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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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