第 192 节
作者:
左思右想 更新:2021-02-19 19:49 字数:9322
The bird has come in at last。 There it is with its head on
his shoulder; billing and cooing close up to his heart;
with soft outstretched fluttering wings。 This is what he
has asked for every day and hour for eighteen years。 This
is what he pined after。 Here it isthe summit; the end
the last page of the third volume。 Good…bye; Colonel
God bless you; honest William!Farewell; dear Amelia
Grow green again; tender little parasite; round the
rugged old oak to which you cling!
Perhaps it was compunction towards the kind and
simple creature; who had been the first in life to defend
her; perhaps it was a dislike to all such sentimental scenes
but Rebecca; satisfied with her part in the transaction;
never presented herself before Colonel Dobbin and the
lady whom he married。 〃Particular business;〃 she said;
took her to Bruges; whither she went; and only Georgy
and his uncle were present at the marriage ceremony。
When it was over; and Georgy had rejoined his parents;
Mrs。 Becky returned (just for a few days) to comfort the
solitary bachelor; Joseph Sedley。 He preferred a
continental life; he said; and declined to join in housekeeping
with his sister and her husband。
Emmy was very glad in her heart to think that she
had written to her husband before she read or knew of
that letter of George's。 〃I knew it all along;〃 William
said; 〃but could I use that weapon against the poor
fellow's memory? It was that which made me suffer so
when you〃
〃Never speak of that day again;〃 Emmy cried out; so
contrite and humble that William turned off the
conversation by his account of Glorvina and dear old Peggy
O'Dowd; with whom he was sitting when the letter of
recall reached him。 〃If you hadn't sent for me;〃 he added
with a laugh; 〃who knows what Glorvina's name might
be now?〃
At present it is Glorvina Posky (now Mrs。 Major
Posky); she took him on the death of his first wife;
having resolved never to marry out of the regiment。 Lady
O'Dowd is also so attached to it that; she says; if anything
were to happen to Mick; bedad she'd come back
and marry some of 'em。 But the Major…General is quite
well and lives in great splendour at O'Dowdstown; with
a pack of beagles; and (with the exception of perhaps
their neighbour; Hoggarty of Castle Hoggarty) he is the
first man of his county。 Her Ladyship still dances jigs; and
insisted on standing up with the Master of the Horse at
the Lord Lieutenant's last ball。 Both she and Glorvina
declared that Dobbin had used the latter SHEAMFULLY; but
Posky falling in; Glorvina was consoled; and a beautiful
turban from Paris appeased the wrath of Lady O'Dowd。
When Colonel Dobbin quitted the service; which he did
immediately after his marriage; he rented a pretty little
country place in Hampshire; not far from Queen's Crawley;
where; after the passing of the Reform Bill; Sir Pitt
and his family constantly resided now。 All idea of a
Peerage was out of the question; the Baronet's two seats
in Parliament being lost。 He was both out of pocket and
out of spirits by that catastrophe; failed in his health;
and prophesied the speedy ruin of the Empire。
Lady Jane and Mrs。 Dobbin became great friends
there was a perpetual crossing of pony…chaises between
the Hall and the Evergreens; the Colonel's place (rented
of his friend Major Ponto; who was abroad with his
family)。 Her Ladyship was godmother to Mrs。 Dobbin's child;
which bore her name; and was christened by the Rev。
James Crawley; who succeeded his father in the living:
and a pretty close friendship subsisted between the two
lads; George and Rawdon; who hunted and shot together
in the vacations; were both entered of the same college
at Cambridge; and quarrelled with each other about Lady
Jane's daughter; with whom they were both; of course;
in love。 A match between George and that young lady was
long a favourite scheme of both the matrons; though I
have heard that Miss Crawley herself inclined towards
her cousin。
Mrs。 Rawdon Crawley's name was never mentioned by
either family。 There were reasons why all should be silent
regarding her。 For wherever Mr。 Joseph Sedley went; she
travelled likewise; and that infatuated man seemed to be
entirely her slave。 The Colonel's lawyers informed him
that his brother…in…law had effected a heavy insurance
upon his life; whence it was probable that he had been
raising money to discharge debts。 He procured prolonged
leave of absence from the East India House; and indeed;
his infirmities were daily increasing。
On hearing the news about the insurance; Amelia; in
