FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT
London
Dearest People,
Here I really sit at a front window of the Bath Hotel, Piccadilly. It's not a fashionable place, but Uncle stopped here years ago, and won't go anywhere else; however, we don't mean to stay long, so it's no great matter. Oh, I can't begin to tell you how I enjoy it all! I never can, so I'll only give you bits out of my notebook, for I've done nothing but sketch and scribble since I started.
I sent a line from Halifax, when I felt pretty miserable, but after that I got on delightfully, seldom ill, on deck all day, with plenty of pleasant people to amuse me. Everyone was very kind to me, especially the officers. Don't laugh, Jo, gentlemen really are very necessary aboard ship, to hold on to, or to wait upon one; and as they have nothing to do, it's a mercy to make them useful, otherwise they would smoke themselves to death, I'm afraid.
Aunt and Flo were poorly all the way, and liked to be let alone, so when I had done what I could for them, I went and enjoyed myself. Such walks on deck, such sunsets, such splendid air and waves! It was almost as exciting as riding a fast horse, when we went rushing on so grandly. I wish Beth could have come, it would have done her so much good; as for Jo, she would have gone up and sat on the maintop jib, or whatever the high thing is called, made friends with the engineers, and tooted on the captain's speaking trumpet, she'd have been in such a state of rapture.
It was all heavenly, but I was glad to see the Irish coast, and found it very lovely, so green and sunny, with brown cabins here and there, ruins on some of the hills, and gentlemen's countryseats in the valleys, with deer feeding in the parks. It was early in the morning, but I didn't regret getting up to see it,for the bay was full of little boats,the shore so picturesque, and a rosy sky overhead. I never shall forget it.
At Queenstown one of my new acquaintances left us, Mr. Lennox, and when I said something about the Lakes of Killarney, he sighed, and sung, with a look at me—
Oh, have you e'er heard of Kate Kearney?
She lives on the banks of Killarney;
From the glance of her eye,
Shun danger and fly,
For fatal's the glance of Kate Kearney.
Wasn't that nonsensical?
We only stopped at Liverpool a few hours. It's a dirty, noisy place, and I was glad to leave it. Uncle rushed out and bought a pair of dogskin gloves, some ugly, thick shoes, and an umbrella, and got shaved à la mutton chop, the first thing. Then he flattered himself that he looked like a true Briton, but the first time he had the mud cleaned off his shoes, the little bootblack knew that an American stood in them, and said, with a grin, “There yer har, sir. I've given 'em the latest Yankee shine.”It amused Uncle immensely.Oh,I must tell you what that absurd Lennox did! He got his friend Ward, who came on with us, to order a bouquet for me, and the first thing I saw in my room was a lovely one, with “Robert Lennox's compliments, ” on the card. Wasn't that fun, girls? I like traveling.
I never shall get to London if I don't hurry.The trip was like riding through a long picture gallery, full of lovely landscapes. The farmhouses were my delight, with thatched roofs, ivy up to the eaves, latticed windows, and stout women with rosy children at the doors. The very cattle looked more tranquil than ours, as they stood knee-deep in clover, and the hens had a contented cluck, as if they never got nervous like Yankee biddies. Such perfect color I never saw—the grass so green, sky so blue, grain so yellow, woods so dark—I was in a rapture all the way. So was Flo, and we kept bouncing from one side to the other, trying to see everything while we were whisking along at the rate of sixty miles an hour. Aunt was tired and went to sleep, but Uncle read his guidebook, and wouldn't be astonished at anything. This is the way we went on: Amy, flying up— “Oh, that must be Kenilworth, that gray place among the trees! ” Flo, darting to my window—“How sweet! We must go there sometime, won't we Papa? ”Uncle, calmly admiring his boots— “No, my dear, not unless you want beer, that's a brewery.”
A pause—then Flo cried out, “Bless me, there's a gallows and a man going up.” “Where, where? ” shrieks Amy, staring out at two tall posts with a crossbeam and some dangling chains. “A colliery, ” remarks Uncle, with a twinkle of the eye. “Here's a lovely flock of lambs all lying down, ” says Amy. “See, Papa, aren't they pretty? ” added Flo sentimentally. “Geese, young ladies, ” returns Uncle, in a tone that keeps us quiet till Flo settles down to enjoy The Flirtations of Captain Cavendish, and I have the scenery all to myself.
