Dick was about to answer that he felt much better, though still as weak as need be, when his little nurse, pushing the visitors aside and pressing up to his pillow as if in jealousy4 of their interference, set his breakfast before him, and insisted on his taking it before he underwent the fatigue5 of speaking or of being spoken to. Mr Swiveller, who was perfectly7 ravenous8, and had had, all night, amazingly distinct and consistent dreams of mutton chops, double stout9, and similar delicacies10, felt even the weak tea and dry toast such irresistible11 temptations, that he consented to eat and drink on one condition.
‘And that is,’ said Dick, returning the pressure of Mr Garland’s hand, ‘that you answer me this question truly, before I take a bit or drop. Is it too late?’
‘For completing the work you began so well last night?’ returned the old gentleman. ‘No. Set your mind at rest on that point. It is not, I assure you.’
Comforted by this intelligence, the patient applied12 himself to his food with a keen appetite, though evidently not with a greater zest14 in the eating than his nurse appeared to have in seeing him eat. The manner of this meal was this:— Mr Swiveller, holding the slice of toast or cup of tea in his left hand, and taking a bite or drink, as the case might be, constantly kept, in his right, one palm of the Marchioness tight locked; and to shake, or even to kiss this imprisoned15 hand, he would stop every now and then, in the very act of swallowing, with perfect seriousness of intention, and the utmost gravity. As often as he put anything into his mouth, whether for eating or drinking, the face of the Marchioness lighted up beyond all description; but whenever he gave her one or other of these tokens of recognition, her countenance16 became overshadowed, and she began to sob17. Now, whether she was in her laughing joy, or in her crying one, the Marchioness could not help turning to the visitors with an appealing look, which seemed to say, ‘You see this fellow — can I help this?’— and they, being thus made, as it were, parties to the scene, as regularly answered by another look, ‘No. Certainly not.’ This dumb-show, taking place during the whole time of the invalid18’s breakfast, and the invalid himself, pale and emaciated19, performing no small part in the same, it may be fairly questioned whether at any meal, where no word, good or bad, was spoken from beginning to end, so much was expressed by gestures in themselves so slight and unimportant.
At length — and to say the truth before very long — Mr Swiveller had despatched as much toast and tea as in that stage of his recovery it was discreet20 to let him have. But the cares of the Marchioness did not stop here; for, disappearing for an instant and presently returning with a basin of fair water, she laved his face and hands, brushed his hair, and in short made him as spruce and smart as anybody under such circumstances could be made; and all this, in as brisk and business-like a manner, as if he were a very little boy, and she his grown-up nurse. To these various attentions, Mr Swiveller submitted in a kind of grateful astonishment21 beyond the reach of language. When they were at last brought to an end, and the Marchioness had withdrawn22 into a distant corner to take her own poor breakfast (cold enough by that time), he turned his face away for some few moments, and shook hands heartily23 with the air.
‘Gentlemen,’ said Dick, rousing himself from this pause, and turning round again, ‘you’ll excuse me. Men who have been brought so low as I have been, are easily fatigued24. I am fresh again now, and fit for talking. We’re short of chairs here, among other trifles, but if you’ll do me the favour to sit upon the bed —’
‘What can we do for you?’ said Mr Garland, kindly25.
‘if you could make the Marchioness yonder, a Marchioness, in real, sober earnest,’ returned Dick, ‘I’d thank you to get it done off-hand. But as you can’t, and as the question is not what you will do for me, but what you will do for somebody else who has a better claim upon you, pray sir let me know what you intend doing.’
‘It’s chiefly on that account that we have come just now,’ said the single gentleman, ‘for you will have another visitor presently. We feared you would be anxious unless you knew from ourselves what steps we intended to take, and therefore came to you before we stirred in the matter.’
‘Gentlemen,’ returned Dick, ‘I thank you. Anybody in the helpless state that you see me in, is naturally anxious. Don’t let me interrupt you, sir.’
‘Then, you see, my good fellow,’ said the single gentleman, ‘that while we have no doubt whatever of the truth of this disclosure, which has so providentially come to light —’
‘Meaning hers?’ said Dick, pointing towards the Marchioness.
