[夜与日].(night.and.day).(英)弗吉尼亚·伍尔芙.文字版-第60部分

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read　Macaulay；　she　had　never　expressed　her　belief　that　
his　play　was　second　only　to　the　works　of　Shakespeare。　
She　followed　dreamily　in　their　wake；　smiling　and　delighting　
in　the　sound　which　conveyed；　she　knew；　the　rapturous　
and　yet　not　servile　assent　of　Cassandra。　

Then　she　murmured；　“How　can　Cassandra—”　but　changed　
her　sentence　to　the　opposite　of　what　she　meant　to　say　
and　ended；　“how　could　she　herself　have　been　so　blind？”　
But　it　was　unnecessary　to　follow　out　such　riddles　when　
the　presence　of　Ralph　supplied　her　with　more　interesting　
problems；　which　somehow　became　involved　with　the　little　
boat　crossing　the　river；　the　majestic　and　careworn　City；　
and　the　steamers　homeing　with　their　treasury；　or　starting　
in　search　of　it；　so　that　infinite　leisure　would　be　necessary　
for　the　proper　disentanglement　of　one　from　the　
other。　He　stopped；　moreover；　and　began　inquiring　of　an　

old　boatman　as　to　the　tides　and　the　ships。　In　thus　talking　
he　seemed　different；　and　even　looked　different；　she　
thought；　against　the　river；　with　the　steeples　and　towers　
for　background。　His　strangeness；　his　romance；　his　power　
to　leave　her　side　and　take　part　in　the　affairs　of　men；　the　
possibility　that　they　should　together　hire　a　boat　and　cross　
the　river；　the　speed　and　wildness　of　this　enterprise　filled　
her　mind　and　inspired　her　with　such　rapture；　half　of　love　
and　half　of　adventure；　that　William　and　Cassandra　were　
startled　from　their　talk；　and　Cassandra　exclaimed；　“She　
looks　as　if　she　were　offering　up　a　sacrifice！　Very　beautiful；”　
she　added　quickly；　though　she　repressed；　in　deference　
to　William；　her　own　wonder　that　the　sight　of　Ralph　
Denham　talking　to　a　boatman　on　the　banks　of　the　Thames　
could　move　any　one　to　such　an　attitude　of　adoration。　

That　afternoon；　what　with　tea　and　the　curiosities　of　
the　Thames　tunnel　and　the　unfamiliarity　of　the　streets；　
passed　so　quickly　that　the　only　method　of　prolonging　it　
was　to　plan　another　expedition　for　the　following　day。　
Hampton　Court　was　decided　upon；　in　preference　to　
Hampstead；　for　though　Cassandra　had　dreamt　as　a　child　

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Night　and　Day　

of　the　brigands　of　Hampstead；　she　had　now　transferred　
her　affections　pletely　and　for　ever　to　William　III。　
Accordingly；　they　arrived　at　Hampton　Court　about　lunchtime　
on　a　fine　Sunday　morning。　Such　unity　marked　their　
expressions　of　admiration　for　the　redbrick　building　that　
they　might　have　e　there　for　no　other　purpose　than　to　
assure　each　other　that　this　palace　was　the　stateliest　palace　
in　the　world。　They　walked　up　and　down　the　Terrace；　
four　abreast；　and　fancied　themselves　the　owners　of　the　
place；　and　calculated　the　amount　of　good　to　the　world　
produced　indubitably　by　such　a　tenancy。　

“The　only　hope　for　us；”　said　Katharine；　“is　that　William　
shall　die；　and　Cassandra　shall　be　given　rooms　as　the　widow　
of　a　distinguished　poet。”　

“Or—”　Cassandra　began；　but　checked　herself　from　the　liberty　
of　envisaging　Katharine　as　the　widow　of　a　distinguished　
lawyer。　Upon　this；　the　third　day　of　junketing；　it　was　tiresome　
to　have　to　restrain　oneself　even　from　such　innocent　
excursions　of　fancy。　She　dared　not　question　William；　he　was　
inscrutable；　he　never　seemed　even　to　follow　the　other　couple　
with　curiosity　when　they　separated；　as　they　frequently　did；　

to　name　a　plant；　or　examine　a　fresco。　Cassandra　was　constantly　
studying　their　backs。　She　noticed　how　sometimes　
the　impulse　to　move　came　from　Katharine；　and　sometimes　
from　Ralph；　how；　sometimes；　they　walked　slow；　as　if　in　profound　
intercourse；　and　sometimes　fast；　as　if　in　passionate。　
When　they　came　together　again　nothing　could　be　more　unconcerned　
than　their　manner。　

