vanity fair(名利场)-第69章

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the　banks；　and　examining　the　barges　sailing　slowly　under
the　cool　shadows　of　the　trees　by　the　canal；　or　refreshing
himself　with　a　mug　of　Faro　at　the　bench　of　a　beer…house
on　the　road　to　Laeken。
But　Mr。　Joseph　Sedley；　luckily　for　his　own　peace；　no
more　knew　what　was　passing　in　his　domestic's　mind　than
the　respected　reader；　and　I　suspect　what　John　or　Mary；
whose　wages　we　pay；　think　of　ourselves。　　What　our
servants　think　of　us！Did　we　know　what　our　intimates　and
dear　relations　thought　of　us；　we　should　live　in　a　world
that　we　should　be　glad　to　quit；　and　in　a　frame　of　mind
and　a　constant　terror；　that　would　be　perfectly　unbearable。
So　Jos's　man　was　marking　his　victim　down；　as　you
see　one　of　Mr。　Paynter's　assistants　in　Leadenhall　Street
ornament　an　unconscious　turtle　with　a　placard　on　which
is　written；　〃Soup　to…morrow。〃
Amelia's　attendant　was　much　less　selfishly　disposed。
Few　dependents　could　come　near　that　kind　and　gentle
creature　without　paying　their　usual　tribute　of　loyalty
and　affection　to　her　sweet　and　affectionate　nature。　　And
it　is　a　fact　that　Pauline；　the　cook；　consoled　her　mistress
more　than　anybody　whom　she　saw　on　this　wretched
morning；　for　when　she　found　how　Amelia　remained　for　hours；
silent；　motionless；　and　haggard；　by　the　windows　in　which
she　had　placed　herself　to　watch　the　last　bayonets　of　the
column　as　it　marched　away；　the　honest　girl　took　the
lady's　hand；　and　said；　Tenez；　Madame；　est…ce　qu'il　n'est
pas　aussi　a　l'armee；　mon　homme　a　moi？　　with　which
she　burst　into　tears；　and　Amelia　falling　into　her　arms；
did　likewise；　and　so　each　pitied　and　soothed　the　other。
Several　times　during　the　forenoon　Mr。　Jos's　Isidor
went　from　his　lodgings　into　the　town；　and　to　the　gates
of　the　hotels　and　lodging…houses　round　about　the　Parc；
where　the　English　were　congregated；　and　there　mingled
with　other　valets；　couriers；　and　lackeys；　gathered　such
news　as　was　abroad；　and　brought　back　bulletins　for　his
master's　information。　　Almost　all　these　gentlemen　were　in
heart　partisans　of　the　Emperor；　and　had　their　opinions
about　the　speedy　end　of　the　campaign。　　The　Emperor's
proclamation　from　Avesnes　had　been　distributed
everywhere　plentifully　in　Brussels。　　〃Soldiers！〃　　it　said；　〃this
is　the　anniversary　of　Marengo　and　Friedland；　by　which　the
destinies　of　Europe　were　twice　decided。　　Then；　as　after
Austerlitz；　as　after　Wagram；　we　were　too　generous。　　We
believed　in　the　oaths　and　promises　of　princes　whom　we
suffered　to　remain　upon　their　thrones。　　Let　us　march　once
more　to　meet　them。　　We　and　they；　are　we　not　still　the
same　men？　　Soldiers！　　these　same　Prussians　who　are　so
arrogant　to…day；　were　three　to　one　against　you　at　Jena；
and　six　to　one　at　Montmirail。　　Those　among　you　who
were　prisoners　in　England　can　tell　their　comrades　what
frightful　torments　they　suffered　on　board　the　English
hulks。　　Madmen！　　a　moment　of　prosperity　has　blinded
them；　and　if　they　enter　into　France　it　will　be　to　find　a
grave　there！〃　　But　the　partisans　of　the　French　prophesied
a　more　speedy　extermination　of　the　Emperor's　enemies
than　this；　and　it　was　agreed　on　all　hands　that　Prussians
and　British　would　never　return　except　as　prisoners　in　the
rear　of　the　conquering　army。
These　opinions　in　the　course　of　the　day　were　brought
to　operate　upon　Mr。　Sedley。　　He　was　told　that　the　Duke
of　Wellington　had　gone　to　try　and　rally　his　army；　the
advance　of　which　had　been　utterly　crushed　the　night
before。
〃Crushed；　psha！〃　said　Jos；　whose　heart　was　pretty
stout　at　breakfast…time。　　〃The　Duke　has　gone　to　beat　the
Emperor　as　he　has　beaten　all　his　generals　before。〃
〃His　papers　are　burned；　his　effects　are　removed；　and　his
quarters　are　being　got　ready　for　the　Duke　of　Dalmatia；〃
