狄更斯哪部作品好 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第37章Part4

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第37章Part4  

'Pardon me
Madam
' he continued
'if in my perplexity
I presume to take counsel with you
and to consult your pleasure. I think I have observed that you are greatly interested in Miss Florence?'
What was there in her he had not observed
and did not know? Humbled and yet maddened by the thought
in every new presentment of it
however faint
she pressed her teeth upon her quivering lip to force posure on it
and distantly inclined her head in reply.
'This interest
Madam - so touching an evidence of everything associated with Mr Dombey being dear to you - induces me to pause before I make him acquainted with these circumstances
which
as yet
he does not know. It so shakes me
if I may make the confession
in my allegiance
that on the intimation of the least desire to that effect from you
I would suppress them.'
Edith raised her head quickly
and starting back
bent her dark glance upon him. He met it with his blandest and most deferential smile
and went on.
'You say that as I describe them
they are perverted. I fear not - I fear not: but let us assume that they are. The uneasiness I have for some time felt on the subject
arises in this: that the mere circumstance of such association often repeated
on the part of Miss Florence
however innocently and confidingly
would be conclusive with Mr Dombey
already predisposed against her
and would lead him to take some step (I know he has occasionally contemplated it) of separation and alienation of her from his home. Madam
bear with me
and remember my intercourse with Mr Dombey
and my knowledge of him
and my reverence for him
almost from childhood
when I say that if he has a fault
it is a lofty stubbornness
rooted in that noble pride and sense of power which belong to him
and which we must all defer to; which is not assailable like the obstinacy of other characters; and which grows upon itself from day to day
and year to year.
She bent her glance upon him still; but
look as steadfast as she would
her haughty nostrils dilated
and her breath came somewhat deeper
and her lip would slightly curl
as he described that in his patron to which they must all bow down. He saw it; and though his expression did not change
she knew he saw it.
'Even so slight an incident as last night's
' he said
'if I might refer to it once more
would serve to illustrate my meaning
better than a greater one. Dombey and Son know neither time
nor place
nor season
but bear them all down. But I rejoice in its occurrence
for it has opened the way for me to approach Mrs Dombey with this subject to-day
even if it has entailed upon me the penalty of her temporary displeasure. Madam
in the midst of my uneasiness and apprehension on this subject
I was summoned by Mr Dombey to Leamington. There I saw you. There I could not help knowing what relation you would shortly occupy towards him - to his enduring happiness and yours. There I resolved to await the time of your establishment at home here
and to do as I have now done. I have
at heart
no fear that I shall be wanting in my duty to Mr Dombey
if I bury what I know in your breast; for where there is but one heart and mind beeen o persons - as in such a marriage - one almost represents the other. I can acquit my conscience therefore
almost equally
by confidence
on such a theme
in you or him. For the reasons I have mentioned I would select you. May I aspire to the distinction of believing that my confidence is accepted
and that I am relieved from my responsibility?'
He long remembered the look she gave him - who could see it
and fet it? - and the struggle that ensued within her. At last she said:
'I accept it
Sir You will please to consider this matter at an end
and that it goes no farther.'
He bowed low
and rose. She rose too
and he took leave with all humility. But Withers
meeting him on the stairs
stood amazed at the beauty of his teeth
and at his brilliant smile; and as he rode away upon his white-legged horse
the people took him for a dentist
such was the dazzling show he made. The people took her
when she rode out in her carriage presently
for a great lady
as happy as she was rich and fine. But they had not seen her
just before
in her own room with no one by; and they had not heard her utterance of the three words
'Oh Florence
Florence!'
Mrs Skewton
reposing on her sofa
and sipping her chocolate
had heard nothing but the low word business
for which she had a mortal aversion
insomuch that she had long banished it from her vocabulary
and had gone nigh
in a charming manner and with an immense amount of heart
to say nothing of soul
to ruin divers milliners and others in consequence. Therefore Mrs Skewton asked no questions
and showed no curiosity. Indeed
the peach-velvet bon gave her sufficient occupation out of doors; for being perched on the back of her head
and the day being rather windy
it was frantic to escape from Mrs Skewton's pany
and would be coaxed into no sort of promise. When the carriage was closed
and the wind shut out
the palsy played among the artificial roses again like an almshouse-full of superannuated zephyrs; and altogether Mrs Skewton had enough to do
and got on but indifferently.
She got on no better towards night; for when Mrs Dombey
in her dressing-room
had been dressed and waiting for her half an hour
and Mr Dombey
in the drawing-room
had paraded himself into a state of solemn fretfulness (they were all three going out to dinner)
Flowers the Maid appeared with a pale face to Mrs Dombey
saying:
'If you please
Ma'am
I beg your pardon
but I can't do nothing with Missis!'
'What do you mean?' asked Edith.