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第144节

david copperfield(大卫.科波维尔)-第144节

小说: david copperfield(大卫.科波维尔) 字数: 每页4000字

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But; as to reading them after I had got them; I might as well have 
copied the Chinese inscriptions of an immense collection of tea…
chests; or the golden characters on all the great red and green 
bottles in the chemists’ shops! 

There was nothing for it; but to turn back and begin all over 
again。 It was very hard; but I turned back; though with a heavy 
heart; and began laboriously and methodically to plod over the 
same tedious ground at a snail’s pace; stopping to examine 
minutely every speck in the way; on all sides; and making the most 
desperate efforts to know these elusive characters by sight 
wherever I met them。 I was always punctual at the office; at the 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


David Copperfield 

Doctor’s too: and I really did work; as the common expression is; 
like a cart…horse。 One day; when I went to the Commons as usual; I 
found Mr。 Spenlow in the doorway looking extremely grave; and 
talking to himself。 As he was in the habit of complaining of pains 
in his head—he had naturally a short throat; and I do seriously 
believe he over…starched himself—I was at first alarmed by the 
idea that he was not quite right in that direction; but he soon 
relieved my uneasiness。 

Instead of returning my ‘Good morning’ with his usual 
affability; he looked at me in a distant; ceremonious manner; and 
coldly requested me to accompany him to a certain coffee…house; 
which; in those days; had a door opening into the Commons; just 
within the little archway in St。 Paul’s Churchyard。 I complied; in a 
very uncomfortable state; and with a warm shooting all over me; 
as if my apprehensions were breaking out into buds。 When I 
allowed him to go on a little before; on account of the narrowness 
of the way; I observed that he carried his head with a lofty air that 
was particularly unpromising; and my mind misgave me that he 
had found out about my darling Dora。 

If I had not guessed this; on the way to the coffee…house; I could 
hardly have failed to know what was the matter when I followed 
him into an upstairs room; and found Miss Murdstone there; 
supported by a background of sideboard; on which were several 
inverted tumblers sustaining lemons; and two of those 
extraordinary boxes; all corners and flutings; for sticking knives 
and forks in; which; happily for mankind; are now obsolete。 

Miss Murdstone gave me her chilly finger…nails; and sat 
severely rigid。 Mr。 Spenlow shut the door; motioned me to a chair; 
and stood on the hearth…rug in front of the fireplace。 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


David Copperfield 

‘Have the goodness to show Mr。 Copperfield;’ said Mr。 Spenlow; 
what you have in your reticule; Miss Murdstone。’ 

I believe it was the old identical steel…clasped reticule of my 
childhood; that shut up like a bite。 Compressing her lips; in 
sympathy with the snap; Miss Murdstone opened it—opening her 
mouth a little at the same time—and produced my last letter to 
Dora; teeming with expressions of devoted affection。 

‘I believe that is your writing; Mr。 Copperfield?’ said Mr。 
Spenlow。 

I was very hot; and the voice I heard was very unlike mine; 
when I said; ‘It is; sir!’ 

‘If I am not mistaken;’ said Mr。 Spenlow; as Miss Murdstone 
brought a parcel of letters out of her reticule; tied round with the 
dearest bit of blue ribbon; ‘those are also from your pen; Mr。 
Copperfield?’ 

I took them from her with a most desolate sensation; and; 
glancing at such phrases at the top; as ‘My ever dearest and own 
Dora;’ ‘My best beloved angel;’ ‘My blessed one for ever;’ and the 
like; blushed deeply; and inclined my head。 

‘No; thank you!’ said Mr。 Spenlow; coldly; as I mechanically 
offered them back to him。 ‘I will not deprive you of them。 Miss 
Murdstone; be so good as to proceed!’ 

That gentle creature; after a moment’s thoughtful survey of the 
carpet; delivered herself with much dry unction as follows。 

‘I must confess to having entertained my suspicions of Miss 
Spenlow; in reference to David Copperfield; for some time。 I 
observed Miss Spenlow and David Copperfield; when they first 
met; and the impression made upon me then was not agreeable。 
The depravity of the human heart is such—’ 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


David Copperfield 

‘You will oblige me; ma’am;’ interrupted Mr。 Spenlow; ‘by 
confining yourself to facts。’ 

Miss Murdstone cast down her eyes; shook her head as if 
protesting against this unseemly interruption; and with frowning 
dignity resumed: 

