vanity fair(名利场)-第22章

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Miss　Blackbrooks　（Admiral　Blackbrook's　daughters；　my
dear）；　fine　young　ladies；　with　dresses　from　London；
when　Captain　Rawdon　selected　poor　me　for　a　partner！
When　Mrs。　Bute　Crawley　（whose　artifices　our　ingenious
Rebecca　had　so　soon　discovered）　had　procured　from
Miss　Sharp　the　promise　of　a　visit；　she　induced　the　all…
powerful　Miss　Crawley　to　make　the　necessary　application
to　Sir　Pitt；　and　the　good…natured　old　lady；　who　loved　to
be　gay　herself；　and　to　see　every　one　gay　and　happy　round
about　her；　was　quite　charmed；　and　ready　to　establish　a
reconciliation　and　intimacy　between　her　two　brothers。
It　was　therefore　agreed　that　the　young　people　of　both
families　should　visit　each　other　frequently　for　the　future；
and　the　friendship　of　course　lasted　as　long　as　the　jovial
old　mediatrix　was　there　to　keep　the　peace。
　　
〃Why　did　you　ask　that　scoundrel；　Rawdon　Crawley；　to
dine？〃　said　the　Rector　to　his　lady；　as　they　were　walking
home　through　the　park。　　〃I　don't　want　the　fellow。　　He　looks
down　upon　us　country　people　as　so　many　blackamoors。
He's　never　content　unless　he　gets　my　yellow…sealed　wine；
which　costs　me　ten　shillings　a　bottle；　hang　him！　Besides；
he's　such　an　infernal　characterhe's　a　gamblerhe's　a
drunkardhe's　a　profligate　in　every　way。　　He　shot　a　man
in　a　duelhe's　over　head　and　ears　in　debt；　and　he's
robbed　me　and　mine　of　the　best　part　of　Miss　Crawley's
fortune。　　Waxy　says　she　has　him〃here　the　Rector　shook
his　fist　at　the　moon；　with　something　very　like　an　oath；
and　added；　in　a　melancholious　tone；　〃；　down　in　her　will
for　fifty　thousand；　and　there　won't　be　above　thirty　to
divide。〃
　　
〃I　think　she's　going；〃　said　the　Rector's　wife。　　〃She　was
very　red　in　the　face　when　we　left　dinner。　　I　was　obliged
to　unlace　her。〃
　　
〃She　drank　seven　glasses　of　champagne；〃　said　the
reverend　gentleman；　in　a　low　voice；　〃and　filthy　champagne
it　is；　too；　that　my　brother　poisons　us　withbut　you
women　never　know　what's　what。〃
　　
〃We　know　nothing；〃　said　Mrs。　Bute　Crawley。
　　
〃She　drank　cherry…brandy　after　dinner；〃　continued　his
Reverence；　〃and　took　curacao　with　her　coffee。　　I
wouldn't　take　a　glass　for　a　five…pound　note：　it　kills　me
with　heartburn。　　She　can't　stand　it；　Mrs。　Crawleyshe
must　goflesh　and　blood　won't　bear　it！　and　I　lay　five　to
two；　Matilda　drops　in　a　year。〃
　　
Indulging　in　these　solemn　speculations；　and　thinking
about　his　debts；　and　his　son　Jim　at　College；　and　Frank　at
Woolwich；　and　the　four　girls；　who　were　no　beauties；　poor
things；　and　would　not　have　a　penny　but　what　they　got　from
the　aunt's　expected　legacy；　the　Rector　and　his　lady　walked
on　for　a　while。
　　
〃Pitt　can't　be　such　an　infernal　villain　as　to　sell　the
reversion　of　the　living。　　And　that　Methodist　milksop　of　an
eldest　son　looks　to　Parliament；〃　continued　Mr。　Crawley；
after　a　pause。
　　
〃Sir　Pitt　Crawley　will　do　anything；〃　said　the　Rector's
wife。　　〃We　must　get　Miss　Crawley　to　make　him　promise　it
to　James。〃
　　
〃Pitt　will　promise　anything；〃　replied　the　brother。　　〃He
promised　he'd　pay　my　college　bills；　when　my　father　died；
he　promised　he'd　build　the　new　wing　to　the　Rectory；
he　promised　he'd　let　me　have　Jibb's　field　and　the　Six…
acre　Meadowand　much　he　executed　his　promises！　And
it's　to　this　man's　sonthis　scoundrel；　gambler；　swindler；
murderer　of　a　Rawdon　Crawley；　that　Matilda　leaves　the
bulk　of　her　money。　　I　say　it's　un…Christian。　　By　Jove；　it　is。
The　infamous　dog　has　got　every　vice　except　hypocrisy；
and　that　belongs　to　his　brother。〃
　　
〃Hush；　my　dearest　love！　we're　in　Sir　Pitt's　grounds；〃
interposed　his　wife。
　　
〃I　say　he　has　got　every　vice；　Mrs。　Crawley。　　Don't
Ma'am；　bully　me。　　Didn't　he　shoot　Captain　Marker？　Didn't
he　rob　young　Lord　Dovedale　at　the　Cocoa…Tree？　Didn't
