vanity fair(名利场)-第70章

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〃Good　gracious！　what　have　I　done？〃　asked　Jos　in　a
flurry　of　pleasure　and　perplexity；　〃what　have　I　done
toto？〃
〃Is　jealousy　nothing？〃　said　Rebecca。　　〃He　makes　me
miserable　about　you。　　And　whatever　it　might　have　been
oncemy　heart　is　all　his。　　I　am　innocent　now。　　Am　I
not；　Mr。　Sedley？〃
All　Jos's　blood　tingled　with　delight；　as　he　surveyed
this　victim　to　his　attractions。　　A　few　adroit　words；　one
or　two　knowing　tender　glances　of　the　eyes；　and　his　heart
was　inflamed　again　and　his　doubts　and　suspicions
forgotten。　　From　Solomon　downwards；　have　not　wiser　men
than　he　been　cajoled　and　befooled　by　women？　　〃If　the
worst　comes　to　the　worst；〃　Becky　thought；　〃my　retreat
is　secure；　and　I　have　a　right…hand　seat　in　the　barouche。〃
There　is　no　knowing　into　what　declarations　of　love
and　ardour　the　tumultuous　passions　of　Mr。　Joseph
might　have　led　him；　if　Isidor　the　valet　had　not　made
his　reappearance　at　this　minute；　and　begun　to　busy
himself　about　the　domestic　affairs。　　Jos；　who　was　just　going
to　gasp　out　an　avowal；　choked　almost　with　the　emotion
that　he　was　obliged　to　restrain。　　Rebecca　too　bethought
her　that　it　was　time　she　should　go　in　and　comfort　her
dearest　Amelia。　　〃Au　revoir；〃　she　said；　kissing　her　hand
to　Mr。　Joseph；　and　tapped　gently　at　the　door　of　his
sister's　apartment。　　As　she　entered　and　closed　the　door
on　herself；　he　sank　down　in　a　chair；　and　gazed　and
sighed　and　puffed　portentously。　　〃That　coat　is　very　tight
for　Milor；〃　Isidor　said；　still　having　his　eye　on　the　frogs；
but　his　master　heard　him　not：　　his　thoughts　were
elsewhere：　　now　glowing；　maddening；　upon　the　contemplation
of　the　enchanting　Rebecca：　　anon　shrinking　guiltily
before　the　vision　of　the　jealous　Rawdon　Crawley；　with　his
curling；　fierce　mustachios；　and　his　terrible　duelling　pistols
loaded　and　cocked。
Rebecca's　appearance　struck　Amelia　with　terror；　and
made　her　shrink　back。　　It　recalled　her　to　the　world　and
the　remembrance　of　yesterday。　　In　the　overpowering　fears
about　to…morrow　she　had　forgotten　Rebeccajealousy
everything　except　that　her　husband　was　gone　and　was
in　danger。　　Until　this　dauntless　worldling　came　in　and
broke　the　spell；　and　lifted　the　latch；　we　too　have
forborne　to　enter　into　that　sad　chamber。　　How　long　had　that
poor　girl　been　on　her　knees！　　what　hours　of　speechless
prayer　and　bitter　prostration　had　she　passed　there！　　The
war…chroniclers　who　write　brilliant　stories　of　fight　and
triumph　scarcely　tell　us　of　these。　　These　are　too　mean
parts　of　the　pageant：　　and　you　don't　hear　widows'　cries
or　mothers'　sobs　in　the　midst　of　the　shouts　and　jubilation
in　the　great　Chorus　of　Victory。　　And　yet　when　was
the　time　that　such　have　not　cried　out：　　heart…broken；
humble　protestants；　unheard　in　the　uproar　of　the　triumph！
After　the　first　movement　of　terror　in　Amelia's　mind
when　Rebecca's　green　eyes　lighted　upon　her；　and
rustling　in　her　fresh　silks　and　brilliant　ornaments；　the　latter
tripped　up　with　extended　arms　to　embrace　hera　feeling
of　anger　succeeded；　and　from　being　deadly　pale　before；
her　face　flushed　up　red；　and　she　returned　Rebecca's　look
after　a　moment　with　a　steadiness　which　surprised　and
somewhat　abashed　her　rival。
〃Dearest　Amelia；　you　are　very　unwell；〃　the　visitor　said；
putting　forth　her　hand　to　take　Amelia's。　　〃What　is　it？
I　could　not　rest　until　I　knew　how　you　were。〃
Amelia　drew　back　her　handnever　since　her　life
began　had　that　gentle　soul　refused　to　believe　or　to
answer　any　demonstration　of　good…will　or　affection。　　But
she　drew　back　her　hand；　and　trembled　all　over。　　〃Why
are　you　here；　Rebecca？〃　she　said；　still　looking　at　her
solemnly　with　her　large　eyes。　　These　glances　troubled　her
visitor。
〃She　must　have　seen　him　give　me　the　letter　at　the
