vanity fair(名利场)-第25章

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Cheltenham。　　Amelia　had　the　house　to　herselfah！　too
much　to　herself　sometimesnot　that　she　ever　doubted；
for；　to　be　sure；　George　must　be　at　the　Horse　Guards；
and　he　can't　always　get　leave　from　Chatham；　and　he　must
see　his　friends　and　sisters；　and　mingle　in　society　when
in　town　（he；　such　an　ornament　to　every　society！）；　and
when　he　is　with　the　regiment；　he　is　too　tired　to　write　long
letters。　　I　know　where　she　kept　that　packet　she　hadand
can　steal　in　and　out　of　her　chamber　like　Iachimolike
Iachimo？　　Nothat　is　a　bad　part。　　I　will　only　act
Moonshine；　and　peep　harmless　into　the　bed　where　faith　and
beauty　and　innocence　lie　dreaming。
　　
But　if　Osborne's　were　short　and　soldierlike　letters；　it
must　be　confessed；　that　were　Miss　Sedley's　letters　to　Mr。
Osborne　to　be　published；　we　should　have　to　extend　this
novel　to　such　a　multiplicity　of　volumes　as　not　the　most
sentimental　reader　could　support；　that　she　not　only　filled
sheets　of　large　paper；　but　crossed　them　with　the　most
astonishing　perverseness；　that　she　wrote　whole　pages　out
of　poetry…books　without　the　least　pity；　that　she
underlined　words　and　passages　with　quite　a　frantic　emphasis；
and；　in　fine；　gave　the　usual　tokens　of　her　condition。　　She
wasn't　a　heroine。　　Her　letters　were　full　of　repetition。　　She
wrote　rather　doubtful　grammar　sometimes；　and　in　her
verses　took　all　sorts　of　liberties　with　the　metre。　　But　oh；
mesdames；　if　you　are　not　allowed　to　touch　the　heart
sometimes　in　spite　of　syntax；　and　are　not　to　be　loved
until　you　all　know　the　difference　between　trimeter　and
tetrameter；　may　all　Poetry　go　to　the　deuce；　and　every
schoolmaster　perish　miserably！

CHAPTER　XIII
Sentimental　and　Otherwise
I　fear　the　gentleman　to　whom　Miss　Amelia's　letters　were
addressed　was　rather　an　obdurate　critic。　　Such　a　number
of　notes　followed　Lieutenant　Osborne　about　the　country；
that　he　became　almost　ashamed　of　the　jokes　of　his
mess…room　companions　regarding　them；　and　ordered　his
servant　never　to　deliver　them　except　at　his　private　apartment。
He　was　seen　lighting　his　cigar　with　one；　to　the　horror　of
Captain　Dobbin；　who；　it　is　my　belief；　would　have　given
a　bank…note　for　the　document。
　　
For　some　time　George　strove　to　keep　the　liaison　a
secret。　　There　was　a　woman　in　the　case；　that　he　admitted。
〃And　not　the　first　either；〃　said　Ensign　Spooney　to　Ensign
Stubble。　　〃That　Osborne's　a　devil　of　a　fellow。　　There　was　a
judge's　daughter　at　Demerara　went　almost　mad　about
him；　then　there　was　that　beautiful　quadroon　girl；　Miss
Pye；　at　St。　Vincent's；　you　know；　and　since　he's　been
home；　they　say　he's　a　regular　Don　Giovanni；　by　Jove。〃
　　
Stubble　and　Spooney　thought　that　to　be　a　〃regular
Don　Giovanni；　by　Jove〃　was　one　of　the　finest　qualities　a
man　could　possess；　and　Osborne's　reputation　was
prodigious　amongst　the　young　men　of　the　regiment。　　He
was　famous　in　field…sports；　famous　at　a　song；　famous　on
parade；　free　with　his　money；　which　was　bountifully
supplied　by　his　father。　　His　coats　were　better　made　than
any　man's　in　the　regiment；　and　he　had　more　of　them。　　He
was　adored　by　the　men。　　He　could　drink　more　than　any
officer　of　the　whole　mess；　including　old　Heavytop；　the
colonel。　　He　could　spar　better　than　Knuckles；　the　private
（who　would　have　been　a　corporal　but　for　his　drunkenness；
and　who　had　been　in　the　prize…ring）；　and　was　the　best
batter　and　bowler；　out　and　out；　of　the　regimental　club。
He　rode　his　own　horse；　Greased　Lightning；　and　won　the
Garrison　cup　at　Quebec　races。　　There　were　other　people
besides　Amelia　who　worshipped　him。　　Stubble　and
Spooney　thought　him　a　sort　of　Apollo；　Dobbin　took　him
to　be　an　Admirable　Crichton；　and　Mrs。　Major　O'Dowd
acknowledged　he　was　an　elegant　young　fellow；　and　put
