little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第110章

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'On　what　he　called　business；'　returned　Mrs　Clennam。

'Is……ha……excuse　me……is　its　nature　to　be　municated？'

'No。'

It　was　evidently　impracticable　to　pass　the　barrier　of　that　reply。

'The　question　has　been　asked　before；'　said　Mrs　Clennam；　'and　the　answer
has　been；　No。　We　don't　choose　to　publish　our　transactions；　however
unimportant；　to　all　the　town。　We　say；　No。'

'I　mean；　he　took　away　no　money　with　him；　for　example；'　said　Mr　Dorrit。

'He　took　away　none　of　ours；　sir；　and　got　none　here。'

'I　suppose；'　observed　Mr　Dorrit；　glancing　from　Mrs　Clennam　to　Mr
Flintwinch；　and　from　Mr　Flintwinch　to　Mrs　Clennam；　'you　have　no　way　of
accounting　to　yourself　for　this　mystery？'

'Why　do　you　suppose　so？'　rejoined　Mrs　Clennam。

Disconcerted　by　the　cold　and　hard　inquiry；　Mr　Dorrit　was　unable　to
assign　any　reason　for　his　supposing　so。

'I　account　for　it；　sir；'　she　pursued　after　an　awkward　silence　on　Mr
Dorrit's　part；　'by　having　no　doubt　that　he　is　travelling　somewhere；　or
hiding　somewhere。'

'Do　you　know……ha……why　he　should　hide　anywhere？'

'No。'

It　was　exactly　the　same　No　as　before；　and　put　another　barrier　up。　'You
asked　me　if　I　accounted　for　the　disappearance　to　myself；'　Mrs　Clennam
sternly　reminded　him；　'not　if　I　accounted　for　it　to　you。　I　do　not
pretend　to　account　for　it　to　you；　sir。　I　understand　it　to　be　no　more　my
business　to　do　that；　than　it　is　yours　to　require　that。'

Mr　Dorrit　answered　with　an　apologetic　bend　of　his　head。　As　he　stepped
back；　preparatory　to　saying　he　had　no　more　to　ask；　he　could　not　but
observe　how　gloomily　and　fixedly　she　sat　with　her　eyes　fastened　on
the　ground；　and　a　certain　air　upon　her　of　resolute　waiting；　also；
how　exactly　the　self…same　expression　was　reflected　in　Mr　Flintwinch；
standing　at　a　little　distance　from　her　chair；　with　his　eyes　also　on　the
ground；　and　his　right　hand　softly　rubbing　his　chin。

At　that　moment；　Mistress　Affery　（of　course；　the　woman　with　the　apron）
dropped　the　candlestick　she　held；　and　cried　out；　'There！　O　good　Lord！
there　it　is　again。　Hark；　Jeremiah！　Now！'

If　there　were　any　sound　at　all；　it　was　so　slight　that　she　must　have
fallen　into　a　confirmed　habit　of　listening　for　sounds；　but　Mr　Dorrit
believed　he　did　hear　a　something；　like　the　falling　of　dry　leaves。　The
woman's　terror；　for　a　very　short　space；　seemed　to　touch　the　three；　and
they　all　listened。

Mr　Flintwinch　was　the　first　to　stir。　'Affery；　my　woman；'　said　he；
sidling　at　her　with　his　fists　clenched；　and　his　elbows　quivering　with
impatience　to　shake　her；　'you　are　at　your　old　tricks。　You'll　be　walking
in　your　sleep　next；　my　woman；　and　playing　the　whole　round　of　your
distempered　antics。　You　must　have　some　physic。　When　I　have　shown　this
gentleman　out；　I'll　make　you　up　such　a　fortable　dose；　my　woman；　such
a　fortable　dose！'

It　did　not　appear　altogether　fortable　in　expectation　to　Mistress
Affery；　but　Jeremiah；　without　further　reference　to　his　healing　medicine；
took　another　candle　from　Mrs　Clennam's　table；　and　said；　'Now；　sir；　shall
I　light　you　down？'

Mr　Dorrit　professed　himself　obliged；　and　went　down。　Mr　Flintwinch　shut
him　out；　and　chained　him　out；　without　a　moment's　loss　of　time。

He　was　again　passed　by　the　two　men；　one　going　out　and　the　other　ing
in；　got　into　the　vehicle　he　had　left　waiting；　and　was　driven　away。

