little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第137章

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till　this　gentleman　favoured　us　with　his　first　visit。　Of　course；　I　began
to　suspect　how　it　was；　then；　and　I　don't　want　his　word　for　it　now　to
understand　how　he　gets　his　knowledge　from　my　papers；　and　your　paper；　and
my　brother's　cognac　and　tobacco　talk　（I　wish　he'd　had　to　gag　himself）。
Now；　I　have　only　one　thing　more　to　say；　you　hammer…headed　woman；　and
that　is；　that　I　haven't　altogether　made　up　my　mind　whether　I　might；　or
might　not；　have　ever　given　you　any　trouble　about　the　codicil。　I　think
not；　and　that　I　should　have　been　quite　satisfied　with　knowing　I　had　got
the　better　of　you；　and　that　I　held　the　power　over　you。　In　the　present
state　of　circumstances；　I　have　no　more　explanation　to　give　you　till
this　time　to…morrow　night。　So　you　may　as　well；'　said　Mr　Flintwinch；
terminating　his　oration　with　a　screw；　'keep　your　eyes　open　at　somebody
else；　for　it's　no　use　keeping　'em　open　at　me。'

She　slowly　withdrew　them　when　he　had　ceased；　and　dropped　her　forehead
on　her　hand。　Her　other　hand　pressed　hard　upon　the　table；　and　again　the
curious　stir　was　observable　in　her；　as　if　she　were　going　to　rise。

'This　box　can　never　bring；　elsewhere；　the　price　it　will　bring　here。

This　knowledge　can　never　be　of　the　same　profit　to　you；　sold　to　any　other
person；　as　sold　to　me。　But　I　have　not　the　present　means　of　raising　the
sum　you　have　demanded。　I　have　not　prospered。　What　will　you　take　now；　and
what　at　another　time；　and　how　am　I　to　be　assured　of　your　silence？'

'My　angel；'　said　Rigaud；　'I　have　said　what　I　will　take；　and　time
presses。　Before　ing　here；　I　placed　copies　of　the　most　important　of
these　papers　in　another　hand。　Put　off　the　time　till　the　Marshalsea
gate　shall　be　shut　for　the　night；　and　it　will　be　too　late　to　treat。　The
prisoner　will　have　read　them。'

She　put　her　two　hands　to　her　head　again；　uttered　a　loud　exclamation；　and
started　to　her　feet。　She　staggered　for　a　moment；　as　if　she　would　have
fallen；　then　stood　firm。

'Say　what　you　mean。　Say　what　you　mean；　man！'

Before　her　ghostly　figure；　so　long　unused　to　its　erect　attitude；　and　so
stiffened　in　it；　Rigaud　fell　back　and　dropped　his　voice。　It　was；　to　all
the　three；　almost　as　if　a　dead　woman　had　risen。

'Miss　Dorrit；'　answered　Rigaud；　'the　little　niece　of　Monsieur　Frederick；
whom　I　have　known　across　the　water；　is　attached　to　the　prisoner。　Miss
Dorrit；　little　niece　of　Monsieur　Frederick；　watches　at　this　moment　over
the　prisoner；　who　is　ill。　For　her　I　with　my　own　hands　left　a　packet
at　the　prison；　on　my　way　here；　with　a　letter　of　instructions；　〃FOR　HIS
SAKE〃……she　will　do　anything　for　his　sake……to　keep　it　without　breaking
the　seal；　in　case　of　its　being　reclaimed　before　the　hour　of　shutting　up
to…night……if　it　should　not　be　reclaimed　before　the　ringing　of　the　prison
bell；　to　give　it　to　him；　and　it　encloses　a　second　copy　for　herself；
which　he　must　give　to　her。　What！　I　don't　trust　myself　among　you；　now　we
have　got　so　far；　without　giving　my　secret　a　second　life。　And　as　to　its
not　bringing　me；　elsewhere；　the　price　it　will　bring　here；　say　then；
madame；　have　you　limited　and　settled　the　price　the　little　niece　will
give……for　his　sake……to　hush　it　up？　Once　more　I　say；　time　presses。　The
packet　not　reclaimed　before　the　ringing　of　the　bell　to…night；　you　cannot
buy。　I　sell；　then；　to　the　little　girl！'

