david copperfield(大卫.科波维尔)-第110章
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pursued Agnes; ‘he had told papa that he was going away; that he
was very sorry; and unwilling to leave; but that he had better
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David Copperfield
prospects。 Papa was very much depressed then; and more bowed
down by care than ever you or I have seen him; but he seemed
relieved by this expedient of the partnership; though at the same
time he seemed hurt by it and ashamed of it。’
‘And how did you receive it; Agnes?’
‘I did; Trotwood;’ she replied; ‘what I hope was right。 Feeling
sure that it was necessary for papa’s peace that the sacrifice
should be made; I entreated him to make it。 I said it would lighten
the load of his life—I hope it will!—and that it would give me
increased opportunities of being his companion。 Oh; Trotwood!’
cried Agnes; putting her hands before her face; as her tears started
on it; ‘I almost feel as if I had been papa’s enemy; instead of his
loving child。 For I know how he has altered; in his devotion to me。
I know how he has narrowed the circle of his sympathies and
duties; in the concentration of his whole mind upon me。 I know
what a multitude of things he has shut out for my sake; and how
his anxious thoughts of me have shadowed his life; and weakened
his strength and energy; by turning them always upon one idea。 If
I could ever set this right! If I could ever work out his restoration;
as I have so innocently been the cause of his decline!’
I had never before seen Agnes cry。 I had seen tears in her eyes
when I had brought new honours home from school; and I had
seen them there when we last spoke about her father; and I had
seen her turn her gentle head aside when we took leave of one
another; but I had never seen her grieve like this。 It made me so
sorry that I could only say; in a foolish; helpless manner; ‘Pray;
Agnes; don’t! Don’t; my dear sister!’
But Agnes was too superior to me in character and purpose; as
I know well now; whatever I might know or not know then; to be
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long in need of my entreaties。 The beautiful; calm manner; which
makes her so different in my remembrance from everybody else;
came back again; as if a cloud had passed from a serene sky。
‘We are not likely to remain alone much longer;’ said Agnes;
‘and while I have an opportunity; let me earnestly entreat you;
Trotwood; to be friendly to Uriah。 Don’t repel him。 Don’t resent
(as I think you have a general disposition to do) what may be
uncongenial to you in him。 He may not deserve it; for we know no
certain ill of him。 In any case; think first of papa and me!’
Agnes had no time to say more; for the room door opened; and
Mrs。 Waterbrook; who was a large lady—or who wore a large
dress: I don’t exactly know which; for I don’t know which was
dress and which was lady—came sailing in。 I had a dim
recollection of having seen her at the theatre; as if I had seen her
in a pale magic lantern; but she appeared to remember me
perfectly; and still to suspect me of being in a state of intoxication。
Finding by degrees; however; that I was sober; and (I hope) that
I was a modest young gentleman; Mrs。 Waterbrook softened
towards me considerably; and inquired; firstly; if I went much into
the parks; and secondly; if I went much into society。 On my
replying to both these questions in the negative; it occurred to me
that I fell again in her good opinion; but she concealed the fact
gracefully; and invited me to dinner next day。 I accepted the
invitation; and took my leave; making a call on Uriah in the office
as I went out; and leaving a card for him in his absence。
When I went to dinner next day; and on the street door being
opened; plunged into a vapour…bath of haunch of mutton; I divined
that I was not the only guest; for I immediately identified the
ticket…porter in disguise; assisting the family servant; and waiting
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David Copperfield
at the foot of the stairs to carry up my name。 He looked; to the best
of his ability; when he asked me for it confidentially; as if he had
never seen me before; but well did I know him; and well did he
know me。 Conscience made cowards of us both。
I found Mr。 Waterbrook to be a middle…aged gentleman; with a
short throat; and a good deal of shirt…collar; who only wanted a
black nose to be the portrait of a pug…dog。 He told me he was
happy to have the honour of making my acquaintance; and when I
had paid my homage to Mrs。 Waterbrook; presented me; with
much ceremony; to a very awful lady in a black velvet dress; and a
great black velvet hat; whom I remember as looking like a near
relation of Hamlet’s—say his aunt。
Mrs。 Henry Spiker was this lady’s name; and her husband was
there too: so cold a man; that his head; instead of being grey;
seemed to be sprinkled with hoar…frost。 Immense deference was
shown to the Henry Spikers; male and female; which Agnes told
me was on account of Mr。 Henry Spiker being solicitor to
something Or to Somebody; I forget what or which; remotely
connected with the Treasury。
I found Uriah Heep among the company; in a suit of black; and
in deep humility。 He told me; when I shook hands with him; that
he was proud to be noticed by me; and that he really felt obliged to
me for my condescension。 I could have wished he had been less
obliged to me; for he hovered about me in his gratitude all the rest
of the evening; and whenever I said a word to Agnes; was sure;
with his shadowless eyes and cadaverous face; to be looking
gauntly down upon us from behind。
There were other guests—all iced for the occasion; as it struck
me; like the wine。 But there was one who attracted my attention
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before he came in; on account of my hearing him announced as
Mr。 Traddles! My mind flew back to Salem House; and could it be
Tommy; I thought; who used to draw the skeletons!
I looked for Mr。 Traddles with unusual interest。 He was a sober;
steady…looking young man of retiring manners; with a comic head
of hair; and eyes that were rather wide open; and he got into an
obscure corner so soon; that I had some difficulty in making him
out。 At length I had a good view of him; and either my vision
deceived me; or it was the old unfortunate Tommy。
I made my way to Mr。 Waterbrook; and said; that I believed I
had the pleasure of seeing an old schoolfellow there。
‘Indeed!’ said Mr。 Waterbrook; surprised。 ‘You are too young to
have been at school with Mr。 Henry Spiker?’
‘Oh; I don’t mean him!’ I returned。 ‘I mean the gentleman
named Traddles。’
‘Oh! Aye; aye! Indeed!’ said my host; with much diminished
interest。 ‘Possibly。’
‘If it’s really the same person;’ said I; glancing towards him; ‘it
was at a place called Salem House where we were together; and he
was an excellent fellow。’
‘Oh yes。 Traddles is a good fellow;’ returned my host nodding
his head with an air of toleration。 ‘Traddles is quite a good fellow。’
‘It’s a curious coincidence;’ said I。
‘It is really;’ returned my host; ‘quite a coincidence; that
Traddles should be here at all: as Traddles was only invited this
morning; when the place at table; intended to be occupied by Mrs。
Henry Spiker’s brother; became vacant; in consequence of his
indisposition。 A very gentlemanly man; Mrs。 Henry Spiker’s
brother; Mr。 Copperfield。’
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I murmured an assent; which was full of feeling; considering
that I knew nothing at all about him; and I inquired what Mr。
Traddles was by profession。
‘Traddles;’ returned Mr。 Waterbrook; ‘is a young man reading
for the bar。 Yes。 He is quite a good fellow—nobody’s enemy but his
own。’
‘Is he his own enemy?’ said I; sorry to hear this。
‘Well;’ returned Mr。 Waterbrook; pursing up his mouth; and
playing with his watch…chain; in a comfortable; prosperous sort of
way。 ‘I should say he was one of those men who stand in their ow