第21章

类别:其他 作者:Charles Dickens字数:25760更新时间:18/12/21 17:01:31
Standbackhere,foryourlives!’ Andinaninstanthewasfelledlikeanoxinthebutcher’sshambles——struckdownasthoughablockofmarblehadfallenfromtheroofandcrushedhim——andcheerfullight,andbeamingfacescamepouringin——andEmmawasclaspedinheruncle’sembrace,andDolly,withashriekthatpiercedtheair,fellintothearmsofherfatherandmother。 Whatfaintingtherewas,whatlaughing,whatcrying,whatsobbing,whatsmiling,howmuchquestioning,noanswering,alltalkingtogether,allbesidethemselveswithjoy;whatkissing,congratulating,embracing,shakingofhands,andfallingintoalltheseraptures,overandoverandoveragain;nolanguagecandescribe。 Atlength,andafteralongtime,theoldlocksmithwentupandfairlyhuggedtwostrangers,whohadstoodapartandleftthemtothemselves;andthentheysaw——whom?Yes,EdwardChesterandJosephWillet。 ’Seehere!’criedthelocksmith。’Seehere!wherewouldanyofushavebeenwithoutthesetwo?Oh,MrEdward,MrEdward——oh,Joe,Joe,howlight,andyethowfull,youhavemademyoldheartto- night!’ ’ItwasMrEdwardthatknockedhimdown,sir,’saidJoe:’Ilongedtodoit,butIgaveituptohim。Come,youbraveandhonestgentleman!Getyoursensestogether,foryouhaven’tlongtoliehere。’ Hehadhisfootuponthebreastoftheirshamdeliverer,intheabsenceofasparearm;andgavehimagentlerollashespoke。 Gashford,foritwasnoother,crouchingyetmalignant,raisedhisscowlingface,likesinsubdued,andpleadedtobegentlyused。 ’Ihaveaccesstoallmylord’spapers,MrHaredale,’hesaid,inasubmissivevoice:MrHaredalekeepinghisbacktowardshim,andnotoncelookinground:’thereareveryimportantdocumentsamongthem。 Thereareagreatmanyinsecretdrawers,anddistributedinvariousplaces,knownonlytomylordandme。Icangivesomeveryvaluableinformation,andrenderimportantassistancetoanyinquiry。Youwillhavetoanswerit,ifIreceiveillusage。 ’Pah!’criedJoe,indeepdisgust。’Getup,man;you’rewaitedfor,outside。Getup,doyouhear?’ Gashfordslowlyrose;andpickinguphishat,andlookingwithabaffledmalevolence,yetwithanairofdespicablehumility,allroundtheroom,crawledout。 ’Andnow,gentlemen,’saidJoe,whoseemedtobethespokesmanoftheparty,foralltherestweresilent;’thesoonerwegetbacktotheBlackLion,thebetter,perhaps。’ MrHaredalenoddedassent,anddrawinghisniece’sarmthroughhis,andtakingoneofherhandsbetweenhisown,passedoutstraightway;followedbythelocksmith,MrsVarden,andDolly——whowouldscarcelyhavepresentedasufficientsurfaceforallthehugsandcaressestheybestoweduponherthoughshehadbeenadozenDollys。EdwardChesterandJoefollowed。 AnddidDollyneveroncelookbehind——notonce?Wastherenotonelittlefleetingglimpseofthedarkeyelash,almostrestingonherflushedcheek,andofthedowncastsparklingeyeitshaded?Joethoughttherewas——andheisnotlikelytohavebeenmistaken;fortherewerenotmanyeyeslikeDolly’s,that’sthetruth。 Theouterroomthroughwhichtheyhadtopass,wasfullofmen; amongthem,MrDennisinsafekeeping;andthere,hadbeensinceyesterday,lyinginhidingbehindawoodenscreenwhichwasnowthrowndown,SimonTappertit,therecreant’prentice,burntandbruised,andwithagun-shotwoundinhisbody;andhislegs——hisperfectlegs,theprideandgloryofhislife,thecomfortofhisexistence——crushedintoshapelessugliness。Wonderingnolongeratthemoanstheyhadheard,Dollykeptclosertoherfather,andshudderedatthesight;butneitherbruises,burns,norgun-shotwound,norallthetortureofhisshatteredlimbs,senthalfsokeenapangtoSimon’sbreast,asDollypassingout,withJoeforherpreserver。 Acoachwasreadyatthedoor,andDollyfoundherselfsafeandwholeinside,betweenherfatherandmother,withEmmaHaredaleandheruncle,quitereal,sittingopposite。ButtherewasnoJoe,noEdward;andtheyhadsaidnothing。Theyhadonlybowedonce,andkeptatadistance。Dearheart!whatalongwayitwastotheBlackLion! Chapter72 TheBlackLionwassofaroff,andoccupiedsuchalengthoftimeinthegettingat,thatnotwithstandingthestrongpresumptiveevidenceshehadaboutherofthelateeventsbeingrealandofactualoccurrence,Dollycouldnotdivestherselfofthebeliefthatshemustbeinadreamwhichwaslastingallnight。Norwasshequitecertainthatshesawandheardwithherownpropersenses,evenwhenthecoach,inthefulnessoftime,stoppedattheBlackLion,andthehostofthattavernapproachedinagushofcheerfullighttohelpthemtodismount,andgivethemheartywelcome。 Theretoo,atthecoachdoor,oneononeside,oneupontheother,werealreadyEdwardChesterandJoeWillet,whomusthavefollowedinanothercoach:andthiswassuchastrangeandunaccountableproceeding,thatDollywasthemoreinclinedtofavourtheideaofherbeingfastasleep。ButwhenMrWilletappeared——oldJohnhimself——soheavy-headedandobstinate,andwithsuchadoublechinastheliveliestimaginationcouldneverinitsboldestflightshaveconjuredupinallitsvastproportions——thenshestoodcorrected,andunwillinglyadmittedtoherselfthatshewasbroadawake。 AndJoehadlostanarm——he——thatwell-made,handsome,gallantfellow!AsDollyglancedtowardshim,andthoughtofthepainhemusthavesuffered,andthefar-offplacesinwhichhehadbeenwandering,andwonderedwhohadbeenhisnurse,andhopedthatwhoeveritwas,shehadbeenaskindandgentleandconsiderateasshewouldhavebeen,thetearscamerisingtoherbrighteyes,onebyone,littlebylittle,untilshecouldkeepthembacknolonger,andsobeforethemall,weptbitterly。 ’Weareallsafenow,Dolly,’saidherfather,kindly。’Weshallnotbeseparatedanymore。Cheerup,mylove,cheerup!’ Thelocksmith’swifeknewbetterperhaps,thanhe,whatailedherdaughter。ButMrsVardenbeingquiteanalteredwoman——fortheriotshaddonethatgood——addedherwordtohis,andcomfortedherwithsimilarrepresentations。 ’Mayhap,’saidMrWillet,senior,lookingrounduponthecompany,’she’shungry。That’swhatitis,dependuponit——Iam,myself。’ TheBlackLion,who,likeoldJohn,hadbeenwaitingsupperpastallreasonableandconscionablehours,hailedthisasaphilosophicaldiscoveryoftheprofoundestandmostpenetratingkind;andthetablebeingalreadyspread,theysatdowntosupperstraightway。 Theconversationwasnotoftheliveliestnature,norweretheappetitesofsomeamongthemverykeen。But,inboththeserespects,oldJohnmorethanatonedforanydeficiencyonthepartoftherest,andverymuchdistinguishedhimself。 ItwasnotinpointofactualconversationthatMrWilletshonesobrilliantly,forhehadnoneofhisoldcroniesto’tackle,’andwasrathertimorousofventuringonJoe;havingcertainvaguemisgivingswithinhim,thathewasreadyontheshortestnotice,andonreceiptoftheslightestoffence,tofelltheBlackLiontothefloorofhisownparlour,andimmediatelytowithdrawtoChinaorsomeotherremoteandunknownregion,theretodwellforevermore,oratleastuntilhehadgotridofhisremainingarmandbothlegs,andperhapsaneyeorso,intothebargain。