‘— Meaning hers, of course. While we have no doubt of that, or that a proper use of it would procure26 the poor lad’s immediate27 pardon and liberation, we have a great doubt whether it would, by itself, enable us to reach Quilp, the chief agent in this villany. I should tell you that this doubt has been confirmed into something very nearly approaching certainty by the best opinions we have been enabled, in this short space of time, to take upon the subject. You’ll agree with us, that to give him even the most distant chance of escape, if we could help it, would be monstrous28. You say with us, no doubt, if somebody must escape, let it be any one but he.’
‘Yes,’ returned Dick, ‘certainly. That is if somebody must — but upon my word, I’m unwilling29 that Anybody should. Since laws were made for every degree, to curb30 vice31 in others as well as in me — and so forth32 you know — doesn’t it strike you in that light?’
The single gentleman smiled as if the light in which Mr Swiveller had put the question were not the clearest in the world, and proceeded to explain that they contemplated33 proceeding34 by stratagem35 in the first instance; and that their design was to endeavour to extort36 a confession37 from the gentle Sarah.
‘When she finds how much we know, and how we know it,’ he said, ‘and that she is clearly compromised already, we are not without strong hopes that we may be enabled through her means to punish the other two effectually. If we could do that, she might go scot-free for aught I cared.’
Dick received this project in anything but a gracious manner, representing with as much warmth as he was then capable of showing, that they would find the old buck38 (meaning Sarah) more difficult to manage than Quilp himself — that, for any tampering39, terrifying, or cajolery, she was a very unpromising and unyielding subject — that she was of a kind of brass40 not easily melted or moulded into shape — in short, that they were no match for her, and would be signally defeated. But it was in vain to urge them to adopt some other course. The single gentleman has been described as explaining their joint41 intentions, but it should have been written that they all spoke6 together; that if any one of them by chance held his peace for a moment, he stood gasping42 and panting for an opportunity to strike in again: in a word, that they had reached that pitch of impatience44 and anxiety where men can neither be persuaded nor reasoned with; and that it would have been as easy to turn the most impetuous wind that ever blew, as to prevail on them to reconsider their determination. So, after telling Mr Swiveller how they had not lost sight of Kit45’s mother and the children; how they had never once even lost sight of Kit himself, but had been unremitting in their endeavours to procure a mitigation of his sentence; how they had been perfectly distracted between the strong proofs of his guilt46, and their own fading hopes of his innocence47; and how he, Richard Swiveller, might keep his mind at rest, for everything should be happily adjusted between that time and night; — after telling him all this, and adding a great many kind and cordial expressions, personal to himself, which it is unnecessary to recite, Mr Garland, the notary, and the single gentleman, took their leaves at a very critical time, or Richard Swiveller must assuredly have been driven into another fever, whereof the results might have been fatal.
Mr Abel remained behind, very often looking at his watch and at the room door, until Mr Swiveller was roused from a short nap, by the setting-down on the landing-place outside, as from the shoulders of a porter, of some giant load, which seemed to shake the house, and made the little physic bottles on the mantel-shelf ring again. Directly this sound reached his ears, Mr Abel started up, and hobbled to the door, and opened it; and behold48! there stood a strong man, with a mighty49 hamper50, which, being hauled into the room and presently unpacked51, disgorged such treasures as tea, and coffee, and wine, and rusks, and oranges, and grapes, and fowls52 ready trussed for boiling, and calves’-foot jelly, and arrow-root, and sago, and other delicate restoratives, that the small servant, who had never thought it possible that such things could be, except in shops, stood rooted to the spot in her one shoe, with her mouth and eyes watering in unison53, and her power of speech quite gone. But, not so Mr Abel; or the strong man who emptied the hamper, big as it was, in a twinkling; and not so the nice old lady, who appeared so suddenly that she might have come out of the hamper too (it was quite large enough), and who, bustling54 about on tiptoe and without noise — now here, now there, now everywhere at once — began to fill out the jelly in tea-cups, and to make chicken broth55 in small saucepans, and to peel oranges for the sick man and to cut them up in little pieces, and to ply56 the small servant with glasses of wine and choice bits of everything until more substantial meat could be prepared for her refreshment57. The whole of which appearances were so unexpected and bewildering, that Mr Swiveller, when he had taken two oranges and a little jelly, and had seen the strong man walk off with the empty basket, plainly leaving all that abundance for his use and benefit, was fain to lie down and fall asleep again, from sheer inability to entertain such wonders in his mind.
