Cover based on a 絵 by John Blake MacDonald (1829-1901)
|
このページはEtoJ逐語翻訳フィルタによって翻訳生成されました。 |
An ebook published by
事業／計画（する） Gutenberg Australia
A 提案 of Marriage:
Marjorie Bowen:
eBook No.: 2300641h.html
Language: English
Date first 地位，任命するd: May 2023
Most 最近の update: May 2023
This eBook was produced by Colin Choat and Roy Glashan
見解（をとる） our licence and header
Cover based on a 絵 by John Blake MacDonald (1829-1901)
"Captain Wedderburn," said the lady, very pale, "I bring you a
提案 of marriage!" The door-扱う slipped through his fingers.
APTAIN ALLAN WEDDERBURN, of His Highness the Duke of Cumberland's 連隊, sat in his 私的な room in the 取り去る／解体するd Highland 城 that had become the 一時的な （警察，軍隊などの）本部 of himself and his men.
He looked from the 狭くする lancet window at the wild Highland scenery, and his handsome 直面する wore an 表現 of discontent. He was a loyal 政府 man, a keen 兵士, and he longed to be distinguishing himself in some active service, instead of lounging here in 告発（する），告訴（する）／料金 of an unimportant position and an even more unimportant 囚人, a son of one of the 長，指導者s 関心d in the late Rising, who had been 逮捕（する）d straggling from the Culloden 大勝する, and now を待つd 死刑執行 in Edinburgh or London.
Captain Wedderburn was disgusted with such small prey; he, in ありふれた with all the 政府 officers, longed to make the 著名な 逮捕（する） of that illustrious 反逆者／反逆する, the Young Pretender, as the English called him, the Chevalier St. George, the son of him whom the Jacks styled James III.
It 悩ますd Allan Wedderburn to the heart that he was tied to this irksome and trifling 義務 when he might have been engaged in the 追跡 for the 広大な／多数の／重要な prize which would bring honour and renown and 相当な reward. His grey 注目する，もくろむs gazed at the distant （土地などの）細長い一片 of sea, 隠すd by the afternoon もや of a dull day, and he 推測するd 激しく as to the 見込み of Charles Stuart slipping 負かす／撃墜する to the coast, under cover of some such もや, and escaping in the French barque that was sure to be lying in wait in the 沖.
"Not if I had a 解放する／自由な 手渡す," he thought; "not if I was able to scour the country!"
And he 反映するd 激しく on the 当局 who kept him thus idle when he felt within him the capacity for greater service.
True, he had been told to keep a sharp look-out and to guard the coast, but that, he told himself, was foolishness the 逃亡者／はかないもの would never choose as his point of escape this 位置／汚点／見つけ出す, so 井戸／弁護士席 guarded by the redcoats, when miles of the sea were unwatched.
Captain Wedderburn yawned with 退屈 and vexation, and turned over for the hundredth time the letter sent him by one of his 中尉／大尉／警部補s, 述べるing the disguise in which the unfortunate 候補者 to the 王位 of England was known to be travelling: "He goes as a man-servant to Mrs. Grace Hume, a lady of a most 正確な, puritanical demeanour, who is travelling with her brother. They were lost sight of a week ago, but there is little chance of the Prince having changed his guise. Keep, therefore, a 安定した look-out for any such."
Allan Wedderburn 倍のd up the letter with a gesture of annoyance.
He felt a 広大な／多数の／重要な vexation against Mrs. Grace Hume, the lady of the 正確な, puritanical demeanour, who was so 首尾よく outwitting His Majesty's officers. Neither she nor her party had been traced; Captain Wedderburn felt sourly 確かな that they never would be. He yawned again and rose; it was the hour when he had to 支払う／賃金 his formal and useless visit to his 囚人 and see the guards changed about his 刑務所，拘置所.
As he sauntered across the 罰金 but rather 明らかにする and dreary room, which was hung with antique tapestry and furnished with handsome but worn pieces, his 兵士-servant entered.
"A lady wishes to see you, sir, with most 緊急の and important news."
Allan Wedderburn disguised his curiosity.
"Let her send her message up."
