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lavengro-第106部分
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poorly; and the young gentleman is a funny young gentleman; and a
clever young gentleman; and I think it will do your honour good to
have a dinner's chat with the young gentleman。'
'It is not my dinner hour;' said the stranger; 'I dine considerably
later; taking anything now would only discompose me; I shall;
however; be most happy to sit down with the young gentleman; reach
me that paper; and; when the young gentleman has satisfied his
appetite; we may perhaps have a little chat together。'
The landlord handed the stranger the newspaper; and; bowing;
retired with his maid Jenny。 I helped myself to a portion of the
smoking round; and commenced eating with no little appetite。 The
stranger appeared to be soon engrossed with the newspaper。 We
continued thus a considerable time … the one reading and the other
dining。 Chancing suddenly to cast my eyes upon the stranger; I saw
his brow contract; he gave a slight stamp with his foot; and flung
the newspaper to the ground; then stooping down he picked it up;
first moving his forefinger along the floor; seemingly slightly
scratching it with his nail。
'Do you hope; sir;' said I; 'by that ceremony with the finger to
preserve yourself from the evil chance?'
The stranger started; then; after looking at me for some time in
silence; he said; 'Is it possible that you … ?'
'Ay; ay;' said I; helping myself to some more of the round; 'I have
touched myself in my younger days; both for the evil chance and the
good。 Can't say; though; that I ever trusted much in the
ceremony。'
The stranger made no reply; but appeared to be in deep thought;
nothing farther passed between us until I had concluded the dinner;
when I said to him; 'I shall now be most happy; sir; to have the
pleasure of your conversation over a pint of wine。'
The stranger rose; 'No; my young friend;' said he; smiling; 'that
would scarce be fair。 It is my turn now … pray do me the favour to
go home with me; and accept what hospitality my poor roof can
offer; to tell you the truth; I wish to have some particular
discourse with you which would hardly be possible in this place。
As for wine; I can give you some much better than you can get here:
the landlord is an excellent fellow; but he is an innkeeper after
all。 I am going out for a moment; and will send him in; so that
you may settle your account; I trust you will not refuse me; I only
live about two miles from here。'
I looked in the face of the stranger … it was a fine intelligent
face; with a cast of melancholy in it。 'Sir;' said I; 'I would go
with you though you lived four miles instead of two。'
'Who is that gentleman?' said I to the landlord; after I had
settled his bill; 'I am going home with him。'
'I wish I were going too;' said the fat landlord; laying his hand
upon his stomach。 'Young gentleman; I shall be a loser by his
honour's taking you away; but; after all; the truth is the truth …
there are few gentlemen in these parts like his honour; either for
learning or welcoming his friends。 Young gentleman; I congratulate
you。'
CHAPTER LXIV
New acquaintance … Old French style … The portrait … Taciturnity …
The evergreen tree … The dark hour … The flash … Ancestors … A
fortunate man … A posthumous child … Antagonist ideas … The hawks …
Flaws … The pony … Irresistible impulse … Favourable crisis … The
topmost branch … Twenty feet … Heartily ashamed。
I FOUND the stranger awaiting me at the door of the inn。 'Like
yourself; I am fond of walking;' said he; 'and when any little
business calls me to this place I generally come on foot。'
We were soon out of the town; and in a very beautiful country。
After proceeding some distance on the high…road; we turned off; and
were presently in one of those mazes of lanes for which England is
famous; the stranger at first seemed inclined to be taciturn; a few
observations; however; which I made appeared to rouse him; and he
soon exhibited not only considerable powers of conversation; but
stores of information which surprised me。 So pleased did I become
with my new acquaintance that I soon ceased to pay the slightest
attention either to place or distance。 At length the stranger was
silent; and I perceived that we had arrived at a handsome iron gate
and a lodge; the stranger having rung a bell; the gate was opened
by an old man; and we proceeded along a gravel path; which in about
five minutes brought us to a large brick house; built something in
the old French style; having a spacious lawn before it; and
immediately in front a pond in which were golden fish; and in the
middle a stone swan discharging quantities of water from its bill。
We ascended a spacious flight of steps to the door; which was at
once flung open; and two servants with powdered hair and in livery
of blue plush came out and stood one on either side as we passed
the threshold。 We entered a large hall; and the stranger; taking
me by the hand; welcomed me to his poor home; as he called it; and
then gave orders to another servant; but out of livery; to show me
to an apartment; and give me whatever assistance I might require in
my toilet。 Notwithstanding the plea as to primitive habits which I
had lately made to my other host in the town; I offered no
objection to this arrangement; but followed the bowing domestic to
a spacious and airy chamber; where he rendered me all those little
nameless offices which the somewhat neglected state of my dress
required。 When everything had been completed to my perfect
satisfaction; he told me that if I pleased he would conduct me to
the library; where dinner would be speedily served。
In the library I found a table laid for two; my host was not there;
having as I supposed not been quite so speedy with his toilet as
his guest。 Left alone; I looked round the apartment with inquiring
eyes; it was long and tolerably lofty; the walls from the top to
the bottom were lined with cases containing books of all sizes and
bindings; there was a globe or two; a couch; and an easy…chair。
Statues and busts there were none; and only one painting; a
portrait; that of my host; but not him of the mansion。 Over the
mantelpiece; the features staringly like; but so ridiculously
exaggerated that they scarcely resembled those of a human being;
daubed evidently by the hand of the commonest sign…artist; hung a
half…length portrait of him of round of beef celebrity … my sturdy
host of the town。
I had been in the library about ten minutes; amusing myself as I
best could; when my friend entered; he seemed to have resumed his
taciturnity … scarce a word escaped his lips till dinner was
served; when he said; smiling; 'I suppose it would be merely a
compliment to ask you to partake?'
'I don't know;' said I; seating myself; 'your first course consists
of troutlets; I am fo
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