east lynne-第53章

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Miss　Carlyle　was　one　of　your　strong…minded　ladies；　who　never　condescended　to　be　ill。　Of　course；　had　she　been　attacked　with　scarlet　fever；　or　paralysis；　or　St。　Vitus'　dance；　she　must　have　given　in　to　the　enemy；　but　trifling　ailments；　such　as　headache；　influenza；　sore　throat；　which　other　people　get；　passed　her　by。　Imagine；　therefore；　her　exasperation　at　finding　her　head　stuffed　up；　her　chest　sore；　and　her　voice　going；　in　short；　at　having；　for　once　in　her　life；　caught　a　cold　like　ordinary　mortals。

〃What's　the　time；　I　wonder？〃　she　exclaimed。

Mr。　Carlyle　looked　at　his　watch。　〃It　is　just　nine；　Cornelia。〃

〃Then　I　think　I　shall　go　to　bed。　I'll　have　a　basin　of　arrowroot　or　gruel；　or　some　slop　of　that　sort；　after　I'm　in　it。　I'm　sure　I　have　been　free　enough　all　my　life　from　requiring　such　sick　dishes。〃

〃Do　so；〃　said　Mr。　Carlyle。　〃It　may　do　you　good。〃

〃There's　one　thing　excellent　for　a　cold　in　the　head；　I　know。　It's　to　doubt　your　flannel　petticoat　crossways；　or　any　other　large　piece　of　flannel　you　may　conveniently　have　at　hand；　and　put　it　on　over　your　night…cap。　I'll　try　it。〃

〃I　would；〃　said　Mr。　Carlyle；　smothering　an　irreverent　laugh。

She　sat　on　five　minutes　longer；　and　then　left；　wishing　Mr。　Carlyle　good…night。　He　resumed　his　reading；　but　another　page　or　two　concluded　the　article；　upon　which　Mr。　Carlyle　threw　the　book　on　the　table；　rose　and　stretched　himself；　as　if　tired　of　sitting。

He　stirred　the　fire　into　a　brighter　blaze；　and　stood　on　the　hearthrug。　〃I　wonder　if　it　snows　still？〃　he　exclaimed　to　himself。

Proceeding　to　the　window；　one　of　those　opening　to　the　ground；　he　threw　aside　the　half　of　the　warm　crimson　curtain。　It　all　looked　dull　and　dark　outside。　Mr。　Carlyle　could　see　little　what　the　weather　was；　and　he　opened　the　window　and　stepped　half　out。

The　snow　was　falling　faster　and　thicker　than　ever。　Not　at　that　did　Mr。　Carlyle　start　with　surprise；　if　not　with　a　more　unpleasant　sensation；　but　a　feeling　a　man's　hand　touch　his；　and　at　finding　a　man's　face　nearly　in　contact　with　his　own。

〃Let　me　come　in；　Mr。　Carlyle；　for　the　love　of　life！　I　see　you　are　alone。　I'm　dead　beat；　and　I　don't　know　but　I'm　dodged　also。〃

The　tones　struck　familiarly　on　Mr。　Carlyle's　ear。　He　drew　back　mechanically；　a　thousand　perplexing　sensations　overwhelming　him；　and　the　man　followed　him　into　the　rooma　white　man；　as　Lucy　called　her　father。　Aye；　for　he　had　been　hours　and　hours　on　foot　in　the　snow；　his　hat；　his　clothes；　his　eyebrows；　his　large　whiskers；　all　were　white。　〃Lock　the　door；　sir；〃　were　his　first　words。　Need　you　be　told　that　it　was　Richard　Hare？

Mr。　Carlyle　fastened　the　window；　drew　the　heavy　curtains　across；　and　turned　rapidly　to　lock　the　two　doorsfor　there　were　two　to　the　room；　one　of　them　leading　into　the　adjoining　one。　Richard　meanwhile　took　off　his　wet　smock…frock　of　former　memoryhis　hat；　and　his　false　black　whiskers；　wiping　the　snow　from　the　latter　with　his　hand。

〃Richard；〃　uttered　Mr。　Carlyle；　〃I　am　thunderstruck！　I　fear　you　have　done　wrong　to　come　here。〃

〃I　cut　off　from　London　at　a　moment's　notice；〃　replied　Richard；　who　was　literally　shivering　with　the　cold。　〃I'm　dodged；　Mr。　Carlyle；　I　am　indeed。　The　police　are　after　me；　set　on　by　that　wretch　Thorn。〃

Mr。　Carlyle　turned　to　the　sideboard　and　poured　out　a　wineglass　of　brandy。　〃Drink　it；　Richard；　it　will　warm　you。〃

〃I'd　rather　have　it　in　some　hot　water；　sir。〃

〃But　how　am　I　to　get　the　hot　water　brought　in？　Drink　this　for　now。　Why；　how　you　tremble。〃

