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双城记 查尔斯·狄更斯-第章

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xercise a privilege that I in my own time have known the boldest people afraid to speak of in a whisper; across the water there; for instance the privilege of filling up blank forms for the consignment of any one to the oblivion of a prison for any length of time if his wife had implored the king; the queen; the court; the clergy; for any tidings of him; and all quite in vain ;……then the history of your father would have been the history of this unfortunate gentleman; the Doctor of Beauvais。
‘I entreat you to tell me more; sir。'
‘I will。 I am going to。 You can bear it?'
‘I can bear anything but the uncertainty you leave me in at this moment。
‘You speak collectedly; and you……are collected。 ‘That good!' (Though his manner was less satisfied than hi words。) ‘A matter of business。 Regard it as a matter o…business…business that must be done。 Now if this doctor's wife; though a lady of great courage and spirit; had suffered so intensely from this cause before her little child was born………'
‘The little child was a daughter; sir?'
‘A daughter。 A……a……matter of business……don't be distressed。 Miss; if the poor lady had suffered so intensely before her little child was born; that she came to the determination of sparing the poor child the inheritance of any part of the agony she had known the pains of; by rearing her in the belief that her father was dead………No; don't kneel! In Heaven's name why should you kneel to me?'
‘For the truth。 O dear; good; passionate sir; for the truth!'
‘A……a matter of business。 You confuse me; and how can I transact business if I am confused? Let us be clear…headed。 If you could kindly mention now; for instance; what nine times ninepence are; or how many shillings in twenty guineas; it would be so encouraging。 I should be so much more at my ease about your state of mind。'
Without directly answering to this appeal; she sat so still when he had very gently raised her; and the hands that had not ceased to clasp his wrists were so much more steady than they had been; that she municated some reassurance to Mr。 Jarvis Lorry。
‘That's right; that's right。 Courage! Business! You have business before you; useful business。 Miss Manette; your mother took this course with you。 And when she died……I believe broken…hearted……having never slackened her unavailing search for your father; she left you; at two years old; to grow to be blooming; beautiful; and happy; without the dark cloud upon you of living in uncertainty whether your father soon wore his heart out in prison; or wasted there through many lingering years。'
As he said the words he looked down; with an admiring pity; on the flowing golden hair; as if he pictured to him…self that it might have been already tinged with grey。
‘You know that your parents had no great possession; and that what they had was secured to your mother and to you。 There has been no new discovery; of money; or of any other property; but………
He felt his wrist held closer; and he stopped。 The expression in the forehead; which had so particularly attracted his notice; and which was now immovable; had deepened into one of pain and horror。
‘But he has been…been found。 He is alive。 Greatly changed; it is too probable; almost a wreck; it is possible; though we will hope the best。 Still; alive。 Your father has been taken to the house of an old servant in Paris; and we are going there: I; to identify him if I can: you; to restore him to life; love; duty; rest; fort。'
A shiver ran through her frame; and from it through his。 She said; in a low; distinct; awe…stricken voice; as if she were saying it in a dream;
‘I am going to see his Ghost! It will be his Ghost……not him!'
Mr。 Lorry quietly chafed the hands that held his arm。 ‘There; there; there! See now; see now! The best and the worst are known to you; now。 You are well on your way to the poor wronged gentleman; and; with a fair sea voyage; and a fair land journey; you will be soon at his dear side。'
She repeated in the same tone; sunk to a whisper; ‘I have been free; I have been happy; yet his Ghost has never haunted me!'
‘Only one thing more;' said Mr。 Lorry; laying stress upon it as a wholesome means of enforcing her attention: ‘he has been found under another name; his own; long forgotten or long concealed。 It would be worse than useless now to inquire which; worse than useless to seek to know whether he has been for years overlooked; or always designedly held prisoner。 It would be worse than useless now to make any inquiries; because it would be dangerous。 Better not to mention the subject; anywhere or in any way; and to remove him……for a while at all events……out of France。 Even I; safe as an Englishman; and even Tellson's; important as they are to French credit; avoid all naming of the matter。 I carry about me; not a scrap of writing openly referring to it。 This is a secret service altogether。 My credentials; entries; and memoranda; are all prehended in the one line; 〃Recalled to Life;〃 which may mean anything。 But what is the matter? She doesn't notice a word! Miss Manette!'
Perfectly still and silent; and not even fallen back in her chair; she sat under his hand; utterly insensible; with her eyes open and fixed upon him; and with that last expression looking as if it were carved or branded into her forehead。 So close was her hold upon his arm; that he feared to detach himself lest he should hurt her; therefore he called out loudly for assistance without moving。
A wild…looking woman; whom even in his agitation; Mr。 Lorry observed to be all of a red colour; and to have red hair; and to be dressed in some extraordinary tight fitting fashion; and to have on her head a most wonderful bonnet like a Grenadier wooden measure; and good measure too; or a great Stilton cheese; came running into the room in advance of the inn servants; and soon settled the question of his detachment from the poor young lady; by laying a brawny hand upon his chest; and sending him flying back against the nearest wall。
(‘I really think this must be a man!' was Mr。 Lorry's breathless reflection; simultaneously with his ing against the wall。)
‘Why; look at you all!' bawled this figure; addressing the inn servants。 ‘Why don't you go and fetch things; instead of 
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