vanity fair(名利场)-第52章

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have　upon　her。
〃It　is　my　opinion；　George；〃　he　said；　〃that　the　French
Emperor　will　be　upon　us；　horse　and　foot；　before　three
weeks　are　over；　and　will　give　the　Duke　such　a　dance　as
shall　make　the　Peninsula　appear　mere　child's　play。　　But
you　need　not　say　that　to　Mrs。　Osborne；　you　know。　　There
mayn't　be　any　fighting　on　our　side　after　all；　and　our
business　in　Belgium　may　turn　out　to　be　a　mere　military
occupation。　　Many　persons　think　so；　and　Brussels　is　full
of　fine　people　and　ladies　of　fashion。〃　So　it　was　agreed　to
represent　the　duty　of　the　British　army　in　Belgium　in　this
harmless　light　to　Amelia。
This　plot　being　arranged；　the　hypocritical　Dobbin　saluted
Mrs。　George　Osborne　quite　gaily；　tried　to　pay　her
one　or　two　compliments　relative　to　her　new　position　as　a
bride　（which　compliments；　it　must　be　confessed；　were
exceedingly　clumsy　and　hung　fire　woefully）；　and　then　fell
to　talking　about　Brighton；　and　the　sea…air；　and　the　gaieties
of　the　place；　and　the　beauties　of　the　road　and　the　merits
of　the　Lightning　coach　and　horsesall　in　a　manner
quite　incomprehensible　to　Amelia；　and　very　amusing　to
Rebecca；　who　was　watching　the　Captain；　as　indeed　she
watched　every　one　near　whom　she　came。
Little　Amelia；　it　must　be　owned；　had　rather　a　mean
opinion　of　her　husband's　friend；　Captain　Dobbin。　　He　lisped
he　was　very　plain　and　homely…looking：　and　exceedingly
awkward　and　ungainly。　　She　liked　him　for　his　attachment
to　her　husband　（to　be　sure　there　was　very　little　merit　in
that）；　and　she　thought　George　was　most　generous　and
kind　in　extending　his　friendship　to　his　brother　officer。
George　had　mimicked　Dobbin's　lisp　and　queer　manners
many　times　to　her；　though　to　do　him　justice；　he　always
spoke　most　highly　of　his　friend's　good　qualities。　　In　her
little　day　of　triumph；　and　not　knowing　him　intimately　as
yet；　she　made　light　of　honest　Williamand　he　knew　her
opinions　of　him　quite　well；　and　acquiesced　in　them　very
humbly。　　A　time　came　when　she　knew　him　better；　and
changed　her　notions　regarding　him；　but　that　was　distant　as
yet。
As　for　Rebecca；　Captain　Dobbin　had　not　been　two　hours
in　the　ladies'　company　before　she　understood　his　secret
perfectly。　　She　did　not　like　him；　and　feared　him　privately；
nor　was　he　very　much　prepossessed　in　her　favour。　　He
was　so　honest；　that　her　arts　and　cajoleries　did　not　affect
him；　and　he　shrank　from　her　with　instinctive　repulsion。
And；　as　she　was　by　no　means　so　far　superior　to　her　sex　as
to　be　above　jealousy；　she　disliked　him　the　more　for　his
adoration　of　Amelia。　　Nevertheless；　she　was　very　respectful
and　cordial　in　her　manner　towards　him。　　A　friend　to
the　Osbornes！　a　friend　to　her　dearest　benefactors！　　She
vowed　she　should　always　love　him　sincerely：　she　remembered
him　quite　well　on　the　Vauxhall　night；　as　she　told
Amelia　archly；　and　she　made　a　little　fun　of　him　when　the
two　ladies　went　to　dress　for　dinner。　　Rawdon　Crawley　paid
scarcely　any　attention　to　Dobbin；　looking　upon　him　as　a
good…natured　nincompoop　and　under…bred　City　man。　　Jos
patronised　him　with　much　dignity。
When　George　and　Dobbin　were　alone　in　the　latter's
room；　to　which　George　had　followed　him；　Dobbin　took
from　his　desk　the　letter　which　he　had　been　charged　by
Mr。　Osborne　to　deliver　to　his　son。　　〃It's　not　in　my　father's
handwriting；〃　said　George；　looking　rather　alarmed；　nor
was　it：　the　letter　was　from　Mr。　Osborne's　lawyer；　and　to
the　following　effect：
Bedford　Row；　May　7；　1815。
　　　　
SIR；
I　am　commissioned　by　Mr。　Osborne　to　inform　you；
that　he　abides　by　the　determination　which　he　before
expressed　to　you；　and　that　in　consequence　of　the　marriage
which　you　have　been　pleased　to　contract；　he　ceases　to
consider　you　henceforth　as　a　member　of　his　family。