he　cross　the　fight　between　Bill　Soames　and　the　Cheshire
Trump；　by　which　I　lost　forty　pound？　You　know　he　did；
and　as　for　the　women；　why；　you　heard　that　before　me；　in
my　own　magistrate's　room　〃
　　
〃For　heaven's　sake；　Mr。　Crawley；〃　said　the　lady；　〃spare
me　the　details。〃
　　
〃And　you　ask　this　villain　into　your　house！〃　continued
the　exasperated　Rector。　　〃You；　the　mother　of　a　young
familythe　wife　of　a　clergyman　of　the　Church　of
England。　　By　Jove！〃
　　
〃Bute　Crawley；　you　are　a　fool；〃　said　the　Rector's　wife
scornfully。
　　
〃Well；　Ma'am；　fool　or　notand　I　don't　say；　Martha；
I'm　so　clever　as　you　are；　I　never　did。　　But　I　won't　meet
Rawdon　Crawley；　that's　flat。　　I'll　go　over　to　Huddleston；
that　I　will；　and　see　his　black　greyhound；　Mrs。　Crawley；
and　I'll　run　Lancelot　against　him　for　fifty。　　By　Jove；　I　will；
or　against　any　dog　in　England。　　But　I　won't　meet　that
beast　Rawdon　Crawley。〃
〃Mr。　Crawley；　you　are　intoxicated；　as　usual；〃　replied
his　wife。　　And　the　next　morning；　when　the　Rector　woke；
and　called　for　small　beer；　she　put　him　in　mind　of　his
promise　to　visit　Sir　Huddleston　Fuddleston　on　Saturday；
and　as　he　knew　he　should　have　a　wet　night；　it　was　agreed
that　he　might　gallop　back　again　in　time　for　church　on
Sunday　morning。　　Thus　it　will　be　seen　that　the　parishioners
of　Crawley　were　equally　happy　in　their　Squire　and　in　their
Rector。
　　
Miss　Crawley　had　not　long　been　established　at　the　Hall
before　Rebecca's　fascinations　had　won　the　heart　of　that
good…natured　London　rake；　as　they　had　of　the　country
innocents　whom　we　have　been　describing。　　Taking　her
accustomed　drive；　one　day；　she　thought　fit　to　order　that
〃that　little　governess〃　should　accompany　her　to　Mudbury。
Before　they　had　returned　Rebecca　had　made　a　conquest
of　her；　having　made　her　laugh　four　times；　and　amused　her
during　the　whole　of　the　little　journey。
　　
〃Not　let　Miss　Sharp　dine　at　table！〃　said　she　to　Sir　Pitt；
who　had　arranged　a　dinner　of　ceremony；　and　asked　all　the
neighbouring　baronets。　　〃My　dear　creature；　do　you
suppose　I　can　talk　about　the　nursery　with　Lady　Fuddleston；　or
discuss　justices'　business　with　that　goose；　old　Sir　Giles
Wapshot？　I　insist　upon　Miss　Sharp　appearing。　　Let　Lady
Crawley　remain　upstairs；　if　there　is　no　room。　　But　little
Miss　Sharp！　Why；　she's　the　only　person　fit　to　talk　to　in
the　county！〃
　　
Of　course；　after　such　a　peremptory　order　as　this；　Miss
Sharp；　the　governess；　received　commands　to　dine　with　the
illustrious　company　below　stairs。　　And　when　Sir　Huddleston
had；　with　great　pomp　and　ceremony；　handed　Miss
Crawley　in　to　dinner；　and　was　preparing　to　take　his
place　by　her　side；　the　old　lady　cried　out；　in　a　shrill
voice；　〃Becky　Sharp！　　Miss　Sharp！　　Come　you　and　sit　by
me　and　amuse　me；　and　let　Sir　Huddleston　sit　by　Lady
Wapshot。〃
　　
When　the　parties　were　over；　and　the　carriages　had
rolled　away；　the　insatiable　Miss　Crawley　would　say；
〃Come　to　my　dressing　room；　Becky；　and　let　us　abuse　the
company〃which；　between　them；　this　pair　of　friends　did
perfectly。　　Old　Sir　Huddleston　wheezed　a　great　deal　at
dinner；　Sir　Giles　Wapshot　had　a　particularly　noisy　manner
of　imbibing　his　soup；　and　her　ladyship　a　wink　of　the　left
eye；　all　of　which　Becky　caricatured　to　admiration；　as　well
as　the　particulars　of　the　night's　conversation；　the　politics；
the　war；　the　quarter…sessions；　the　famous　run　with　the
H。H。；　and　those　heavy　and　dreary　themes；　about　which
country　gentlemen　converse。　　As　for　the　Misses　Wapshot's
toilettes　and　Lady　Fuddleston's　famous　yellow　hat；　Miss
Sharp　tore　them　to　tatters；　to　the　infinite　amusement
of　her　audience。
　　
〃My　dear；　you　are　a　perfect　trouvaille；〃　Miss　Crawley
would　say。　　〃I　wish　you　could　come　to　me　in　London；
but　I　couldn't　make　a　butt　of　you　as　I　do　of　poor　Briggs
