bleak house(凄凉的房子)-第281节
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Guardian’s taste； which I knew very well of course； I arranged my
wardrobe to please him； and hoped I should be highly successful。 I
did it all so quietly； because I was not quite free from my old
apprehension that Ada would be rather sorry； and because my
Guardian was quiet himself。 I had no doubt that under all the
circumstances we should be married in the most private and
simple manner。 Perhaps I should only have to say to Ada； “Would
you like to come and see me married tomorrow； my pet？” Perhaps
our wedding might even be as unpretending as her own； and I
might not find it necessary to say anything about it until it was
over。 I thought that if I were to choose； I would like this best。
The only exception I made was Mrs Woodcourt。 I told her that I
was going to be married to my Guardian； and that we had been
engaged for some time。 She highly approved。 She never could do
enough for me； and was remarkably softened now； in comparison
with what she had been when we first knew her。 There was no
trouble she would have not taken to have been of use to me； but I
need hardly say that I only allowed her to take as little； as gratified
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her kindness without tasking it。
Of course this was not a time to neglect my Guardian； and of
course it was not a time for neglecting my darling。 So I had plenty
of occupation—which I was glad of； and as to Charley； she was
absolutely not to be seen for needlework。 To surround herself with
great heaps of it—baskets full and tables full—and do a little； and
spend a great deal of time in staring with her round eyes at what
there was to do； and persuade herself that she was going to do it；
were Charley’s great dignities and delights。
Meanwhile； I must say I could not agree with my Guardian on
the subject of the Will； and I had some sanguine hopes of Jarndyce
and Jarndyce。 Which of us was right will soon appear； but I
certainly did encourage expectations。 In Richard； the discovery
gave occasion for a burst of business and agitation that buoyed
him up for a little time； but he had lost the elasticity even of hope
now； and seemed to me to retain only its feverish anxieties。 From
something my Guardian said one day； when we were talking about
this； I understood that my marriage would not take place until
after the Term…time we had been told to look forward to； and I
thought the more； for that； how rejoiced I should be if I could be
married when Richard and Ada were a little more prosperous。
The Term was very near indeed； when my Guardian was called
out of town； and went down into Yorkshire on Mr Woodcourt’s
business。 He had told me beforehand that his presence there
would be necessary。 I had just come in one night from my dear
girl’s； and was sitting in the midst of all my new clothes； looking at
them all around me； and thinking； when a letter from my
Guardian was brought to me。 It asked me to join him in the
country； and mentioned by what stage…coach my place was taken；
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Bleak House 1173
and at what time in the morning I should have to leave town。 It
added in a postscript that I would not be many hours from Ada。
I expected few things less than a journey at that time； but I was
ready for it in half…an…hour； and set off as appointed early next
morning。 I travelled all day； wondering all day what I could be
wanted for at such a distance； now I thought it might be for this
purpose； and now I thought it might be for that purpose； but I was
never； never； never near the truth。
It was night when I came to my journey’s end； and found my
Guardian waiting for me。 This was a great relief； for towards
evening I had begun to fear （the more so as his letter was a very
short one） that he might be ill。 However； there he was； as well as it
was possible to be； and when I saw his genial face again at its
brightest and best； I said to myself he has been doing some other
great kindness。 Not that it required much penetration to say that；
because I knew that his being there at all was an act of kindness。
Supper was ready at the hotel； and when we were alone at table
he said：
“Full of curiosity no doubt； little woman； to know why I have
brought you here？”
“Well； Guardian；” said I； “without thinking myself a Fatima； or
you a Blue Beard； I am a little curious about it。”
“Then to ensure your night’s rest； my love；” he returned； gaily；
“I won’t wait until tomorrow to tell you。 I have very much wished
to express to Woodcourt； somehow； my sense of his humanity to
poor unfortunate Jo； his inestimable services to my young cousins；
and his value to us all。 When it was decided that he should settle
here； it came into my head that I might ask his acceptance of some
unpretending and suitable little place； to lay his own head in。 I
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Bleak House 1174
therefore caused such a place to be looked out for； and such a
place was found on very easy terms； and I have been touching it
up for him and making it habitable。 However； when I walked over
it the day before yesterday； and it was reported ready； I found that
I was not housekeeper enough to know whether things were all as
they ought to be。 So I sent off for the best little housekeeper that
could possibly be got； to come and give me her advice and opinion。
And here she is；” said my Guardian； “laughing and crying both
together！”
Because he was so dear； so good； so admirable。 I tried to tell
him what I thought of him； but I could not articulate a word。
“Tut； tut！” said my Guardian。 “You make too much of it； little
woman。 Why how you sob； Dame Durden； how you sob！”
“It is with exquisite pleasure； Guardian—with a heart full of
thanks。”
“Well； well；” said he。 “I am delighted that you approve。 I
thought you would。 I meant it as a pleasant surprise for the little
mistress of Bleak House。”
I kissed him； and dried my eyes。 “I know now！” said I。 “I have
seen this in your face a long while。”
“No； have you really； my dear？” said he。 “What a Dame Durden
it is to read a face！”
He was so quaintly cheerful that I could not long be otherwise；
and was almost ashamed of having been otherwise at all。 When I
went to bed； I cried。 I am bound to confess that I cried； but I hope
it was with pleasure； though I am not quite sure it was with
pleasure。 I repeated every word of the letter twice over。
A most beautiful summer morning succeeded； and after
breakfast we went out arm in arm； to see the house of which I was
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Bleak House 1175
to give my mighty housekeeping opinion。 We entered a flower…
garden by a gate in a side wall； of which he had the key； and the
first thing I saw； was； that the beds and flowers were all laid out
according to the manner of my beds and flowers at home。
“You see； my dear；” observed my Guardian； standing still； with
a delighted face； to watch my looks； “knowing there could be no
better plan； I borrowed yours。”
We went on by a pretty little orchard； where the cherries were
nestling among the green leaves； and the shadows of the apple…
trees were sporting on the grass； to the house itself；—a cottage；
quite a rustic cottage of doll’s rooms； but such a lovely place； so
tranquil