"She has already, sir, 拒絶する／低下するd to do that."
"It is impossible for me to see anyone now," said the officer curtly. Then he wavered. "Of what deportment is she?"
"Of the 質, sir, and handsome."
Allan Wedderburn raised his eyebrows.
"Is it possible, in this wilderness? I will see her, Saunders, for a few minutes, and no more."
When he was alone, the Captain ちらりと見ることd carelessly at himself in the tortoiseshell-でっちあげる，人を罪に陥れるd mirror that hung over the low fireplace. In London he had been considered a personable man, and no ill favourite with the ladies. For a moment he forgot his dullness and his vexation, and pulled out his neat cravat with an 空気／公表する of some complacency.
When the lady entered he was standing at attention, very courteous, smart, and elegant, from his 砕くd 軍の 味方する-curls to his polished boots.
She （機の）カム in 速く, の近くにd the door, hesitated a moment, then 前進するd, 除去するing, as she did so, the riding-mask she wore, and looking 一連の会議、交渉／完成する it with a rather breathless 切望.
She was indeed handsome and of the 質. In one ちらりと見ること the Captain saw that. She wore a square riding-jacket of a dark emerald green colour, a 十分な skirt of a 深い violet-coloured silk, and a long scarf of a rich tartan in which was much orange and violet-purple.
A wide hat of 黒人／ボイコット felt, with a 黒人／ボイコット feather, shaded a charming brunette 直面する and loose curls of a 深い and glowing brown.
Allan Wedderburn 屈服するd very low.
The lady's 十分な lips parted, and her 注目する，もくろむs, that were the brown of a dead leaf, yet 有望な, ぱたぱたするd a ちらりと見ること over the person of the Captain.
"You will be wondering who I am," she said.
"Something more than mortal, madam," 答える／応じるd the Captain gallantly, putting 今後 the tapestry-covered 議長，司会を務める he had been using himself.
The lady sank into it, 大波ing her skirts.
"I'm the sister of 圧力をかけて脅す（悩ます） Clanronald," she 明言する／公表するd. "You will have been 審理，公聴会 of 圧力をかけて脅す（悩ます） Clanronald?"
He had indeed, and his manner became even more respectful and deferential.
"The gentleman is the most powerful of the loyal chieftains. As such, all His Majesty's 兵士s have heard of him," he replied. "I am honoured by the 知識 of 行方不明になる Clanronald."
He 投機・賭けるd a smile, and she 答える／応じるd with a delicious look, shy and yet 刺激するing.
"Ah, Captain," she said, "it is a dull life you are 主要な here, isn't it, now?"
"It was till you entered, madam."
"Ah, be done with your compliments; it is not them I'm after."
She gave a little sigh and 圧力（をかける）d a 捨てる of a handkerchief like a silk cobweb to her 十分な and rosy lips.
"You will be marvelling at Nancy Clanronald coming to you like this, Captain Wedderburn?" she 追加するd.
"I marvel at nothing, madam, save my good fortune."
"You've the London manner, sir. Pray consider I am a Highland maiden, and spare me your flattery." And she smiled again in a way that belied her words.
"You have not spent your life の中で these barbarous hills," he 宣言するd.
"No," she 認める, playing with her mask. "I've been as far as Edinburgh."
The clock struck the half-hour.
"Heaven help me!" exclaimed the Captain, thinking of his visit of 査察. "I'm late for a 義務 of—If you will spare my company for half an hour—"
"I have not told you my errand yet," she 発言／述べるd calmly.
He stood divided between his 義務 and 願望（する） to 長引かせる the interview.
"If you could を待つ my return—"
"What I have to say is a 事柄 of moments," said 行方不明になる Clanronald.
"I am the most unfortunate of men, but my 事件／事情／状勢 is 緊急の."
She frowned.
"So 緊急の?"
"I have a 囚人."
"A Jacobite?"
"Yes. I am 予定 to visit him."
"Is he so important?" she smiled.
He blushed at her slight 空気／公表する of mockery.
"No, but my 義務—"
She rose with a little 空気／公表する of laughter.
"Oh, your 義務, Captain Wedderburn! What is your 義務?"