“We　have　been　wondering　whether　they　ever　catch　a　
fish　…”　or；　“We　must　leave　time　to　visit　the　Maze。”　Then；　
to　puzzle　her　further；　William　and　Ralph　filled　in　all　interstices　
of　mealtimes　or　railway　journeys　with　perfectly　
goodtempered　arguments；　or　they　discussed　politics；　or　
they　told　stories；　or　they　did　sums　together　upon　the　
backs　of　old　envelopes　to　prove　something。　She　suspected　
that　Katharine　was　absentminded；　but　it　was　impossible　
to　tell。　There　were　moments　when　she　felt　so　young　and　
inexperienced　that　she　almost　wished　herself　back　with　
the　silkworms　at　Stogdon　House；　and　not　embarked　upon　
this　bewildering　intrigue。　

These　moments；　however；　were　only　the　necessary　
shadow　or　chill　which　proved　the　substance　of　her　bliss；　

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and　did　not　damage　the　radiance　which　seemed　to　rest　
equally　upon　the　whole　party。　The　fresh　air　of　spring；　the　
sky　washed　of　clouds　and　already　shedding　warmth　from　
its　blue；　seemed　the　reply　vouchsafed　by　nature　to　the　
mood　of　her　chosen　spirits。　These　chosen　spirits　were　to　
be　found　also　among　the　deer；　dumbly　basking；　and　among　
the　fish；　set　still　in　midstream；　for　they　were　mute　sharers　
in　a　benignant　state　not　needing　any　exposition　by　the　
tongue。　No　words　that　Cassandra　could　e　by　expressed　
the　stillness；　the　brightness；　the　air　of　expectancy　which　
lay　upon　the　orderly　beauty　of　the　grass　walks　and　gravel　
paths　down　which　they　went　walking　four　abreast　that　
Sunday　afternoon。　Silently　the　shadows　of　the　trees　lay　
across　the　broad　sunshine；　silence　wrapt　her　heart　in　its　
folds。　The　quivering　stillness　of　the　butterfly　on　the　half
opened　flower；　the　silent　grazing　of　the　deer　in　the　sun；　
were　the　sights　her　eye　rested　upon　and　received　as　the　
images　of　her　own　nature　laid　open　to　happiness　and　
trembling　in　its　ecstasy。　

But　the　afternoon　wore　on；　and　it　became　time　to　leave　
the　gardens。　As　they　drove　from　Waterloo　to　Chelsea；　

Katharine　began　to　have　some　punction　about　her　
father；　which；　together　with　the　opening　of　offices　and　
the　need　of　working　in　them　on　Monday；　made　it　difficult　
to　plan　another　festival　for　the　following　day。　Mr。　Hilbery　
had　taken　their　absence；　so　far；　with　paternal　benevolence；　
but　they　could　not　trespass　upon　it　indefinitely。　
Indeed；　had　they　known　it；　he　was　already　suffering　from　
their　absence；　and　longing　for　their　return。　

He　had　no　dislike　of　solitude；　and　Sunday；　in　particular；　
was　pleasantly　adapted　for　letterwriting；　paying　calls；　
or　a　visit　to　his　club。　He　was　leaving　the　house　on　some　
such　suitable　expedition　towards　teatime　when　he　found　
himself　stopped　on　his　own　doorstep　by　his　sister；　Mrs。　
Milvain。　She　should；　on　hearing　that　no　one　was　at　home；　
have　withdrawn　submissively；　but　instead　she　accepted　
his　halfhearted　invitation　to　e　in；　and　he　found　himself　
in　the　melancholy　position　of　being　forced　to　order　
tea　for　her　and　sit　in　the　drawingroom　while　she　drank　
it。　She　speedily　made　it　plain　that　she　was　only　thus　
exacting　because　she　had　e　on　a　matter　of　business。　
He　was　by　no　means　exhilarated　at　the　news。　

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“Katharine　is　out　this　afternoon；”　he　remarked。　“Why　
not　e　round　later　and　discuss　it　with　her—with　us　
both；　eh？”　

“My　dear　Trevor；　I　have　particular　reasons　for　wishing　
to　talk　to　you　alone…　。　Where　is　Katharine？”　

“She’s　out　with　her　young　man；　naturally。　Cassandra　
plays　the　part　of　chaperone　very　usefully。　A　charming　
young　woman　that—a　great　favorite　of　mine。”　He　turned　
his　stone　between　his　fingers；　and　conceived　different　
methods　of　leading　Celia　away　from　her　obsession；　which；　
he　supposed；　must　have　reference　to　the　domestic　affairs　
of　Cyril　as　usual。　

“With　Cassandra；”　Mrs。　Milvain　repeated　significantly。　
“With　Cassandra。”　