Before　he　had　gone　far；　the　driver　stopped　to　let　him　know　that　he
had　given　his　name；　number；　and　address　to　the　two　men；　on　their　joint
requisition；　and　also　the　address　at　which　he　had　taken　Mr　Dorrit　up；
the　hour　at　which　he　had　been　called　from　his　stand　and　the　way　by　which
he　had　e。　This　did　not　make　the　night's　adventure　run　any　less　hotly
in　Mr　Dorrit's　mind；　either　when　he　sat　down　by　his　fire　again；　or
when　he　went　to　bed。　All　night　he　haunted　the　dismal　house；　saw　the　two
people　resolutely　waiting；　heard　the　woman　with　her　apron　over　her　face
cry　out　about　the　noise；　and　found　the　body　of　the　missing　Blandois；　now
buried　in　the　cellar；　and　now　bricked　up　in　a　wall。




CHAPTER　18。　A　Castle　in　the　Air


Manifold　are　the　cares　of　wealth　and　state。　Mr　Dorrit's　satisfaction　in
remembering　that　it　had　not　been　necessary　for　him　to　announce　himself
to　Clennam　and　Co。；　or　to　make　an　allusion　to　his　having　had　any
knowledge　of　the　intrusive　person　of　that　name；　had　been　damped
over…night；　while　it　was　still　fresh；　by　a　debate　that　arose　within　him
whether　or　no　he　should　take　the　Marshalsea　in　his　way　back；　and　look
at　the　old　gate。　He　had　decided　not　to　do　so；　and　had　astonished　the
coachman　by　being　very　fierce　with　him　for　proposing　to　go　over　London
Bridge　and　recross　the　river　by　Waterloo　Bridge……a　course　which　would
have　taken　him　almost　within　sight　of　his　old　quarters。　Still；　for　all
that；　the　question　had　raised　a　conflict　in　his　breast；　and；　for　some
odd　reason　or　no　reason；　he　was　vaguely　dissatisfied。　Even　at　the　Merdle
dinner…table　next　day；　he　was　so　out　of　sorts　about　it　that　he
continued　at　intervals　to　turn　it　over　and　over；　in　a　manner　frightfully
inconsistent　with　the　good　society　surrounding　him。　It　made　him　hot　to
think　what　the　Chief　Butler's　opinion　of　him　would　have　been；　if　that
illustrious　personage　could　have　plumbed　with　that　heavy　eye　of　his　the
stream　of　his　meditations。

The　farewell　banquet　was　of　a　gorgeous　nature；　and　wound　up　his　visit
in　a　most　brilliant　manner。　Fanny　bined　with　the　attractions　of　her
youth　and　beauty；　a　certain　weight　of　self…sustainment　as　if　she　had
been　married　twenty　years。　He　felt　that　he　could　leave　her　with　a
quiet　mind　to　tread　the　paths　of　distinction；　and　wished……but　without
abatement　of　patronage；　and　without　prejudice　to　the　retiring　virtues　of
his　favourite　child……that　he　had　such　another　daughter。

'My　dear；'　he　told　her　at　parting；　'our　family　looks　to　you
to……ha……assert　its　dignity　and……hum……maintain　its　importance。　I　know　you
will　never　disappoint　it。'

'No；　papa；'　said　Fanny；　'you　may　rely　upon　that；　I　think。　My　best　love
to　dearest　Amy；　and　I　will　write　to　her　very　soon。'

'Shall　I　convey　any　message　to……ha……anybody　else？'　asked　Mr　Dorrit；　in
an　insinuating　manner。

'Papa；'　said　Fanny；　before　whom　Mrs　General　instantly　loomed；　'no；　I
thank　you。　You　are　very　kind；　Pa；　but　I　must　beg　to　be　excused。　There
is　no　other　message　to　send；　I　thank　you；　dear　papa；　that　it　would　be　at
all　agreeable　to　you　to　take。'

They　parted　in　an　outer　drawing…room；　where　only　Mr　Sparkler　waited
on　his　lady；　and　dutifully　bided　his　time　for　shaking　hands。　When　Mr
Sparkler　was　admitted　to　this　closing　audience；　Mr　Merdle　came　creeping
in　with　not　much　more　appearance　of　arms　in　his　sleeves　than　if　he
had　been　the　twin　brother　of　Miss　Biffin；　and　insisted　on　escorting
Mr　Dorrit　down…stairs。　All　Mr　Dorrit's　protestations　being　in　vain；
he　enjoyed　the　honour　of　being　acpanied　to　the　hall…door　by　this
distinguished　man；　who　（as　Mr　Dorrit　told　him　in　shaking　hands　on　the
step）　had　really　overwhelmed　him　with　attentions　and　services　during
this　memorable　visit。　Thus　they　parted；　Mr　Dorrit　entering　his　carriage
with　a　swelling　breast；　not　at　all　sorry　that　his　Courier；　who　had
e　to　take　leave　in　the　lower　regions；　should　have　an　opportunity　of
beholding　the　grandeur　of　his　departure。