‘Since I am to confine myself to facts; I will state them as dryly 
as I can。 Perhaps that will be considered an acceptable course of 
proceeding。 I have already said; sir; that I have had my suspicions 
of Miss Spenlow; in reference to David Copperfield; for some time。 
I have frequently endeavoured to find decisive corroboration of 
those suspicions; but without effect。 I have therefore forborne to 
mention them to Miss Spenlow’s father’; looking severely at him— 
‘knowing how little disposition there usually is in such cases; to 
acknowledge the conscientious discharge of duty。’ 

Mr。 Spenlow seemed quite cowed by the gentlemanly sternness 
of Miss Murdstone’s manner; and deprecated her severity with a 
conciliatory little wave of his hand。 

‘On my return to Norwood; after the period of absence 
occasioned by my brother’s marriage;’ pursued Miss Murdstone in 
a disdainful voice; ‘and on the return of Miss Spenlow from her 
visit to her friend Miss Mills; I imagined that the manner of Miss 
Spenlow gave me greater occasion for suspicion than before。 
Therefore I watched Miss Spenlow closely。’ 

Dear; tender little Dora; so unconscious of this Dragon’s eye! 

‘Still;’ resumed Miss Murdstone; ‘I found no proof until last 
night。 It appeared to me that Miss Spenlow received too many 
letters from her friend Miss Mills; but Miss Mills being her friend 
with her father’s full concurrence;’ another telling blow at Mr。 
Spenlow; ‘it was not for me to interfere。 If I may not be permitted 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


David Copperfield 

to allude to the natural depravity of the human heart; at least I 
may—I must—be permitted; so far to refer to misplaced 
confidence。’ 

Mr。 Spenlow apologetically murmured his assent。 

‘Last evening after tea;’ pursued Miss Murdstone; ‘I observed 
the little dog starting; rolling; and growling about the drawing…
room; worrying something。 I said to Miss Spenlow; “Dora; what is 
that the dog has in his mouth? It’s paper。” Miss Spenlow 
immediately put her hand to her frock; gave a sudden cry; and ran 
to the dog。 I interposed; and said; “Dora; my love; you must permit 
me。” ‘ 

Oh Jip; miserable Spaniel; this wretchedness; then; was your 
work! 

‘Miss Spenlow endeavoured;’ said Miss Murdstone; ‘to bribe me 
with kisses; work…boxes; and small articles of jewellery—that; of 
course; I pass over。 The little dog retreated under the sofa on my 
approaching him; and was with great difficulty dislodged by the 
fire…irons。 Even when dislodged; he still kept the letter in his 
mouth; and on my endeavouring to take it from him; at the 
imminent risk of being bitten; he kept it between his teeth so 
pertinaciously as to suffer himself to be held suspended in the air 
by means of the document。 At length I obtained possession of it。 
After perusing it; I taxed Miss Spenlow with having many such 
letters in her possession; and ultimately obtained from her the 
packet which is now in David Copperfield’s hand。’ 

Here she ceased; and snapping her reticule again; and shutting 
her mouth; looked as if she might be broken; but could never be 
bent。 

‘You have heard Miss Murdstone;’ said Mr。 Spenlow; turning to 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


David Copperfield 

me。 ‘I beg to ask; Mr。 Copperfield; if you have anything to say in 
reply?’ 

The picture I had before me; of the beautiful little treasure of 
my heart; sobbing and crying all night—of her being alone; 
frightened; and wretched; then—of her having so piteously begged 
and prayed that stony…hearted woman to forgive her—of her 
having vainly offered her those kisses; work…boxes; and trinkets— 
of her being in such grievous distress; and all for me—very much 
impaired the little dignity I had been able to muster。 I am afraid I 
was in a tremulous state for a minute or so; though I did my best to 
disguise it。 

‘There is nothing I can say; sir;’ I returned; ‘except that all the 
blame is mine。 Dora—’ 

‘Miss Spenlow; if you please;’ said her father; majestically。 

‘—was induced and persuaded by me;’ I went on; swallowing 
that colder designation; ‘to consent to this concealment; and I 
bitterly regret it。’ 

‘You are very much to blame; sir;’ said Mr。 Spenlow; walking to 
and fro upon the hearth…rug; and emphasizing what he said with 
his whole body instead of his head; on account of the stiffness of 
his cravat and spine。 ‘You have done a stealthy and unbecoming 
action; Mr。 Copperfield。 When I take a gentleman to my house; no 
matter

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