little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第81部分

快捷操作: 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! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


upon　the　house　until　the　time　when　I　shall　draw　for　a　round　sum。'

'Harriet；'　said　Miss　Wade；　'arrange　with　him……this　gentleman　here……for
sending　him　some　money　to…morrow。'　She　said　it　with　a　slur　of　the　word
gentleman　which　was　more　contemptuous　than　any　emphasis；　and　walked
slowly　on。　The　man　bent　his　head　again；　and　the　girl　spoke　to　him　as
they　both　followed　her。　Clennam　ventured　to　look　at　the　girl　as　they
Moved　away。　He　could　note　that　her　rich　black　eyes　were　fastened　upon
the　man　with　a　scrutinising　expression；　and　that　she　kept　at　a　little
distance　from　him；　as　they　walked　side　by　side　to　the　further　end　of　the
terrace。

A　loud　and　altered　clank　upon　the　pavement　warned　him；　before　he　could
discern　what　was　passing　there；　that　the　man　was　ing　back　alone。
Clennam　lounged　into　the　road；　towards　the　railing；　and　the　man　passed
at　a　quick　swing；　with　the　end　of　his　cloak　thrown　over　his　shoulder；
singing　a　scrap　of　a　French　song。

The　whole　vista　had　no　one　in　it　now　but　himself。　The　lounger　had
lounged　out　of　view；　and　Miss　Wade　and　Tattycoram　were　gone。　More　than
ever　bent　on　seeing　what　became　of　them；　and　on　having　some　information
to　give　his　good　friend；　Mr　Meagles；　he　went　out　at　the　further　end　of
the　terrace；　looking　cautiously　about　him。　He　rightly　judged　that；　at
first　at　all　events；　they　would　go　in　a　contrary　direction　from　their
late　panion。　He　soon　saw　them　in　a　neighbouring　bye…street；　which　was
not　a　thoroughfare；　evidently　allowing　time　for　the　man　to　get　well
out　of　their　way。　They　walked　leisurely　arm…in…arm　down　one　side　of　the
street；　and　returned　on　the　opposite　side。　When　they　came　back　to　the
street…corner；　they　changed　their　pace　for　the　pace　of　people　with　an
object　and　a　distance　before　them；　and　walked　steadily　away。　Clennam；　no
less　steadily；　kept　them　in　sight。


They　crossed　the　Strand；　and　passed　through　Covent　Garden　（under　the
windows　of　his　old　lodging　where　dear　Little　Dorrit　had　e　that
night）；　and　slanted　away　north…east；　until　they　passed　the　great
building　whence　Tattycoram　derived　her　name；　and　turned　into　the　Gray's
Inn　Road。　Clennam　e　here；　in　right　of　Flora；　not　to
mention　the　Patriarch　and　Pancks；　and　kept　them　in　view　with　ease。　He
was　beginning　to　wonder　where　they　might　be　going　next；　when　that　wonder
was　lost　in　the　greater　wonder　with　which　he　saw　them　turn　into　the
Patriarchal　street。　That　wonder　was　in　its　turn　swallowed　up　on　the
greater　wonder　with　which　he　saw　them　stop　at　the　Patriarchal　door。　A
low　double　knock　at　the　bright　brass　knocker；　a　gleam　of　light　into　the
road　from　the　opened　door；　a　brief　pause　for　inquiry　and　answer　and　the
door　was　shut；　and　they　were　housed。

After　looking　at　the　surrounding　objects　for　assurance　that　he　was
not　in　an　odd　dream；　and　after　pacing　a　little　while　before　the　house；
Arthur　knocked　at　the　door。　It　was　opened　by　the　usual　maid…servant；
and　she　showed　him　up　at　once；　with　her　usual　alacrity；　to　Flora's
sitting…room。

