狄更斯思想 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第27章Part 07

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第27章Part 07  

Mr Carker cantered behind the carriage. at the distance of a hundred yards or so
and watched it
during all the ride
as if he were a cat
indeed
and its four occupants
mice. Whether he looked to one side of the road
or to the other - over distant landscape
with its smooth undulations
wind-mills
corn
grass
bean fields
wild-flowers
farm-yards
hayricks
and the spire among the wood - or upwards in the sunny air
where butterflies were sporting round his head
and birds were pouring out their songs - or downward
where the shadows of the branches interlaced
and made a trembling carpet on the road - or onward
where the overhanging trees formed aisles and arches
dim with the softened light that steeped through leaves - one corner of his eye was ever on the formal head of Mr Dombey
addressed towards him
and the feather in the bon
drooping so neglectfully and scornfully beeen them; much as he had seen the haughty eyelids droop; not least so
when the face met that now fronting it. Once
and once only
did his wary glance release these objects; and that was
when a leap over a low hedge
and a gallop across a field
enabled him to anticipate the carriage ing by the road
and to be standing ready
at the journey's end
to hand the ladies out. Then
and but then
he met her glance for an instant in her first surprise; but when he touched her
in alighting
with his soft white hand
it overlooked him altogether as before.
Mrs Skewton was bent on taking charge of Mr Carker herself
and showing him the beauties of the Castle. She was determined to have his arm
and the Major's too. It would do that incorrigible creature: who was the most barbarous infidel in point of poetry: good to be in such pany. This chance arrangement left Mr Dombey at liberty to escort Edith: which he did: stalking before them through the apartments with a gentlemanly solemnity.
'Those darling byegone times
Mr Carker
' said Cleopatra
'with their delicious fortresses
and their dear old dungeons
and their delightful places of torture
and their romantic vengeances
and their picturesque assaults and sieges
and everything that makes life truly charming! How dreadfully we have degenerated!'
'Yes
we have fallen off deplorably
' said Mr Carker.
The peculiarity of their conversation was
that Mrs Skewton
in spite of her ecstasies
and Mr Carker
in spite of his urbanity
were both intent on watching Mr Dombey and Edith. With all their conversational endowments
they spoke somewhat distractedly
and at random
in consequence.
'We have no Faith left
positively
' said Mrs Skewton
advancing her shrivelled ear; for Mr Dombey was saying something to Edith. 'We have no Faith in the dear old Barons
who were the most delightful creatures - or in the dear old Priests
who were the most warlike of men - or even in the days of that inestimable Queen Bess
upon the wall there
which were so extremely golden. Dear creature! She was all Heart And that charming father of hers! I hope you dote on Harry the Eighth!'
'I admire him very much
' said Carker.