ItwaswithapeculiarkindofpantomimethatMrWilletfilledupeverypause; andinthishewasconsideredbytheBlackLion,whohadbeenhisfamiliarforsomeyears,quitetosurpassandgobeyondhimself,andoutruntheexpectationsofhismostadmiringfriends。 ThesubjectthatworkedinMrWillet’smind,andoccasionedthesedemonstrations,wasnootherthanhisson’sbodilydisfigurement,whichhehadneveryetgothimselfthoroughlytobelieve,orcomprehend。Shortlyaftertheirfirstmeeting,hehadbeenobservedtowander,inastateofgreatperplexity,tothekitchen,andtodirecthisgazetowardsthefire,asifinsearchofhisusualadviserinallmattersofdoubtanddifficulty。ButtherebeingnoboilerattheBlackLion,andtheriotershavingsobeatenandbatteredhisownthatitwasquiteunfitforfurtherservice,hewanderedoutagain,inaperfectbogofuncertaintyandmentalconfusion,andinthatstatetookthestrangestmeansofresolvinghisdoubts:suchasfeelingthesleeveofhisson’sgreatcoatasdeemingitpossiblethathisarmmightbethere;lookingathisownarmsandthoseofeverybodyelse,asiftoassurehimselfthattwoandnotonewastheusualallowance;sittingbythehourtogetherinabrownstudy,asifhewereendeavouringtorecallJoe’simageinhisyoungerdays,andtorememberwhetherhereallyhadinthosetimesonearmorapair;andemployinghimselfinmanyotherspeculationsofthesamekind。 Findinghimselfatthissupper,surroundedbyfaceswithwhichhehadbeensowellacquaintedinoldtimes,MrWilletrecurredtothesubjectwithuncommonvigour;apparentlyresolvedtounderstanditnowornever。Sometimes,aftereverytwoorthreemouthfuls,helaiddownhisknifeandfork,andstaredathissonwithallhismight——particularlyathismaimedside;then,helookedslowlyroundthetableuntilhecaughtsomeperson’seye,whenheshookhisheadwithgreatsolemnity,pattedhisshoulder,winked,orasonemaysay——forwinkingwasaveryslowprocesswithhim——wenttosleepwithoneeyeforaminuteortwo;andso,withanothersolemnshakingofhishead,tookuphisknifeandforkagain,andwentoneating。Sometimes,heputhisfoodintohismouthabstractedly,and,withallhisfacultiesconcentratedonJoe,gazedathiminafitofstupefactionashecuthismeatwithonehand,untilhewasrecalledtohimselfbysymptomsofchokingonhisownpart,andwasbythatmeansrestoredtoconsciousness。Atothertimesheresortedtosuchsmalldevicesasaskinghimforthesalt,thepepper,thevinegar,themustard——anythingthatwasonhismaimedside——andwatchinghimashehandedit。Bydintoftheseexperiments,hedidatlastsosatisfyandconvincehimself,that,afteralongersilencethanhehadyetmaintained,helaiddownhisknifeandforkoneithersidehisplate,drankalongdraughtfromatankardbesidehim(stillkeepinghiseyesonJoe),andleaningbackwardinhischairandfetchingalongbreath,said,ashelookedallroundtheboard: ’It’sbeentookoff!’ ’ByGeorge!’saidtheBlackLion,strikingthetablewithhishand,’he’sgotit!’ ’Yes,sir,’saidMrWillet,withthelookofamanwhofeltthathehadearnedacompliment,anddeservedit。’That’swhereitis。 It’sbeentookoff。’ ’Tellhimwhereitwasdone,’saidtheBlackLiontoJoe。 ’AtthedefenceoftheSavannah,father。’ ’AtthedefenceoftheSalwanners,’repeatedMrWillet,softly; againlookingroundthetable。 ’InAmerica,wherethewaris,’saidJoe。 ’InAmerica,wherethewaris,’repeatedMrWillet。’ItwastookoffinthedefenceoftheSalwannersinAmericawherethewaris。’ Continuingtorepeatthesewordstohimselfinalowtoneofvoice(thesameinformationhadbeenconveyedtohiminthesameterms,atleastfiftytimesbefore),MrWilletarosefromtable,walkedroundtoJoe,felthisemptysleeveallthewayup,fromthecuff,towherethestumpofhisarmremained;shookhishand;lightedhispipeatthefire,tookalongwhiff,walkedtothedoor,turnedroundoncewhenhehadreachedit,wipedhislefteyewiththebackofhisforefinger,andsaid,inafalteringvoice:’Myson’sarm—— wastookoff——atthedefenceofthe——Salwanners——inAmerica——wherethewaris’——withwhichwordshewithdrew,andreturnednomorethatnight。 Indeed,onvariouspretences,theyallwithdrewoneafteranother,saveDolly,whowasleftsittingtherealone。Itwasagreatrelieftobealone,andshewascryingtoherheart’scontent,whensheheardJoe’svoiceattheendofthepassage,biddingsomebodygoodnight。 Goodnight!Thenhewasgoingelsewhere——tosomedistance,perhaps。TowhatkindofhomeCOULDhebegoing,nowthatitwassolate! Sheheardhimwalkalongthepassage,andpassthedoor。Buttherewasahesitationinhisfootsteps。Heturnedback——Dolly’sheartbeathigh——helookedin。 ’Goodnight!’——hedidn’tsayDolly,buttherewascomfortinhisnotsayingMissVarden。 ’Goodnight!’sobbedDolly。 ’Iamsorryyoutakeonsomuch,forwhatispastandgone,’saidJoekindly。’Don’t。Ican’tbeartoseeyoudoit。Thinkofitnolonger。Youaresafeandhappynow。’ Dollycriedthemore。 ’Youmusthavesufferedverymuchwithinthesefewdays——andyetyou’renotchanged,unlessit’sforthebetter。Theysaidyouwere,butIdon’tseeit。Youwere——youwerealwaysverybeautiful,’saidJoe,’butyouaremorebeautifulthanever,now。 Youareindeed。Therecanbenoharminmysayingso,foryoumustknowit。Youaretoldsoveryoften,Iamsure。’ Asageneralprinciple,DollyDIDknowit,andWAStoldso,veryoften。Butthecoachmakerhadturnedout,yearsago,tobeaspecialdonkey;andwhethershehadbeenafraidofmakingsimilardiscoveriesinothers,orhadgrownbydintoflongcustomtobecarelessofcomplimentsgenerally,certainitisthatalthoughshecriedsomuch,shewasbetterpleasedtobetoldsonow,thanevershehadbeeninallherlife。 ’Ishallblessyourname,’sobbedthelocksmith’slittledaughter,’aslongasIlive。Ishallneverhearitspokenwithoutfeelingasifmyheartwouldburst。Ishallrememberitinmyprayers,everynightandmorningtillIdie!’ ’Willyou?’saidJoe,eagerly。’Willyouindeed?Itmakesme—— well,itmakesmeverygladandproudtohearyousayso。’ Dollystillsobbed,andheldherhandkerchieftohereyes。Joestillstood,lookingather。 ’Yourvoice,’saidJoe,’bringsupoldtimessopleasantly,that,forthemoment,Ifeelasifthatnight——therecanbenoharmintalkingofthatnightnow——hadcomeback,andnothinghadhappenedinthemeantime。IfeelasifIhadn’tsufferedanyhardships,buthadknockeddownpoorTomCobbonlyyesterday,andhadcometoseeyouwithmybundleonmyshoulderbeforerunningaway——Youremember?’ Remember!Butshesaidnothing。Sheraisedhereyesforaninstant。Itwasbutaglance;alittle,tearful,timidglance。ItkeptJoesilentthough,foralongtime。 ’Well!’hesaidstoutly,’itwastobeotherwise,andwas。Ihavebeenabroad,fightingallthesummerandfrozenupallthewinter,eversince。IhavecomebackaspoorinpurseasIwent,andcrippledforlifebesides。But,Dolly,Iwouldratherhavelostthisotherarm——ay,Iwouldratherhavelostmyhead——thanhavecomebacktofindyoudead,oranythingbutwhatIalwayspicturedyoutomyself,andwhatIalwayshopedandwishedtofindyou。 ThankGodforall!’ Ohhowmuch,andhowkeenly,thelittlecoquetteoffiveyearsago,feltnow!Shehadfoundherheartatlast。