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lavengro-第181部分

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unexpectedly arrived。  I believe he soon perceived that something 

extraordinary had been going on in the family。  He was for some 

time closeted with the governor; with whom; I believe; he had a 

dispute; for my fellow…servant; the lady's maid; informed me that 

she heard high words。



'Rather late at night the young gentleman sent for me into his 

room; and asked me various questions with respect to what had been 

going on; and my behaviour in the church; of which he had heard 

something。  I told him all I knew with respect to the intrigues of 

the two priests in the family; and gave him a circumstantial 

account of all that had occurred in the church; adding that; under 

similar circumstances; I was ready to play the same part over 

again。  Instead of blaming me; he commended my behaviour; told me I 

was a fine fellow; and said he hoped that; if he wanted my 

assistance; I would stand by him:  this I promised to do。  Before I 

left him; he entreated me to inform him the very next time I saw 

the priests entering the house。



'The next morning; as I was in the courtyard; where I had placed 

myself to watch; I saw the two enter and make their way up a 

private stair to the young ladies' apartment; they were attended by 

a man dressed something like a priest; who bore a large box; I 

instantly ran to relate what I had seen to my young master。  I 

found him shaving。  〃I will just finish what I am about;〃 said he; 

〃and then wait upon these gentlemen。〃  He finished what he was 

about with great deliberation; then taking a horsewhip; and bidding 

me follow him; he proceeded at once to the door of his sisters' 

apartment:  finding it fastened; he burst it open at once with his 

foot and entered; followed by myself。  There we beheld the two 

unfortunate young ladies down on their knees before a large female 

doll; dressed up; as usual; in rags and tinsel; the two priests 

were standing near; one on either side; with their hands uplifted; 

whilst the fellow who brought the trumpery stood a little way down 

the private stair; the door of which stood open; without a moment's 

hesitation; my young master rushed forward; gave the image a cut or 

two with his horsewhip … then flying at the priests; he gave them a 

sound flogging; kicked them down the private stair; and spurned the 

man; box and image after them … then locking the door; he gave his 

sisters a fine sermon; in which he represented to them their folly 

in worshipping a silly wooden graven image; which; though it had 

eyes; could see not; though it had ears; could hear not; though it 

had hands; could not help itself; and though it had feet; could not 

move about unless it were carried。  Oh; it was a fine sermon that 

my young master preached; and sorry I am that the Father of the 

Fetish; old Mumbo; did not hear it。  The elder sister looked 

ashamed; but the youngest; who was very weak; did nothing but wring 

her hands; weep and bewail the injury which had been done to the 

dear image。  The young man; however; without paying much regard to 

either of them; went to his father; with whom he had a long 

conversation; which terminated in the old governor giving orders 

for preparations to be made for the family's leaving Rome and 

returning to England。  I believe that the old governor was glad of 

his son's arrival; and rejoiced at the idea of getting away from 

Italy; where he had been so plundered and imposed upon。  The 

priests; however; made another attempt upon the poor young ladies。  

By the connivance of the female servant who was in their interest 

they found their way once more into their apartment; bringing with 

them the fetish image; whose body they partly stripped; exhibiting 

upon it certain sanguine marks which they had daubed upon it with 

red paint; but which they said were the result of the lashes which 

it had received from the horsewhip。  The youngest girl believed all 

they said; and kissed and embraced the dear image; but the eldest; 

whose eyes had been opened by her brother; to whom she was much 

attached; behaved with proper dignity; for; going to the door; she 

called the female servant who had a respect for me; and in her 

presence reproached the two deceivers for their various impudent 

cheats; and especially for this their last attempt at imposition; 

adding that if they did not forthwith withdraw and rid her sister 

and herself of their presence; she would send word by her maid to 

her brother; who would presently take effectual means to expel 

them。  They took the hint and departed; and we saw no more of them。



'At the end of three days we departed from Rome; but the maid whom 

the priests had cajoled remained behind; and it is probable that 

the youngest of our ladies would have done the same thing if she 

could have had her own will; for she was continually raving about 

her image; and saying she should wish to live with it in a convent; 

but we watched the poor thing; and got her on board ship。  Oh; glad 

was I to leave that fetish country and old Mumbo behind me!







CHAPTER C







Nothing but gloom … Sporting character … Gouty Tory … Servants' 

Club … Politics … Reformado footman … Peroration … Good…night。



'WE arrived in England; and went to our country seat; but the peace 

and tranquillity of the family had been marred; and I no longer 

found my place the pleasant one which it had formerly been; there 

was nothing but gloom in the house; for the youngest daughter 

exhibited signs of lunacy; and was obliged to be kept under 

confinement。  The next season I attended my master; his son; and 

eldest daughter to London; as I had previously done。  There I left 

them; for hearing that a young baronet; an acquaintance of the 

family; wanted a servant; I applied for the place; with the consent 

of my masters; both of whom gave me a strong recommendation; and; 

being approved of; I went to live with him。



'My new master was what is called a sporting character; very fond 

of the turf; upon which he was not very fortunate。  He was 

frequently very much in want of money; and my wages were anything 

but regularly paid; nevertheless; I liked him very much; for he 

treated me more like a friend than a domestic; continually 

consulting me as to his affairs。  At length he was brought nearly 

to his last shifts; by backing the favourite at the Derby; which 

favourite turned out a regular brute; being found nowhere at the 

rush。  Whereupon; he and I had a solemn consultation over fourteen 

glasses of brandy and water; and as many cigars … I mean; between 

us … as to what was to be done。  He wished to start a coach; in 

which event he was to be driver; and I guard。  He was quite 

competent to drive a coach; being a first…rate whip; and I daresay 

I should have made a first…rate guard; but; to start a coach 

requires money; and we neither of us believed that anybody would 

trust us with vehicles and horses; so that idea was l
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