| 选择字号:【大】【中】【小】 | 关灯
护眼
|
Chapter 5 The death of a friend
关注小说网官方公众号(noveltingroom),原版名著免费领。
Time passed.The search for Mr Hyde continued.SirDanvers Carew was an important and popular man andthe police tried desperately to arrest the murderer and bringhim to trial.But there was no sign of Mr Hyde himself, although the police and the newspapers discovered a lot about hispast life.Nobody,it seemed,could say one good word aboutthe wanted man. He was a cruel, violent man, who had livedan evil life full of hate and jealousy.None of this, however,was any help to the police. Mr Hyde had just disappeared.
As time went by, Mr Utterson became calmer and more atpeace with himself. He was truly sorry that his client, SirDanvers Carew, was dead, but he was also very glad that MrHyde had disappeared. As for Doctor Jekyll, he too appearedcalmer and happier.He came out into the world again.He invited friends to his house and accepted invitations to theirs. Hehad always been a good and generous man.Now,however,hebecame a churchgoer too. He was busy, he spent a lot of timein the fresh air and he looked happy and carefree.For morethan two months he was at peace with himself and the world.
On the 8th of January Mr Utterson was invited to dinner atDoctor Jekyll’s house.Doctor Lanyon was there too.‘This isquite like old times,’thought the lawyer as he watched DoctorJekyll smiling at Doctor Lanyon.
On January 12th,however,and again on the 14th, DoctorJekyll refused to see visitors.
‘The doctor is not well,’explained Poole.‘He hopes youwill forgive him,but he cannot see anyone.’
Mr Utterson called again next day, and again the day afterthat.After two months of almost daily meetings with his oldfriend,the lawyer felt rather lonely.On the sixth evening heinvited his clerk,Mr Guest,to dinner with him, and on theseventh night he went to visit Doctor Lanyon.
Doctor Lanyon made him welcome,but Mr Utterson wasshocked by the change in the doctor’s appearance.His face,which was usually pink and healthy, was grey and thin, andthere was a frightened look in his eyes. He was suddenly anold,sick man.
‘He looks,’said Mr Utterson to himself,‘like a man whoknows he’s dying.’
‘How are you,Lanyon?’he said.‘You don't look well.’
‘I've had a shock,Utterson,’replied Doctor Lanyon.‘Andit will cause my death.I have only a few weeks to live.’Hepaused.‘Well,it comes to us all sooner or later. I've had agood life, on the whole.’
‘Jekyll is ill too,’said the lawyer.‘Have you seen him?’
At the name of Jekyll the look on Doctor Lanyon’s face changed.‘Please,’he said, holding up a trembling hand,‘don't speak that name in this house.’
©英文小说网 2005-2010