Jos's　informant　replied。　　〃I　had　it　from　his　own　maitre
d'hotel。　　Milor　Duc　de　Richemont's　people　are　packing
up　everything。　　His　Grace　has　fled　already；　and　the
Duchess　is　only　waiting　to　see　the　plate　packed　to　join　the
King　of　France　at　Ostend。〃
〃The　King　of　France　is　at　Ghent；　fellow；〃　replied　Jos；
affecting　incredulity。
　
〃He　fled　last　night　to　Bruges；　and　embarks　today　from
Ostend。　　The　Duc　de　Berri　is　taken　prisoner。　　Those　who
wish　to　be　safe　had　better　go　soon；　for　the　dykes　will
be　opened　to…morrow；　and　who　can　fly　when　the　whole
country　is　under　water？〃
〃Nonsense；　sir；　we　are　three　to　one；　sir；　against　any
force　Boney　can　bring　into　the　field；〃　Mr。　Sedley
objected；　〃the　Austrians　and　the　Russians　are　on　their
march。　　He　must；　he　shall　be　crushed；〃　Jos　said；　slapping
his　hand　on　the　table。
〃The　Prussians　were　three　to　one　at　Jena；　and　he
took　their　army　and　kingdom　in　a　week。　　They　were
six　to　one　at　Montmirail；　and　he　scattered　them　like　sheep。
The　Austrian　army　is　coming；　but　with　the　Empress　and
the　King　of　Rome　at　its　head；　and　the　Russians；　bah！
the　Russians　will　withdraw。　　No　quarter　is　to　be　given
to　the　English；　on　account　of　their　cruelty　to　our　braves
on　board　the　infamous　pontoons。　　Look　here；　here　it　is
in　black　and　white。　　Here's　the　proclamation　of　his
Majesty　the　Emperor　and　King；〃　said　the　now　declared
partisan　of　Napoleon；　and　taking　the　document　from　his
pocket；　Isidor　sternly　thrust　it　into　his　master's　face；
and　already　looked　upon　the　frogged　coat　and　valuables
as　his　own　spoil。
Jos　was；　if　not　seriously　alarmed　as　yet；　at　least
considerably　disturbed　in　mind。　　〃Give　me　my　coat　and　cap；
sir；　said　he；　〃and　follow　me。　　I　will　go　myself　and　learn
the　truth　of　these　reports。〃　Isidor　was　furious　as　Jos　put
on　the　braided　frock。　　〃Milor　had　better。not　wear　that
military　coat；〃　said　he；　〃the　Frenchmen　have　sworn　not
to　give　quarter　to　a　single　British　soldier。〃
〃Silence；　sirrah！〃　said　Jos；　with　a　resolute　countenance
still；　and　thrust　his　arm　into　the　sleeve　with　indomitable
resolution；　in　the　performance　of　which　heroic　act　he
was　found　by　Mrs。　Rawdon　Crawley；　who　at　this　juncture
came　up　to　visit　Amelia；　and　entered　without　ringing
at　the　antechamber　door。
Rebecca　was　dressed　very　neatly　and　smartly；　as　usual：
her　quiet　sleep　after　Rawdon's　departure　had　refreshed
her；　and　her　pink　smiling　cheeks　were　quite　pleasant　to
look　at；　in　a　town　and　on　a　day　when　everybody　else's
countenance　wore　the　appearance　of　the　deepest　anxiety
and　gloom。　　She　laughed　at　the　attitude　in　which　Jos　was
discovered；　and　the　struggles　and　convulsions　with　which
the　stout　gentleman　thrust　himself　into　the　braided　coat。
〃Are　you　preparing　to　join　the　army；　Mr。　Joseph？〃
she　said。　　〃Is　there　to　be　nobody　left　in　Brussels　to
protect　us　poor　women？〃　　Jos　succeeded　in　plunging　into
the　coat；　and　came　forward　blushing　and　stuttering　out
excuses　to　his　fair　visitor。　　〃How　was　she　after　the　events
of　the　morningafter　the　fatigues　of　the　ball　the　night
before？〃　　Monsieur　Isidor　disappeared　into　his　master's
adjacent　bedroom；　bearing　off　the　flowered　dressing…gown。
〃How　good　of　you　to　ask；〃　said　she；　pressing　one　of
his　hands　in　both　her　own。　　〃How　cool　and　collected　you
look　when　everybody　else　is　frightened！　　How　is　our　dear
little　Emmy？　　It　must　have　been　an　awful；　awful　parting。〃
〃Tremendous；〃　Jos　said。
〃You　men　can　bear　anything；〃　replied　the　lady。　　〃Parting
or　danger　are　nothing　to　you。　　Own　now　that　you
were　going　to　join　the　army　and　leave　us　to　our　fate。
I　know　you　weresomething　tells　me　you　were。　　I　was
so　frightened；　when　the　thought　came　into　my　head　（for
I　do　sometimes　think　of　you　when　I　am　alone；　Mr。
Joseph）；　that　I　ran　off　immediately　to　beg　and　entreat
you　not　to　fly　from　us。〃
