little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第74部分

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that　there　Must　be　something　wrong　in　him　somewhere；　or　he　never　could
have　so　attacked　Me；　of　all　the　people　in　the　world。'

'Fanny；'　returned　Mr　Dorrit　in　a　deeply　fraternal　tone；　'you　know；　with
his　innumerable　good　points；　what　a……hum……wreck　your　uncle　is；　and；　I
entreat　you　by　the　fondness　that　I　have　for　him；　and　by　the　fidelity
that　you　know　I　have　always　shown　him；　to……ha……to　draw　your　own
conclusions；　and　to　spare　my　brotherly　feelings。'

This　ended　the　scene；　Edward　Dorrit；　Esquire；　saying　nothing　throughout；
but　looking；　to　the　last；　perplexed　and　doubtful。　Miss　Fanny　awakened
much　affectionate　uneasiness　in　her　sister's　mind　that　day　by　passing
the　greater　part　of　it　in　violent　fits　of　embracing　her；　and　in
alternately　giving　her　brooches；　and　wishing　herself　dead。




CHAPTER　6。　Something　Right　Somewhere


To　be　in　the　halting　state　of　Mr　Henry　Gowan；　to　have　left　one　of　two
powers　in　disgust；　to　want　the　necessary　qualifications　for　finding
promotion　with　another；　and　to　be　loitering　moodily　about　on　neutral
ground；　cursing　both；　is　to　be　in　a　situation　unwholesome　for　the　mind；
which　time　is　not　likely　to　improve。　The　worst　class　of　sum　worked　in
the　every…day　world　is　cyphered　by　the　diseased　arithmeticians　who　are
always　in　the　rule　of　Subtraction　as　to　the　merits　and　successes　of
others；　and　never　in　Addition　as　to　their　own。

The　habit；　too；　of　seeking　some　sort　of　repense　in　the　discontented
boast　of　being　disappointed；　is　a　habit　fraught　with　degeneracy。　A
certain　idle　carelessness　and　recklessness　of　consistency　soon　es　of
it。　To　bring　deserving　things　down　by　setting　undeserving　things　up　is
one　of　its　perverted　delights；　and　there　is　no　playing　fast　and　loose
with　the　truth；　in　any　game；　without　growing　the　worse　for　it。

In　his　expressed　opinions　of　all　performances　in　the　Art　of　painting
that　were　pletely　destitute　of　merit；　Gowan　was　the　most　liberal
fellow　on　earth。　He　would　declare　such　a　man　to　have　more　power　in　his
little　finger　（provided　he　had　none）；　than　such　another　had　（provided　he
had　much）　in　his　whole　mind　and　body。　If　the　objection　were　taken　that
the　thing　mended　was　trash；　he　would　reply；　on　behalf　of　his　art；　'My
good　fellow；　what　do　we　all　turn　out　but　trash？　I　turn　out　nothing　else；
and　I　make　you　a　present　of　the　confession。'

To　make　a　vaunt　of　being　poor　was　another　of　the　incidents　of　his
spleic　state；　though　this　may　have　had　the　design　in　it　of　showing
that　he　ought　to　be　rich；　just　as　he　would　publicly　laud　and　decry　the
Barnacles；　lest　it　should　be　forgotten　that　he　belonged　to　the　family。
Howbeit；　these　two　subjects　were　very　often　on　his　lips；　and　he　managed
them　so　well　that　he　might　have　praised　himself　by　the　month　together；
and　not　have　made　himself　out　half　so　important　a　man　as　he　did　by　his
light　disparagement　of　his　claims　on　anybody's　consideration。