Neverhavingknownitsworthtillnow,shehadneverknowntheworthofhis。Howpricelessitappeared! ’Ididhopeonce,’saidJoe,inhishomelyway,’thatImightcomebackarichman,andmarryyou。ButIwasaboythen,andhavelongknownbetterthanthat。Iamapoor,maimed,dischargedsoldier,andmustbecontenttorubthroughlifeasIcan。Ican’tsay,evennow,thatIshallbegladtoseeyoumarried,Dolly;butIAMglad——yes,Iam,andgladtothinkIcansayso——toknowthatyouareadmiredandcourted,andcanpickandchooseforahappylife。It’sacomforttometoknowthatyou’lltalktoyourhusbandaboutme;andIhopethetimewillcomewhenImaybeabletolikehim,andtoshakehandswithhim,andtocomeandseeyouasapoorfriendwhoknewyouwhenyouwereagirl。Godblessyou!’ HishandDIDtremble;butforallthat,hetookitawayagain,andlefther。 Chapter73 BythisFridaynight——foritwasonFridayintheriotweek,thatEmmaandDollywererescued,bythetimelyaidofJoeandEdwardChester——thedisturbanceswereentirelyquelled,andpeaceandorderwererestoredtotheaffrightedcity。True,afterwhathadhappened,itwasimpossibleforanymantosayhowlongthisbetterstateofthingsmightlast,orhowsuddenlynewoutrages,exceedingeventhosesolatelywitnessed,mightburstforthandfillitsstreetswithruinandbloodshed;forthisreason,thosewhohadfledfromtherecenttumultsstillkeptatadistance,andmanyfamilies,hithertounabletoprocurethemeansofflight,nowavailedthemselvesofthecalm,andwithdrewintothecountry。Theshops,too,fromTyburntoWhitechapel,werestillshut;andverylittlebusinesswastransactedinanyoftheplacesofgreatcommercialresort。But,notwithstanding,andinspiteofthemelancholyforebodingsofthatnumerousclassofsocietywhoseewiththegreatestclearnessintothedarkestperspectives,thetownremainedprofoundlyquiet。Thestrongmilitaryforcedisposedineveryadvantageousquarter,andstationedateverycommandingpoint,heldthescatteredfragmentsofthemobincheck;thesearchafterrioterswasprosecutedwithunrelentingvigour;andiftherewereanyamongthemsodesperateandrecklessastobeinclined,aftertheterriblescenestheyhadbeheld,toventureforthagain,theyweresodauntedbytheseresolutemeasures,thattheyquicklyshrunkintotheirhiding-places,andhadnothoughtbutfortheirsafety。 Inaword,thecrowdwasutterlyrouted。Upwardsoftwohundredhadbeenshotdeadinthestreets。Twohundredandfiftymorewerelying,badlywounded,inthehospitals;ofwhomseventyoreightydiedwithinashorttimeafterwards。Ahundredwerealreadyincustody,andmoreweretakeneveryhour。Howmanyperishedintheconflagrations,orbytheirownexcesses,isunknown;butthatnumbersfoundaterriblegraveinthehotashesoftheflamestheyhadkindled,orcreptintovaultsandcellarstodrinkinsecretortonursetheirsores,andneversawthelightagain,iscertain。 Whentheembersofthefireshadbeenblackandcoldformanyweeks,thelabourers’spadesprovedthis,beyondadoubt。 Seventy-twoprivatehousesandfourstrongjailsweredestroyedinthefourgreatdaysoftheseriots。Thetotallossofproperty,asestimatedbythesufferers,wasonehundredandfifty-fivethousandpounds;atthelowestandleastpartialestimateofdisinterestedpersons,itexceededonehundredandtwenty-fivethousandpounds。 Forthisimmenseloss,compensationwassoonafterwardsmadeoutofthepublicpurse,inpursuanceofavoteoftheHouseofCommons; thesumbeingleviedonthevariouswardsinthecity,onthecounty,andtheboroughofSouthwark。BothLordMansfieldandLordSaville,however,whohadbeengreatsufferers,refusedtoacceptofanycompensationwhatever。 TheHouseofCommons,sittingonTuesdaywithlockedandguardeddoors,hadpassedaresolutiontotheeffectthat,assoonasthetumultssubsided,itwouldimmediatelyproceedtoconsiderthepetitionspresentedfrommanyofhisMajesty’sProtestantsubjects,andwouldtakethesameintoitsseriousconsideration。Whilethisquestionwasunderdebate,MrHerbert,oneofthememberspresent,indignantlyroseandcalledupontheHousetoobservethatLordGeorgeGordonwasthensittingunderthegallerywiththebluecockade,thesignalofrebellion,inhishat。Hewasnotonlyobliged,bythosewhosatnear,totakeitout;butofferingtogointothestreettopacifythemobwiththesomewhatindefiniteassurancethattheHousewaspreparedtogivethem’thesatisfactiontheysought,’wasactuallyhelddowninhisseatbythecombinedforceofseveralmembers。Inshort,thedisorderandviolencewhichreignedtriumphantoutofdoors,penetratedintothesenate,andthere,aselsewhere,terrorandalarmprevailed,andordinaryformswereforthetimeforgotten。 OntheThursday,bothHouseshadadjourneduntilthefollowingMondayse’nnight,declaringitimpossibletopursuetheirdeliberationswiththenecessarygravityandfreedom,whiletheyweresurroundedbyarmedtroops。Andnowthattheriotersweredispersed,thecitizenswerebesetwithanewfear;for,findingthepublicthoroughfaresandalltheirusualplacesofresortfilledwithsoldiersentrustedwiththefreeuseoffireandsword,theybegantolendagreedyeartotherumourswhichwereafloatofmartiallawbeingdeclared,andtodismalstoriesofprisonershavingbeenseenhangingonlamp-postsinCheapsideandFleetStreet。TheseterrorsbeingpromptlydispelledbyaProclamationdeclaringthatalltheriotersincustodywouldbetriedbyaspecialcommissioninduecourseoflaw,afreshalarmwasengenderedbyitsbeingwhisperedabroadthatFrenchmoneyhadbeenfoundonsomeoftherioters,andthatthedisturbanceshadbeenfomentedbyforeignpowerswhosoughttocompasstheoverthrowandruinofEngland。Thisreport,whichwasstrengthenedbythediffusionofanonymoushandbills,butwhich,ifithadanyfoundationatall,probablyoweditsorigintothecircumstanceofsomefewcoinswhichwerenotEnglishmoneyhavingbeensweptintothepocketsoftheinsurgentswithothermiscellaneousbooty,andafterwardsdiscoveredontheprisonersorthedeadbodies,——causedagreatsensation;andmen’smindsbeinginthatexcitedstatewhentheyaremostapttocatchatanyshadowofapprehension,wasbruitedaboutwithmuchindustry。 Allremainingquiet,however,duringthewholeofthisFriday,andonthisFridaynight,andnonewdiscoveriesbeingmade,confidencebegantoberestored,andthemosttimidanddespondingbreathedagain。InSouthwark,nofewerthanthreethousandoftheinhabitantsformedthemselvesintoawatch,andpatrolledthestreetseveryhour。Norwerethecitizensslowtofollowsogoodanexample:anditbeingthemannerofpeacefulmentobeveryboldwhenthedangerisover,theywereabundantlyfierceanddaring; notscruplingtoquestionthestoutestpassengerwithgreatseverity,andcarryingitwithaveryhighhandoverallerrand- boys,servant-girls,and’prentices。 Asdaydeepenedintoevening,anddarknesscreptintothenooksandcornersofthetownasifitweremusteringinsecretandgatheringstrengthtoventureintotheopenways,Barnabysatinhisdungeon,wonderingatthesilence,andlisteninginvainforthenoiseandoutcrywhichhadusheredinthenightoflate。