vanity fair(名利场)-第48章

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he　could　gently　and　gradually　bring　the　Misses　Osborne
to　a　knowledge　of　their　brother's　secret。
By　a　little　inquiry　regarding　his　mother's　engagements；
he　was　pretty　soon　able　to　find　out　by　whom　of　her　ladyship's
　friends　parties　were　given　at　that　season；　where
he　would　be　likely　to　meet　Osborne's　sisters；　and；　though
he　had　that　abhorrence　of　routs　and　evening　parties
which　many　sensible　men；　alas！　entertain；　he　soon　found
one　where　the　Misses　Osborne　were　to　be　present。
Making　his　appearance　at　the　ball；　where　he　danced　a　couple
of　sets　with　both　of　them；　and　was　prodigiously　polite；　he
actually　had　the　courage　to　ask　Miss　Osborne　for　a　few
minutes'　conversation　at　an　early　hour　the　next　day；　when
he　had；　he　said；　to　communicate　to　her　news　of　the
very　greatest　interest。
What　was　it　that　made　her　start　back；　and　gaze　upon
him　for　a　moment；　and　then　on　the　ground　at　her　feet；
and　make　as　if　she　would　faint　on　his　arm；　had　he　not　by
opportunely　treading　on　her　toes；　brought　the　young　lady
back　to　self…control？　　Why　was　she　so　violently　agitated
at　Dobbin's　request？　　This　can　never　be　known。　　But　when
he　came　the　next　day；　Maria　was　not　in　the　drawing…room
with　her　sister；　and　Miss　Wirt　went　off　for　the　purpose
of　fetching　the　latter；　and　the　Captain　and　Miss　Osborne
were　left　together。　　They　were　both　so　silent　that　the　ticktock
of　the　Sacrifice　of　Iphigenia　clock　on　the　mantelpiece
became　quite　rudely　audible。
〃What　a　nice　party　it　was　last　night；〃　Miss　Osborne　at
length　began；　encouragingly；　〃andand　how　you're
improved　in　your　dancing；　Captain　Dobbin。　　Surely　somebody
has　taught　you；〃　she　added；　with　amiable　archness。
〃You　should　see　me　dance　a　reel　with　Mrs。　Major
O'Dowd　of　ours；　and　a　jigdid　you　ever　see　a　jig？　　But
I　think　anybody　could　dance　with　you；　Miss　Osborne；
who　dance　so　well。〃
〃Is　the　Major's　lady　young　and　beautiful；　Captain？〃　the
fair　questioner　continued。　　〃Ah；　what　a　terrible　thing　it
must　be　to　be　a　soldier's　wife！　　I　wonder　they　have　any
spirits　to　dance；　and　in　these　dreadful　times　of　war；　too！
O　Captain　Dobbin；　I　tremble　sometimes　when　I　think　of
our　dearest　George；　and　the　dangers　of　the　poor　soldier。
Are　there　many　married　officers　of　the　th；　Captain
Dobbin？〃
〃Upon　my　word；　she's　playing　her　hand　rather　too
openly；〃　Miss　Wirt　thought；　but　this　observation　is　merely
　parenthetic；　and　was　not　heard　through　the　crevice　of
the　door　at　which　the　governess　uttered　it。
〃One　of　our　young　men　is　just　married；〃　Dobbin　said；
now　coming　to　the　point。　　〃It　was　a　very　old　attachment；
and　the　young　couple　are　as　poor　as　church　mice。〃
〃O；　how　delightful！　O；　how　romantic！〃　Miss　Osborne
cried；　as　the　Captain　said　〃old　attachment〃　and　〃poor。〃
Her　sympathy　encouraged　him。
〃The　finest　young　fellow　in　the　regiment；〃　he　continued。
〃Not　a　braver　or　handsomer　officer　in　the　army；　and
such　a　charming　wife！　　How　you　would　like　her！　　how
you　will　like　her　when　you　know　her；　Miss　Osborne。〃　　The
young　lady　thought　the　actual　moment　had　arrived；　and
that　Dobbin's　nervousness　which　now　came　on　and　was
visible　in　many　twitchings　of　his　face；　in　his　manner　of
beating　the　ground　with　his　great　feet；　in　the　rapid
buttoning　and　unbuttoning　of　his　frock…coat；　&c。Miss
Osborne；　I　say；　thought　that　when　he　had　given　himself　a
little　air；　he　would　unbosom　himself　entirely；　and
prepared　eagerly　to　listen。　　And　the　clock；　in　the　altar　on
which　Iphigenia　was　situated；　beginning；　after　a　preparatory　
convulsion；　to　toll　twelve；　the　mere　tolling　seemed
as　if　it　would　last　until　oneso　prolonged　was　the　knell
to　the　anxious　spinster。
〃But　it's　not　about　marriage　that　I　came　to　speak
that　is　that　marriagethat　isno；　I　meanmy　dear