ball；〃　Rebecca　thought。　　〃Don't　be　agitated；　dear　Amelia；〃
she　said；　looking　down。　　〃I　came　but　to　see　if　I　could
if　you　were　well。〃
〃Are　you　well？〃　said　Amelia。　　〃I　dare　say　you　are。
You　don't　love　your　husband。　　You　would　not　be　here　if
you　did。　　Tell　me；　Rebecca；　did　I　ever　do　you　anything
but　kindness？〃
〃Indeed；　Amelia；　no；〃　the　other　said；　still　hanging
down　her　head。
〃When　you　were　quite　poor；　who　was　it　that　befriended
you？　　Was　I　not　a　sister　to　you？　　You　saw　us
all　in　happier　days　before　he　married　me。　　I　was　all　in
all　then　to　him；　or　would　he　have　given　up　his　fortune；
his　family；　as　he　nobly　did　to　make　me　happy？　　Why　did
you　come　between　my　love　and　me？　　Who　sent　you　to
separate　those　whom　God　joined；　and　take　my　darling's
heart　from　me　my　own　husband？　Do　you　think　you
could　I　love　him　as　I　did？　　His　love　was　everything　to　me。
You　knew　it；　and　wanted　to　rob　me　of　it。　　For　shame；
Rebecca；　bad　and　wicked　womanfalse　friend　and　false
wife。〃
〃Amelia；　I　protest　before　God；　I　have　done　my
husband　no　wrong；〃　Rebecca　said；　turning　from　her。
〃Have　you　done　me　no　wrong；　Rebecca？　　You　did　not
succeed；　but　you　tried。　　Ask　your　heart　if　you　did　not。〃
She　knows　nothing；　Rebecca　thought。
〃He　came　back　to　me。　　I　knew　he　would。　　I　knew　that
no　falsehood；　no　flattery；　could　keep　him　from　me　long。
I　knew　he　would　come。　　I　prayed　so　that　he　should。〃
The　poor　girl　spoke　these　words　with　a　spirit　and
volubility　which　Rebecca　had　never　before　seen　in　her；
and　before　which　the　latter　was　quite　dumb。　　〃But　what
have　I　done　to　you；〃　she　continued　in　a　more　pitiful　tone；
〃that　you　should　try　and　take　him　from　me？　　I　had　him
but　for　six　weeks。　　You　might　have　spared　me　those；
Rebecca。　　And　yet；　from　the　very　first　day　of　our　wedding；
you　came　and　blighted　it。　　Now　he　is　gone；　are　you　come
to　see　how　unhappy　I　am？〃　she　continued。　　〃You　made
me　wretched　enough　for　the　past　fortnight：　　you　might
have　spared　me　to…day。〃
〃II　never　came　here；〃　interposed　Rebecca；　with
unlucky　truth。
〃No。　　You　didn't　come。　　You　took　him　away。　　Are　you
come　to　fetch　him　from　me？〃　she　continued　in　a　wilder
tone。　　〃He　was　here；　but　he　is　gone　now。　　There　on　that
very　sofa　he　sate。　　Don't　touch　it。　　We　sate　and　talked
there。　　I　was　on　his　knee；　and　my　arms　were　round　his
neck；　and　we　said　'Our　Father。'　Yes；　he　was　here：　　and
they　came　and　took　him　away；　but　he　promised　me　to
come　back。〃
〃He　will　come　back；　my　dear；〃　said　Rebecca；　touched
in　spite　of　herself。
〃Look；〃　said　Amelia；　〃this　is　his　sashisn't　it　a　pretty
colour？''　and　she　took　up　the　fringe　and　kissed　it。　　She
had　tied　it　round　her　waist　at　some　part　of　the　day。　　She
had　forgotten　her　anger；　her　jealousy；　the　very　presence
of　her　rival　seemingly。　　For　she　walked　silently　and　almost
with　a　smile　on　her　face；　towards　the　bed；　and　began　to
smooth　down　George's　pillow。
Rebecca　walked；　too；　silently　away。　　〃How　is　Amelia？〃
asked　Jos；　who　still　held　his　position　in　the　chair。
〃There　should　be　somebody　with　her；〃　said　Rebecca。
〃I　think　she　is　very　unwell〃：　　and　she　went　away　with　a
very　grave　face；　refusing　Mr。　Sedley's　entreaties　that　she
would　stay　and　partake　of　the　early　dinner　which　he　had
ordered。
Rebecca　was　of　a　good…natured　and　obliging　disposition；
and　she　liked　Amelia　rather　than　otherwise。　　Even
her　hard　words；　reproachful　as　they　were；　were
complimentarythe　groans　of　a　person　stinging　under　defeat。
Meeting　Mrs。　O'Dowd；　whom　the　Dean's　sermons　had
by　no　means　comforted；　and　who　was　walking　very
disconsolately　in　the　Parc；　Rebecca　accosted　the　latter；
rather　to　the　surprise　of　the　Major's　wife；　who　was　not
accustomed　to　such　marks　of　politeness　from　Mrs。
Rawdon　Crawley；　and　informing　her　that　poor　little　Mrs。
Osborne　was　in　a　desperate　condition；　and　almost　mad
