vanity fair(名利场)-第30章

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everybody。　　I　know　him；　and　Osborne's　a　goodish…looking
fellow；　with　large　black　whiskers？〃
　　
〃Enormous；〃　Miss　Rebecca　Sharp　said；　〃and
enormously　proud　of　them；　I　assure　you。〃
　　
Captain　Rawdon　Crawley　burst　into　a　horse…laugh　by
way　of　reply；　and　being　pressed　by　the　ladies　to　explain；
did　so　when　the　explosion　of　hilarity　was　over。　　〃He
fancies　he　can　play　at　billiards；〃　said　he。　　〃I　won　two
hundred　of　him　at　the　Cocoa…Tree。　　HE　play；　the　young
flat！　　He'd　have　played　for　anything　that　day；　but　his　friend
Captain　Dobbin　carried　him　off；　hang　him！〃
　　
〃Rawdon；　Rawdon；　don't　be　so　wicked；〃　Miss　Crawley
remarked；　highly　pleased。
　　
〃Why；　ma'am；　of　all　the　young　fellows　I've　seen　out
of　the　line；　I　think　this　fellow's　the　greenest。　　Tarquin　and
Deuceace　get　what　money　they　like　out　of　him。　　He'd　go
to　the　deuce　to　be　seen　with　a　lord。　　He　pays　their
dinners　at　Greenwich；　and　they　invite　the　company。〃
　　
〃And　very　pretty　company　too；　I　dare　say。〃
　　
〃Quite　right；　Miss　Sharp。　　Right；　as　usual；　Miss　Sharp。
Uncommon　pretty　companyhaw；　haw！〃　and　the
Captain　laughed　more　and　more；　thinking　he　had　made　a
good　joke。
〃Rawdon；　don't　be　naughty！〃　his　aunt　exclaimed。
　　
〃Well；　his　father's　a　City　manimmensely　rich；　they
say。　　Hang　those　City　fellows；　they　must　bleed；　and　I've
not　done　with　him　yet；　I　can　tell　you。　　Haw；　haw！〃
　　
〃Fie；　Captain　Crawley；　I　shall　warn　Amelia。　　A
gambling　husband！〃
　　
〃Horrid；　ain't　he；　hey？〃　the　Captain　said　with　great
solemnity；　and　then　added；　a　sudden　thought　having
struck　him：　〃Gad；　I　say；　ma'am；　we'll　have　him　here。〃
　　
〃Is　he　a　presentable　sort　of　a　person？〃　the　aunt
inquired。
　　
〃Presentable？oh；　very　well。　　You　wouldn't　see　any
difference；〃　Captain　Crawley　answered。　　〃Do　let's　have
him；　when　you　begin　to　see　a　few　people；　and　his
whatdyecallemhis　inamoratoeh；　Miss　Sharp；　that's　what
you　call　itcomes。　　Gad；　I'll　write　him　a　note；　and　have
him；　and　I'll　try　if　he　can　play　piquet　as　well　as　billiards。
Where　does　he　live；　Miss　Sharp？〃
　　
Miss　Sharp　told　Crawley　the　Lieutenant's　town　address；
and　a　few　days　after　this　conversation；　Lieutenant
Osborne　received　a　letter；　in　Captain　Rawdon's
schoolboy　hand；　and　enclosing　a　note　of　invitation　from
Miss　Crawley。
　　
Rebecca　despatched　also　an　invitation　to　her　darling
Amelia；　who；　you　may　be　sure；　was　ready　enough　to
accept　it　when　she　heard　that　George　was　to　be　of　the
party。　　It　was　arranged　that　Amelia　was　to　spend　the
morning　with　the　ladies　of　Park　Lane；　where　all　were
very　kind　to　her。　　Rebecca　patronised　her　with　calm
superiority：　she　was　so　much　the　cleverer　of　the　two；　and
her　friend　so　gentle　and　unassuming；　that　she　always
yielded　when　anybody　chose　to　command；　and　so　took
Rebecca's　orders　with　perfect　meekness　and　good　humour。
Miss　Crawley's　graciousness　was　also　remarkable。　　She
continued　her　raptures　about　little　Amelia；　talked　about
her　before　her　face　as　if　she　were　a　doll；　or　a　servant；
or　a　picture；　and　admired　her　with　the　most　benevolent
wonder　possible。　　I　admire　that　admiration　which　the
genteel　world　sometimes　extends　to　the　commonalty。
There　is　no　more　agreeable　object　in　life　than　to　see
Mayfair　folks　condescending。　　Miss　Crawley's　prodigious
benevolence　rather　fatigued　poor　little　Amelia；　and　I　am
not　sure　that　of　the　three　ladies　in　Park　Lane　she　did
not　find　honest　Miss　Briggs　the　most　agreeable。　　She
sympathised　with　Briggs　as　with　all　neglected　or　gentle
people：　she　wasn't　what　you　call　a　woman　of　spirit。
　　
George　came　to　dinnera　repast　en　garcon　with
Captain　Crawley。
　　
The　great　family　coach　of　the　Osbornes　transported
him　to　Park　Lane　from　Russell　Square；　where　the　young