Of course it rained when we got to London, and there was nothing to be seen but fog and umbrellas. We rested, unpacked, and shopped a little between the showers. Aunt Mary got me some new things, for I came off in such a hurry I wasn't half ready. A white hat and blue feather, a muslin dress to match, and the loveliest mantle you ever saw. Shopping in Regent Street is perfectly splendid; Things seem so cheap—nice ribbons only sixpence a yard. I laid in a stock, but shall get my gloves in Paris. Doesn't that sound sort of elegant and rich?
Flo and I, for the fun of it, ordered a hansom cab, while Aunt and Uncle were out, and went for a drive, though we learned afterward that it wasn't the thing for young ladies to ride in them alone. It was so droll! For when we were shut in by the wooden apron, the man drove so fast that Flo was frightened, and told me to stop him, but he was up outside behind somewhere, and I couldn't get at him. He didn't hear me call, nor see me flap my parasol in front, and there we were, quite helpless, rattling away, and whirling around corners at a breakneck pace. At last, in my despair, I saw a little door in the roof, and on poking it open, a red eye appeared, and a beery voice said—
“Now then, mum? ”
I gave my order as soberly as I could, and slamming down the door, with an “Aye, aye, mum, ” the man made his horse walk, as if going to a funeral. I poked again and said, “A little faster, ” then off he went, helter-skelter as before, and we resigned ourselves to our fate.
Today was fair, and we went to Hyde Park, close by, for we are more aristocratic than we look. The Duke of Devonshire lives near. I often see his footmen lounging at the back gate; and the Duke of Wellington's house is not far off. Such sights as I saw, my dear! It was as good as Punch, for there were fat dowagers rolling about in their red and yellow coaches, with gorgeous Jeameses in silk stockings and velvet coats, up behind, and powdered coachmen in front. Smart maids, with the rosiest children I ever saw, handsome girls, looking half asleep, dandies in queer English hats and lavender kids lounging about, and tall soldiers, in short red jackets and muffin caps stuck on one side, looking so funny I longed to sketch them.
Rotten Row means“Route de Roi”,or the king's way,but now it's more like a riding school than anything else. The horses are splendid, and the men, especially the grooms, ride well; but the women are stiff, and bounce, which isn't according to our rules. I longed to show them a tearing American gallop, for they trotted solemnly up and down, in their scant habits and high hats, looking like the women in a toy Noah's Ark. Everyone rides—old men, stout ladies, little children—and the young folks do a deal of flirting here, I saw a pair exchange rose buds, for it's the thing to wear one in the buttonhole, and I thought it rather a nice little idea.
In the P.M. to Westminster Abbey, but don't expect me to describe it, that's impossible—so I'll only say it was sublime! This evening we are going to see Fechter, which will be an appropriate end to the happiest day of my life.
MIDNIGHT
It's very late, but I can't let my letter go in the morning without telling you what happened last evening. Who do you think came in, as we were at tea? Laurie's English friends, Fred and Frank Vaughn! I was so surprised, for I shouldn't have known them but for the cards. Both are tall fellows with whiskers, Fred handsome in the English style, and Frank much better, for he only limps slightly, and uses no crutches. They had heard from Laurie where we were to be, and came to ask us to their house;but Uncle won't go, so we shall return the call, and see them as we can. They went to the theater with us, and we did have such a good time, for Frank devoted himself to Flo, and Fred and I talked over past, present, and future fun as if we had known each other all our days. Tell Beth Frank asked for her, and was sorry to hear of her ill health. Fred laughed when I spoke of Jo, and sent his “respectful compliments to the big hat.” Neither of them had forgotten Camp Laurence, or the fun we had there. What ages ago it seems, doesn't it?
Aunt is tapping on the wall for the third time,so I must stop.I really feel like a dissipated London fine lady, writing here so late, with my room full of pretty things, and my head a jumble of parks, theaters, new gowns,and gallant creatures who say “Ah! ” and twirl their blond mustaches with the true English lordliness. I long to see you all, and in spite of my nonsense am, as ever, your loving—
AMY
PARIS
Dear girls,
In my last I told you about our London visit—how kind the Vaughns were, and what pleasant parties they made for us. I enjoyed the trips to Hampton Court and the Kensington Museum more than anything else—for at Hampton I saw Raphael's cartoons, and at the Museum, rooms full of pictures by Turner, Lawrence, Reynolds, Hogarth, and the other great creatures. The day in Richmond Park was charming, for we had a regular English picnic, and I had more splendid oaks and groups of deer than I could copy; also heard a nightingale, and saw larks go up. We “did”London to our heart's content, thanks to Fred and Frank, and were sorry to go away; for though English people are slow to take you in, when they once make up their minds to do it they cannot be outdone in hospitality, Ithink.The Vaughns hope to meet us in Rome next winter,and I shall be dreadfully disappointed if they don't, for Grace and I are great friends, and the boys very nice fellows—especially Fred.
