To this indictment, Christopher Nubbles, in a low and trembling voice, pleaded Not Guilty; and here, let those who are in the habit of forming hasty judgments6 from appearances, and who would have had Christopher, if innocent, speak out very strong and loud, observe, that confinement7 and anxiety will subdue8 the stoutest9 hearts; and that to one who has been close shut up, though it be only for ten or eleven days, seeing but stone walls and a very few stony10 faces, the sudden entrance into a great hall filled with life, is a rather disconcerting and startling circumstance. To this, it must be added, that life in a wig11 is to a large class of people much more terrifying and impressive than life with its own head of hair; and if, in addition to these considerations, there be taken into account Kit’s natural emotion on seeing the two Mr Garlands and the little Notary12 looking on with pale and anxious faces, it will perhaps seem matter of no very great wonder that he should have been rather out of sorts, and unable to make himself quite at home.
Although he had never seen either of the Mr Garlands, or Mr Witherden, since the time of his arrest, he had been given to understand that they had employed counsel for him. Therefore, when one of the gentlemen in wigs13 got up and said ‘I am for the prisoner, my Lord,’ Kit made him a bow; and when another gentleman in a wig got up and said ‘And I’m against him, my Lord,’ Kit trembled very much, and bowed to him too. And didn’t he hope in his own heart that his gentleman was a match for the other gentleman, and would make him ashamed of himself in no time!
The gentleman who was against him had to speak first, and being in dreadfully good spirits (for he had, in the last trial, very nearly procured14 the acquittal of a young gentleman who had had the misfortune to murder his father) he spoke15 up, you may be sure; telling the jury that if they acquitted16 this prisoner they must expect to suffer no less pangs17 and agonies than he had told the other jury they would certainly undergo if they convicted that prisoner. And when he had told them all about the case, and that he had never known a worse case, he stopped a little while, like a man who had something terrible to tell them, and then said that he understood an attempt would be made by his learned friend (and here he looked sideways at Kit’s gentleman) to impeach18 the testimony19 of those immaculate witnesses whom he should call before them; but he did hope and trust that his learned friend would have a greater respect and veneration20 for the character of the prosecutor21; than whom, as he well knew, there did not exist, and never had existed, a more honourable22 member of that most honourable profession to which he was attached. And then he said, did the jury know Bevis Marks? And if they did know Bevis Marks (as he trusted for their own character, they did) did they know the historical and elevating associations connected with that most remarkable23 spot? Did they believe that a man like Brass could reside in a place like Bevis Marks, and not be a virtuous24 and most upright character? And when he had said a great deal to them on this point, he remembered that it was an insult to their understandings to make any remarks on what they must have felt so strongly without him, and therefore called Sampson Brass into the witness-box, straightway.
Then up comes Mr Brass, very brisk and fresh; and, having bowed to the judge, like a man who has had the pleasure of seeing him before, and who hopes he has been pretty well since their last meeting, folds his arms, and looks at his gentleman as much as to say ‘Here I am — full of evidence — Tap me!’ And the gentleman does tap him presently, and with great discretion25 too; drawing off the evidence by little and little, and making it run quite clear and bright in the eyes of all present. Then, Kit’s gentleman takes him in hand, but can make nothing of him; and after a great many very long questions and very short answers, Mr Sampson Brass goes down in glory.
To him succeeds Sarah, who in like manner is easy to be managed by Mr Brass’s gentleman, but very obdurate26 to Kit’s. In short, Kit’s gentleman can get nothing out of her but a repetition of what she has said before (only a little stronger this time, as against his client), and therefore lets her go, in some confusion. Then, Mr Brass’s gentleman calls Richard Swiveller, and Richard Swiveller appears accordingly.
Now, Mr Brass’s gentleman has it whispered in his ear that this witness is disposed to be friendly to the prisoner — which, to say the truth, he is rather glad to hear, as his strength is considered to lie in what is familiarly termed badgering. Wherefore, he begins by requesting the officer to be quite sure that this witness kisses the book, then goes to work at him, tooth and nail.
