Containing some Romantic Passages between MrsNickleby and the Gentleman in the Small-clothesnext Door.
Ever since her last momentous2 conversation with her son,Mrs Nickleby had begun to display unusual care in theadornment of her person, gradually superadding to thosestaid and matronly habiliments, which had, up to that time,formed her ordinary attire3, a variety of embellishments anddecorations, slight perhaps in themselves, but, taken together, andconsidered with reference to the subject of her disclosure, of nomean importance. Even her black dress assumed something of adeadly-lively air from the jaunty5 style in which it was worn; and,eked out as its lingering attractions were; by a prudent6 disposal,here and there, of certain juvenile7 ornaments8 of little or no value,which had, for that reason alone, escaped the general wreck9 andbeen permitted to slumber10 peacefully in odd corners of olddrawers and boxes where daylight seldom shone, her mourninggarments assumed quite a new character. From being the outwardtokens of respect and sorrow for the dead, they became convertedinto signals of very slaughterous11 and killing12 designs upon theliving.
Mrs Nickleby might have been stimulated13 to this proceeding14 bya lofty sense of duty, and impulses of unquestionable excellence15.
She might, by this time, have become impressed with thesinfulness of long indulgence in unavailing woe16, or the necessity of setting a proper example of neatness and decorum to herblooming daughter. Considerations of duty and responsibilityapart, the change might have taken its rise in feelings of the purestand most disinterested17 charity. The gentleman next door had beenvilified by Nicholas; rudely stigmatised as a dotard and an idiot;and for these attacks upon his understanding, Mrs Nickleby was,in some sort, accountable. She might have felt that it was the act ofa good Christian18 to show by all means in her power, that theabused gentleman was neither the one nor the other. And whatbetter means could she adopt, towards so virtuous19 and laudable anend, than proving to all men, in her own person, that his passionwas the most rational and reasonable in the world, and just thevery result, of all others, which discreet21 and thinking personsmight have foreseen, from her incautiously displaying hermatured charms, without reserve, under the very eye, as it were,of an ardent22 and too-susceptible man?
‘Ah!’ said Mrs Nickleby, gravely shaking her head; ‘if Nicholasknew what his poor dear papa suffered before we were engaged,when I used to hate him, he would have a little more feeling. ShallI ever forget the morning I looked scornfully at him when heoffered to carry my parasol? Or that night, when I frowned athim? It was a mercy he didn’t emigrate. It very nearly drove himto it.’
Whether the deceased might not have been better off if he hademigrated in his bachelor days, was a question which his relict didnot stop to consider; for Kate entered the room, with her workbox,in this stage of her reflections; and a much slighter interruption, orno interruption at all, would have diverted Mrs Nickleby’sthoughts into a new channel at any time.
‘Kate, my dear,’ said Mrs Nickleby; ‘I don’t know how it is, but afine warm summer day like this, with the birds singing in everydirection, always puts me in mind of roast pig, with sage1 and onionsauce, and made gravy24.’
‘That’s a curious association of ideas, is it not, mama?’
‘Upon my word, my dear, I don’t know,’ replied Mrs Nickleby.
‘Roast pig; let me see. On the day five weeks after you werechristened, we had a roast—no, that couldn’t have been a pig,either, because I recollect25 there were a pair of them to carve, andyour poor papa and I could never have thought of sitting down totwo pigs—they must have been partridges. Roast pig! I hardlythink we ever could have had one, now I come to remember, foryour papa could never bear the sight of them in the shops, andused to say that they always put him in mind of very little babies,only the pigs had much fairer complexions26; and he had a horror oflittle babies, to, because he couldn’t very well afford any increaseto his family, and had a natural dislike to the subject. It’s very oddnow, what can have put that in my head! I recollect dining once atMrs Bevan’s, in that broad street round the corner by thecoachmaker’s, where the tipsy man fell through the cellar-flap ofan empty house nearly a week before the quarter-day, and wasn’tfound till the new tenant27 went in—and we had roast pig there. Itmust be that, I think, that reminds me of it, especially as there wasa little bird in the room that would keep on singing all the time ofdinner—at least, not a little bird, for it was a parrot, and he didn’tsing exactly, for he talked and swore dreadfully: but I think it mustbe that. Indeed I am sure it must. Shouldn’t you say so, my dear?’
