bleak house(凄凉的房子)-第285章
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roofs of the wretched huts in which the bricks are made； are being
scattered by the wind； where the clay and water are hard frozen；
and the mill in which the gaunt blind horse goes round all day；
looks like an instrument of human torture；—traversing this
deserted blighted spot； there is a lonely figure with the sad world
to itself； pelted by the snow and driven by the wind； and cast out； it
would seem； from all companionship。 It is the figure of a woman；
too； but it is miserably dressed； and no such clothes ever came
through the hall； and out at the great door； of the Dedlock
mansion。
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Chapter 57
Esther’s Narrative
had gone to bed and fallen asleep； when my Guardian
knocked at the door of my room and begged me to get up
Idirectly。 On my hurrying to speak to him and learn what had
happened； he told me； after a word or two of preparation； that
there had been a discovery at Sir Leicester Dedlock’s。 That my
mother had fled。 That a person was now at our door who was
empowered to convey to her the fullest assurances of affectionate
protection and forgiveness； if he could possibly find her； and that I
was sought for to accompany him； in the hope that my entreaties
might prevail upon her； if his failed。 Something to this general
purpose I made out； but I was thrown into such a tumult of alarm；
and hurry； and distress； that in spite of every effort I could make to
subdue my agitation； I did not seem； to myself； fully to recover my
right mind until hours had passed。
But I dressed and wrapped up expeditiously without waking
Charley； or any one； and went down to Mr Bucket； who was the
person entrusted with the secret。 In taking me to him my
Guardian told me this； and also explained how it was that he had
come to think of me。 Mr Bucket； in a low voice； by the light of my
Guardian’s candle； read to me； in the hall； a letter that my mother
had left upon her table； and； I suppose within ten minutes of my
having been aroused； I was sitting beside him； rolling swiftly
through the streets。
His manner was very keen； and yet considerate when he
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explained to me that a great deal might depend on my being able
to answer； without confusion； a few questions that he wished to
ask me。 These were； chiefly； whether I had had much
communication with my mother （to whom he only referred as
Lady Dedlock）； when and where I had spoken with her last； and
how she had become possessed of my handkerchief。 When I had
satisfied him on these points； he asked me particularly to
consider—taking time to think—whether； within my knowledge；
there was any one； no matter where； in whom she might be at all
likely to confide； under circumstances of the last necessity。 I could
think of no one but my Guardian。 But； by…and…by； I mentioned Mr
Boythorn。 He came into my mind； as connected with his old
chivalrous manner of mentioning my mother’s name； and with
what my Guardian had informed me of his engagement to her
sister； and his unconscious connection with her unhappy story。
My companion had stopped the driver while we held this
conversation； that we might the better hear each other。 He now
told him to go on again； and said to me； after considering within
himself for a few moments； that he had made up his mind how to
proceed。 He was quite willing to tell me what his plan was； but I
did not feel clear enough to understand it。
We had not driven very far from our lodgings； when we stopped
in a bye street； at a public…looking place lighted up with gas。 Mr
Bucket took me in and sat me in an armchair； by a bright fire。 It
was now past one； as I saw by the clock against the wall。 Two
police officers； looking in their perfectly neat uniform not at all
like people who were up all night； were quietly writing at a desk；
and the place seemed very quiet； altogether； except for some
beating and calling out at distant doors underground； to which
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nobody paid any attention。
A third man in uniform； whom Mr Bucket called； and to whom
he whispered his instructions； went out； and then the two others
advised together； while one wrote from Mr Bucket’s subdued
dictation。 It was a description of my mother that they were busy
with； for Mr Bucket brought it to me when it was done； and read it
in a whisper。 It was very accurate indeed。
The second officer； who had attended to it closely； then copied
it out； and called in another man in uniform （there were several in
an outer room） who took it up and went away with it。 All this was
done with the greatest despatch； and without the waste of a
moment； yet nobody was at all hurried。 As soon as the paper was
sent out upon its travels； the two officers resumed their former
quiet work of writing with neatness and care。 Mr Bucket
thoughtfully came and warmed the soles of his boots； first one and
then the other； at the fire。
“Are you well wrapped up； Miss Summerson？” he asked me； as
his eyes met mine。 “It’s a desperate sharp night for a young lady to
be out in。”
I told him I cared for no weather； and was warmly clothed。
“It may be a long job；” he observed； “but so that it ends well；
never mind； miss。”
“I pray to Heaven it may end well！” said I。
He nodded comfortingly。 “You see； whatever you do； don’t you
go and fret yourself。 You keep yourself cool； and equal for
anything that may happen； and it’ll be the better for you； the
better for me； the better for Lady Dedlock； and the better for Sir
Leicester Dedlock； Baronet。”
He was really very kind and gentle； and as he stood before the
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fire warming his boots； and rubbing his face with his forefinger； I
felt a confidence in his sagacity which reassured me。 It was not yet
a quarter to two； when I heard horses’ feet and wheels outside。
“Now； Miss Summerson；” said he； “we are off； if you please！”
He gave me his arm； and the two officers courteously bowed me
out； and we found at the door a phaeton or barouche； with a
postilion and post horses。 Mr Bucket handed me in； and took his
own seat on the box。 The man in uniform whom he had sent to