‘Mr Swiveller,’ says this gentleman to Dick, when he had told his tale with evident reluctance27 and a desire to make the best of it: ‘Pray sir, where did you dine yesterday?’—‘Where did I dine yesterday?’—‘Aye, sir, where did you dine yesterday — was it near here, sir?’—‘Oh to be sure — yes — just over the way.’—‘To be sure. Yes. just over the way,’ repeats Mr Brass’s gentleman, with a glance at the court. —‘Alone, sir?’—‘I beg your pardon,’ says Mr Swiveller, who has not caught the question —‘Alone, sir?’ repeats Mr Brass’s gentleman in a voice of thunder, ‘did you dine alone? Did you treat anybody, sir? Come!’—‘Oh yes, to be sure — yes, I did,’ says Mr Swiveller with a smile. —‘Have the goodness to banish28 a levity29, sir, which is very ill-suited to the place in which you stand (though perhaps you have reason to be thankful that it’s only that place),’ says Mr Brass’s gentleman, with a nod of the head, insinuating30 that the dock is Mr Swiveller’s legitimate31 sphere of action; ‘and attend to me. You were waiting about here, yesterday, in expectation that this trial was coming on. You dined over the way. You treated somebody. Now, was that somebody brother to the prisoner at the bar?’— Mr Swiveller is proceeding32 to explain —‘Yes or No, sir,’ cries Mr Brass’s gentleman —‘But will you allow me —’ —‘Yes or No, sir’—‘Yes it was, but —’—‘Yes it was,’ cries the gentleman, taking him up short. ‘And a very pretty witness YOU are!’
Down sits Mr Brass’s gentleman. Kit’s gentleman, not knowing how the matter really stands, is afraid to pursue the subject. Richard Swiveller retires abashed33. Judge, jury and spectators have visions of his lounging about, with an ill-looking, large-whiskered, dissolute young fellow of six feet high. The reality is, little Jacob, with the calves34 of his legs exposed to the open air, and himself tied up in a shawl. Nobody knows the truth; everybody believes a falsehood; and all because of the ingenuity35 of Mr Brass’s gentleman.
Then come the witnesses to character, and here Mr Brass’s gentleman shines again. It turns out that Mr Garland has had no character with Kit, no recommendation of him but from his own mother, and that he was suddenly dismissed by his former master for unknown reasons. ‘Really Mr Garland,’ says Mr Brass’s gentleman, ‘for a person who has arrived at your time of life, you are, to say the least of it, singularly indiscreet, I think.’ The jury think so too, and find Kit guilty. He is taken off, humbly36 protesting his innocence37. The spectators settle themselves in their places with renewed attention, for there are several female witnesses to be examined in the next case, and it has been rumoured38 that Mr Brass’s gentleman will make great fun in cross-examining them for the prisoner.
Kit’s mother, poor woman, is waiting at the grate below stairs, accompanied by Barbara’s mother (who, honest soul! never does anything but cry, and hold the baby), and a sad interview ensues. The newspaper-reading turnkey has told them all. He don’t think it will be transportation for life, because there’s time to prove the good character yet, and that is sure to serve him. He wonders what he did it for. ‘He never did it!’ cries Kit’s mother. ‘Well,’ says the turnkey, ‘I won’t contradict you. It’s all one, now, whether he did it or not.’
Kit’s mother can reach his hand through the bars, and she clasps it — God, and those to whom he has given such tenderness, only know in how much agony. Kit bids her keep a good heart, and, under pretence39 of having the children lifted up to kiss him, prays Barbara’s mother in a whisper to take her home.
‘Some friend will rise up for us, mother,’ cried Kit, ‘I am sure. If not now, before long. My innocence will come out, mother, and I shall be brought back again; I feel confidence in that. You must teach little Jacob and the baby how all this was, for if they thought I had ever been dishonest, when they grew old enough to understand, it would break my heart to know it, if I was thousands of miles away. — Oh! is there no good gentleman here, who will take care of her!’
The hand slips out of his, for the poor creature sinks down upon the earth, insensible. Richard Swiveller comes hastily up, elbows the bystanders out of the way, takes her (after some trouble) in one arm after the manner of theatrical40 ravishers, and, nodding to Kit, and commanding Barbara’s mother to follow, for he has a coach waiting, bears her swiftly off.
Well; Richard took her home. And what astonishing absurdities41 in the way of quotation42 from song and poem he perpetrated on the road, no man knows. He took her home, and stayed till she was recovered; and, having no money to pay the coach, went back in state to Bevis Marks, bidding the driver (for it was Saturday night) wait at the door while he went in for ‘change.’
‘Mr Richard, sir,’ said Brass cheerfully, ‘Good evening!’
Monstrous43 as Kit’s tale had appeared, at first, Mr Richard did, that night, half suspect his affable employer of some deep villany. Perhaps it was but the misery44 he had just witnessed which gave his careless nature this impulse; but, be that as it may, it was very strong upon him, and he said in as few words as possible, what he wanted.
