barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第204章
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Simmuns’s bane。 That it was not his faults； but hers （meaning
Dolly’s）。 That men did not see through these dreadful arts as
women did； and therefore was caged and trapped； as Simmun had
been。 That she had no personal motives to serve—far from it—on
the contrary； her intentions was good towards all parties。 But
forasmuch as she knowed that Simmun； if united to any designing
and artful minxes （she would name no names； for that was not her
dispositions）—to any designing and artful minxes—must be made
miserable and unhappy for life； she did incline towards
prewentions。 Such； she added； was her free confessions。 But as
this was private feelings； and might perhaps be looked upon as
wengeance； she begged the gentleman would say no more。
Whatever he said； wishing to do her duty by all mankind； even by
them as had ever been her bitterest enemies； she would not listen
to him。 With that she stopped her ears； and shook her head from
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side to side； to intimate to Mr Dennis that though he talked until
he had no breath left； she was as deaf as any adder。
‘Lookee here； my sugar…stick；’ said Mr Dennis； ‘if your view’s
the same as mine； and you’ll only be quiet and slip away at the
right time； I can have the house clear to…morrow； and be out of this
trouble。—Stop though！ there’s the other。’
‘Which other； sir？’ asked Miggs—still with her fingers in her
ears and her head shaking obstinately。
‘Why； the tallest one； yonder；’ said Dennis； as he stroked his
chin； and added； in an undertone to himself； something about not
crossing Muster Gashford。
Miss Miggs replied （still being profoundly deaf） that if Miss
Haredale stood in the way at all； he might make himself quite easy
on that score； as she had gathered； from what passed between
Hugh and Mr Tappertit when they were last there； that she was to
be removed alone （not by them； but by somebody else）； to…morrow
night。
Mr Dennis opened his eyes very wide at this piece of
information； whistled once； considered once； and finally slapped
his head once and nodded once； as if he had got the clue to this
mysterious removal； and so dismissed it。 Then he imparted his
design concerning Dolly to Miss Miggs； who was taken more deaf
than before； when he began； and so remained； all through。
The notable scheme was this。 Mr Dennis was immediately to
seek out from among the rioters； some daring young fellow （and
he had one in his eye； he said）； who； terrified by the threats he
could hold out to him； and alarmed by the capture of so many who
were no better and no worse than he； would gladly avail himself of
any help to get abroad； and out of harm’s way； with his plunder；
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even though his journey were incumbered by an unwilling
companion； indeed； the unwilling companion being a beautiful
girl； would probably be an additional inducement and temptation。
Such a person found； he proposed to bring him there on the
ensuing night； when the tall one was taken off； and Miss Miggs
had purposely retired； and then that Dolly should be gagged；
muffled in a cloak； and carried in any handy conveyance down to
the river’s side； where there were abundant means of getting her
smuggled snugly off in any small craft of doubtful character； and
no questions asked。 With regard to the expense of this removal； he
would say； at a rough calculation； that two or three silver tea or
coffee…pots； with something additional for drink （such as a
muffineer； or toast…rack）； would more than cover it。 Articles of
plate of every kind having been buried by the rioters in several
lonely parts of London； and particularly； as he knew； in St James’s
Square； which； though easy of access； was little frequented after
dark； and had a convenient piece of water in the midst； the needful
funds were close at hand； and could be had upon the shortest
notice。 With regard to Dolly； the gentleman would exercise his
own discretion。 He would be bound to do nothing but to take her
away； and keep her away。 All other arrangements and dispositions
would rest entirely with himself。
If Miss Miggs had had her hearing； no doubt she would have
been greatly shocked by the indelicacy of a young female’s going
away with a stranger by night （for her moral feelings； as we have
said； were of the tenderest kind）； but directly Mr Dennis ceased to
speak； she reminded him that he had only wasted breath。 She then
went on to say （still with her fingers in her ears） that nothing less
than a severe practical lesson would save the locksmith’s daughter
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from utter ruin； and that she felt it； as it were； a moral obligation
and a sacred duty to the family； to wish that some one would
devise one for her reformation。 Miss Miggs remarked； and very
justly； as an abstract sentiment which happened to occur to her at
the moment； that she dared to say the locksmith and his wife
would murmur； and repine； if they were ever； by forcible
abduction； or otherwise； to lose their child； but that we seldom
knew； in this world； what was best for us： such being our sinful
and imperfect natures； that very few arrived at that clear
understanding。
Having brought their conversation to this satisfactory end； they
parted： Dennis； to pursue his design； and take another walk about
his farm； Miss Miggs； to launch； when he left her； into such a burst
of mental anguish （which she gave them to understand was
occasioned by certain tender things he had had the presumption
and audacity to say）； that little Dolly’s heart was quite melted。
Indeed； she said and did so much to soothe the outraged feelings
of Miss Miggs； and looked so beautiful while doing so； that if that
young maid had not had ample vent for her surpassing spite； in a
knowledge of the mischief that was brewing； she must have
scratched her features； on the spot。
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Chapter 71
ll next day； Emma Haredale； Dolly； and Miggs； remained
Acooped up together in what had now been their prison for
so many days； without seeing any person； or hearing any
sound but the murmured conversation； in an outer
