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oliver twist(雾都孤儿(孤星血泪))-第62部分

小说: oliver twist(雾都孤儿(孤星血泪)) 字数: 每页4000字

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Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 372 

“If I could have done so; without doing heavy wrong to him I 
loved;” rejoined Rose; “I could have—” 

“Have received this declaration very indifferently?” said Harry。 
“Do not conceal that from me; at least; Rose。” 

“I could;” said Rose。 “Stay;” she added; disengaging her hand; 
“why should we prolong this painful interview? Most painful to 
me; and yet productive of lasting happiness; notwithstanding; for 
it will be happiness to know that I once held the high place in your 
regard which I now occupy; and every triumph you achieve in life 
will animate me with new fortitude and firmness。 Farewell; Harry! 
As we have met today; we meet no more; but in other relations 
than those in which this conversation would have placed us; we 
may be long and happily entwined; and may every blessing that 
the prayers of a true and earnest heart can call down from the 
source of all truth and sincerity; cheer and prosper you!” 

“Another word; Rose;” said Harry。 “Your reason in your own 
lips; let me hear it?” 

“The prospect before you;” answered Rose firmly; “is a brilliant 
one。 All the honours to which great talents and powerful 
connections can help men in public life; are in store for you。 But 
those connections are proud; and I will neither mingle with such 
as may hold in scorn the mother who gave me life; nor bring 
disgrace or failure on the son of her who had so well supplied that 
mother’s place。 In a word;” said the young lady; turning away; as 
her temporary firmness forsook her; “there is a stain upon my 
name; which the world visits on innocent heads。 I will carry it into 
no blood but my own; and the reproach shall rest alone on me。” 

“One word more; Rose。 Dearest Rose! one more!” cried Harry; 
throwing himself before her。 “If I had been less—less fortunate; 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 373 

the world would call it—if some obscure and peaceful life had 
been my destiny—if I had been poor; sick; helpless—would you 
have turned from me then? Or has my probable advancement to 
riches and honour; given this scruple birth?” 

“Do you press me to reply;” answered Rose。 “The question does 
not arise; and never will。 It is unfair; almost unkind; to urge it。” 

“If your answer be what I almost dare to hope it is;” retorted 
Harry; “it will shed a gleam of happiness upon my lonely way; and 
light the path before me。 It is not an idle thing to do so much; by 
the utterance of a few brief words; for one who loves you beyond 
all else。 Oh; Rose! in the name of my ardent and enduring 
attachment; in the name of all I have suffered for you; and all you 
doom me to undergo; answer me this one question!” 

“Then; if your lot had been differently cast;” rejoined Rose; “if 
you had been even a little; but not so far; above me; if I could have 
been a help and comfort to you in any humble scene of peace and 
retirement; and not a blot and drawback in ambitious and 
distinguished crowds; I should have been spared this trial。 I have 
every reason to be happy; very happy; now; but then; Harry; I own 
I should have been happier。” 

Busy recollections of old hopes; cherished as a girl; long ago; 
crowded into the mind of Rose; while making this avowal; but they 
brought tears with them; as old hopes will when they come back 
withered; and they relieved her。 

“I cannot help this weakness; and it makes my purpose 
stronger;” said Rose; extending her hand。 “I must leave you now; 
indeed。” 

“I ask one promise;” said Harry。 “Once; and only once…more— 
say within a year; but it may be much sooner—I may speak to you 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 374 

again on this subject; for the last time?” 

“Not to press me to alter my right determination;” replied Rose; 
with a melancholy smile; “it will be useless。” 

“No;” said Harry; “to hear you repeat it; if you will—finally 
repeat it! I will lay at your feet; whatever of station or fortune I 
may possess; and if you still adhere to your present resolution; will 
not seek; by word or act; to change it。” 

“Then let it be so;” rejoined Rose; “it is but one pang the more; 
and by that time I may be enabled to bear it better。” 

She extended her hand again。 But the young man caught her to 
his bosom; and; imprinting one kiss on her beautiful forehead; 
hurried from the room。 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 375 

Chapter 36 

Is a very short one; and may appear of no great 
importance in its place; but it should be read 
notwithstanding; as a sequel to the last; and a key to 
one that will follow when its time arrives。 

“A nd so you are resolved to be my travelling 
companion this morning; eh?” said the doctor; as 
Harry Maylie joined him and Oliver at the breakfast…
table。 “Why; you are not in the same mind or intention two half…
hours together!” 

