bleak house(凄凉的房子)-第132节
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Bleak House 549
“explain to me what you mean。”
“Willingly； Lady Dedlock。 There is nothing I could desire
more。”
Addressing her composed face； whose intelligence； however； is
too quick and active to be concealed by any studied impassiveness；
however habitual； to the strong Saxon face of the visitor； a picture
of resolution and perseverance； my Lady listens with attention；
occasionally slightly bending her head。
“I am the son of your housekeeper； Lady Dedlock； and passed
my childhood about this house。 My mother has lived here half a
century； and will die here I have no doubt。 She is one of those
examples—perhaps as good a one as there is—of love； and
attachment； and fidelity in such a station； which England may well
be proud of； but of which no order can appropriate the whole
pride or the whole merit； because such an instance bespeaks high
worth on two sides； on the great side assuredly； on the small one；
no less assuredly。”
Sir Leicester snorts a little to hear the law laid down in this
way； but in his honour and his love of truth； he freely； though
silently； admits the justice of the ironmaster’s proposition。
“Pardon me for saying what is so obvious； but I wouldn’t have it
hastily supposed；” with the least turn of his eyes towards Sir
Leicester； “that I am ashamed of my mother’s position here； or
wanting in all just respect for Chesney Wold and the family。 I
certainly may have desired—I certainly have desired； Lady
Dedlock—that my mother should retire after so many years； and
end her days with me。 But； as I have found that to sever this
strong bond would be to break her heart； I have long abandoned
that idea。”
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
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Bleak House 550
Sir Leicester very magnificent again； at the notion of Mrs
Rouncewell being spirited off from her natural home； to end her
days with an ironmaster。
“I have been；” proceeds the visitor； in a modest clear way； “an
apprentice； and a workman。 I have lived on workman’s wages；
years and years； and beyond a certain point have had to educate
myself。 My wife was a foreman’s daughter； and plainly brought up。
We have three daughters； besides this son of whom I have spoken；
and being fortunately able to give them greater advantages than
we had ourselves； we have educated them well； very well。 It has
been one of our great cares and pleasures to make them worthy of
any station。”
A little boastfulness in his fatherly tone here； as if he added in
his heart； “even of the Chesney Wold station。” Not a little more
magnificence； therefore； on the part of Sir Leicester。
“All this is so frequent； Lady Dedlock； where I live； and among
the class to which I belong； that what would be generally called
unequal marriages are not of such rare occurrence with us as
elsewhere。 A son will sometimes make it known to his father that
he has fallen in love； say with a young woman in the factory。 The
father； who once worked in a factory himself； will be a little
disappointed at first； very possibly。 It may be that he had other
views for his son。 However； the chances are； that having
ascertained the young woman to be of unblemished character； he
will say to his son； ‘I must be quite sure that you are in earnest
here。 This is a serious matter for both of you。 Therefore I shall
have this girl educated for two years’—or； it may be—‘I shall place
this girl at the same school with your sisters for such a time；
during which you will give me your word and honour to see her
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Bleak House 551
only so often。 If； at the expiration of that time； when she has so far
profited by her advantages as that you may be upon a fair equality；
you are both in the same mind； I will do my part to make you
happy。’ I know of several cases such as I describe； my Lady； and I
think they indicate to me my own course now。”
Sir Leicester’s magnificence explodes。 Calmly； but terribly。
“Mr Rouncewell；” says Sir Leicester； with his right hand in the
breast of his blue coat—the attitude of state in which he is painted
in the gallery： “do you draw a parallel between Chesney Wold； and
a—” here he resists a disposition to choke—“a factory？”
“I need not reply； Sir Leicester； that the two places are very
different； but； for the purposes of this case； I think a parallel may
be justly drawn between them。”
Sir Leicester directs his majestic glance down one side of the
long drawing…room； and up the other； before he can believe that
he is awake。
“Are you aware； sir； that this young woman whom my Lady—
my Lady—has placed near her person； was brought up at the
village school outside the gates？”
“Sir Leicester； I am quite aware of it。 A very good school it is；
and handsomely supported by this family。”
“Then； Mr Rouncewell；” returns Sir Leicester； “the application
of what you have said； is； to me； incomprehensible。”
“Will it be more comprehensible； Sir Leicester； if I say；” the
ironmaster is reddening a little； “that I do not regard the village…
school as teaching everything desirable to be known by my son’s
wife？”
From the village school of Chesney Wold； intact as it is this
minute； to the whole framework of society； from the whole
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Bleak House 552
framework of society； to the aforesaid framework receiving
tremendous cracks in consequence of people （ironmasters； lead…
mistresses； and what not） not minding their catechism； and getting
out of the station unto which they are called—necessarily and for
ever； according to Sir Leicester’s rapid logic； the first station in
which they happen to find themselves； and from that； to their
educating other people out of their stations； and so obliterating the
landmarks； and opening the floodgates； and all the rest of it； this is
the swift progress of the Dedlock mind。
“My Lady； I beg your pardon。 Permit me for one moment！” She
has given a faint indication of intending to speak。 “Mr Rouncewell；
our views of duty； and our views of station； and our views of
education； and our views of—in short； all our views—are so
diametrically opposed； that to prolong this discussion must be
repellant to your feelings； and repellant to my own。 This young
woman is honoured with my Lady’s notice and favour。 If she
wishes to withdraw herself from that notice and favour； or if she
chooses to place herself under the influence of any one who may；
in his peculiar opinions—you will allow me to say； in his peculiar
opinions； though I readily admit that he is not accountable for
them to me—who may； in his peculiar opinions； withdraw her
from that notice and favour； she is at any time at liberty to do so。
We are obliged to you for the plainness with which you have
spoken。 It will have no effect of itself； one way or other； on the
young woman’s position here。 Beyond this； we can make no terms；
and here we beg—if you will be so good—to leave the subject。”
The visitor pauses a moment to give my Lady an opportunity；
but she says nothing。 He then rises and replies：—
“Sir Leicester and Lady Dedlock； a