Besidehim,withhishandinhers,satoneinwhosecompanionshiphefeltatpeace。 Shewasworn,andaltered,fullofgrief,andheavy-hearted;butthesametohim。 ’Mother,’hesaid,afteralongsilence:’howlong,——howmanydaysandnights,——shallIbekepthere?’ ’Notmany,dear。Ihopenotmany。’ ’Youhope!Ay,butyourhopingwillnotundothesechains。I hope,buttheydon’tmindthat。Griphopes,butwhocaresforGrip?’ Theravengaveashort,dull,melancholycroak。Itsaid’Nobody,’ asplainlyasacroakcouldspeak。 ’WhocaresforGrip,exceptyouandme?’saidBarnaby,smoothingthebird’srumpledfeatherswithhishand。’Heneverspeaksinthisplace;heneversaysawordinjail;hesitsandmopesalldayinhisdarkcorner,dozingsometimes,andsometimeslookingatthelightthatcreepsinthroughthebars,andshinesinhisbrighteyeasifasparkfromthosegreatfireshadfallenintotheroomandwasburningyet。ButwhocaresforGrip?’ Theravencroakedagain——Nobody。 ’Andbytheway,’saidBarnaby,withdrawinghishandfromthebird,andlayingituponhismother’sarm,ashelookedeagerlyinherface;’iftheykillme——theymay:Ihearditsaidtheywould——whatwillbecomeofGripwhenIamdead?’ Thesoundoftheword,orthecurrentofhisownthoughts,suggestedtoGriphisoldphrase’Neversaydie!’Buthestoppedshortinthemiddleofit,drewadismalcork,andsubsidedintoafaintcroak,asifhelackedthehearttogetthroughtheshortestsentence。 ’WilltheytakeHISlifeaswellasmine?’saidBarnaby。’Iwishtheywould。IfyouandIandhecoulddietogether,therewouldbenonetofeelsorry,ortogrieveforus。Butdowhattheywill,I don’tfearthem,mother!’ ’Theywillnotharmyou,’shesaid,hertearschokingherutterance。’Theyneverwillharmyou,whentheyknowall。Iamsuretheyneverwill。’ ’Oh!Don’tbetoosureofthat,’criedBarnaby,withastrangepleasureinthebeliefthatshewasself-deceived,andinhisownsagacity。’Theyhavemarkedmefromthefirst。Iheardthemsaysotoeachotherwhentheybroughtmetothisplacelastnight;andIbelievethem。Don’tyoucryforme。TheysaidthatIwasbold,andsoIam,andsoIwillbe。YoumaythinkthatIamsilly,butIcandieaswellasanother——Ihavedonenoharm,haveI?’headdedquickly。 ’NonebeforeHeaven,’sheanswered。 ’Whythen,’saidBarnaby,’letthemdotheirworst。Youtoldmeonce——you——whenIaskedyouwhatdeathmeant,thatitwasnothingtobefeared,ifwedidnoharm——Aha!mother,youthoughtIhadforgottenthat!’ Hismerrylaughandplayfulmannersmotehertotheheart。Shedrewhimclosertoher,andbesoughthimtotalktoherinwhispersandtobeveryquiet,foritwasgettingdark,andtheirtimewasshort,andshewouldsoonhavetoleavehimforthenight。 ’Youwillcometo-morrow?’saidBarnaby。 Yes。Andeveryday。Andtheywouldneverpartagain。 Hejoyfullyrepliedthatthiswaswell,andwhathewished,andwhathehadfeltquitecertainshewouldtellhim;andthenheaskedherwhereshehadbeensolong,andwhyshehadnotcometoseehimwhenhehadbeenagreatsoldier,andranthroughthewildschemeshehadhadfortheirbeingrichandlivingprosperously,andwithsomefaintnotioninhismindthatshewassadandhehadmadeherso,triedtoconsoleandcomforther,andtalkedoftheirformerlifeandhisoldsportsandfreedom:littledreamingthateverywordheutteredonlyincreasedhersorrow,andthathertearsfellfasteratthefreshenedrecollectionoftheirlosttranquillity。 ’Mother,’saidBarnaby,astheyheardthemanapproachingtoclosethecellsforthenight,’whenIspoketoyoujustnowaboutmyfatheryoucried“Hush!“andturnedawayyourhead。Whydidyoudoso?Tellmewhy,inaword。YouthoughtHEwasdead。Youarenotsorrythatheisaliveandhascomebacktous。Whereishe? Here?’ ’Donotaskanyonewhereheis,orspeakabouthim,’shemadeanswer。 ’Whynot?’saidBarnaby。’Becauseheisasternman,andtalksroughly?Well!Idon’tlikehim,orwanttobewithhimbymyself;butwhynotspeakabouthim?’ ’BecauseIamsorrythatheisalive;sorrythathehascomeback; andsorrythatheandyouhaveevermet。Because,dearBarnaby,theendeavourofmylifehasbeentokeepyoutwoasunder。’ ’Fatherandsonasunder!Why?’ ’Hehas,’shewhisperedinhisear,’hehasshedblood。Thetimehascomewhenyoumustknowit。Hehasshedthebloodofonewholovedhimwell,andtrustedhim,andneverdidhimwronginwordordeed。’ Barnabyrecoiledinhorror,andglancingathisstainedwristforaninstant,wrappedit,shuddering,inhisdress。 ’But,’sheaddedhastilyasthekeyturnedinthelock,’althoughweshunhim,heisyourfather,dearest,andIamhiswretchedwife。Theyseekhislife,andhewillloseit。Itmustnotbebyourmeans;nay,ifwecouldwinhimbacktopenitence,weshouldbeboundtolovehimyet。Donotseemtoknowhim,exceptasonewhofledwithyoufromthejail,andiftheyquestionyouabouthim,donotanswerthem。Godbewithyouthroughthenight,dearboy!Godbewithyou!’ Shetoreherselfaway,andinafewsecondsBarnabywasalone。Hestoodforalongtimerootedtothespot,withhisfacehiddeninhishands;thenflunghimself,sobbing,onhismiserablebed。 Butthemooncameslowlyupinallhergentleglory,andthestarslookedout,andthroughthesmallcompassofthegratedwindow,asthroughthenarrowcreviceofonegooddeedinamurkylifeofguilt,thefaceofHeavenshonebrightandmerciful。Heraisedhishead;gazedupwardatthequietsky,whichseemedtosmileupontheearthinsadness,asifthenight,morethoughtfulthantheday,lookeddowninsorrowonthesufferingsandevildeedsofmen;andfeltitspeacesinkdeepintohisheart。He,apooridiot,cagedinhisnarrowcell,wasasmuchlifteduptoGod,whilegazingonthemildlight,asthefreestandmostfavouredmaninallthespaciouscity;andinhisill-rememberedprayer,andinthefragmentofthechildishhymn,withwhichhesungandcroonedhimselfasleep,therebreathedastrueaspiritaseverstudiedhomilyexpressed,oroldcathedralarchesechoed。 Ashismothercrossedayardonherwayout,shesaw,throughagrateddoorwhichseparateditfromanothercourt,herhusband,walkingroundandround,withhishandsfoldedonhisbreast,andhisheadhungdown。Sheaskedthemanwhoconductedher,ifshemightspeakawordwiththisprisoner。Yes,butshemustbequickforhewaslockingupforthenight,andtherewasbutaminuteorsotospare。Sayingthis,heunlockedthedoor,andbadehergoin。 Itgratedharshlyasitturneduponitshinges,buthewasdeaftothenoise,andstillwalkedroundandroundthelittlecourt,withoutraisinghisheadorchanginghisattitudeintheleast。 Shespoketohim,buthervoicewasweak,andfailedher。Atlengthsheputherselfinhistrack,andwhenhecamenear,stretchedoutherhandandtouchedhim。 Hestartedbackward,tremblingfromheadtofoot;butseeingwhoitwas,demandedwhyshecamethere。Beforeshecouldreply,hespokeagain。 ’AmItoliveordie?Doyoumurdertoo,orspare?’ ’Myson——ourson,’sheanswered,’isinthisprison。’ ’Whatisthattome?’hecried,stampingimpatientlyonthestonepavement。’Iknowit。HecannomoreaidmethanIcanaidhim。 Ifyouarecometotalkofhim,begone!’ Ashespokeheresumedhiswalk,andhurriedroundthecourtasbefore。Whenhecameagaintowhereshestood,hestopped,andsaid,’AmItoliveordie?Doyourepent?’ ’Oh!——doYOU?’sheanswered。’