“Yes；　with　Cassandra；”　Mr。　Hilbery　agreed　urbanely；　
pleased　at　the　diversion。　“I　think　they　said　they　were　
going　to　Hampton　Court；　and　I　rather　believe　they　were　
taking　a　protege　of　mine；　Ralph　Denham；　a　very　clever　
fellow；　too；　to　amuse　Cassandra。　I　thought　the　arrangement　
very　suitable。”　He　was　prepared　to　dwell　at　some　
length　upon　this　safe　topic；　and　trusted　that　Katharine　

would　e　in　before　he　had　done　with　it。　

“Hampton　Court　always　seems　to　me　an　ideal　spot　for　
engaged　couples。　There’s　the　Maze；　there’s　a　nice　place　
for　having　tea—I　forget　what　they　call　it—and　then；　if　
the　young　man　knows　his　business　he　contrives　to　take　
his　lady　upon　the　river。　Full　of　possibilities—full。　Cake；　
Celia？”　Mr。　Hilbery　continued。　“I　respect　my　dinner　too　
much；　but　that　can’t　possibly　apply　to　you。　You’ve　never　
observed　that　feast；　so　far　as　I　can　remember。”　

Her　brother’s　affability　did　not　deceive　Mrs。　Milvain；　it　
slightly　saddened　her；　she　well　knew　the　cause　of　it。　Blind　
and　infatuated　as　usual！　

“Who　is　this　Mr。　Denham？”　she　asked。　

“Ralph　Denham？”　said　Mr。　Hilbery；　in　relief　that　her　
mind　had　taken　this　turn。　“A　very　interesting　young　man。　
I’ve　a　great　belief　in　him。　He’s　an　authority　upon　our　
mediaeval　institutions；　and　if　he　weren’t　forced　to　earn　
his　living　he　would　write　a　book　that　very　much　wants　
writing—”　

“He　is　not　well　off；　then？”　Mrs。　Milvain　interposed。　

“Hasn’t　a　penny；　I’m　afraid；　and　a　family　more　or　less　

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dependent　on　him。”　

“A　mother　and　sisters？—　His　father　is　dead？”　

“Yes；　his　father　died　some　years　ago；”　said　Mr。　Hilbery；　
who　was　prepared　to　draw　upon　his　imagination；　if　necessary；　
to　keep　Mrs。　Milvain　supplied　with　facts　about　the　
private　history　of　Ralph　Denham　since；　for　some　inscrutable　
reason；　the　subject　took　her　fancy。　

“His　father　has　been　dead　some　time；　and　this　young　
man　had　to　take　his　place—”　

“A　legal　family？”　Mrs。　Milvain　inquired。　“I　fancy　I’ve　
seen　the　name　somewhere。”　

Mr。　Hilbery　shook　his　head。　“I　should　be　inclined　to　
doubt　whether　they　were　altogether　in　that　walk　of　life；”　
he　observed。　“I　fancy　that　Denham　once　told　me　that　his　
father　was　a　corn　merchant。　Perhaps　he　said　a　stockbroker。　
He　came　to　grief；　anyhow；　as　stockbrokers　have　a　
way　of　doing。　I’ve　a　great　respect　for　Denham；”　he　added。　
The　remark　sounded　to　his　ears　unfortunately　conclusive；　
and　he　was　afraid　that　there　was　nothing　more　to　be　said　
about　Denham。　He　examined　the　tips　of　his　fingers　carefully。　
“Cassandra’s　grown　into　a　very　charming　young　

woman；”　he　started　afresh。　“Charming　to　look　at；　and　
charming　to　talk　to；　though　her　historical　knowledge　is　
not　altogether　profound。　Another　cup　of　tea？”　

Mrs。　Milvain　had　given　her　cup　a　little　push；　which　
seemed　to　indicate　some　momentary　displeasure。　But　she　
did　not　want　any　more　tea。　

“It　is　Cassandra　that　I　have　e　about；”　she　began。　“I　
am　very　sorry　to　say　that　Cassandra　is　not　at　all　what　you　
think　her；　Trevor。　She　has　imposed　upon　your　and　Maggie’s　
goodness。　She　has　behaved　in　a　way　that　would　have　
seemed　incredible—in　this　house　of　all　houses—were　it　
not　for　other　circumstances　that　are　still　more　incredible。”　

Mr。　Hilbery　looked　taken　aback；　and　was　silent　for　a　
second。　

“It　all　sounds　very　black；”　he　remarked　urbanely；　continuing　
his　examination　of　his　fingernails。　“But　I　own　I　
am　pletely　in　the　dark。”　

Mrs。　Milvain　became　rigid；　and　emitted　her　message　in　
little　short　sentences　of　extreme　intensity。　

“Who　has　Cassandra　gone　out　with？　William　Rodney。　
Who　has　Katharine　gone　out　with？　Ralph　Denham。　Why　

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Night　and　Day　

are　they　for　ever　meeting　each　other　round　street　corners；　
and　going　to　musichalls；　and　taking　cabs　late　at　
night？　Why　will　Katharine　not　tell　me　the　truth　when　I　
question　her？　I　understand　the　reason　now。　Katharine　
has　entangled　herself　with　this　unknown　lawyer；　she　has　
seen　fit　to　condone　Cassandra’s　conduct。”　

