vanity fair(名利场)-第102章

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interested　in　her　as　an　attached　friend　of　the　late　Miss
Crawley；　and　of　the　whole　family；　and　that　long　before
he　left　town；　he　had　recommended　that　she　should　be
ready　with　the　money　at　a　moment's　notice；　so　as　to
purchase　at　the　most　favourable　opportunity　the　shares
which　Sir　Pitt　had　in　his　eye。　　Poor　Miss　Briggs　was　very
grateful　for　this　mark　of　Sir　Pitt's　attentionit　came　so
unsolicited；　she　said；　for　she　never　should　have　thought　of
removing　the　money　from　the　fundsand　the　delicacy
enhanced　the　kindness　of　the　office；　and　she　promised　to
see　her　man　of　business　immediately　and　be　ready　with
her　little　cash　at　the　proper　hour。
And　this　worthy　woman　was　so　grateful　for　the
kindness　of　Rebecca　in　the　matter；　and　for　that　of　her
generous　benefactor；　the　Colonel；　that　she　went　out　and
spent　a　great　part　of　her　half…year's　dividend　in　the
purchase　of　a　black　velvet　coat　for　little　Rawdon；　who；　by
the　way；　was　grown　almost　too　big　for　black　velvet　now；
and　was　of　a　size　and　age　befitting　him　for　the　assumption
of　the　virile　jacket　and　pantaloons。
He　was　a　fine　open…faced　boy；　with　blue　eyes　and
waving　flaxen　hair；　sturdy　in　limb；　but　generous　and　soft　in
heart；　fondly　attaching　himself　to　all　who　were　good　to
himto　the　ponyto　Lord　Southdown；　who　gave　him
the　horse　（he　used　to　blush　and　glow　all　over　when　he
saw　that　kind　young　nobleman）to　the　groom　who　had
charge　of　the　ponyto　Molly；　the　cook；　who　crammed
him　with　ghost　stories　at　night；　and　with　good　things　from
the　dinnerto　Briggs；　whom　he　plagued　and　laughed　at
and　to　his　father　especially；　whose　attachment
towards　the　lad　was　curious　too　to　witness。　　Here；　as　he
grew　to　be　about　eight　years　old；　his　attachments　may
be　said　to　have　ended。　　The　beautiful　mother…vision　had
faded　away　after　a　while。　　During　near　two　years　she　had
scarcely　spoken　to　the　child。　　She　disliked　him。　　He　had
the　measles　and　the　hooping…cough。　　He　bored　her。　　One
day　when　he　was　standing　at　the　landing…place；　having
crept　down　from　the　upper　regions；　attracted　by　the　sound
of　his　mother's　voice；　who　was　singing　to　Lord　Steyne；
the　drawing　room　door　opening　suddenly；　discovered　the
little　spy；　who　but　a　moment　before　had　been　rapt　in
delight；　and　listening　to　the　music。
His　mother　came　out　and　struck　him　violently　a　couple
of　boxes　on　the　ear。　　He　heard　a　laugh　from　the　Marquis
in　the　inner　room　（who　was　amused　by　this　free　and
artless　exhibition　of　Becky's　temper）　and　fled　down　below
to　his　friends　of　the　kitchen；　bursting　in　an　agony　of
grief。
〃It　is　not　because　it　hurts　me；〃　little　Rawdon　gasped
out〃onlyonly〃sobs　and　tears　wound　up　the
sentence　in　a　storm。　　It　was　the　little　boy's　heart　that　was
bleeding。　　〃Why　mayn't　I　hear　her　singing？　Why　don't
she　ever　sing　to　meas　she　does　to　that　baldheaded
man　with　the　large　teeth？〃　He　gasped　out　at　various
intervals　these　exclamations　of　rage　and　grief。　　The　cook
looked　at　the　housemaid；　the　housemaid　looked
knowingly　at　the　footmanthe　awful　kitchen　inquisition　which
sits　in　judgement　in　every　house　and　knows　everything
sat　on　Rebecca　at　that　moment。
After　this　incident；　the　mother's　dislike　increased　to
hatred；　the　consciousness　that　the　child　was　in　the　house
was　a　reproach　and　a　pain　to　her。　　His　very　sight
annoyed　her。　　Fear；　doubt；　and　resistance　sprang　up；　too；
in　the　boy's　own　bosom。　　They　were　separated　from　that
day　of　the　boxes　on　the　ear。
Lord　Steyne　also　heartily　disliked　the　boy。　　When　they
met　by　mischance；　he　made　sarcastic　bows　or　remarks
to　the　child；　or　glared　at　him　with　savage…looking　eyes。
Rawdon　used　to　stare　him　in　the　face　and　double　his
little　fists　in　return。　　He　knew　his　enemy；　and　this　gentleman；