Willyou,whiletimeremains?DonotbelievethatIcouldsaveyou,ifIdared。’ ’Sayifyouwould,’heansweredwithanoath,ashetriedtodisengagehimselfandpasson。’Sayifyouwould。’ ’Listentomeforonemoment,’shereturned;’forbutamoment。I ambutnewlyrisenfromasick-bed,fromwhichIneverhopedtoriseagain。Thebestamongusthink,atsuchatime,ofgoodintentionshalf-performedanddutiesleftundone。IfIhaveever,sincethatfatalnight,omittedtoprayforyourrepentancebeforedeath——ifIomitted,eventhen,anythingwhichmighttendtourgeitonyouwhenthehorrorofyourcrimewasfresh——if,inourlatermeeting,Iyieldedtothedreadthatwasuponme,andforgottofalluponmykneesandsolemnlyadjureyou,inthenameofhimyousenttohisaccountwithHeaven,topreparefortheretributionwhichmustcome,andwhichisstealingonyounow——Ihumblybeforeyou,andintheagonyofsupplicationinwhichyouseeme,beseechthatyouwillletmemakeatonement。’ ’Whatisthemeaningofyourcantingwords?’heansweredroughly。 ’SpeaksothatImayunderstandyou。’ ’Iwill,’sheanswered,’Idesireto。Bearwithmeforamomentmore。ThehandofHimwhosetHiscurseonmurder,isheavyonusnow。Youcannotdoubtit。Ourson,ourinnocentboy,onwhomHisangerfellbeforehisbirth,isinthisplaceinperilofhislife—— broughtherebyyourguilt;yes,bythatalone,asHeavenseesandknows,forhehasbeenledastrayinthedarknessofhisintellect,andthatistheterribleconsequenceofyourcrime。’ ’Ifyoucome,woman-like,toloadmewithreproaches——’hemuttered,againendeavouringtobreakaway。 ’Idonot。Ihaveadifferentpurpose。Youmusthearit。Ifnotto-night,to-morrow;ifnotto-morrow,atanothertime。YouMUST hearit。Husband,escapeishopeless——impossible。’ ’Youtellmeso,doyou?’hesaid,raisinghismanacledhand,andshakingit。’You!’ ’Yes,’shesaid,withindescribableearnestness。’Butwhy?’ ’Tomakemeeasyinthisjail。Tomakethetime’twixtthisanddeath,passpleasantly。Formygood——yes,formygood,ofcourse,’hesaid,grindinghisteeth,andsmilingatherwithalividface。 ’Nottoloadyouwithreproaches,’shereplied;’nottoaggravatethetorturesandmiseriesofyourcondition,nottogiveyouonehardword,buttorestoreyoutopeaceandhope。Husband,dearhusband,ifyouwillbutconfessthisdreadfulcrime;ifyouwillbutimploreforgivenessofHeavenandofthosewhomyouhavewrongedonearth;ifyouwilldismissthesevainuneasythoughts,whichnevercanberealised,andwillrelyonPenitenceandontheTruth,Ipromiseyou,inthegreatnameoftheCreator,whoseimageyouhavedefaced,thatHewillcomfortandconsoleyou。Andformyself,’shecried,claspingherhands,andlookingupward,’I swearbeforeHim,asHeknowsmyheartandreadsitnow,thatfromthathourIwillloveandcherishyouasIdidofold,andwatchyounightanddayintheshortintervalthatwillremaintous,andsootheyouwithmytruestloveandduty,andpraywithyou,thatonethreateningjudgmentmaybearrested,andthatourboymaybesparedtoblessGod,inhispoorway,inthefreeairandlight!’ Hefellbackandgazedatherwhileshepouredoutthesewords,asthoughhewereforamomentawedbyhermanner,andknewnotwhattodo。Butangerandfearsoongotthemasteryofhim,andhespurnedherfromhim。 ’Begone!’hecried。’Leaveme!Youplot,doyou!Youplottogetspeechwithme,andletthemknowIamthemantheysayIam。 Acurseonyouandonyourboy。’ ’Onhimthecursehasalreadyfallen,’shereplied,wringingherhands。 ’Letitfallheavier。Letitfallononeandall。Ihateyouboth。Theworsthascometome。TheonlycomfortthatIseekorI canhave,willbetheknowledgethatitcomestoyou。Nowgo!’ Shewouldhaveurgedhimgently,eventhen,buthemenacedherwithhischain。 ’Isaygo——Isayitforthelasttime。Thegallowshasmeinitsgrasp,anditisablackphantomthatmayurgemeontosomethingmore。Begone!IcursethehourthatIwasborn,themanIslew,andallthelivingworld!’ Inaparoxysmofwrath,andterror,andthefearofdeath,hebrokefromher,andrushedintothedarknessofhiscell,wherehecasthimselfjanglingdownuponthestonefloor,andsmoteitwithhisironedhands。Themanreturnedtolockthedungeondoor,andhavingdoneso,carriedheraway。 Onthatwarm,balmynightinJune,thereweregladfacesandlightheartsinallquartersofthetown,andsleep,banishedbythelatehorrors,wasdoublywelcomed。Onthatnight,familiesmademerryintheirhouses,andgreetedeachotheronthecommondangertheyhadescaped;andthosewhohadbeendenounced,venturedintothestreets;andtheywhohadbeenplundered,gotgoodshelter。EventhetimorousLordMayor,whowassummonedthatnightbeforethePrivyCounciltoanswerforhisconduct,camebackcontented; observingtoallhisfriendsthathehadgotoffverywellwithareprimand,andrepeatingwithhugesatisfactionhismemorabledefencebeforetheCouncil,’thatsuchwashistemerity,hethoughtdeathwouldhavebeenhisportion。’ Onthatnight,too,moreofthescatteredremnantsofthemobweretracedtotheirlurking-places,andtaken;andinthehospitals,anddeepamongtheruinstheyhadmade,andintheditches,andfields,manyunshroudedwretcheslaydead:enviedbythosewhohadbeenactiveinthedisturbances,andwhopillowedtheirdoomedheadsinthetemporaryjails。 AndintheTower,inadrearyroomwhosethickstonewallsshutoutthehumoflife,andmadeastillnesswhichtherecordsleftbyformerprisonerswiththosesilentwitnessesseemedtodeepenandintensify;remorsefulforeveryactthathadbeendonebyeverymanamongthecruelcrowd;feelingforthetimetheirguilthisown,andtheirlivesputinperilbyhimself;andfinding,amidstsuchreflections,littlecomfortinfanaticism,orinhisfanciedcall; sattheunhappyauthorofall——LordGeorgeGordon。 Hehadbeenmadeprisonerthatevening。’Ifyouaresureit’smeyouwant,’hesaidtotheofficers,whowaitedoutsidewiththewarrantforhisarrestonachargeofHighTreason,’Iamreadytoaccompanyyou——’whichhedidwithoutresistance。HewasconductedfirstbeforethePrivyCouncil,andafterwardstotheHorseGuards,andthenwastakenbywayofWestminsterBridge,andbackoverLondonBridge(forthepurposeofavoidingthemainstreets),totheTower,underthestrongestguardeverknowntoenteritsgateswithasingleprisoner。 Ofallhisfortythousandmen,notoneremainedtobearhimcompany。Friends,dependents,followers,——nonewerethere。Hisfawningsecretaryhadplayedthetraitor;andhewhoseweaknesshadbeengoadedandurgedonbysomanyfortheirownpurposes,wasdesolateandalone。 Chapter74 MeDennis,havingbeenmadeprisonerlateintheevening,wasremovedtoaneighbouringround-houseforthatnight,andcarriedbeforeajusticeforexaminationonthenextday,Saturday。Thechargesagainsthimbeingnumerousandweighty,anditbeinginparticularproved,bythetestimonyofGabrielVarden,thathehadshownaspecialdesiretotakehislife,hewascommittedfortrial。Moreoverhewashonouredwiththedistinctionofbeingconsideredachiefamongtheinsurgents,andreceivedfromthemagistrate’slipsthecomplimentaryassurancethathewasinapositionofimminentdanger,andwoulddowelltopreparehimselffortheworst。 