little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第107章

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'Amy；'　he　resumed；　'your　dear　sister；　our　Fanny；　has　contracted
ha　hum……a　marriage；　eminently　calculated　to　extend　the　basis　of
our……ha……connection；　and　to……hum……consolidate　our　social　relations。　My
love；　I　trust　that　the　time　is　not　far　distant　when　some……ha……eligible
partner　may　be　found　for　you。'

'Oh　no！　Let　me　stay　with　you。　I　beg　and　pray　that　I　may　stay　with　you！　I
want　nothing　but　to　stay　and　take　care　of　you！'　She　said　it　like　one　in
sudden　alarm。

'Nay；　Amy；　Amy；'　said　Mr　Dorrit。　'This　is　weak　and　foolish；　weak
and　foolish。　You　have　a……ha……responsibility　imposed　upon　you　by　your
position。　It　is　to　develop　that　position；　and　be……hum……worthy　of　that
position。　As　to　taking　care　of　me；　I　can……ha……take　care　of　myself。
Or；'　he　added　after　a　moment；　'if　I　should　need　to　be　taken　care　of；
I……hum……can；　with　the……ha……blessing　of　Providence；　be　taken　care　of；
I……ha　hum……I　cannot；　my　dear　child；　think　of　engrossing；　and……ha……as　it
were；　sacrificing　you。'

O　what　a　time　of　day　at　which　to　begin　that　profession　of　self…denial；
at　which　to　make　it；　with　an　air　of　taking　credit　for　it；　at　which　to
believe　it；　if　such　a　thing　could　be！

'Don't　speak；　Amy。　I　positively　say　I　cannot　do　it。　I……ha……must　not　do
it。　My……hum……conscience　would　not　allow　it。　I　therefore；　my　love；　take
the　opportunity　afforded　by　this　gratifying　and　impressive　occasion
of……ha……solemnly　remarking；　that　it　is　now　a　cherished　wish　and　purpose
of　mine　to　see　you……ha……eligibly　（I　repeat　eligibly）　married。'

'Oh　no；　dear！　Pray！'

'Amy；'　said　Mr　Dorrit；　'I　am　well　persuaded　that　if　the　topic　were
referred　to　any　person　of　superior　social　knowledge；　of　superior
delicacy　and　sense……let　us　say；　for　instance；　to……ha……Mrs　General……that
there　would　not　be　two　opinions　as　to　the……hum……affectionate　character
and　propriety　of　my　sentiments。　But；　as　I　know　your　loving　and　dutiful
nature　from……hum……from　experience；　I　am　quite　satisfied　that　it　is
necessary　to　say　no　more。　I　have……hum……no　husband　to　propose　at
present；　my　dear：　I　have　not　even　one　in　view。　I　merely　wish　that　we
should……ha……understand　each　other。　Hum。　Good　night；　my　dear　and　sole
remaining　daughter。　Good　night。

God　bless　you！'

If　the　thought　ever　entered　Little　Dorrit's　head　that　night；　that　he
could　give　her　up　lightly　now　in　his　prosperity；　and　when　he　had　it　in
his　mind　to　replace　her　with　a　second　wife；　she　drove　it　away。　Faithful
to　him　still；　as　in　the　worst　times　through　which　she　had　borne　him
single…handed；　she　drove　the　thought　away；　and　entertained　no　harder
reflection；　in　her　tearful　unrest；　than　that　he　now　saw　everything
through　their　wealth；　and　through　the　care　he　always　had　upon　him　that
they　should　continue　rich；　and　grow　richer。

They　sat　in　their　equipage　of　state；　with　Mrs　General　on　the　box；　for
three　weeks　longer；　and　then　he　started　for　Florence　to　join　Fanny。
Little　Dorrit　would　have　been　glad　to　bear　him　pany　so　far；　only　for
the　sake　of　her　own　love；　and　then　to　have　turned　back　alone；　thinking
of　dear　England。　But；　though　the　Courier　had　gone　on　with　the　Bride；　the
Valet　was　next　in　the　line；　and　the　succession　would　not　have　e　to
her；　as　long　as　any　one　could　be　got　for　money。

