barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第95章
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upon such terms as these。 If you will do me the favour to ring the
bell； the servant will show you to the door。 Return to this roof no
more； I beg you。 Go； sir； since you have no moral sense remaining；
and go to the Devil； at my express desire。 Good day。’
Edward left the room without another word or look； and turned
his back upon the house for ever。
The father’s face was slightly flushed and heated； but his
manner was quite unchanged； as he rang the bell again； and
addressed the servant on his entrance。
‘Peak—if that gentleman who has just gone out—’
‘I beg your pardon； sir； Mr Edward？’
‘Were there more than one； dolt； that you ask the question？—If
that gentleman should send here for his wardrobe； let him have it；
do you hear？ If he should call himself at any time； I’m not at home。
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You’ll tell him so； and shut the door。’
So； it soon got whispered about； that Mr Chester was very
unfortunate in his son； who had occasioned him great grief and
sorrow。 And the good people who heard this and told it again；
marvelled the more at his equanimity and even temper； and said
what an amiable nature that man must have； who； having
undergone so much； could be so placid and so calm。 And when
Edward’s name was spoken； Society shook its head； and laid its
finger on its lip； and sighed； and looked very grave； and those who
had sons about his age； waxed wrathful and indignant； and hoped；
for Virtue’s sake； that he was dead。 And the world went on turning
round； as usual； for five years； concerning which this Narrative is
silent。
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Chapter 33
ne wintry evening； early in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and eighty； a keen north wind
O
arose as it grew dark； and night came on with black and
dismal looks。 A bitter storm of sleet； sharp； dense； and icy…cold；
swept the wet streets； and rattled on the trembling windows。
Signboards； shaken past endurance in their creaking frames； fell
crashing on the pavement； old tottering chimneys reeled and
staggered in the blast； and many a steeple rocked again that night；
as though the earth were troubled。
It was not a time for those who could by any means get light
and warmth； to brave the fury of the weather。 In coffee…houses of
the better sort； guests crowded round the fire； forgot to be
political； and told each other with a secret gladness that the blast
grew fiercer every minute。 Each humble tavern by the water…side；
had its group of uncouth figures round the hearth； who talked of
vessels foundering at sea； and all hands lost； related many a
dismal tale of shipwreck and drowned men； and hoped that some
they knew were safe； and shook their heads in doubt。 In private
dwellings； children clustered near the blaze； listening with timid
pleasure to tales of ghosts and goblins； and tall figures clad in
white standing by bed…sides； and people who had gone to sleep in
old churches and being overlooked had found themselves alone
there at the dead hour of the night： until they shuddered at the
thought of the dark rooms upstairs； yet loved to hear the wind
moan too； and hoped it would continue bravely。 From time to time
these happy indoor people stopped to listen； or one held up his
finger and cried ‘Hark！’ and then； above the rumbling in the
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chimney； and the fast pattering on the glass； was heard a wailing；
rushing sound； which shook the walls as though a giant’s hand
were on them； then a hoarse roar as if the sea had risen； then such
a whirl and tumult that the air seemed mad； and then； with a
lengthened howl； the waves of wind swept on； and left a moment’s
interval of rest。
Cheerily； though there were none abroad to see it； shone the
Maypole light that evening。 Blessings on the red—deep； ruby；
glowing red—old curtain of the window； blending into one rich
stream of brightness； fire and candle； meat； drink； and company；
and gleaming like a jovial eye upon the bleak waste out of doors！
Within； what carpet like its crunching sand； what music merry as
its crackling logs； what perfume like its kitchen’s dainty breath；
what weather genial as its hearty warmth！ Blessings on the old
house； how sturdily it stood！ How did the vexed wind chafe and
roar about its stalwart roof； how did it pant and strive with its wide
chimneys； which still poured forth from their hospitable throats；
great clouds of smoke； and puffed defiance in its face； how； above
all； did it drive and rattle at the casement； emulous to extinguish
that cheerful glow； which would not be put down and seemed the
brighter for the conflict！
The profusion too； the rich and lavish bounty； of that goodly
tavern！ It was not enough that one fire roared and sparkled on its
spacious hearth； in the tiles which paved and compassed it； five
hundred flickering fires burnt brightly also。 It was not enough that
one red curtain shut the wild night out； and shed its cheerful
influence on the room。 In every saucepan lid； and candlestick； and
vessel of copper； brass； or tin that hung upon the walls； were
countless ruddy hangings； flashing and gleaming with every
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motion of the blaze； and offering； let the eye wander where it
might； interminable vistas of the same rich colour。 The old oak
wainscoting； the beams； the chairs； the seats； reflected it in a deep；
dull glimmer。 There were fires and red curtains in the very eyes of
the drinkers； in their buttons； in their liquor； in the pipes they
smoked。
Mr Willet sat in what had been his accustomed place five years
before； with his eyes on the eternal boiler； and had sat there since
the clock struck eight； giving no other signs of life than breathing
with a loud and constant snore （though he was wide awake）； and
from time to time putting his glass to his lips； or knocking the
ashes out of his pipe； and filling it anew。 It was now half…past ten。
Mr Cobb and long Phil Parkes were his companions； as of old； and
for two mortal hours and a half； none of the company had
pronounced one word。
Whether people； by dint of sitting together in the