Meanwhile, the single gentleman, the Notary, and Mr Garland, repaired to a certain coffee-house, and from that place indited58 and sent a letter to Miss Sally Brass, requesting her, in terms mysterious and brief, to favour an unknown friend who wished to consult her, with her company there, as speedily as possible. The communication performed its errand so well, that within ten minutes of the messenger’s return and report of its delivery, Miss Brass herself was announced.
‘Pray ma’am,’ said the single gentleman, whom she found alone in the room, ‘take a chair.’
Miss Brass sat herself down, in a very stiff and frigid59 state, and seemed — as indeed she was — not a little astonished to find that the lodger60 and her mysterious correspondent were one and the same person.
‘You did not expect to see me?’ said the single gentleman.
‘I didn’t think much about it,’ returned the beauty. ‘I supposed it was business of some kind or other. If it’s about the apartments, of course you’ll give my brother regular notice, you know — or money. That’s very easily settled. You’re a responsible party, and in such a case lawful61 money and lawful notice are pretty much the same.’
‘I am obliged to you for your good opinion,’ retorted the single gentleman, ‘and quite concur62 in these sentiments. But that is not the subject on which I wish to speak with you.’
‘Oh!’ said Sally. ‘Then just state the particulars, will you? I suppose it’s professional business?’
‘Why, it is connected with the law, certainly.’
‘Very well,’ returned Miss Brass. ‘My brother and I are just the same. I can take any instructions, or give you any advice.’
‘As there are other parties interested besides myself,’ said the single gentleman, rising and opening the door of an inner room, ‘we had better confer together. Miss Brass is here, gentlemen.’ Mr Garland and the Notary walked in, looking very grave; and, drawing up two chairs, one on each side of the single gentleman, formed a kind of fence round the gentle Sarah, and penned her into a corner. Her brother Sampson under such circumstances would certainly have evinced some confusion or anxiety, but she — all composure — pulled out the tin box, and calmly took a pinch of snuff.
‘Miss Brass,’ said the Notary, taking the word at this crisis, ‘we professional people understand each other, and, when we choose, can say what we have to say, in very few words. You advertised a runaway63 servant, the other day?’
‘Well,’ returned Miss Sally, with a sudden flush overspreading her features, ‘what of that?’
‘She is found, ma’am,’ said the Notary, pulling out his pocket-handkerchief with a flourish. ‘She is found.’
‘Who found her?’ demanded Sarah hastily.
‘We did, ma’am — we three. Only last night, or you would have heard from us before.’
‘And now I have heard from you,’ said Miss Brass, folding her arms as though she were about to deny something to the death, ‘what have you got to say? Something you have got into your heads about her, of course. Prove it, will you — that’s all. Prove it. You have found her, you say. I can tell you (if you don’t know it) that you have found the most artful, lying, pilfering64, devilish little minx that was ever born. — Have you got her here?’ she added, looking sharply round.
‘No, she is not here at present,’ returned the Notary. ‘But she is quite safe.’
‘Ha!’ cried Sally, twitching65 a pinch of snuff out of her box, as spitefully as if she were in the very act of wrenching66 off the small servant’s nose; ‘she shall be safe enough from this time, I warrant you.’
‘I hope so,’ replied the Notary. ‘Did it occur to you for the first time, when you found she had run away, that there were two keys to your kitchen door?’
Miss Sally took another pinch, and putting her head on one side, looked at her questioner, with a curious kind of spasm67 about her mouth, but with a cunning aspect of immense expression.
