狄更斯的小说特点 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第30章Part 2

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第30章Part 2  

'Very soon now
Florence: very soon.'
Edith bent her head a little
so as to press the blooming cheek of Florence against her own
and for some few moments remained thus silent. There was something so very tender in her manner
that Florence was even more sensible of it than on the first occasion of their meeting.
She led Florence to a chair beside her
and sat down: Florence looking in her face
quite wondering at its beauty
and willingly leaving her hand In hers.
'Have you been alone
Florence
since I was here last?'
'Oh yes!' smiled Florence
hastily.
She hesitated and cast down her eyes; for her new Mama was very earnest in her look
and the look was intently and thoughtfully fixed upon her face.
'I - I- am used to be alone
' said Florence. 'I don't mind it at all. Di and I pass whole days together
sometimes.' Florence might have said
whole weeks and months.
'Is Di your maid
love?'
'My dog
Mama
' said Florence
laughing. 'Susan is my maid.'
'And these are your rooms
' said Edith
looking round. 'I was not shown these rooms the other day. We must have them improved
Florence. They shall be made the prettiest in the house.'
'If I might change them
Mama
' returned Florence; 'there is one upstairs I should like much better.'
'Is this not high enough
dear girl?' asked Edith
smiling.
'The other was my brother's room
' said Florence
'and I am very fond of it. I would have spoken to Papa about it when I came home
and found the workmen here
and everything changing; but - '
Florence dropped her eyes
lest the same look should make her falter again.
'but I was afraid it might distress him; and as you said you would be here again soon
Mama
and are the mistress of everything
I determined to take courage and ask you.'
Edith sat looking at her
with her brilliant eyes intent upon her face
until Florence raising her own
she
in her turn
withdrew her gaze
and turned it on the ground. It was then that Florence thought how different this lady's beauty was
from what she had supposed. She had thought it of a proud and lofty kind; yet her manner was so subdued and gentle
that if she had been of Florence's own age and character
it scarcely could have invited confidence more.
Except when a constrained and singular reserve crept over her; and then she seemed (but Florence hardly understood this
though she could not choose but notice it
and think about it) as if she were humbled before Florence
and ill at ease. When she had said that she was not her Mama yet
and when Florence had called her the mistress of everything there
this change in her was quick and startling; and now
while the eyes of Florence rested on her face
she sat as though she would have shrunk and hidden from her
rather than as one about to love and cherish her
in right of such a near connexion.