barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第209节
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fevered and how pale he looked； and that when this man went
back to the inn； he told a fellow…servant that what he had observed
in this short interview lay very heavy on his mind； and that he
feared the gentleman intended to destroy himself； and would
never come back alive。
With a half…consciousness that his manner had attracted the
man’s attention （remembering the expression of his face when
they parted）； Mr Haredale quickened his steps； and arriving at a
stand of coaches； bargained with the driver of the best to carry
him so far on his road as the point where the footway struck across
the fields； and to await his return at a house of entertainment
which was within a stone’s…throw of that place。 Arriving there in
due course； he alighted and pursued his way on foot。
He passed so near the Maypole； that he could see its smoke
rising from among the trees； while a flock of pigeons—some of its
old inhabitants； doubtless—sailed gaily home to roost； between
him and the unclouded sky。 ‘The old house will brighten up now；’
he said； as he looked towards it； ‘and there will be a merry fireside
beneath its ivied roof。 It is some comfort to know that everything
will not be blighted hereabouts。 I shall be glad to have one picture
of life and cheerfulness to turn to； in my mind！’
He resumed his walk； and bent his steps towards the Warren。 It
was a clear； calm； silent evening； with hardly a breath of wind to
stir the leaves； or any sound to break the stillness of the time； but
drowsy sheep…bells tinkling in the distance； and； at intervals； the
far…off lowing of cattle； or bark of village dogs。 The sky was radiant
with the softened glory of sunset； and on the earth； and in the air；
a deep repose prevailed。 At such an hour； he arrived at the
deserted mansion which had been his home so long； and looked
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for the last time upon its blackened walls。
The ashes of the commonest fire are melancholy things； for in
them there is an image of death and ruin；—of something that has
been bright； and is but dull； cold； dreary dust；—with which our
nature forces us to sympathise。 How much more sad the crumbled
embers of a home： the casting down of that great altar； where the
worst among us sometimes perform the worship of the heart； and
where the best have offered up such sacrifices； and done such
deeds of heroism； as； chronicled； would put the proudest temples
of old Time； with all their vaunting annals； to the blush！
He roused himself from a long train of meditation； and walked
slowly round the house。 It was by this time almost dark。
He had nearly made the circuit of the building； when he uttered
a half…suppressed exclamation； started； and stood still。 Reclining；
in an easy attitude； with his back against a tree； and contemplating
the ruin with an expression of pleasure；—a pleasure so keen that it
overcame his habitual indolence and command of feature； and
displayed itself utterly free from all restraint or reserve；—before
him； on his own ground； and triumphing then； as he had
triumphed in every misfortune and disappointment of his life；
stood the man whose presence； of all mankind； in any place； and
least of all in that； he could the least endure。
Although his blood so rose against this man； and his wrath so
stirred within him； that he could have struck him dead； he put
such fierce constraint upon himself that he passed him without a
word or look。 Yes； and he would have gone on； and not turned；
though to resist the Devil who poured such hot temptation in his
brain； required an effort scarcely to be achieved； if this man had
not himself summoned him to stop： and that； with an assumed
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compassion in his voice which drove him well…nigh mad； and in an
instant routed all the self…command it had been anguish—acute；
poignant anguish—to sustain。
All consideration； reflection； mercy； forbearance； everything by
which a goaded man can curb his rage and passion； fled from him
as he turned back。 And yet he said； slowly and quite calmly—far
more calmly than he had ever spoken to him before：
‘Why have you called to me？’
‘To remark；’ said Sir John Chester with his wonted composure；
‘what an odd chance it is； that we should meet here！’
‘It is a strange chance。’
‘Strange？ The most remarkable and singular thing in the world。
I never ride in the evening； I have not done so for years。 The whim
seized me； quite unaccountably； in the middle of last night。—How
very picturesque this is！’—He pointed； as he spoke； to the
dismantled house； and raised his glass to his eye。
‘You praise your own work very freely。’
Sir John let fall his glass； inclined his face towards him with an
air of the most courteous inquiry； and slightly shook his head as
though he were remarking to himself； ‘I fear this animal is going
mad！’
‘I say you praise your own work very freely；’ repeated Mr
Haredale。
‘Work！’ echoed Sir John； looking smilingly round。 ‘Mine！—I beg
your pardon； I really beg your pardon—’
‘Why； you see；’ said Mr Haredale； ‘those walls。 You see those
tottering gables。 You see on every side where fire and smoke have
raged。 You see the destruction that has been wanton here。 Do you
not？’
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‘My good friend；’ returned the knight； gently checking his
impatience with his hand； ‘of course I do。 I see everything you
speak of； when you stand aside； and do not interpose yourself
between the view and me。 I am very sorry for you。 If I had not had
the pleasure to meet you here； I think I should have written to tell
you so。 But you don’t bear it as well as I had expected—excuse
me—no； you don’t indeed。’
He pulled out his snuff…box； and addressing him with the
superior air of a man who； by reason of his higher nature； has a
right to read a moral lesson to another； continued：
‘For you are a philosopher； you know—one of that stern and
rigid school who are far above the weaknesses of mankind in
general。 You are removed； a long way； from the frailties of the
crowd。 You contemplate them from a height； and rail at them with
a most impressive bitterness。 I have heard you。’
—‘And shall again；’ said Mr Haredale。
‘Thank you；’ returned the other。 ‘Shall we walk as we talk？ The
damp falls rather heavily。 Well；—as you please。 But I grieve to say
that I can spare you only a very few moments。’
‘I would；’ said Mr Haredale； ‘you had spared me none。 I would；
with all my soul； you had been in Paradise （if such a monstrous lie
could be enacted）； rather than here to…night。’
‘Nay；’ returned the other—‘really—you do yourself injustice。
You are a rough companion； but I would not go so far to avoid
you。’
‘Listen to me；’ said Mr Haredale。 ‘Listen to me。’
‘While you rail？’ inquired Sir John。
‘While I deliver your infamy。 You urged and stimulated to do
your work a fit agent； but one who in his nature—in the very
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essence of his being—i