‘Two keys,’ repeated the Notary; ‘one of which gave her the opportunities of roaming through the house at nights when you supposed her fast locked up, and of overhearing confidential68 consultations69 — among others, that particular conference, to be described to-day before a justice, which you will have an opportunity of hearing her relate; that conference which you and Mr Brass held together, on the night before that most unfortunate and innocent young man was accused of robbery, by a horrible device of which I will only say that it may be characterised by the epithets71 which you have applied to this wretched little witness, and by a few stronger ones besides.’
Sally took another pinch. Although her face was wonderfully composed, it was apparent that she was wholly taken by surprise, and that what she had expected to be taxed with, in connection with her small servant, was something very different from this.
‘Come, come, Miss Brass,’ said the Notary, ‘you have great command of feature, but you feel, I see, that by a chance which never entered your imagination, this base design is revealed, and two of its plotters must be brought to justice. Now, you know the pains and penalties you are liable to, and so I need not dilate72 upon them, but I have a proposal to make to you. You have the honour of being sister to one of the greatest scoundrels unhung; and, if I may venture to say so to a lady, you are in every respect quite worthy73 of him. But connected with you two is a third party, a villain74 of the name of Quilp, the prime mover of the whole diabolical75 device, who I believe to be worse than either. For his sake, Miss Brass, do us the favour to reveal the whole history of this affair. Let me remind you that your doing so, at our instance, will place you in a safe and comfortable position — your present one is not desirable — and cannot injure your brother; for against him and you we have quite sufficient evidence (as you hear) already. I will not say to you that we suggest this course in mercy (for, to tell you the truth, we do not entertain any regard for you), but it is a necessity to which we are reduced, and I recommend it to you as a matter of the very best policy. Time,’ said Mr Witherden, pulling out his watch, ‘in a business like this, is exceedingly precious. Favour us with your decision as speedily as possible, ma’am.’
With a smile upon her face, and looking at each of the three by turns, Miss Brass took two or three more pinches of snuff, and having by this time very little left, travelled round and round the box with her forefinger76 and thumb, scraping up another. Having disposed of this likewise and put the box carefully in her pocket, she said —
‘I am to accept or reject at once, am I?’
‘Yes,’ said Mr Witherden.
The charming creature was opening her lips to speak in reply, when the door was hastily opened too, and the head of Sampson Brass was thrust into the room.
‘Excuse me,’ said the gentleman hastily. ‘Wait a bit!’
So saying, and quite indifferent to the astonishment his presence occasioned, he crept in, shut the door, kissed his greasy77 glove as servilely as if it were the dust, and made a most abject78 bow.
‘Sarah,’ said Brass, ‘hold your tongue if you please, and let me speak. Gentlemen, if I could express the pleasure it gives me to see three such men in a happy unity43 of feeling and concord79 of sentiment, I think you would hardly believe me. But though I am unfortunate — nay80, gentlemen, criminal, if we are to use harsh expressions in a company like this — still, I have my feelings like other men. I have heard of a poet, who remarked that feelings were the common lot of all. If he could have been a pig, gentlemen, and have uttered that sentiment, he would still have been immortal81.’
‘If you’re not an idiot,’ said Miss Brass harshly, ‘hold your peace.’
‘Sarah, my dear,’ returned her brother, ‘thank you. But I know what I am about, my love, and will take the liberty of expressing myself accordingly. Mr Witherden, Sir, your handkerchief is hanging out of your pocket — would you allow me to —
As Mr Brass advanced to remedy this accident, the Notary shrunk from him with an air of disgust. Brass, who over and above his usual prepossessing qualities, had a scratched face, a green shade over one eye, and a hat grievously crushed, stopped short, and looked round with a pitiful smile.
‘He shuns82 me,’ said Sampson, ‘even when I would, as I may say, heap coals of fire upon his head. Well! Ah! But I am a falling house, and the rats (if I may be allowed the expression in reference to a gentleman I respect and love beyond everything) fly from me! Gentlemen — regarding your conversation just now, I happened to see my sister on her way here, and, wondering where she could be going to, and being — may I venture to say? — naturally of a suspicious turn, followed her. Since then, I have been listening.’