‘Money?’ cried Brass, taking out his purse. ‘Ha ha! To be sure, Mr Richard, to be sure, sir. All men must live. You haven’t change for a five-pound note, have you sir?’
‘No,’ returned Dick, shortly.
‘Oh!’ said Brass, ‘here’s the very sum. That saves trouble. You’re very welcome I’m sure. — Mr Richard, sir —’ Dick, who had by this time reached the door, turned round.
‘You needn’t,’ said Brass, ‘trouble yourself to come back any more, Sir.’
‘Eh?’
‘You see, Mr Richard,’ said Brass, thrusting his hands in his pockets, and rocking himself to and fro on his stool, ‘the fact is, that a man of your abilities is lost, Sir, quite lost, in our dry and mouldy line. It’s terrible drudgery45 — shocking. I should say, now, that the stage, or the — or the army, Mr Richard — or something very superior in the licensed46 victualling way — was the kind of thing that would call out the genius of such a man as you. I hope you’ll look in to see us now and then. Sally, Sir, will be delighted I’m sure. She’s extremely sorry to lose you, Mr Richard, but a sense of her duty to society reconciles her. An amazing creature that, sir! You’ll find the money quite correct, I think. There’s a cracked window sir, but I’ve not made any deduction47 on that account. Whenever we part with friends, Mr Richard, let us part liberally. A delightful48 sentiment, sir!’
To all these rambling49 observations, Mr Swiveller answered not one word, but, returning for the aquatic50 jacket, rolled it into a tight round ball: looking steadily51 at Brass meanwhile as if he had some intention of bowling52 him down with it. He only took it under his arm, however, and marched out of the office in profound silence. When he had closed the door, he re-opened it, stared in again for a few moments with the same portentous53 gravity, and nodding his head once, in a slow and ghost-like manner, vanished.
He paid the coachman, and turned his back on Bevis Marks, big with great designs for the comforting of Kit’s mother and the aid of Kit himself.
But the lives of gentlemen devoted54 to such pleasures as Richard Swiveller, are extremely precarious55. The spiritual excitement of the last fortnight, working upon a system affected56 in no slight degree by the spirituous excitement of some years, proved a little too much for him. That very night, Mr Richard was seized with an alarming illness, and in twenty-four hours was stricken with a raging fever.
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1
kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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consolatory
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| adj.慰问的，可藉慰的 | |
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3
indictment
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| n.起诉；诉状 | |
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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5
statutes
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| 成文法( statute的名词复数 )； 法令； 法规； 章程 | |
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judgments
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| 判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判 | |
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7
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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8
subdue
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| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
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stoutest
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| 粗壮的( stout的最高级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
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10
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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11
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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notary
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| n.公证人，公证员 | |
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13
wigs
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| n.假发，法官帽( wig的名词复数 ) | |
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14
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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15
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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16
acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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18
impeach
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| v.弹劾；检举 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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veneration
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| n.尊敬，崇拜 | |
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prosecutor
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| n.起诉人；检察官，公诉人 | |
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22
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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23
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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obdurate
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| adj.固执的，顽固的 | |
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reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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28
banish
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| vt.放逐，驱逐；消除，排除 | |
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29
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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30
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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33
abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34
calves
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| n.(calf的复数)笨拙的男子，腓；腿肚子( calf的名词复数 )；牛犊；腓；小腿肚v.生小牛( calve的第三人称单数 )；（冰川）崩解；生（小牛等），产（犊）；使（冰川）崩解 | |
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35
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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36
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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38
rumoured
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| adj.谣传的；传说的；风 | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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40
theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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absurdities
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| n.极端无理性( absurdity的名词复数 )；荒谬；谬论；荒谬的行为 | |
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42
quotation
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| n.引文，引语，语录；报价，牌价，行情 | |
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43
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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44
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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45
drudgery
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| n.苦工，重活，单调乏味的工作 | |
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46
licensed
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| adj.得到许可的v.许可，颁发执照(license的过去式和过去分词) | |
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47
deduction
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| n.减除，扣除，减除额；推论，推理，演绎 | |
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48
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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49
rambling
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| adj.[建]凌乱的，杂乱的 | |
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50
aquatic
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| adj.水生的，水栖的 | |
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51
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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52
bowling
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| n.保龄球运动 | |
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53
portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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54
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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55
precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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56
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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