vanity fair(名利场)-第34章

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them。　　In　her　absence　Miss　Crawley　solaced　herself　with
the　most　sentimental　of　the　novels　in　her　library。　　Little
Sharp；　with　her　secret　griefs；　was　the　heroine　of　the　day。
　　
That　night　Rebecca　sang　more　sweetly　and　talked　more
pleasantly　than　she　had　ever　been　heard　to　do　in　Park
Lane。　　She　twined　herself　round　the　heart　of　Miss　Crawley。
She　spoke　lightly　and　laughingly　of　Sir　Pitt's　proposal；
ridiculed　it　as　the　foolish　fancy　of　an　old　man；　and　her
eyes　filled　with　tears；　and　Briggs's　heart　with　unutterable
pangs　of　defeat；　as　she　said　she　desired　no　other　lot　than
to　remain　for　ever　with　her　dear　benefactress。　　〃My　dear
little　creature；〃　the　old　lady　said；　〃I　don't　intend　to　let
you　stir　for　years；　that　you　may　depend　upon　it。　　As　for
going　back　to　that　odious　brother　of　mine　after　what
has　passed；　it　is　out　of　the　question。　　Here　you　stay　with　me
and　Briggs。　　Briggs　wants　to　go　to　see　her　relations　very
often。　　Briggs；　you　may　go　when　you　like。　　But　as　for　you；
my　dear；　you　must　stay　and　take　care　of　the　old　woman。〃
　　
If　Rawdon　Crawley　had　been　then　and　there　present；
instead　of　being　at　the　club　nervously　drinking　claret；　the
pair　might　have　gone　down　on　their　knees　before　the　old
spinster；　avowed　all；　and　been　forgiven　in　a　twinkling。
But　that　good　chance　was　denied　to　the　young　couple；
doubtless　in　order　that　this　story　might　be　written；　in
which　numbers　of　their　wonderful　adventures　are　narrated
adventures　which　could　never　have　occurred　to　them
if　they　had　been　housed　and　sheltered　under　the
comfortable　uninteresting　forgiveness　of　Miss　Crawley。
Under　Mrs。　Firkin's　orders；　in　the　Park　Lane　establishment；
was　a　young　woman　from　Hampshire；　whose　business　it　was；
among　other　duties；　to　knock　at　Miss　Sharp's　door　with
that　jug　of　hot　water　which　Firkin　would　rather　have
perished　than　have　presented　to　the　intruder。　　This
girl；　bred　on　the　family　estate；　had　a　brother　in　Captain
Crawley's　troop；　and　if　the　truth　were　known；　I　daresay
it　would　come　out　that　she　was　aware　of　certain　arrangements；
which　have　a　great　deal　to　do　with　this　history。
At　any　rate　she　purchased　a　yellow　shawl；　a　pair　of　green
boots；　and　a　light　blue　hat　with　a　red　feather　with　three
guineas　which　Rebecca　gave　her；　and　as　little　Sharp　was
by　no　means　too　liberal　with　her　money；　no　doubt　it
was　for　services　rendered　that　Betty　Martin　was　so　bribed。
　　
On　the　second　day　after　Sir　Pitt　Crawley's　offer　to
Miss　Sharp；　the　sun　rose　as　usual；　and　at　the　usual　hour
Betty　Martin；　the　upstairs　maid；　knocked　at　the　door　of
the　governess's　bedchamber。
　　
No　answer　was　returned；　and　she　knocked　again。　　Silence
was　still　uninterrupted；　and　Betty；　with　the　hot　water；
opened　the　door　and　entered　the　chamber。
　　
The　little　white　dimity　bed　was　as　smooth　and　trim　as
on　the　day　previous；　when　Betty's　own　hands　had　helped
to　make　it。　　Two　little　trunks　were　corded　in　one　end　of
the　room；　and　on　the　table　before　the　windowon　the
pincushionthe　great　fat　pincushion　lined　with　pink
inside；　and　twilled　like　a　lady's　nightcaplay　a　letter。　　It
had　been　reposing　there　probably　all　night。
　　
Betty　advanced　towards　it　on　tiptoe；　as　if　she　were
afraid　to　awake　itlooked　at　it；　and　round　the　room；
with　an　air　of　great　wonder　and　satisfaction；　took　up　the
letter；　and　grinned　intensely　as　she　turned　it　round　and
over；　and　finally　carried　it　into　Miss　Briggs's　room
below。
　　
How　could　Betty　tell　that　the　letter　was　for　Miss　Briggs；
I　should　like　to　know？　　All　the　schooling　Betty　had　had
was　at　Mrs。　Bute　Crawley's　Sunday　school；　and　she　could
no　more　read　writing　than　Hebrew。
　　
〃La；　Miss　Briggs；〃　the　girl　exclaimed；　〃O；　Miss；