There　was　another　slight　pause。　

“Ah；　well；　Katharine　will　no　doubt　have　some　explanation　
to　give　me；”　Mr。　Hilbery　replied　imperturbably。　“It’s　
a　little　too　plicated　for　me　to　take　in　all　at　once；　I　
confess—and；　if　you　won’t　think　me　rude；　Celia；　I　think　
I’ll　be　getting　along　towards　Knightsbridge。”　

Mrs。　Milvain　rose　at　once。　

“She　has　condoned　Cassandra’s　conduct　and　entangled　
herself　with　Ralph　Denham；”　she　repeated。　She　stood　very　
erect　with　the　dauntless　air　of　one　testifying　to　the　truth　
regardless　of　consequences。　She　knew　from　past　discussions　
that　the　only　way　to　counter　her　brother’s　indolence　
and　indifference　was　to　shoot　her　statements　at　
him　in　a　pressed　form　once　finally　upon　leaving　the　
room。　Having　spoken　thus；　she　restrained　herself　from　

adding　another　word；　and　left　the　house　with　the　dignity　
of　one　inspired　by　a　great　ideal。　

She　had　certainly　framed　her　remarks　in　such　a　way　as　
to　prevent　her　brother　from　paying　his　call　in　the　region　
of　Knightsbridge。　He　had　no　fears　for　Katharine；　but　there　
was　a　suspicion　at　the　back　of　his　mind　that　Cassandra　
might　have　been；　innocently　and　ignorantly；　led　into　some　
foolish　situation　in　one　of　their　unshepherded　dissipations。　
His　wife　was　an　erratic　judge　of　the　conventions；　
he　himself　was　lazy；　and　with　Katharine　absorbed；　very　
naturally—Here　he　recalled；　as　well　as　he　could；　the　exact　
nature　of　the　charge。　“She　has　condoned　Cassandra’s　
conduct　and　entangled　herself　with　Ralph　Denham。”　From　
which　it　appeared　that　Katharine　was　NOT　absorbed；　or　
which　of　them　was　it　that　had　entangled　herself　with　
Ralph　Denham？　From　this　maze　of　absurdity　Mr。　Hilbery　
saw　no　way　out　until　Katharine　herself　came　to　his　help；　
so　that　he　applied　himself；　very　philosophically　on　the　
whole；　to　a　book。　

No　sooner　had　he　heard　the　young　people　e　in　and　
go　upstairs　than　he　sent　a　maid　to　tell　Miss　Katharine　

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that　he　wished　to　speak　to　her　in　the　study。　She　was　
slipping　furs　loosely　onto　the　floor　in　the　drawingroom　
in　front　of　the　fire。　They　were　all　gathered　round；　reluctant　
to　part。　The　message　from　her　father　surprised　
Katharine；　and　the　others　caught　from　her　look；　as　she　
turned　to　go；　a　vague　sense　of　apprehension。　

Mr。　Hilbery　was　reassured　by　the　sight　of　her。　He　congratulated　
himself；　he　prided　himself；　upon　possessing　a　
daughter　who　had　a　sense　of　responsibility　and　an　understanding　
of　life　profound　beyond　her　years。　Moreover；　she　
was　looking　today　unusual；　he　had　e　to　take　her　beauty　
for　granted；　now　he　remembered　it　and　was　surprised　by　
it。　He　thought　instinctively　that　he　had　interrupted　some　
happy　hour　of　hers　with　Rodney；　and　apologized。　

“I’m　sorry　to　bother　you；　my　dear。　I　heard　you　e　in；　
and　thought　I’d　better　make　myself　disagreeable　at　once—　
as　it　seems；　unfortunately；　that　fathers　are　expected　to　
make　themselves　disagreeable。　Now；　your　Aunt　Celia　has　
been　to　see　me；　your　Aunt　Celia　has　taken　it　into　her　
head　apparently　that　you　and　Cassandra　have　been—let　
us　say　a　little　foolish。　This　going　about　together—these　

pleasant　little　parties—there’s　been　some　kind　of　misunderstanding。　
I　told　her　I　saw　no　harm　in　it；　but　I　should　
just　like　to　hear　from　yourself。　Has　Cassandra　been　left　a　
little　too　much　in　the　pany　of　Mr。　Denham？”　

Katharine　did　not　reply　at　once；　and　Mr。　Hilbery　tapped　
the　coal　encouragingly　with　the　poker。　Then　she　said；　
without　embarrassment　or　apology：　

“I　don’t　see　why　I　should　answer　Aunt　Celia’s　questions。　
I’ve　told　her　already　that　I　won’t。”