TosaythatMrDennis’smodestywasnotsomewhatstartledbythesehonours,orthathewasaltogetherpreparedforsoflatteringareception,wouldbetoclaimforhimagreateramountofstoicalphilosophythanevenhepossessed。Indeedthisgentleman’sstoicismwasofthatnotuncommonkind,whichenablesamantobearwithexemplaryfortitudetheafflictionsofhisfriends,butrendershim,bywayofcounterpoise,ratherselfishandsensitiveinrespectofanythathappentobefallhimself。Itisthereforenodisparagementtothegreatofficerinquestiontostate,withoutdisguiseorconcealment,thathewasatfirstverymuchalarmed,andthathebetrayeddiversemotionsoffear,untilhisreasoningpowerscametohisrelief,andsetbeforehimamorehopefulprospect。 InproportionasMrDennisexercisedtheseintellectualqualitieswithwhichhewasgifted,inreviewinghisbestchancesofcomingoffhandsomelyandwithsmallpersonalinconvenience,hisspiritsrose,andhisconfidenceincreased。Whenherememberedthegreatestimationinwhichhisofficewasheld,andtheconstantdemandforhisservices;whenhebethoughthimself,howtheStatuteBookregardedhimasakindofUniversalMedicineapplicabletomen,women,andchildren,ofeveryageandvarietyofcriminalconstitution;andhowhighhestood,inhisofficialcapacity,inthefavouroftheCrown,andbothHousesofParliament,theMint,theBankofEngland,andtheJudgesoftheland;whenherecollectedthatwhateverMinistrywasinorout,heremainedtheirpeculiarpetandpanacea,andthatforhissakeEnglandstoodsingleandconspicuousamongthecivilisednationsoftheearth: whenhecalledthesethingstomindanddweltuponthem,hefeltcertainthatthenationalgratitudeMUSTrelievehimfromtheconsequencesofhislateproceedings,andwouldcertainlyrestorehimtohisoldplaceinthehappysocialsystem。 Withthesecrumbs,orasonemaysay,withthesewholeloavesofcomforttoregaleupon,MrDennistookhisplaceamongtheescortthatawaitedhim,andrepairedtojailwithamanlyindifference。 ArrivingatNewgate,wheresomeoftheruinedcellshadbeenhastilyfittedupforthesafekeepingofrioters,hewaswarmlyreceivedbytheturnkeys,asanunusualandinterestingcase,whichagreeablyrelievedtheirmonotonousduties。Inthisspirit,hewasfetteredwithgreatcare,andconveyedintotheinterioroftheprison。 ’Brother,’criedthehangman,as,followinganofficer,hetraversedunderthesenovelcircumstancestheremainsofpassageswithwhichhewaswellacquainted,’amIgoingtobealongwithanybody?’ ’Ifyou’dhaveleftmorewallsstanding,you’dhavebeenalone,’ wasthereply。’Asitis,we’recrampedforroom,andyou’llhavecompany。’ ’Well,’returnedDennis,’Idon’tobjecttocompany,brother。I ratherlikecompany。Iwasformedforsociety,Iwas。’ ’That’sratherapity,an’tit?’saidtheman。 ’No,’answeredDennis,’I’mnotawarethatitis。Whyshoulditbeapity,brother?’ ’Oh!Idon’tknow,’saidthemancarelessly。’Ithoughtthatwaswhatyoumeant。Beingformedforsociety,andbeingcutoffinyourflower,youknow——’ ’Isay,’interposedtheotherquickly,’whatareyoutalkingof? Don’t。Who’sa-goingtobecutoffintheirflowers?’ ’Oh,nobodyparticular。Ithoughtyouwas,perhaps,’saidtheman。 MrDenniswipedhisface,whichhadsuddenlygrownveryhot,andremarkinginatremulousvoicetohisconductorthathehadalwaysbeenfondofhisjoke,followedhiminsilenceuntilhestoppedatadoor。 ’Thisismyquarters,isit?’heaskedfacetiously。 ’Thisistheshop,sir,’repliedhisfriend。 Hewaswalkingin,butnotwiththebestpossiblegrace,whenhesuddenlystopped,andstartedback。 ’Halloa!’saidtheofficer。’You’renervous。’ ’Nervous!’whisperedDennisingreatalarm。’WellImaybe。Shutthedoor。’ ’Iwill,whenyou’rein,’returnedtheman。 ’ButIcan’tgointhere,’whisperedDennis。’Ican’tbeshutupwiththatman。Doyouwantmetobethrottled,brother?’ Theofficerseemedtoentertainnoparticulardesireonthesubjectonewayorother,butbrieflyremarkingthathehadhisorders,andintendedtoobeythem,pushedhimin,turnedthekey,andretired。 Dennisstoodtremblingwithhisbackagainstthedoor,andinvoluntarilyraisinghisarmtodefendhimself,staredataman,theonlyothertenantofthecell,wholay,stretchedathisfalllength,uponastonebench,andwhopausedinhisdeepbreathingasifhewereabouttowake。Butherolledoverononeside,lethisarmfallnegligentlydown,drewalongsigh,andmurmuringindistinctly,fellfastasleepagain。 Relievedinsomedegreebythis,thehangmantookhiseyesforaninstantfromtheslumberingfigure,andglancedroundthecellinsearchofsome’vantage-groundorweaponofdefence。Therewasnothingmoveablewithinit,butaclumsytablewhichcouldnotbedisplacedwithoutnoise,andaheavychair。Stealingontiptoetowardsthislatterpieceoffurniture,heretiredwithitintotheremotestcorner,andintrenchinghimselfbehindit,watchedtheenemywiththeutmostvigilanceandcaution。 ThesleepingmanwasHugh;andperhapsitwasnotunnaturalforDennistofeelinastateofveryuncomfortablesuspense,andtowishwithhiswholesoulthathemightneverwakeagain。Tiredofstanding,hecroucheddowninhiscorneraftersometime,andrestedonthecoldpavement;butalthoughHugh’sbreathingstillproclaimedthathewassleepingsoundly,hecouldnottrusthimoutofhissightforaninstant。Hewassoafraidofhim,andofsomesuddenonslaught,thathewasnotcontenttoseehisclosedeyesthroughthechair-back,buteverynowandthen,rosestealthilytohisfeet,andpeeredathimwithoutstretchedneck,toassurehimselfthathereallywasstillasleep,andwasnotabouttospringuponhimwhenhewasoffhisguard。 Hesleptsolongandsosoundly,thatMrDennisbegantothinkhemightsleeponuntiltheturnkeyvisitedthem。Hewascongratulatinghimselfuponthesepromisingappearances,andblessinghisstarswithmuchfervour,whenoneortwounpleasantsymptomsmanifestedthemselves:suchasanothermotionofthearm,anothersigh,arestlesstossingofthehead。Then,justasitseemedthathewasabouttofallheavilytothegroundfromhisnarrowbed,Hugh’seyesopened。 Ithappenedthathisfacewasturneddirectlytowardshisunexpectedvisitor。Helookedlazilyathimforsomehalf-dozensecondswithoutanyaspectofsurpriseorrecognition;thensuddenlyjumpedup,andwithagreatoathpronouncedhisname。 ’Keepoff,brother,keepoff!’criedDennis,dodgingbehindthechair。’Don’tdomeamischief。I’maprisonerlikeyou。I haven’tthefreeuseofmylimbs。I’mquiteanoldman。Don’thurtme!’ Hewhinedoutthelastthreewordsinsuchpiteousaccents,thatHugh,whohaddraggedawaythechair,andaimedablowathimwithit,checkedhimself,andbadehimgetup。 ’I’llgetupcertainly,brother,’criedDennis,anxioustopropitiatehimbyanymeansinhispower。’I’llcomplywithanyrequestofyours,I’msure。There——I’mupnow。WhatcanIdoforyou?Onlysaytheword,andI’lldoit。’ ’Whatcanyoudoforme!’criedHugh,clutchinghimbythecollarwithbothhands,andshakinghimasthoughhewerebentonstoppinghisbreathbythatmeans。’Whathaveyoudoneforme?’ ’Thebest。Thebestthatcouldbedone,’returnedthehangman。 