vanity fair(名利场)-第6章

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he's　a　magistrate　at　Budgebudge；　and　sure　to　be　in
council　in　five　years。　　Well；　sir；　the　Artillery　gave　a　ball；
and　Quintin；　of　the　King's　14th；　said　to　me；　'Sedley；'　said
he；　'I　bet　you　thirteen　to　ten　that　Sophy　Cutler　hooks
either　you　or　Mulligatawney　before　the　rains。'　'Done；'
says　I；　and　egad；　sirthis　claret's　very　good。　　Adamson's
or　Carbonell's？〃
A　slight　snore　was　the　only　reply：　the　honest　stockbroker
was　asleep；　and　so　the　rest　of　Joseph's　story　was　lost
for　that　day。　　But　he　was　always　exceedingly
communicative　in　a　man's　party；　and　has　told　this
delightful　tale　many　scores　of　times　to　his　apothecary；
Dr。　Gollop；　when　he　came　to　inquire　about　the　liver　and
the　blue…pill。
Being　an　invalid；　Joseph　Sedley　contented　himself　with
a　bottle　of　claret　besides　his　Madeira　at　dinner；　and
he　managed　a　couple　of　plates　full　of　strawberries　and
cream；　and　twenty…four　little　rout　cakes　that　were　lying
neglected　in　a　plate　near　him；　and　certainly　（for
novelists　have　the　privilege　of　knowing　everything）
he　thought　a　great　deal　about　the　girl　upstairs。　　〃A　nice；
gay；　merry　young　creature；〃　thought　he　to　himself。　　〃How
she　looked　at　me　when　I　picked　up　her　handkerchief　at
dinner！　　She　dropped　it　twice。　　Who's　that　singing　in　the
drawing…room？　'Gad！　shall　I　go　up　and　see？〃
But　his　modesty　came　rushing　upon　him　with
uncontrollable　force。　　His　father　was　asleep：　his　hat
was　in　the　hall：　there　was　a　hackney…coach　standing
hard　by　in　Southampton　Row。　　〃I'll　go　and　see　the　Forty
Thieves；〃　said　he；　〃and　Miss　Decamp's　dance〃；　and　he
slipped　away　gently　on　the　pointed　toes　of　his　boots；　and　
disappeared；　without　waking　his　worthy　parent。
〃There　goes　Joseph；〃　said　Amelia；　who　was　looking
from　the　open　windows　of　the　drawing…room；　while
Rebecca　was　singing　at　the　piano。
〃Miss　Sharp　has　frightened　him　away；〃　said　Mrs。
Sedley。　　〃Poor　Joe；　why　WILL　he　be　so　shy？〃

CHAPTER　IV
The　Green　Silk　Purse
Poor　Joe's　panic　lasted　for　two　or　three　days；　during
which　he　did　not　visit　the　house；　nor　during　that　period
did　Miss　Rebecca　ever　mention　his　name。　　She　was　all
respectful　gratitude　to　Mrs。　Sedley；　delighted　beyond
measure　at　the　Bazaars；　and　in　a　whirl　of　wonder　at　the
theatre；　whither　the　good…natured　lady　took　her。　　One
day；　Amelia　had　a　headache；　and　could　not　go　upon　some
party　of　pleasure　to　which　the　two　young　people　were
invited：　nothing　could　induce　her　friend　to　go　without　her。
〃What！　you　who　have　shown　the　poor　orphan　what
happiness　and　love　are　for　the　first　time　in　her　lifequit
YOU？　　Never！〃　　and　the　green　eyes　looked　up　to　Heaven
and　filled　with　tears；　and　Mrs。　Sedley　could　not　but　own
that　her　daughter's　friend　had　a　charming　kind　heart
of　her　own。
As　for　Mr。　Sedley's　jokes；　Rebecca　laughed　at　them