a good deal of alarm; entreated her husband to go to
Brussels; where Jos then was; and inquire into the state
of his affairs。 The Colonel quitted home with reluctance
(for he was deeply immersed in his History of the
Punjaub which still occupies him; and much alarmed
about his little daughter; whom he idolizes; and who was
just recovering from the chicken…pox) and went to Brussels
and found Jos living at one of the enormous hotels
in that city。 Mrs。 Crawley; who had her carriage; gave
entertainments; and lived in a very genteel manner;
occupied another suite of apartments in the same hotel。
The Colonel; of course; did not desire to see that lady;
or even think proper to notify his arrival at Brussels;
except privately to Jos by a message through his valet。 Jos
begged the Colonel to come and see him that night; when
Mrs。 Crawley would be at a soiree; and when they could
meet alone。 He found his brother…in…law in a condition of
pitiable infirmityand dreadfully afraid of Rebecca;
though eager in his praises of her。 She tended him through
a series of unheard…of illnesses with a fidelity most
admirable。 She had been a daughter to him。 〃Butbut
oh; for God's sake; do come and live near me; andand
see me sometimes;〃 whimpered out the unfortunate
man。
The Colonel's brow darkened at this。 〃We can't; Jos;〃
he said。 〃Considering the circumstances; Amelia can't
visit you。〃
〃I swear to youI swear to you on the Bible;〃 gasped
out Joseph; wanting to kiss the book; 〃that she is as
innocent as a child; as spotless as your own wife。〃
〃It may be so;〃 said the Colonel gloomily; 〃but Emmy
can't come to you。 Be a man; Jos: break off this
disreputable connection。 Come home to your family。 We hear
your affairs are involved。〃
〃Involved!〃 cried Jos。 〃Who has told such calumnies?
All my money is placed out most advantageously。 Mrs。
Crawleythat isI meanit is laid out to the best
interest。〃
〃You are not in debt; then? Why did you insure your
life?〃
〃I thoughta little present to herin case anything
happened; and you know my health is so delicatecommon
gratitude you knowand I intend to leave all my
money to youand I can spare it out of my income;
indeed I can;〃 cried out William's weak brother…in…law。
The Colonel besought Jos to fly at onceto go back to
India; whither Mrs。 Crawley could not follow him; to
do anything to break off a connection which might have
the most fatal consequences to him。
Jos clasped his hands and cried; 〃He would go back to
India。 He would do anything; only he must have time:
they mustn't say anything to Mrs。 Crawleyshe'dshe'd
kill me if she knew it。 You don't know what a terrible
woman she is;〃 the poor wretch said。
〃Then; why not come away with me?〃 said Dobbin in
reply; but Jos had not the courage。 〃He would see
Dobbin again in the morning; he must on no account say that
he had been there。 He must go now。 Becky might come
in。〃 And Dobbin quitted him; full of forebodings。
He never saw Jos more。 Three months afterwards
Joseph Sedley died at Aix…la…Chapelle。 It was found that
all his property had been muddled away in speculations;
and was represented by valueless shares in different
bubble companies。 All his available assets were the two
thousand pounds for which his life was insured; and which
were left equally between his beloved 〃sister Amelia;
wife of; &c。; and his friend and invaluable attendant
during sickness; Rebecca; wife of Lieutenant…Colonel
Rawdon Crawley; C。B。;〃 who was appointed administratrix。
The solicitor of the insurance company swore it was
the blackest case that ever had come before him; talked
of sending a commission to Aix to examine into the death;
and the Company refused payment of the policy。 But
Mrs。; or Lady Crawley; as she styled herself; came to
town at once (attended with her solicitors; Messrs。 Burke;
Thurtell; and Hayes; of Thavies Inn) and dared the
Company to refuse the payment。 They invited examination;
they declared that she was the object of an infamous
conspiracy; which had been pursuing her all through life;
and triumphed finally。 The money was paid; and her
character established; but Colonel Dobbin sent back his share
of the legacy to the insurance office and rigidly declined to
hold any communication with Rebecca
She never was Lady Crawley; though she continued so
to call herself。 His Excellency Colonel Rawdon Crawley
died of yellow fever at Coventry Island; most deeply
beloved and deplored; and six weeks before the demise of
his brother; Sir Pitt。 The estate consequently devolved
upon the present Sir Rawdon Crawley; Bart。
He; too; has declined to see his mot