no；　no；　you　little　sly　creature；　you　are　too　cleverIsn't
she；　Firkin？〃
　　
Mrs。　Firkin　（who　was　dressing　the　very　small
remnant　of　hair　which　remained　on　Miss　Crawley's　pate）；
flung　up　her　head　and　said；　〃I　think　Miss　is　very　clever；〃
with　the　most　killing　sarcastic　air。　　In　fact；　Mrs。　Firkin
had　that　natural　jealousy　which　is　one　of　the　main
principles　of　every　honest　woman。
　　
After　rebuffing　Sir　Huddleston　Fuddleston；　Miss
Crawley　ordered　that　Rawdon　Crawley　should　lead　her　in
to　dinner　every　day；　and　that　Becky　should　follow　with　her
cushionor　else　she　would　have　Becky's　arm　and
Rawdon　with　the　pillow。　　〃We　must　sit　together；〃　she　said。
〃We're　the　only　three　Christians　in　the　county；　my　love〃
in　which　case；　it　must　be　confessed；　that　religion　was
at　a　very　low　ebb　in　the　county　of　Hants。
　　
Besides　being　such　a　fine　religionist；　Miss　Crawley
was；　as　we　have　said；　an　Ultra…liberal　in　opinions；　and
always　took　occasion　to　express　these　in　the　most　candid
manner。
　　
〃What　is　birth；　my　dear！〃　she　would　say　to　Rebecca
〃Look　at　my　brother　Pitt；　look　at　the　Huddlestons；　who
have　been　here　since　Henry　II；　look　at　poor　Bute　at　the
parsonageis　any　one　of　them　equal　to　you　in　intelligence
or　breeding？　Equal　to　youthey　are　not　even　equal　to
poor　dear　Briggs；　my　companion；　or　Bowls；　my　butler。
You；　my　love；　are　a　little　paragonpositively　a　little
jewelYou　have　more　brains　than　half　the　shireif
merit　had　its　reward　you　ought　to　be　a　Duchessno；
there　ought　to　be　no　duchesses　at　allbut　you　ought　to
have　no　superior；　and　I　consider　you；　my　love；　as　my
equal　in　every　respect；　andwill　you　put　some　coals　on
the　fire；　my　dear；　and　will　you　pick　this　dress　of　mine；　and
alter　it；　you　who　can　do　it　so　well？〃　So　this　old　philanthropist
used　to　make　her　equal　run　of　her　errands；　execute　her
millinery；　and　read　her　to　sleep　with　French　novels；
every　night。
　　
At　this　time；　as　some　old　readers　may　recollect；　the
genteel　world　had　been　thrown　into　a　considerable　state
of　excitement　by　two　events；　which；　as　the　papers　say；
might　give　employment　to　the　gentlemen　of　the　long　robe。
Ensign　Shafton　had　run　away　with　Lady　Barbara　Fitzurse；
the　Earl　of　Bruin's　daughter　and　heiress；　and　poor　Vere
Vane；　a　gentleman　who；　up　to　forty；　had　maintained　a
most　respectable　character　and　reared　a　numerous　family；
suddenly　and　outrageously　left　his　home；　for　the　sake　of
Mrs。　Rougemont；　the　actress；　who　was　sixty…five　years
of　age。
　　
〃That　was　the　most　beautiful　part　of　dear　Lord
Nelson's　character；〃　Miss　Crawley　said。　　〃He　went　to　the
deuce　for　a　woman。　　There　must　be　good　in　a　man　who　will
do　that。　　I　adore　all　impudent　matches。What　I　like
best；　is　for　a　nobleman　to　marry　a　miller's　daughter；　as
Lord　Flowerdale　didit　makes　all　the　women　so　angry
I　wish　some　great　man　would　run　away　with　you；　my
dear；　I'm　sure　you're　pretty　enough。〃
　　
〃Two　post…boys！Oh；　it　would　be　delightful！〃　Rebecca
owned。
　　
〃And　what　I　like　next　best；　is　for　a　poor　fellow　to　run
away　with　a　rich　girl。　　I　have　set　my　heart　on　Rawdon
running　away　with　some　one。〃
　　
〃A　rich　some　one；　or　a　poor　some　one？〃
　　
〃Why；　you　goose！　Rawdon　has　not　a　shilling　but　what　I
give　him。　　He　is　crible　de　detteshe　must　repair　his
fortunes；　and　succeed　in　the　world。〃
　　
〃Is　he　very　clever？〃　Rebecca　asked。
　　
〃Clever；　my　love？not　an　idea　in　the　world　beyond　his
horses；　and　his　regiment；　and　his　hunting；　and　his　play；
but　he　must　succeedhe's　so　delightfully　wicked。　　Don't
you　know　he　has　hit　a　man；　and　shot　an　injured　father
through　the　hat　only？　He's　adored　in　his　regiment；　and　all
the　young　men　at　Wattier's　and　the　Cocoa…Tree　swear　by
him。〃
　　
When　Miss　Rebecca　Sharp　wrote　to　her　beloved　friend
the　account　of　the　little　ball　at　Queen's　Crawley；　and　the
manner　in　which；　for　the