登陆注册
5472800000076

第76章 BOOK III:THE HEART OF MAN(29)

"Mr.Sweetwater has just left for New York,Mr.Brotherson.He will carry with him,no doubt,the full particulars of your great success."Orlando bowed,this time with distinguished grace.Not a flicker of relief had disturbed the calm serenity of his aspect,yet when a moment later,he stepped among his shouting admirers in the street,his air and glance betrayed a bounding joy for which another source must be found than that of gratified pride.Achain had slipped from his spirit,and though the people shrank a little,even while they cheered,it was rather from awe of his bearing and the recognition of that sense of apartness which underlay his smile than from any perception of the man's real nature or of the awesome purpose which at that moment exalted it.But had they known -could they have seen into this tumultuous heart -what a silence would have settled upon these noisy streets;and in what terror and soul-confusion would each man have slunk away from his fellows into the quiet and solitude of his own home.

Brotherson himself was not without a sense of the incongruity underlying this ovation;for,as he slowly worked himself along,the brightness of his look became dimmed with a tinge of sarcasm which in its turn gave way to an expression of extreme melancholy -both quite unbefitting the hero of the hour in the first flush of his new-born glory.Had he seen Doris'youthful figure emerge for a moment from the vine-hung porch he was approaching,bringing with it some doubt of the reception awaiting him?Possibly,for he made a stand before he reached the house,and sent his followers back;after which he advanced with an unhurrying step,so that several minutes elapsed before he finally drew up before Mr.Scott's door and entered through the now empty porch into his brother's sitting-room.

He had meant to see Doris first,but his mind had changed.If all passed off well between himself and Oswald,if he found his brother responsive and wide-awake to the interests and necessities of the hour,he might forego his interview with her till he felt better prepared to meet it.For call it cowardice or simply a reasonable precaution,any delay seemed preferable to him in his present mood of discouragement,to that final casting of the die upon which hung so many and such tremendous issues.It was the first moment of real halt in his whole tumultuous life!Never,as daring experimentalist or agitator,had he shrunk from danger seen or unseen or from threat uttered or unuttered,as he shrank from this young girl's no;and something of the dread he had felt lest he should encounter her unaware in the hall and so be led on to speak when his own judgment bade him be silent,darkened his features as he entered his brother's presence.

But Oswald was sunk in a bitter revery of his own,and took no heed of these signs of depression.In the re-action following these days of great excitement,the past had re-asserted itself,and all was gloom in his once generous soul.This,Orlando had time to perceive,quick as the change came when his brother really realised who his visitor was.The glad "Orlando!"and the forced smile did not deceive him,and his voice quavered a trifle as he held out his packet with the words:

"I have come to show you what the world says of my invention.We will soon be great men,"he emphasised,as Oswald opened the letters.

"Money has been offered me and -Read!read!"he urged,with an unconscious dictatorialness,as Oswald paused in his task."See what the fates have prepared for us;for you shall share all my honours,as you will from this day share my work and enter into all my experiments.Cannot you enthuse a little bit over it?Doesn't the prospect contain any allurement for you?Would you rather stay locked up in this petty town -""Yes;or -die.Don't look like that,Orlando.It was a cowardly speech and I ask your pardon.I'm hardly fit to talk to-day.

Edith -"

Orlando frowned.

"Not that name!"he harshly interrupted."You must not hamper your life with useless memories.That dream of yours may be sacred,but it belongs to the past,and a great reality confronts you.When you have fully recovered your health,your own manhood will rebel at a weakness unworthy one of our name.Rouse yourself,Oswald.Take account of our prospects.Give me your hand and say,'Life holds something for me yet.I have a brother who needs me if I do not need him.Together,we can prove ourselves invincible and wrench fame and fortune from the world.'"But the hand he reached for did not rise at his command,though Oswald started erect and faced him with manly earnestness.

"I should have to think long and deeply,"he said,"before I took upon myself responsibilities like these.I am broken in mind and heart,Orlando,and must remain so till God mercifully delivers me.