something　must　have　happenedthere's　nobody　in　Miss
Sharp's　room；　the　bed　ain't　been　slep　in；　and　she've　run
away；　and　left　this　letter　for　you；　Miss。〃
　　
〃WHAT！〃　cries　Briggs；　dropping　her　comb；　the　thin　wisp
of　faded　hair　falling　over　her　shoulders；　〃an　elopement！
Miss　Sharp　a　fugitive！　　What；　what　is　this？〃　and　she　eagerly
broke　the　neat　seal；　and；　as　they　say；　〃devoured　the
contents〃　of　the　letter　addressed　to　her。
Dear　Miss　Briggs　＇the　refugee　wrote＇；　the　kindest
heart　in　the　world；　as　yours　is；　will　pity　and　sympathise
with　me　and　excuse　me。　　With　tears；　and　prayers；　and
blessings；　I　leave　the　home　where　the　poor　orphan　has
ever　met　with　kindness　and　affection。　　Claims　even
superior　to　those　of　my　benefactress　call　me　hence。　　I　go　to
my　dutyto　my　HUSBAND。　　Yes；　I　am　married。　　My
husband　COMMANDS　me　to　seek　the　HUMBLE　HOME　which
we　call　ours。　　Dearest　Miss　Briggs；　break　the　news　as　your
delicate　sympathy　will　know　how　to　do　itto　my　dear；
my　beloved　friend　and　benefactress。　　Tell　her；　ere　I　went；
I　shed　tears　on　her　dear　pillowthat　pillow　that　I　have
so　often　soothed　in　sicknessthat　I　long　AGAIN　to　watch
Oh；　with　what　joy　shall　I　return　to　dear　Park　Lane！
How　I　tremble　for　the　answer　which　is　to　SEAL　MY　FATE！
When　Sir　Pitt　deigned　to　offer　me　his　hand；　an　honour
of　which　my　beloved　Miss　Crawley　said　I　was　DESERVING
（my　blessings　go　with　her　for　judging　the　poor　orphan
worthy　to　be　HER　SISTER！）　I　told　Sir　Pitt　that　I　was　already
A　WIFE。　　Even　he　forgave　me。　　But　my　courage　failed　me；
when　I　should　have　told　him　allthat　I　could　not　be
his　wife；　for　I　WAS　HIS　DAUGHTER！　　I　am　wedded　to　the　best
and　most　generous　of　menMiss　Crawley's　Rawdon　is
MY　Rawdon。　　At　his　COMMAND　I　open　my　lips；　and
follow　him　to　our　humble　home；　as　I　would　THROUGH　THE
WORLD。　　O；　my　excellent　and　kind　friend；　intercede　with
my　Rawdon's　beloved　aunt　for　him　and　the　poor　girl　to
whom　all　HIS　NOBLE　RACE　have　shown　such　UNPARALLELED
AFFECTION。　　Ask　Miss　Crawley　to　receive　HER　CHILDREN。　　I
can　say　no　more；　but　blessings；　blessings　on　all　in　the
dear　house　I　leave；　prays
Your　affectionate　and　GRATEFUL
Rebecca　Crawley。
Midnight。
Just　as　Briggs　had　finished　reading　this　affecting　and
interesting　document；　which　reinstated　her　in　her　position
as　first　confidante　of　Miss　Crawley；　Mrs。　Firkin　entered
the　room。　　〃Here's　Mrs。　Bute　Crawley　just　arrived　by
the　mail　from　Hampshire；　and　wants　some　tea；　will　you
come　down　and　make　breakfast；　Miss？〃
　　　
And　to　the　surprise　of　Firkin；　clasping　her　dressing…gown
around　her；　the　wisp　of　hair　floating　dishevelled
behind　her；　the　little　curl…papers　still　sticking　in　bunches
round　her　forehead；　Briggs　sailed　down　to　Mrs。　Bute　with
the　letter　in　her　hand　containing　the　wonderful　news。
〃Oh；　Mrs。　Firkin；〃　gasped　Betty；　〃sech　a　business。　　Miss
Sharp　have　a　gone　and　run　away　with　the　Capting；　and
they're　off　to　Gretney　Green！〃　　We　would　devote　a　chapter
to　describe　the　emotions　of　Mrs。　Firkin；　did　not　the
passions　of　her　mistresses　occupy　our　genteeler　muse。
When　Mrs。　Bute　Crawley；　numbed　with　midnight　travelling；
and　warming　herself　at　the　newly　crackling　parlour
fire；　heard　from　Miss　Briggs　the　intelligence　of　the
clandestine　marriage；　she　declared　it　was　quite　providential
that　she　should　have　arrived　at　such　a　time　to　assist　poor
dear　Miss　Crawley　in　supporting　the　shockthat　Rebecca
was　an　artful　little　hussy　of　whom　she　had　always
had　her　suspicions；　and　that　as　for　Rawdon　Crawley；　she
never　could　account　for　his　aunt's　infatuation　regarding
him；　and　had　long　considered　him　a　profligate；　lost；
and　abandoned　being。　　And　this　awful　conduct；　Mrs。　Bute
said；　will　have　at　least　this　good　effect；　it　will　open　poor
dear　Miss　Crawley's　eyes　to　the　real　character　of　this