her　in　mind　of　Fitzjurld　Fogarty；　Lord　Castlefogarty's
second　son。
　　
Well；　Stubble　and　Spooney　and　the　rest　indulged　in
most　romantic　conjectures　regarding　this　female
correspondent　of　Osborne'sopining　that　it　was　a　Duchess　in
London　who　was　in　love　with　himor　that　it　was　a
General's　daughter；　who　was　engaged　to　somebody　else；
and　madly　attached　to　himor　that　it　was　a　Member　of
Parliament's　lady；　who　proposed　four　horses　and　an
elopementor　that　it　was　some　other　victim　of　a　passion
delightfully　exciting；　romantic；　and　disgraceful　to　all
parties；　on　none　of　which　conjectures　would　Osborne　throw
the　least　light；　leaving　his　young　admirers　and　friends　to
invent　and　arrange　their　whole　history。
　　
And　the　real　state　of　the　case　would　never　have　been
known　at　all　in　the　regiment　but　for　Captain　Dobbin's
indiscretion。　　The　Captain　was　eating　his　breakfast　one
day　in　the　mess…room；　while　Cackle；　the　assistant…surgeon；
and　the　two　above…named　worthies　were　speculating　upon
Osborne's　intrigueStubble　holding　out　that　the　lady
was　a　Duchess　about　Queen　Charlotte's　court；　and　Cackle
vowing　she　was　an　opera…singer　of　the　worst　reputation。
At　this　idea　Dobbin　became　so　moved；　that　though　his
mouth　was　full　of　eggs　and　bread…and…butter　at　the　time；
and　though　he　ought　not　to　have　spoken　at　all；　yet　he
couldn't　help　blurting　out；　〃Cackle；　you're　a　stupid　fool。
You're　always　talking　nonsense　and　scandal。　　Osborne　is
not　going　to　run　off　with　a　Duchess　or　ruin　a　milliner。
Miss　Sedley　is　one　of　the　most　charming　young　women
that　ever　lived。　　He's　been　engaged　to　her　ever　so　long；
and　the　man　who　calls　her　names　had　better　not　do　so
in　my　hearing。〃　With　which；　turning　exceedingly　red；
Dobbin　ceased　speaking；　and　almost　choked　himself　with
a　cup　of　tea。　　The　story　was　over　the　regiment　in　half…an…
hour；　and　that　very　evening　Mrs。　Major　O'Dowd　wrote
off　to　her　sister　Glorvina　at　O'Dowdstown　not　to　hurry
from　Dublinyoung　Osborne　being　prematurely　engaged
already。
　　
She　complimented　the　Lieutenant　in　an　appropriate
speech　over　a　glass　of　whisky…toddy　that　evening；　and　he
went　home　perfectly　furious　to　quarrel　with　Dobbin　（who
had　declined　Mrs。　Major　O'Dowd's　party；　and　sat　in　his
own　room　playing　the　flute；　and；　I　believe；　writing　poetry
in　a　very　melancholy　manner）to　quarrel　with　Dobbin
for　betraying　his　secret。
　　
〃Who　the　deuce　asked　you　to　talk　about　my　affairs？〃
Osborne　shouted　indignantly。　　〃Why　the　devil　is　all　the
regiment　to　know　that　I　am　going　to　be　married？　Why　is
that　tattling　old　harridan；　Peggy　O'Dowd；　to　make　free
with　my　name　at　her　dd　supper…table；　and　advertise
my　engagement　over　the　three　kingdoms？　After　all；　what
right　have　you　to　say　I　am　engaged；　or　to　meddle　in　my
business　at　all；　Dobbin？〃
　　
〃It　seems　to　me；〃　Captain　Dobbin　began。
　　
〃Seems　be　hanged；　Dobbin；〃　his　junior　interrupted
him。　　〃I　am　under　obligations　to　you；　I　know　it；　a　dd
deal　too　well　too；　but　I　won't　be　always　sermonised　by
you　because　you're　five　years　my　senior。　　I'm　hanged　if
I'll　stand　your　airs　of　superiority　and　infernal　pity　and
patronage。　　Pity　and　patronage！　I　should　like　to　know　in
what　I'm　your　inferior？〃
　　
〃Are　you　engaged？〃　Captain　Dobbin　interposed。
　　
〃What　the　devil's　that　to　you　or　any　one　here　if　I　am？〃
　　
〃Are　you　ashamed　of　it？〃　Dobbin　resumed。
　　
〃What　right　have　you　to　ask　me　that　question；　sir？　I
should　like　to　know；〃　George　said。
　　
〃Good　God；　you　don't　mean　to　say　you　want　to　break
off？〃　asked　Dobbin；　starting　up。
　　
〃In　other　words；　you　ask　me　if　I'm　a　man　of　honour；〃
said　Osborne；　fiercely；　〃is　that　what　you　mean？　You've
adopted　such　a　tone　regarding　me　lately　that　I'm　
if　I'll　bear　it　any　more。〃
　　
〃What　have　I　done？　I've　told　you　you　were　neglecting