Well, we were hardly settled here, when he turned up again, saying he had come for a holiday, and was going to Switzerland. Aunt looked sober at first, but he was so cool about it she couldn't say a word; and now we get on nicely, and are very glad he came, for he speaks French like a native, and I don't know what we should do without him. Uncle doesn't know ten words, and insists on talking English very loud, as if it would make people understand him. Aunt's pronunciation is old-fashioned, and Flo and I, though we flattered ourselves that we knew a good deal,find we don't,and are very grateful to have Fred do the“parley vooing, ”as Uncle calls it.
Such delightful times as we are having! Sight-seeing from morning till night, stopping for nice lunches in the gay cafés, and meeting with all sorts of droll adventures. Rainy days I spend in the Louvre, revelling in pictures. Jo would turn up her naughty nose at some of the finest, because she has no soul for art, but I have, and I'm cultivating eye and taste as fast as I can. She would like the relics of great people better, for I've seen her Napoleon's cocked hat and gray coat, his baby's cradle and his old toothbrush; also Marie Antoinette's little shoe, the ring of Saint Denis, Charlemagne's sword, and many other interesting things. I'll talk for hours about them when I come, but haven't time to write.
The Palais Royale is a heavenly place—so full of bijouterie and lovely things that I'm nearly distracted because I can't buy them. Fred wanted to get me some, but of course I didn't allow it. Then the Bois and Champs Elysées are très magnifique.I've seen the imperial family several times, the emperor an ugly, hard-looking man, the empress pale and pretty, but dressed in bad taste, I thought—purple dress, green hat, and yellow gloves. Little Nap is a handsome boy, who sits chatting to his tutor, and kisses his hand to the people as he passes in his four-horse barouche, with postilions in red satin jackets and a mounted guard before and behind.
We often walk in the Tuileries Gardens, for they are lovely, though the antique Luxembourg Gardens suit me better. Père la Chaise is very curious, for many of the tombs are like small rooms, and looking in, one sees a table, with images or pictures of the dead, and chairs for the mourners to sit in when they come to lament. That is so Frenchy.
Our rooms are on the Rue de Rivoli, and sitting on the balcony, we look up and down the long, brilliant street. It is so pleasant that we spend our evenings talking there when too tired with our day's work to go out. Fred is very entertaining, and is altogether the most agreeable young man I ever knew—except Laurie, whose manners are more charming. I wish Fred was dark, for I don't fancy light men, however, the Vaughns are very rich and come of an excellent family, so I won't find fault with their yellow hair, as my own is yellower.
Next week we are off to Germany and Switzerland, and as we shall travel fast, I shall only be able to give you hasty letters. I keep my diary, and try to “remember correctly and describe clearly all that I see and admire, ” as Father advised. It is good practice for me, and with my sketchbook will give you a better idea of my tour than these scribbles.
Adieu, I embrace you tenderly.
VOTRE AMIE
HEIDELBERG
My Dear Mamma,
Having a quiet hour before we leave for Berne, I'll try to tell you what has happened, for some of it is very important, as you will see.
The sail up the Rhine was perfect, and I just sat and enjoyed it with all my might. Get Father's old guidebooks and read about it. I haven't words beautiful enough to describe it. At Coblentz we had a lovely time, for some students from Bonn, with whom Fred got acquainted on the boat, gave us a serenade. It was a moonlight night, and about one o'clock Flo and I were waked by the most delicious music under our windows. We flew up, and hid behind the curtains, but sly peeps showed us Fred and the students singing away down below. It was the most romantic thing I ever saw—the river, the bridge of boats, the great fortress opposite, moonlight everywhere, and music fit to melt a heart of stone.
When they were done we threw down some flowers, and saw them scramble for them, kiss their hands to the invisible ladies, and go laughing away—to smoke and drink beer, I suppose. Next morning Fred showed me one of the crumpled flowers in his vest pocket, and looked very sentimental. I laughed at him, and said I didn't throw it, but Flo, which seemed to disgust him, for he tossed it out of the window, and turned sensible again. I'm afraid I'm going to have trouble with that boy, it begins to look like it.