This　determination　is　final　and　irrevocable。
Although　the　monies　expended　upon　you　in　your
minority；　and　the　bills　which　you　have　drawn　upon
him　so　unsparingly　of　late　years；　far　exceed　in　amount
the　sum　to　which　you　are　entitled　in　your　own　right
（being　the　third　part　of　the　fortune　of　your　mother；
the　late　Mrs。　Osborne　and　which　reverted　to　you　at　her
decease；　and　to　Miss　Jane　Osborne　and　Miss　Maria
Frances　Osborne）；　yet　I　am　instructed　by　Mr。　Osborne
to　say；　that　he　waives　all　claim　upon　your　estate；　and
that　the　sum　of　2；0001。；　4　per　cent。　annuities；　at　the
value　of　the　day　（being　your　one…third　share　of　the　sum
of　6；0001。）；　shall　be　paid　over　to　yourself　or　your　agents
upon　your　receipt　for　the　same；　by
Your　obedient　Servt。；
S。　HIGGS。
P。S。Mr。　Osborne　desires　me　to　say；　once　for　all；
that　he　declines　to　receive　any　messages；　letters；　or
communications　from　you　on　this　or　any　other　subject。
〃A　pretty　way　you　have　managed　the　affair；〃　said
George；　looking　savagely　at　William　Dobbin。　　〃Look　there；
Dobbin；〃　and　he　flung　over　to　the　latter　his　parent's　letter。
〃A　beggar；　by　Jove；　and　all　in　consequence　of　my　dd
sentimentality。　　Why　couldn't　we　have　waited？　　A　ball　might
have　done　for　me　in　the　course　of　the　war；　and　may　still；
and　how　will　Emmy　be　bettered　by　being　left　a　beggar's
widow？　　It　was　all　your　doing。　　You　were　never　easy　until
you　had　got　me　married　and　ruined。　　What　the　deuce　am
I　to　do　with　two　thousand　pounds？　　Such　a　sum　won't
last　two　years。　　I've　lost　a　hundred　and　forty　to　Crawley　at
cards　and　billiards　since　I've　been　down　here。　　A　pretty
manager　of　a　man's　matters　YOU　are；　forsooth。〃
〃There's　no　denying　that　the　position　is　a　hard　one；〃
Dobbin　replied；　after　reading　over　the　letter　with　a　blank
countenance；　〃and　as　you　say；　it　is　partly　of　my　making。
There　are　some　men　who　wouldn't　mind　changing　with
you；〃　he　added；　with　a　bitter　smile。　　〃How　many　captains
in　the　regiment　have　two　thousand　pounds　to　the　fore；
think　you？　　You　must　live　on　your　pay　till　your　father
relents；　and　if　you　die；　you　leave　your　wife　a　hundred　a
year。〃
〃Do　you　suppose　a　man　of　my　habits　call　live　on　his
pay　and　a　hundred　a　year？〃　George　cried　out　in　great
anger。　　〃You　must　be　a　fool　to　talk　so；　Dobbin。　　How　the
deuce　am　I　to　keep　up　my　position　in　the　world　upon
such　a　pitiful　pittance？　　I　can't　change　my　habits。　　I　must
have　my　comforts。　　I　wasn't　brought　up　on　porridge；　like
MacWhirter；　or　on　potatoes；　like　old　O'Dowd。　　Do　you
expect　my　wife　to　take　in　soldiers'　washing；　or　ride　after
the　regiment　in　a　baggage　waggon？〃
〃Well；　well；〃　said　Dobbin；　still　good…naturedly；　〃we'll
get　her　a　better　conveyance。　　But　try　and　remember　that
you　are　only　a　dethroned　prince　now；　George；　my　boy；
and　be　quiet　whilst　the　tempest　lasts。　　It　won't　be　for
long。　　Let　your　name　be　mentioned　in　the　Gazette；　and
I'll　engage　the　old　father　relents　towards　you：〃
〃Mentioned　in　the　Gazette！〃　George　answered。　　〃And　in
what　part　of　it？　　Among　the　killed　and　wounded　returns；
and　at　the　top　of　the　list；　very　likely。〃
〃Psha！　　It　will　be　time　enough　to　cry　out　when　we　are
hurt；〃　Dobbin　said。　　〃And　if　anything　happens；　you　know；
George；　I　have　got　a　little；　and　I　am　not　a　marrying
man；　and　I　shall　not　forget　my　godson　in　my　will；〃　he
added；　with　a　smile。　　Whereupon　the　dispute　endedas
many　scores　of　　such　conversations　between　Osborne
and　his　friend　had　concluded　previouslyby　the　former
declaring　there　was　no　possibility　of　being　angry　with
Dobbin　long；　and　forgiving　him　very　generously　after
abusing　him　without　cause。
〃I　say；　Becky；〃　cried　Rawdon　Crawley　out　of　his
dressing…room；　to　his　lady；　who　was　attiring　herself　for
dinner　in　her　own　chamber。
〃What？〃　said　Becky's　shrill　voice。　　She　was　looking