‘I should say there was not a doubt about it, mama,’ returnedKate, with a cheerful smile.
‘No; but do you think so, Kate?’ said Mrs Nickleby, with asmuch gravity as if it were a question of the most imminent28 andthrilling interest. ‘If you don’t, say so at once, you know; becauseit’s just as well to be correct, particularly on a point of this kind,which is very curious and worth settling while one thinks about it.’
Kate laughingly replied that she was quite convinced; and asher mama still appeared undetermined whether it was notabsolutely essential that the subject should be renewed, proposedthat they should take their work into the summer-house, and enjoythe beauty of the afternoon. Mrs Nickleby readily assented30, and tothe summer-house they repaired, without further discussion.
‘Well, I will say,’ observed Mrs Nickleby, as she took her seat,‘that there never was such a good creature as Smike. Upon myword, the pains he has taken in putting this little arbour to rights,and training the sweetest flowers about it, are beyond anything Icould have—I wish he wouldn’t put all the gravel23 on your side,Kate, my dear, though, and leave nothing but mould for me.’
‘Dear mama,’ returned Kate, hastily, ‘take this seat—do—tooblige me, mama.’
‘No, indeed, my dear. I shall keep my own side,’ said MrsNickleby. ‘Well! I declare!’
Kate looked up inquiringly.
‘If he hasn’t been,’ said Mrs Nickleby, ‘and got, fromsomewhere or other, a couple of roots of those flowers that I said Iwas so fond of, the other night, and asked you if you were not—no,that you said you were so fond of, the other night, and asked me if Iwasn’t—it’s the same thing. Now, upon my word, I take that asvery kind and attentive31 indeed! I don’t see,’ added Mrs Nickleby,looking narrowly about her, ‘any of them on my side, but I suppose they grow best near the gravel. You may depend upon it they do,Kate, and that’s the reason they are all near you, and he has putthe gravel there, because it’s the sunny side. Upon my word, that’svery clever now! I shouldn’t have had half as much thoughtmyself!’
‘Mama,’ said Kate, bending over her work so that her face wasalmost hidden, ‘before you were married—’
‘Dear me, Kate,’ interrupted Mrs Nickleby, ‘what in the name ofgoodness graciousness makes you fly off to the time before I wasmarried, when I’m talking to you about his thoughtfulness andattention to me? You don’t seem to take the smallest interest inthe garden.’
‘Oh! mama,’ said Kate, raising her face again, ‘you know I do.’
‘Well then, my dear, why don’t you praise the neatness andprettiness with which it’s kept?’ said Mrs Nickleby. ‘How very oddyou are, Kate!’
‘I do praise it, mama,’ answered Kate, gently. ‘Poor fellow!’
‘I scarcely ever hear you, my dear,’ retorted Mrs Nickleby;‘that’s all I’ve got to say.’ By this time the good lady had been along while upon one topic, so she fell at once into her daughter’slittle trap, if trap it were, and inquired what she had been going tosay.
‘About what, mama?’ said Kate, who had apparently32 quiteforgotten her diversion.
‘Lor, Kate, my dear,’ returned her mother, ‘why, you’re asleepor stupid! About the time before I was married.’
‘Oh yes!’ said Kate, ‘I remember. I was going to ask, mama,before you were married, had you many suitors?’
‘Suitors, my dear!’ cried Mrs Nickleby, with a smile of wonderful complacency. ‘First and last, Kate, I must have had adozen at least.’
‘Mama!’ returned Kate, in a tone of remonstrance33.
‘I had indeed, my dear,’ said Mrs Nickleby; ‘not including yourpoor papa, or a young gentleman who used to go, at that time, tothe same dancing school, and who would send gold watches andbracelets to our house in gilt-edged paper, (which were alwaysreturned,) and who afterwards unfortunately went out to BotanyBay in a cadet ship—a convict ship I mean—and escaped into abush and killed sheep, (I don’t know how they got there,) and wasgoing to be hung, only he accidentally choked himself, and thegovernment pardoned him. Then there was young Lukin,’ saidMrs Nickleby, beginning with her left thumb and checking off thenames on her fingers—‘Mogley—Tipslark—Cabbery—Smifser—’
Having now reached her little finger, Mrs Nickleby wascarrying the account over to the other hand, when a loud ‘Hem4!’
which appeared to come from the very foundation of the garden-wall, gave both herself and her daughter a violent start.
