狄更斯的小说特点 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第30章Part 3

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第30章Part 3  

She gave Florence her ready promise
about her new room
and said she would give directions about it herself. She then asked some questions concerning poor Paul; and when they had sat in conversation for some time
told Florence she had e to take her to her own home.
'We have e to London now
my mother and I
' said Edith
'and you shall stay with us until I am married. I wish that we should know and trust each other
Florence.'
'You are very kind to me
' said Florence
'dear Mama. How much I thank you!'
'Let me say now
for it may be the best opportunity
' continued Edith
looking round to see that they were quite alone
and speaking in a lower voice
'that when I am married
and have gone away for some weeks
I shall be easier at heart if you will e home here. No matter who invites you to stay elsewhere. Come home here. It is better to be alone than - what I would say is
' she added
checking herself
'that I know well you are best at home
dear Florence.'
'I will e home on the very day
Mama'
'Do so. I rely on that promise. Now
prepare to e with me
dear girl. You will find me downstairs when you are ready.'
Slowly and thoughtfully did Edith wander alone through the mansion of which she was so soon to be the lady: and little heed took she of all the elegance and splendour it began to display. The same indomitable haughtiness of soul
the same proud scorn expressed in eye and lip
the same fierce beauty
only tamed by a sense of its own little worth
and of the little worth of everything around it
went through the grand saloons and halls
that had got loose among the shady trees
and raged and rent themselves. The mimic roses on the walls and floors were set round with sharp thorns
that tore her breast; in every scrap of gold so dazzling to the eye
she saw some hateful atom of her purchase-money; the broad high mirrors showed her
at full length
a woman with a noble quality yet dwelling in her nature
who was too false to her better self
and too debased and lost
to save herself. She believed that all this was so plain
more or less
to all eyes
that she had no resource or power of self-assertion but in pride: and with this pride
which tortured her own heart night and day
she fought her fate out
braved it
and defied it. Was this the woman whom Florence - an innocent girl
strong only in her earnestness and simple truth - could so impress and quell
that by her side she was another creature
with her tempest of passion hushed
and her very pride itself subdued? Was this the woman who now sat beside her in a carriage
with her arms enined
and who
while she courted and entreated her to love and trust her
drew her fair head to nestle on her breast
and would have laid down life to shield it from wrong or harm?
Oh
Edith! it were well to die
indeed
at such a time! Better and happier far
perhaps
to die so
Edith
than to live on to the end!
The Honourable Mrs Skewton
who was thinking of anything rather than of such sentiments - for
like many genteel persons who have existed at various times
she set her face against death altogether
and objected to the mention of any such low and levelling upstart - had borrowed a house in Brook Street
Grosvenor Square
from a stately relative (one of the Feenix brood)
who was out of town
and who did not object to lending it
in the handsomest manner
for nuptial purposes
as the loan implied his final release and acquittance from all further loans and gifts to Mrs Skewton and her daughter. It being necessary for the credit of the family to make a handsome appearance at such a time
Mrs Skewton
with the assistance of an acmodating tradesman resident In the parish of Mary-le-bone
who lent out all sorts of articles to the nobility and gentry
from a service of plate to an army of footmen
clapped into this house a silver-headed butler (who was charged extra on that account
as having the appearnce of anancient family retainer)
o very tall young men in livery
and a select staff of kitchen-servants; so that a legend arose
downstairs
that Withers the page
released at once from his numerous household duties
and from the propulsion of the wheeled-chair (inconsistent with the metropolis)
had been several times observed to rub his eyes and pinch his limbs
as if he misdoubted his having overslept himself at the Leamington milkman's
and being still in a celestial dream. A variety of requisites in plate and china being also conveyed to the same establishment from the same convenient source
with several miscellaneous articles
including a neat chariot and a pair of bays
Mrs Skewton cushioned herself on the principal sofa
in the Cleopatra attitude
and held her court in fair state.
'And how
' said Mrs Skewton
on the entrance of her daughter and her charge
'is my charming Florence? You must e and kiss me
Florence
if you please
my love.'
Florence was timidly stooping to pick out a place In the white part of Mrs Skewton's face
when that lady presented her ear
and relieved her of her difficulty.
'Edith
my dear
' said Mrs Skewton
'positively
I - stand a little more in the light
my sweetest Florence
for a moment.
Florence blushingly plied.
'You don't remember
dearest Edith
' said her mother
'what you were when you were about the same age as our exceedingly precious Florence
or a few years younger?'
'I have long fotten
mother.'