"At 現在の to look after this silly young man, and to search for the Pretender."
He turned resolutely に向かって the door.
"The Pretender!" cried 行方不明になる Clanronald. "Why, that is a romantic story, is it not? They say he travels disguised as a woman."
"No, as groom to a Mrs. Grace Hume, madam."
"Ah, you have heard that? We were told that story, too."
"I have 推論する／理由 to believe it is true."
She 直す／買収する，八百長をするd her 罰金 注目する，もくろむs on him.
"Would you like to 逮捕（する） Charles Stuart, Captain Wedderburn?"
"I would give half my income to do so!" he 宣言するd, with energy.
"Do you think he will be caught?"
"Certainly. He is a young hot-長，率いる, a fool, and his 同志／支持者s are now only a few silly women as this Mrs. Hume."
She laughed.
"I hope you will 逮捕（する） the Prince," she said.
He had his 手渡す out to the door.
"You have any news, madam?" he asked, pausing.
"式のs, 非，不，無!"
"Then, if you will 許す me—"
"One moment!"
She was suddenly imperative, 命令（する）ing, in earnest; she stretched out her 手渡す to stay his going.
He （機の）カム 支援する into the room.
"Have you ever seen me before, Allan Wedderburn?" she asked.
He was amazed to see that she was pale, and that 涙／ほころびs were in her beautiful 注目する，もくろむs.
"Why, never, madam!"
"Look at me 真面目に, sir."
She （機の）カム nearer to him and held up her 直面する. He gazed at her a little bewildered, a little enamoured by her charm and her nearness. He 示すd the 立ち往生させるs of hair across her brow, the faint blue veins showing at her 寺s, the moisture on her parted lips, his own reflection in her 注目する，もくろむs.
"Have you ever seen me before?" she repeated 厳粛に.
"Why, never!" he stammered.
Her manner suddenly changed; she moved away with a gay smile.
"Why, I was sure you had seen me, Captain Wedderburn. When you have been out for your lonely rides, I have been 近づく you more than once."
"On my soul, madam—"
"Have you never seen a horsewoman coming through the もや in the afternoon, when you have been abroad, sir?"
"Never, madam."
"Why, you must be in love to notice so little as that! Why, it is a bad look-out for the Prince you'll be!"
He blushed with vexation, but, （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域 his brains as he would, he could not 解任する having seen any horsewomen when he had been abroad.
"If you will come to your errand, madam," he said a little stiffly, pulling out his watch.
"You are thinking of your 囚人, poor wretch?"
"Of my 義務, madam."
"Oh, la, you are so 厳しい, and what I have to say is so difficult!"
"Difficult?"
He saw 涙／ほころびs again in her 注目する，もくろむs, and noticed that she was trembling.
"Are you married, sir?" she asked.
He 星／主役にするd, confounded for a moment.
"Married?"
"That was what I asked you."
"I am neither married nor betrothed, 行方不明になる Clanronald."
"In love, perhaps?" she asked softly.
"Why, madam, I hardly understand. I must leave you."
"Ah, don't go. Captain Wedderburn!" she cried coaxingly. "Listen to me, won't you? Sure, I shall be thinking your 囚人 is but an excuse to be rid of me. Ah, can't you be staying?"
He stopped; once more his 手渡す dropped from the door.
"行方不明になる Clanronald," he said, in some agitation, "if you would tell me your errand—"
"Take my 手渡す," she answered.
She held it out to him, a わずかな／ほっそりした 手渡す in a glove of white doeskin, then withdrew it and gave it to him 明らかにする, slipping off the gauntlet with nervous fingers. He took it, felt it quiver in his しっかり掴む, and was strangely abashed.
She looked at him very 厳粛に, then suddenly gave a heartless laugh.
"Are you not curious?" she 需要・要求するd.
"You fool me, madam!" he answered haughtily, and withdrew his 手渡す.
Resolutely he turned に向かって the door.
"Oh, listen to me, sir!" she cried, and there was a 公式文書，認める like desperation in her 発言する／表明する.
"Madam, I believe that I have listened long enough. You must excuse me."
He had the door open.
"Captain Wedderburn," said the lady, very pale, "I bring you a 提案 of marriage!"