There　was　no　one　with　Flora　but　Mr　F。's　Aunt；　which　respectable
gentlewoman；　basking　in　a　balmy　atmosphere　of　tea　and　toast；　was
ensconced　in　an　easy…chair　by　the　fireside；　with　a　little　table　at　her
elbow；　and　a　clean　white　handkerchief　spread　over　her　lap　on　which
two　pieces　of　toast　at　that　moment　awaited　consumption。　Bending　over
a　steaming　vessel　of　tea；　and　looking　through　the　steam；　and　breathing
forth　the　steam；　like　a　malignant　Chinese　enchantress　engaged　in　the
performance　of　unholy　rites；　Mr　F。's　Aunt　put　down　her　great　teacup　and
exclaimed；　'Drat　him；　if　he　an't　e　back　again！'

It　would　seem　from　the　foregoing　exclamation　that　this　unpromising
relative　of　the　lamented　Mr　F。；　measuring　time　by　the　acuteness　of　her
sensations　and　not　by　the　clock；　supposed　Clennam　to　have　lately　gone
away；　whereas　at　least　a　quarter　of　a　year　had　elapsed　since　he　had　had
the　temerity　to　present　himself　before　her。

'My　goodness　Arthur！'　cried　Flora；　rising　to　give　him　a　cordial
reception；　'Doyce　and　Clennam　what　a　start　and　a　surprise　for　though　not
far　from　the　machinery　and　foundry　business　and　surely　might　be　taken
sometimes　if　at　no　other　time　about　mid…day　when　a　glass　of　sherry　and　a
humble　sandwich　of　whatever　cold　meat　in　the　larder　might　not　e　amiss
nor　taste　the　worse　for　being　friendly　for　you　know　you　buy　it　somewhere
and　wherever　bought　a　profit　must　be　made　or　they　would　never　keep　the
place　it　stands　to　reason　without　a　motive　still　never　seen　and　learnt
now　not　to　be　expected；　for　as　Mr　F。　himself　said　if　seeing　is　believing
not　seeing　is　believing　too　and　when　you　don't　see　you　may　fully　believe
you're　not　remembered　not　that　I　expect　you　Arthur　Doyce　and　Clennam　to
remember　me　why　should　I　for　the　days　are　gone　but　bring　another　teacup
here　directly　and　tell　her　fresh　toast　and　pray　sit　near　the　fire。'

Arthur　was　in　the　greatest　anxiety　to　explain　the　object　of　his
visit；　but　was　put　off　for　the　moment；　in　spite　of　himself；　by　what　he
understood　of　the　reproachful　purport　of　these　words；　and　by　the　genuine
pleasure　she　testified　in　seeing　him。　'And　now　pray　tell　me　something
all　you　know；'　said　Flora；　drawing　her　chair　near　to　his；　'about
the　good　dear　quiet　little　thing　and　all　the　changes　of　her　fortunes
carriage　people　now　no　doubt　and　horses　without　number　most　romantic；　a
coat　of　arms　of　course　and　wild　beasts　on　their　hind　legs　showing　it
as　if　it　was　a　copy　they　had　done　with　mouths　from　ear　to　ear　good
gracious；　and　has　she　her　health　which　is　the　first　consideration　after
all　for　what　is　wealth　without　it　Mr　F。　himself　so　often　saying　when　his
twinges　came　that　sixpence　a　day　and　find　yourself　and　no　gout　so　much
preferable；　not　that　he　could　have　lived　on　anything　like　it　being　the
last　man　or　that　the　previous　little　thing　though　far　too　familiar　an
expression　now　had　any　tendency　of　that　sort　much　too　slight　and　small
but　looked　so　fragile　bless　her？'

Mr　F。's　Aunt；　who　had　eaten　a　piece　of　toast　down　to　the　crust；　here
solemnly　handed　the　crust　to　Flora；　who　ate　it　for　her　as　a　matter　of
business。　Mr　F。's　Aunt　then　moistened　her　ten　fingers　in　slow　succession
at　her　lips；　and　wiped　them　in　exactly　the　same　order　on　the　white
handkerchief；　then　took　the　other　piece　of　toast；　and　fell　to　work
upon　it。　While　pursuing　this　routine；　she　looked　at　Clennam　with　an
expression　of　such　intense　severity　that　he　felt　obliged　to　look　at　her
in　return；　against　his　personal　inclinations。