with　a　cordiality　and　perseverance　which　not　a　little
pleased　and　softened　that　good…natured　gentleman。　　Nor
was　it　with　the　chiefs　of　the　family　alone　that　Miss
Sharp　found　favour。　　She　interested　Mrs。　Blenkinsop　by
evincing　the　deepest　sympathy　in　the　raspberry…jam
preserving；　which　operation　was　then　going　on　in　the
Housekeeper's　room；　she　persisted　in　calling　Sambo　〃Sir；〃
and　〃Mr。　Sambo；〃　to　the　delight　of　that　attendant；　and　she
apologised　to　the　lady's　maid　for　giving　her　trouble　in
venturing　to　ring　the　bell；　with　such　sweetness　and
humility；　that　the　Servants'　Hall　was　almost　as　charmed
with　her　as　the　Drawing　Room。
Once；　in　looking　over　some　drawings　which　Amelia
had　sent　from　school；　Rebecca　suddenly　came　upon　one
which　caused　her　to　burst　into　tears　and　leave　the　room。
It　was　on　the　day　when　Joe　Sedley　made　his　second
appearance。
Amelia　hastened　after　her　friend　to　know　the　cause
of　this　display　of　feeling；　and　the　good…natured　girl　came
back　without　her　companion；　rather　affected　too。　　〃You
know；　her　father　was　our　drawing…master；　Mamma；　at
Chiswick；　and　used　to　do　all　the　best　parts　of　our　drawings。〃
　　　　
〃My　love！　I'm　sure　I　always　heard　Miss　Pinkerton　say
that　he　did　not　touch　themhe　only　mounted　them。〃
〃It　was　called　mounting；　Mamma。　　Rebecca　remembers
the　drawing；　and　her　father　working　at　it；　and　the
thought　of　it　came　upon　her　rather　suddenlyand　so；
you　know；　she〃
　　　　
〃The　poor　child　is　all　heart；〃　said　Mrs。　Sedley。
〃I　wish　she　could　stay　with　us　another　week；〃　said
Amelia。
〃She's　devilish　like　Miss　Cutler　that　I　used　to　meet
at　Dumdum；　only　fairer。　　She's　married　now　to　Lance；
the　Artillery　Surgeon。　　Do　you　know；　Ma'am；　that　once
Quintin；　of　the　14th；　bet　me〃
〃0　Joseph；　we　know　that　story；〃　said　Amelia；　laughing。
Never　mind　about　telling　that；　but　persuade　Mamma
to　write　to　Sir　Something　Crawley　for　leave　of　absence
for　poor　dear　Rebecca：　here　she　comes；　her　eyes　red
with　weeping。〃
　　　　　
〃I'm　better；　now；〃　said　the　girl；　with　the　sweetest　smile
possible；　taking　good…natured　Mrs。　Sedley's　extended　hand
and　kissing　it　respectfully。　　〃How　kind　you　all　are　to　me！
All；〃　she　added；　with　a　laugh；　〃except　you；　Mr。　Joseph。〃
　　　　　
〃Me！〃　said　Joseph；　meditating　an　instant　departure
〃Gracious　Heavens！　Good　Gad！　Miss　Sharp！'
　　　　　
〃Yes；　how　could　you　be　so　cruel　as　to　make　me　eat
that　horrid　pepper…dish　at　dinner；　the　first　day　I　ever
saw　you？　You　are　not　so　good　to　me　as　dear　Amelia。〃
　　　　　
〃He　doesn't　know　you　so　well；〃　cried　Amelia。
　　　　　
〃I　defy　anybody　not　to　be　good　to　you；　my　dear；〃
said　her　mother。
　　　　　
〃The　curry　was　capital；　indeed　it　was；〃　said　Joe；　quite
gravely。　　〃Perhaps　there　was　NOT　enough　citron　juice　in
itno；　there　was　NOT。〃
〃And　the　chilis？〃
〃By　Jove；　how　they　made　you　cry　out！〃　said　Joe；