‘Mama! what was that?’ said Kate, in a low tone of voice.
‘Upon my word, my dear,’ returned Mrs Nickleby, considerablystartled, ‘unless it was the gentleman belonging to the next house,I don’t know what it could possibly—’
‘A-hem!’ cried the same voice; and that, not in the tone of anordinary clearing of the throat, but in a kind of bellow34, which wokeup all the echoes in the neighbourhood, and was prolonged to anextent which must have made the unseen bellower quite black inthe face.
‘I understand it now, my dear,’ said Mrs Nickleby, laying herhand on Kate’s; ‘don’t be alarmed, my love, it’s not directed to you, and is not intended to frighten anybody. Let us give everybodytheir due, Kate; I am bound to say that.’
So saying, Mrs Nickleby nodded her head, and patted the backof her daughter’s hand, a great many times, and looked as if shecould tell something vastly important if she chose, but had self-denial, thank Heaven; and wouldn’t do it.
‘What do you mean, mama?’ demanded Kate, in evidentsurprise.
‘Don’t be flurried, my dear,’ replied Mrs Nickleby, lookingtowards the garden-wall, ‘for you see I’m not, and if it would beexcusable in anybody to be flurried, it certainly would—under allthe circumstances—be excusable in me, but I am not, Kate—not atall.’
‘It seems designed to attract our attention, mama,’ said Kate.
‘It is designed to attract our attention, my dear; at least,’
rejoined Mrs Nickleby, drawing herself up, and patting herdaughter’s hand more blandly35 than before, ‘to attract the attentionof one of us. Hem! you needn’t be at all uneasy, my dear.’
Kate looked very much perplexed36, and was apparently about toask for further explanation, when a shouting and scuffling noise,as of an elderly gentleman whooping37, and kicking up his legs onloose gravel, with great violence, was heard to proceed from thesame direction as the former sounds; and before they hadsubsided, a large cucumber was seen to shoot up in the air withthe velocity38 of a sky-rocket, whence it descended39, tumbling overand over, until it fell at Mrs Nickleby’s feet.
This remarkable40 appearance was succeeded by another of aprecisely similar description; then a fine vegetable marrow41, ofunusually large dimensions, was seen to whirl aloft, and come toppling down; then, several cucumbers shot up together; and,finally, the air was darkened by a shower of onions, turnip-radishes, and other small vegetables, which fell rolling andscattering, and bumping about, in all directions.
As Kate rose from her seat, in some alarm, and caught hermother’s hand to run with her into the house, she felt herselfrather retarded42 than assisted in her intention; and following thedirection of Mrs Nickleby’s eyes, was quite terrified by theapparition of an old black velvet43 cap, which, by slow degrees, as ifits wearer were ascending44 a ladder or pair of steps, rose above thewall dividing their garden from that of the next cottage, (which,like their own, was a detached building,) and was graduallyfollowed by a very large head, and an old face, in which were apair of most extraordinary grey eyes: very wild, very wide open,and rolling in their sockets45, with a dull, languishing46, leering look,most ugly to behold47.
‘Mama!’ cried Kate, really terrified for the moment, ‘why do youstop, why do you lose an instant? Mama, pray come in!’
‘Kate, my dear,’ returned her mother, still holding back, ‘howcan you be so foolish? I’m ashamed of you. How do you supposeyou are ever to get through life, if you’re such a coward as this?
What do you want, sir?’ said Mrs Nickleby, addressing theintruder with a sort of simpering displeasure. ‘How dare you lookinto this garden?’
‘Queen of my soul,’ replied the stranger, folding his handstogether, ‘this goblet48 sip49!’
‘Nonsense, sir,’ said Mrs Nickleby. ‘Kate, my love, pray bequiet.’
