狄更斯的小说特点 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第21章Part 6

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第21章Part 6  

'I suppose it is. Everybody says so.'
'Your cousin Feenix raves about it
Edith
' interposed her mother from her couch.
The daughter slightly turned her graceful head
and raising her eyebrows by a hair's-breadth
as if her cousin Feenix were of all the mortal world the least to be regarded
turned her eyes again towards Mr Dombey.
'I hope
for the credit of my good taste
that I am tired of the neighbourhood
' she said.
'You have almost reason to be
Madam
' he replied
glancing at a variety of landscape drawings
of which he had already recognised several as representing neighbouring points of view
and which were strewn abundantly about the room
'if these beautiful productions are from your hand.'
She gave him no reply
but sat in a disdainful beauty
quite amazing.
'Have they that interest?' said Mr Dombey. 'Are they yours?'
'Yes.'
'And you play
I already know.'
'Yes.'
'And sing?'
'Yes.'
She answered all these questions with a strange reluctance; and with that remarkable air of opposition to herself
already noticed as belonging to her beauty. Yet she was not embarrassed
but wholly self-possessed. Neither did she seem to wish to avoid the conversation
for she addressed her face
and - so far as she could - her manner also
to him; and continued to do so
when he was silent.
'You have many resources against weariness at least
' said Mr Dombey.
'Whatever their efficiency may be
' she returned
'you know them all now. I have no more.
'May I hope to prove them all?' said Mr Dombey
with solemn gallantry
laying down a drawing he had held
and motioning towards the harp.
'Oh certainly) If you desire it!'
She rose as she spoke
and crossing by her mother's couch
and directing a stately look towards her
which was instantaneous in its duration
but inclusive (if anyone had seen it) of a multitude of expressions
among which that of the ilight smile
without the smile itself
overshadowed all the rest
went out of the room.
The Major
who was quite fiven by this time
had wheeled a little table up to Cleopatra
and was sitting down to play picquet with her. Mr Dombey
not knowing the game
sat down to watch them for his edification until Edith should return.
'We are going to have some music
Mr Dombey
I hope?' said Cleopatra.
'Mrs Granger has been kind enough to promise so
' said Mr Dombey.
'Ah! That's very nice. Do you propose
Major?'
'No
Ma'am
' said the Major. 'Couldn't do it.'
'You're a barbarous being
' replied the lady
'and my hand's destroyed. You are fond of music
Mr Dombey?''Eminently so
' was Mr Dombey's answer.
'Yes. It's very nice
' said Cleopatra
looking at her cards. 'So much heart in it - undeveloped recollections of a previous state of existence' - and all that - which is so truly charming. Do you know
' simpered Cleopatra
reversing the knave of clubs
who had e into her game with his heels uppermost
'that if anything could tempt me to put a period to my life
it would be curiosity to find out what it's all about
and what it means; there are so many provoking mysteries
really
that are hidden from us. Major
you to play.'
The Major played; and Mr Dombey
looking on for his instruction
would soon have been in a state of dire confusion
but that he gave no attention to the game whatever
and sat wondering instead when Edith would e back.
She came at last
and sat down to her harp
and Mr Dombey rose and stood beside her
listening. He had little taste for music
and no knowledge of the strain she played
but he saw her bending over it
and perhaps he heard among the sounding strings some distant music of his own
that tamed the monster of the iron road
and made it less inexorable.
Cleopatra had a sharp eye
verily
at picquet. It glistened like a bird's
and did not fix itself upon the game
but pierced the room from end to end
and gleamed on harp
performer
listener
everything.
When the haughty beauty had concluded
she arose
and receiving Mr Dombey's thanks and pliments in exactly the same manner as before
went with scarcely any pause to the piano
and began there.
Edith Granger
any song but that! Edith Granger
you are very handsome
and your touch upon the keys is brilliant
and your voice is deep and rich; but not the air that his neglected daughter sang to his dead son)
Alas
he knows it not; and if he did
what air of hers would stir him
rigid man! Sleep
lonely Florence
sleep! Peace in thy dreams
although the night has turned dark
and the clouds are gathering
and threaten to discharge themselves in hail!