狄更斯小说改编系列 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第30章Part 4

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第30章Part 4  

'For positively
my dear
' said Mrs Skewton
'I do think that I see a decided resemblance to what you were then
in our extremely fascinating young friend. And it shows
' said Mrs Skewton
in a lower voice
which conveyed her opinion that Florence was in a very unfinished state
'what cultivation will do.'
'It does
indeed
' was Edith's stern reply.
Her mother eyed her sharply for a moment
and feeling herself on unsafe ground
said
as a diversion:
'My charming Florence
you must e and kiss me once more
if you please
my love.'
Florence plied
of course
and again imprinted her lips on Mrs Skewton's ear.
'And you have heard
no doubt
my darling pet
' said Mrs Skewton
detaining her hand
'that your Papa
whom we all perfectly adore and dote upon
is to be married to my dearest Edith this day week.'
'I knew it would be very soon
' returned Florence
'but not exactly when.'
'My darling Edith
' urged her mother
gaily
'is it possible you have not told Florence?'
'Why should I tell Florence?' she returned
so suddenly and harshly
that Florence could scarcely believe it was the same voice.
Mrs Skewton then told Florence
as another and safer diversion
that her father was ing to dinner
and that he would no doubt be charmingly surprised to see her; as he had spoken last night of dressing in the City
and had known nothing of Edith's design
the execution of which
according to Mrs Skewton's expectation
would throw him into a perfect ecstasy. Florence was troubled to hear this; and her distress became so keen
as the dinner-hour approached
that if she had known how to frame an entreaty to be suffered to return home
without involving her father in her explanation
she would have hurried back on foot
bareheaded
breathless
and alone
rather than incur the risk of meeting his displeasure.
As the time drew nearer
she could hardly breathe. She dared not approach a window
lest he should see her from the street. She dared not go upstairs to hide her emotion
lest
in passing out at the door
she should meet him unexpectedly; besides which dread
she felt as though she never could e back again if she were summoned to his presence. In this conflict of fears; she was sitting by Cleopatra's couch
endeavouring to understand and to reply to the bald discourse of that lady
when she heard his foot upon the stair.
'I hear him now!' cried Florence
starting. 'He is ing!'