‘Won’t you sip the goblet?’ urged the stranger, with his head imploringly50 on one side, and his right hand on his breast. ‘Oh, dosip the goblet!’
‘I shall not consent to do anything of the kind, sir,’ said MrsNickleby. ‘Pray, begone.’
‘Why is it,’ said the old gentleman, coming up a step higher, andleaning his elbows on the wall, with as much complacency as if hewere looking out of window, ‘why is it that beauty is alwaysobdurate, even when admiration51 is as honourable52 and respectfulas mine?’ Here he smiled, kissed his hand, and made several lowbows. ‘Is it owing to the bees, who, when the honey season is over,and they are supposed to have been killed with brimstone, inreality fly to Barbary and lull53 the captive Moors54 to sleep with theirdrowsy songs? Or is it,’ he added, dropping his voice almost to awhisper, ‘in consequence of the statue at Charing55 Cross havingbeen lately seen, on the Stock Exchange at midnight, walking arm-in-arm with the Pump from Aldgate, in a riding-habit?’
‘Mama,’ murmured Kate, ‘do you hear him?’
‘Hush, my dear!’ replied Mrs Nickleby, in the same tone ofvoice, ‘he is very polite, and I think that was a quotation56 from thepoets. Pray, don’t worry me so—you’ll pinch my arm black andblue. Go away, sir!’
‘Quite away?’ said the gentleman, with a languishing look. ‘Oh!
quite away?’
‘Yes,’ returned Mrs Nickleby, ‘certainly. You have no businesshere. This is private property, sir; you ought to know that.’
‘I do know,’ said the old gentleman, laying his finger on hisnose, with an air of familiarity, most reprehensible57, ‘that this is asacred and enchanted58 spot, where the most divine charms’—herehe kissed his hand and bowed again—‘waft mellifluousness59 over the neighbours’ gardens, and force the fruit and vegetables intopremature existence. That fact I am acquainted with. But will youpermit me, fairest creature, to ask you one question, in theabsence of the planet Venus, who has gone on business to theHorse Guards, and would otherwise—jealous of your superiorcharms—interpose between us?’
‘Kate,’ observed Mrs Nickleby, turning to her daughter, ‘it’svery awkward, positively60. I really don’t know what to say to thisgentleman. One ought to be civil, you know.’
‘Dear mama,’ rejoined Kate, ‘don’t say a word to him, but let usrun away as fast as we can, and shut ourselves up till Nicholascomes home.’
Mrs Nickleby looked very grand, not to say contemptuous, atthis humiliating proposal; and, turning to the old gentleman, whohad watched them during these whispers with absorbingeagerness, said:
‘If you will conduct yourself, sir, like the gentleman I shouldimagine you to be, from your language and—and—appearance,(quite the counterpart of your grandpapa, Kate, my dear, in hisbest days,) and will put your question to me in plain words, I willanswer it.’
If Mrs Nickleby’s excellent papa had borne, in his best days, aresemblance to the neighbour now looking over the wall, he musthave been, to say the least, a very queer-looking old gentleman inhis prime. Perhaps Kate thought so, for she ventured to glance athis living portrait with some attention, as he took off his blackvelvet cap, and, exhibiting a perfectly61 bald head, made a longseries of bows, each accompanied with a fresh kiss of the hand.
After exhausting himself, to all appearance, with this fatiguing62 performance, he covered his head once more, pulled the cap verycarefully over the tips of his ears, and resuming his formerattitude, said,‘The question is—’
Here he broke off to look round in every direction, and satisfyhimself beyond all doubt that there were no listeners near.
Assured that there were not, he tapped his nose several times,accompanying the action with a cunning look, as thoughcongratulating himself on his caution; and stretching out his neck,said in a loud whisper,‘Are you a princess?’
‘You are mocking me, sir,’ replied Mrs Nickleby, making a feintof retreating towards the house.
‘No, but are you?’ said the old gentleman.
‘You know I am not, sir,’ replied Mrs Nickleby.