Mrs　General　took　life　easily……as　easily；　that　is；　as　she　could
take　anything……when　the　Roman　establishment　remained　in　their　sole
occupation；　and　Little　Dorrit　would　often　ride　out　in　a　hired　carriage
that　was　left　them；　and　alight　alone　and　wander　among　the　ruins　of　old
Rome。　The　ruins　of　the　vast　old　Amphitheatre；　of　the　old　Temples；　of　the
old　memorative　Arches；　of　the　old　trodden　highways；　of　the　old
tombs；　besides　being　what　they　were；　to　her　were　ruins　of　the　old
Marshalsea……ruins　of　her　own　old　life……ruins　of　the　faces　and　forms
that　of　old　peopled　it……ruins　of　its　loves；　hopes；　cares；　and　joys。　Two
ruined　spheres　of　action　and　suffering　were　before　the　solitary　girl
often　sitting　on　some　broken　fragment；　and　in　the　lonely　places；　under
the　blue　sky；　she　saw　them　both　together。

Up；　then；　would　e　Mrs　General；　taking　all　the　colour　out　of
everything；　as　Nature　and　Art　had　taken　it　out　of　herself；　writing
Prunes　and　Prism；　in　Mr　Eustace's　text；　wherever　she　could　lay　a　hand；
looking　everywhere　for　Mr　Eustace　and　pany；　and　seeing　nothing　else；
scratching　up　the　driest　little　bones　of　antiquity；　and　bolting　them
whole　without　any　human　visitings……like　a　Ghoule　in　gloves。




CHAPTER　16。　Getting　on

The　newly　married　pair；　on　their　arrival　in　Harley　Street；　Cavendish
Square；　London；　were　received　by　the　Chief　Butler。　That　great　man　was
not　interested　in　them；　but　on　the　whole　endured　them。　People　must
continue　to　be　married　and　given　in　marriage；　or　Chief　Butlers　would　not
be　wanted。　As　nations　are　made　to　be　taxed；　so　families　are　made　to
be　butlered。　The　Chief　Butler；　no　doubt；　reflected　that　the　course　of
nature　required　the　wealthy　population　to　be　kept　up；　on　his　account。

He　therefore　condescended　to　look　at　the　carriage　from　the　Hall…door
without　frowning　at　it；　and　said；　in　a　very　handsome　way；　to　one　of
his　men；　'Thomas；　help　with　the　luggage。'　He　even　escorted　the　Bride
up…stairs　into　Mr　Merdle's　presence；　but　this　must　be　considered　as　an
act　of　homage　to　the　sex　（of　which　he　was　an　admirer；　being　notoriously
captivated　by　the　charms　of　a　certain　Duchess）；　and　not　as　a　mittal
of　himself　with　the　family。

Mr　Merdle　was　slinking　about　the　hearthrug；　waiting　to　wele　Mrs
Sparkler。　His　hand　seemed　to　retreat　up　his　sleeve　as　he　advanced　to
do　so；　and　he　gave　her　such　a　superfluity　of　coat…cuff　that　it　was　like
being　received　by　the　popular　conception　of　Guy　Fawkes。　When　he　put　his
lips　to　hers；　besides；　he　took　himself　into　custody　by　the　wrists；　and
backed　himself　among　the　ottomans　and　chairs　and　tables　as　if　he　were
his　own　Police　officer；　saying　to　himself；　'Now；　none　of　that！　e！
I've　got　you；　you　knoe！'

Mrs　Sparkler；　installed　in　the　rooms　of　state……the　innermost　sanctuary
of　down；　silk；　chintz；　and　fine　linen……felt　that　so　far　her　triumph　was
good；　and　her　way　made；　step　by　step。　On　the　day　before　her　marriage；
she　had　bestowed　on　Mrs　Merdle's　maid　with　an　air　of　gracious
indifference；　in　Mrs　Merdle's　presence；　a　trifling　little　keepsake
（bracelet；　bon；　and　two　dresses；　all　new）　about　four　times　as
valuable　as　the　present　formerly　made　by　Mrs　Merdle　to　her。　She　was　now
established　in　Mrs　Merdle's　own　rooms；　to　which　some　extra　touches　had
been　given　to　render　them　more　worthy　of　her　occupation。　In　her　mind's
eye；　as　she　lounged　there；　surrounded　by　every　luxurious　accessory　that
wealth　could　obtain　or　invention　devise；　she　saw　the　fair　bosom　that
beat　in　unison　with　the　exultation　of　her　thoughts；　peting　with　the
bosom　that　had　been　famous　so　long；　outshining　it；　and　deposing　it。
Happy？　Fanny　must　have　been　happy。　No　more　wishing　one's　self　dead　now。