The　aforesaid　grandeur　was　yet　full　upon　Mr　Dorrit　when　he　alighted　at
his　hotel。　Helped　out　by　the　Courier　and　some　half…dozen　of　the　hotel
servants；　he　was　passing　through　the　hall　with　a　serene　magnificence；
when　lo！　a　sight　presented　itself　that　struck　him　dumb　and　motionless。
John　Chivery；　in　his　best　clothes；　with　his　tall　hat　under　his　arm；　his
ivory…handled　cane　genteelly　embarrassing　his　deportment；　and　a　bundle
of　cigars　in　his　hand！

'Now；　young　man；'　said　the　porter。　'This　is　the　gentleman。　This　young
man　has　persisted　in　waiting；　sir；　saying　you　would　be　glad　to　see　him。'

Mr　Dorrit　glared　on　the　young　man；　choked；　and　said；　in　the　mildest　of
tones；　'Ah！　Young　John！　It　is　Young　John；　I　think；　is　it　not？'

'Yes；　sir；'　returned　Young　John。

'I……ha……thought　it　was　Young　john！'　said　Mr　Dorrit。　'The　young　man　may
e　up；'　turning　to　the　attendants；　as　he　passed　on：　'oh　yes；　he　may
e　up。　Let　Young　John　follow。　I　will　speak　to　him　above。'

Young　John　followed；　smiling　and　much　gratified。　Mr　Dorrit's　rooms　were
reached。　Candles　were　lighted。　The　attendants　withdrew。

'Now；　sir；'　said　Mr　Dorrit；　turning　round　upon　him　and　seizing　him　by
the　collar　when　they　were　safely　alone。　'What　do　you　mean　by　this？'

The　amazement　and　horror　depicted　in　the　unfortunate　john's　face……for
he　had　rather　expected　to　be　embraced　next……were　of　that　powerfully
expressive　nature　that　Mr　Dorrit　withdrew　his　hand　and　merely　glared　at
him。

'How　dare　you　do　this？'　said　Mr　Dorrit。　'How　do　you　presume　to　e
here？　How　dare　you　insult　me？'

'I　insult　you；　sir？'　cried　Young　John。　'Oh！'

'Yes；　sir；'　returned　Mr　Dorrit。　'Insult　me。　Your　ing　here　is　an
affront；　an　impertinence；　an　audacity。　You　are　not　wanted　here。

Who　sent　you　here？　What……ha……the　Devil　do　you　do　here？'

'I　thought；　sir；'　said　Young　John；　with　as　pale　and　shocked　a　face　as
ever　had　been　turned　to　Mr　Dorrit's　in　his　life……even　in　his　College
life：　'I　thought；　sir；　you　mightn't　object　to　have　the　goodness　to
accept　a　bundle……'

'Damn　your　bundle；　sir！'　cried　Mr　Dorrit；　in　irrepressible　rage。
'I……hum……don't　smoke。'

'I　humbly　beg　your　pardon；　sir。　You　used　to。'

'Tell　me　that　again；'　cried　Mr　Dorrit；　quite　beside　himself；　'and　I'll
take　the　poker　to　you！'

John　Chivery　backed　to　the　door。

'Stop；　sir！'　cried　Mr　Dorrit。　'Stop！　Sit　down。　Confound　you　sit　down！'

John　Chivery　dropped　into　the　chair　nearest　the　door；　and　Mr　Dorrit
walked　up　and　down　the　room；　rapidly　at　first；　then；　more　slowly。　Once；
he　went　to　the　window；　and　stood　there　with　his　forehead　against　the
glass。　All　of　a　sudden；　he　turned　and　said：

'What　else　did　you　e　for；　Sir？'

'Nothing　else　in　the　world；　sir。　Oh　dear　me！　Only　to　say；　Sir；　that　I
hoped　you　was　well；　and　only　to　ask　if　Miss　Amy　was　Well？'

