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little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第69部分

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hard sound。

'As your sister will tell you; when I found what the theatre was I was
much surprised and much distressed。 But when I found that your sister;
by rejecting my son's advances (I must add; in an unexpected manner);
had brought him to the point of proposing marriage; my feelings were
of the profoundest anguish……acute。' She traced the outline of her left
eyebrow; and put it right。

'In a distracted condition; which only a mother……moving in Society……can
be susceptible of; I determined to go myself to the theatre; and
represent my state of mind to the dancer。 I made myself known to your
sister。 I found her; to my surprise; in many respects different from
my expectations; and certainly in none more so; than in meeting me
with……what shall I say……a sort of family assertion on her own part?' Mrs
Merdle smiled。

'I told you; ma'am;' said Fanny; with a heightening colour; 'that
although you found me in that situation; I was so far above the rest;
that I considered my family as good as your son's; and that I had a
brother who; knowing the circumstances; would be of the same opinion;
and would not consider such a connection any honour。'

'Miss Dorrit;' said Mrs Merdle; after frostily looking at her through
her glass; 'precisely what I was on the point of telling your sister;
in pursuance of your request。 Much obliged to you for recalling it
so accurately and anticipating me。 I immediately;' addressing Little
Dorrit; '(for I am the creature of impulse); took a bracelet from my
arm; and begged your sister to let me clasp it on hers; in token of
the delight I had in our being able to approach the subject so far on
a mon footing。' (This was perfectly true; the lady having bought a
cheap and showy article on her way to the interview; with a general eye
to bribery。)

'And I told you; Mrs Merdle;' said Fanny; 'that we might be unfortunate;
but we are not mon。'

'I think; the very words; Miss Dorrit;' assented Mrs Merdle。

'And I told you; Mrs Merdle;' said Fanny; 'that if you spoke to me
of the superiority of your son's standing in Society; it was barely
possible that you rather deceived yourself in your suppositions about my
origin; and that my father's standing; even in the Society in which
he now moved (what that was; was best known to myself); was eminently
superior; and was acknowledged by every one。'

'Quite accurate;' rejoined Mrs Merdle。 'A most admirable memory。'

'Thank you; ma'am。 Perhaps you will be so kind as to tell my sister the
rest。'

'There is very little to tell;' said Mrs Merdle; reviewing the breadth
of bosom which seemed essential to her having room enough to be
unfeeling in; 'but it is to your sister's credit。 I pointed out to your
sister the plain state of the case; the impossibility of the Society
in which we moved recognising the Society in which she moved……though
charming; I have no doubt; the immense disadvantage at which she would
consequently place the family she had so high an opinion of; upon which
we should find ourselves pelled to look down with contempt; and
from which (socially speaking) we should feel obliged to recoil with
abhorrence。 In short; I made an appeal to that laudable pride in your
sister。'

'Let my sister know; if you please; Mrs Merdle;' Fanny pouted; with a
toss of her gauzy bon; 'that I had already had the honour of telling
your son that I wished to have nothing whatever to say to him。'

'Well; Miss Dorrit;' assented Mrs Merdle; 'perhaps I might have
mentioned that before。 If I did not think of it; perhaps it was because
my mind reverted to the apprehensions I had at the time that he might
persevere and you might have something to say to him。

I also mentioned to your sister……I again address the non…professional
Miss Dorrit……that my son would have nothing in the event of such a
marriage; and would be an absolute beggar。 (I mention that merely as
a fact which is part of the narrative; and not as supposing it to have
influenced your sister; except in the prudent and legitimate way
in which; constituted as our artificial system is; we must all be
influenced by such considerations。) Finally; after some high words
and high spirit on the part of your sister; we came to the plete
understanding that there was no danger; and your sister was so obliging
as to allow me to present her with a mark or two of my appreciation at
my dressmaker's。'

Little Dorrit looked sorry; and glanced at Fanny with a troubled face。

'Also;' said Mrs Merdle; 'as to promise to give me the present pleasure
of a closing interview; and of parting with her on the best of terms。
On which occasion;' added Mrs Merdle; quitting her nest; and putting
something in Fanny's hand; 'Miss Dorrit will permit me to say Farewell
with best wishes in my own dull manner。'

The sisters rose at the same time; and they all stood near the cage of
the parrot; as he tore at a claw…full of biscuit and spat it out; seemed
to mock them with a pompous dance of his body without moving his feet;
and suddenly turned himself upside down and trailed himself all over
the outside of his golden cage; with the aid of his cruel beak and black
tongue。

'Adieu; Miss Dorrit; with best wishes;' said Mrs Merdle。 'If we could
only e to a Millennium; or something of that sort; I for one might
have the pleasure of knowing a number of charming and talented persons
from whom I am at present excluded。 A more primitive state of society
would be delicious to me。 There used to be a poem when I learnt lessons;
something about Lo the poor Indians whose something mind! If a few
thousand persons moving in Society; could only go and be Indians; I
would put my name down directly; but as; moving in Society; we can't be
Indians; unfortunately……Good morning!'

They came down…stairs with powder before them and powder behind; the
elder sister haughty and the younger sister humbled; and were shut out
into unpowdered Harley Street; Cavendish Square。


'Well?' said Fanny; when they had gone a little way without speaking。
'Have you nothing to say; Amy?'

'Oh; I don't know what to say!' she answered; distressed。 'You didn't
like this young man; Fanny?'

'Like him? He is almost an idiot。'

'I am so sorry……don't be hurt……but; since you ask me what I have to
say; I am so very sorry; Fanny; that you suffered this lady to give you
anything。'

'You little Fool!' returned her sister; shaking her with the sharp pull
she gave her arm。 'Have you no spirit at all? But that's just the way!
You have no self…respect; you have no being pride; just as you allow
yourself to be followed about by a contemptible little Chivery of a
thing;' with the scornfullest emphasis; 'you would let your family be
trodden on; and never turn。'

'Don't say that; dear Fanny。 I do what I can for them。'

'You do what you can for them!' repeated Fanny; walking her on very
fast。 'Would you let a woman like this; whom you could see; if you had
any experience of anything; to be as false and insolent as a woman can
be……would you let her put her foot upon your family; and thank her for
it?'

'No; Fanny; I am sure。' 'Then make her pay for it; you mean little
thing。 What else can you make her do? Make her pay for it; you stupid
child; and do your family some credit with the money!'

They spoke no more all the way back to the lodging where Fanny and her
uncle lived。 When they arrived there; they found the old man practising
his clario in the dolefullest manner in a corner of the room。
Fanny had a posite meal to make; of chops; and porter; and tea; and
indignantly pretended to prepare it for herself; though her sister did
all that in quiet reality。 When at last Fanny sat down to eat and drink;
she threw the table implements about and was angry with her bread; much
as her father had been last night。

'If you despise me;' she said; bursting into vehement tears; 'because I
am a dancer; why did you put me in the way of being one?

It was your doing。 You would have me stoop as low as the ground before
this Mrs Merdle; and let her say what she liked and do what she liked;
and hold us all in contempt; and tell me so to my face。 Because I am a
dancer!'

'O Fanny!'

'And Tip; too; poor fell
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