Once　more　the　stir　and　struggle　in　her；　and　she　ran　to　a　closet；　tore
the　door　open；　took　down　a　hood　or　shawl；　and　wrapped　it　over　her　head。
Affery；　who　had　watched　her　in　terror；　darted　to　her　in　the　middle　of
the　room；　caught　hold　of　her　dress；　and　went　on　her　knees　to　her。

'Don't；　don't；　don't！　What　are　you　doing？　Where　are　you　going？　You're　a
fearful　woman；　but　I　don't　bear　you　no　ill…will。　I　can　do　poor　Arthur
no　good　now；　that　I　see；　and　you　needn't　be　afraid　of　me。　I'll　keep　your
secret。　Don't　go　out；　you'll　fall　dead　in　the　street。　Only　promise　me；
that；　if　it's　the　poor　thing　that's　kept　here　secretly；　you'll　let　me
take　charge　of　her　and　be　her　nurse。　Only　promise　me　that；　and　never　be
afraid　of　me。'

Mrs　Clennam　stood　still　for　an　instant；　at　the　height　of　her　rapid
haste；　saying　in　stern　amazement：

'Kept　here？　She　has　been　dead　a　score　of　years　or　more。　Ask
Flintwinch……ask　HIM。　They　can　both　tell　you　that　she　died　when　Arthur
went　abroad。'

'So　much　the　worse；'　said　Affery；　with　a　shiver；　'for　she　haunts　the
house；　then。　Who　else　rustles　about　it；　making　signals　by　dropping
dust　so　softly？　Who　else　es　and　goes；　and　marks　the　walls　with
long　crooked　touches　when　we　are　all　a…bed？　Who　else　holds　the　door
sometimes？　But　don't　go　out……don't　go　out！　Mistress；　you'll　die　in　the
street！'

Her　mistress　only　disengaged　her　dress　from　the　beseeching　hands；　said
to　Rigaud；　'Wait　here　till　I　e　back！'　and　ran　out　of　the　room。　They
saw　her；　from　the　window；　run　wildly　through　the　court…yard　and　out　at
the　gateway。

For　a　few　moments　they　stood　motionless。　Affery　was　the　first　to　move；
and　she；　wringing　her　hands；　pursued　her　mistress。　Next；　Jeremiah
Flintwinch；　slowly　backing　to　the　door；　with　one　hand　in　a　pocket；　and
the　other　rubbing　his　chin；　twisted　himself　out　in　his　reticent　way；
speechlessly。　Rigaud；　left　alone；　posed　himself　upon　the　window…seat
of　the　open　window；　in　the　old　Marseilles…jail　attitude。　He　laid　his
cigarettes　and　fire…box　ready　to　his　hand；　and　fell　to　smoking。

'Whoof！　Almost　as　dull　as　the　infernal　old　jail。　Warmer；　but　almost　as
dismal。　Wait　till　she　es　back？　Yes；　certainly；　but　where　is　she　gone；
and　how　long　will　she　be　gone？　No　matter！　Rigaud　Lagnier　Blandois；　my
amiable　subject；　you　will　get　your　money。　You　will　enrich　yourself。　You
have　lived　a　gentleman；　you　will　die　a　gentleman。　You　triumph；　my　little
boy；　but　it　is　your　character　to　triumph。　Whoof！'　In　the　hour　of　his
triumph；　his　moustache　went　up　and　his　nose　came　down；　as　he　ogled　a
great　beam　over　his　head　with　particular　satisfaction。




CHAPTER　31。　Closed


The　sun　had　set；　and　the　streets　were　dim　in　the　dusty　twilight；　when
the　figure　so　long　unused　to　them　hurried　on　its　way。　In　the　immediate
neighbourhood　of　the　old　house　it　attracted　little　attention；　for　there
were　only　a　few　straggling　people　to　notice　it；　but；　ascending　from　the
river　by　the　crooked　ways　that　led　to　London　Bridge；　and　passing　into
the　great　main　road；　it　became　surrounded　by　astonishment。

