狄更斯哪部作品好 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第26章Part 3

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第26章Part 3  

'But I wish
' said Mr Dombey
without heeding the interruption
'he had never gone on board that ship. I wish he had never been sent out.
'It is a pity you didn't say so
in good time
is it not?' retorted Carker
coolly. 'However
I think it's all for the best. I really
think it's all for the best. Did I mention that there was something like a little confidence beeen Miss Dombey and myself?'
'No
' said Mr Dombey
sternly.
'I have no doubt
' returned Mr Carker
after an impressive pause
'that wherever Gay is
he is much better where he is
than at home here. If I were
or could be
in your place
I should be satisfied of that. I am quite satisfied of it myself. Miss Dombey is confiding and young - perhaps hardly proud enough
for your daughter - if she have a fault. Not that that is much though
I am sure. Will you check these balances with me?'
Mr Dombey leaned back in his chair
instead of bending over the papers that were laid before him
and looked the Manager steadily in the face. The Manager
with his eyelids slightly raised
affected to be glancing at his figures
and to await the leisure of his principal. He showed that he affected this
as if from great delicacy
and with a design to spare Mr Dombey's feelings; and the latter
as he looked at him
was cognizant of his intended consideration
and felt that but for it
this confidential Carker would have said a great deal more
which he
Mr Dombey
was too proud to ask for. It was his way in business
often. Little by little
Mr Dombey's gaze relaxed
and his attention became diverted to the papers before him; but while busy with the occupation they afforded him
he frequently stopped
and looked at Mr Carker again. Whenever he did so
Mr Carker was demonstrative
as before
in his delicacy
and impressed it on his great chief more and more.
While they were thus engaged; and under the skilful culture of the Manager
angry thoughts in reference to poor Florence brooded and bred in Mr Dombey's breast
usurping the place of the cold dislike that generally reigned there; Major Bagstock
much admired by the old ladies of Leamington
and followed by the Native
carrying the usual amount of light baggage
straddled along the shady side of the way
to make a morning call on Mrs Skewton. It being midday when the Major reached the bower of Cleopatra
he had the good fortune to find his Princess on her usual sofa
languishing over a cup of coffee
with the room so darkened and shaded for her more luxurious repose
that Withers
who was in attendance on her
loomed like a phantom page.
'What insupportable creature is this
ing in?' said Mrs Skewton
'I cannot hear it. Go away
whoever you are!'
'You have not the heart to banish J. B.
Ma'am!' said the Major halting midway
to remonstrate
with his cane over his shoulder.
'Oh it's you
is it? On second thoughts
you may enter
' observed Cleopatra.
The Major entered accordingly
and advancing to the sofa pressed her charming hand to his lips.
'Sit down
' said Cleopatra
listlessly waving her fan
'a long way off. Don't e too near me
for I am frightfully faint and sensitive this morning
and you smell of the Sun. You are absolutely tropical.'
'By Gee
Ma'am
' said the Major
'the time has been when Joseph Bagstock has been grilled and blistered by the Sun; then time was
when he was forced
Ma'am
into such full blow
by high hothouse heat in the West Indies
that he was known as the Flower. A man never heard of Bagstock
Ma'am
in those days; he heard of the Flower - the Flower of Ours. The Flower may have faded
more or less
Ma'am
' observed the Major
dropping into a much nearer chair than had been indicated by his cruel Divinity
'but it is a tough plant yet
and constant as the evergreen.'
Here the Major
under cover of the dark room
shut up one eye
rolled his head like a Harlequin
and
in his great self-satisfaction
perhaps went nearer to the confines of apoplexy than he had ever gone before.
'Where is Mrs Granger?' inquired Cleopatra of her page.
Withers believed she was in her own room.