little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第76章

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discerning　what　was　wrong。　In　the　midst　of　this；　the　great　stable　of　the
convent；　occupying　the　basement　story　and　entered　by　the　basement　door；
outside　which　all　the　disorder　was；　poured　forth　its　contribution　of
cloud；　as　if　the　whole　rugged　edifice　were　filled　with　nothing　else；
and　would　collapse　as　soon　as　it　had　emptied　itself；　leaving　the　snow　to
fall　upon　the　bare　mountain　summit。

While　all　this　noise　and　hurry　were　rife　among　the　living　travellers；
there；　too；　silently　assembled　in　a　grated　house　half…a…dozen　paces
removed；　with　the　same　cloud　enfolding　them　and　the　same　snow　flakes
drifting　in　upon　them；　were　the　dead　travellers　found　upon　the　mountain。
The　mother；　storm…belated　many　winters　ago；　still　standing　in　the　corner
with　her　baby　at　her　breast；　the　man　who　had　frozen　with　his　arm　raised
to　his　mouth　in　fear　or　hunger；　still　pressing　it　with　his　dry　lips
after　years　and　years。　An　awful　pany；　mysteriously　e　together！　A
wild　destiny　for　that　mother　to　have　foreseen！　'Surrounded　by　so　many
and　such　panions　upon　whom　I　never　looked；　and　never　shall　look；
I　and　my　child　will　dwell　together　inseparable；　on　the　Great　Saint
Bernard；　outlasting　generations　who　will　e　to　see　us；　and　will　never
know　our　name；　or　one　word　of　our　story　but　the　end。'

The　living　travellers　thought　little　or　nothing　of　the　dead　just　then。
They　thought　much　more　of　alighting　at　the　convent　door；　and　warming
themselves　at　the　convent　fire。　Disengaged　from　the　turmoil；　which　was
already　calming　down　as　the　crowd　of　mules　began　to　be　bestowed　in　the
stable；　they　hurried　shivering　up　the　steps　and　into　the　building。　There
was　a　smell　within；　ing　up　from　the　floor；　of　tethered　beasts；　like
the　smell　of　a　menagerie　of　wild　animals。　There　were　strong　arched
galleries　within；　huge　stone　piers；　great　staircases；　and　thick　walls
pierced　with　small　sunken　windows……fortifications　against　the　mountain
storms；　as　if　they　had　been　human　enemies。　There　were　gloomy　vaulted
sleeping…rooms　within；　intensely　cold；　but　clean　and　hospitably　prepared
for　guests。　Finally；　there　was　a　parlour　for　guests　to　sit　in　and　sup
in；　where　a　table　was　already　laid；　and　where　a　blazing　fire　shone　red
and　high。

In　this　room；　after　having　had　their　quarters　for　the　night　allotted
to　them　by　two　young　Fathers；　the　travellers　presently　drew　round　the
hearth。　They　were　in　three　parties；　of　whom　the　first；　as　the　most
numerous　and　important；　was　the　slowest；　and　had　been　overtaken　by
one　of　the　others　on　the　way　up。　It　consisted　of　an　elderly　lady；　two
grey…haired　gentlemen；　two　young　ladies；　and　their　brother。　These　were
attended　（not　to　mention　four　guides）；　by　a　courier；　two　footmen；　and
two　waiting…maids：　which　strong　body　of　inconvenience　was　acmodated
elsewhere　under　the　same　roof。　The　party　that　had　overtaken　them；　and
followed　in　their　train；　consisted　of　only　three　members：　one　lady　and
two　gentlemen。　The　third　party；　which　had　ascended　from　the　valley
on　the　Italian　side　of　the　Pass；　and　had　arrived　first；　were　four　in
number：　a　plethoric；　hungry；　and　silent　German　tutor　in　spectacles；　on
a　tour　with　three　young　men；　his　pupils；　all　plethoric；　hungry；　and
silent；　and　all　in　spectacles。

