Now do those two gentlemen not very neat about the cuffs1 andbuttons who attended the last coroner's inquest at the Sol's Armsreappear in the precincts with surprising swiftness (being, infact, breathlessly fetched by the active and intelligent beadle),and institute perquisitions through the court, and dive into theSol's parlour, and write with ravenous2 little pens on tissue-paper.
Now do they note down, in the watches of the night, how theneighbourhood of Chancery Lane was yesterday, at about midnight,thrown into a state of the most intense agitation3 and excitement bythe following alarming and horrible discovery. Now do they setforth how it will doubtless be remembered that some time back apainful sensation was created in the public mind by a case ofmysterious death from opium5 occurring in the first floor of thehouse occupied as a rag, bottle, and general marine6 store shop, byan eccentric individual of intemperate7 habits, far advanced inlife, named Krook; and how, by a remarkable8 coincidence, Krook wasexamined at the inquest, which it may be recollected9 was held onthat occasion at the Sol's Arms, a well-conducted tavernimmediately adjoining the premises10 in question on the west side andlicensed to a highly respectable landlord, Mr. James George Bogsby.
Now do they show (in as many words as possible) how during somehours of yesterday evening a very peculiar11 smell was observed bythe inhabitants of the court, in which the tragical12 occurrencewhich forms the subject of that present account transpired13; andwhich odour was at one time so powerful that Mr. Swills14, a comicvocalist professionally engaged by Mr. J. G. Bogsby, has himselfstated to our reporter that he mentioned to Miss M. Melvilleson, alady of some pretensions15 to musical ability, likewise engaged byMr. J. G. Bogsby to sing at a series of concerts called HarmonicAssemblies, or Meetings, which it would appear are held at theSol's Arms under Mr. Bogsby's direction pursuant to the Act ofGeorge the Second, that he (Mr. Swills) found his voice seriouslyaffected by the impure16 state of the atmosphere, his jocoseexpression at the time being that he was like an empty post-office,for he hadn't a single note in him. How this account of Mr. Swillsis entirely17 corroborated18 by two intelligent married femalesresiding in the same court and known respectively by the names ofMrs. Piper and Mrs. Perkins, both of whom observed the foetideffluvia and regarded them as being emitted from the premises inthe occupation of Krook, the unfortunate deceased. All this and agreat deal more the two gentlemen who have formed an amicablepartnership in the melancholy20 catastrophe21 write down on the spot;and the boy population of the court (out of bed in a moment) swarmup the shutters22 of the Sol's Arms parlour, to behold23 the tops oftheir heads while they are about it.
The whole court, adult as well as boy, is sleepless24 for that night,and can do nothing but wrap up its many heads, and talk of the ill-fated house, and look at it. Miss Flite has been bravely rescuedfrom her chamber25, as if it were in flames, and accommodated with abed at the Sol's Arms. The Sol neither turns off its gas nor shutsits door all night, for any kind of public excitement makes goodfor the Sol and causes the court to stand in need of comfort. Thehouse has not done so much in the stomachic article of cloves26 or inbrandy-and-water warm since the inquest. The moment the pot-boyheard what had happened, he rolled up his shirt-sleeves tight tohis shoulders and said, "There'll be a run upon us!" In the firstoutcry, young Piper dashed off for the fire-engines and returned intriumph at a jolting27 gallop28 perched up aloft on the Phoenix29 andholding on to that fabulous30 creature with all his might in themidst of helmets and torches. One helmet remains31 behind aftercareful investigation32 of all chinks and crannies and slowly pacesup and down before the house in company with one of the twopolicemen who have likewise been left in charge thereof. To thistrio everybody in the court possessed33 of sixpence has an insatiatedesire to exhibit hospitality in a liquid form.
Mr. Weevle and his friend Mr. Guppy are within the bar at the Soland are worth anything to the Sol that the bar contains if theywill only stay there. "This is not a time, says Mr. Bogsby, "tohaggle about money," though he looks something sharply after it,over the counter; "give your orders, you two gentlemen, and you'rewelcome to whatever you put a name to."Thus entreated34, the two gentlemen (Mr. Weevle especially) put namesto so many things that in course of time they find it difficult toput a name to anything quite distinctly, though they still relateto all new-comers some version of the night they have had of it,and of what they said, and what they thought, and what they saw.