Hughmadehimnoanswer,butshakinghiminhisstronggripuntilhisteethchatteredinhishead,casthimdownuponthefloor,andflunghimselfonthebenchagain。 ’Ifitwasn’tforthecomfortitistome,toseeyouhere,’hemuttered,’I’dhavecrushedyourheadagainstit;Iwould。’ ItwassometimebeforeDennishadbreathenoughtospeak,butassoonashecouldresumehispropitiatorystrain,hedidso。 ’Ididthebestthatcouldbedone,brother,’hewhined;’Ididindeed。IwasforcedwithtwobayonetsandIdon’tknowhowmanybulletsoneachsideofme,topointyouout。Ifyouhadn’tbeentaken,you’dhavebeenshot;andwhatasightthatwouldhavebeen—— afineyoungmanlikeyou!’ ’Willitbeabettersightnow?’askedHugh,raisinghishead,withsuchafierceexpression,thattheotherdurstnotanswerhimjustthen。 ’Adealbetter,’saidDennismeekly,afterapause。’First,there’sallthechancesofthelaw,andthey’refivehundredstrong。Wemaygetoffscot-free。Unlikelierthingsthanthathavecometopass。Evenifweshouldn’t,andthechancesfail,wecanbutbeworkedoffonce:andwhenit’swelldone,it’ssoneat,soskilful,socaptiwating,ifthatdon’tseemtoostrongaword,thatyou’dhardlybelieveitcouldbebroughttosichperfection。 Killone’sfellow-creetursoff,withmuskets!——Pah!’andhisnaturesorevoltedatthebareidea,thathespatuponthedungeonpavement。 Hiswarmingonthistopic,whichtooneunacquaintedwithhispursuitsandtastesappearedlikecourage;togetherwithhisartfulsuppressionofhisownsecrethopes,andmentionofhimselfasbeinginthesameconditionwithHugh;didmoretosoothethatruffianthanthemostelaborateargumentscouldhavedone,orthemostabjectsubmission。Herestedhisarmsuponhisknees,andstoopingforward,lookedfrombeneathhisshaggyhairatDennis,withsomethingofasmileuponhisface。 ’Thefactis,brother,’saidthehangman,inatoneofgreaterconfidence,’thatyougotintobadcompany。Themanthatwaswithyouwaslookedaftermorethanyou,anditwashimIwanted。Astome,whathaveIgotbyit?Hereweare,inoneandthesameplight。’ ’Lookee,rascal,’saidHugh,contractinghisbrows,’I’mnotaltogethersuchashallowbladebutIknowyouexpectedtogetsomethingbyit,oryouwouldn’thavedoneit。Butit’sdone,andyou’rehere,anditwillsoonbealloverwithyouandme;andI’dassoondieaslive,orliveasdie。WhyshouldItroublemyselftohaverevengeonyou?Toeat,anddrink,andgotosleep,aslongasIstayhere,isallIcarefor。Iftherewasbutalittlemoresuntobaskin,thancanfinditswayintothiscursedplace,I’dlieinitallday,andnottroublemyselftositorstanduponce。That’sallthecareIhaveformyself。WhyshouldIcareforYOU?’ Finishingthisspeechwithagrowlliketheyawnofawildbeast,hestretchedhimselfuponthebenchagain,andclosedhiseyesoncemore。 Afterlookingathiminsilenceforsomemoments,Dennis,whowasgreatlyrelievedtofindhiminthismood,drewthechairtowardshisroughcouchandsatdownnearhim——takingtheprecaution,however,tokeepoutoftherangeofhisbrawnyarm。 ’Wellsaid,brother;nothingcouldbebettersaid,’heventuredtoobserve。’We’lleatanddrinkofthebest,andsleepourbest,andmakethebestofiteveryway。Anythingcanbegotformoney。 Let’sspenditmerrily。’ ’Ay,’saidHugh,coilinghimselfintoanewposition——’Whereisit?’ ’Why,theytookminefrommeatthelodge,’saidMrDennis;’butmine’sapeculiarcase。’ ’Isit?Theytookminetoo。’ ’Whythen,Itellyouwhat,brother,’Dennisbegan。’Youmustlookupyourfriends——’ ’Myfriends!’criedHugh,startingupandrestingonhishands。 ’Wherearemyfriends?’ ’Yourrelationsthen,’saidDennis。 ’Hahaha!’laughedHugh,wavingonearmabovehishead。’Hetalksoffriendstome——talksofrelationstoamanwhosemotherdiedthedeathinstoreforherson,andlefthim,ahungrybrat,withoutafaceheknewinalltheworld!Hetalksofthistome!’ ’Brother,’criedthehangman,whosefeaturesunderwentasuddenchange,’youdon’tmeantosay——’ ’Imeantosay,’Hughinterposed,’thattheyhungherupatTyburn。 Whatwasgoodenoughforher,isgoodenoughforme。Letthemdothelikebymeassoonastheyplease——thesoonerthebetter。Saynomoretome。I’mgoingtosleep。’ ’ButIwanttospeaktoyou;Iwanttohearmoreaboutthat,’saidDennis,changingcolour。 ’Ifyou’reawiseman,’growledHugh,raisinghisheadtolookathimwithafrown,’you’llholdyourtongue。ItellyouI’mgoingtosleep。’ Dennisventuringtosaysomethingmoreinspiteofthiscaution,thedesperatefellowstruckathimwithallhisforce,andmissinghim,laydownagainwithmanymutteredoathsandimprecations,andturnedhisfacetowardsthewall。Aftertwoorthreeineffectualtwitchesathisdress,whichhewashardyenoughtoventureupon,notwithstandinghisdangeroushumour,MrDennis,whoburnt,forreasonsofhisown,topursuetheconversation,hadnoalternativebuttositaspatientlyashecould:waitinghisfurtherpleasure。 Chapter75 Amonthhaselapsed,——andwestandinthebedchamberofSirJohnChester。Throughthehalf-openedwindow,theTempleGardenlooksgreenandpleasant;theplacidriver,gaywithboatandbarge,anddimpledwiththeplashofmanyanoar,sparklesinthedistance; theskyisblueandclear;andthesummerairstealsgentlyin,fillingtheroomwithperfume。Theverytown,thesmokytown,isradiant。Highroofsandsteeple-tops,wonttolookblackandsullen,smileacheerfulgrey;everyoldgildedvane,andball,andcross,glittersanewinthebrightmorningsun;and,highamongthemall,StPaul’stowersup,showingitsloftycrestinburnishedgold。 SirJohnwasbreakfastinginbed。Hischocolateandtoaststooduponalittletableathiselbow;booksandnewspaperslayreadytohishand,uponthecoverlet;and,sometimespausingtoglancewithanairoftranquilsatisfactionroundthewell-orderedroom,andsometimestogazeindolentlyatthesummersky,heate,anddrank,andreadthenewsluxuriously。 Thecheerfulinfluenceofthemorningseemedtohavesomeeffect,evenuponhisequabletemper。Hismannerwasunusuallygay;hissmilemoreplacidandagreeablethanusual;hisvoicemoreclearandpleasant。Helaiddownthenewspaperhehadbeenreading; leanedbackuponhispillowwiththeairofonewhoresignedhimselftoatrainofcharmingrecollections;andafterapause,soliloquisedasfollows: ’Andmyfriendthecentaur,goesthewayofhismamma!Iamnotsurprised。AndhismysteriousfriendMrDennis,likewise!Iamnotsurprised。Andmyoldpostman,theexceedinglyfree-and-easyyoungmadmanofChigwell!Iamquiterejoiced。It’stheverybestthingthatcouldpossiblyhappentohim。’ Afterdeliveringhimselfoftheseremarks,hefellagainintohissmilingtrainofreflection;fromwhichherousedhimselfatlengthtofinishhischocolate,whichwasgettingcold,andringthebellformore。 Thenewsupplyarriving,hetookthecupfromhisservant’shand; andsaying,withacharmingaffability,’Iamobligedtoyou,Peak,’dismissedhim。 ’Itisaremarkablecircumstance,’hemused,dallyinglazilywiththeteaspoon,’thatmyfriendthemadmanshouldhavebeenwithinanaceofescaping,onhistrial;anditwasagoodstrokeofchance(or,astheworldwouldsay,aprovidentialoccurrence)thatthebrotherofmyLordMayorshouldhavebeenincourt,withothercountryjustices,intowhoseverydenseheadscuriosityhadpenetrated。