狄更斯的小说特点 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第35章Part4

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第35章Part4  

'They are as handsome as they can be
' she returned
with haughty carelessness. 'They should be so
of' course. And I suppose they are.'
An expression of scorn was habitual to the proud face
and seemed inseparable from it; but the contempt with which it received any appeal to admiration
respect
or consideration on the ground of his riches
no matter how slight or ordinary in itself
was a new and different expression
unequalled in intensity by any other of which it was capable. Whether Mr Dombey
wrapped in his own greatness
was at all aware of this
or no
there had not been wanting opportunities already for his plete enlightenment; and at that moment it might have been effected by the one glance of the dark eye that lighted on him
after it had rapidly and scornfully surveyed the theme of his self-glorification. He might have read in that one glance that nothing that his wealth could do
though it were increased ten thousand fold
could win him for its own sake
one look of softened recognition from the defiant woman
linked to him
but arrayed with her whole soul against him. He might have read in that one glance that even for its sordid and mercenary influence upon herself
she spurned it
while she claimed its utmost power as her right
her bargain - as the base and worthless repense for which she had bee his wife. He might have read in it that
ever baring her own head for the lightning of her own contempt and pride to strike
the most innocent allusion to the power of his riches degraded her anew
sunk her deeper in her own respect
and made the blight and waste within her more plete.
But dinner was announced
and Mr Dombey led down Cleopatra; Edith and his daughter following. Sweeping past the gold and silver demonstration on the sideboard as if it were heaped-up dirt
and deigning to bestow no look upon the elegancies around her
she took her place at his board for the first time
and sat
like a statue
at the feast.
Mr Dombey
being a good deal in the statue way himself
was well enough pleased to see his handsome wife immovable and proud and cold. Her deportment being always elegant and graceful
this as a general behaviour was agreeable and congenial to him. Presiding
therefore
with his accustomed dignity
and not at all reflecting on his wife by any warmth or hilarity of his own
he performed his share of the honours of the table with a cool satisfaction; and the installation dinner
though not regarded downstairs as a great success
or very promising beginning
passed oil
above
in a sufficiently polite
genteel
and frosty manner.
Soon after tea' Mrs Skewton
who affected to be quite overe and worn Out by her emotions of happiness
arising in the contemplation of her dear child united to the man of her heart
but who
there is reason to suppose
found this family party somewhat dull
as she yawned for one hour continually behind her fan
retired to bed. Edith
also
silently withdrew and came back' no more. Thus
it happened that Florence
who had been upstairs to have some conversation with Diogenes
returning to the drawing-room with her little work-basket
found no one there but her father
who was walking to and fro
in dreary magnificence.
'I beg your pardon. Shall I go away
Papa?' said Florence faintly
hesitating at the door.
'No
' returned Mr Dombey
looking round over his shoulder; you can e and go here
Florence
as you please. This is not my private room.
Florence entered
and sat down at a distant little table with her work: finding herself for the first time in her life - for the very first time within her memory from her infancy to that hour - alone with her father
as his panion. She
his natural panion
his only child
who in her lonely life and grief had known the suffering of a breaking heart; who
in her rejected love
had never breathed his name to God at night
but with a tearful blessing
heavier on him than a curse; who had prayed to die young
so she might only die in his arms; who had
all through
repaid the agony of slight and coldness
and dislike
with patient unexacting love
excusing him
and pleading for him
like his better angel!