of　all　who　came　to　the　house；　was　the　one　who
angered　him　most。　　One　day　the　footman　found　him
squaring　his　fists　at　Lord　Steyne's　hat　in　the　hall。　　The
footman　told　the　circumstance　as　a　good　joke　to　Lord
Steyne's　coachman；　that　officer　imparted　it　to　Lord
Steyne's　gentleman；　and　to　the　servants'　hall　in　general。
And　very　soon　afterwards；　when　Mrs。　Rawdon　Crawley
made　her　appearance　at　Gaunt　House；　the　porter　who
unbarred　the　gates；　the　servants　of　all　uniforms　in　the　hall；
the　functionaries　in　white　waistcoats；　who　bawled　out
from　landing　to　landing　the　names　of　Colonel　and　Mrs。
Rawdon　Crawley；　knew　about　her；　or　fancied　they　did。
The　man　who　brought　her　refreshment　and　stood　behind
her　chair；　had　talked　her　character　over　with　the　large
gentleman　in　motley…coloured　clothes　at　his　side。　　Bon
Dieu！　it　is　awful；　that　servants'　inquisition！　　You　see　a
woman　in　a　great　party　in　a　splendid　saloon；　surrounded
by　faithful　admirers；　distributing　sparkling　glances；
dressed　to　perfection；　curled；　rouged；　smiling　and　happy
Discovery　walks　respectfully　up　to　her；　in　the　shape　of
a　huge　powdered　man　with　large　calves　and　a　tray　of　ices
with　Calumny　（which　is　as　fatal　as　truth）　behind
him；　in　the　shape　of　the　hulking　fellow　carrying　the　wafer…
biscuits。　　Madam；　your　secret　will　be　talked　over　by　those
men　at　their　club　at　the　public…house　to…night。　　Jeames
will　tell　Chawles　his　notions　about　you　over　their　pipes
and　pewter　beer…pots。　　Some　people　ought　to　have　mutes
for　servants　in　Vanity　Fairmutes　who　could　not　write。
If　you　are　guilty；　tremble。　　That　fellow　behind　your　chair
may　be　a　Janissary　with　a　bow…string　in　his　plush　breeches
pocket。　　If　you　are　not　guilty；　have　a　care　of
appearances；　which　are　as　ruinous　as　guilt。
〃Was　Rebecca　guilty　or　not？〃　the　Vehmgericht　of　tho
servants'　hall　had　pronounced　against　her。
And；　I　shame　to　say；　she　would　not　have　got　credit
had　they　not　believed　her　to　be　guilty。　　It　was　the　sight　of
the　Marquis　of　Steyne's　carriage…lamps　at　her　door；
contemplated　by　Raggles；　burning　in　the　blackness　of
midnight；　〃that　kep　him　up；〃　as　he　afterwards　said；　that
even　more　than　Rebecca's　arts　and　coaxings。
And　soguiltless　very　likelyshe　was　writhing　and
pushing　onward　towards　what　they　call　〃a　position　in
society；〃　and　the　servants　were　pointing　at　her　as　lost
and　ruined。　　So　you　see　Molly；　the　housemaid；　of　a　morning；
watching　a　spider　in　the　doorpost　lay　his　thread　and
laboriously　crawl　up　it；　until；　tired　of　the　sport；　she
raises　her　broom　and　sweeps　away　the　thread　and　the
artificer。
A　day　or　two　before　Christmas；　Becky；　her　husband
and　her　son　made　ready　and　went　to　pass　the　holidays
at　the　seat　of　their　ancestors　at　Queen's　Crawley。　　Becky
would　have　liked　to　leave　the　little　brat　behind；　and
would　have　done　so　but　for　Lady　Jane's　urgent　invitations
to　the　youngster；　and　the　symptoms　of　revolt　and
discontent　which　Rawdon　manifested　at　her　neglect　of　her
son。　　〃He's　the　finest　boy　in　England；〃　the　father　said　in　a
tone　of　reproach　to　her；　〃and　you　don't　seem　to　care　for
him；　Becky；　as　much　as　you　do　for　your　spaniel。　　He
shan't　bother　you　much；　at　home　he　will　be　away　from
you　in　the　nursery；　and　he　shall　go　outside　on　the　coach
with　me。〃
〃Where　you　go　yourself　because　you　want　to　smoke
those　filthy　cigars；〃　replied　Mrs。　Rawdon。
〃I　remember　when　you　liked　'em　though；〃　answered　the
husband。
Becky　laughed；　she　was　almost　always　good…humoured。
〃That　was　when　I　was　on　my　promotion；　Goosey；〃　she
said。　　〃Take　Rawdon　outside　with　you　and　give　him　a　cigar
too　if　you　like。〃
Rawdon　did　not　warm　his　little　son　for　the　winter's
journey　in　this　way；　but　he　and　Briggs　wrapped　up　the
child　in　shawls　and　comforters；　and　he　was　hoisted
respectfully　onto　the　roof　of　the　coach　in　the。dark　morning；