Meanwhile, one or other of the policemen often flits about thedoor, and pushing it open a little way at the full length of hisarm, looks in from outer gloom. Not that he has any suspicions,but that he may as well know what they are up to in there.
Thus night pursues its leaden course, finding the court still outof bed through the unwonted hours, still treating and beingtreated, still conducting itself similarly to a court that has hada little money left it unexpectedly. Thus night at length withslow-retreating steps departs, and the lamp-lighter going hisrounds, like an executioner to a despotic king, strikes off thelittle heads of fire that have aspired36 to lessen37 the darkness.
Thus the day cometh, whether or no.
And the day may discern, even with its dim London eye, that thecourt has been up all night. Over and above the faces that havefallen drowsily38 on tables and the heels that lie prone39 on hardfloors instead of beds, the brick and mortar40 physiognomy of thevery court itself looks worn and jaded41. And now the neighbourhood,waking up and beginning to hear of what has happened, comesstreaming in, half dressed, to ask questions; and the two policemenand the helmet (who are far less impressible externally than thecourt) have enough to do to keep the door.
"Good gracious, gentlemen!" says Mr. Snagsby, coming up. "What'sthis I hear!""Why, it's true," returns one of the policemen. "That's what itis. Now move on here, come!""Why, good gracious, gentlemen," says Mr. Snagsby, somewhatpromptly backed away, "I was at this door last night betwixt tenand eleven o'clock in conversation with the young man who lodgeshere.""Indeed?" returns the policeman. "You will find the young man nextdoor then. Now move on here, some of you,""Not hurt, I hope?" says Mr. Snagsby.
"Hurt? No. What's to hurt him!"Mr. Snagsby, wholly unable to answer this or any question in histroubled mind, repairs to the Sol's Arms and finds Mr. Weevlelanguishing over tea and toast with a considerable expression onhim of exhausted42 excitement and exhausted tobacco-smoke.
"And Mr. Guppy likewise!" quoth Mr. Snagsby. "Dear, dear, dear!
What a fate there seems in all this! And my lit--"Mr. Snagsby's power of speech deserts him in the formation of thewords "my little woman." For to see that injured female walk intothe Sol's Arms at that hour of the morning and stand before thebeer-engine, with her eyes fixed43 upon him like an accusing spirit,strikes him dumb.
"My dear," says Mr. Snagsby when his tongue is loosened, "will youtake anything? A little--not to put too fine a point upon it--dropof shrub44?""No," says Mrs. Snagsby.
"My love, you know these two gentlemen?""Yes!" says Mrs. Snagsby, and in a rigid45 manner acknowledges theirpresence, still fixing Mr. Snagsby with her eye.
The devoted46 Mr. Snagsby cannot bear this treatment. He takes Mrs.
Snagsby by the hand and leads her aside to an adjacent cask.
"My little woman, why do you look at me in that way? Pray don't doit.""I can't help my looks," says Mrs. Snagsby, "and if I could Iwouldn't."Mr. Snagsby, with his cough of meekness47, rejoins, "Wouldn't youreally, my dear?" and meditates48. Then coughs his cough of troubleand says, "This is a dreadful mystery, my love!" still fearfullydisconcerted by Mrs. Snagsby's eye.
"It IS," returns Mrs. Snagsby, shaking her head, "a dreadfulmystery.""My little woman," urges Mr. Snagsby in a piteous manner, "don'tfor goodness' sake speak to me with that bitter expression and lookat me in that searching way! I beg and entreat35 of you not to doit. Good Lord, you don't suppose that I would go spontaneouslycombusting any person, my dear?""I can't say," returns Mrs. Snagsby.
On a hasty review of his unfortunate position, Mr. Snagsby "can'tsay" either. He is not prepared positively50 to deny that he mayhave had something to do with it. He has had something--he don'tknow what--to do with so much in this connexion that is mysteriousthat it is possible he may even be implicated51, without knowing it,in the present transaction. He faintly wipes his forehead with hishandkerchief and gasps52.
"My life," says the unhappy stationer, "would you have anyobjections to mention why, being in general so delicatelycircumspect in your conduct, you come into a wine-vaults beforebreakfast?""Why do YOU come here?" inquires Mrs. Snagsby.