These　three　groups　sat　round　the　fire　eyeing　each　other　drily；　and
waiting　for　supper。　Only　one　among　them；　one　of　the　gentlemen　belonging
to　the　party　of　three；　made　advances　towards　conversation。　Throwing　out
his　lines　for　the　Chief　of　the　important　tribe；　while　addressing　himself
to　his　own　panions；　he　remarked；　in　a　tone　of　voice　which　included
all　the　pany　if　they　chose　to　be　included；　that　it　had　been　a　long
day；　and　that　he　felt　for　the　ladies。　That　he　feared　one　of　the
young　ladies　was　not　a　strong　or　accustomed　traveller；　and　had　been
over…fatigued　two　or　three　hours　ago。　That　he　had　observed；　from　his
station　in　the　rear；　that　she　sat　her　mule　as　if　she　were　exhausted。
That　he　had；　twice　or　thrice　afterwards；　done　himself　the　honour　of
inquiring　of　one　of　the　guides；　when　he　fell　behind；　how　the　lady　did。
That　he　had　been　enchanted　to　learn　that　she　had　recovered　her　spirits；
and　that　it　had　been　but　a　passing　disfort。　That　he　trusted　（by　this
time　he　had　secured　the　eyes　of　the　Chief；　and　addressed　him）　he　might
be　permitted　to　express　his　hope　that　she　was　now　none　the　worse；　and
that　she　would　not　regret　having　made　the　journey。

'My　daughter；　I　am　obliged　to　you；　sir；'　returned　the　Chief；　'is　quite
restored；　and　has　been　greatly　interested。'

'New　to　mountains；　perhaps？'　said　the　insinuating　traveller。

'New　to……ha……to　mountains；'　said　the　Chief。

'But　you　are　familiar　with　them；　sir？'　the　insinuating　traveller
assumed。

'I　am……hum……tolerably　familiar。　Not　of　late　years。　Not　of　late　years；'
replied　the　Chief；　with　a　flourish　of　his　hand。

The　insinuating　traveller；　acknowledging　the　flourish　with　an
inclination　of　his　head；　passed　from　the　Chief　to　the　second　young　lady；
who　had　not　yet　been　referred　to　otherwise　than　as　one　of　the　ladies　in
whose　behalf　he　felt　so　sensitive　an　interest。

He　hoped　she　was　not　inmoded　by　the　fatigues　of　the　day。

'Inmoded；　certainly；'　returned　the　young　lady；　'but　not　tired。'

The　insinuating　traveller　plimented　her　on　the　justice　of　the
distinction。　It　was　what　he　had　meant　to　say。　Every　lady　must　doubtless
be　inmoded　by　having　to　do　with　that　proverbially　unacmodating
animal；　the　mule。

'We　have　had；　of　course；'　said　the　young　lady；　who　was　rather　reserved
and　haughty；　'to　leave　the　carriages　and　fourgon　at　Martigny。　And　the
impossibility　of　bringing　anything　that　one　wants　to　this　inaccessible
place；　and　the　necessity　of　leaving　every　fort　behind；　is　not
convenient。'

'A　savage　place　indeed；'　said　the　insinuating　traveller。

The　elderly　lady；　who　was　a　model　of　accurate　dressing；　and　whose　manner
was　perfect；　considered　as　a　piece　of　machinery；　here　interposed　a
remark　in　a　low　soft　voice。

'But；　like　other　inconvenient　places；'　she　observed；　'it　must　be　seen。
As　a　place　much　spoken　of；　it　is　necessary　to　see　it。'

'O！　I　have　not　the　least　objection　to　seeing　it；　I　assure　you；　Mrs
General；'　returned　the　other；　carelessly。

'You；　madam；'　said　the　insinuating　traveller；　'have　visited　this　spot
before？'　'Yes；'　returned　Mrs　General。　'I　have　been　here　before。　Let　me
mend　you；　my　dear；'　to　the　former　young　lady；　'to　shade　your　face
from　the　hot　wood；　after　exposure　to　the　mountain　air　and　snow。　You；
too；　my　dear；'　to　the　other　and　younger　lady；　who　immediately　did　so；
while　the　former　merely　said；　'Thank　you；　Mrs　General；　I　am　Perfectly
fortable；　and　prefer　remaining　as　I　am。'