'She　is　in　Italy；　with　all　her　family；　Flora；'　he　said；　when　the　dreaded
lady　was　occupied　again。

'In　Italy　is　she　really？'　said　Flora；　'with　the　grapes　growing
everywhere　and　lava　necklaces　and　bracelets　too　that　land　of　poetry　with
burning　mountains　picturesque　beyond　belief　though　if　the　organ…boys
e　away　from　the　neighbourhood　not　to　be　scorched　nobody　can　wonder
being　so　young　and　bringing　their　white　mice　with　them　most　humane；　and
is　she　really　in　that　favoured　land　with　nothing　but　blue　about　her　and
dying　gladiators　and　Belvederes　though　Mr　F。　himself　did　not　believe
for　his　objection　when　in　spirits　was　that　the　images　could　not　be　true
there　being　no　medium　between　expensive　quantities　of　linen　badly　got
up　and　all　in　creases　and　none　whatever；　which　certainly　does　not　seem
probable　though　perhaps　in　consequence　of　the　extremes　of　rich　and　poor
which　may　account　for　it。'

Arthur　tried　to　edge　a　word　in；　but　Flora　hurried　on　again。

'Venice　Preserved　too；'　said　she；　'I　think　you　have　been　there　is　it
well　or　ill　preserved　for　people　differ　so　and　Maccaroni　if　they　really
eat　it　like　the　conjurors　why　not　cut　it　shorter；　you　are　acquainted
Arthur……dear　Doyce　and　Clennam　at　least　not　dear　and　most　assuredly
not　Doyce　for　I　have　not　the　pleasure　but　pray　excuse　me……acquainted　I
believe　with　Mantua　what　has　it　got　to　do　with　Mantua…making　for　I　never
have　been　able　to　conceive？'

'I　believe　there　is　no　connection；　Flora；　between　the　two；'　Arthur　was
beginning；　when　she　caught　him　up　again。

'Upon　your　word　no　isn't　there　I　never　did　but　that's　like　me　I　run　away
with　an　idea　and　having　none　to　spare　I　keep　it；　alas　there　was　a　time
dear　Arthur　that　is　to　say　decidedly　not　dear　nor　Arthur　neither　but　you
understand　me　when　one　bright　idea　gilded　the　what's…his…name　horizon　of
et　cetera　but　it　is　darkly　clouded　now　and　all　is　over。'

Arthur's　increasing　wish　to　speak　of　something　very　different　was　by
this　time　so　plainly　written　on　his　face；　that　Flora　stopped　in　a　tender
look；　and　asked　him　what　it　was？

'I　have　the　greatest　desire；　Flora；　to　speak　to　some　one　who　is　now　in
this　house……with　Mr　Casby　no　doubt。　Some　one　whom　I　saw　e　in；　and
who；　in　a　misguided　and　deplorable　way；　has　deserted　the　house　of　a
friend　of　mine。'

'Papa　sees　so　many　and　such　odd　people；'　said　Flora；　rising；　'that　I
shouldn't　venture　to　go　down　for　any　one　but　you　Arthur　but　for　you　I
would　willingly　go　down　in　a　diving…bell　much　more　a　dining…room　and
will　e　back　directly　if　you'll　mind　and　at　the　same　time　not　mind　Mr
F。's　Aunt　while　I'm　gone。'

With　those　words　and　a　parting　glance；　Flora　bustled　out；　leaving
Clennam　under　dreadful　apprehension　of　this　terrible　charge。

The　first　variation　which　manifested　itself　in　Mr　F。's　Aunt's　demeanour
when　she　had　finished　her　piece　of　toast；　was　a　loud　and　prolonged
sniff。　Finding　it　impossible　to　avoid　construing　this　demonstration
into　a　defiance　of　himself；　its　gloomy　significance　being　unmistakable；
Clennam　looked　plaintively　at　the　excellent　though　prejudiced　lady
from　whom　it　emanated；　in　the　hope　that　she　might　be　disarmed　by　a　meek
submission。