over　her　shoulder　in　the　glass。　　She　had　put　on　the　neatest
and　freshest　white　frock　imaginable；　and　with　bare
shoulders　and　a　little　necklace；　and　a　light　blue　sash；　she
looked　the　image　of　youthful　innocence　and　girlish
happiness。
〃I　say；　what'll　Mrs。　O。　do；　when　0。　goes　out　with　the
regiment？〃　Crawley　said　coming　into　the　room；　performing
a　duet　on　his　head　with　two　huge　hair…brushes；　and
looking　out　from　under　his　hair　with　admiration　on　his
pretty　little　wife。
〃I　suppose　she'll　cry　her　eyes　out；〃　Becky　answered。
〃She　has　been　whimpering　half　a　dozen　times；　at　the
very　notion　of　it；　already　to　me。〃
〃YOU　don't　care；　I　suppose？〃　Rawdon　said；　half　angry
at　his　wife's　want　of　feeling。
〃You　wretch！　don't　you　know　that　I　intend　to　go　with
you；〃　Becky　replied。　　〃Besides；　you're　different。　　You　go
as　General　Tufto's　aide…de…camp。　　We　don't　belong　to　the
line；〃　Mrs。　Crawley　said；　throwing　up　her　head　with　an
air　that　so　enchanted　her　husband　that　he　stooped　down
and　kissed　it。
〃Rawdon　deardon't　you　thinkyou'd　better　get　that
money　from　Cupid；　before　he　goes？〃　Becky　continued；
fixing　on　a　killing　bow。　　She　called　George　Osborne；
Cupid。　　She　had　flattered　him　about　his　good　looks　a
score　of　times　already。　　She　watched　over　him　kindly　at
ecarte　of　a　night　when　he　would　drop　in　to　Rawdon's
quarters　for　a　half…hour　before　bed…time。
She　had　often　called　him　a　horrid　dissipated　wretch；
and　threatened　to　tell　Emmy　of　his　wicked　ways　and
naughty　extravagant　habits。　　She　brought　his　cigar　and
lighted　it　for　him；　she　knew　the　effect　of　that　manoeuvre；
having　practised　it　in　former　days　upon　Rawdon　Crawley。
He　thought　her　gay；　brisk；　arch；　distinguee；　delightful。
In　their　little　drives　and　dinners；　Becky；　of　course；
quite　outshone　poor　Emmy；　who　remained　very　mute
and　timid　while　Mrs。　Crawley　and　her　husband　rattled
away　together；　and　Captain　Crawley　（and　Jos　after　he
joined　the　young　married　people）　gobbled　in　silence。
Emmy's　mind　somehow　misgave　her　about　her　friend。
Rebecca's　wit；　spirits；　and　accomplishments　troubled　her
with　a　rueful　disquiet。　　They　were　only　a　week　married；
and　here　was　George　already　suffering　ennui；　and　eager
for　others'　society！　　She　trembled　for　the　future。　　How
shall　I　be　a　companion　for　him；　she　thoughtso　clever
and　so　brilliant；　and　I　such　a　humble　foolish　creature？
How　noble　it　was　of　him　to　marry　meto　give　up　everything
and　stoop　down　to　me！　　I　ought　to　have　refused
him；　only　I　had　not　the　heart。　　I　ought　to　have　stopped　at
home　and　taken　care　of　poor　Papa。　　And　her　neglect　of
her　parents　（and　indeed　there　was　some　foundation　for
this　charge　which　the　poor　child's　uneasy　conscience
brought　against　her）　was　now　remembered　for　the　first
time；　and　caused　her　to　blush　with　humiliation。　　Oh！
thought　she；　I　have　been　very　wicked　and　selfishselfish
in　forgetting　them　in　their　sorrowsselfish　in　forcing
George　to　marry　me。　　I　know　I'm　not　worthy　of　himI
know　he　would　have　been　happy　without　meand　yet
I　tried；　I　tried　to　give　him　up。
It　is　hard　when；　before　seven　days　of　marriage　are
over；　such　thoughts　and　confessions　as　these　force
themselves　on　a　little　bride's　mind。　　But　so　it　was；　and　the
night　before　Dobbin　came　to　join　these　young　people
on　a　fine　brilliant　moonlight　night　of　Mayso　warm
and　balmy　that　the　windows　were　flung　open　to　the　balcony；
from　which　George　and　Mrs。　Crawley　were　gazing　upon
the　calm　ocean　spread　shining　before　them；
while　Rawdon　and　Jos　were　engaged　at　backgammon
withinAmelia　couched　in　a　great　chair　quite　neglected；　and
watching　both　these　parties；　felt　a　despair　and　remorse
such　as　were　bitter　companions　for　that　tender　lonely
soul。　　Scarce　a　week　was　past；　and　it　was　come　to　this！
The　future；　had　she　regarded　it；　offered　a　dismal　prospect；
but　Emmy　was