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lavengro-第61部分

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with those of my night journey; the crack which had aroused me I 

soon found proceeded from the whip of a carter; who; with many 

oaths; was flogging his team below the window。



Looking at a clock which stood upon the mantelpiece; I perceived 

that it was past eleven; whereupon I said to myself; 'I am wasting 

my time foolishly and unprofitably; forgetting that I am now in the 

big world; without anything to depend upon save my own exertions'; 

and then I adjusted my dress; and; locking up the bundle of papers 

which I had not read; I tied up the other; and; taking it under my 

arm; I went downstairs; and; after asking a question or two of the 

people of the house; I sallied forth into the street with a 

determined look; though at heart I felt somewhat timorous at the 

idea of venturing out alone into the mazes of the mighty city; of 

which I had heard much; but of which; of my own knowledge; I knew 

nothing。



I had; however; no great cause for anxiety in the present instance; 

I easily found my way to the place which I was in quest of … one of 

the many new squares on the northern side of the metropolis; and 

which was scarcely ten minutes' walk from the street in which I had 

taken up my abode。  Arriving before the door of a tolerably large 

house which bore a certain number; I stood still for a moment in a 

kind of trepidation; looking anxiously at the door; I then slowly 

passed on till I came to the end of the square; where I stood 

still; and pondered for a while。  Suddenly; however; like one who 

has formed a resolution; I clenched my right hand; flinging my hat 

somewhat on one side; and; turning back with haste to the door 

before which I had stopped; I sprang up the steps; and gave a loud 

rap; ringing at the same time the bell of the area。  After the 

lapse of a minute the door was opened by a maid…servant of no very 

cleanly or prepossessing appearance; of whom I demanded; in a tone 

of some hauteur; whether the master of the house was at home。  

Glancing for a moment at the white paper bundle beneath my arm; the 

handmaid made no reply in words; but; with a kind of toss of her 

head; flung the door open; standing on one side as if to let me 

enter。  I did enter; and the hand…maid; having opened another door 

on the right hand; went in; and said something which I could not 

hear:  after a considerable pause; however; I heard the voice of a 

man say; 'Let him come in'; whereupon the handmaid; coming out; 

motioned me to enter; and; on my obeying; instantly closed the door 

behind me。







CHAPTER XXX







The sinister glance … Excellent correspondent … Quite original … My 

system … A losing trade … Merit … Starting a Review … What have you 

got? … Stop! … DAIRYMAN'S DAUGHTER … Oxford principles … More 

conversation … How is this?



THERE were two individuals in the room in which I now found myself; 

it was a small study; surrounded with bookcases; the window looking 

out upon the square。  Of these individuals he who appeared to be 

the principal stood with his back to the fireplace。  He was a tall 

stout man; about sixty; dressed in a loose morning gown。  The 

expression of his countenance would have been bluff but for a 

certain sinister glance; and his complexion might have been called 

rubicund but for a considerable tinge of bilious yellow。  He eyed 

me askance as I entered。  The other; a pale; shrivelled…looking 

person; sat at a table apparently engaged with an account…book; he 

took no manner of notice of me; never once lifting his eyes from 

the page before him。



'Well; sir; what is your pleasure?' said the big man; in a rough 

tone; as I stood there; looking at him wistfully … as well I might 

… for upon that man; at the time of which I am speaking; my 

principal; I may say my only; hopes rested。



'Sir;' said I; 'my name is so…and…so; and I am the bearer of a 

letter to you from Mr。 so…and…so; an old friend and correspondent 

of yours。'



The countenance of the big man instantly lost the suspicious and 

lowering expression which it had hitherto exhibited; he strode 

forward; and; seizing me by the hand; gave me a violent squeeze。



'My dear sir;' said he; 'I am rejoiced to see you in London。  I 

have been long anxious for the pleasure … we are old friends; 

though we have never before met。  Taggart;' said he to the man who 

sat at the desk; 'this is our excellent correspondent; the friend 

and pupil of our other excellent correspondent。'



The pale; shrivelled…looking man slowly and deliberately raised his 

head from the account…book; and surveyed me for a moment or two; 

not the slightest emotion was observable in his countenance。  It 

appeared to me; however; that I could detect a droll twinkle in his 

eye:  his curiosity; if he had any; was soon gratified; he made me 

a kind of bow; pulled out a snuff…box; took a pinch of snuff; and 

again bent his head over the page。



'And now; my dear sir;' said the big man; 'pray sit down; and tell 

me the cause of your visit。  I hope you intend to remain here a day 

or two。'



'More than that;' said I; 'I am come to take up my abode in 

London。'



'Glad to hear it; and what have you been about of late? got 

anything which will suit me?  Sir; I admire your style of writing; 

and your manner of thinking; and I am much obliged to my good 

friend and correspondent for sending me some of your productions。  

I inserted them all; and wished there had been more of them … quite 

original; sir; quite:  took with the public; especially the essay 

about the non…existence of anything。  I don't exactly agree with 

you though; I have my own peculiar ideas about matter … as you 

know; of course; from the book I have published。  Nevertheless; a 

very pretty piece of speculative philosophy … no such thing as 

matter … impossible that there should be … EX NIHILO … what is the 

Greek?  I have forgot … very pretty indeed; very original。'



'I am afraid; sir; it was very wrong to write such trash; and yet 

more to allow it to be published。'



'Trash! not at all; a very pretty piece of speculative philosophy; 

of course you were wrong in saying there is no world。  The world 

must exist; to have the shape of a pear; and that the world is 

shaped like a pear; and not like an apple; as the fools of Oxford 

say; I have satisfactorily proved in my book。  Now; if there were 

no world; what would become of my system?  But what do you propose 

to do in London?'



'Here is the letter; sir;' said I; 'of our good friend; which I 

have not yet given to you; I believe it will explain to you the 

circumstances under which I come。'



He took the letter; and perused it with attention。  'Hem!' said he; 

with a somewhat altered manner; 'my friend tells me that you are 

come up to London with the view of turning your literary talents to 

account; and desires me to assist you in my capacity of publisher 

in bringing forth two or thre
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