"My dear, merely to know the rights of the fatal accident which hashappened to the venerable party who has been--combusted." Mr.
Snagsby has made a pause to suppress a groan53. "I should then haverelated them to you, my love, over your French roll.""I dare say you would! You relate everything to me, Mr. Snagsby.""Every--my lit--""I should be glad," says Mrs. Snagsby after contemplating54 hisincreased confusion with a severe and sinister55 smile, "if you wouldcome home with me; I think you may be safer there, Mr. Snagsby,than anywhere else.""My love, I don't know but what I may be, I am sure. I am ready togo."Mr. Snagsby casts his eye forlornly round the bar, gives Messrs.
Weevle and Guppy good morning, assures them of the satisfactionwith which he sees them uninjured, and accompanies Mrs. Snagsbyfrom the Sol's Arms. Before night his doubt whether he may not beresponsible for some inconceivable part in the catastrophe which isthe talk of the whole neighbourhood is almost resolved intocertainty by Mrs. Snagsby's pertinacity56 in that fixed gaze. Hismental sufferings are so great that he entertains wandering ideasof delivering himself up to justice and requiring to be cleared ifinnocent and punished with the utmost rigour of the law if guilty.
Mr. Weevle and Mr. Guppy, having taken their breakfast, step intoLincoln's Inn to take a little walk about the square and clear asmany of the dark cobwebs out of their brains as a little walk may.
"There can be no more favourable58 time than the present, Tony," saysMr. Guppy after they have broodingly made out the four sides of thesquare, "for a word or two between us upon a point on which wemust, with very little delay, come to an understanding.""Now, I tell you what, William G.!" returns the other, eyeing hiscompanion with a bloodshot eye. "If it's a point of conspiracy59,you needn't take the trouble to mention it. I have had enough ofthat, and I ain't going to have any more. We shall have YOU takingfire next or blowing up with a bang."This supposititious phenomenon is so very disagreeable to Mr. Guppythat his voice quakes as he says in a moral way, "Tony, I shouldhave thought that what we went through last night would have been alesson to you never to be personal any more as long as you lived."To which Mr. Weevle returns, "William, I should have thought itwould have been a lesson to YOU never to conspire60 any more as longas you lived." To which Mr. Guppy says, "Who's conspiring61?" Towhich Mr. Jobling replies, "Why, YOU are!" To which Mr. Guppyretorts, "No, I am not." To which Mr. Jobling retorts again, "Yes,you are!" To which Mr. Guppy retorts, "Who says so?" To which Mr.
Jobling retorts, "I say so!" To which Mr. Guppy retorts, "Oh,indeed?" To which Mr. Jobling retorts, "Yes, indeed!" And bothbeing now in a heated state, they walk on silently for a while tocool down again.
"Tony," says Mr. Guppy then, "if you heard your friend out insteadof flying at him, you wouldn't fall into mistakes. But your temperis hasty and you are not considerate. Possessing in yourself,Tony, all that is calculated to charm the eye--""Oh! Blow the eye!" cries Mr. Weevle, cutting him short. "Say whatyou have got to say!"Finding his friend in this morose62 and material condition, Mr. Guppyonly expresses the finer feelings of his soul through the tone ofinjury in which he recommences, "Tony, when I say there is a pointon which we must come to an understanding pretty soon, I say soquite apart from any kind of conspiring, however innocent. Youknow it is professionally arranged beforehand in all cases that aretried what facts the witnesses are to prove. Is it or is it notdesirable that we should know what facts we are to prove on theinquiry into the death of this unfortunate old mo--gentleman?"(Mr. Guppy was going to say "mogul," but thinks "gentleman" bettersuited to the circumstances.)"What facts? THE facts.""The facts bearing on that inquiry63. Those are"--Mr. Guppy tellsthem off on his fingers--"what we knew of his habits, when you sawhim last, what his condition was then, the discovery that we made,and how we made it.""Yes," says Mr. Weevle. "Those are about the facts.""We made the discovery in consequence of his having, in hiseccentric way, an appointment with you at twelve o'clock at night,when you were to explain some writing to him as you had often donebefore on account of his not being able to read. I, spending theevening with you, was called down--and so forth4. The inquiry beingonly into the circumstances touching64 the death of the deceased,it's not necessary to go beyond these facts, I suppose you'llagree?""No!" returns Mr. Weevle. "I suppose not.""And this is not a conspiracy, perhaps?" says the injured Guppy.
