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little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第171部分

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'To preserve your approbation; Mrs General;' said Fanny; returning the
smile with one in which there was no trace of those ingredients; 'will
of course be the highest object of my married life; to lose it; would of
course be perfect wretchedness。 I am sure your great kindness will
not object; and I hope papa will not object; to my correcting a
small mistake you have made; however。 The best of us are so liable to
mistakes; that even you; Mrs General; have fallen into a little error。
The attention and distinction you have so impressively mentioned; Mrs
General; as attaching to this confidence; are; I have no doubt; of the
most plimentary and gratifying description; but they don't at all
proceed from me。 The merit of having consulted you on the subject would
have been so great in me; that I feel I must not lay claim to it when it
really is not mine。 It is wholly papa's。 I am deeply obliged to you for
your encouragement and patronage; but it was papa who asked for it。
I have to thank you; Mrs General; for relieving my breast of a great
weight by so handsomely giving your consent to my engagement; but you
have really nothing to thank me for。 I hope you will always approve of
my proceedings after I have left home and that my sister also may long
remain the favoured object of your condescension; Mrs General。'


With this address; which was delivered in her politest manner; Fanny
left the room with an elegant and cheerful air……to tear up…stairs with
a flushed face as soon as she was out of hearing; pounce in upon her
sister; call her a little Dormouse; shake her for the better opening of
her eyes; tell her what had passed below; and ask her what she thought
of Pa now?

Towards Mrs Merdle; the young lady ported herself with great
independence and self…possession; but not as yet with any more decided
opening of hostilities。 Occasionally they had a slight skirmish; as when
Fanny considered herself patted on the back by that lady; or as when Mrs
Merdle looked particularly young and well; but Mrs Merdle always soon
terminated those passages of arms by sinking among her cushions with the
gracefullest indifference; and finding her attention otherwise engaged。
Society (for that mysterious creature sat upon the Seven Hills too)
found Miss Fanny vastly improved by her engagement。 She was much more
accessible; much more free and engaging; much less exacting; insomuch
that she now entertained a host of followers and admirers; to the bitter
indignation of ladies with daughters to marry; who were to be regarded
as Having revolted from Society on the Miss Dorrit grievance; and
erected a rebellious standard。 Enjoying the flutter she caused。 Miss
Dorrit not only haughtily moved through it in her own proper person; but
haughtily; even Ostentatiously; led Mr Sparkler through it too: seeming
to say to them all; 'If I think proper to march among you in triumphal
procession attended by this weak captive in bonds; rather than a
stronger one; that is my business。 Enough that I choose to do it!' Mr
Sparkler for his part; questioned nothing; but went wherever he was
taken; did whatever he was told; felt that for his bride…elect to be
distinguished was for him to be distinguished on the easiest terms; and
was truly grateful for being so openly acknowledged。

The winter passing on towards the spring while this condition of affairs
prevailed; it became necessary for Mr Sparkler to repair to England; and
take his appointed part in the expression and direction of its genius;
learning; merce; spirit; and sense。 The land of Shakespeare; Milton;
Bacon; Newton; Watt; the land of a host of past and present abstract
philosophers; natural philosophers; and subduers of Nature and Art in
their myriad forms; called to Mr Sparkler to e and take care of it;
lest it should perish。 Mr Sparkler; unable to resist the agonised cry
from the depths of his country's soul; declared that he must go。

It followed that the question was rendered pressing when; where; and
how Mr Sparkler should be married to the foremost girl in all this world
with no nonsense about her。 Its solution; after some little mystery and
secrecy; Miss Fanny herself announced to her sister。

'Now; my child;' said she; seeking her out one day; 'I am going to tell
you something。 It is only this moment broached; and naturally I hurry to
you the moment it IS broached。'


'Your marriage; Fanny?'

'My precious child;' said Fanny; 'don't anticipate me。 Let me impart my
confidence to you; you flurried little thing; in my own way。 As to your
guess; if I answered it literally; I should answer no。 For really it is
not my marriage that is in question; half as much as it is Edmund's。'

Little Dorrit looked; and perhaps not altogether without cause; somewhat
at a loss to understand this fine distinction。

'I am in no difficulty;' exclaimed Fanny; 'and in no hurry。 I am not
wanted at any public office; or to give any vote anywhere else。

But Edmund is。 And Edmund is deeply dejected at the idea of going away
by himself; and; indeed; I don't like that he should be trusted by
himself。 For; if it's possible……and it generally is……to do a foolish
thing; he is sure to do it。'

As she concluded this impartial summary of the reliance that might be
safely placed upon her future husband; she took off; with an air of
business; the bon she wore; and dangled it by its strings upon the
ground。

'It is far more Edmund's question; therefore; than mine。 However; we
need say no more about that。 That is self…evident on the face of it。
Well; my dearest Amy! The point arising; is he to go by himself; or is
he not to go by himself; this other point arises; are we to be married
here and shortly; or are we to be married at home months hence?'

'I see I am going to lose you; Fanny。'

'What a little thing you are;' cried Fanny; half tolerant and half
impatient; 'for anticipating one! Pray; my darling; hear me out。 That
woman;' she spoke of Mrs Merdle; of course; 'remains here until after
Easter; so; in the case of my being married here and going to London
with Edmund; I should have the start of her。 That is something。 Further;
Amy。 That woman being out of the way; I don't know that I greatly object
to Mr Merdle's proposal to Pa that Edmund and I should take up our abode
in that house……you know……where you once went with a dancer; my dear;
until our own house can be chosen and fitted up。 Further still; Amy。
Papa having always intended to go to town himself; in the spring;……you
see; if Edmund and I were married here; we might go off to Florence;
where papa might join us; and we might all three travel home together。
Mr Merdle has entreated Pa to stay with him in that same mansion I have
mentioned; and I suppose he will。 But he is master of his own actions;
and upon that point (which is not at all material) I can't speak
positively。' The difference between papa's being master of his own
actions and Mr Sparkler's being nothing of the sort; was forcibly
expressed by Fanny in her manner of stating the case。 Not that her
sister noticed it; for she was divided between regret at the ing
separation; and a lingering wish that she had been included in the plans
for visiting England。

'And these are the arrangements; Fanny dear?'

'Arrangements!' repeated Fanny。 'Now; really; child; you are a little
trying。 You know I particularly guarded myself against laying my words
open to any such construction。 What I said was; that certain questions
present themselves; and these are the questions。'

Little Dorrit's thoughtful eyes met hers; tenderly and quietly。

'Now; my own sweet girl;' said Fanny; weighing her bon by the strings
with considerable impatience; 'it's no use staring。 A little owl could
stare。 I look to you for advice; Amy。 What do you advise me to do?'

'Do you think;' asked Little Dorrit; persuasively; after a short
hesitation; 'do you think; Fanny; that if you were to put it off for a
few months; it might be; considering all things; best?'

'No; little Tortoise;' retorted Fanny; with exceeding sharpness。 'I
don't think anything of the kind。'

Here; she threw her bon from her altogether; and flounced into a
chair。 But; being af
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