I should be a poor assistant to you -a drag,rather than a help.

Deeply as I deplore it,hard as it may be for one of your temperament to understand so complete an overthrow,I yet must acknowledge my condition and pray you not to count upon me in any plans you may form.I know how this looks -I know that as your brother and truest admirer,I should respond,and respond strongly,to such overtures as these,but the motive for achievement is gone.

She was my all;and while I might work,it would be mechanically.

The lift,the elevating thought is gone."

Orlando stood a moment studying his brother's face;then he turned shortly about and walked the length of the room.When he came back,he took up his stand again directly before Oswald,and asked,with a new note in his voice:

"Did you love Edith Challoner so much as that?"A glance from Oswald's eye,sadder than any tear.

"So that you cannot be reconciled?"

A gesture.Oswald's words were always few.

Orlando's frown deepened.

"Such grief I partly understand,"said he."But time will cure it.

Some day another lovely face -"

"We'll not talk of that,Orlando."

同类推荐
  • Historic Girls

    Historic Girls

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 琉璃王经

    琉璃王经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 张伯渊茶录

    张伯渊茶录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 恕中无愠禅师语录

    恕中无愠禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说白衣金幢二婆罗门缘起经

    佛说白衣金幢二婆罗门缘起经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 星辰亿万颗,你只有一个

    星辰亿万颗,你只有一个

    如果可以放肆二十四小时,你会做什么?当我们闯入了爱人的私密记忆,你会如何自处?没有一帆风顺的爱情就像没有一帆风顺的人生,当你还在为爱情中的鸡毛蒜皮心力交瘁时,我们已经在思考跨越物种、穿越时空、超越生死的恋爱了。它虚幻但同样充满力量,我们只是拓宽了爱情的维度,并没有改变爱情本身。这是一部成人童话,结局或喜或悲,站在超越现实的地方体验爱情的酸甜苦辣悲欢离合,总有一个故事能触发你对爱情新的思考,新的感受。我们品尝爱情的甜蜜,也承受失去挚爱的痛苦。我们相爱又厌恶,把心交给对方又杀死对方,当爱情已经覆水难收,你是选择随波逐流还是力挽狂澜呢?二十个奔波颠沛的爱情故事,总有一个给你答案。
  • BOSS竟然暗恋我

    BOSS竟然暗恋我

    新文(男主他亲叔明恋我)已发,求支持!安芮欣本打算在拿到影后之后便答应男友的求婚,退出娱乐圈相夫教子。哪知问鼎影后的当天,安芮欣欢欢喜喜回家看到的却是男友与经纪人兼闺蜜在自己家中出轨!情绪失控之下,安芮欣出了车祸却意外重回到刚入娱乐圈之时。且看她如何一路逆袭,重回巅峰
  • 纯爱之城

    纯爱之城

    每个人的灵魂深处都躲藏着一个崇尚爱情的火种,当火种遇到一个可以将之点燃的火源,爱情便一发不可收拾。然而长久处在抑郁中的年生,是否能将生性凉薄且善于行走的阮清微留下,让她为自己驻足呢?一切都还是个未知数。 第一章:遇见你,开启了一扇门 第二章:满城荒草,覆了谁的梦靥 第三章:。。。。。。
  • 带着无限手套在万界无敌

    带着无限手套在万界无敌

    【无敌文&无限流】新书【我在万界当幕后大佬】,每天最少更新四千字,感兴趣的朋友可以看一下,不感兴趣没关系哈,点个收藏也行啊。斗罗大陆,他们想尽办法偷走了苏羽的龙胆亮银枪,甚至,就是苏羽喜欢上的女孩偷的长枪,苏羽淡然一笑,一群井底之蛙,你们怎会知道,长枪,只是我限制我力量的工具罢了。弹指一挥间,武魂殿所有魂师魂力全部下降五级。西游记,封印实力,进入天庭,被贬魔界,镇守魔界和仙界的交界处,杀得魔界闻风丧胆,最后不满天庭,和孙悟空一起大闹天宫,一起踏碎凌霄,一起斗那漫天神佛。PS:苏羽永远在万界是无敌的存在,有些世界为了剧情会封一些修为,各位看官不喜勿喷。PS:原著有些剧情会改动,不会全部按照原著来,所以各位不喜勿喷,原著党慎入。PS:已穿越的世界:斗罗大陆(1~43)西游记(44~82)狐妖小红娘(83~111)超神学院(112~141)斗破苍穹(142~164)仙剑奇侠传三(165~191)绝世唐门(192~215)射雕英雄传(216~)PS:茗仙阁:953675509
  • 追妻无门:女boss不好惹