'What's　that　to　you；　sir？'　retorted　Mr　Dorrit。

'It's　nothing　to　me；　sir；　by　rights。　I　never　thought　of　lessening　the
distance　betwixt　us；　I　am　sure。　I　know　it's　a　liberty；　sir；　but　I　never
thought　you'd　have　taken　it　ill。　Upon　my　word　and　honour；　sir；'　said
Young　John；　with　emotion；　'in　my　poor　way；　I　am　too　proud　to　have　e；
I　assure　you；　if　I　had　thought　so。'

Mr　Dorrit　was　ashamed。　He　went　back　to　the　window；　and　leaned　his
forehead　against　the　glass　for　some　time。　When　he　turned；　he　had　his
handkerchief　in　his　hand；　and　he　had　been　wiping　his　eyes　with　it；　and
he　looked　tired　and　ill。

'Young　John；　I　am　very　sorry　to　have　been　hasty　with　you；　but……ha……some
remembrances　are　not　happy　remembrances；　and……hum……you　shouldn't　have
e。'

'I　feel　that　now；　sir；'　returned　John　Chivery；　'but　I　didn't　before；　and
Heaven　knows　I　meant　no　harm；　sir。'

'No。　No；'　said　Mr　Dorrit。　'I　am……hum……sure　of　that。　Ha。　Give　me　your
hand；　Young　John；　give　me　your　hand。'

Young　John　gave　it；　but　Mr　Dorrit　had　driven　his　heart　out　of　it；　and
nothing　could　change　his　face　now；　from　its　white；　shocked　look。

'There！'　said　Mr　Dorrit；　slowly　shaking　hands　with　him。　'Sit　down　again；
Young　John。'

'Thank　you；　sir……but　I'd　rather　stand。'

Mr　Dorrit　sat　down　instead。　After　painfully　holding　his　head　a　little
while；　he　turned　it　to　his　visitor；　and　said；　with　an　effort　to　be　easy：

'And　how　is　your　father；　Young　John？　How……ha……how　are　they　all；　Young
John？'

'Thank　you；　sir；　They're　all　pretty　well；　sir。　They're　not　any　ways
plaining。'

'Hum。　You　are　in　your……ha……old　business　I　see；　John？'　said　Mr　Dorrit；
with　a　glance　at　the　offending　bundle　he　had　anathematised。

'Partly；　sir。　I　am　in　my'……John　hesitated　a　little……'father's　business
likewise。'

'Oh　indeed！'　said　Mr　Dorrit。　'Do　you……ha　hum……go　upon　the　ha……'

'Lock；　sir？　Yes；　sir。'

'Much　to　do；　John？'

'Yes；　sir；　we're　pretty　heavy　at　present。　I　don't　know　how　it　is；　but　we
generally　ARE　pretty　heavy。'

'At　this　time　of　the　year；　Young　John？'

'Mostly　at　all　times　of　the　year；　sir。　I　don't　know　the　time　that　makes
much　difference　to　us。　I　wish　you　good　night；　sir。'

'Stay　a　moment；　John……ha……stay　a　moment。　Hum。　Leave　me　the　cigars；　John；
I……ha……beg。'

'Certainly；　sir。'　John　put　them；　with　a　trembling　hand；　on　the　table。

'Stay　a　moment；　Young　John；　stay　another　moment。　It　would　be　a……ha……a
gratification　to　me　to　send　a　little……hum……Testimonial；　by　such　a　trusty
messenger；　to　be　divided　among……ha　hum……them……them……according　to　their
wants。　Would　you　object　to　take　it；　John？'

'Not　in　any　ways；　sir。　There's　many　of　them；　I'm　sure；　that　would　be　the
better　for　it。'

'Thank　you；　John。　I……ha……I'll　write　it；　John。'

His　hand　shook　so　that　he　was　a　long　time　writing　it；　and　wrote　it　in
a　tremulous　scrawl　at　last。　It　was　a　cheque　for　one　hundred　pounds。　He
folded　it　up；　put　it　in　Young　john's　hand；　and　pressed　the　hand　in　his。

'I　hope　you'll……ha……overlook……hum……what　has　passed；　John。'

'Don't　speak　of　it；　sir；　on　any　accounts。　I　don't　in　any　ways　bear
malice；　I'm　sure。'

But　nothing　while　John　was　there　could　change　John's　face　to　its　natural
colour　and　expression；　or　restore　John's　natural　manner。

'And；　John；'　said　Mr　Dorrit；　giv