按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
subsequent creation of a vision in the form of resurgent memory； a
less sane man might have believed in such a creation； but Silas
was both sane and honest； though； as with many honest and
fervent men； culture had not defined any channels for his sense of
mystery； and so it spread itself over the proper pathway of inquiry
and knowledge。 He had inherited from his mother some
acquaintance with medicinal herbs and their preparation—a little
store of wisdom which she had imparted to him as a solemn
bequest—but of late years he had had doubts about the lawfulness
of applying this knowledge； believing that herbs could have no
efficacy without prayer； and that prayer might suffice without
herbs； so that his inherited delight to wander through the fields in
search of foxglove and dandelion and coltsfoot began to wear to
him the character of a temptation。
Among the members of his church there was one young man； a
little older than himself； with whom he had long lived in such close
friendship that it was the custom of their Lantern Yard brethren
to call them David and Jonathan。 The real name of the friend was
William Dane； and he； too； was regarded as a shining instance of
youthful piety； though somewhat given to over…severity towards
weaker brethren； and to be so dazzled by his own light as to hold
himself wiser than his teachers。 But whatever blemishes others
might discern in William； to his friend’s mind he was faultless； for
Marner had one of those impressible； self…doubting natures which；
at an inexperienced age； admire imperativeness and lean on
contradiction。 The expression of trusting simplicity in Marner’s
face； heightened by that absence of special observation； that
George Eliot ElecBook Classics
… Page 15…
Silas Marner 15
defenceless； deer…like gaze which belongs to large； prominent
eyes； was strongly contrasted by the self…complacent suppression
of inward triumph that lurked in the narrow； slanting eyes and
compressed lips of William Dane。 One of the most frequent topics
of conversation between the two friends was Assurance of
salvation： Silas confessed that he could never arrive at anything
higher than hope mingled with fear； and listened with longing
wonder when William declared that he had possessed unshaken
assurance ever since； in the period of his conversion； he had
dreamed that he saw the words “calling and election sure”
standing by themselves on a white page in the open Bible。 Such
colloquies have occupied many a pair of pale…faced weavers；
whose unnurtured souls have been like young winged things；
fluttering forsaken in the twilight。
It had seemed to the unsuspecting Silas that the friendship had
suffered no chill even from his formation of another attachment of
a closer kind。 For some months he had been engaged to a young
servant…woman； waiting only for a little increase to their mutual
savings in order to their marriage； and it was a great delight to
him that Sarah did not object to William’s occasional presence in
their Sunday interviews。 It was at this point in their history that
Silas’s cataleptic fit occurred during the prayer…meeting； and
amidst the various queries and expressions of interest addressed
to him by his fellow…members； William’s suggestion alone jarred
with the general sympathy towards a brother thus singled out for
special dealings。 He observed that； to him； this trance looked more
like a visitation of Satan than a proof of divine favour； and
exhorted his friend to see that he hid no accursed thing within his
soul。 Silas； feeling bound to accept rebuke and admonition as a
George Eliot ElecBook Classics
… Page 16…
Silas Marner 16
brotherly office； felt no resentment； but only pain； at his friend’s
doubts concerning him； and to this was soon added some anxiety
at the perception that Sarah’s manner towards him began to
exhibit a strange fluctuation between an effort at an increased
manifestation of regard and involuntary signs of shrinking and
dislike。 He asked her if she wished to break off their engagement；
but she denied this： their engagement was known to the church；
and had been recognised in the prayer…meetings； it could not be
broken off without strict investigation； and Sarah could render no
reason that would be sanctioned by the feeling of the community。
At this time the senior deacon was taken dangerously ill； and；
being a childless widower； he was tended night and day by some of
the younger brethren or sisters。 Silas frequently took his turn in
the night…watching with William； the one relieving the other at two
in the morning。 The old man； contrary to expectation； seemed to
be on the way to recovery； when one night Silas； sitting up by his
bedside； observed that his usual audible breathing had ceased。
The candle was burning low； and he had to lift it to see the
patient’s face distinctly。 Examination convinced him that the
deacon was dead—had been dead some time； for the limbs were
rigid。 Silas asked himself if he had been asleep； and looked at the
clock： it was already four in the morning。 How was it that William
had not come？ In much anxiety he went to seek for help； and soon
there were several friends assembled in the house； the minister
among them； while Silas went away to his work； wishing he could
have met William to know the reason of his non…appearance。 But
at six o’clock； as he was thinking of going to seek his friend；
William came； and with him the minister。 They came to summon
him to Lantern Yard； to meet the church…members there； and to
George Eliot ElecBook Classics
… Page 17…
Silas Marner