'None　of　your　eyes　at　me；'　said　Mr　F。's　Aunt；　shivering　with　hostility。
'Take　that。'

'That'　was　the　crust　of　the　piece　of　toast。　Clennam　accepted　the　boon
with　a　look　of　gratitude；　and　held　it　in　his　hand　under　the　pressure
of　a　little　embarrassment；　which　was　not　relieved　when　Mr　F。's　Aunt；
elevating　her　voice　into　a　cry　of　considerable　power；　exclaimed；　'He
has　a　proud　stomach；　this　chap！　He's　too　proud　a　chap　to　eat　it！'　and；
ing　out　of　her　chair；　shook　her　venerable　fist　so　very　close　to　his
nose　as　to　tickle　the　surface。　But　for　the　timely　return　of　Flora；　to
find　him　in　this　difficult　situation；　further　consequences　might
have　ensued。　Flora；　without　the　least　disposure　or　surprise；　but
congratulating　the　old　lady　in　an　approving　manner　on　being　'very　lively
to…night'；　handed　her　back　to　her　chair。

'He　has　a　proud　stomach；　this　chap；'　said　Mr　F。's　relation；　on　being
reseated。　'Give　him　a　meal　of　chaff！'

'Oh！　I　don't　think　he　would　like　that；　aunt；'　returned　Flora。

'Give　him　a　meal　of　chaff；　I　tell　you；'　said　Mr　F。's　Aunt；　glaring　round
Flora　on　her　enemy。　'It's　the　only　thing　for　a　proud　stomach。　Let　him
eat　up　every　morsel。　Drat　him；　give　him　a　meal　of　chaff！'

Under　a　general　pretence　of　helping　him　to　this　refreshment；　Flora　got
him　out　on　the　staircase；　Mr　F。's　Aunt　even　then　constantly　reiterating；
with　inexpressible　bitterness；　that　he　was　'a　chap；'　and　had　a　'proud
stomach；'　and　over　and　over　again　insisting　on　that　equine　provision
being　made　for　him　which　she　had　already　so　strongly　prescribed。

'Such　an　inconvenient　staircase　and　so　many　corner…stairs　Arthur；'
whispered　Flora；　'would　you　object　to　putting　your　arm　round　me　under　my
pelerine？'

With　a　sense　of　going　down…stairs　in　a　highly…ridiculous　manner；　Clennam
descended　in　the　required　attitude；　and　only　released　his　fair　burden　at
the　dining…room　door；　indeed；　even　there　she　was　rather　difficult　to
be　got　rid　of；　remaining　in　his　embrace　to　murmur；　'Arthur；　for　mercy's
sake；　don't　breathe　it　to　papa！'

She　acpanied　Arthur　into　the　room；　where　the　Patriarch　sat　alone；
with　his　list　shoes　on　the　fender；　twirling　his　thumbs　as　if　he　had
never　left　off。　The　youthful　Patriarch；　aged　ten；　looked　out　of　his
picture…frame　above　him　with　no　calmer　air　than　he。　Both　smooth　heads
were　alike　beaming；　blundering；　and　bumpy。

'Mr　Clennam；　I　am　glad　to　see　you。　I　hope　you　are　well；　sir；　I　hope　you
are　well。　Please　to　sit　down；　please　to　sit　down。'

'I　had　hoped；　sir；'　said　Clennam；　doing　so；　and　looking　round　with　a
face　of　blank　disappointment；　'not　to　find　you　alone。'

'Ah；　indeed？'　said　the　Patriarch；　sweetly。　'Ah；　indeed？'

'I　told　you　so　you　know　papa；'　cried　Flora。

'Ah；　to　be　sure！'　returned　the　Patriarch。　'Yes；　just　so。　Ah；　to　be
sure！'

