Dawkins turned. He looked extremely annoyed on perceiving his visitor, whose outward appearance was certainly far from prepossessing. His face exhibited unmistakable marks of dissipation, nor did the huge breast pin and other cheap finery which he wore conceal2 the fact of his intense vulgarity. His eyes were black and twinkling, his complexion3 very dark, and his air that of a foreigner. He was, in fact, a Frenchman, though his language would hardly have betrayed him, unless, as sometimes, he chose to interlard his discourse4 with French phrases.
“How are you this morning, my friend?” said the newcomer.
“What are you here for?” asked Dawkins, roughly.
“That does not seem to me a very polite way of receiving your friends.”
“Friends!” retorted Dawkins, scornfully, “who authorized5 you to call yourself my friend?”
“Creditor, then, if it will suit you better, mon ami.”
“Hush,” said Dawkins, in an alarmed whisper, “he will hear,” here he indicated Paul with his finger.
“And why should I care? I have no secrets from the young man.”
“Stop, Duval,” exclaimed Dawkins, in an angry whisper, “Leave the office at once. Your appearing here will injure me.”
“Listen to reason. Leave me now, and I will meet you when and where you will.”
“Come, that sounds better.”
“Now go. I'm afraid Mr. Danforth will be in.”
“If he comes, introduce me.”
Dawkins would like to have knocked the fellow over.
“Name your place and time, and be quick about it,” said he impatiently.
“Eight o'clock this evening, you know where,” was the answer.
“Very well. Good-morning.”
“Mind you bring some money.”
“Good-morning,” returned Dawkins, angrily.
At length, much to his relief, Duval left the office. Dawkins stole a side glance at Paul, to see what impression the interview had made upon him, but our hero, who had overheard some portions of the dialogue, perceiving that Dawkins wished it to be private, took as little notice of the visitor as possible. He could not help thinking, however, that Duval was a man whose acquaintance was likely to be of little benefit to his fellow clerk.
Throughout the day Dawkins appeared unusually nervous, and made several blunders which annoyed Mr. Danforth. Evidently he had something on his mind. Not to keep the reader in suspense7, George had fallen among bad companions, where he had learned both to drink and to gamble. In this way he had made the acquaintance of Duval, an unscrupulous sharper, who had contrived8 to get away all his ready money, and persuading him to play longer in the hope of making up his losses had run him into debt one hundred and fifty dollars. Dawkins gave him an acknowledgment of indebtedness to that amount. This of course placed him in Duval's power, since he knew of no means of raising such a sum. He therefore kept out of the Frenchman's way, avoiding the old haunts where he would have been likely to meet him. Dawkins supposed Duval ignorant of the whereabouts of his employer's counting-room. So he had been, but he made it his business to ascertain9 where it was. He had no idea of losing sight of so valuable a prize.
Dawkins would willingly have broken the appointment he had made with Duval, but he did not dare to do so. He knew that the man was well able to annoy him, and he would not on any account have had the affair disclosed to his father or Mr. Danforth.
As Trinity clock struck eight, he entered a low bar-room in the neighborhood of the docks.
A young man with pale, sandy hair stood behind the counter with his sleeves rolled up. He was supplying the wants of a sailor who already appeared to have taken more drink than was good for him.
“Good evening, Mr. Dawkins,” said he, “you're a stranger.”
“Is Duval in?” inquired Dawkins, coldly. His pride revolted at the place and company. He had never been here but once before, having met Duval elsewhere.
“He's up in his room. John show the young gentleman up to No. 9. Won't you have a glass of something this evening?”
The boy preceded him up a dark and dirty staircase.
“That's the room, sir,” he said.
“Stop a minute,” said Dawkins, “he may not be in.”
He inwardly hoped he might not. But Duval answered his knock by coming to the door himself.
“Delighted to see you, mon ami. John, may leave the lamp. That's all, unless Mr. Dawkins wishes to order something.”
“I want nothing,” said Dawkins.
“They have some capital brandy.”
“I am not in the mood for drinking tonight.”
“As you please,” said the Frenchman, disappointed; “be seated.”
Dawkins sat down in a wooden rocking-chair, minus an arm.
“Well,” said Duval, “how much money have you brought me?”
“None.”
The Frenchman frowned and stroked his mustache, fiercely.
“What does all this mean? Are you going to put me off longer?”
“I would pay it if I could,” said Dawkins, “but I haven't got the money.”
“You could get it.”
“How?”
“Ask your father.”
“But you need not tell him.”
“If I ask for money, he will be sure to ask what I want it for.”
“Tell him you want clothes, or a watch, or a hundred things.”
Dawkins shook his head; “it won't do,” said he. “He wouldn't give me a hundred and fifty dollars.”
“Then ask seventy-five, and I will wait a month for the rest.”
“Look here, Duval, you have no rightful claim to this money. You've got enough out of me. Just tear up the paper.”
Duval laughed scornfully, “Aha, Mr. Dawkins,” he said, “that would be a very pretty arrangement FOR YOU. But I don't see how it is going to benefit me. No, no, I can't afford to throw away a hundred and fifty dollars so easily. If I was a rich man like your father it would make a difference.”
“You would think me a great ninny, if I did.”
“Then you may collect it the best way you can.”
“What do you mean by that?” demanded the Frenchman, his face darkening.
“Nothing is said about it's being a gambling debt. I have your note.”
Duval's face became black with rage.
“Aha, my friend,” said he showing his teeth, “this is a very nice game to cheat me out of my money. But it won't do, it won't do.”
“Why won't it?”
“I shall say a word in your father's ear, mon ami, and in the ear of your worthy17 employer whom you were so anxious for me not to see, and perhaps that would be worse for you than to pay me my money.”
Dawkins's brief exultation18 passed away. He saw that he was indeed in the power of an unscrupulous man, who was disposed to push his advantage to the utmost.
“Well, my friend, what will you do about it?”
“I don't know what I can do.”
“You will think of something. You will find it best,” said the Frenchman, in a tone which veiled a threat.
“I will try,” said Dawkins, gloomily.
“That is well. I thought you would listen to reason, mon ami. Now we will have a pleasant chat. Hold, I will order some brandy myself.”
“Not for me,” said Dawkins, rising from his chair, “I must be going.”
“No, no, I have had enough of that. Goodnight.”
“Then you won't stop. And when shall I have the pleasure of seeing you at my little apartment once more?”
“I don't know.”
“If it is any trouble to you to come, I will call at your office,” said Duval, significantly.
“Don't trouble yourself,” said Dawkins, hastily; “I will come here a week from today.”
“A week is a long time.”
“Long or short, I must have it.”
“Very well, mon ami. A week let it be. Good-night. Mind the stairs as you go down.”
Dawkins breathed more freely as he passed out into the open air. He was beginning to realize that the way of the transgressor22 is hard.
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收听单词发音
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1
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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2
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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3
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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4
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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5
authorized
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| a.委任的，许可的 | |
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6
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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8
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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9
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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10
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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11
rave
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| vi.胡言乱语；热衷谈论；n.热情赞扬 | |
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12
remit
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| v.汇款，汇寄；豁免（债务），免除（处罚等） | |
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13
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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14
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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15
gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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16
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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17
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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18
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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19
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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20
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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21
coaxingly
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| adv. 以巧言诱哄，以甘言哄骗 | |
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22
transgressor
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| n.违背者 | |
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