ladies；　who　were　not　themselves　invited；　and　professed
the　greatest　indifference　at　that　slight；　nevertheless　looked
at　Sir　Pitt　Crawley's　name　in　the　baronetage；　and　learned
everything　which　that　work　had　to　teach　about　the
Crawley　family　and　their　pedigree；　and　the　Binkies；　their
relatives；　&c。；　&c。　　Rawdon　Crawley　received　George　Osborne
with　great　frankness　and　graciousness：　praised　his　play　at
billiards：　asked　him　when　he　would　have　his　revenge：
was　interested　about　Osborne's　regiment：　and　would　have
proposed　piquet　to　him　that　very　evening；　but　Miss
Crawley　absolutely　forbade　any　gambling　in　her　house；
so　that　the　young　Lieutenant's　purse　was　not　lightened
by　his　gallant　patron；　for　that　day　at　least。　　However；　they
made　an　engagement　for　the　next；　somewhere：　to　look
at　a　horse　that　Crawley　had　to　sell；　and　to　try　him　in　the
Park；　and　to　dine　together；　and　to　pass　the　evening　with
some　jolly　fellows。　　〃That　is；　if　you're　not　on　duty　to　that
pretty　Miss　Sedley；〃　Crawley　said；　with　a　knowing　wink。
〃Monstrous　nice　girl；　'pon　my　honour；　though；　Osborne；〃
he　was　good　enough　to　add。　　〃Lots　of　tin；　I　suppose；　eh？〃
　　
Osborne　wasn't　on　duty；　he　would　join　Crawley　with
pleasure：　and　the　latter；　when　they　met　the　next　day；
praised　his　new　friend's　horsemanshipas　he　might　with
perfect　honestyand　introduced　him　to　three　or　four
young　men　of　the　first　fashion；　whose　acquaintance
immensely　elated　the　simple　young　officer。
　　
〃How's　little　Miss　Sharp；　by…the…bye？〃　Osborne　inquired
of　his　friend　over　their　wine；　with　a　dandified　air。
〃Good…natured　little　girl　that。　　Does　she　suit　you　well　at
Queen's　Crawley？　Miss　Sedley　liked　her　a　good　deal　last
year。〃
　　
Captain　Crawley　looked　savagely　at　the　Lieutenant　out
of　his　little　blue　eyes；　and　watched　him　when　he　went　up
to　resume　his　acquaintance　with　the　fair　governess。　　Her
conduct　must　have　relieved　Crawley　if　there　was　any
jealousy　in　the　bosom　of　that　life…guardsman。
　　
When　the　young　men　went　upstairs；　and　after
Osborne's　introduction　to　Miss　Crawley；　he　walked　up　to
Rebecca　with　a　patronising；　easy　swagger。　　He　was　going
to　be　kind　to　her　and　protect　her。　　He　would　even　shake
hands　with　her；　as　a　friend　of　Amelia's；　and　saying；　〃Ah；
Miss　Sharp！　how…dy…doo？〃　held　out　his　left　hand　towards
her；　expecting　that　she　would　be　quite　confounded　at
the　honour。
　　
Miss　Sharp　put　out　her　right　forefinger；　and　gave　him
a　little　nod；　so　cool　and　killing；　that　Rawdon　Crawley；
watching　the　operations　from　the　other　room；　could
hardly　restrain　his　laughter　as　he　saw　the　Lieutenant's
entire　discomfiture；　the　start　he　gave；　the　pause；　and　the
perfect　clumsiness　with　which　he　at　length　condescended
to　take　the　finger　which　was　offered　for　his　embrace。
　　
〃She'd　beat　the　devil；　by　Jove！〃　the　Captain　said；　in　a
rapture；　and　the　Lieutenant；　by　way　of　beginning　the
conversation；　agreeably　asked　Rebecca　how　she　liked　her
new　place。
　　
〃My　place？〃　said　Miss　Sharp；　coolly；　〃how　kind　of　you
to　remind　me　of　it！　　It's　a　tolerably　good　place：　the　wages
are　pretty　goodnot　so　good　as　Miss　Wirt's；　I　believe；
with　your　sisters　in　Russell　Square。　　How　are　those　young
ladies？not　that　I　ought　to　ask。〃
　　
〃Why　not？〃　Mr。　Osborne　said；　amazed。
　　
〃Why；　they　never　condescended　to　speak　to　me；　or　to
ask　me　into　their　house；　whilst　I　was　staying　with　Amelia；
but　we　poor　governesses；　you　know；　are　used　to　slights　of
this　sort。〃
　　
〃My　dear　Miss　Sharp！〃　Osborne　ejaculated。
　　
〃At　least　in　some　families；〃　Rebecca　continued。　　〃You
can't　think　what　a　difference　there　is　though。　　We　are　not
so　wealthy　in　Hampshire　as　you　lucky　folks　of　the　City。
But　then　I　am　in　a　gentleman's　familygood　old
English　stock。　　I　suppose　you　know　Sir　Pitt's　father　refused　a
peerage。　　And　you　see　how　I　am　treated。　　I　am　pretty
