barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第89节
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Barnaby Rudge 371
Hugh; who had already reached the turret; held it more
steadily; and ascended first; turning round from time to time to
shed his light downward on the steps。 Mr Haredale following next;
eyed his lowering face with no great favour; and Hugh; looking
down on him; returned his glances with interest; as they climbed
the winding stairs。
It terminated in a little ante…room adjoining that from which
they had seen the light。 Mr Haredale entered first; and led the way
through it into the latter chamber; where he seated himself at a
writing…table from which he had risen when they had rung the
bell。
‘Come in;’ he said; beckoning to old John; who remained
bowing at the door。 ‘Not you; friend;’ he added hastily to Hugh;
who entered also。 ‘Willet; why do you bring that fellow here?’
‘Why; sir;’ returned John; elevating his eyebrows; and lowering
his voice to the tone in which the question had been asked him;
‘he’s a good guard; you see。’
‘Don’t be too sure of that;’ said Mr Haredale; looking towards
him as he spoke。 ‘I doubt it。 He has an evil eye。’
‘There’s no imagination in his eye;’ returned Mr Willet;
glancing over his shoulder at the organ in question; ‘certainly。’
‘There is no good there; be assured;’ said Mr Haredale。 ‘Wait in
that little room; friend; and close the door between us。’
Hugh shrugged his shoulders; and with a disdainful look; which
showed; either that he had overheard; or that he guessed the
purport of their whispering; did as he was told。 When he was shut
out; Mr Haredale turned to John; and bade him go on with what
he had to say; but not to speak too loud; for there were quick ears
yonder。
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Barnaby Rudge 372
Thus cautioned; Mr Willet; in an oily whisper; recited all that he
had heard and said that night; laying particular stress upon his
own sagacity; upon his great regard for the family; and upon his
solicitude for their peace of mind and happiness。 The story moved
his auditor much more than he had expected。 Mr Haredale often
changed his attitude; rose and paced the room; returned again;
desired him to repeat; as nearly as he could; the very words that
Solomon had used; and gave so many other signs of being
disturbed and ill at ease; that even Mr Willet was surprised。
‘You did quite right;’ he said; at the end of a long conversation;
‘to bid them keep this story secret。 It is a foolish fancy on the part
of this weak…brained man; bred in his fears and superstition。 But
Miss Haredale; though she would know it to be so; would be
disturbed by it if it reached her ears; it is too nearly connected
with a subject very painful to us all; to be heard with indifference。
You were most prudent; and have laid me under a great
obligation。 I thank you very much。’
This was equal to John’s most sanguine expectations; but he
would have preferred Mr Haredale’s looking at him when he
spoke; as if he really did thank him; to his walking up and down;
speaking by fits and starts; often stopping with his eyes fixed on
the ground; moving hurriedly on again; like one distracted; and
seeming almost unconscious of what he said or did。
This; however; was his manner; and it was so embarrassing to
John that he sat quite passive for a long time; not knowing what to
do。 At length he rose。 Mr Haredale stared at him for a moment as
though he had quite forgotten his being present; then shook hands
with him; and opened the door。 Hugh; who was; or feigned to be;
fast asleep on the ante…chamber floor; sprang up on their entrance;
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Barnaby Rudge 373
and throwing his cloak about him; grasped his stick and lantern;
and prepared to descend the stairs。
‘Stay;’ said Mr Haredale。 ‘Will this man drink?’
‘Drink! He’d drink the Thames up; if it was strong enough; sir;
replied John Willet。 ‘He’ll have something when he gets home。
He’s better without it; now; sir。’
‘Nay。 Half the distance is done;’ said Hugh。 ‘What a hard master
you are! I shall go home the better for one glassful; halfway。
Come!’
As John made no reply; Mr Haredale brought out a glass of
liquor; and gave it to Hugh; who; as he took it in his hand; threw
part of it upon the floor。
‘What do you mean by splashing your drink about a
gentleman’s house; sir?’ said John。
‘I’m drinking a toast;’ Hugh rejoined; holding the glass above
his head; and fixing his eyes on Mr Haredale’s face; ‘a toast to this
house and its master。’ With that he muttered something to himself;
and drank the rest; and setting down the glass; preceded them
without another word。
John was a good deal scandalised by this observance; but
seeing that Mr Haredale took little heed of what Hugh said or did;
and that his thoughts were otherwise employed; he offered no
apology; and went in silence down the stairs; across the walk; and
through the garden…gate。 They stopped upon the outer side for
Hugh to hold the light while Mr Haredale locked it on the inner;
and then John saw with wonder (as he often afterwards related);
that he was very pale; and that his face had changed so much and
grown so haggard since their entrance; that he almost seemed
another man。
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Barnaby Rudge 374
They were in the open road again; and John Willet was walking
on behind his escort; as he had come; thinking very steadily of
what be had just now seen; when Hugh drew him suddenly aside;
and almost at the same instant three horsemen swept past—the
nearest brushed his shoulder even then—who; checking their
steeds as suddenly as they could; stood still; and waited for their
coming up。
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Barnaby Rudge 375
Chapter 35
hen John Willet saw that the horsemen wheeled
Wsmartly round; and drew up three abreast in the narrow
road; waiting for him and his man to join them; it
occurred to him with unusual precipitation that they must be
highwaymen; and had Hugh been armed with a blunderbuss; in
place of his stout cudgel; he would certainly have ordered him to
fire it off at a venture; and would; while the word of command was
obeyed; have consulted his own personal safety in immediate
flight。 Under the circumstances of disadvantage; however; in
which he and his guard were placed; he deemed it prudent to
adopt a different style of generalship; and therefore whispered his
attendant to address them in the most peaceable and courteous
terms。 By way of acting up to the spirit and letter of this
instruction; Hugh stepped forward; and flourishing his staff before
the very eyes of the rider nearest to him; demanded roughly what
he and his fellows meant by so nearly galloping over them; and
why they scoured the king’s highway at that late hour of night。
The man whom be addressed was beginning an angry reply in
the same strain; when be was checked by the horseman in the
centre; who; interposing with an air of authority; inquired in a
somewh