little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第93章

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change　is　like　putting　cotton　in　the　ears；　or　having　the　head　thickly
muffled。　At　that　time　the　contrast　was　far　greater；　there　being　no　small
steam…boats　on　the　river；　no　landing　places　but　slippery　wooden　stairs
and　foot…causeways；　no　railroad　on　the　opposite　bank；　no　hanging　bridge
or　fish…market　near　at　hand；　no　traffic　on　the　nearest　bridge　of　stone；
nothing　moving　on　the　stream　but　watermen's　wherries　and　coal…lighters。
Long　and　broad　black　tiers　of　the　latter；　moored　fast　in　the　mud　as　if
they　were　never　to　move　again；　made　the　shore　funereal　and　silent　after
dark；　and　kept　what　little　water…movement　there　was；　far　out　towards
mid…stream。　At　any　hour　later　than　sunset；　and　not　least　at　that　hour
when　most　of　the　people　who　have　anything　to　eat　at　home　are　going　home
to　eat　it；　and　when　most　of　those　who　have　nothing　have　hardly　yet　slunk
out　to　beg　or　steal；　it　was　a　deserted　place　and　looked　on　a　deserted
scene。

Such　was　the　hour　when　Clennam　stopped　at　the　corner；　observing　the　girl
and　the　strange　man　as　they　went　down　the　street。　The　man's　footsteps
were　so　noisy　on　the　echoing　stones　that　he　was　unwilling　to　add　the
sound　of　his　own。　But　when　they　had　passed　the　turning　and　were　in　the
darkness　of　the　dark　corner　leading　to　the　terrace；　he　made　after　them
with　such　indifferent　appearance　of　being　a　casual　passenger　on　his　way；
as　he　could　assume。

When　he　rounded　the　dark　corner；　they　were　walking　along　the　terrace
towards　a　figure　which　was　ing　towards　them。　If　he　had　seen　it　by
itself；　under　such　conditions　of　gas…lamp；　mist；　and　distance；　he　might
not　have　known　it　at　first　sight；　but　with　the　figure　of　the　girl　to
prompt　him；　he　at　once　recognised　Miss　Wade。

He　stopped　at　the　corner；　seeming　to　look　back　expectantly　up　the　street
as　if　he　had　made　an　appointment　with　some　one　to　meet　him　there；　but　he
kept　a　careful　eye　on　the　three。　When　they　came　together；　the　man　took
off　his　hat；　and　made　Miss　Wade　a　bow。　The　girl　appeared　to　say　a　few
words　as　though　she　presented　him；　or　accounted　for　his　being　late；　or
early；　or　what　not；　and　then　fell　a　pace　or　so　behind；　by　herself。　Miss
Wade　and　the　man　then　began　to　walk　up　and　down；　the　man　having　the
appearance　of　being　extremely　courteous　and　plimentary　in　manner；
Miss　Wade　having　the　appearance　of　being　extremely　haughty。

When　they　came　down　to　the　corner　and　turned；　she　was　saying；

'If　I　pinch　myself　for　it；　sir；　that　is　my　business。　Confine　yourself　to
yours；　and　ask　me　no　question。'

'By　Heaven；　ma'am！'　he　replied；　making　her　another　bow。　'It　was　my
profound　respect　for　the　strength　of　your　character；　and　my　admiration
of　your　beauty。'

'I　want　neither　the　one　nor　the　other　from　any　one；'　said　she；　'and
certainly　not　from　you　of　all　creatures。　Go　on　with　your　report。'

'Am　I　pardoned？'　he　asked；　with　an　air　of　half　abashed　gallantry。

'You　are　paid；'　she　said；　'and　that　is　all　you　want。'

Whether　the　girl　hung　behind　because　she　was　not　to　hear　the　business；
or　as　already　knowing　enough　about　it；　Clennam　could　not　determine。　They
turned　and　she　turned。　She　looked　away　at　the　river；　as　she　walked
with　her　hands　folded　before　her；　and　that　was　all　he　could　make　of
her　without　showing　his　face。　There　happened；　by　good　fortune；　to　be　a
lounger　really　waiting　for　some　one；　and　he　sometimes　looked　over　the
railing　at　the　water；　and　sometimes　came　to　the　dark　corner　and　looked
up　the　street；　rendering　Arthur　less　conspicuous。

When　Miss　Wade　and　the　man　came　back　again；　she　was　saying；　'You　must
wait　until　to…morrow。'

'A　thousand　pardons？'　he　returned。　'My　faith！　Then　it's　not　convenient
to…night？'

'No。　I　tell　you　I　must　get　it　before　I　can　give　it　to　you。'

She　stopped　in　the　roadway；　as　if　to　put　an　end　to　the　conference。　He　of
course　stopped　too。　And　the　girl　stopped。

'It's　a　little　inconvenient；'　said　the　man。　'A　little。　But；　Holy　Blue！
that's　nothing　in　such　a　service。　I　am　without　money　to…night；　by
chance。　I　have　a　good　banker　in　this　city；　but　I　would　not　wish　to　draw
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