The　brother；　who　had　left　his　chair　to　open　a　piano　that　stood　in
the　room；　and　who　had　whistled　into　it　and　shut　it　up　again；　now　came
strolling　back　to　the　fire　with　his　glass　in　his　eye。　He　was　dressed　in
the　very　fullest　and　pletest　travelling　trim。　The　world　seemed　hardly
large　enough　to　yield　him　an　amount　of　travel　proportionate　to　his
equipment。

'These　fellows　are　an　immense　time　with　supper；'　he　drawled。　'I　wonder
what　they'll　give　us！　Has　anybody　any　idea？'

'Not　roast　man；　I　believe；'　replied　the　voice　of　the　second　gentleman　of
the　party　of　three。

'I　suppose　not。　What　d'ye　mean？'　he　inquired。

'That；　as　you　are　not　to　be　served　for　the　general　supper；　perhaps　you
will　do　us　the　favour　of　not　cooking　yourself　at　the　general　fire；'
returned　the　other。

The　young　gentleman　who　was　standing　in　an　easy　attitude　on　the　hearth；
cocking　his　glass　at　the　pany；　with　his　back　to　the　blaze　and　his
coat　tucked　under　his　arms；　something　as　if　he　were　Of　the　Poultry
species　and　were　trussed　for　roasting；　lost　countenance　at　this
reply；　he　seemed　about　to　demand　further　explanation；　when　it　was
discovered……through　all　eyes　turning　on　the　speaker……that　the　lady　with
him；　who　was　young　and　beautiful；　had　not　heard　what　had　passed　through
having　fainted　with　her　head　upon　his　shoulder。

'I　think；'　said　the　gentleman　in　a　subdued　tone；　'I　had　best　carry
her　straight　to　her　room。　Will　you　call　to　some　one　to　bring　a　light？'
addressing　his　panion；　'and　to　show　the　way？　In　this　strange　rambling
place　I　don't　know　that　I　could　find　it。'

'Pray；　let　me　call　my　maid；'　cried　the　taller　of　the　young　ladies。

'Pray；　let　me　put　this　water　to　her　lips；'　said　the　shorter；　who　had　not
spoken　yet。

Each　doing　what　she　suggested；　there　was　no　want　of　assistance。　Indeed；
when　the　two　maids　came　in　（escorted　by　the　courier；　lest　any　one　should
strike　them　dumb　by　addressing　a　foreign　language　to　them　on　the　road）；
there　was　a　prospect　of　too　much　assistance。　Seeing　this；　and　saying　as
much　in　a　few　words　to　the　slighter　and　younger　of　the　two　ladies；
the　gentleman　put　his　wife's　arm　over　his　shoulder；　lifted　her　up；　and
carried　her　away。

His　friend；　being　left　alone　with　the　other　visitors；　walked　slowly　up
and　down　the　room　without　ing　to　the　fire　again；　pulling　his　black
moustache　in　a　contemplative　manner；　as　if　he　felt　himself　mitted
to　the　late　retort。　While　the　subject　of　it　was　breathing　injury　in　a
corner；　the　Chief　loftily　addressed　this　gentleman。

'Your　friend；　sir；'　said　he；　'is……ha……is　a　little　impatient；　and；　in
his　impatience；　is　not　perhaps　fully　sensible　of　what　he　owes
to……hum……to……but　we　will　waive　that；　we　will　waive　that。　Your　friend　is
a　little　impatient；　sir。'

'It　may　be　so；　sir；'　returned　the　other。　'But　having　had　the　honour　of
making　that　gentleman's　acquaintance　at　the　hotel　at　Geneva；　where　we
and　much　good　pany　met　some　time　ago；　and　having　had　the　honour
of　exchanging　pany　and　conversation　with　that　gentleman　on　several
subsequent　excursions；　I　can　hear　nothing……no；　not　even　from　one　of　your
appearance　and　station；　sir……detrimental　to　that　gentleman。'