wicked　man。　　Then　Mrs。　Bute　had　a　comfortable　hot　toast
and　tea；　and　as　there　was　a　vacant　room　in　the　house
now；　there　was　no　need　for　her　to　remain　at　the　Gloster
Coffee　House　where　the　Portsmouth　mail　had　set　her
down；　and　whence　she　ordered　Mr。　Bowls's　aide…de…camp
the　footman　to　bring　away　her　trunks。
　　
Miss　Crawley；　be　it　known；　did　not　leave　her　room　until
near　noontaking　chocolate　in　bed　in　the　morning；　while
Becky　Sharp　read　the　Morning　Post　to　her；　or　otherwise
amusing　herself　or　dawdling。　　The　conspirators　below
agreed　that　they　would　spare　the　dear　lady's　feelings
until　she　appeared　in　her　drawing…room：　meanwhile　it　was
announced　to　her　that　Mrs。　Bute　Crawley　had　come　up
from　Hampshire　by　the　mail；　was　staying　at　the　Gloster；
sent　her　love　to　Miss　Crawley；　and　asked　for　breakfast
with　Miss　Briggs。　　The　arrival　of　Mrs。　Bute；　which　would
not　have　caused　any　extreme　delight　at　another　period；
was　hailed　with　pleasure　now；　Miss　Crawley　being　pleased
at　the　notion　of　a　gossip　with　her　sister…in…law　regarding
the　late　Lady　Crawley；　the　funeral　arrangements　pending；
and　Sir　Pitt's　abrupt　proposal　to　Rebecca。
　　
It　was　not　until　the　old　lady　was　fairly　ensconced　in
her　usual　arm…chair　in　the　drawing…room；　and　the
preliminary　embraces　and　inquiries　had　taken　place　between
the　ladies；　that　the　conspirators　thought　it　advisable　to
submit　her　to　the　operation。　　Who　has　not　admired　the
artifices　and　delicate　approaches　with　which　women
〃prepare〃　their　friends　for　bad　news？　　Miss　Crawley's　two
friends　made　such　an　apparatus　of　mystery　before　they
broke　the　intelligence　to　her；　that　they　worked　her　up　to
the　necessary　degree　of　doubt　and　alarm。
　　
〃And　she　refused　Sir　Pitt；　my　dear；　dear　Miss　Crawley；
prepare　yourself　for　it；〃　Mrs。　Bute　said；　〃because
because　she　couldn't　help　herself。〃
　　
〃Of　course　there　was　a　reason；〃　Miss　Crawley　answered。
〃She　liked　somebody　else。　　I　told　Briggs　so　yesterday。〃
〃LIKES　somebody　else！〃　Briggs　gasped。　　〃O　my　dear
friend；　she　is　married　already。〃
　　
〃Married　already；〃　Mrs。　Bute　chimed　in；　and　both　sate
with　clasped　hands　looking　from　each　other　at　their
victim。
　　
〃Send　her　to　me；　the　instant　she　comes　in。　　The　little
sly　wretch：　how　dared　she　not　tell　me？〃　cried　out　Miss
Crawley。
　　
〃She　won't　come　in　soon。　　Prepare　yourself；　dear　friend
she's　gone　out　for　a　long　timeshe'sshe's　gone
altogether。〃
　　
〃Gracious　goodness；　and　who's　to　make　my　chocolate？
Send　for　her　and　have　her　back；　I　desire　that　she　come
back；〃　the　old　lady　said。
　　
〃She　decamped　last　night；　Ma'am；〃　cried　Mrs。　Bute。
　　
〃She　left　a　letter　for　me；〃　Briggs　exclaimed。　　〃She's
married　to〃
　　
〃Prepare　her；　for　heaven's　sake。　　Don't　torture　her；　my
dear　Miss　Briggs。〃
　　
〃She's　married　to　whom？〃　cries　the　spinster　in　a
nervous　fury。
　　
〃Toto　a　relation　of〃
　　
〃She　refused　Sir　Pitt；〃　cried　the　victim。　　〃Speak　at　once。
Don't　drive　me　mad。〃
　　
〃O　Ma'amprepare　her；　Miss　Briggsshe's　married
to　Rawdon　Crawley。〃
　　
〃Rawdon　married　Rebeccagovernessnobod
Get　out　of　my　house；　you　fool；　you　idiotyou　stupid　old
Briggs　how　dare　you？　You're　in　the　plotyou　made
him　marry；　thinking　that　I'd　leave　my　money　from　him
you　did；　Martha；〃　the　poor　old　lady　screamed　in　hysteric
sentences。
　　
〃I；　Ma'am；　ask　a　member　of　this　family　to　marry　a
drawing…master's　daughter？〃
　　
〃Her　mother　was　a　Montmorency；〃　cried　out　the　old
lady；　pulling　at　the　bell　with　all　her　might。
　　
〃Her　mother　was　an　opera　girl；　and　she　has　been　on
the　stage　or　worse　herself；〃　said　Mrs。　Bute。
　　
Miss　Crawley　gave　a　final　scream；　and　fell　back　in　a
faint。　　They　were　forced　to　take　her　back　to　the　room
which　she　had　just　quitted。　　One　fit　of　hysterics　succeeded
another。　　The　doctor　was　sent　forthe　apothecary　arrived。
Mrs。　Bute　took　up　the　post　of　nu