This　speech　might　be　interpreted；　〃My　dear　sir；　should
an　accident　befall　the　army；　and　a　retreat　be　necessary；
you　have　a　very　comfortable　carriage；　in　which　I
propose　to　take　a　seat。〃　I　don't　know　whether　Jos
understood　the　words　in　this　sense。　　But　he　was　profoundly
mortified　by　the　lady's　inattention　to　him　during　their
stay　at　Brussels。　　He　had　never　been　presented　to　any
of　Rawdon　Crawley's　great　acquaintances：　　he　had　scarcely
been　invited　to　Rebecca's　parties；　for　he　was　too　timid
to　play　much；　and　his　presence　bored　George　and　Rawdon
equally；　who　neither　of　them；　perhaps；　liked　to　have　a
witness　of　the　amusements　in　which　the　pair　chose　to
indulge。　　〃Ah！〃　thought　Jos；　〃now　she　wants　me　she
comes　to　me。　　When　there　is　nobody　else　in　the　way　she
can　think　about　old　Joseph　Sedley！〃　　But　besides　these
doubts　he　felt　flattered　at　the　idea　Rebecca　expressed
of　his　courage。
He　blushed　a　good　deal；　and　put　on　an　air　of　importance。
〃I　should　like　to　see　the　action；〃　he　said。　　〃Every
man　of　any　spirit　would；　you　know。　　I've　seen　a　little
service　in　India；　but　nothing　on　this　grand　scale。〃
〃You　men　would　sacrifice　anything　for　a　pleasure；〃
Rebecca　answered。　　〃Captain　Crawley　left　me　this　morning
as　gay　as　if　he　were　going　to　a　hunting　party。　　What
does　he　care？　　What　do　any　of　you　care　for　the　agonies
and　tortures　of　a　poor　forsaken　woman？　　（I　wonder
whether　he　could　really　have　been　going　to　the　troops；
this　great　lazy　gourmand？）　　Oh！　　dear　Mr。　Sedley；　I　have
come　to　you　for　comfortfor　consolation。　　I　have　been
on　my　knees　all　the　morning。　　I　tremble　at　the　frightful
danger　into　which　our　husbands；　our　friends；　our　brave
troops　and　allies；　are　rushing。　　And　I　come　here　for　shelter；
and　find　another　of　my　friendsthe　last　remaining　to
mebent　upon　plunging　into　the　dreadful　scene！〃
〃My　dear　madam；〃　Jos　replied；　now　beginning　to　be
quite　soothed；　〃don't　be　alarmed。　　I　only　said　I　should
like　to　gowhat　Briton　would　not？　　But　my　duty　keeps
me　here：　　I　can't　leave　that　poor　creature　in　the　next
room。〃　And　he　pointed　with　his　finger　to　the　door　of
the　chamber　in　which　Amelia　was。
〃Good　noble　brother！〃　Rebecca　said；　putting　her
handkerchief　to　her　eyes；　and　smelling　the　eau…de…cologne
with　which　it　was　scented。　　〃I　have　done　you　injustice：
you　have　got　a　heart。　　I　thought　you　had　not。〃
〃O；　upon　my　honour！〃　Jos　said；　making　a　motion　as
if　he　would　lay　his　hand　upon　the　spot　in　question。　　〃You
do　me　injustice；　indeed　you　domy　dear　Mrs。　Crawley。〃
〃I　do；　now　your　heart　is　true　to　your　sister。　　But　I
remember　two　years　agowhen　it　was　false　to　me！〃
Rebecca　said；　fixing　her　eyes　upon　him　for　an　instant；　and
then　turning　away　into　the　window。
Jos　blushed　violently。　　That　organ　which　he　was
accused　by　Rebecca　of　not　possessing　began　to　thump
tumultuously。　　He　recalled　the　days　when　he　had　fled　from
her；　and　the　passion　which　had　once　inflamed　himthe
days　when　he　had　driven　her　in　his　curricle：　　when　she
had　knit　the　green　purse　for　him：　　when　he　had　sate
enraptured　gazing　at　her　white　arms　and　bright　eyes。
〃I　know　you　think　me　ungrateful；〃　Rebecca　continued；
coming　out　of　the　window；　and　once　more　looking　at
him　and　addressing　him　in　a　low　tremulous　voice。　　〃Your
coldness；　your　averted　looks；　your　manner　when　we　have
met　of　latewhen　I　came　in　just　now；　all　proved　it　to
me。　　But　were　there　no　reasons　why　I　should　avoid　you？
Let　your　own　heart　answer　that　question。　　Do　you　think
my　husband　was　too　much　inclined　to　welcome　you？
The　only　unkind　words　I　have　ever　had　from　him　（I
will　do　Captain　Crawley　that　justice）　have　been　about
youand　most　cruel；　cruel　words　they　were。〃
〃Good　gracious！　what　have　I　done？〃　asked　Jos　in　a
flurry　of　pleasure　and　perplexity；　〃what　have　I　done
toto？〃
〃Is　jealous