‘Then are you any relation to the Archbishop of Canterbury?’
inquired the old gentleman with great anxiety, ‘or to the Pope ofRome? Or the Speaker of the House of Commons? Forgive me, if Iam wrong, but I was told you were niece to the Commissioners63 ofPaving, and daughter-in-law to the Lord Mayor and Court ofCommon Council, which would account for your relationship to allthree.’
‘Whoever has spread such reports, sir,’ returned Mrs Nickleby,with some warmth, ‘has taken great liberties with my name, andone which I am sure my son Nicholas, if he was aware of it, wouldnot allow for an instant. The idea!’ said Mrs Nickleby, drawingherself up, ‘niece to the Commissioners of Paving!’
‘Pray, mama, come away!’ whispered Kate.
‘“Pray mama!” Nonsense, Kate,’ said Mrs Nickleby, angrily, ‘but that’s just the way. If they had said I was niece to a pipingbullfinch, what would you care? But I have no sympathy,’
whimpered Mrs Nickleby. ‘I don’t expect it, that’s one thing.’
‘Tears!’ cried the old gentleman, with such an energetic jump,that he fell down two or three steps and grated his chin against thewall. ‘Catch the crystal globules—catch ’em—bottle ’em up—cork’em tight—put sealing wax on the top—seal ’em with a cupid—label ’em “Best quality”—and stow ’em away in the fourteen binn,with a bar of iron on the top to keep the thunder off!’
Issuing these commands, as if there were a dozen attendants allactively engaged in their execution, he turned his velvet cap insideout, put it on with great dignity so as to obscure his right eye andthree-fourths of his nose, and sticking his arms a-kimbo, lookedvery fiercely at a sparrow hard by, till the bird flew away, when heput his cap in his pocket with an air of great satisfaction, andaddressed himself with respectful demeanour to Mrs Nickleby.
‘Beautiful madam,’ such were his words, ‘if I have made anymistake with regard to your family or connections, I humblybeseech you to pardon me. If I supposed you to be related toForeign Powers or Native Boards, it is because you have amanner, a carriage, a dignity, which you will excuse my sayingthat none but yourself (with the single exception perhaps of thetragic muse64, when playing extemporaneously65 on the barrel organbefore the East India Company) can parallel. I am not a youth,ma’am, as you see; and although beings like you can never growold, I venture to presume that we are fitted for each other.’
‘Really, Kate, my love!’ said Mrs Nickleby faintly, and lookinganother way.
‘I have estates, ma’am,’ said the old gentleman, flourishing his right hand negligently66, as if he made very light of such matters,and speaking very fast; ‘jewels, lighthouses, fish-ponds, a whaleryof my own in the North Sea, and several oyster-beds of great profitin the Pacific Ocean. If you will have the kindness to step down tothe Royal Exchange and to take the cocked-hat off the stoutestbeadle’s head, you will find my card in the lining67 of the crown,wrapped up in a piece of blue paper. My walking-stick is also to beseen on application to the chaplain of the House of Commons, whois strictly68 forbidden to take any money for showing it. I haveenemies about me, ma’am,’ he looked towards his house and spokevery low, ‘who attack me on all occasions, and wish to secure myproperty. If you bless me with your hand and heart, you can applyto the Lord Chancellor69 or call out the military if necessary—sending my toothpick to the commander-in-chief will besufficient—and so clear the house of them before the ceremony isperformed. After that, love, bliss70 and rapture71; rapture, love andbliss. Be mine, be mine!’
Repeating these last words with great rapture and enthusiasm,the old gentleman put on his black velvet cap again, and lookingup into the sky in a hasty manner, said something that was notquite intelligible72 concerning a balloon he expected, and which wasrather after its time.
‘Be mine, be mine!’ repeated the old gentleman.
‘Kate, my dear,’ said Mrs Nickleby, ‘I have hardly the power tospeak; but it is necessary for the happiness of all parties that thismatter should be set at rest for ever.’
‘Surely there is no necessity for you to say one word, mama?’
reasoned Kate.
‘You will allow me, my dear, if you please, to judge for myself,’
said Mrs Nickleby.
‘Be mine, be mine!’ cried the old gentleman.