The baths at Nassau were very gay, so was Baden-Baden, where Fred lost some money, and I scolded him. He needs someone to look after him when Frank is not with him. Kate said once she hoped he'd marry soon, and I quite agree with her that it would be well for him. Frankfurt was delightful; I saw Goethe's house, Schiller's statue, and Dannecker's famous Ariadne.It was very lovely,but I should have enjoyed it more if I had known the story better. I didn't like to ask, as everyone knew it or pretended they did. I wish Jo would tell me all about it; I ought to have read more, for I find I don't know anything, and it mortifies me.
Now comes the serious part—for it happened here, and Fred has just gone. He has been so kind and jolly that we all got quite fond of him. I never thought of anything but a traveling friendship till the serenade night. Since then I've begun to feel that the moonlight walks, balcony talks, and daily adventures were something more to him than fun. I haven't flirted, Mother, truly, but remembered what you said to me, and have done my very best. I can't help it if people like me; I don't try to make them, and it worries me if I don't care for them, though Jo says I haven't got any heart. Now I know Mother will shake her head, and the girls say, “Oh, the mercenary little wretch! ” but I've made up my mind,and if Fred asks me, I shall accept him, though I'm not madly in love. I like him, and we get on comfortably together. He is handsome, young, clever enough, and very rich—ever so much richer than the Laurences. I don't think his family would object, and I should be very happy, for they are all kind, well-bred, generous people, and they like me. Fred, as the eldest twin, will have the estate, I suppose, and such a splendid one it is! A city house in a fashionable street, not so showy as our big houses, but twice as comfortable and full of solid luxury, such as English people believe in. I like it, for it's genuine. I've seen the plate, the family jewels, the old servants, and pictures of the country place, with its park, great house, lovely grounds, and fine horses. Oh, it would be all I should ask! And I'd rather have it than any title such as girls snap up so readily, and find nothing behind. I may be mercenary, but I hate poverty, and don't mean to bear it a minute longer than I can help.One of us must marry well; Meg didn't, Jo won't, Beth can't yet, so I shall, and make everything okay all round. I wouldn't marry a man I hated or despised. You may be sure of that; and though Fred is not my model hero, he does very well, and in time I should get fond enough of him if he was very fond of me, and let me do just as I liked. So I've been turning the matter over in my mind the last week, for it was impossible to help seeing that Fred liked me. He said nothing, but little things showed it; he never goes with Flo, always gets on my side of the carriage, table, or promenade, looks sentimental when we are alone, and frowns at anyone else who ventures to speak to me. Yesterday at dinner, when an Austrian officer stared at us and then said something to his friend—a rakish-looking baron—about“ein wonderschönes Blöndchen”,Fred looked as fierce as a lion,and cut his meat so savagely it nearly flew off his plate. He isn't one of the cool, stiff Englishmen, but is rather peppery, for he has Scotch blood in him, as one might guess from his bonnie blue eyes.
Well, last evening we went up to the castle about sunset—at least all of us but Fred, who was to meet us there after going to the Post Restante for letters. We had a charming time poking about the ruins, the vaults where the monster tun is, and the beautiful gardens made by the elector long ago for his English wife. I liked the great terrace best, for the view was divine, so while the rest went to see the rooms inside, I sat there trying to sketch the gray stone lion's head on the wall, with scarlet woodbine sprays hanging round it. I felt as if I'd got into a romance, sitting there,watching the Neckar rolling through the valley, listening to the music of the Austrian band below, and waiting for my lover, like a real storybook girl. I had a feeling that something was going to happen and I was ready for it. I didn't feel blushy or quakey, but quite cool and only a little excited.
By-and-by I heard Fred's voice, and then he came hurrying through the great arch to find me. He looked so troubled that I forgot all about myself, and asked what the matter was. He said he'd just got a letter begging him to come home, for Frank was very ill; so he was going at once on the night train and only had time to say good-by. I was very sorry for him, and disappointed for myself, but only for a minute because he said, as he shook hands—and said it in a way that I could not mistake—“I shall soon come back, you won't forget me, Amy? ”
I didn't promise, but I looked at him, and he seemed satisfied, and there was no time for anything but messages and good-byes, for he was off in an hour, and we all miss him very much. I know he wanted to speak, but I think, from something he once hinted, that he had promised his father not to do anything of the sort yet a while, for he is a rash boy, and the old gentleman dreads a foreign daughter-in-law. We shall soon meet in Rome, and then, if I don't change my mind, I'll say “Yes, thank you, ” when he says “Will you, please? ”
Of course this is all very private,but I wished you to know what was going on. Don't be anxious about me, remember I am your “prudent Amy”, and be sure I will do nothing rashly. Send me as much advice as you like. I'll use it if I can. I wish I could see you for a good talk, Marmee. Love and trust me.
Ever your
AMY