‘If you’re not mad,’ interposed Miss Sally, ‘stop there, and say no more.’
‘Sarah, my dear,’ rejoined Brass with undiminished politeness, ‘I thank you kindly, but will still proceed. Mr Witherden, sir, as we have the honour to be members of the same profession — to say nothing of that other gentleman having been my lodger, and having partaken, as one may say, of the hospitality of my roof — I think you might have given me the refusal of this offer in the first instance. I do indeed. Now, my dear Sir,’ cried Brass, seeing that the Notary was about to interrupt him, ‘suffer me to speak, I beg.’
Mr Witherden was silent, and Brass went on.
‘If you will do me the favour,’ he said, holding up the green shade, and revealing an eye most horribly discoloured, ‘to look at this, you will naturally inquire, in your own minds, how did I get it. If you look from that, to my face, you will wonder what could have been the cause of all these scratches. And if from them to my hat, how it came into the state in which you see it. Gentlemen,’ said Brass, striking the hat fiercely with his clenched83 hand, ‘to all these questions I answer — Quilp!’
The three gentlemen looked at each other, but said nothing.
‘I say,’ pursued Brass, glancing aside at his sister, as though he were talking for her information, and speaking with a snarling84 malignity85, in violent contrast to his usual smoothness, ‘that I answer to all these questions — Quilp — Quilp, who deludes86 me into his infernal den13, and takes a delight in looking on and chuckling87 while I scorch88, and burn, and bruise89, and maim90 myself — Quilp, who never once, no never once, in all our communications together, has treated me otherwise than as a dog — Quilp, whom I have always hated with my whole heart, but never so much as lately. He gives me the cold shoulder on this very matter as if he had had nothing to do with it, instead of being the first to propose it. I can’t trust him. In one of his howling, raving91, blazing humours, I believe he’d let it out, if it was murder, and never think of himself so long as he could terrify me. Now,’ said Brass, picking up his hat again and replacing the shade over his eye, and actually crouching92 down, in the excess of his servility, ‘What does all this lead to? — what should you say it led me to, gentlemen? — could you guess at all near the mark?’
Nobody spoke. Brass stood smirking93 for a little while, as if he had propounded94 some choice conundrum95; and then said:
‘To be short with you, then, it leads me to this. If the truth has come out, as it plainly has in a manner that there’s no standing96 up against — and a very sublime97 and grand thing is Truth, gentlemen, in its way, though like other sublime and grand things, such as thunder-storms and that, we’re not always over and above glad to see it — I had better turn upon this man than let this man turn upon me. It’s clear to me that I am done for. Therefore, if anybody is to split, I had better be the person and have the advantage of it. Sarah, my dear, comparatively speaking you’re safe. I relate these circumstances for my own profit.’
With that, Mr Brass, in a great hurry, revealed the whole story; bearing as heavily as possible on his amiable98 employer, and making himself out to be rather a saint-like and holy character, though subject — he acknowledged — to human weaknesses. He concluded thus:
‘Now, gentlemen, I am not a man who does things by halves. Being in for a penny, I am ready, as the saying is, to be in for a pound. You must do with me what you please, and take me where you please. If you wish to have this in writing, we’ll reduce it into manuscript immediately. You will be tender with me, I am sure. I am quite confident you will be tender with me. You are men of honour, and have feeling hearts. I yielded from necessity to Quilp, for though necessity has no law, she has her lawyers. I yield to you from necessity too; from policy besides; and because of feelings that have been a pretty long time working within me. Punish Quilp, gentlemen. Weigh heavily upon him. Grind him down. Tread him under foot. He has done as much by me, for many and many a day.’
Having now arrived at the conclusion of his discourse99, Sampson checked the current of his wrath100, kissed his glove again, and smiled as only parasites101 and cowards can.
‘And this,’ said Miss Brass, raising her head, with which she had hitherto sat resting on her hands, and surveying him from head to foot with a bitter sneer102, ‘this is my brother, is it! This is my brother, that I have worked and toiled103 for, and believed to have had something of the man in him!’