Out　of　this　same　airy　talk　of　his；　it　always　soon　came　to　be　understood；
wherever　he　and　his　wife　went；　that　he　had　married　against　the　wishes
of　his　exalted　relations；　and　had　had　much　ado　to　prevail　on　them　to
countenance　her。　He　never　made　the　representation；　on　the　contrary
seemed　to　laugh　the　idea　to　scorn；　but　it　did　happen　that；　with　all　his
pains　to　depreciate　himself；　he　was　always　in　the　superior　position。
From　the　days　of　their　honeymoon；　Minnie　Gowan　felt　sensible　of　being
usually　regarded　as　the　wife　of　a　man　who　had　made　a　descent　in　marrying
her；　but　whose　chivalrous　love　for　her　had　cancelled　that　inequality。

To　Venice　they　had　been　acpanied　by　Monsieur　Blandois　of　Paris；　and
at　Venice　Monsieur　Blandois　of　Paris　was　very　much　in　the　society　of
Gowan。　When　they　had　first　met　this　gallant　gentleman　at　Geneva；
Gowan　had　been　undecided　whether　to　kick　him　or　encourage　him；　and　had
remained　for　about　four…and…twenty　hours；　so　troubled　to　settle
the　point　to　his　satisfaction；　that　he　had　thought　of　tossing　up　a
five…franc　piece　on　the　terms；　'Tails；　kick；　heads；　encourage；'　and
abiding　by　the　voice　of　the　oracle。　It　chanced；　however；　that　his　wife
expressed　a　dislike　to　the　engaging　Blandois；　and　that　the　balance
of　feeling　in　the　hotel　was　against　him。　Upon　it；　Gowan　resolved　to
encourage　him。

Why　this　perversity；　if　it　were　not　in　a　generous　fit？……which　it　was
not。　Why　should　Gowan；　very　much　the　superior　of　Blandois　of　Paris；　and
very　well　able　to　pull　that　prepossessing　gentleman　to　pieces　and　find
out　the　stuff　he　was　made　of；　take　up　with　such　a　man？　In　the　first
place；　he　opposed　the　first　separate　wish　he　observed　in　his　wife；
because　her　father　had　paid　his　debts　and　it　was　desirable　to　take　an
early　opportunity　of　asserting　his　independence。　In　the　second　place；
he　opposed　the　prevalent　feeling；　because　with　many　capacities　of
being　otherwise；　he　was　an　ill…conditioned　man。　He　found　a　pleasure　in
declaring　that　a　courtier　with　the　refined　manners　of　Blandois　ought
to　rise　to　the　greatest　distinction　in　any　polished　country。　He　found　a
pleasure　in　setting　up　Blandois　as　the　type　of　elegance；　and　making
him　a　satire　upon　others　selves　on　personal　graces。
He　seriously　protested　that　the　bow　of　Blandois　was　perfect；　that　the
address　of　Blandois　was　irresistible；　and　that　the　picturesque　ease
of　Blandois　would　be　cheaply　purchased　（if　it　were　not　a　gift；　and
unpurchasable）　for　a　hundred　thousand　francs。　That　exaggeration　in　the
manner　of　the　man　which　has　been　noticed　as　appertaining　to　him　and　to
every　such　man；　whatever　his　original　breeding；　as　certainly　as　the　sun
belongs　to　this　system；　was　acceptable　to　Gowan　as　a　caricature；　which
he　found　it　a　humorous　resource　to　have　at　hand　for　the　ridiculing　of
numbers　of　people　who　necessarily　did　more　or　less　of　what　Blandois
overdid。　Thus　he　had　taken　up　with　him；　and　thus；　negligently
strengthening　these　inclinations　with　habit；　and　idly　deriving　some
amusement　from　his　talk；　he　had　glided　into　a　way　of　having　him　for
a　panion。　This；　though　he　supposed　him　to　live　by　his　wits　at
play…tables　and　the　like；　though　he　suspected　him　to　be　a　coward；　while
he　himself　was　daring　and　courageous；　though　he　thoroughly　knew　him　to
be　disliked　by　Minnie；　and　though　he　cared　so　little　for　him；　after　all；
that　if　he　had　given　her　any　tangible　personal　cause　to　regard　him　with
aversion；　he　would　have　had　no　punction　whatever　in　flinging　him　out
of　the　highest　window　in　Venice　into　the　deepest　water　of　the　city。