caught　by　the　ridicule　of　the　circumstance；　and
exploding　in　a　fit　of　laughter　which　ended　quite
suddenly；　as　usual。
〃I　shall　take　care　how　I　let　YOU　choose　for　me
another　time；〃　said　Rebecca；　as　they　went　down
again　to　dinner。　　〃I　didn't　think　men　were　fond　of
putting　poor　harmless　girls　to　pain。〃
〃By　Gad；　Miss　Rebecca；　I　wouldn't　hurt　you　for　the
world。〃
〃No；〃　said　she；　〃I　KNOW　you　wouldn't〃；　and　then　she
gave　him　ever　so　gentle　a　pressure　with　her　little　hand；
and　drew　it　back　quite　frightened；　and　looked　first　for
one　instant　in　his　face；　and　then　down　at　the　carpet…
rods；　and　I　am　not　prepared　to　say　that　Joe's　heart　did
not　thump　at　this　little　involuntary；　timid；　gentle　motion
of　regard　on　the　part　of　the　simple　girl。
It　was　an　advance；　and　as　such；　perhaps；　some　ladies
of　indisputable　correctness　and　gentility　will　condemn　the
action　as　immodest；　but；　you　see；　poor　dear　Rebecca
had　all　this　work　to　do　for　herself。　　If　a　person　is　too
poor　to　keep　a　servant；　though　ever　so　elegant；　he　must
sweep　his　own　rooms：　if　a　dear　girl　has　no　dear　Mamma
to　settle　matters　with　the　young　man；　she　must　do　it
for　herself。　　And　oh；　what　a　mercy　it　is　that　these　women
do　not　exercise　their　powers　oftener！　We　can't　resist
them；　if　they　do。　　Let　them　show　ever　so　little　inclination；
and　men　go　down　on　their　knees　at　once：　old　or　ugly；
it　is　all　the　same。　　And　this　I　set　down　as　a　positive
truth。　　A　woman　with　fair　opportunities；　and　without　an
absolute　hump；　may　marry　WHOM　SHE　LIKES。　　Only　let　us
be　thankful　that　the　darlings　are　like　the　beasts　of　the
field；　and　don't　know　their　own　power。　　They　would
overcome　us　entirely　if　they　did。
〃Egad！〃　thought　Joseph；　entering　the　dining…room；　〃I
exactly　begin　to　feel　as　I　did　at　Dumdum　with　Miss
Cutler。〃　Many　sweet　little　appeals；　half　tender；　half
jocular；　did　Miss　Sharp　make　to　him　about　the　dishes
at　dinner；　for　by　this　time　she　was　on　a　footing　of
considerable　familiarity　with　the　family；　and　as　for　the
girls；　they　loved　each　other　like　sisters。　　Young　unmarried
girls　always　do；　if　they　are　in　a　house　together　for　ten
days。
As　if　bent　upon　advancing　Rebecca's　plans　in　every
waywhat　must　Amelia　do；　but　remind　her　brother　of
a　promise　made　last　Easter　holidays〃When　I　was　a
girl　at　school；〃　said　she；　laughinga　promise　that　he；
Joseph；　would　take　her　to　Vauxhall。　　〃Now；〃　she　said；
〃that　Rebecca　is　with　us；　will　be　the　very　time。〃
〃O；　delightful！〃　said　Rebecca；　going　to　clap　her　hands；
but　she　recollected　herself；　and　paused；　like　a　modest
creature；　as　she　was。
〃To…night　is　not　the　night；〃　said　Joe。
　
〃Well；　to…morrow。〃
　
〃To…morrow　your　Papa　and　I　dine　out；〃　said　Mrs。
Sedley。
〃You　don't　suppose　that　I'm　going；　Mrs。　Sed？〃　said
her　husband；　〃and　that　a　woman　of　your　years　and　size
is　to　catch　cold；　in　such　an　abominable　damp　place？〃