‘Sarah, my dear,’ returned Sampson, rubbing his hands feebly; you disturb our friends. Besides you — you’re disappointed, Sarah, and, not knowing what you say, expose yourself.’
‘Yes, you pitiful dastard,’ retorted the lovely damsel, ‘I understand you. You feared that I should be beforehand with you. But do you think that I would have been enticed105 to say a word! I’d have scorned it, if they had tried and tempted106 me for twenty years.’
‘He he!’ simpered Brass, who, in his deep debasement, really seemed to have changed sexes with his sister, and to have made over to her any spark of manliness107 he might have possessed108. ‘You think so, Sarah, you think so perhaps; but you would have acted quite different, my good fellow. You will not have forgotten that it was a maxim109 with Foxey — our revered110 father, gentlemen —“Always suspect everybody.” That’s the maxim to go through life with! If you were not actually about to purchase your own safety when I showed myself, I suspect you’d have done it by this time. And therefore I’ve done it myself, and spared you the trouble as well as the shame. The shame, gentlemen,’ added Brass, allowing himself to be slightly overcome, ‘if there is any, is mine. It’s better that a female should be spared it.’
With deference112 to the better opinion of Mr Brass, and more particularly to the authority of his Great Ancestor, it may be doubted, with humility113, whether the elevating principle laid down by the latter gentleman, and acted upon by his descendant, is always a prudent114 one, or attended in practice with the desired results. This is, beyond question, a bold and presumptuous115 doubt, inasmuch as many distinguished116 characters, called men of the world, long-headed customers, knowing dogs, shrewd fellows, capital hands at business, and the like, have made, and do daily make, this axiom their polar star and compass. Still, the doubt may be gently insinuated117. And in illustration it may be observed, that if Mr Brass, not being over-suspicious, had, without prying118 and listening, left his sister to manage the conference on their joint behalf, or prying and listening, had not been in such a mighty hurry to anticipate her (which he would not have been, but for his distrust and jealousy), he would probably have found himself much better off in the end. Thus, it will always happen that these men of the world, who go through it in armour119, defend themselves from quite as much good as evil; to say nothing of the inconvenience and absurdity120 of mounting guard with a microscope at all times, and of wearing a coat of mail on the most innocent occasions.
The three gentlemen spoke together apart, for a few moments. At the end of their consultation70, which was very brief, the Notary pointed104 to the writing materials on the table, and informed Mr Brass that if he wished to make any statement in writing, he had the opportunity of doing so. At the same time he felt bound to tell him that they would require his attendance, presently, before a justice of the peace, and that in what he did or said, he was guided entirely121 by his own discretion122.
‘Gentlemen,’ said Brass, drawing off his glove, and crawling in spirit upon the ground before them, ‘I will justify123 the tenderness with which I know I shall be treated; and as, without tenderness, I should, now that this discovery has been made, stand in the worst position of the three, you may depend upon it I will make a clean breast. Mr Witherden, sir, a kind of faintness is upon my spirits — if you would do me the favour to ring the bell and order up a glass of something warm and spicy124, I shall, notwithstanding what has passed, have a melancholy125 pleasure in drinking your good health. I had hoped,’ said Brass, looking round with a mournful smile, ‘to have seen you three gentlemen, one day or another, with your legs under the mahogany in my humble126 parlour in the Marks. But hopes are fleeting127. Dear me!’
Mr Brass found himself so exceedingly affected128, at this point, that he could say or do nothing more until some refreshment arrived. Having partaken of it, pretty freely for one in his agitated129 state, he sat down to write.
The lovely Sarah, now with her arms folded, and now with her hands clasped behind her, paced the room with manly130 strides while her brother was thus employed, and sometimes stopped to pull out her snuff-box and bite the lid. She continued to pace up and down until she was quite tired, and then fell asleep on a chair near the door.