Little　Dorrit　would　have　been　glad　to　make　her　visit　to　Mrs　Gowan；
alone；　but　as　Fanny；　who　had　not　yet　recovered　from　her　Uncle's　protest；
though　it　was　four…and…twenty　hours　of　age；　pressingly　offered　her
pany；　the　two　sisters　stepped　together　into　one　of　the　gondolas　under
Mr　Dorrit's　window；　and；　with　the　courier　in　attendance；　were　taken　in
high　state　to　Mrs　Gowan's　lodging。　In　truth；　their　state　was　rather　too
high　for　the　lodging；　which　was；　as　Fanny　plained；　'fearfully　out　of
the　way；'　and　which　took　them　through　a　plexity　of　narrow　streets　of
water；　which　the　same　lady　disparaged　as　'mere　ditches。'

The　house；　on　a　little　desert　island；　looked　as　if　it　had　broken
away　from　somewhere　else；　and　had　floated　by　chance　into　its　present
anchorage　in　pany　with　a　vine　almost　as　much　in　want　of　training　as
the　poor　wretches　who　were　lying　under　its　leaves。　The　features　of　the
surrounding　picture　were；　a　church　with　hoarding　and　scaffolding　about
it；　which　had　been　under　suppositious　repair　so　long　that　the　means　of
repair　looked　a　hundred　years　old；　and　had　themselves　fallen　into　decay；
a　quantity　of　washed　linen；　spread　to　dry　in　the　sun；　a　number　of　houses
at　odds　with　one　another　and　grotesquely　out　of　the　perpendicular；　like
rotten　pre…Adamite　cheeses　cut　into　fantastic　shapes　and　full　of　mites；
and　a　feverish　bewilderment　of　windows；　with　their　lattice…blinds　all
hanging　askew；　and　something　draggled　and　dirty　dangling　out　of　most　of
them。

On　the　first…floor　of　the　house　was　a　Bank……a　surprising　experience　for
any　gentleman　of　mercial　pursuits　bringing　laws　for　all　mankind　from
a　British　city……where　two　spare　clerks；　like　dried　dragoons；　in　green
velvet　caps　adorned　with　golden　tassels；　stood；　bearded；　behind　a　small
counter　in　a　small　room；　containing　no　other　visible　objects　than　an
empty　iron…safe　with　the　door　open；　a　jug　of　water；　and　a　papering　of
garland　of　roses；　but　erely　dipping
their　hands　out　of　sight；　could　produce　exhaustless　mounds　of　five…franc
pieces。　Below　the　Bank　was　a　suite　of　three　or　four　rooms　with　barred
windows；　which　had　the　appearance　of　a　jail　for　criminal　rats。　Above　the
Bank　was　Mrs　Gowan's　residence。

Notwithstanding　that　its　walls　were　blotched；　as　if　missionary　maps　were
bursting　out　of　them　to　impart　geographical　knowledge；　notwithstanding
that　its　weird　furniture　was　forlornly　faded　and　musty；　and　that　the
prevailing　Veian　odour　of　bilge　water　and　an　ebb　tide　on　a　weedy
shore　was　very　strong；　the　place　was　better　within；　than　it　promised。
The　door　was　opened　by　a　smiling　man　like　a　reformed　assassin……a
temporary　servant……who　ushered　them　into　the　room　where　Mrs　Gowan　sat；
with　the　announcement　that　two　beautiful　English　ladies　were　e　to　see
the　mistress。

Mrs　Gowan；　who　was　engaged　in　needlework；　put　her　work　aside　in　a
covered　basket；　and　rose；　a　little　hurriedly。　Miss　Fanny　was　excessively
courteous　to　her；　and　said　the　usual　nothings　with　the　skill　of　a
veteran。