〃Ah；　a　few　hours　outside　in　the　cold　snow　is　enough　to　make　the　strongest　man　tremble；　sir；　and　it　lies　so　deep　in　places　that　you　have　to　come　along　at　a　snail's　pace。　But　I'll　tell　you　about　this　business。　A　fortnight　ago　I　was　at　a　cabstand　at　the　West　End；　talking　to　a　cab…driver；　when　some　drops　of　rain　came　down。　A　gentleman　and　lady　were　passing　at　the　time；　but　I　had　not　paid　any　attention　to　them。　〃By　Jove！〃　I　heard　him　exclaim　to　her；　'I　think　we're　going　to　have　pepper。　We　had　better　take　a　cab；　my　dear。'　With　that　the　man　I　was　talking　to　swung　open　the　door　of　his　cab；　and　she　got　insuch　a　fair　young　lady；　she　was！　I　turned　to　look　at　him；　and　you　might　just　have　knocked　me　down　with　astonishment。　Mr。　Carlyle；　it　was　the　man；　Thorn。〃

〃Indeed！〃

〃You　thought　I　might　be　mistaken　in　him　that　moonlight　night；　but　there　was　no　mistaking　him　in　broad　daylight。　I　looked　him　full　in　the　face；　and　he　looked　at　me。　He　turned　as　white　as　cloth。　Perhaps　I　did　I　don't　know。〃

〃Was　he　well　dressed？〃

〃Very。　Oh；　there's　no　mistaking　his　position。　That　he　moves　in　the　higher　classes　there's　no　doubt。　The　cab　drove　away；　and　I　got　up　behind　it。　The　driver　thought　boys　were　there；　and　turned　his　head　and　his　whip；　but　I　made　him　a　sign。　We　didn't　go　much　more　than　the　length　of　a　street。　I　was　on　the　pavement　before　Thorn　was；　and　looked　at　him　again；　and　again　he　went　white。　I　marked　the　house；　thinking　it　was　where　he　lived；　and〃

〃Why　did　you　not　give　him　into　custody；　Richard？〃

Richard　Hare　shook　his　head。　〃And　my　proofs　of　his　guilt；　Mr。　Carlyle？　I　could　bring　none　against　himno　positive　ones。　No；　I　must　wait　till　I　can　get　proofs　to　do　that。　He　would　turn　round　upon　me　now　and　swear　my　life　away　to　murder。　Well；　I　thought　I'd　ascertain　for　certain　what　his　name　was；　and　that　night　I　went　to　the　house；　and　got　into　conversation　with　one　of　the　servants；　who　was　standing　at　the　door。　'Does　Captain　Thorn　live　here？'　I　asked　him。

〃　'Mr。　Westleby　lives　here；'　said　he；　'I　don't　know　any　Captain　Thorn。'

〃Then　that's　his　name；　thought　I　to　myself。　'A　youngish　man；　isn't　he？'　said　I；　'very　smart；　with　a　pretty　wife？'

〃　'I　don't　know　what　you　call　youngish；'　he　laughed；　'my　master's　turned　sixty；　and　his　wife's　as　old。'

〃That　checked　me。　'Perhaps　he　has　sons？'　I　asked。

〃　'Not　any；'　the　man　answered；　'there's　nobody　but　their　two　selves。'

〃So；　with　that；　I　told　him　what　I　wantedthat　a　lady　and　gentleman　had　alighted　there　in　a　cab　that　day；　and　I　wished　to　know　his　name。　Well；　Mr。　Carlyle；　I　could　get　at　nothing　satisfactory；　the　fellow　said　that　a　great　many　had　called　there　that　day；　for　his　master　was　just　up　from　a　long　illness；　and　people　came　to　see　him。〃

〃Is　that　all；　Richard？〃

〃All！　I　wish　it　had　been　all。　I　kept　looking　about　for　him　in　all　the　best　streets；　I　was　half　mad〃

〃Do　you　not　wonder；　if　he　is　in　this　position　of　life；　and　resides　in　London；　that　you　have　never　dropped　upon　him　previously？〃　interrupted　Mr。　Carlyle。

〃No；　sir；　and　I'll　tell　you　why。　I　have　been　afraid　to　show　myself　in　those　latter　parts　of　the　town；　fearing　I　might　meet　with　some　one　I　used　to　know　at　home；　who　would　recognize　me；　so　I　have　kept　mostly　in　obscure　placesstables　and　such　like。　I　had　gone　up　to　the　West　End　this　day　on　a　matter　of　business。〃

〃Well；　go　on　with　your　story。〃

〃In　a　week's　time　I　came　upon　him　again。　It　was　at　night。　He　was　coming　out　of　one　of　the　theatres；　and　I　went　up　and　stood　before　him。〃

〃　'What　do　you　want；　fellow？'　he　asked。　'I　have　seen　you　watching　me　before　this。'

〃　'I　want　to　know　your　name；'　I　said；　'that's　enough　for　me　at　present。'

〃He　flew　into　a　passion；　and　swore　that　if　ever　he　caught　sight　of　me　near　him　again　he　would　hand　me　over　into　custody。　'And　remember；　men　are　not　given　into　custody　for　/watching/　others；'　he　significantly　added。　'I　know　you；　and　if　you　have　any　regard　for　yourself；　you'll　keep　out　of　my　way。'

〃He　had　got　into　a　private　carriage　as　he　spoke；　and　it　drove　away；　I　could　see　that　it　had　a　great　coat…of…arms　upon　it。〃