‘It can scarcely be expected, sir,’ said Mrs Nickleby, fixing hereyes modestly on the ground, ‘that I should tell a stranger whetherI feel flattered and obliged by such proposals, or not. Theycertainly are made under very singular circumstances; still at thesame time, as far as it goes, and to a certain extent of course’ (MrsNickleby’s customary qualification), ‘they must be gratifying andagreeable to one’s feelings.’
‘Be mine, be mine,’ cried the old gentleman. ‘Gog and Magog,Gog and Magog. Be mine, be mine!’
‘It will be sufficient for me to say, sir,’ resumed Mrs Nickleby,with perfect seriousness—‘and I’m sure you’ll see the propriety73 oftaking an answer and going away—that I have made up my mindto remain a widow, and to devote myself to my children. You maynot suppose I am the mother of two children—indeed many peoplehave doubted it, and said that nothing on earth could ever make’em believe it possible—but it is the case, and they are both grownup. We shall be very glad to have you for a neighbour—very glad;delighted, I’m sure—but in any other character it’s quiteimpossible, quite. As to my being young enough to marry again,that perhaps may be so, or it may not be; but I couldn’t think of itfor an instant, not on any account whatever. I said I never would,and I never will. It’s a very painful thing to have to rejectproposals, and I would much rather that none were made; at thesame time this is the answer that I determined29 long ago to make,and this is the answer I shall always give.’
These observations were partly addressed to the old gentleman,partly to Kate, and partly delivered in soliloquy. Towards their conclusion, the suitor evinced a very irreverent degree ofinattention, and Mrs Nickleby had scarcely finished speaking,when, to the great terror both of that lady and her daughter, hesuddenly flung off his coat, and springing on the top of the wall,threw himself into an attitude which displayed his small-clothesand grey worsteds to the fullest advantage, and concluded bystanding on one leg, and repeating his favourite bellow withincreased vehemence74.
While he was still dwelling75 on the last note, and embellishing76 itwith a prolonged flourish, a dirty hand was observed to glidestealthily and swiftly along the top of the wall, as if in pursuit of afly, and then to clasp with the utmost dexterity77 one of the oldgentleman’s ankles. This done, the companion hand appeared,and clasped the other ankle.
Thus encumbered78 the old gentleman lifted his legs awkwardlyonce or twice, as if they were very clumsy and imperfect pieces ofmachinery, and then looking down on his own side of the wall,burst into a loud laugh.
‘It’s you, is it?’ said the old gentleman.
‘Yes, it’s me,’ replied a gruff voice.
‘How’s the Emperor of Tartary?’ said the old gentleman.
‘Oh! he’s much the same as usual,’ was the reply. ‘No better andno worse.’
‘The young Prince of China,’ said the old gentleman, with muchinterest. ‘Is he reconciled to his father-in-law, the great potatosalesman?’
‘No,’ answered the gruff voice; ‘and he says he never will be,that’s more.’
‘If that’s the case,’ observed the old gentleman, ‘perhaps I’d better come down.’
‘Well,’ said the man on the other side, ‘I think you had,perhaps.’
One of the hands being then cautiously unclasped, the oldgentleman dropped into a sitting posture79, and was looking roundto smile and bow to Mrs Nickleby, when he disappeared with someprecipitation, as if his legs had been pulled from below.
Very much relieved by his disappearance80, Kate was turning tospeak to her mama, when the dirty hands again became visible,and were immediately followed by the figure of a coarse squatman, who ascended81 by the steps which had been recentlyoccupied by their singular neighbour.
‘Beg your pardon, ladies,’ said this new comer, grinning andtouching his hat. ‘Has he been making love to either of you?’
‘Yes,’ said Kate.
‘Ah!’ rejoined the man, taking his handkerchief out of his hatand wiping his face, ‘he always will, you know. Nothing willprevent his making love.’
‘I need not ask you if he is out of his mind, poor creature,’ saidKate.
‘Why no,’ replied the man, looking into his hat, throwing hishandkerchief in at one dab20, and putting it on again. ‘That’s prettyplain, that is.’
‘Has he been long so?’ asked Kate.
‘A long while.’
