bleak house(凄凉的房子)-第24章
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we went westward。 We went our way through the
T
sunshine and the fresh air; wondering more and more at
the extent of the streets; the brilliancy of the shops; the great
traffic; and the crowds of people whom the pleasanter weather
seemed to have brought out like many…coloured flowers。 By…and…
by we began to leave the wonderful city; and to proceed through
suburbs which; of themselves; would have made a pretty large
town; in my eyes; and at last we got into a real country road again;
with windmills; rickyards; milestones; farmers’ waggons; scents of
old hay; swinging signs and horse troughs: trees; fields; and
hedgerows。 It was delightful to see the green landscape before us;
and the immense metropolis behind; and when a waggon; with a
train of beautiful horses; furnished with red trappings and clear…
sounding bells; came by us with its music; I believe we could all
three have sung to the bells; so cheerful were the influences
around。
“The whole road has been reminding me of my namesake
Whittington;” said Richard; “and that waggon is the finishing
touch。 Halloa! what’s the matter?”
We had stopped; and the waggon had stopped too。 Its music
changed as the horses came to a stand; and subsided to a gentle
tinkling; except when a horse tossed his head or shook himself;
and sprinkled off a little shower of bell…ringing。
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“Our postilion is looking after the waggoner;” said Richard;
“and the waggoner is coming back after us。 Good day; friend!” The
waggoner was at our coach…door。 “Why; here’s an extraordinary
thing!” added Richard; looking closely at the man。 “He’s got your
name; Ada; in his hat!” He had all our names in his hat。 Tucked
within the band; were three small notes; one; addressed to Ada;
one; to Richard; one; to me。 These the waggoner delivered to each
of us respectively; reading the name aloud first。 In answer to
Richard’s inquiry from whom they came; he briefly answered;
“Master; sir; if you please;” and; putting on his hat again (which
was like a soft bowl); cracked his whip; reawakened his music; and
went melodiously away。
“Is that Mr Jarndyce’s waggon?” said Richard; calling to our
postboy。
“Yes; sir;” he replied。 “Going to London。”
We opened the notes。 Each was a counterpart of the other; and
contained these words; in a solid; plain hand。
I look forward; my dear; to our meeting easily; and without
constraint on either side。 I therefore have to propose that we meet
as old friends; and take the past for granted。 It will be a relief to
you possibly; and to me certainly; and so my love to you。
John Jarndyce。
I had perhaps less reason to be surprised than either of my
companions; having never yet enjoyed an opportunity of thanking
one who had been my benefactor and sole earthly dependence
through so many years。 I had not considered how I could thank
him; my gratitude lying too deep in my heart for that; but I now
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began to consider how I could meet him without thanking him;
and felt it would be very difficult indeed。
The notes revived; in Richard and Ada; a general impression
that they both had; without quite knowing how they came by it;
that their cousin Jarndyce could never bear acknowledgments for
any kindness he performed; and that; sooner than receive any; he
would resort to the most singular expedients and evasions; or
would even run away。 Ada dimly remembered to have heard her
mother tell; when she was a very little child; that he had once done
her an act of uncommon generosity; and that on her going to his
house to thank him; he happened to see her through a window
coming to the door; and immediately escaped by the back gate;
and was not heard of for three months。 This discourse led to a
great deal more on the same theme; and indeed it lasted us all day;
and we talked of scarcely anything else。 If we did; by any chance;
diverge into another subject; we soon returned to this; and
wondered what the house would be like; and when we should get
there; and whether we should see Mr Jarndyce as soon as we
arrived; or after a delay; and what he would say to us; and what we
should say to him; All of which we wondered about; over and over
again。
The roads were very heavy for the horses; but the pathway was
generally good; so we alighted and walked up all the hills; and
liked it so well that we prolonged our walk on the level ground
when we got to the top。 At Barnet there were other horses waiting
for us; but as they had only just been fed; we had to wait for them
too; and got a long fresh walk over a common and old battle field;
before the carriage came up。 These delays so protracted the
journey; that the short day was spent; and the long night had
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closed in; before we came to St。 Albans; near to which town Bleak
House was; we knew。
By that time we were so anxious and nervous; that even
Richard confessed; as we rattled over the stones of the old street;
to feeling an irrational desire to drive back again。 As to Ada and
me; whom he had wrapped up with great care; the night being
sharp and frosty; we trembled from head to foot。 When we turned
out of the town; round a corner; and Richard told us that the post…
boy; who had for a long time sympathised with our heightened
expectation; was looking back and nodding; we both stood up in
the carriage (Richard holding Ada; lest she should be jolted down);
and gazed round upon the open country and the starlight night;
for our destination。 There was a light sparkling on the top of a hill
before us; and the driver; pointing to it with his whip and crying
“That’s Bleak House!” put his horses into a canter; and took us
forward at such a rate; uphill though it was; that the wheels sent
the road…drift flying about our heads like spray from a water…mill。
Presently we lost the light; presently saw it; presently lost it;
presently saw it; and turned into an avenue of trees; and cantered
up towards where it was beaming brightly。 It was in a window of
what seemed to be an old…fashioned house; with three peaks in the
roof in front; and a circular sweep leading to the porch。 A bell was
rung as we drew up; and amidst the sound of its deep voice in the
still air; and the distant barking of some dogs;