〃When　do　you　say　this　was？〃

〃A　week　ago。　Well；　I　could　not　rest；　I　was　half　mad；　I　say；　and　went　about；　still　trying　if　I　could　not　discover　his　name　and　who　he　was。　I　did　come　upon　him；　but　he　was　walking　quickly；　arm…in…arm　withwith　another　gentleman。　Again　I　saw　him；　standing　at　the　entrance　to　the　betting　rooms；　talking　to　the　same　gentleman；　and　his　face　turned　savageI　believe　with　fear　as　much　as　angerwhen　he　discerned　me。　He　seemed　to　hesitate；　and　thenas　if　he　acted　in　a　passionsuddenly　beckoned　to　a　policeman；　pointed　me　out；　and　said　something　to　him　in　a　fast　tone。　That　frightened　me；　and　I　slipped　away。　Two　hours　after；　when　I　was　in　quite　a　different　part　of　the　town；　in　turning　my　head　I　saw　the　same　policeman　following　me。　I　bolted　under　the　horses　of　a　passing　vehicle；　down　some　turnings　and　passages；　out　into　another　street；　and　up　beside　a　cabman　who　was　on　his　box；　driving　a　fare　past。　I　reached　my　lodgings　in　safety；　as　I　thought；　but　happening　to　glance　into　the　street；　there　I　saw　the　man　again；　standing　opposite；　and　reconnoitering　the　house。　I　had　gone　home　hungry；　but　this　took　all　my　hunger　away　from　me。　I　opened　the　box　where　I　kept　my　disguise；　put　it　on；　and　got　out　by　a　back　way。　I　have　been　pretty　nearly　ever　since　on　my　feet　reaching　here；　I　only　got　a　lift　now　and　then。〃

〃But；　Richard；　do　you　know　that　West　Lynne　is　the　very　worst　place　you　could　have　flown　to？　It　has　come　to　light　that　you　were　here　before；　disguised　as　a　farm　laborer。〃

〃Who　the　deuce　betrayed　that？〃　interrupted　Richard。

〃I　am　unable　to　tell；　I　cannot　even　imagine。　The　rumor　was　rife　in　the　place；　and　it　reached　your　father's　ear。　The　rumor　may　make　people's　wits　sharper　to　know　you　in　your　disguise；　than　they　otherwise　might　have　been。〃

〃But　what　was　I　to　do？　I　was　forced　to　come　here　first　and　get　a　little　money。　I　shall　fix　myself　in　some　other　big　town；　far　away　from　LondonLiverpool　or　Manchester；　perhaps；　and　see　what　employment　I　can　get　into；　but　I　must　have　something　to　live　upon　till　I　can　get　it。　I　don't　possess　a　penny　piece；〃　he　added；　drawing　out　his　trousers　pockets　for　the　inspection　of　Mr。　Carlyle。　〃The　last　coppers；　I　had；　three　pence；　I　spent　in　bread　and　cheese　and　half　a　pint　of　beer　at　midday。　I　have　been　outside　that　window　for　more　than　an　hour；　sir。〃

〃Indeed！〃

〃And　as　I　neared　West　Lynne　I　began　to　think　what　I　should　do。　It　was　no　use　in　me　trying　to　catch　Barbara's　attention　such　a　night　as　this；　I　had　no　money　to　pay　for　a　lodging；　so　I　turned　off　here；　hoping　I　might；　by　good　luck；　drop　upon　you。　There　was　a　little　partition　in　the　window　curtainit　had　not　been　drawn　closeand　through　it　I　could　see　you　and　Miss　Carlyle。　I　saw　her　leave　the　room；　I　saw　you　come　to　the　window　and　open　it；　and　then　I　spoke。　Mr。　Carlyle；〃　he　added；　after　a　pause；　〃is　this　life　to　go　on　with　me　forever？〃

〃I　am　deeply　sorry　for　you；　Richard；〃　was　the　sympathizing　answer。　〃I　wish　I　could　remedy　it。〃

Before　another　word　was　spoken　the　room　door　was　tried；　and　then　gently　knocked　at。　Mr。　Carlyle　placed　his　hand　on　Richard；　who　was　looking　scared　out　of　his　wits。

〃Be　still；　be　at　ease；　Richard；　no　one　shall　come　in。　It　is　only　Peter。〃

Not　Peter's　voice；　however；　but　Joyce's　was　heard；　in　response　to　Mr。　Carlyle's　demand　of　who　was　there。

〃Miss　Carlyle　has　left　her　handkerchief　downstairs；　sir；　and　has　sent　me　for　it。〃

〃You　cannot　come　inI　am　busy；〃　was　the　answer；　delivered　in　a　clear　and　most　decisive　tone。

〃Who　was　it？〃　quivered　Richard；　as　Joyce　was　heard　going　away。

〃It　was　Joyce。〃

〃What！　Is　she　here　still？　Has　anything　ever　been　heard　of　Afy；　sir？〃

〃Afy　was　here　herself　two　or　three　months　ago。〃

〃Was　she；　though？〃　uttered　Richard；　beguiled　for　a