a　sweet　girl；　George。　　I've　told　you　that　when　you　go　to
town　you　ought　to　go　to　her；　and　not　to　the　gambling…
houses　about　St。　James's。〃
　　
〃You　want　your　money　back；　I　suppose；〃　said　George；
with　a　sneer。
　　
〃Of　course　I　doI　always　did；　didn't　I？〃　says　Dobbin。
〃You　speak　like　a　generous　fellow。〃
　　
〃No；　hang　it；　William；　I　beg　your　pardon〃here
George　interposed　in　a　fit　of　remorse；　〃you　have　been　my
friend　in　a　hundred　ways；　Heaven　knows。　　You've　got　me
out　of　a　score　of　scrapes。　　When　Crawley　of　the　Guards
won　that　sum　of　money　of　me　I　should　have　been　done
but　for　you：　I　know　I　should。　　But　you　shouldn't　deal　so
hardly　with　me；　you　shouldn't　be　always　catechising　me。
I　am　very　fond　of　Amelia；　I　adore　her；　and　that　sort　of
thing。　　Don't　look　angry。　　She's　faultless；　I　know　she　is。
But　you　see　there's　no　fun　in　winning　a　thing　unless　you
play　for　it。　　Hang　it：　the　regiment's　just　back　from　the
West　Indies；　I　must　have　a　little　fling；　and　then　when　I'm
married　I'll　reform；　I　will　upon　my　honour；　now。　　AndI
sayDobdon't　be　angry　with　me；　and　I'll　give　you　a
hundred　next　month；　when　I　know　my　father　will　stand
something　handsome；　and　I'll　ask　Heavytop　for　leave；
and　I'll　go　to　town；　and　see　Amelia　to…morrowthere
now；　will　that　satisfy　you？〃
　　
〃It　is　impossible　to　be　long　angry　with　you；　George；〃
said　the　good…natured　Captain；　〃and　as　for　the　money；
old　boy；　you　know　if　I　wanted　it　you'd　share　your　last
shilling　with　me。〃
　　
〃That　I　would；　by　Jove；　Dobbin；〃　George　said；　with
the　greatest　generosity；　though　by　the　way　he　never　had
any　money　to　spare。
　　
〃Only　I　wish　you　had　sown　those　wild　oats　of　yours；
George。　　If　you　could　have　seen　poor　little　Miss　Emmy's
face　when　she　asked　me　about　you　the　other　day；　you
would　have　pitched　those　billiard…balls　to　the　deuce。　　Go
and　comfort　her；　you　rascal。　　Go　and　write　her　a　long
letter。　　Do　something　to　make　her　happy；　a　very　little　will。〃
　　
〃I　believe　she's　dd　fond　of　me；〃　the　Lieutenant　said；
with　a　self…satisfied　air；　and　went　off　to　finish　the　evening
with　some　jolly　fellows　in　the　mess…room。
　　
Amelia　meanwhile；　in　Russell　Square；　was　looking　at
the　moon；　which　was　shining　upon　that　peaceful　spot；　as
well　as　upon　the　square　of　the　Chatham　barracks；　where
Lieutenant　Osborne　was　quartered；　and　thinking　to
herself　how　her　hero　was　employed。　　Perhaps　he　is　visiting
the　sentries；　thought　she；　perhaps　he　is　bivouacking；
perhaps　he　is　attending　the　couch　of　a　wounded　comrade；　or
studying　the　art　of　war　up　in　his　own　desolate　chamber。
And　her　kind　thoughts　sped　away　as　if　they　were　angels
and　had　wings；　and　flying　down　the　river　to　Chatham
and　Rochester；　strove　to　peep　into　the　barracks　where
George　was。　。　。　。　All　things　considered；　I　think　it　was
as　well　the　gates　were　shut；　and　the　sentry　allowed　no
one　to　pass；　so　that　the　poor　little　white…robed　angel
could　not　hear　the　songs　those　young　fellows　were
roaring　over　the　whisky…punch。
　　
The　day　after　the　little　conversation　at　Chatham
barracks；　young　Osborne；　to　show　that　he　would　be　as　good
as　his　word；　prepared　to　go　to　town；　thereby　incurring
Captain　Dobbin's　applause。　　〃I　should　have　liked　to　make　her
a　little　present；〃　Osborne　said　to　his　friend　in　confidence；
〃only　I　am　quite　out　of　cash　until　my　father　tips　up。〃　But
Dobbin　would　not　allow　this　good　nature　and　generosity
to　be　balked；　and　so　accommodated　Mr。　Osborne　with　a
few　pound　notes；　which　the　latter　took　after　a　little　faint
scruple。
　　
And　I　dare　say　he　would　have　bought　something　very
handsome　for　Amelia；　only；　getting　off　the　coach　in　Fleet
Street；　he　was　attracted　by　a　handsome　shirt…pin　in　a
jeweller's　window；　which　he　could　not　resist；　and　having
paid　for　that；　had　very　little　money　to　spare　for　indulging
in　any　further　exer