Miss　Osborne；　it's　about　our　dear　friend　George；〃
Dobbin　said。
〃About　George？〃　she　said　in　a　tone　so　discomfited
that　Maria　and　Miss　Wirt　laughed　at　the　other　side　of
the　door；　and　even　that　abandoned　wretch　of　a　Dobbin
felt　inclined　to　smile　himself；　for　he　was　not　altogether
unconscious　of　the　state　of　affairs：　　George　having　often
bantered　him　gracefully　and　said；　〃Hang　it；　Will；　why
don't　you　take　old　Jane？　　She'll　have　you　if　you　ask　her。
I'll　bet　you　five　to　two　she　will。〃
〃Yes；　about　George；　then；〃　he　continued。　　〃There　has
been　a　difference　between　him　and　Mr。　Osborne。　　And　I
regard　him　so　muchfor　you　know　we　have　been　like
brothersthat　I　hope　and　pray　the　quarrel　may　be
settled。　　We　must　go　abroad；　Miss　Osborne。　　We　may　be
ordered　off　at　a　day's　warning。　　Who　knows　what　may
happen　in　the　campaign？　　Don't　be　agitated；　dear　Miss
Osborne；　and　those　two　at　least　should　part　friends。〃
〃There　has　been　no　quarrel；　Captain　Dobbin；　except
a　little　usual　scene　with　Papa；〃　the　lady　said。　　〃We　are
expecting　George　back　daily。　　What　Papa　wanted　was　only
for　his　good。　　He　has　but　to　come　back；　and　I'm　sure　all
will　be　well；　and　dear　Rhoda；　who　went　away　from　here
in　sad　sad　anger；　I　know　will　forgive　him。　　Woman　forgives
but　too　readily；　Captain。〃
〃Such　an　angel　as　YOU　I　am　sure　would；〃　Mr。　Dobbin
said；　with　atrocious　astuteness。　　〃And　no　man　can　pardon
himself　for　giving　a　woman　pain。　　What　would　you　feel；
if　a　man　were　faithless　to　you？〃
〃I　should　perishI　should　throw　myself　out　of　window
I　should　take　poisonI　should　pine　and　die。　　I
know　I　should；〃　Miss　cried；　who　had　nevertheless　gone
through　one　or　two　affairs　of　the　heart　without　any　idea
of　suicide。
〃And　there　are　others；〃　Dobbin　continued；　〃as　true
and　as　kind…hearted　as　yourself。　　I'm　not　speaking　about
the　West　Indian　heiress；　Miss　Osborne；　but　about　a　poor
girl　whom　George　once　loved；　and　who　was　bred　from
her　childhood　to　think　of　nobody　but　him。　　I've　seen　her
in　her　poverty　uncomplaining；　broken…hearted；　without　a
fault。　　It　is　of　Miss　Sedley　I　speak。　　Dear　Miss　Osborne；
can　your　generous　heart　quarrel　with　your　brother　for
being　faithful　to　her？　　Could　his　own　conscience　ever
forgive　him　if　he　deserted　her？　　Be　her　friendshe　always
loved　youandand　I　am　come　here　charged　by　George
to　tell　you　that　he　holds　his　engagement　to　her　as　the
most　sacred　duty　he　has；　and　to　entreat　you；　at　least；
to　be　on　his　side。〃
When　any　strong　emotion　took　possession　of　Mr。　Dobbin；
and　after　the　first　word　or　two　of　hesitation；　he　could
speak　with　perfect　fluency；　and　it　was　evident　that　his
eloquence　on　this　occasion　made　some　impression　upon
the　lady　whom　he　addressed。
〃Well；〃　said　she；　〃this　ismost　surprisingmost　painful
most　extraordinarywhat　will　Papa　say？that
George　should　fling　away　such　a　superb　establishment　as
was　offered　to　himbut　at　any　rate　he　has　found　a　very
brave　champion　in　you；　Captain　Dobbin。　　It　is　of　no　use；
however；〃　she　continued；　after　a　pause；　〃I　feel　for　poor
Miss　Sedley；　most　certainlymost　sincerely；　you　know。
We　never　thought　the　match　a　good　one；　though　we　were
always　very　kind　to　her　herevery。　　But　Papa　will　never
consent；　I　am　sure。　　And　a　well　brought　up　young　woman；
you　knowwith　a　well…regulated　mind；　mustGeorge
must　give　her　up；　dear　Captain　Dobbin；　indeed　he　must。〃
〃Ought　a　man　to　give　up　the　woman　he　loved；　just
when　misfortune　befell　her？〃　Dobbin　said；　holding　out
his　hand。　　〃Dear　Miss　Osborne；　is　this　the　counsel　I　hear
from　you？　　My　dear　young　lady！　you　must　befriend　her。
He　can't　give　her　up。　　He　must　not　give　her　up。　　Would　a
man；　think　you；　give　YOU　up　if　you　were　poor？〃
This　adroit　question　touched　the　heart　of　Miss　Jane
Osborne　not　a　little。　　〃I　don't　know　whether　we　poor　girls