The　Courier　had　not　approved　of　Mr　Dorrit's　staying　in　the　house　of
a　friend；　and　had　preferred　to　take　him　to　an　hotel　in　Brook　Street；
Grosvenor　Square。　Mr　Merdle　ordered　his　carriage　to　be　ready　early
in　the　morning　that　he　might　wait　upon　Mr　Dorrit　immediately　after
breakfast。　Bright　the　carriage　looked；　sleek　the　horses　looked；　gleaming
the　harness　looked；　luscious　and　lasting　the　liveries　looked。　A　rich；
responsible　turn…out。　An　equipage　for　a　Merdle。　Early　people　looked
after　it　as　it　rattled　along　the　streets；　and　said；　with　awe　in　their
breath；　'There　he　goes！'

There　he　went；　until　Brook　Street　stopped　him。　Then；　forth　from　its
magnificent　case　came　the　jewel；　not　lustrous　in　itself；　but　quite　the
contrary。

motion　in　the　office　of　the　hotel。　Merdle！　The　landlord；　though
a　gentleman　of　a　haughty　spirit　who　had　just　driven　a　pair　of
thorough…bred　horses　into　town；　turned　out　to　show　him　up…stairs。
The　clerks　and　servants　cut　him　off　by　back…passages；　and　were　found
accidentally　hovering　in　doorways　and　angles；　that　they　might　look　upon
him。　Merdle！　O　ye　sun；　moon；　and　stars；　the　great　man！　The　rich　man；　who
had　in　a　manner　revised　the　New　Testament；　and　already　entered　into　the
kingdom　of　Heaven。　The　man　who　could　have　any　one　he　chose　to　dine　with
him；　and　who　had　made　the　money！

As　he　went　up　the　stairs；　people　were　already　posted　on　the　lower
stairs；　that　his　shadow　might　fall　upon　them　when　he　came　down。　So　were
the　sick　brought　out　and　laid　in　the　track　of　the　Apostle……who　had　NOT
got　into　the　good　society；　and　had　NOT　made　the　money。

Mr　Dorrit；　dressing…gowned　and　newspapered；　was　at　his　breakfast。　The
Courier；　with　agitation　in　his　voice；　announced　'Miss　Mairdale！'　Mr
Dorrit's　overwrought　heart　bounded　as　he　leaped　up。

'Mr　Merdle；　this　is……ha……indeed　an　honour。　Permit　me　to　express
the……hum……sense；　the　high　sense；　I　entertain　of　this……ha　hum……highly
gratifying　act　of　attention。　I　am　well　aware；　sir；　of　the　many　demands
upon　your　time；　and　its……ha……enormous　value；'　Mr　Dorrit　could　not
say　enormous　roundly　enough　for　his　own　satisfaction。　'That　you
should……ha……at　this　early　hour；　bestow　any　of　your　priceless　time　upon
me；　is……ha……a　pliment　that　I　acknowledge　with　the　greatest　esteem。'
Mr　Dorrit　positively　trembled　in　addressing　the　great　man。

Mr　Merdle　uttered；　in　his　subdued；　inward；　hesitating　voice；　a　few
sounds　that　were　to　no　purpose　whatever；　and　finally　said；　'I　am　glad　to
see　you；　sir。'

'You　are　very　kind；'　said　Mr　Dorrit。　'Truly　kind。'　By　this　time　the
visitor　was　seated；　and　was　passing　his　great　hand　over　his　exhausted
forehead。　'You　are　well；　I　hope；　Mr　Merdle？'

'I　am　as　well　as　I……yes；　I　am　as　well　as　I　usually　am；'　said　Mr　Merdle。

'Your　occupations　must　be　immense。'

'Tolerably　so。　But……Oh　dear　no；　there's　not　much　the　matter　with　me；'
said　Mr　Merdle；　looking　round　the　room。

'A　little　dyspeptic？'　Mr　Dorrit　hinted。

'Very　likely。　But　I……Oh；　I　am　well　enough；'　said　Mr　Merdle。

There　were　black　traces　on　his　lips　where　they　met；　as　if　a　little　train
of　gunpowder　had　been　fired　there；　and　he　looked　like　a　man　who；　if　his
natural　temperament　had　been　quicker；　would　have　been　very　feverish　that
morning。　This；　and　his　heavy　way　of　passing　his　hand　over　his　forehead；
had　prompted　Mr　Dorrit's　solicitous　inquiries。