‘And is there no hope for him?’ said Kate, compassionately‘Not a bit, and don’t deserve to be,’ replied the keeper. ‘He’s adeal pleasanter without his senses than with ’em. He was thecruellest, wickedest, out-and-outerest old flint that ever drawed breath.’
‘Indeed!’ said Kate.
‘By George!’ replied the keeper, shaking his head soemphatically that he was obliged to frown to keep his hat on. ‘Inever come across such a vagabond, and my mate says the same.
Broke his poor wife’s heart, turned his daughters out of doors,drove his sons into the streets; it was a blessing83 he went mad atlast, through evil tempers, and covetousness84, and selfishness, andguzzling, and drinking, or he’d have drove many others so. Hopefor him, an old rip! There isn’t too much hope going’ but I’ll bet acrown that what there is, is saved for more deserving chaps thanhim, anyhow.’
With which confession85 of his faith, the keeper shook his headagain, as much as to say that nothing short of this would do, ifthings were to go on at all; and touching82 his hat sulkily—not thathe was in an ill humour, but that his subject ruffled86 him—descended the ladder, and took it away.
During this conversation, Mrs Nickleby had regarded the manwith a severe and steadfast87 look. She now heaved a profound sigh,and pursing up her lips, shook her head in a slow and doubtfulmanner.
‘Poor creature!’ said Kate.
‘Ah! poor indeed!’ rejoined Mrs Nickleby. ‘It’s shameful88 thatsuch things should be allowed. Shameful!’
‘How can they be helped, mama?’ said Kate, mournfully. ‘Theinfirmities of nature—’
‘Nature!’ said Mrs Nickleby. ‘What! Do you suppose this poorgentleman is out of his mind?’
‘Can anybody who sees him entertain any other opinion, mama?’
‘Why then, I just tell you this, Kate,’ returned Mrs Nickleby,‘that, he is nothing of the kind, and I am surprised you can be soimposed upon. It’s some plot of these people to possess themselvesof his property—didn’t he say so himself? He may be a little oddand flighty, perhaps, many of us are that; but downright mad! andexpress himself as he does, respectfully, and in quite poeticallanguage, and making offers with so much thought, and care, andprudence—not as if he ran into the streets, and went down uponhis knees to the first chit of a girl he met, as a madman would! No,no, Kate, there’s a great deal too much method in his madness;depend upon that, my dear.’
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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jaunty
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| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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slaughterous
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| adj.好杀戮的 | |
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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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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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dab
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| v.轻触，轻拍，轻涂；n.(颜料等的)轻涂 | |
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discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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gravy
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| n.肉汁；轻易得来的钱，外快 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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complexions
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| 肤色( complexion的名词复数 )； 面色； 局面； 性质 | |
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tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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bellow
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| v.吼叫，怒吼；大声发出，大声喝道 | |
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blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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whooping
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| 发嗬嗬声的，发咳声的 | |
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velocity
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| n.速度，速率 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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marrow
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| n.骨髓；精华；活力 | |
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retarded
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| a.智力迟钝的，智力发育迟缓的 | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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sockets
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| n.套接字，使应用程序能够读写与收发通讯协定(protocol)与资料的程序( Socket的名词复数 )；孔( socket的名词复数 )；（电器上的）插口；托座；凹穴 | |
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languishing
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| a. 衰弱下去的 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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sip
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| v.小口地喝，抿，呷；n.一小口的量 | |
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imploringly
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| adv. 恳求地, 哀求地 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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lull
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| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
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moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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charing
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| n.炭化v.把…烧成炭，把…烧焦( char的现在分词 )；烧成炭，烧焦；做杂役女佣 | |
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quotation
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| n.引文，引语，语录；报价，牌价，行情 | |
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reprehensible
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| adj.该受责备的 | |
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enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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mellifluousness
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| Mellifluousness | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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commissioners
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| n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 )；长官；委员；政府部门的长官 | |
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muse
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| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
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extemporaneously
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negligently
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lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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intelligible
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| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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embellishing
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| v.美化( embellish的现在分词 )；装饰；修饰；润色 | |
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dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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encumbered
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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82
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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83
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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84
covetousness
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85
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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86
ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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