comfortable。　　Indeed　it　is　rather　a　good　place。　　But　how
very　good　of　you　to　inquire！〃
　　
Osborne　was　quite　savage。　　The　little　governess
patronised　him　and　persiffled　him　until　this　young
British　Lion　felt　quite　uneasy；　nor　could　he　muster　sufficient
presence　of　mind　to　find　a　pretext　for　backing　out
of　this　most　delectable　conversation。
　　　
〃I　thought　you　liked　the　City　families　pretty　well；〃　he
said；　haughtily。
　　　
〃Last　year　you　mean；　when　I　was　fresh　from　that
horrid　vulgar　school？　　Of　course　I　did。　　Doesn't　every　girl　like
to　come　home　for　the　holidays？　　And　how　was　I　to　know
any　better？　　But　oh；　Mr。　Osborne；　what　a　difference
eighteen　months'　experience　makes！　eighteen　months　spent；
pardon　me　for　saying　so；　with　gentlemen。　　As　for　dear
Amelia；　she；　I　grant　you；　is　a　pearl；　and　would　be　charming
　anywhere。　　There　now；　I　see　you　are　beginning　to　be
in　a　good　humour；　but　oh　these　queer　odd　City　people！
And　Mr。　Joshow　is　that　wonderful　Mr。　Joseph？〃
　　　
〃It　seems　to　me　you　didn't　dislike　that　wonderful　Mr。
Joseph　last　year；〃　Osborne　said　kindly。
　　　
〃How　severe　of　you！　　Well；　entre　nous；　I　didn't　break
my　heart　about　him；　yet　if　he　had　asked　me　to　do　what
you　mean　by　your　looks　（and　very　expressive　and　kind
they　are；　too）；　I　wouldn't　have　said　no。〃
　　　
Mr。　Osborne　gave　a　look　as　much　as　to　say；　〃Indeed；
how　very　obliging！〃
　　　
〃What　an　honour　to　have　had　you　for　a　brother…in…law；
you　are　thinking？　To　be　sister…in…law　to　George
Osborne；　Esquire；　son　of　John　Osborne；　Esquire；　son　of
what　was　your　grandpapa；　Mr。　Osborne？　　Well；　don't　be
angry。　　You　can't　help　your　pedigree；　and　I　quite　agree
with　you　that　I　would　have　married　Mr。　Joe　Sedley；　for
could　a　poor　penniless　girl　do　better？　　Now　you　know
the　whole　secret。　　I'm　frank　and　open；　considering　all
things；　it　was　very　kind　of　you　to　allude　to　the
circumstancevery　kind　and　polite。　　Amelia　dear；　Mr。
Osborne　and　I　were　talking　about　your　poor　brother　Joseph。
How　is　he？〃
　　　
Thus　was　George　utterly　routed。　　Not　that　Rebecca　was
in　the　right；　but　she　had　managed　most　successfully　to
put　him　in　the　wrong。　　And　he　now　shamefully　fled；
feeling；　if　he　stayed　another　minute；　that　he　would　have
been　made　to　look　foolish　in　the　presence　of　Amelia。
　　　
Though　Rebecca　had　had　the　better　of　him；　George　was
above　the　meanness　of　talebearing　or　revenge　upon　a
ladyonly　he　could　not　help　cleverly　confiding　to
Captain　Crawley；　next　day；　some　notions　of　his　regarding
Miss　Rebeccathat　she　was　a　sharp　one；　a　dangerous
one；　a　desperate　flirt；　&c。；　in　all　of　which　opinions
Crawley　agreed　laughingly；　and　with　every　one　of　which　Miss
Rebecca　was　made　acquainted　before　twenty…four　hours
were　over。　　They　added　to　her　original　regard　for　Mr。
Osborne。　　Her　woman's　instinct　had　told　her　that　it　was
George　who　had　interrupted　the　success　of　her　first
love…passage；　and　she　esteemed　him　accordingly。
　　
〃I　only　just　warn　you；〃　he　said　to　Rawdon　Crawley；
with　a　knowing　lookhe　had　bought　the　horse；　and　lost
some　score　of　guineas　after　dinner；　〃I　just　warn　youI
know　women；　and　counsel　you　to　be　on　the　look…out。〃
　　
〃Thank　you；　my　boy；〃　said　Crawley；　with　a　look　of
peculiar　gratitude。　　〃You're　wide　awake；　I　see。〃　And
George　went　off；　thinking　Crawley　was　quite　right。
　　
He　told　Amelia　of　what　he　had　done；　and　how　he　had
counselled　Rawdon　Crawleya　devilish　good；
straightforward　fellowto　be　on　his　guard　against　that
little　sly；　scheming　Rebecca。
　　
〃Against　whom？〃　Amelia　cried。
　　
〃Your　friend　the　governess。Don't　look　so　astonished。〃
　　
〃O　George；　what　have　you　done？〃　Amelia　said。　　For　her
woman's　eyes；　which　Love　had　made　sharp…sighted；　had
in　one　instant　discovered　a　secret　which　was　invisible　to
Miss　Crawley；　to　poor　virg