bleak house(凄凉的房子)-第177节
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at the time as being so odd that I could owe anybody fourpence—
and after that； I brought them together。 Vholes asked me for the
introduction； and I gave it。 Now I come to think of it；” he looked
inquiringly at us with his frankest smile as he made the discovery；
“Vholes bribed me； perhaps？ He gave me something； and called it
commission。 Was it a five…pound note？ Do you know； I think it
must have been a five…pound note！”
His further consideration of the point was prevented by
Richard’s coming back to us in an excited state； and hastily
presenting Mr Vholes—a sallow man with pinched lips that looked
as if they were cold； a red eruption here and there upon his face；
tall and thin； about fifty years of age； high…shouldered； and
stooping。 Dressed in black； black…gloved； and buttoned to the chin；
there was nothing so remarkable in him as a lifeless manner； and a
slow fixed way he had of looking at Richard。
“I hope I don’t disturb you； ladies；” said Mr Vholes； and now I
observed that he was further remarkable for an inward manner of
speaking。 “I arranged with Mr Carstone that he should always
know when his cause was in the Chancellor’s paper； and being
informed by one of my clerks last night after post time that it
stood； rather unexpectedly； in the paper for tomorrow； I put
myself into the coach early this morning and came down to confer
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with him。”
“Yes！” said Richard； flushed； and looking triumphantly at Ada
and me； “we don’t do these things in the old slow way； now。 We
spin along； now！ Mr Vholes； we must hire something to get over to
the post town in； and catch the mail tonight； and go up by it！”
“Anything you please； sir；” returned Mr Vholes。 “I am quite at
your service。”
“Let me see；” said Richard； looking at his watch。 “If I run down
to the Dedlock； and get my portmanteau fastened up； and order a
gig； or a chaise； or whatever’s to be got； we shall have an hour then
before starting。 I’ll come back to tea。 Cousin Ada； will you and
Esther take care of Mr Vholes while I am gone？”
He was away directly； in his heat and hurry； and was soon lost
in the dusk of evening。 We who were left walked on towards the
house。
“Is Mr Carstone’s presence necessary tomorrow； sir？” said I。
“Can it do any good？”
“No； miss；” Mr Vholes replied。 “I am not aware that it can。”
Both Ada and I expressed our regret that he should go； then；
only to be disappointed。
“Mr Carstone has laid down the principle of watching his own
interests；” said Mr Vholes； “and when a client lays down his own
principle； and it is not immoral； it devolves upon me to carry it out。
I wish in business to be exact and open。 I am a widower with three
daughters—Emma； Jane； and Caroline—and my desire is so to
discharge the duties of life as to leave them a good name。 This
appears to be a pleasant spot； miss。”
The remark being made； to me； in consequence of my being
next to him as we walked； I assented； and enumerated its chief
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Bleak House 736
attractions。
“Indeed？” said Mr Vholes。 “I have the privilege of supporting
an aged father in the Vale of Taunton—his native place—and I
admire that country very much。 I had no idea there was anything
so attractive here。”
To keep up the conversation； I asked Mr Vholes if he would like
to live altogether in the country？
“There； miss；” said he； “you touch me on a tender string。 My
health is not good （my digestion being much impaired）； and if I
had only myself to consider； I should take refuge in rural habits；
especially as the cares of business have prevented me from ever
coming much into contact with general society； and particularly
with ladies’ society； which I have most wished to mix in。 But with
my three daughters； Emma； Jane； and Caroline—and my aged
father—I cannot afford to be selfish。 It is true； I have no longer to
maintain a dear grandmother who died in her hundred…and…
second year； but enough remains to render it indispensable that
the mill should be always going。”
It required some attention to hear him； on account of his
inward speaking and his lifeless manner。
“You will excuse my having mentioned my daughters；” he said。
“They are my weak point。 I wish to leave the poor girls some little
independence； as well as a good name。”
We now arrived at Mr Boythorn’s house； where the tea…table； all
prepared； was awaiting us。 Richard came in restless and hurried；
shortly afterwards； and leaning over Mr Vholes’ chair； whispered
something in his ear。 Mr Vholes replied aloud—or as nearly aloud
I suppose as he ever replied to anything—“You will drive me； will
you； sir？ It is all the same to me； sir。 Anything you please。 I am
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quite at your service。”
We understood from what followed that Mr Skimpole was to be
left until the morning to occupy the two places which had been
already paid for。 As Ada and I were both in low spirits concerning
Richard； and very sorry so to part with him； we made it as plain as
we politely could that we should leave Mr Skimpole to the Dedlock
Arms； and retire when the night…travellers were gone。
Richard’s high spirits carrying everything before them； we all
went out together to the top of the hill above the village； where he
had ordered a gig to wait； and where we found a man with a
lantern standing at the head of gaunt pale horse that had been
harnessed to it。
I never shall forget those two seated side by side in the lantern’s
light； Richard all flush and fire and laughter； with the reins in his
hand； Mr Vholes； quite still； black…gloved； and buttoned up；
looking at him as if he were looking at his prey and charming it。 I
have before me the whole picture of the warm dark night； the
summer lightning； the dusty track of road closed in by hedgerows
and high trees； the gaunt pale horse with his ears pricked up； and
the driving away at speed to Jarndyce and Jarndyce。
My dear girl told me； that night； how Richard’s being thereafter
prosperous or ruined； befriended or deserted； could only make
this difference to her； that the more he needed love from one
unchanging heart； the more love that unchanging heart would
have to give him； how he thought of her through his present
errors； and she would think of him at all times； never of herself； if
she could devote herself to him： never of her own delights； if she
could minister to his。
And she kept her word？
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I looked along the road before me； where the distance already
shortens and the journey’s end is growing visible； and； true and
good above the dead sea of the Chancery suits； and all the ashey
fruit it casts ashore； I think I see my darling。
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Chapter 38
A Struggle
hen our time came for returning to Bleak House again；
Wwe were punctual to the day； and were received with an
overpowering welcome。 I was perfectly restored to
health and stre