under　the　lamps　of　the　White　Horse　Cellar；　and　with
no　small　delight　he　watched　the　dawn　rise　and　made
his　first　journey　to　the　place　which　his　father　still　called
home。　　It　was　a　journey　of　infinite　pleasure　to　the　boy；　to
whom　the　incidents　of　the　road　afforded　endless　interest；
his　father　answering　to　him　all　questions　connected　with　it
and　telling　him　who　lived　in　the　great　white　house　to　the
right；　and　whom　the　park　belonged　to。　　His　mother；　inside
the　vehicle；　with　her　maid　and　her　furs；　her　wrappers；　and
her　scent　bottles；　made　such　a　to…do　that　you　would　have
thought　she　never　had　been　in　a　stage…coach　before
much　less；　that　she　had　been　turned　out　of　this　very　one
to　make　room　for　a　paying　passenger　on　a　certain
journey　performed　some　half…score　years　ago。
It　was　dark　again　when　little　Rawdon　was　wakened　up
to　enter　his　uncle's　carriage　at　Mudbury；　and　he　sat　and
looked　out　of　it　wondering　as　the　great　iron　gates　flew
open；　and　at　the　white　trunks　of　the　limes　as　they　swept
by；　until　they　stopped；　at　length；　before　the　light　windows
of　the　Hall；　which　were　blazing　and　comfortable　with
Christmas　welcome。　　The　hall…door　was　flung　opena　big
fire　was　burning　in　the　great　old　fire…placea　carpet　was
down　over　the　chequered　black　flags〃It's　the　old　Turkey
one　that　used　to　be　in　the　Ladies'　Gallery；〃　thought
Rebecca；　and　the　next　instant　was　kissing　Lady　Jane。
She　and　Sir　Pitt　performed　the　same　salute　with　great
gravity；　but　Rawdon；　having　been　smoking；　hung　back
rather　from　his　sister…in…law；　whose　two　children　came
up　to　their　cousin；　and；　while　Matilda　held　out　her　hand
and　kissed　him；　Pitt　Binkie　Southdown；　the　son　and　heir；
stood　aloof　rather　and　examined　him　as　a　little　dog　does
a　big　dog。
Then　the　kind　hostess　conducted　her　guests　to　the　snug
apartments　blazing　with　cheerful　fires。　　Then　the　young
ladies　came　and　knocked　at　Mrs。　Rawdon's　door；　under
the　pretence　that　they　were　desirous　to　be　useful；　but　in
reality　to　have　the　pleasure　of　inspecting　the　contents　of
her　band　and　bonnet…boxes；　and　her　dresses　which；　though
black；　were　of　the　newest　London　fashion。　　And　they　told
her　how　much　the　Hall　was　changed　for　the　better；　and
how　old　Lady　Southdown　was　gone；　and　how　Pitt　was
taking　his　station　in　the　county；　as　became　a　Crawley　in
fact。　　Then　the　great　dinner…bell　having　rung；　the　family
assembled　at　dinner；　at　which　meal　Rawdon　Junior　was
placed　by　his　aunt；　the　good…natured　lady　of　the　house；
Sir　Pitt　being　uncommonly　attentive　to　his　sister…in…law　at
his　own　right　hand。
Little　Rawdon　exhibited　a　fine　appetite　and　showed　a
gentlemanlike　behaviour。
〃I　like　to　dine　here；〃　he　said　to　his　aunt　when　he　had
completed　his　meal；　at　the　conclusion　of　which；　and
after　a　decent　grace　by　Sir　Pitt；　the　younger　son　and
heir　was　introduced；　and　was　perched　on　a　high　chair
by　the　Baronet's　side；　while　the　daughter　took　possession
of　the　place　and　the　little　wine…glass　prepared　for　her
near　her　mother。　　〃I　like　to　dine　here；〃　said　Rawdon　Minor；
looking　up　at　his　relation's　kind　face。
〃Why？〃　said　the　good　Lady　Jane。
〃I　dine　in　the　kitchen　when　I　am　at　home；〃　replied
Rawdon　Minor；　〃or　else　with　Briggs。〃　But　Becky　was　so
engaged　with　the　Baronet；　her　host；　pouring　out　a　flood　of
compliments　and　delights　and　raptures；　and　admiring
young　Pitt　Binkie；　whom　she　declared　to　be　the　most
beautiful；　intelligent；　noble…looking　little　creature；　and　so
like　his　father；　that　she　did　not　hear　the　remarks　of　her
own　flesh　and　blood　at　the　other　end　of　the　broad
shining　table。
As　a　guest；　and　it　being　the　first　night　of　his　arrival；
Rawdon　the　Second　was　allowed　to　sit　up　until　the　hour
when　tea　being　over；　and　a　great　gilt　book　being　laid　on
the　table　before　Sir　Pitt；　all　the