the expedition of humphry clinker-第75部分
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afraid he suspects some collusion from this appearance of
Wilson。 Good God！ did he really appear？
or was it only a phantom； a pale spectre to apprise me of his
death。
O Letty； what shall I do？ where shall I turn for advice and
consolation？ shall I implore the protection of my uncle； who has
been always kind and compassionate。 This must be my last
resource。 I dread the thoughts of making him uneasy； and would
rather suffer a thousand deaths than live the cause of dissension
in the family。 I cannot conceive the meaning of Wilson's coming
hither： perhaps； it was in quest of us； in order to disclose his
real name and situation： but wherefore pass without staying to
make the least enquiry？ My dear Willis； I am lost in conjecture。
I have not closed an eye since I saw him。 All night long have I
been tossed about from one imagination to another。 The reflection
finds no resting place。 I have prayed； and sighed； and wept
plentifully。 If this terrible suspence continues much longer； I
shall have another fit of illness； and then the whole family will
be in confusion If it was consistent with the wise purposes of
Providence； would I were in my grave But it is my duty to be
resigned。 My dearest Letty； excuse my weakness excuse these
blots my tears fall so fast that I cannot keep the paper dry
yet I ought to consider that I have as yet no cause to despair
but I am such a faint…hearted timorous creature！
Thank God； my uncle is much better than he was yesterday。 He is
resolved to pursue our journey strait to Wales。 I hope we shall
take Gloucester in our way that hope chears my poor heart I
shall once more embrace my best beloved Willis； and pour all my
griefs into her friendly bosom。 0 heaven！ is it possible that
such happiness is reserved for
The dejected and forlorn
LYDIA MELFORD
Oct。 4。
To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS； Bart。 of Jesus college； Oxon。
DEAR WATKIN；
I yesterday met with an incident which I believe you will own to
be very surprising As I stood with Liddy at the window of the
inn where we had lodged； who should pass by but Wilson a…horse
back！ I could not be mistaken in the person； for I had a full
view of him as he advanced； I plainly perceived by my sister's
confusion that she recognized him at the same time。 I was equally
astonished and incensed at his appearance； which I could not but
interpret into an insult； or something worse。 I ran out at the
gate； and； seeing him turn the corner of the street； I dispatched
my servant to observe his motions； but the fellow was too late to
bring me that satisfaction。 He told me； however； that there was
an inn； called the Red Lion； at that end of the town； where he
supposed the horseman had alighted； but that he would not enquire
without further orders。 I sent him back immediately to know what
strangers were in the house； and he returned with a report that
there was one Mr Wilson lately arrived。 In consequence of this
information I charged him with a note directed to that gentleman；
desiring him to meet me in half an hour in a certain field at the
town's end； with a case of pistols； in order to decide the
difference which could not be determined at our last rencounter：
but I did not think proper to subscribe the billet。 My man
assured me he had delivered it into his own hand； and； that
having read it； he declared he would wait upon the gentleman at
the place and time appointed。
M'Alpine being an old soldier； and luckily sober at the time； I
entrusted him with my secret。 I ordered him to be within call；
and； having given him a letter to be delivered to my uncle in
case of accident； I repaired to the rendezvous； which was an
inclosed field at a little distance from the highway。 I found my
antagonist had already taken his ground； wrapped in a dark
horseman's coat； with a laced hat flapped over his eyes； but what
was my astonishment； when； throwing off this wrapper； he appeared
to be a person whom I had never seen before！ He had one pistol
stuck in a leather belt； and another in his hand ready for
action； and； advancing a few steps； called to know if I was
ready I answered； 'No；' and desired a parley； upon which he
turned the muzzle of his piece towards the earth； then replaced
it in his belt； and met me half way When I assured him he was
not the man I expected to meet； he said it might be so： that he
had received a slip of paper directed to Mr Wilson； requesting
him to come hither； and that as there was no other in the place
of that name； he naturally concluded the note was intended for
him； and him only I then gave him to understand；
that I had been injured by a person who assumed that name； which
person I had actually seen within the hour； passing through the
street on horseback； that hearing there was a Mr Wilson at the
Red Lion； I took it for granted he was the man； and in that
belief had writ the billet； and I expressed my surprize； that he；
who was a stranger to me and my concerns； should give me such a
rendezvous； without taking the trouble to demand a previous
