狄更斯的小说特点 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第30章Part 6

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第30章Part 6  

'Ah! wicked guesser!' replied Cleopatra
shaking her head. 'Ah! cunning
cunning man! One shouldn't tell these things; your sex
my dear Dombey
are so vain
and so apt to abuse our weakness; but you know my open soul - very well; immediately.'
This was addressed to one of the very tall young men who announced dinner.
'But Edith
my dear Dombey
' she continued in a whisper
when she cannot have you near her - and as I tell her
she cannot expect that always - will at least have near her something or somebody belonging to you. Well
how extremely natural that is! And in this spirit
nothing would keep her from riding off to-day to fetch our darling Florence. Well
how excessively charming that is!'
As she waited for an answer
Mr Dombey answered
'Eminently so.
'Bless you
my dear Dombey
for that proof of heart!' cried Cleopatra
squeezing his hand. 'But I am growing too serious! Take me downstairs
like an angel
and let us see what these people intend to give us for dinner. Bless you
dear Dombey!'
Cleopatra skipping off her couch with tolerable briskness
after the last benediction
Mr Dombey took her arm in his and led her ceremoniously downstairs; one of the very tall young men on hire
whose an of veneration was imperfectly developed
thrusting his tongue into his cheek
for the entertainment of the other very tall young man on hire
as the couple turned into the dining-room.
Florence and Edith were already there
and sitting side by side. Florence would have risen when her father entered
to resign her chair to him; but Edith openly put her hand upon her arm
and Mr Dombey took an opposite place at the round table.
The conversation was almost entirely sustained by Mrs Skewton. Florence hardly dared to raise her eYes
lest they should reveal the traces of tears; far less dared to speak; and Edith never uttered one word
unless in answer to a question. Verily
Cleopatra worked hard
for the establishment that was so nearly clutched; and verily it should have been a rich one to reward her!
And so your preparations are nearly finished at last
my dear Dombey?' said Cleopatra
when the dessert was put upon the table
and the silver-headed butler had withdrawn. 'Even the lawyers' preparations!'
'Yes
madam
' replied Mr Dombey; 'the deed of settlement
the professional gentlemen inform me
is now ready
and as I was mentioning to you
Edith has only to do us the favour to suggest her own time for its execution.'
Edith sat like a handsome statue; as cold
as silent
and as still.
'My dearest love
' said Cleopatra
'do you hear what Mr Dombey says? Ah
my dear Dombey!' aside to that gentleman
'how her absence
as the time approaches
reminds me of the days
when that most agreeable of creatures
her Papa
was in your situation!'
'I have nothing to suggest. It shall be when you please
' said Edith
scarcely looking over the table at Mr Dombey.
'To-morrow?' suggested Mr Dombey.
'If you please.'