The door-扱う slipped through his fingers.
"A 提案 of marriage?"
He （機の）カム 支援する に向かって her 議長，司会を務める.
"Ah, there, now," she laughed, "if you are not 脅すd, sir!"
"You are a very charming woman, 行方不明になる Clanronald, but mighty 刺激するing!"
She rose, 手渡すs clasped on her bosom.
"Listen. The lady is young, passable, very 豊富な, very 井戸／弁護士席 born, 解放する／自由な, and very enamoured of you."
"Of me?" He coloured, にもかかわらず his composure. "But this is impossible!"
"Fie! Are you so modest as that? Yet she is not the first, I'll 断言する. Come, sir, don't stand so dumb. Don't you take me?"
"By Heaven, I do not!" he cried, bewildered. "And I have my 義務—"
"Oh, sir, 'tis myself who admire you! And if you will ask Clanronald for my 手渡す—Why, you are amazed! Am I so hideous? The best match in the Highlands, sir!" He stood dumbfounded, unable to speak. "I've been in love with you so long," she smiled, 持つ／拘留するing out her 手渡すs to him "ever since you （機の）カム here!"
"But three weeks!" he gasped.
"Long enough. What have you to say to me, Captain Wedderburn?"
He sank into a 議長，司会を務める and 星／主役にするd at her. Very lovely she was, without a 疑問, and the sister of Clanronald, 豊富な, noble.
"You abash me," he stammered, "you 圧倒する me. 許す me—"
A distant にわか景気 of a gun broke the pause. The lady raised her downcast 長，率いる, and a flash （機の）カム into her 注目する，もくろむs.
"What is that?" asked the Captain, rising to his feet. She rose, too, and seemed about to answer, when the door was あわてて opened and another officer entered. The lady raised her mask before her 直面する and stepped into the window embrasure.
"Wedderburn," cried the new-comer, "we have the Prince!"
"逮捕（する）d?"
"安全な—here in this house! I have just galloped with the news. Wyndham Brew told me to ride for my life and tell you. Man, 'tis your 囚人!"
"My 囚人?" shrieked the Captain.
"The very same. The 青年 he changed with has been 逮捕（する）d—the truth is out. You are to take him to London."
"His companions?"
"Parted from him when they heard the disguise was known. Ah, a lady!"
He 屈服するd.
"The sister of 圧力をかけて脅す（悩ます） Clanronald," said the Captain, still giddy and bewildered.
"The sister of 圧力をかけて脅す（悩ます） Clanronald?" repeated the other. "Why, he has no sister! I know the family 井戸／弁護士席."
"Has no sister?"
"My life on it!"
The lady （機の）カム 今後, dropping the mask.
"Mrs. Grace Hume, at your service," she said. "You will remember me, Major Murray?"
"Mrs. Hume it is," said that officer. "What is the meaning of this, Wedderburn?"
"I'll tell you," said she, very soft. "It means we snap our fingers at you once more. The Prince has escaped you!"
"Escaped?" cried both men at once.
"I heard just now the gun, the signal that he was 安全な on board the French boat," she replied, "and my part is at an end—an end!"
"You （機の）カム to fool me!" exclaimed Allan Wedderburn ひどく.
"We tampered with the Highland guard you 始める，決める on His Highness. The two of them escaped hours ago. I （機の）カム to distract you and give them more time, that is all."
He 注目する，もくろむd her. Pale he was and frowning.
"逮捕（する） her!" said the other man, in a fury.
She shivered! She looked very tired and 墓／厳粛／彫る／重大な.
"And you such a puritanical, 正確な lady!" murmured Allan Wedderburn.
"Think the more of what I did, then," she answered him. "Think the more of these silly women who are loyal to Charles Stuart." She looked from one to another. "I am under 逮捕（する）?" she 追加するd.
"Take your liberty," said the Captain.
She moved に向かって the door. The にわか景気 of another gun gave the last 反抗 of the French フリゲート艦 that took Charles Stuart from England for ever, and the woman who had saved him, and who would never see him again, listened, then left the 城 and 棒 into the もやs of the Scottish afternoon.