It has been since supposed, with some reason, that this slumber131 was a sham111 or feint, as she contrived132 to slip away unobserved in the dusk of the afternoon. Whether this was an intentional133 and waking departure, or a somnambulistic leave-taking and walking in her sleep, may remain a subject of contention134; but, on one point (and indeed the main one) all parties are agreed. In whatever state she walked away, she certainly did not walk back again.
Mention having been made of the dusk of the afternoon, it will be inferred that Mr Brass’s task occupied some time in the completion. It was not finished until evening; but, being done at last, that worthy person and the three friends adjourned135 in a hackney-coach to the private office of a justice, who, giving Mr Brass a warm reception and detaining him in a secure place that he might insure to himself the pleasure of seeing him on the morrow, dismissed the others with the cheering assurance that a warrant could not fail to be granted next day for the apprehension136 of Mr Quilp, and that a proper application and statement of all the circumstances to the secretary of state (who was fortunately in town), would no doubt procure Kit’s free pardon and liberation without delay.
And now, indeed, it seemed that Quilp’s malignant137 career was drawing to a close, and that retribution, which often travels slowly — especially when heaviest — had tracked his footsteps with a sure and certain scent138 and was gaining on him fast. Unmindful of her stealthy tread, her victim holds his course in fancied triumph. Still at his heels she comes, and once afoot, is never turned aside!
Their business ended, the three gentlemen hastened back to the lodgings139 of Mr Swiveller, whom they found progressing so favourably140 in his recovery as to have been able to sit up for half an hour, and to have conversed141 with cheerfulness. Mrs Garland had gone home some time since, but Mr Abel was still sitting with him. After telling him all they had done, the two Mr Garlands and the single gentleman, as if by some previous understanding, took their leaves for the night, leaving the invalid alone with the Notary and the small servant.
‘As you are so much better,’ said Mr Witherden, sitting down at the bedside, ‘I may venture to communicate to you a piece of news which has come to me professionally.’
The idea of any professional intelligence from a gentleman connected with legal matters, appeared to afford Richard any-thing but a pleasing anticipation142. Perhaps he connected it in his own mind with one or two outstanding accounts, in reference to which he had already received divers143 threatening letters. His countenance fell as he replied,
‘Certainly, sir. I hope it’s not anything of a very disagreeable nature, though?’
‘if I thought it so, I should choose some better time for communicating it,’ replied the Notary. ‘Let me tell you, first, that my friends who have been here to-day, know nothing of it, and that their kindness to you has been quite spontaneous and with no hope of return. It may do a thoughtless, careless man, good, to know that.’
Dick thanked him, and said he hoped it would.
‘I have been making some inquiries144 about you,’ said Mr Witherden, ‘little thinking that I should find you under such circumstances as those which have brought us together. You are the nephew of Rebecca Swiveller, spinster, deceased, of Cheselbourne in Dorsetshire.’
‘Deceased!’ cried Dick.
‘Deceased. If you had been another sort of nephew, you would have come into possession (so says the will, and I see no reason to doubt it) of five-and-twenty thousand pounds. As it is, you have fallen into an annuity145 of one hundred and fifty pounds a year; but I think I may congratulate you even upon that.’
‘Sir,’ said Dick, sobbing146 and laughing together, ‘you may. For, please God, we’ll make a scholar of the poor Marchioness yet! And she shall walk in silk attire147, and siller have to spare, or may I never rise from this bed again!’