'Papa　was　extremely　sorry；'　proceeded　Fanny；　'to　be　engaged　to…day　（he
is　so　much　engaged　here；　our　acquaintance　being　so　wretchedly　large！）；
and　particularly　requested　me　to　bring　his　card　for　Mr　Gowan。　That　I　may
be　sure　to　acquit　myself　of　a　mission　which　he　impressed　upon　me　at
least　a　dozen　times；　allow　me　to　relieve　my　conscience　by　placing　it　on
the　table　at　once。'

Which　she　did　with　veteran　ease。

'We　have　been；'　said　Fanny；　'charmed　to　understand　that　you　know　the
Merdles。　We　hope　it　may　be　another　means　of　bringing　us　together。'

'They　are　friends；'　said　Mrs　Gowan；　'of　Mr　Gowan's　family。　I　have　not
yet　had　the　pleasure　of　a　personal　introduction　to　Mrs　Merdle；　but　I
suppose　I　shall　be　presented　to　her　at　Rome。'

'Indeed？'　returned　Fanny；　with　an　appearance　of　amiably　quenching　her
own　superiority。　'I　think　you'll　like　her。'

'You　know　her　very　well？'

'Why；　you　see；'　said　Fanny；　with　a　frank　action　of　her　pretty　shoulders；
'in　London　one　knows　every　one。　We　met　her　on　our　way　here；　and；　to　say
the　truth；　papa　was　at　first　rather　cross　with　her　for　taking　one　of　the
rooms　that　our　people　had　ordered　for　us。

However；　of　course；　that　soon　blew　over；　and　we　were　all　good　friends
again。'

Although　the　visit　had　as　yet　given　Little　Dorrit　no　opportunity　of
conversing　with　Mrs　Gowan；　there　was　a　silent　understanding　between
them；　which　did　as　well。　She　looked　at　Mrs　Gowan　with　keen　and　unabated
interest；　the　sound　of　her　voice　was　thrilling　to　her；　nothing　that　was
near　her；　or　about　her；　or　at　all　concerned　her；　escaped　Little　Dorrit。
She　was　quicker　to　perceive　the　slightest　matter　here；　than　in　any　other
case……but　one。

'You　have　been　quite　well；'　she　now　said；　'since　that　night？'

'Quite；　my　dear。　And　you？'　'Oh！　I　am　always　well；'　said　Little　Dorrit；
timidly。　'I……yes；　thank　you。'

There　was　no　reason　for　her　faltering　and　breaking　off；　other　than　that
Mrs　Gowan　had　touched　her　hand　in　speaking　to　her；　and　their　looks　had
met。　Something　thoughtfully　apprehensive　in　the　large；　soft　eyes；　had
checked　Little　Dorrit　in　an　instant。

'You　don't　know　that　you　are　a　favourite　of　my　husband's；　and　that　I　am
almost　bound　to　be　jealous　of　you？'　said　Mrs　Gowan。

Little　Dorrit；　blushing；　shook　her　head。

'He　will　tell　you；　if　he　tells　you　what　he　tells　me；　that　you　are
quieter　and　quicker　of　resource　than　any　one　he　ever　saw。'

'He　speaks　far　too　well　of　me；'　said　Little　Dorrit。

'I　doubt　that；　but　I　don't　at　all　doubt　that　I　must　tell　him　you
are　here。　I　should　never　be　forgiven；　if　I　were　to　let　you……and　Miss
Dorrit……go；　without　doing　so。　May　I？　You　can　excuse　the　disorder　and
disfort　of　a　painter's　studio？'

The　inquiries　were　addressed　to　Miss　Fanny；　who　graciously　replied　that
she　would　be　beyond　anything　interested　and　enchanted。　Mrs　Gowan　went　to
a　door；　looked　in　beyond　it；　and　came　back。　'Do　Henry　the　favour　to　e
in；'　said　she；　'I　knew　he　would　be　pleased！'