“You will tell me a different tale one of these days;” said Harry; 
colouring without any perceptible reason。 

“I hope I may have good cause to do so;” replied Mr。 Losberne; 
“though I confess I don’t think I shall。 But yesterday morning you 
have made up your mind; in a great hurry; to stay here; and to 
accompany your mother; like a dutiful son; to the seaside。 Before 
noon; you announce that you are going to do me the honour of 
accompanying me as far as I go; on your road to London。 And at 
night; you urge me; with great mystery; to start before the ladies 
are stirring; the consequence of which is; that young Oliver here is 
pinned down to his breakfast when he ought to be ranging the 
meadows after botanical phenomena of all kinds。 Too bad; isn’t it; 
Oliver!” 

“I should have been very sorry not to have been at home when 
you and Mr。 Maylie went away; sir;” rejoined Oliver。 

“That’s a fine fellow;” said the doctor; “you shall come and see 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 376 

me when you return。 But; to speak seriously; Harry; has any 
communication from the great nobs produced this sudden anxiety 
on your part to be gone?” 

“The great nobs;” replied Harry; “under which designation I 
presume; you include my most stately uncle; have not 
communicated with me at all; since I have been here; nor; at this 
time of the year; is it likely that anything would occur to render 
necessary my immediate attendance among them。” 

“Well;” said the doctor; “you are a queer fellow。 But of course 
they will get you into Parliament at the election before Christmas; 
and these sudden shiftings and changes are no bad preparation for 
political life。 There’s something in that。 Good training is always 
desirable; whether the race be for place; cup; or sweepstakes。” 

Harry Maylie looked as if he could have followed up this short 
dialogue by one or two remarks that would have staggered the 
doctor not a little; but he contented himself with saying; “We shall 
see;” and pursued the subject no further。 The post…chaise drove up 
to the door shortly afterwards; and Giles coming in for the 
baggage; the good doctor bustled out; to see it packed。 

“Oliver;” said Harry Maylie; in a low voice; “let me speak a 
word with you。” 

Oliver walked into the window…recess to which Mr。 Maylie 
beckoned him; much surprised at the mixture of sadness and 
boisterous spirits; which his whole behaviour displayed。 

“You can write now?” said Harry; laying his hand upon his 
arm。 

“I hope so; sir;” replied Oliver。 

“I shall not be at home again; perhaps for some time; I wish you 
would write to me—say once a fortnight; every alternate 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 377 

Monday—to the General Post Office in London。 Will you?” 

“Oh! certainly; sir; I shall be proud to do it;” exclaimed Oliver; 
greatly delighted with the commission。 

“I should like to know—how my mother and Miss Maylie are;” 
said the young man; “and you can fill up a sheet by telling me 
what walks you take; and what you talk about; and whether she— 
they; I mean—seem happy and quite well。 You understand me?” 

“Oh! quite; sir; quite;” replied Oliver。 

“I would rather you did not mention it to them;” said Harry; 
hurrying over his words; “because it might make my mother 
anxious to write to me oftener; and it is a trouble and worry to her。 
Let it be a secret between you and me; and mind you tell me 
everything! I depend upon you。” 

Oliver; quite elated and honoured by a sense of his importance; 
faithfully promised to be secret and explicit in his 
communications。 Mr。 Maylie took leave of him; with many 
assurances of his regard and protection。 

The doctor was in the chaise; Giles (who; it had been arranged; 
should be left behind) held the door open in his hand; and the 
women…servants were in the garden; looking on。 Harry cast one 
slight glance at the latticed window; and jumped into the carriage。 

“Drive on!” he cried; “hard; fast; full gallop! Nothing short of 
flying will keep pace with me; today。” 

“Hallo!” cried the doctor; letting down the front glass in a great 
hurry; and shouting to the postillion; “something very short of 
flying will keep pace with me。 Do you hear?” 

Jingling and clattering; till distance rendered its noise 
inaudible; and its progress only perceptible to the eye; the vehicle 
wound its way along the road; almost hidden in a cloud of dust; 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 378 

now wholly disappearing; and now becoming visible again; as 
intervening objects; or the intricacies of the way; permitted。 It was 
not until even the dusty cloud was no longer to be seen; that the 
gazers dispersed。 

And there was one looker…on; who remained with eyes fixed 
upon the spot where the carriage had disappeared; long after it 
was many miles away; for; behind the white curtain which had 
shrouded her from view when Harry raised his eyes towards the 
window; sat Rose herself。 

“He seems in high spirits and happy;” she said; at length。 “I 
feared for a tim

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