ought　to　believe　what　you　men　say；　Captain；〃　she　said。
〃There　is　that　in　woman's　tenderness　which　induces　her
to　believe　too　easily。　　I'm　afraid　you　are　cruel；　cruel
deceivers；〃and　Dobbin　certainly　thought　he　felt　a
pressure　of　the　hand　which　Miss　Osborne　had　extended
to　him。
He　dropped　it　in　some　alarm。　　〃Deceivers！〃　said　he。
〃No；　dear　Miss　Osborne；　all　men　are　not；　your　brother
is　not；　George　has　loved　Amelia　Sedley　ever　since　they
were　children；　no　wealth　would　make　him　marry　any　but
her。　　Ought　he　to　forsake　her？　　Would　you　counsel　him　to
do　so？〃
What　could　Miss　Jane　say　to　such　a　question；　and　with
her　own　peculiar　views？　　She　could　not　answer　it；　so　she
parried　it　by　saying；　〃Well；　if　you　are　not　a　deceiver；　at
least　you　are　very　romantic〃；　and　Captain　William　let
this　observation　pass　without　challenge。
At　length　when；　by　the　help　of　farther　polite　speeches；
he　deemed　that　Miss　Osborne　was　sufficiently　prepared　to
receive　the　whole　news；　he　poured　it　into　her　ear。
〃George　could　not　give　up　AmeliaGeorge　was　married
to　her〃and　then　he　related　the　circumstances　of　the
marriage　as　we　know　them　already：　　how　the　poor　girl
would　have　died　had　not　her　lover　kept　his　faith：　　how
Old　Sedley　had　refused　all　consent　to　the　match；　and　a
licence　had　been　got：　and　Jos　Sedley　had　come　from
Cheltenham　to　give　away　the　bride：　how　they　had　gone
to　Brighton　in　Jos's　chariot…and…four　to　pass　the　honeymoon：
and　how　George　counted　on　his　dear　kind　sisters　to
befriend　him　with　their　father；　as　womenso　true
and　tender　as　they　wereassuredly　would　do。　　And　so；
asking　permission　（readily　granted）　to　see　her　again；　and
rightly　conjecturing　that　the　news　he　had　brought　would
be　told　in　the　next　five　minutes　to　the　other　ladies；
Captain　Dobbin　made　his　bow　and　took　his　leave。
He　was　scarcely　out　of　the　house；　when　Miss　Maria
and　Miss　Wirt　rushed　in　to　Miss　Osborne；　and　the
whole　wonderful　secret　was　imparted　to　them　by　that
lady。　　To　do　them　justice；　neither　of　the　sisters　was　very
much　displeased。　　There　is　something　about　a　runaway
match　with　which　few　ladies　can　be　seriously　angry；　and
Amelia　rather　rose　in　their　estimation；　from　the　spirit
which　she　had　displayed　in　consenting　to　the　union。　　As
they　debated　the　story；　and　prattled　about　it；　and　wondered
what　Papa　would　do　and　say；　came　a　loud　knock；
as　of　an　avenging　thunder…clap；　at　the　door；　which　made
these　conspirators　start。　　It　must　be　Papa；　they　thought。
But　it　was　not　he。　　It　was　only　Mr。　Frederick　Bullock；
who　had　come　from　the　City　according　to　appointment；
to　conduct　the　ladies　to　a　flower…show。
This　gentleman；　as　may　be　imagined；　was　not　kept
long　in　ignorance　of　the　secret。　　But　his　face；　when　he
heard　it；　showed　an　amazement　which　was　very　different
to　that　look　of　sentimental　wonder　which　the　countenances
of　the　sisters　wore。　　Mr。　Bullock　was　a　man　of　the　world；
and　a　junior　partner　of　a　wealthy　firm。　　He　knew　what
money　was；　and　the　value　of　it：　and　a　delightful　throb
of　expectation　lighted　up　his　little　eyes；　and　caused　him
to　smile　on　his　Maria；　as　he　thought　that　by　this　piece
of　folly　of　Mr。　George's　she　might　be　worth　thirty
thousand　pounds　more　than　he　had　ever　hoped　to
get　with　her。
〃Gad！　　Jane；〃　said　he；　surveying　even　the　elder　sister
with　some　interest；　〃Eels　will　be　sorry　he　cried　off。　　You
may　be　a　fifty　thousand　pounder　yet。〃
The　sisters　had　never　thought　of　the　money　question
up　to　that　moment；　but　Fred　Bullock　bantered　them
with　graceful　gaiety　about　it　during　their　forenoon's
excursion；　and　they　had　risen　not　a　little　in　their　own
esteem　by　the　time　when；　the　morning　amusement　over；
they　drove　back　to　dinner。　　And　do　not　let　my　respected
reader　exclaim　against　this　selfishness　as　unnatural。　　It
was　but　this　prese