'You　are　in　no　danger；　sir；　of　hearing　any　such　thing　from　me。　In
remarking　that　your　friend　has　shown　impatience；　I　say　no　such　thing。　I
make　that　remark；　because　it　is　not　to　be　doubted　that　my　son；　being　by
birth　and　by……ha……by　education　a……hum……a　gentleman；　would　have　readily
adapted　himself　to　any　obligingly　expressed　wish　on　the　subject　of　the
fire　being　equally　accessible　to　the　whole　of　the　present　circle。　Which；
in　principle；　I……ha……for　all　are……hum……equal　on　these　occasions……I
consider　right。'

'Good；'　was　the　reply。　'And　there　it　ends！　I　am　your　son's　obedient
servant。　I　beg　your　son　to　receive　the　assurance　of　my　profound
consideration。　And　now；　sir；　I　may　admit；　freely　admit；　that　my　friend
is　sometimes　of　a　sarcastic　temper。'

'The　lady　is　your　friend's　wife；　sir？'

'The　lady　is　my　friend's　wife；　sir。'　'She　is　very　handsome。'

'Sir；　she　is　peerless。　They　are　still　in　the　first　year　of　their
marriage。　They　are　still　partly　on　a　marriage；　and　partly　on　an
artistic；　tour。'

'Your　friend　is　an　artist；　sir？'

The　gentleman　replied　by　kissing　the　fingers　of　his　right　hand；　and
wafting　the　kiss　the　length　of　his　arm　towards　Heaven。　As　who　should
say；　I　devote　him　to　the　celestial　Powers　as　an　immortal　artist！

'But　he　is　a　man　of　family；'　he　added。　'His　connections　are　of　the　best。
He　is　more　than　an　artist：　he　is　highly　connected。　He　may；　in　effect；
have　repudiated　his　connections；　proudly；　impatiently；　sarcastically　（I
make　the　concession　of　both　words）；　but　he　has　them。　Sparks　that　have
been　struck　out　during　our　intercourse　have　shown　me　this。'

'Well！　I　hope；'　said　the　lofty　gentleman；　with　the　air　of　finally
disposing　of　the　subject；　'that　the　lady's　indisposition　may　be　only
temporary。'

'Sir；　I　hope　so。'

'Mere　fatigue；　I　dare　say。'

'Not　altogether　mere　fatigue；　sir；　for　her　mule　stumbled　to…day；　and
she　fell　from　the　saddle。　She　fell　lightly；　and　was　up　again　without
assistance；　and　rode　from　us　laughing；　but　she　plained　towards
evening　of　a　slight　bruise　in　the　side。　She　spoke　of　it　more　than　once；
as　we　followed　your　party　up　the　mountain。'

The　head　of　the　large　retinue；　who　was　gracious　but　not　familiar；
appeared　by　this　time　to　think　that　he　had　condescended　more　than
enough。　He　said　no　more；　and　there　was　silence　for　some　quarter　of　an
hour　until　supper　appeared。

With　the　supper　came　one　of　the　young　Fathers　（there　seemed　to　be　no
old　Fathers）　to　take　the　head　of　the　table。　It　was　like　the　supper　of
an　ordinary　Swiss　hotel；　and　good　red　wine　grown　by　the　convent　in　more
genial　air　was　not　wanting。　The　artist　traveller　calmly　came　and　took
his　place　at　table　when　the　rest　sat　down；　with　no　apparent　sense　upon
him　of　his　late　skirmish　with　the　pletely　dressed　traveller。

'Pray；'　he　inquired　of　the　host；　over　his　soup；　'has　your　convent　many
of　its　famous　dogs　now？'

'Monsieur；　it　has　three。'

'I　saw　three　in　the　gallery　below。　Doubtless　the　three　in　question。'　The
host；　a　slender；　bright…eyed；　dark　young　man　of　polite　manners；　whose
garment　was　a　black　gown　with　strips　of　white　crossed　over　it　like
braces；　and　who　no　more　resembled　the　conventional　breed　of　Saint
Bernard　monks　than　he　resembled　the　conventional　breed　of　Saint　Bernard
dogs；　replied；　doubtless　those　were　the　three　in　question。

'And　I　think；'　said　the　artist　traveller；　'I　have　seen　one　of　them
before。'

It　was　possible。　He　was　a　dog　sufficiently　well　known。　Monsieur　might
have　easily　seen　him　in　t