with　grief；　sent　off　the　good…natured　Irishwoman　straight
to　see　if　she　could　console　her　young　favourite。
〃I've　cares　of　my　own　enough；〃　Mrs。　O'Dowd　said；
gravely；　〃and　I　thought　poor　Amelia　would　be　little
wanting　for　company　this　day。　　But　if　she's　so　bad　as　you
say；　and　you　can't　attend　to　her；　who　used　to　be　so
fond　of　her；　faith　I'll　see　if　I　can　be　of　service。　　And　so
good　marning　to　ye；　Madam〃；　with　which　speech　and　a
toss　of　her　head；　the　lady　of　the　repayther　took　a
farewell　of　Mrs。　Crawley；　whose　company　she　by　no　means
courted。
Becky　watched　her　marching　off；　with　a　smile　on　her
lip。　　She　had　the　keenest　sense　of　humour；　and　the
Parthian　look　which　the　retreating　Mrs。　O'Dowd　flung
over　her　shoulder　almost　upset　Mrs。　Crawley's　gravity。
〃My　service　to　ye；　me　fine　Madam；　and　I'm　glad　to　see
ye　so　cheerful；〃　thought　Peggy。　　〃It's　not　YOU　that　will　cry
your　eyes　out　with　grief；　anyway。〃　And　with　this　she
passed　on；　and　speedily　found　her　way　to　Mrs。　Osborne's
lodgings。
The　poor　soul　was　still　at　the　bedside；　where　Rebecca
had　left　her；　and　stood　almost　crazy　with　grief。　　The
Major's　wife；　a　stronger…minded　woman；　endeavoured　her
best　to　comfort　her　young　friend。　　〃You　must　bear　up；
Amelia；　dear；〃　she　said　kindly；　〃for　he　mustn't　find　you
ill　when　he　sends　for　you　after　the　victory。　　It's　not　you
are　the　only　woman　that　are　in　the　hands　of　God　this
day。〃
〃I　know　that。　　I　am　very　wicked；　very　weak；〃　Amelia
said。　　She　knew　her　own　weakness　well　enough。　　The
presence　of　the　more　resolute　friend　checked　it；　however；　and
she　was　the　better　of　this　control　and　company。　　They
went　on　till　two　o'clock；　their　hearts　were　with　the　column
as　it　marched　farther　and　farther　away。　　Dreadful　doubt
and　anguishprayers　and　fears　and　griefs　unspeakable
followed　the　regiment。　　It　was　the　women's　tribute　to　the
war。　　It　taxes　both　alike；　and　takes　the　blood　of　the　men；
and　the　tears　of　the　women。
At　half…past　two；　an　event　occurred　of　daily　importance
to　Mr。　Joseph：　the　dinner…hour　arrived。　　Warriors
may　fight　and　perish；　but　he　must　dine。　　He　came　into
Amelia's　room　to　see　if　he　could　coax　her　to　share　that
meal。　　〃Try；〃　said　he；　〃the　soup　is　very　good。　　Do　try；
Emmy；〃　and　he　kissed　her　hand。　　Except　when　she　was
married；　he　had　not　done　so　much　for　years　before。　　〃You
are　very　good　and　kind；　Joseph；〃　she　said。　　〃Everybody
is；　but；　if　you　please；　I　will　stay　in　my　room　to…day。〃
The　savour　of　the　soup；　however；　was　agreeable　to
Mrs。　O'Dowd's　nostrils：　and　she　thought　she　would　bear
Mr。　Jos　company。　　So　the　two　sate　down　to　their　meal。
〃God　bless　the　meat；〃　said　the　Major's　wife；　solemnly：
she　was　thinking　of　her　honest　Mick；　riding　at　the　head
of　his　regiment：　　〃　'Tis　but　a　bad　dinner　those　poor
boys　will　get　to…day；〃　she　said；　with　a　sigh；　and　then；
like　a　philosopher；　fell　to。
Jos's　spirits　rose　with　his　meal。　　He　would　drink　the
regiment's　health；　or；　indeed；　take　any　other　excuse　to
indulge　in　a　glass　of　champagne。　　〃We'll　drink　to　O'Dowd
and　the　brave　th；〃　said　he；　bowing　gallantly　to　his
guest。　　〃Hey；　Mrs。　O'Dowd？　　Fill　Mrs。　O'Dowd's　glass；
Isidor。〃
But　all　of　a　sudden；　Isidor　started；　and　the　Major's
wife　laid　down　her　knife　and　fork。　　The　windows　of　the
room　were　open；　and　looked　southward；　and　a　dull　distant
sound　came　over　the　sun…lighted　roofs　from　that
direction。　　''What　is　it？〃　said　Jos。　　〃Why　don't　you　pour；　you
rascal？〃
〃Cest　le　feu！〃　said　Isidor；　running　to　the　balcony。
〃God　defend　us；　it's　cannon！〃　Mrs。　O'Dowd　cried；
starting　up；　and　followed　too　to　the　window。　　A　thousand
pale　and　anxious　faces　might　have　been　seen　looking
from　other　casements。　　And　presently　it　seemed　as　if　the
whole　population　of　the　city　rushed　into　the　streets。

CHAPTER　XXXII
In　Which