The　first　object　that　confronted　Little　Dorrit；　entering　first；　was
Blandois　of　Paris　in　a　great　cloak　and　a　furtive　slouched　hat；　standing
on　a　throne　platform　in　a　corner；　as　he　had　stood　on　the　Great　Saint
Bernard；　when　the　warning　arms　seemed　to　be　all　pointing　up　at　him。　She
recoiled　from　this　figure；　as　it　smiled　at　her。

'Don't　be　alarmed；'　said　Gowan；　ing　from　his　easel　behind　the　door。
'It's　only　Blandois。　He　is　doing　duty　as　a　model　to…day。　I　am　making
a　study　of　him。　It　saves　me　money　to　turn　him　to　some　use。　We　poor
painters　have　none　to　spare。'

Blandois　of　Paris　pulled　off　his　slouched　hat；　and　saluted　the　ladies
without　ing　out　of　his　corner。

'A　thousand　pardons！'　said　he。　'But　the　Professore　here　is　so　inexorable
with　me；　that　I　am　afraid　to　stir。'

'Don't　stir；　then；'　said　Gowan　coolly；　as　the　sisters　approached　the
easel。　'Let　the　ladies　at　least　see　the　original　of　the　daub；　that　they
may　know　what　it's　meant　for。　There　he　stands；　you　see。　A　bravo　waiting
for　his　prey；　a　distinguished　noble　waiting　to　save　his　country；　the
mon　enemy　waiting　to　do　somebody　a　bad　turn；　an　angelic　messenger
waiting　to　do　somebody　a　good　turn……whatever　you　think　he　looks　most
like！'　'Say；　Professore　Mio；　a　poor　gentleman　waiting　to　do　homage　to
elegance　and　beauty；'　remarked　Blandois。

'Or　say；　Cattivo　Soggetto　Mio；'　returned　Gowan；　touching　the　painted
face　with　his　brush　in　the　part　where　the　real　face　had　moved；　'a
murderer　after　the　fact。　Show　that　white　hand　of　yours；　Blandois。　Put　it
outside　the　cloak。　Keep　it　still。'

Blandois'　hand　was　unsteady；　but　he　laughed；　and　that　would　naturally
shake　it。

'He　was　formerly　in　some　scuffle　with　another　murderer；　or　with　a
victim；　you　observe；'　said　Gowan；　putting　in　the　markings　of　the　hand
patient；　unskilful　touch；　'and　these　are　the　tokens　of
it。　Outside　the　cloak；　man！……Corpo　di　San　Marco；　what　are　you　thinking
of？'

Blandois　of　Paris　shook　with　a　laugh　again；　so　that　his　hand　shook　more；
now　he　raised　it　to　twist　his　moustache；　which　had　a　damp　appearance；
and　now　he　stood　in　the　required　position；　with　a　little　new　swagger。

His　face　was　so　directed　in　reference　to　the　spot　where　Little　Dorrit
stood　by　the　easel；　that　throughout　he　looked　at　her。　Once　attracted　by
his　peculiar　eyes；　she　could　not　remove　her　own；　and　they　had　looked
at　each　other　all　the　time。　She　trembled　now；　Gowan；　feeling　it；　and
supposing　her　to　be　alarmed　by　the　large　dog　beside　him；　whose　head　she
caressed　in　her　hand；　and　who　had　just　uttered　a　low　growl；　glanced　at
her　to　say；　'He　won't　hurt　you；　Miss　Dorrit。'

'I　am　not　afraid　of　him；'　she　returned　in　the　same　breath；　'but　will　you
look　at　him？'

In　a　moment　Gowan　had　thrown　down　his　brush；　and　seized　the　dog　with
both　hands　by　the　collar。


'Blandois！　How　can　you　be　such　a　fool　as　to　provoke　him！　By　Heaven；　and
the　other　place　too；　he'll　tear　you　to　bits！　Lie　down！

Lion！