barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第171章
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about the best way of reaching London； pretty good order and
tolerable silence。
In the mean time； Dolly—beautiful； bewitching； captivating
little Dolly—her hair dishevelled； her dress torn； her dark
eyelashes wet with tears； her bosom heaving—her face； now pale
with fear； now crimsoned with indignation—her whole self a
hundred times more beautiful in this heightened aspect than ever
she had been before—vainly strove to comfort Emma Haredale；
and to impart to her the consolation of which she stood in so much
need herself。 The soldiers were sure to come； they must be
rescued； it would be impossible to convey them through the
streets of London when they set the threats of their guards at
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defiance； and shrieked to the passengers for help。 If they did this
when they came into the more frequented ways； she was certain—
she was quite certain—they must be released。 So poor Dolly said；
and so poor Dolly tried to think； but the invariable conclusion of
all such arguments was； that Dolly burst into tears； cried； as she
wrung her hands； what would they do or think； or who would
comfort them； at home； at the Golden Key； and sobbed most
piteously。
Miss Haredale； whose feelings were usually of a quieter kind
than Dolly’s； and not so much upon the surface； was dreadfully
alarmed； and indeed had only just recovered from a swoon。 She
was very pale； and the hand which Dolly held was quite cold； but
she bade her； nevertheless； remember that； under Providence；
much must depend upon their own discretion； that if they
remained quiet and lulled the vigilance of the ruffians into whose
hands they had fallen； the chances of their being able to procure
assistance when they reached the town； were very much
increased； that unless society were quite unhinged； a hot pursuit
must be immediately commenced； and that her uncle； she might
be sure； would never rest until he had found them out and rescued
them。 But as she said these latter words； the idea that he had
fallen in a general massacre of the Catholics that night—no very
wild or improbable supposition after what they had seen and
undergone—struck her dumb； and； lost in the horrors they had
witnessed； and those they might be yet reserved for； she sat
incapable of thought； or speech； or outward show of grief： as rigid；
and almost as white and cold； as marble。
Oh； how many； many times； in that long ride； did Dolly think of
her old lover；—poor； fond； slighted Joe！ How many； many times；
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did she recall that night when she ran into his arms from the very
man now projecting his hateful gaze into the darkness where she
sat； and leering through the glass in monstrous admiration！ And
when she thought of Joe； and what a brave fellow he was； and how
he would have rode boldly up； and dashed in among these villains
now； yes； though they were double the number—and here she
clenched her little hand； and pressed her foot upon the ground—
the pride she felt for a moment in having won his heart； faded in a
burst of tears； and she sobbed more bitterly than ever。
As the night wore on； and they proceeded by ways which were
quite unknown to them—for they could recognise none of the
objects of which they sometimes caught a hurried glimpse—their
fears increased； nor were they without good foundation； it was not
difficult for two beautiful young women to find； in their being
borne they knew not whither by a band of daring villains who eyed
them as some among these fellows did； reasons for the worst
alarm。 When they at last entered London； by a suburb with which
they were wholly unacquainted； it was past midnight； and the
streets were dark and empty。 Nor was this the worst； for the
carriage stopping in a lonely spot； Hugh suddenly opened the
door； jumped in； and took his seat between them。
It was in vain they cried for help。 He put his arm about the neck
of each； and swore to stifle them with kisses if they were not as
silent as the grave。
‘I come here to keep you quiet；’ he said； ‘and that’s the means I
shall take。 So don’t be quiet； pretty mistresses—make a noise—
do—and I shall like it all the better。’
They were proceeding at a rapid pace； and apparently with
fewer attendants than before； though it was so dark （the torches
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being extinguished） that this was mere conjecture。 They shrunk
from his touch； each into the farthest corner of the carriage； but
shrink as Dolly would； his arm encircled her waist； and held her
fast。 She neither cried nor spoke； for terror and disgust deprived
her of the power； but she plucked at his hand as though she would
die in the effort to disengage herself； and crouching on the ground；
with her head averted and held down； repelled him with a
strength she wondered at as much as he。 The carriage stopped
again。
‘Lift this one out；’ said Hugh to the man who opened the door；
as he took Miss Haredale’s hand； and felt how heavily it fell。 ‘She’s
fainted。’
‘So much the better；’ growled Dennis—it was that amiable
gentleman。 ‘She’s quiet。 I always like ’em to faint； unless they’re
very tender and composed。’
‘Can you take her by yourself？’ asked Hugh。
‘I don’t know till I try。 I ought to be able to； I’ve lifted up a good
many in my time；’ said the hangman。 ‘Up then！ She’s no small
weight； brother； none of these here fine gals are。 Up again！ Now
we have her。’
Having by this time hoisted the young lady into his arms； he
staggered off with his burden。
‘Look ye； pretty bird；’ said Hugh； drawing Dolly towards him。
‘Remember what I told you—a kiss for every cry。 Scream； if you
love me； darling。 Scream once； mistress。 Pretty mistress； only
once； if you love me。’
Thrusting his face away with all her force； and holding down
her head； Dolly submitted to be carried out of the chaise； and
borne after Miss Haredale into a miserable cottage； where Hugh；
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after hugging her to his breast； set her gently down upon the floor。
Poor Dolly！ Do what she would； she only