"No," returns his friend; "if it's nothing worse than this, Iwithdraw the observation.""Now, Tony," says Mr. Guppy, taking his arm again and walking himslowly on, "I should like to know, in a friendly way, whether youhave yet thought over the many advantages of your continuing tolive at that place?""What do you mean?" says Tony, stopping.
"Whether you have yet thought over the many advantages of yourcontinuing to live at that place?" repeats Mr. Guppy, walking himon again.
"At what place? THAT place?" pointing in the direction of the ragand bottle shop.
Mr. Guppy nods.
"Why, I wouldn't pass another night there for any considerationthat you could offer me," says Mr. Weevle, haggardly staring.
"Do you mean it though, Tony?""Mean it! Do I look as if I mean it? I feel as if I do; I knowthat," says Mr. Weevle with a very genuine shudder65.
"Then the possibility or probability--for such it must beconsidered--of your never being disturbed in possession of thoseeffects lately belonging to a lone66 old man who seemed to have norelation in the world, and the certainty of your being able to findout what he really had got stored up there, don't weigh with you atall against last night, Tony, if I understand you?" says Mr. Guppy,biting his thumb with the appetite of vexation.
"Certainly not. Talk in that cool way of a fellow's living there?"cries Mr. Weevle indignantly. "Go and live there yourself.""Oh! I, Tony!" says Mr. Guppy, soothing67 him. "I have never livedthere and couldn't get a lodging68 there now, whereas you have gotone.""You are welcome to it," rejoins his friend, "and--ugh!--you maymake yourself at home in it.""Then you really and truly at this point," says Mr. Guppy, "give upthe whole thing, if I understand you, Tony?""You never," returns Tony with a most convincing steadfastness,"said a truer word in all your life. I do!"While they are so conversing69, a hackney-coach drives into thesquare, on the box of which vehicle a very tall hat makes itselfmanifest to the public. Inside the coach, and consequently not somanifest to the multitude, though sufficiently70 so to the twofriends, for the coach stops almost at their feet, are thevenerable Mr. Smallweed and Mrs. Smallweed, accompanied by theirgranddaughter Judy.
An air of haste and excitement pervades71 the party, and as the tallhat (surmounting Mr. Smallweed the younger) alights, Mr. Smallweedthe elder pokes72 his head out of window and bawls73 to Mr. Guppy, "Howde do, sir! How de do!""What do Chick and his family want here at this time of themorning, I wonder!" says Mr. Guppy, nodding to his familiar.
"My dear sir," cries Grandfather Smallweed, "would you do me afavour? Would you and your friend be so very obleeging as to carryme into the public-house in the court, while Bart and his sisterbring their grandmother along? Would you do an old man that goodturn, sir?"Mr. Guppy looks at his friend, repeating inquiringly, "The public-house in the court?" And they prepare to bear the venerable burdento the Sol's Arms.
"There's your fare!" says the patriarch to the coachman with afierce grin and shaking his incapable74 fist at him. "Ask me for apenny more, and I'll have my lawful75 revenge upon you. My dearyoung men, be easy with me, if you please. Allow me to catch youround the neck. I won't squeeze you tighter than I can help. Oh,Lord! Oh, dear me! Oh, my bones!"It is well that the Sol is not far off, for Mr. Weevle presents anapoplectic appearance before half the distance is accomplished76.
With no worse aggravation77 of his symptoms, however, than theutterance of divers78 croaking79 sounds expressive80 of obstructedrespiration, he fulils his share of the porterage and thebenevolent old gentleman is deposited by his own desire in theparlour of the Sol's Arms.
"Oh, Lord!" gasps Mr. Smallweed, looking about him, breathless,from an arm-chair. "Oh, dear me! Oh, my bones and back! Oh, myaches and pains! Sit down, you dancing, prancing81, shambling,scrambling poll-parrot! Sit down!"This little apostrophe to Mrs. Smallweed is occasioned by apropensity on the part of that unlucky old lady whenever she findsherself on her feet to amble82 about and "set" to inanimate objects,accompanying herself with a chattering83 noise, as in a witch dance.
A nervous affection has probably as much to do with thesedemonstrations as any imbecile intention in the poor old woman, buton the present occasion they are so particularly lively inconnexion with the Windsor arm-chair, fellow to that in which Mr.
Smallweed is seated, that she only quite desists when hergrandchildren have held her down in it, her lord in the meanwhilebestowing upon her, with great volubility, the endearing epithet84 of"a pig-headed jackdaw," repeated a surprising number of times.
"My dear sir," Grandfather Smallweed then proceeds, addressing Mr.
Guppy, "there has been a calamity85 here. Have you heard of it,either of you?""Heard of it, sir! Why, we discovered it.""You discovered it. You two discovered it! Bart, THEY discoveredit!"The two discoverers stare at the Smallweeds, who return thecompliment.
"My dear friends," whines86 Grandfather Smallweed, putting out bothhis hands, "I owe you a thousand thanks for discharging themelancholy office of discovering the ashes of Mrs. Smallweed'sbrother.""Eh?" says Mr. Guppy.
"Mrs. Smallweed's brother, my dear friend--her only relation. Wewere not on terms, which is to be deplored87 now, but he never WOULDbe on terms. He was not fond of us. He was eccentric--he was veryeccentric. Unless he has left a will (which is not at all likely)I shall take out letters of administration. I have come down tolook after the property; it must be sealed up, it must beprotected. I have come down," repeats Grandfather Smallweed,hooking the air towards him with all his ten fingers at once, "tolook after the property.""I think, Small," says the disconsolate88 Mr. Guppy, "you might havementioned that the old man was your uncle.""You two were so close about him that I thought you would like meto be the same," returns that old bird with a secretly glisteningeye. "Besides, I wasn't proud of him.""Besides which, it was nothing to you, you know, whether he was ornot," says Judy. Also with a secretly glistening89 eye.
"He never saw me in his life to know me," observed Small; "I don'tknow why I should introduce HIM, I am sure!""No, he never communicated with us, which is to be deplored," theold gentleman strikes in, "but I have come to look after theproperty--to look over the papers, and to look after the property.
We shall make good our title. It is in the hands of my solicitor90.
Mr. Tulkinghorn, of Lincoln's Inn Fields, over the way there, is sogood as to act as my solicitor; and grass don't grow under HISfeet, I can tell ye. Krook was Mrs. Smallweed's only brother; shehad no relation but Krook, and Krook had no relation but Mrs.
Smallweed. I am speaking of your brother, you brimstone black-beetle, that was seventy-six years of age."Mrs. Smallweed instantly begins to shake her head and pipe up,"Seventy-six pound seven and sevenpence! Seventysix thousand bagsof money! Seventy-six hundred thousand million of parcels of bank-notes!""Will somebody give me a quart pot?" exclaims her exasperatedhusband, looking helplessly about him and finding no missile withinhis reach. "Will somebody obleege me with a spittoon? Willsomebody hand me anything hard and bruising91 to pelt92 at her? Youhag, you cat, you dog, you brimstone barker!" Here Mr. Smallweed,wrought up to the highest pitch by his own eloquence93, actuallythrows Judy at her grandmother in default of anything else, bybutting that young virgin94 at the old lady with such force as he canmuster and then dropping into his chair in a heap.
"Shake me up, somebody, if you'll he so good," says the voice fromwithin the faintly struggling bundle into which he has collapsed95.
"I have come to look after the property. Shake me up, and call inthe police on duty at the next house to be explained to about theproperty. My solicitor will be here presently to protect theproperty. Transportation or the gallows96 for anybody who shalltouch the property!" As his dutiful grandchildren set him up,panting, and putting him through the usual restorative process ofshaking and punching, he still repeats like an echo, "The--theproperty! The property! Property!"Mr. Weevle and Mr. Guppy look at each other, the former as havingrelinquished the whole affair, the latter with a discomfitedcountenance as having entertained some lingering expectations yet.
But there is nothing to be done in opposition97 to the Smallweedinterest. Mr. Tulkinghorn's clerk comes down from his official pewin the chambers98 to mention to the police that Mr. Tulkinghorn isanswerable for its being all correct about the next of kin19 and thatthe papers and effects will be formally taken possession of in duetime and course. Mr. Smallweed is at once permitted so far toassert his supremacy99 as to be carried on a visit of sentiment intothe next house and upstairs into Miss Flite's deserted100 room, wherehe looks like a hideous101 bird of prey102 newly added to her aviary103.
The arrival of this unexpected heir soon taking wind in the courtstill makes good for the Sol and keeps the court upon its mettle104.
Mrs. Piper and Mrs. Perkins think it hard upon the young man ifthere really is no will, and consider that a handsome present oughtto be made him out of the estate. Young Piper and young Perkins,as members of that restless juvenile105 circle which is the terror ofthe foot-passengers in Chancery Lane, crumble106 into ashes behind thepump and under the archway all day long, where wild yells andhootings take place over their remains. Little Swills and Miss M.
Melvilleson enter into affable conversation with their patrons,feeling that these unusual occurrences level the barriers betweenprofessionals and non-professionals. Mr. Bogsby puts up "Thepopular song of King Death, with chorus by the whole strength ofthe company," as the great Harmonic feature of the week andannounces in the bill that "J. G. B. is induced to do so at aconsiderable extra expense in consequence of a wish which has beenvery generally expressed at the bar by a large body of respectableindividuals and in homage107 to a late melancholy event which hasaroused so much sensation." There is one point connected with thedeceased upon which the court is particularly anxious, namely, thatthe fiction of a full-sized coffin108 should be preserved, thoughthere is so little to put in it. Upon the undertaker's stating inthe Sol's bar in the course of the day that he has received ordersto construct "a six-footer," the general solicitude109 is muchrelieved, and it is considered that Mr. Smallweed's conduct doeshim great honour.
Out of the court, and a long way out of it, there is considerableexcitement too, for men of science and philosophy come to look, andcarriages set down doctors at the corner who arrive with the sameintent, and there is more learned talk about inflammable gases andphosphuretted hydrogen than the court has ever imagined. Some ofthese authorities (of course the wisest) hold with indignation thatthe deceased had no business to die in the alleged110 manner; andbeing reminded by other authorities of a certain inquiry into theevidence for such deaths reprinted in the sixth volume of thePhilosophical Transactions; and also of a book not quite unknown onEnglish medical jurisprudence; and likewise of the Italian case ofthe Countess Cornelia Baudi as set forth in detail by oneBianchini, prebendary of Verona, who wrote a scholarly work or soand was occasionally heard of in his time as having gleams ofreason in him; and also of the testimony112 of Messrs. Fodere andMere, two pestilent Frenchmen who WOULD investigate the subject;and further, of the corroborative113 testimony of Monsieur Le Cat, arather celebrated114 French surgeon once upon a time, who had theunpoliteness to live in a house where such a case occurred and evento write an account of it--still they regard the late Mr. Krook'sobstinacy in going out of the world by any such by-way as whollyunjustifiable and personally offensive. The less the courtunderstands of all this, the more the court likes it, and thegreater enjoyment115 it has in the stock in trade of the Sol's Arms.
Then there comes the artist of a picture newspaper, with aforeground and figures ready drawn116 for anything from a wreck117 on theCornish coast to a review in Hyde Park or a meeting in Manchester,and in Mrs. Perkins' own room, memorable118 evermore, he then andthere throws in upon the block Mr. Krook's house, as large as life;in fact, considerably119 larger, making a very temple of it.
Similarly, being permitted to look in at the door of the fatalchamber, he depicts120 that apartment as three-quarters of a mile longby fifty yards high, at which the court is particularly charmed.
All this time the two gentlemen before mentioned pop in and out ofevery house and assist at the philosophical111 disputations--goeverywhere and listen to everybody--and yet are always diving intothe Sol's parlour and writing with the ravenous little pens on thetissue-paper.
At last come the coroner and his inquiry, like as before, exceptthat the coroner cherishes this case as being out of the common wayand tells the gentlemen of the jury, in his private capacity, that"that would seem to be an unlucky house next door, gentlemen, adestined house; but so we sometimes find it, and these aremysteries we can't account for!" After which the six-footer comesinto action and is much admired.
In all these proceedings121 Mr. Guppy has so slight a part, exceptwhen he gives his evidence, that he is moved on like a privateindividual and can only haunt the secret house on the outside,where he has the mortification122 of seeing Mr. Smallweed padlockingthe door, and of bitterly knowing himself to be shut out. Butbefore these proceedings draw to a close, that is to say, on thenight next after the catastrophe, Mr. Guppy has a thing to say thatmust be said to Lady Dedlock.
For which reason, with a sinking heart and with that hang-dog senseof guilt57 upon him which dread49 and watching enfolded in the Sol'sArms have produced, the young man of the name of Guppy presentshimself at the town mansion123 at about seven o'clock in the eveningand requests to see her ladyship. Mercury replies that she isgoing out to dinner; don't he see the carriage at the door? Yes,he does see the carriage at the door; but he wants to see my Ladytoo.
Mercury is disposed, as he will presently declare to a fellow-gentleman in waiting, "to pitch into the young man"; but hisinstructions are positive. Therefore he sulkily supposes that theyoung man must come up into the library. There he leaves the youngman in a large room, not over-light, while he makes report of him.
Mr. Guppy looks into the shade in all directions, discoveringeverywhere a certain charred124 and whitened little heap of coal orwood. Presently he hears a rustling125. Is it--? No, it's no ghost,but fair flesh and blood, most brilliantly dressed.
"I have to beg your ladyship's pardon," Mr. Guppy stammers126, verydowncast. "This is an inconvenient127 time--""I told you, you could come at any time." She takes a chair,looking straight at him as on the last occasion.
"Thank your ladyship. Your ladyship is very affable.""You can sit down." There is not much affability in her tone.
"I don't know, your ladyship, that it's worth while my sitting downand detaining you, for I--I have not got the letters that Imentioned when I had the honour of waiting on your ladyship.""Have you come merely to say so?""Merely to say so, your ladyship." Mr. Guppy besides beingdepressed, disappointed, and uneasy, is put at a furtherdisadvantage by the splendour and beauty of her appearance.
She knows its influence perfectly128, has studied it too well to missa grain of its effect on any one. As she looks at him so steadilyand coldly, he not only feels conscious that he has no guide in theleast perception of what is really the complexion129 of her thoughts,but also that he is being every moment, as it were, removed furtherand further from her.
She will not speak, it is plain. So he must.
"In short, your ladyship," says Mr. Guppy like a meanly penitentthief, "the person I was to have had the letters of, has come to asudden end, and--" He stops. Lady Dedlock calmly finishes thesentence.
"And the letters are destroyed with the person?"Mr. Guppy would say no if he could--as he is unable to hide.
"I believe so, your ladyship."If he could see the least sparkle of relief in her face now? No,he could see no such thing, even if that brave outside did notutterly put him away, and he were not looking beyond it and aboutit.
He falters130 an awkward excuse or two for his failure.
"Is this all you have to say?" inquires Lady Dedlock, having heardhim out--or as nearly out as he can stumble.
Mr. Guppy thinks that's all.
"You had better be sure that you wish to say nothing more to me,this being the last time you will have the opportunity."Mr. Guppy is quite sure. And indeed he has no such wish atpresent, by any means.
"That is enough. I will dispense131 with excuses. Good evening toyou!" And she rings for Mercury to show the young man of the nameof Guppy out.
But in that house, in that same moment, there happens to be an oldman of the name of Tulkinghorn. And that old man, coming with hisquiet footstep to the library, has his hand at that moment on thehandle of the door--comes in--and comes face to face with the youngman as he is leaving the room.
One glance between the old man and the lady, and for an instant theblind that is always down flies up. Suspicion, eager and sharp,looks out. Another instant, close again.
"I beg your pardon, Lady Dedlock. I beg your pardon a thousandtimes. It is so very unusual to find you here at this hour. Isupposed the room was empty. I beg your pardon!""Stay!" She negligently132 calls him back. "Remain here, I beg. Iam going out to dinner. I have nothing more to say to this youngman!"The disconcerted young man bows, as he goes out, and cringinglyhopes that Mr. Tulkinghorn of the Fields is well.
"Aye, aye?" says the lawyer, looking at him from under his bentbrows, though he has no need to look again--not he. "From Kengeand Carboy's, surely?""Kenge and Carboy's, Mr. Tulkinghorn. Name of Guppy, sir.""To be sure. Why, thank you, Mr. Guppy, I am very well!""Happy to hear it, sir. You can't be too well, sir, for the creditof the profession.""Thank you, Mr. Guppy!"Mr. Guppy sneaks133 away. Mr. Tulkinghorn, such a foil in his old-fashioned rusty134 black to Lady Dedlock's brightness, hands her downthe staircase to her carriage. He returns rubbing his chin, andrubs it a good deal in the course of the evening.
收听单词发音 |
1
cuffs
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| n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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3
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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opium
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| n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的 | |
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marine
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| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
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intemperate
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| adj.无节制的，放纵的 | |
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8
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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tragical
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| adj. 悲剧的, 悲剧性的 | |
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transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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swills
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| v.冲洗( swill的第三人称单数 )；猛喝；大口喝；（使）液体流动 | |
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pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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impure
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| adj.不纯净的，不洁的；不道德的，下流的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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corroborated
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| v.证实，支持（某种说法、信仰、理论等）( corroborate的过去式 ) | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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23
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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26
cloves
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| n.丁香（热带树木的干花，形似小钉子，用作调味品，尤用作甜食的香料）( clove的名词复数 )；蒜瓣(a garlic ~|a ~of garlic) | |
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jolting
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| adj.令人震惊的 | |
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28
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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phoenix
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| n.凤凰，长生(不死)鸟；引申为重生 | |
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30
fabulous
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| adj.极好的；极为巨大的；寓言中的，传说中的 | |
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31
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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32
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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33
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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34
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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aspired
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| v.渴望，追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
lessen
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| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
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38
drowsily
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| adv.睡地，懒洋洋地，昏昏欲睡地 | |
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39
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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40
mortar
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| n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合 | |
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41
jaded
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| adj.精疲力竭的；厌倦的；（因过饱或过多而）腻烦的；迟钝的 | |
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42
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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43
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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44
shrub
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| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
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45
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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46
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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47
meekness
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| n.温顺，柔和 | |
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48
meditates
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的第三人称单数 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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49
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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50
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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51
implicated
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| adj.密切关联的；牵涉其中的 | |
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52
gasps
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| v.喘气( gasp的第三人称单数 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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53
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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54
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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55
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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56
pertinacity
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| n.执拗，顽固 | |
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57
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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58
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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59
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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60
conspire
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| v.密谋，（事件等）巧合，共同导致 | |
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61
conspiring
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| 密谋( conspire的现在分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
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62
morose
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| adj.脾气坏的，不高兴的 | |
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63
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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64
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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65
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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66
lone
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| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
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67
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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68
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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69
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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70
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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71
pervades
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的第三人称单数 ) | |
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72
pokes
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| v.伸出( poke的第三人称单数 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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73
bawls
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的第三人称单数 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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74
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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75
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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76
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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77
aggravation
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| n.烦恼，恼火 | |
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78
divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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79
croaking
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的现在分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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80
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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81
prancing
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| v.（马）腾跃( prance的现在分词 ) | |
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82
amble
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| vi.缓行，漫步 | |
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83
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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84
epithet
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| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
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85
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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86
whines
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| n.悲嗥声( whine的名词复数 )；哀鸣者v.哀号( whine的第三人称单数 )；哀诉，诉怨 | |
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87
deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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88
disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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89
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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90
solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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91
bruising
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| adj.殊死的；十分激烈的v.擦伤(bruise的现在分词形式) | |
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92
pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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93
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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94
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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95
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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96
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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97
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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98
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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99
supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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100
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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101
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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102
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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103
aviary
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| n.大鸟笼，鸟舍 | |
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104
mettle
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| n.勇气，精神 | |
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105
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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106
crumble
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| vi.碎裂，崩溃；vt.弄碎，摧毁 | |
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107
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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108
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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109
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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110
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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111
philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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112
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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113
corroborative
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| adj.确证（性）的，确凿的 | |
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114
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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115
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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116
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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117
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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118
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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119
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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120
depicts
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| 描绘，描画( depict的第三人称单数 )； 描述 | |
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121
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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122
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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123
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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124
charred
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| v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦 | |
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125
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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126
stammers
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| n.口吃，结巴( stammer的名词复数 )v.结巴地说出( stammer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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127
inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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128
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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129
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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130
falters
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的第三人称单数 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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131
dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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132
negligently
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133
sneaks
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| abbr.sneakers (tennis shoes) 胶底运动鞋（网球鞋）v.潜行( sneak的第三人称单数 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
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134
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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