'The　children　must　have　someone　with　them；〃　cried
Mrs。　Sedley。
〃Let　Joe　go；〃　said…his　father；　laughing。　　〃He's　big
enough。〃　At　which　speech　even　Mr。　Sambo　at　the
sideboard　burst　out　laughing；　and　poor　fat　Joe　felt
inclined　to　become　a　parricide　almost。
〃Undo　his　stays！〃　continued　the　pitiless　old　gentleman。
〃Fling　some　water　in　his　face；　Miss　Sharp；　or　carry　him
upstairs：　the　dear　creature's　fainting。　　Poor　victim！　carry
him　up；　he's　as　light　as　a　feather！〃
〃If　I　stand　this；　sir；　I'm　d！〃　roared　Joseph。
〃Order　Mr。　Jos's　elephant；　Sambo！〃　cried　the　father。
〃Send　to　Exeter　'Change；　Sambo〃；　but　seeing　Jos　ready
almost　to　cry　with　vexation；　the　old　joker　stopped　his
laughter；　and　said；　holding　out　his　hand　to　his　son；　〃It's
all　fair　on　the　Stock　Exchange；　Josand；　Sambo；　never
mind　the　elephant；　but　give　me　and　Mr。　Jos　a　glass　of
Champagne。　　Boney　himself　hasn't　got　such　in　his　cellar；
my　boy！〃
A　goblet　of　Champagne　restored　Joseph's　equanimity；
and　before　the　bottle　was　emptied；　of　which　as　an　invalid
he　took　two…thirds；　he　had　agreed　to　take　the　young
ladies　to　Vauxhall。
〃The　girls　must　have　a　gentleman　apiece；〃　said　the　old
gentleman。　　〃Jos　will　be　sure　to　leave　Emmy　in　the　crowd；
he　will　be　so　taken　up　with　Miss　Sharp　here。　　Send　to　96；
and　ask　George　Osborne　if　he'll　come。〃
At　this；　I　don't　know　in　the　least　for　what　reason；
Mrs。　Sedley　looked　at　her　husband　and　laughed。　　Mr。
Sedley's　eyes　twinkled　in　a　manner　indescribably
roguish；　and　he　looked　at　Amelia；　and　Amelia；　hanging
down　her　head；　blushed　as　only　young　ladies　of　seventeen
know　how　to　blush；　and　as　Miss　Rebecca　Sharp　never
blushed　in　her　lifeat　least　not　since　she　was　eight
years　old；　and　when　she　was　caught　stealing　jam　out　of
a　cupboard　by　her　godmother。　　〃Amelia　had　better　write
a　note；〃　said　her　father；　〃and　let　George　Osborne　see
what　a　beautiful　handwriting　we　have　brought　back　from
Miss　Pinkerton's。　　Do　you　remember　when　you　wrote　to
him　to　come　on　Twelfth…night；　Emmy；　and　spelt　twelfth
without　the　f？〃
〃That　was　years　ago；〃　said　Amelia。
〃It　seems　like　yesterday；　don't　it；　John？〃　said　Mrs。
Sedley　to　her　husband；　and　that　night　in　a　conversation
which　took　place　in　a　front　room　in　the　second　floor；
in　a　sort　of　tent；　hung　round　with　chintz　of　a　rich　and
fantastic　India　pattern；　and　double　with　calico　of　a
tender　rose…colour；　in　the　interior　of　which　species　of
marquee　was　a　featherbed；　on　which　were　two　pillows；
on　which　were　two　round　red　faces；　one　in　a　laced
nightcap；　and　one　in　a　simple　cotton　one；　ending　in　a　tassel
in　A　CURTAIN　LECTURE；　I　say；　Mrs。　Sedley　took　her
husband　to　task　for　his　cruel　conduct　to　poor　Joe。
〃It　was　quite　wicked　of　you；　Mr。　Sedley；〃　said　she；
〃to　torment　the　poor　boy　so。〃
〃My　dear；〃　said　the　cotton…tassel　in　defence　of　his
conduct；　〃Jos　is　a　great　deal　vainer　than　you　e