'Mrs　Merdle；'　Mr　Dorrit　insinuatingly　pursued；　'I　left；　as　you　will　be
prepared　to　hear；　the……ha……observed　of　all　observers；　the……hum……admired
of　all　admirers；　the　leading　fascination　and　charm　of　Society　in　Rome。
She　was　looking　wonderfully　well　when　I　quitted　it。'

'Mrs　Merdle；'　said　Mr　Merdle；　'is　generally　considered　a　very　attractive
woman。　And　she　is；　no　doubt。　I　am　sensible　of　her　being　SO。'

'Who　can　be　otherwise？'　responded　Mr　Dorrit。

Mr　Merdle　turned　his　tongue　in　his　closed　mouth……it　seemed　rather　a
stiff　and　unmanageable　tongue……moistened　his　lips；　passed　his　hand　over
his　forehead　again；　and　looked　all　round　the　room　again；　principally
under　the　chairs。

'But；'　he　said；　looking　Mr　Dorrit　in　the　face　for　the　first　time；　and
immediately　afterwards　dropping　his　eyes　to　the　buttons　of　Mr　Dorrit's
waistcoat；　'if　we　speak　of　attractions；　your　daughter　ought　to　be　the
subject　of　our　conversation。　She　is　extremely　beautiful。　Both　in　face
and　figure；　she　is　quite　unmon。　When　the　young　people　arrived　last
night；　I　was　really　surprised　to　see　such　charms。'

Mr　Dorrit's　gratification　was　such　that　he　said……ha……he　could　not
refrain　from　telling　Mr　Merdle　verbally；　as　he　had　already　done　by
letter；　what　honour　and　happiness　he　felt　in　this　union　of　their
families。　And　he　offered　his　hand。　Mr　Merdle　looked　at　the　hand　for　a
little　while；　took　it　on　his　for　a　moment　as　if　his　were　a　yellow　salver
or　fish…slice；　and　then　returned　it　to　Mr　Dorrit。

'I　thought　I　would　drive　round　the　first　thing；'　said　Mr　Merdle；　'to
offer　my　services；　in　case　I　can　do　anything　for　you；　and　to　say　that
I　hope　you　will　at　least　do　me　the　honour　of　dining　with　me　to…day；　and
every　day　when　you　are　not　better　engaged　during　your　stay　in　town。'

Mr　Dorrit　was　enraptured　by　these　attentions。

'Do　you　stay　long；　sir？'

'I　have　not　at　present　the　intention；'　said　Mr　Dorrit；
'of……ha……exceeding　a　fortnight。'

'That's　a　very　short　stay；　after　so　long　a　journey；'　returned　Mr　Merdle。

'Hum。　Yes；'　said　Mr　Dorrit。　'But　the　truth　is……ha……my　dear　Mr　Merdle；
that　I　find　a　foreign　life　so　well　suited　to　my　health　and　taste；　that
I……hum……have　but　two　objects　in　my　present　visit　to　London。　First；
the……ha……the　distinguished　happiness　and……ha……privilege　which　I　now
enjoy　and　appreciate；　secondly；　the　arrangement……hum……the　laying　out；
that　is　to　say；　in　the　best　way；　of……ha；　hum……my　money。'

'Well；　sir；'　said　Mr　Merdle；　after　turning　his　tongue　again；　'if　I　can
be　of　any　use　to　you　in　that　respect；　you　may　mand　me。'

Mr　Dorrit's　speech　had　had　more　hesitation　in　it　than　usual；　as　he
approached　the　ticklish　topic；　for　he　was　not　perfectly　clear　how　so
exalted　a　potentate　might　take　it。　He　had　doubts　whether　reference　to
any　individual　capital；　or　fortune；　might　not　seem　a　wretchedly　retail
affair　to　so　wholesale　a　dealer。　Greatly　relieved　by　Mr　Merdle's
affable　offer　of　assistance；　he　caught　at　it　directly；　and　heaped
acknowledgments　upon　him。

'I　scarcely……ha……dared；'　said　Mr　Dorrit；　'I　assure　you；　to　hope　for
so……hum……vast　an　ad