    追妻无门:女boss不好惹

    青涩蜕变,如今她是能独当一面的女boss,爱了冷泽聿七年,也同样花了七年时间去忘记他。以为是陌路,他突然向他表白,扬言要娶她,她只当他是脑子抽风,他的殷勤她也全都无视。他帮她查她父母的死因,赶走身边情敌,解释当初拒绝她的告别,和故意对她冷漠都是无奈之举。突然爆出她父母的死居然和冷家有丝毫联系,还莫名跳出个公爵未婚夫,扬言要与她履行婚约。峰回路转,破镜还能重圆吗? PS:我又开新文了,每逢假期必书荒,新文《有你的世界遇到爱》,喜欢我的文的朋友可以来看看,这是重生类现言,对这个题材感兴趣的一定要收藏起来。
  • 追妻无门:女boss不好惹

    追妻无门:女boss不好惹

    青涩蜕变,如今她是能独当一面的女boss,爱了冷泽聿七年,也同样花了七年时间去忘记他。以为是陌路,他突然向他表白,扬言要娶她,她只当他是脑子抽风,他的殷勤她也全都无视。他帮她查她父母的死因,赶走身边情敌,解释当初拒绝她的告别,和故意对她冷漠都是无奈之举。突然爆出她父母的死居然和冷家有丝毫联系,还莫名跳出个公爵未婚夫,扬言要与她履行婚约。峰回路转,破镜还能重圆吗? PS:我又开新文了,每逢假期必书荒,新文《有你的世界遇到爱》,喜欢我的文的朋友可以来看看,这是重生类现言,对这个题材感兴趣的一定要收藏起来。
  • 铁拳制造者

    铁拳制造者

    一个热爱拳术的少年,怀着满腔热血,打败一个又一个的对手,学习各门国术,溶于一双铁拳当中,打得天下为之颤栗.......
  • 悍将王爷的弃妾

    悍将王爷的弃妾

    风中女子一身黑衣,手起剑落,斩下一个鲜活的头颅,眉头都不眨一下。“梓涵……不要再杀人了,回头吧!”展云赶来已经晚矣,痛心的望着一身黑衣,冷血无情的女子,他不敢相信,眼前的女子就是那个活泼开朗的梓涵,他伤她如此之深……。梓涵双眼冷漠而空洞,带着血花的脸冷血而无情,收起剑望着天边,森冷的道:“活着的人是桑子,我和你不熟,用不着你废话。”曾经她多么希望活着的是梓涵,让桑子这个身份永远埋藏在地上,可是一切都变了,梓涵心还是痛了一下,飞身离去。“梓涵……。”展云悲痛莫名,心撕裂的痛,他的梓涵再也回不来了吗? 
  • 顾风常盼

    顾风常盼

    六岁的顾千最后悔的事就是跟着妈妈去隔壁玩,从此,他的后面多了一个小跟班。她总喜欢说:“顾千,你是我的人!”他一次又一次的矫正她,可是她总会一句话就把自己堵死,“顾千,你是不是害羞了。”一个又烦又吵又幼稚又顽皮的小孩子懂什么,“你懂什么叫喜欢吗?”这是顾千最常问的问题。常韵每次也会认真的说:“我知道,我知道我喜欢你。”顾千扶了扶额,我问的是什么喜欢…....幼稚的我们总以为爱是永远,其实不然,能永远的才是爱。
  • 卫生宝鉴

    卫生宝鉴

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。