按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
a disposition to pet it； in which there was a good bright ray of
hope。 I thought I perceived that Miss Lavinia would have
uncommon satisfaction in superintending two young lovers； like
Dora and me； and that Miss Clarissa would have hardly less
satisfaction in seeing her superintend us； and in chiming in with
her own particular department of the subject whenever that
impulse was strong upon her。 This gave me courage to protest
most vehemently that I loved Dora better than I could tell； or
anyone believe； that all my friends knew how I loved her； that my
aunt； Agnes； Traddles； everyone who knew me； knew how I loved
her； and how earnest my love had made me。 For the truth of this； I
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
appealed to Traddles。 And Traddles； firing up as if he were
plunging into a Parliamentary Debate； really did come out nobly：
confirming me in good round terms； and in a plain sensible
practical manner； that evidently made a favourable impression。
‘I speak； if I may presume to say so； as one who has some little
experience of such things；’ said Traddles； ‘being myself engaged to
a young lady—one of ten； down in Devonshire—and seeing no
probability； at present； of our engagement coming to a
termination。’
‘You may be able to confirm what I have said； Mr。 Traddles；’
observed Miss Lavinia； evidently taking a new interest in him； ‘of
the affection that is modest and retiring； that waits and waits？’
‘Entirely； ma’am；’ said Traddles。
Miss Clarissa looked at Miss Lavinia； and shook her head
gravely。 Miss Lavinia looked consciously at Miss Clarissa； and
heaved a little sigh。 ‘Sister Lavinia；’ said Miss Clarissa； ‘take my
smelling…bottle。’
Miss Lavinia revived herself with a few whiffs of aromatic
vinegar—Traddles and I looking on with great solicitude the
while； and then went on to say； rather faintly：
‘My sister and myself have been in great doubt； Mr。 Traddles；
what course we ought to take in reference to the likings； or
imaginary likings； of such very young people as your friend Mr。
Copperfield and our niece。’
‘Our brother Francis’s child；’ remarked Miss Clarissa。 ‘If our
brother Francis’s wife had found it convenient in her lifetime
（though she had an unquestionable right to act as she thought
best） to invite the family to her dinner…table； we might have known
our brother Francis’s child better at the present moment。 Sister
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
Lavinia； proceed。’
Miss Lavinia turned my letter； so as to bring the superscription
towards herself； and referred through her eye…glass to some
orderly…looking notes she had made on that part of it。
‘It seems to us；’ said she； ‘prudent； Mr。 Traddles； to bring these
feelings to the test of our own observation。 At present we know
nothing of them； and are not in a situation to judge how much
reality there may be in them。 Therefore we are inclined so far to
accede to Mr。 Copperfield’s proposal； as to admit his visits here。’
‘I shall never； dear ladies；’ I exclaimed； relieved of an immense
load of apprehension； ‘forget your kindness！’
‘But；’ pursued Miss Lavinia；—‘but； we would prefer to regard
those visits； Mr。 Traddles； as made； at present； to us。 We must
guard ourselves from recognizing any positive engagement
between Mr。 Copperfield and our niece； until we have had an
opportunity—’
‘Until you have had an opportunity； sister Lavinia；’ said Miss
Clarissa。
‘Be it so；’ assented Miss Lavinia； with a sigh—‘until I have had
an opportunity of observing them。’
‘Copperfield；’ said Traddles； turning to me； ‘you feel； I am sure；
that nothing could be more reasonable or considerate。’
‘Nothing！’ cried I。 ‘I am deeply sensible of it。’
‘In this position of affairs；’ said Miss Lavinia； again referring to
her notes； ‘and admitting his visits on this understanding only； we
must require from Mr。 Copperfield a distinct assurance； on his
word of honour； that no communication of any kind shall take
place between him and our niece without our knowledge。 That no
project whatever shall be entertained with regard to our niece；
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
without being first submitted to us—’
‘To you； sister Lavinia；’ Miss Clarissa interposed。
‘Be it so； Clarissa！’ assented Miss Lavinia resignedly—‘to me—
and receiving our concurrence。 We must make this a most express
and serious stipulation； not to be broken on any account。 We
wished Mr。 Copperfield to be accompanied by some confidential
friend today；’ with an inclination of her head towards Traddles；
who bowed； ‘in order that there might be no doubt or
misconception on this subject。 If Mr。 Copperfield； or if you； Mr。
Traddles； feel the least scruple； in giving this promise； I beg you to
take time to consider it。’
I exclaimed； in a state of high ecstatic fervour； that not a
moment’s consideration could be necessary。 I bound myself by the
required promise； in a most impassioned manner； called upon
Traddles to witness it； and denounced myself as the most
atrocious of characters if I ever swerved from it in the least degree。
‘Stay！’ said Miss Lavinia； holding up her hand； ‘we resolved；
before we had the pleasure of receiving you two gentlemen； to
leave you alone for a quarter of an hour； to consider this point。
You will allow us to retire。’
It was in vain for me to say that no consideration was necessary。
They persisted in withdrawing for the specified time。 Accordingly；
these little birds hopped out with great dignity； leaving me to
receive the congratulations of Traddles； and to feel as if I were
translated to regions of exquisite happiness。 Exactly at the
expiration of the quarter of an hour； they reappeared with no less
dignity than they had disappeared。 They had gone rustling away
as if their little dresses were made of autumn…leaves： and they
came rustling back； in like manner。
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
I then bound myself once more to the prescribed conditions。
‘Sister Clarissa；’ said Miss Lavinia； ‘the rest is with you。’
Miss Clarissa； unfolding her arms for the first time； took the
notes and glanced at them。
‘We shall be happy；’ said Miss Clarissa； ‘to see Mr。 Copperfield
to dinner； every Sunday； if it should suit his convenience。 Our
hour is three。’
I bowed。
‘In the course of the week；’ said Miss Clarissa； ‘we shall be
happy to see Mr。 Copperfield to tea。 Our hour is half…past six。’
I bowed again。
‘Twice in the week；’ said Miss Clarissa； ‘but； as a rule； not
oftener。’
I bowed again。
‘Miss Trotwood；’ said Miss Clarissa； ‘mentioned in Mr。
Copperfield’s letter； will perhaps call upon us。 When visiting is
better for the happiness of all parties； we are glad to receive visits；
and return them。 When it is better for the happiness of all parties
that no visiting should take place； （as in the case of our brother
Francis； and his establi