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
espied
|
|
| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
notary
|
|
| n.公证人，公证员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
fatigue
|
|
| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
ravenous
|
|
| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
delicacies
|
|
| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
irresistible
|
|
| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
den
|
|
| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
zest
|
|
| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
imprisoned
|
|
| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
sob
|
|
| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
invalid
|
|
| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
emaciated
|
|
| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
discreet
|
|
| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
withdrawn
|
|
| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
heartily
|
|
| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
fatigued
|
|
| adj. 疲乏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
procure
|
|
| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
monstrous
|
|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
unwilling
|
|
| adj.不情愿的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
curb
|
|
| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
vice
|
|
| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
contemplated
|
|
| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
proceeding
|
|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
stratagem
|
|
| n.诡计，计谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
extort
|
|
| v.勒索，敲诈，强要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
confession
|
|
| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
buck
|
|
| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
tampering
|
|
| v.窜改( tamper的现在分词 )；篡改；（用不正当手段）影响；瞎摆弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
brass
|
|
| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
joint
|
|
| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
gasping
|
|
| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
unity
|
|
| n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
kit
|
|
| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
innocence
|
|
| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
behold
|
|
| v.看，注视，看到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
hamper
|
|
| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
unpacked
|
|
| v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的过去式和过去分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
fowls
|
|
| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
unison
|
|
| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
bustling
|
|
| adj.喧闹的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
broth
|
|
| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
ply
|
|
| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
refreshment
|
|
| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
indited
|
|
| v.写（文章，信等）创作，赋诗，创作( indite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
59
frigid
|
|
| adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
lodger
|
|
| n.寄宿人，房客 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
lawful
|
|
| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
concur
|
|
| v.同意，意见一致，互助，同时发生 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
runaway
|
|
| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
pilfering
|
|
| v.偷窃（小东西），小偷( pilfer的现在分词 )；偷窃（一般指小偷小摸） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
twitching
|
|
| n.颤搐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
wrenching
|
|
| n.修截苗根，苗木铲根（铲根时苗木不起土或部分起土）v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的现在分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
spasm
|
|
| n.痉挛，抽搐；一阵发作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
confidential
|
|
| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
consultations
|
|
| n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
consultation
|
|
| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
epithets
|
|
| n.（表示性质、特征等的）词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
dilate
|
|
| vt.使膨胀，使扩大 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
diabolical
|
|
| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
forefinger
|
|
| n.食指 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
greasy
|
|
| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
abject
|
|
| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
concord
|
|
| n.和谐；协调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
nay
|
|
| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
immortal
|
|
| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
shuns
|
|
| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
clenched
|
|
| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
snarling
|
|
| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的现在分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
malignity
|
|
| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
deludes
|
|
| v.欺骗，哄骗( delude的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
chuckling
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
scorch
|
|
| v.烧焦，烤焦；高速疾驶；n.烧焦处，焦痕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
bruise
|
|
| n.青肿，挫伤；伤痕；vt.打青；挫伤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
maim
|
|
| v.使残废，使不能工作，使伤残 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
raving
|
|
| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
crouching
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
smirking
|
|
| v.傻笑( smirk的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
propounded
|
|
| v.提出（问题、计划等）供考虑[讨论]，提议( propound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
conundrum
|
|
| n.谜语；难题 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
sublime
|
|
| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
amiable
|
|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
discourse
|
|
| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
parasites
|
|
| 寄生物( parasite的名词复数 )； 靠他人为生的人； 诸虫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
sneer
|
|
| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
toiled
|
|
| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
enticed
|
|
| 诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
tempted
|
|
| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
manliness
|
|
| 刚毅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
maxim
|
|
| n.格言，箴言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
revered
|
|
| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
sham
|
|
| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
deference
|
|
| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
humility
|
|
| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
prudent
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
presumptuous
|
|
| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
insinuated
|
|
| v.暗示( insinuate的过去式和过去分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
prying
|
|
| adj.爱打听的v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的现在分词 )；撬开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
armour
|
|
| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
absurdity
|
|
| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
discretion
|
|
| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
justify
|
|
| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
spicy
|
|
| adj.加香料的；辛辣的，有风味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
fleeting
|
|
| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
affected
|
|
| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
manly
|
|
| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
slumber
|
|
| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
contrived
|
|
| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
intentional
|
|
| adj.故意的，有意（识）的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
contention
|
|
| n.争论，争辩，论战；论点，主张 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
adjourned
|
|
| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
apprehension
|
|
| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
malignant
|
|
| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
scent
|
|
| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
lodgings
|
|
| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
favourably
|
|
| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
conversed
|
|
| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
anticipation
|
|
| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
divers
|
|
| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
inquiries
|
|
| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
annuity
|
|
| n.年金；养老金 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
sobbing
|
|
| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
attire
|
|
| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |