I had not the courage to see any one that night. I had not eventhe courage to see myself, for I was afraid that my tears might alittle reproach me. I went up to my room in the dark, and prayedin the dark, and lay down in the dark to sleep. I had no need ofany light to read my guardian1's letter by, for I knew it by heart.
I took it from the place where I kept it, and repeated its contentsby its own clear light of integrity and love, and went to sleepwith it on my pillow.
I was up very early in the morning and called Charley to come for awalk. We bought flowers for the breakfast-table, and came back andarranged them, and were as busy as possible. We were so early thatI had a good time still for Charley's lesson before breakfast;Charley (who was not in the least improved in the old defectivearticle of grammar) came through it with great applause; and wewere altogether very notable. When my guardian appeared he said,"Why, little woman, you look fresher than your flowers!" And Mrs.
Woodcourt repeated and translated a passage from theMewlinnwillinwodd expressive2 of my being like a mountain with thesun upon it.
This was all so pleasant that I hope it made me still more like themountain than I had been before. After breakfast I waited myopportunity and peeped about a little until I saw my guardian inhis own room--the room of last night--by himself. Then I made anexcuse to go in with my housekeeping keys, shutting the door afterme.
"Well, Dame3 Durden?" said my guardian; the post had brought himseveral letters, and he was writing. "You want money?""No, indeed, I have plenty in hand.""There never was such a Dame Durden," said my guardian, "for makingmoney last."He had laid down his pen and leaned back in his chair looking atme. I have often spoken of his bright face, but I thought I hadnever seen it look so bright and good. There was a high happinessupon it which made me think, "He has been doing some great kindnessthis morning.""There never was," said my guardian, musing5 as he smiled upon me,"such a Dame Durden for making money last."He had never yet altered his old manner. I loved it and him somuch that when I now went up to him and took my usual chair, whichwas always put at his side--for sometimes I read to him, andsometimes I talked to him, and sometimes I silently worked by him--I hardly liked to disturb it by laying my hand on his breast. ButI found I did not disturb it at all.
"Dear guardian," said I, "I want to speak to you. Have I beenremiss in anything?""Remiss6 in anything, my dear!""Have I not been what I have meant to be since--I brought theanswer to your letter, guardian?""You have been everything I could desire, my love.""I am very glad indeed to hear that," I returned. "You know, yousaid to me, was this the mistress of Bleak7 House. And I said,yes.""Yes," said my guardian, nodding his head. He had put his armabout me as if there were something to protect me from and lookedin my face, smiling.
"Since then," said I, "we have never spoken on the subject exceptonce.""And then I said Bleak House was thinning fast; and so it was, mydear.""And I said," I timidly reminded him, "but its mistress remained."He still held me in the same protecting manner and with the samebright goodness in his face.
"Dear guardian," said I, "I know how you have felt all that hashappened, and how considerate you have been. As so much time haspassed, and as you spoke4 only this morning of my being so wellagain, perhaps you expect me to renew the subject. Perhaps I oughtto do so. I will be the mistress of Bleak House when you please.""See," he returned gaily8, "what a sympathy there must be betweenus! I have had nothing else, poor Rick excepted--it's a largeexception--in my mind. When you came in, I was full of it. Whenshall we give Bleak House its mistress, little woman?""When you please.""Next month?""Next month, dear guardian.""The day on which I take the happiest and best step of my life--theday on which I shall be a man more exulting9 and more enviable thanany other man in the world--the day on which I give Bleak House itslittle mistress--shall be next month then," said my guardian.
I put my arms round his neck and kissed him just as I had done onthe day when I brought my answer.
A servant came to the door to announce Mr. Bucket, which was quiteunnecessary, for Mr. Bucket was already looking in over theservant's shoulder. "Mr. Jarndyce and Miss Summerson," said he,rather out of breath, "with all apologies for intruding10, WILL youallow me to order up a person that's on the stairs and that objectsto being left there in case of becoming the subject of observationsin his absence? Thank you. Be so good as chair that there memberin this direction, will you?" said Mr. Bucket, beckoning11 over thebanisters.
This singular request produced an old man in a black skull-cap,unable to walk, who was carried up by a couple of bearers anddeposited in the room near the door. Mr. Bucket immediately gotrid of the bearers, mysteriously shut the door, and bolted it.
"Now you see, Mr. Jarndyce," he then began, putting down his hatand opening his subject with a flourish of his well-rememberedfinger, "you know me, and Miss Summerson knows me. This gentlemanlikewise knows me, and his name is Smallweed. The discounting lineis his line principally, and he's what you may call a dealer12 inbills. That's about what YOU are, you know, ain't you?" said Mr.
Bucket, stopping a little to address the gentleman in question, whowas exceedingly suspicious of him.
He seemed about to dispute this designation of himself when he wasseized with a violent fit of coughing.
"Now, moral, you know!" said Mr. Bucket, improving the accident.
"Don't you contradict when there ain't no occasion, and you won'tbe took in that way. Now, Mr. Jarndyce, I address myself to you.
I've been negotiating with this gentleman on behalf of SirLeicester Dedlock, Baronet, and one way and another I've been inand out and about his premises13 a deal. His premises are thepremises formerly14 occupied by Krook, marine15 store dealer--arelation of this gentleman's that you saw in his life-time if Idon't mistake?"My guardian replied, "Yes.""Well! You are to understand," said Mr. Bucket, "that thisgentleman he come into Krook's property, and a good deal of magpieproperty there was. Vast lots of waste-paper among the rest. Lordbless you, of no use to nobody!"The cunning of Mr. Bucket's eye and the masterly manner in which hecontrived, without a look or a word against which his watchfulauditor could protest, to let us know that he stated the caseaccording to previous agreement and could say much more of Mr.
Smallweed if he thought it advisable, deprived us of any merit inquite understanding him. His difficulty was increased by Mr.
Smallweed's being deaf as well as suspicious and watching his facewith the closest attention.
"Among them odd heaps of old papers, this gentleman, when he comesinto the property, naturally begins to rummage16, don't you see?"said Mr. Bucket.
"To which? Say that again," cried Mr. Smallweed in a shrill17, sharpvoice.
"To rummage," repeated Mr. Bucket. "Being a prudent18 man andaccustomed to take care of your own affairs, you begin to rummageamong the papers as you have come into; don't you?""Of course I do," cried Mr. Smallweed.
"Of course you do," said Mr. Bucket conversationally19, "and much toblame you would be if you didn't. And so you chance to find, youknow," Mr. Bucket went on, stooping over him with an air ofcheerful raillery which Mr. Smallweed by no means reciprocated,"and so you chance to find, you know, a paper with the signature ofJarndyce to it. Don't you?"Mr. Smallweed glanced with a troubled eye at us and grudginglynodded assent20.
"And coming to look at that paper at your full leisure andconvenience--all in good time, for you're not curious to read it,and why should you be?--what do you find it to be but a will, yousee. That's the drollery21 of it," said Mr. Bucket with the samelively air of recalling a joke for the enjoyment22 of Mr. Smallweed,who still had the same crest-fallen appearance of not enjoying itat all; "what do you find it to be but a will?""I don't know that it's good as a will or as anything else,"snarled Mr. Smallweed.
Mr. Bucket eyed the old man for a moment--he had slipped and shrunkdown in his chair into a mere23 bundle--as if he were much disposedto pounce24 upon him; nevertheless, he continued to bend over himwith the same agreeable air, keeping the corner of one of his eyesupon us.
"Notwithstanding which," said Mr. Bucket, "you get a littledoubtful and uncomfortable in your mind about it, having a verytender mind of your own.""Eh? What do you say I have got of my own?" asked Mr. Smallweedwith his hand to his ear.
"A very tender mind.""Ho! Well, go on," said Mr. Smallweed.
"And as you've heard a good deal mentioned regarding a celebratedChancery will case of the same name, and as you know what a cardKrook was for buying all manner of old pieces of furniter, andbooks, and papers, and what not, and never liking25 to part with 'em,and always a-going to teach himself to read, you begin to think--and you never was more correct in your born days--'Ecod, if I don'tlook about me, I may get into trouble regarding this will.'""Now, mind how you put it, Bucket," cried the old man anxiouslywith his hand at his ear. "Speak up; none of your brimstonetricks. Pick me up; I want to hear better. Oh, Lord, I am shakento bits!"Mr. Bucket had certainly picked him up at a dart26. However, as soonas he could be heard through Mr. Smallweed's coughing and hisvicious ejaculations of "Oh, my bones! Oh, dear! I've no breathin my body! I'm worse than the chattering27, clattering28, brimstonepig at home!" Mr. Bucket proceeded in the same convivial29 manner asbefore.
"So, as I happen to be in the habit of coming about your premises,you take me into your confidence, don't you?"I think it would be impossible to make an admission with more illwill and a worse grace than Mr. Smallweed displayed when headmitted this, rendering30 it perfectly31 evident that Mr. Bucket wasthe very last person he would have thought of taking into hisconfidence if he could by any possibility have kept him out of it.
"And I go into the business with you--very pleasant we are over it;and I confirm you in your well-founded fears that you will getyourself into a most precious line if you don't come out with thatthere will," said Mr. Bucket emphatically; "and accordingly youarrange with me that it shall be delivered up to this present Mr.
Jarndyce, on no conditions. If it should prove to be valuable, youtrusting yourself to him for your reward; that's about where it is,ain't it?""That's what was agreed," Mr. Smallweed assented32 with the same badgrace.
"In consequence of which," said Mr. Bucket, dismissing hisagreeable manner all at once and becoming strictly33 businesslike,"you've got that will upon your person at the present time, and theonly thing that remains34 for you to do is just to out with it!"Having given us one glance out of the watching corner of his eye,and having given his nose one triumphant35 rub with his forefinger,Mr. Bucket stood with his eyes fastened on his confidential36 friendand his hand stretched forth37 ready to take the paper and present itto my guardian. It was not produced without much reluctance38 andmany declarations on the part of Mr. Smallweed that he was a poorindustrious man and that he left it to Mr. Jarndyce's honour not tolet him lose by his honesty. Little by little he very slowly tookfrom a breast-pocket a stained, discoloured paper which was muchsinged upon the outside and a little burnt at the edges, as if ithad long ago been thrown upon a fire and hastily snatched offagain. Mr. Bucket lost no time in transferring this paper, withthe dexterity39 of a conjuror40, from Mr. Smallweed to Mr. Jarndyce.
As he gave it to my guardian, he whispered behind his fingers,"Hadn't settled how to make their market of it. Quarrelled andhinted about it. I laid out twenty pound upon it. First theavaricious grandchildren split upon him on account of theirobjections to his living so unreasonably41 long, and then they spliton one another. Lord! There ain't one of the family that wouldn'tsell the other for a pound or two, except the old lady--and she'sonly out of it because she's too weak in her mind to drive abargain.""Mr Bucket," said my guardian aloud, "whatever the worth of thispaper may be to any one, my obligations are great to you; and if itbe of any worth, I hold myself bound to see Mr. Smallweedremunerated accordingly.""Not according to your merits, you know," said Mr. Bucket infriendly explanation to Mr. Smallweed. "Don't you be afraid ofthat. According to its value.""That is what I mean," said my guardian. "You may observe, Mr.
Bucket, that I abstain42 from examining this paper myself. The plaintruth is, I have forsworn and abjured43 the whole business these manyyears, and my soul is sick of it. But Miss Summerson and I willimmediately place the paper in the hands of my solicitor44 in thecause, and its existence shall be made known without delay to allother parties interested.""Mr. Jarndyce can't say fairer than that, you understand," observedMr. Bucket to his fellow-visitor. "And it being now made clear toyou that nobody's a-going to be wronged--which must be a greatrelief to YOUR mind--we may proceed with the ceremony of chairingyou home again."He unbolted the door, called in the bearers, wished us goodmorning, and with a look full of meaning and a crook45 of his fingerat parting went his way.
We went our way too, which was to Lincoln's Inn, as quickly aspossible. Mr. Kenge was disengaged, and we found him at his tablein his dusty room with the inexpressive-looking books and the pilesof papers. Chairs having been placed for us by Mr. Guppy, Mr.
Kenge expressed the surprise and gratification he felt at theunusual sight of Mr. Jarndyce in his office. He turned over hisdouble eye-glass as he spoke and was more Conversation Kenge thanever.
"I hope," said Mr. Kenge, "that the genial46 influence of MissSummerson," he bowed to me, "may have induced Mr. Jarndyce," hebowed to him, "to forego some little of his animosity towards acause and towards a court which are--shall I say, which take theirplace in the stately vista47 of the pillars of our profession?""I am inclined to think," returned my guardian, "that MissSummerson has seen too much of the effects of the court and thecause to exert any influence in their favour. Nevertheless, theyare a part of the occasion of my being here. Mr. Kenge, before Ilay this paper on your desk and have done with it, let me tell youhow it has come into my hands."He did so shortly and distinctly.
"It could not, sir," said Mr. Kenge, "have been stated more plainlyand to the purpose if it had been a case at law.""Did you ever know English law, or equity48 either, plain and to thepurpose?" said my guardian.
"Oh, fie!" said Mr. Kenge.
At first he had not seemed to attach much importance to the paper,but when he saw it he appeared more interested, and when he hadopened and read a little of it through his eye-glass, he becameamazed. "Mr. Jarndyce," he said, looking off it, "you have perusedthis?""Not I!" returned my guardian.
"But, my dear sir," said Mr. Kenge, "it is a will of later datethan any in the suit. It appears to be all in the testator'shandwriting. It is duly executed and attested49. And even ifintended to be cancelled, as might possibly be supposed to bedenoted by these marks of fire, it is NOT cancelled. Here it is, aperfect instrument!""Well!" said my guardian. "What is that to me?""Mr. Guppy!" cried Mr. Kenge, raising his voice. "I beg yourpardon, Mr. Jarndyce.""Sir.""Mr. Vholes of Symond's Inn. My compliments. Jarndyce andJarndyce. Glad to speak with him."Mr. Guppy disappeared.
"You ask me what is this to you, Mr. Jarndyce. If you had perusedthis document, you would have seen that it reduces your interestconsiderably, though still leaving it a very handsome one, stillleaving it a very handsome one," said Mr. Kenge, waving his handpersuasively and blandly50. "You would further have seen that theinterests of Mr. Richard Carstone and of Miss Ada Clare, now Mrs.
Richard Carstone, are very materially advanced by it.""Kenge," said my guardian, "if all the flourishing wealth that thesuit brought into this vile51 court of Chancery could fall to my twoyoung cousins, I should be well contented52. But do you ask ME tobelieve that any good is to come of Jarndyce and Jarndyce?""Oh, really, Mr. Jarndyce! Prejudice, prejudice. My dear sir,this is a very great country, a very great country. Its system ofequity is a very great system, a very great system. Really,really!"My guardian said no more, and Mr. Vholes arrived. He was modestlyimpressed by Mr. Kenge's professional eminence53.
"How do you do, Mr. Vholes? Willl you be so good as to take achair here by me and look over this paper?"Mr. Vholes did as he was asked and seemed to read it every word.
He was not excited by it, but he was not excited by anything. Whenhe had well examined it, he retired54 with Mr. Kenge into a window,and shading his mouth with his black glove, spoke to him at somelength. I was not surprised to observe Mr. Kenge inclined todispute what he said before he had said much, for I knew that notwo people ever did agree about anything in Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
But he seemed to get the better of Mr. Kenge too in a conversationthat sounded as if it were almost composed of the words "Receiver-General," "Accountant-General," "report," "estate," and "costs."When they had finished, they came back to Mr. Kenge's table andspoke aloud.
"Well! But this is a very remarkable55 document, Mr. Vholes," saidMr. Kenge.
Mr. Vholes said, "Very much so.""And a very important document, Mr. Vholes," said Mr. Kenge.
Again Mr. Vholes said, "Very much so.""And as you say, Mr. Vholes, when the cause is in the paper nextterm, this document will be an unexpected and interesting featurein it," said Mr. Kenge, looking loftily at my guardian.
Mr. Vholes was gratified, as a smaller practitioner56 striving tokeep respectable, to be confirmed in any opinion of his own by suchan authority.
"And when," asked my guardian, rising after a pause, during whichMr. Kenge had rattled57 his money and Mr. Vholes had picked hispimples, "when is next term?""Next term, Mr. Jarndyce, will be next month," said Mr. Kenge. "Ofcourse we shall at once proceed to do what is necessary with thisdocument and to collect the necessary evidence concerning it; andof course you will receive our usual notification of the causebeing in the paper.""To which I shall pay, of course, my usual attention.""Still bent58, my dear sir," said Mr. Kenge, showing us through theouter office to the door, "still bent, even with your enlargedmind, on echoing a popular prejudice? We are a prosperouscommunity, Mr. Jarndyce, a very prosperous community. We are agreat country, Mr. Jarndyce, we are a very great country. This isa great system, Mr. Jarndyce, and would you wish a great country tohave a little system? Now, really, really!"He said this at the stair-head, gently moving his right hand as ifit were a silver trowel with which to spread the cement of hiswords on the structure of the system and consolidate59 it for athousand ages.
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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dame
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| n.女士 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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remiss
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| adj.不小心的，马虎 | |
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bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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gaily
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exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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intruding
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beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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dealer
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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formerly
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marine
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rummage
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shrill
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prudent
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conversationally
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assent
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drollery
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enjoyment
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mere
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pounce
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liking
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dart
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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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clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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convivial
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| adj.狂欢的，欢乐的 | |
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rendering
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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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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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confidential
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forth
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reluctance
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dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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conjuror
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| n.魔术师，变戏法者 | |
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unreasonably
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abstain
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| v.自制，戒绝，弃权，避免 | |
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abjured
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| v.发誓放弃( abjure的过去式和过去分词 )；郑重放弃（意见）；宣布撤回（声明等）；避免 | |
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solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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crook
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| v.使弯曲；n.小偷，骗子，贼；弯曲(处) | |
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genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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vista
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| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
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equity
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| n.公正，公平，（无固定利息的）股票 | |
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attested
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| adj.经检验证明无病的，经检验证明无菌的v.证明( attest的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；声称…属实；使宣誓 | |
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blandly
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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52
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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53
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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54
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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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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56
practitioner
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| n.实践者，从事者；(医生或律师等)开业者 | |
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57
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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consolidate
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| v.使加固，使加强；(把...)联为一体，合并 | |
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