Resolute　and　wild　of　look；　rapid　of　foot　and　yet　weak　and　uncertain；
conspicuously　dressed　in　its　black　garments　and　with　its　hurried
head…covering；　gaunt　and　of　an　unearthly　paleness；　it　pressed　forward；
taking　no　more　heed　of　the　throng　than　a　sleep…walker。　More　remarkable
by　being　so　removed　from　the　crowd　it　was　among　than　if　it　had　been
lifted　on　a　pedestal　to　be　seen；　the　figure　attracted　all　eyes。
Saunterers　pricked　up　their　attention　to　observe　it；　busy　people；
crossing　it；　slackened　their　pace　and　turned　their　heads；　panions
pausing　and　standing　aside；　whispered　one　another　to　look　at　this
spectral　woman　who　was　ing　by；　and　the　sweep　of　the　figure　as　it
passed　seemed　to　create　a　vortex；　drawing　the　most　idle　and　most　curious
after　it。

Made　giddy　by　the　turbulent　irruption　of　this　multitude　of　staring　faces
into　her　cell　of　years；　by　the　confusing　sensation　of　being　in　the　air；
and　the　yet　more　confusing　sensation　of　being　afoot；　by　the　unexpected
changes　in　half…remembered　objects；　and　the　want　of　likeness　between　the
controllable　pictures　her　imagination　had　often　drawn　of　the　life　from
which　she　was　secluded　and　the　overwhelming　rush　of　the　reality；　she
held　her　way　as　if　she　were　environed　by　distracting　thoughts；　rather
than　by　external　humanity　and　observation。　But；　having　crossed　the
bridge　and　gone　some　distance　straight　onward；　she　remembered　that　she
must　ask　for　a　direction；　and　it　was　only　then；　when　she　stopped　and
turned　to　look　about　her　for　a　promising　place　of　inquiry；　that　she
found　herself　surrounded　by　an　eager　glare　of　faces。

'Why　are　you　encircling　me？'　she　asked；　trembling。

None　of　those　who　were　nearest　answered；　but　from　the　outer　ring　there
arose　a　shrill　cry　of　''Cause　you're　mad！'

'I　am　sure　as　sane　as　any　one　here。　I　want　to　find　the　Marshalsea
prison。'

The　shrill　outer　circle　again　retorted；　'Then　that　'ud　show　you　was　mad
if　nothing　else　did；　'cause　it's　right　opposite！'

A　short；　mild；　quiet…looking　young　man　made　his　way　through　to　her；　as
a　whooping　ensued　on　this　reply；　and　said：　'Was　it　the　Marshalsea　you
wanted？　I'm　going　on　duty　there。　e　across　with　me。'

She　laid　her　hand　upon　his　arm；　and　he　took　her　over　the　way；　the　crowd；
rather　injured　by　the　near　prospect　of　losing　her；　pressing　before　and
behind　and　on　either　side；　and　remending　an　adjournment　to　Bedlam。
After　a　momentary　whirl　in　the　outer　court…yard；　the　prison…door　opened；
and　shut　upon　them。　In　the　Lodge；　which　seemed　by　contrast　with　the
outer　noise　a　place　of　refuge　and　peace；　a　yellow　lamp　was　already
striving　with　the　prison　shadows。

'Why；　John！'　said　the　turnkey　who　admitted　them。　'What　is　it？'

'Nothing；　father；　only　this　lady　not　knowing　her　way；　and　being　badgered
by　the　boys。　Who　did　you　want；　ma'am？'

'Miss　Dorrit。　Is　she　here？'

The　young　man　became　more　interested。　'Yes；　she　is　here。　What　might　your
name　be？'

'Mrs　Clennam。'

'Mr　Clennam's　mother？'　asked　the　young　man。

She　pressed　her　lips　together；　and　hesitated。　'Yes。　She　had　better　be
told　it　is　his　mother。'

'You　see；'　said　the　young　man；'the　Marshal's　family　living　in　the
country　at　present；　the　Marshal　has　given　Miss　Dorrit　one　of　the　rooms
in　his　house　to　use　when　she　likes。　Don't　you　think　you　had　better　e
up　there；　and　let　me　bring　Miss　Dorrit？'