explanation。 He replied； that there was no other of his name in
the whole country； that no such horseman had alighted at the Red
Lion since nine o'clock； when he arrived that having had the
honour to serve his majesty； he thought he could not decently
decline any invitation of this kind； from what quarter soever it
might come； and that if any explanation was necessary； it did not
belong to him to demand it； but to the gentleman who summoned
him into the field。 Vexed as I was at this adventure； I could not
help admiring the coolness of this officer； whose open
countenance prepossessed me in his favour。 He seemed to be turned
of forty； wore his own short black hair； which curled naturally
about his ears； and was very plain in his apparel When I begged
pardon for the trouble I had given him； he received my apology
with great good humour。 He told me that he lived about ten miles
off； at a small farm…house； which would afford me tolerable
lodging； if I would come and take diversion of hunting with him
for a few weeks； in which case we might； perhaps； find out the
man who had given me offence I thanked him very sincerely for
his courteous offer； which； I told him； I was not at liberty to
accept at present； on account of my being engaged in a family
party； and so we parted； with mutual professions of good will and
esteem。
Now tell me； dear knight； what am I to make of this singular
adventure？ Am I to suppose that the horseman I saw was really a
thing of flesh and blood； or a bubble that vanished into air？ or
must I imagine Liddy knows more of the matter than she chuses to
disclose？ If I thought her capable of carrying on any
clandestine correspondence with such a fellow； I should at once
discard all tenderness； and forget that she was connected with me
by the ties of blood But how is it possible that a girl of her
simplicity and inexperience； should maintain such an intercourse；
surrounded； as she is； with so many eyes； destitute of all
opportunity； and shifting quarters every day of her life！
Besides； she has solemnly promised。 No I can't think the girl so
base so insensible to the honour of her family。 What disturbs
me chiefly； is the impression which these occurrences seem to
make upon her spirits These are the symptoms from which I
conclude that the rascal has still a hold on her affection； surely
I have a right to call him a rascal； and to conclude that his
designs are infamous。 But it shall be my fault if he does not one
day repent his presumption I confess I cannot think； much less
write on this subject； with any degree of temper or patience； I
shall therefore conclude with telling you； that we hope to be in
Wales by the latter end of the month： but before that period you
will probably hear again from
your affectionate
J。 MELFORD
Oct。 4。
To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS； Bart。 of Jesus college； Oxon。
DEAR PHILLIPS；
When I wrote you by last post； I did not imagine I should be
tempted to trouble you again so soon： but I now sit down with a
heart so full that it cannot contain itself； though I am under
such agitation of spirits； that you are to expect neither method
nor connexion in this address We have been this day within a
hair's breadth of losing honest Matthew Bramble； in consequence
of a cursed accident； which I will endeavour to explain。 In
crossing the country to get into the post road； it was necessary
to ford a river； and we that were a…horseback passed without any
danger or difficulty； but a great quantity of rain having fallen
last night and this morning； there was such an accumulation of
water； that a mill…head gave way； just as the coach was passing
under it； and the flood rushed down with such impetuosity； as
first floated； and then fairly overturned the carriage in the
middle of the stream Lismahago and I； and the two servants；
alighting instantaneously； ran into the river to give all the
assistance in our power。 Our aunt； Mrs Tabitha； who had the good
fortune to be uppermost； was already half way out of the coach
window； when her lover approaching； disengaged her entirely； but；
whether his foot slipt； or
the burthen was too great； they fell over head and ears in each
others' arms。 He endeavoured more than once to get up； and even
to disentangle himself from her embrace； but she hung about his
neck like a mill…stone （no bad emblem of matrimony）； and if my
man had not proved a stanch auxiliary； those two lovers would in
all probability have gone hand in hand to the shades below For
my part； I was too much engaged to take any cognizance of their
distress。 I snatched out my sister by the hair of the head； and；
dragging her to the bank； recollected that my uncle had； not yet
appeared Rushing again into the stream； I met Clinker hauling
ashore Mrs Jenkins； who looked like a mermaid with her hair
dishevelled about her ears； but； when I asked if his master was
safe； he forthwith shook her from him； and she must have gone to
pot； if a miller had not seasonably come to her relief。 As for
Humphry； he flew like lightning； to the coach； that was by this
time filled with water； and； diving into it； brought up the poor