'Pray；　sir；'demanded　Clennam；　anxiously；　'is　Miss　Wade　gone？'

'Miss……？　Oh；　you　call　her　Wade；'　returned　Mr　Casby。　'Highly　proper。'
Arthur　quickly　returned；　'What　do　you　call　her？'

'Wade；'　said　Mr　Casby。　'Oh；　always　Wade。'

After　looking　at　the　philanthropic　visage　and　the　long　silky　white　hair
for　a　few　seconds；　during　which　Mr　Casby　twirled　his　thumbs；　and　smiled
at　the　fire　as　if　he　were　benevolently　wishing　it　to　burn　him　that　he
might　forgive　it；　Arthur　began：

'I　beg　your　pardon；　Mr　Casby……'

'Not　so；　not　so；'　said　the　Patriarch；　'not　so。'

'……But；　Miss　Wade　had　an　attendant　with　her……a　young　woman　brought　up
by　friends　of　mine；　over　whom　her　influence　is　not　considered　very
salutary；　and　to　whom　I　should　be　glad　to　have　the　opportunity　of　giving
the　assurance　that　she　has　not　yet　forfeited　the　interest　of　those
protectors。'

'Really；　really？'　returned　the　Patriarch。

'Will　you　therefore　be　so　good　as　to　give　me　the　address　of　Miss　Wade？'

'Dear；　dear；　dear！'　said　the　Patriarch；　'how　very　unfortunate！　If　you
had　only　sent　in　to　me　when　they　were　here！　I　observed　the　young　woman；
Mr　Clennam。　A　fine　full…coloured　young　woman；　Mr　Clennam；　with　very　dark
hair　and　very　dark　eyes。　If　I　mistake　not；　if　I　mistake　not？'

Arthur　assented；　and　said　once　more　with　new　expression；　'If　you　would
be　so　good　as　to　give　me　the　address。'

'Dear；　dear；　dear！'　exclaimed　the　Patriarch　in　sweet　regret。　'Tut；　tut；
tut！　what　a　pity；　what　a　pity！　I　have　no　address；　sir。　Miss　Wade　mostly
lives　abroad；　Mr　Clennam。　She　has　done　so　for　some　years；　and　she　is　（if
I　may　say　so　of　a　fellow…creature　and　a　lady）　fitful　and　uncertain　to　a
fault；　Mr　Clennam。　I　may　not　see　her　again　for　a　long；　long　time。　I　may
never　see　her　again。　What　a　pity；　what　a　pity！'

Clennam　saw　now；　that　he　had　as　much　hope　of　getting　assistance　out　of
the　Portrait　as　out　of　the　Patriarch；　but　he　said　nevertheless：

'Mr　Casby；　could　you；　for　the　satisfaction　of　the　friends　I　have
mentioned；　and　under　any　obligation　of　secrecy　that　you　may　consider　it
your　duty　to　impose；　give　me　any　information　at　all　touching　Miss　Wade？
I　have　seen　her　abroad；　and　I　have　seen　her　at　home；　but　I　know　nothing
of　her。　Could　you　give　me　any　account　of　her　whatever？'

'None；'　returned　the　Patriarch；　shaking　his　big　head　with　his　utmost
benevolence。　'None　at　all。　Dear；　dear；　dear！　What　a　real　pity　that
she　stayed　so　short　a　time；　and　you　delayed！　As　confidential　agency
business；　agency　business；　I　have　occasionally　paid　this　lady　money；　but
what　satisfaction　is　it　to　you；　sir；　to　know　that？'

'Truly；　none　at　all；'　said　Clennam。

'Truly；'　assented　the　Patriarch；　with　a　shining　face　as　he
philanthropically　smiled　at　the　fire；　'none　at　all；　sir。　You　hit　the
wise　answer；　Mr　Clennam。　Truly；　none　at　all；　sir。'　His　turning　of
his　smooth　thumbs　over　one　another　as　he　sat　there；　w