She　signified　her　assent；　and　he　unlocked　a　door　and　conducted　her　up
a　side　staircase　into　a　dwelling…house　above。　He　showed　her　into　a
darkening　room；　and　left　her。　The　room　looked　down　into　the　darkening
prison…yard；　with　its　inmates　strolling　here　and　there；　leaning　out
of　windows　muning　as　much　apart　as　they　could　with　friends　who　were
going　away；　and　generally　wearing　out　their　imprisonment　as　they　best
might　that　summer　evening。　The　air　was　heavy　and　hot；　the　closeness
of　the　place；　oppressive；　and　from　without　there　arose　a　rush　of
free　sounds；　like　the　jarring　memory　of　such　things　in　a　headache　and
heartache。　She　stood　at　the　window；　bewildered；　looking　down　into　this
prison　as　it　were　out　of　her　own　different　prison；　when　a　soft　word　or
two　of　surprise　made　her　start；　and　Little　Dorrit　stood　before　her。

'Is　it　possible；　Mrs　Clennam；　that　you　are　so　happily　recovered　as……'

Little　Dorrit　stopped；　for　there　was　neither　happiness　nor　health　in　the
face　that　turned　to　her。　'This　is　not　recovery；　it　is　not　strength；　I
don't　know　what　it　is。'　With　an　agitated　wave　of　her　hand；　she　put　all
that　aside。　'You　have　a　packet　left　with　you　which　you　were　to　give　to
Arthur；　if　it　was　not　reclaimed　before　this　place　closed　to…night。'

'Yes。'

'I　reclaim　it。'

Little　Dorrit　took　it　from　her　bosom；　and　gave　it　into　her　hand；　which
remained　stretched　out　after　receiving　it。

'Have　you　any　idea　of　its　contents？'

Frightened　by　her　being　there　with　that　new　power　Of　Movement　in　her；
which；　as　she　said　herself；　was　not　strength；　and　which　was　unreal
to　look　upon；　as　though　a　picture　or　statue　had　been　animated；　Little
Dorrit　answered　'No。'

'Read　them。'

Little　Dorrit　took　the　packet　from　the　still　outstretched　hand；　and
broke　the　seal。　Mrs　Clennam　then　gave　her　the　inner　packet　that　was
addressed　to　herself；　and　held　the　other。　The　shadow　of　the　wall　and　of
the　prison　buildings；　which　made　the　room　sombre　at　noon；　made　it　too
dark　to　read　there；　with　the　dusk　deepening　apace；　save　in　the　window。
In　the　window；　where　a　little　of　the　bright　summer　evening　sky
could　shine　upon　her；　Little　Dorrit　stood；　and　read。　After　a　broken
exclamation　or　so　of　wonder　and　of　terror；　she　read　in　silence。　When
she　had　finished；　she　looked　round；　and　her　old　mistress　bowed　herself
before　her。

'You　know；　now；　what　I　have　done。'

'I　think　so。　I　am　afraid　so；　though　my　mind　is　so　hurried；　and　so　sorry；
and　has　so　much　to　pity　that　it　has　not　been　able　to　follow　all　I　have
read；'　said　Little　Dorrit　tremulously。

'I　will　restore　to　you　what　I　have　withheld　from　you。　Forgive　me。　Can
you　forgive　me？'

'I　can；　and　Heaven　knows　I　do！　Do　not　kiss　my　dress　and　kneel　to　me；　you
are　too　old　to　kneel　to　me；　I　forgive　you　freely　without　that。'

'I　have　more　yet　to　ask。'

'Not　in　that　posture；'　said　Little　Dorrit。　'It　is　unnatural　to　see　your
grey　hair　lower　than　mine。　Pray　rise；　let　me　help　you。'　With　that　she
raised　her　up；　and　stood　rather　shrinking　from　her；　but　looking　at　her
earnestly。

'The　great　petition　that　I　make　to　you　（there　is　another　which　grows
out　of　it）；　the　great　supplication　that　I　address　to　your　merciful　and
gentle　heart；　is；　that　you　will　not　disclose　this　to　Arthur　until　I　am
dead。　If　you　think；　when　you　have　had　time　for　consideration；　that　it
can　do　him　any　good　to　know　it　while　I　am　yet　alive；　then　tell　him。　But
you　will　not　think　that；　and　in　such　case；　will　you　promise　me　to　spare
me　until　I　am　dead？'

'I　am　so　sorry；　and　what　I　have　read　has　so　confused　my　thoughts；'
returned　Little　Dorrit；　'that　I　can　scarcely　give　you　a　s