ForthoughthebrotherofmyLordMayorwasdecidedlywrong;andestablishedhisnearrelationshiptothatamusingpersonbeyondalldoubt,instatingthatmyfriendwassane,andhad,tohisknowledge,wanderedaboutthecountrywithavagabondparent,avowingrevolutionaryandrebellioussentiments;Iamnotthelessobligedtohimforvolunteeringthatevidence。Theseinsanecreaturesmakesuchveryoddandembarrassingremarks,thattheyreallyoughttobehangedforthecomfortofsociety。’ ThecountryjusticehadindeedturnedthewaveringscaleagainstpoorBarnaby,andsolvedthedoubtthattrembledinhisfavour。 Griplittlethoughthowmuchhehadtoanswerfor。 ’Theywillbeasingularparty,’saidSirJohn,leaninghisheaduponhishand,andsippinghischocolate;’averycuriousparty。 Thehangmanhimself;thecentaur;andthemadman。ThecentaurwouldmakeaveryhandsomepreparationinSurgeons’Hall,andwouldbenefitscienceextremely。Ihopetheyhavetakencaretobespeakhim——Peak,Iamnotathome,ofcourse,toanybodybutthehairdresser。’ Thisremindertohisservantwascalledforthbyaknockatthedoor,whichthemanhastenedtoopen。Afteraprolongedmurmurofquestionandanswer,hereturned;andashecautiouslyclosedtheroom-doorbehindhim,amanwasheardtocoughinthepassage。 ’Now,itisofnouse,Peak,’saidSirJohn,raisinghishandindeprecationofhisdeliveringanymessage;’Iamnotathome。I cannotpossiblyhearyou。ItoldyouIwasnotathome,andmywordissacred。Willyouneverdoasyouaredesired?’ Havingnothingtoopposetothisreproof,themanwasabouttowithdraw,whenthevisitorwhohadgivenoccasiontoit,probablyrenderedimpatientbydelay,knockedwithhisknucklesatthechamber-door,andcalledoutthathehadurgentbusinesswithSirJohnChester,whichadmittedofnodelay。 ’Lethimin,’saidSirJohn。’Mygoodfellow,’headded,whenthedoorwasopened,’howcomeyoutointrudeyourselfinthisextraordinarymannerupontheprivacyofagentleman?Howcanyoubesowhollydestituteofself-respectastobeguiltyofsuchremarkableill-breeding?’ ’Mybusiness,SirJohn,isnotofacommonkind,Idoassureyou,’ returnedthepersonheaddressed。’IfIhavetakenanyuncommoncoursetogetadmissiontoyou,IhopeIshallbepardonedonthataccount。’ ’Well!weshallsee;weshallsee,’returnedSirJohn,whosefaceclearedupwhenhesawwhoitwas,andwhoseprepossessingsmilewasnowrestored。’Iamsurewehavemetbefore,’headdedinhiswinningtone,’butreallyIforgetyourname?’ ’MynameisGabrielVarden,sir。’ ’Varden,ofcourse,Varden,’returnedSirJohn,tappinghisforehead。’Dearme,howverydefectivemymemorybecomes!Vardentobesure——MrVardenthelocksmith。Youhaveacharmingwife,MrVarden,andamostbeautifuldaughter。Theyarewell?’ Gabrielthankedhim,andsaidtheywere。 ’Irejoicetohearit,’saidSirJohn。’Commendmetothemwhenyoureturn,andsaythatIwishedIwerefortunateenoughtoconvey,myself,thesalutewhichIentrustyoutodeliver。Andwhat,’heaskedverysweetly,afteramoment’spause,’canIdoforyou?Youmaycommandmefreely。’ ’Ithankyou,SirJohn,’saidGabriel,withsomeprideinhismanner,’butIhavecometoasknofavourofyou,thoughIcomeonbusiness——Private,’headded,withaglanceatthemanwhostoodlookingon,’andverypressingbusiness。’ ’Icannotsayyouarethemorewelcomeforbeingindependent,andhavingnothingtoaskofme,’returnedSirJohn,graciously,’forI shouldhavebeenhappytorenderyouaservice;still,youarewelcomeonanyterms。Obligemewithsomemorechocolate,Peak,anddon’twait。’ Themanretired,andleftthemalone。 ’SirJohn,’saidGabriel,’Iamaworking-man,andhavebeenso,allmylife。IfIdon’tprepareyouenoughforwhatIhavetotell;ifIcometothepointtooabruptly;andgiveyouashock,whichagentlemancouldhavesparedyou,oratalleventslessenedverymuch;Ihopeyouwillgivemecreditformeaningwell。Iwishtobecarefulandconsiderate,andItrustthatinastraightforwardpersonlikeme,you’lltakethewillforthedeed。’ ’MrVarden,’returnedtheother,perfectlycomposedunderthisexordium;’Ibegyou’lltakeachair。Chocolate,perhaps,youdon’trelish?Well!itISanacquiredtaste,nodoubt。’ ’SirJohn,’saidGabriel,whohadacknowledgedwithabowtheinvitationtobeseated,buthadnotavailedhimselfofit。’SirJohn’——hedroppedhisvoiceanddrewnearertothebed——’IamjustnowcomefromNewgate——’ ’GoodGad!’criedSirJohn,hastilysittingupinbed;’fromNewgate,MrVarden!HowcouldyoubesoveryimprudentastocomefromNewgate!Newgate,wheretherearejail-fevers,andraggedpeople,andbare-footedmenandwomen,andathousandhorrors! Peak,bringthecamphor,quick!Heavenandearth,MrVarden,mydear,goodsoul,howCOULDyoucomefromNewgate?’ Gabrielreturnednoanswer,butlookedoninsilencewhilePeak(whohadenteredwiththehotchocolate)rantoadrawer,andreturningwithabottle,sprinkledhismaster’sdressing-gownandthebedding;andbesidesmoisteningthelocksmithhimself,plentifully,describedacircleroundabouthimonthecarpet。 Whenhehaddonethis,heagainretired;andSirJohn,reclininginaneasyattitudeuponhispillow,oncemoreturnedasmilingfacetowardshisvisitor。 ’Youwillforgiveme,MrVarden,Iamsure,forbeingatfirstalittlesensitivebothonyouraccountandmyown。IconfessIwasstartled,notwithstandingyourdelicateexordium。MightIaskyoutodomethefavournottoapproachanynearer?——YouhavereallycomefromNewgate!’ Thelocksmithinclinedhishead。 ’In-deed!Andnow,MrVarden,allexaggerationandembellishmentapart,’saidSirJohnChester,confidentially,ashesippedhischocolate,’whatkindofplaceISNewgate?’ ’Astrangeplace,SirJohn,’returnedthelocksmith,’ofasadanddolefulkind。Astrangeplace,wheremanystrangethingsareheardandseen;butfewmorestrangethanthatIcometotellyouof。 Thecaseisurgent。Iamsenthere。’ ’Not——no,no——notfromthejail?’ ’Yes,SirJohn;fromthejail。’ ’Andmygood,credulous,open-heartedfriend,’saidSirJohn,settingdownhiscup,andlaughing,——’bywhom?’ ’ByamancalledDennis——formanyyearsthehangman,andto-morrowmorningthehanged,’returnedthelocksmith。 SirJohnhadexpected——hadbeenquitecertainfromthefirst——thathewouldsayhehadcomefromHugh,andwaspreparedtomeethimonthatpoint。Butthisansweroccasionedhimadegreeofastonishment,which,forthemoment,hecouldnot,withallhiscommandoffeature,preventhisfacefromexpressing。Hequicklysubduedit,however,andsaidinthesamelighttone: ’Andwhatdoesthegentlemanrequireofme?Mymemorymaybeatfaultagain,butIdon’trecollectthatIeverhadthepleasureofanintroductiontohim,orthatIevernumberedhimamongmypersonalfriends,Idoassureyou,MrVarden。’ ’SirJohn,’returnedthelocksmith,gravely,’Iwilltellyou,asnearlyasIcan,inthewordsheusedtome,whathedesiresthatyoushouldknow,andwhatyououghttoknowwithoutamoment’slossoftime。’ SirJohnChestersettledhimselfinapositionofgreaterrepose,andlookedathisvisitorwithanexpressionoffacewhichseemedtosay,’Thisisanamusingfellow!I’llhearhimout。’