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！
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 766…
Barnaby Rudge 767
did Mr Haredale think of entrusting me with one—possibly
because he had good experience of my faith and honesty； and
owed his life to me。’
There was a reproof conveyed in these words； which to a nature
like Emma Haredale’s； was well addressed。 But Dolly； who was
differently constituted； was by no means touched by it； and still
conjured her； in all the terms of affection and attachment she
could think of； not to be lured away。
‘Time presses；’ said their visitor； who； although he sought to
express the deepest interest； had something cold and even in his
speech； that grated on the ear； ‘and danger surrounds us。 If I have
exposed myself to it； in vain； let it be so； but if you and he should
ever meet again； do me justice。 If you decide to remain （as I think
you do）； remember； Miss Haredale； that I left you with a solemn
caution； and acquitting myself of all the consequences to which
you expose yourself。’
‘Stay； sir！’ cried Emma—one moment； I beg you。 Cannot we—
and she drew Dolly closer to her—‘cannot we go together？’
‘The task of conveying one female in safety through such scenes
as we must encounter； to say nothing of attracting the attention of
those who crowd the streets；’ he answered； ‘is enough。 I have said
that she will be restored to her friends to…night。 If you accept the
service I tender； Miss Haredale； she shall be instantly placed in
safe conduct； and that promise redeemed。 Do you decide to
remain？ People of all ranks and creeds are flying from the town；
which is sacked from end to end。 Let me be of use in some quarter。
Do you stay； or go？’
‘Dolly；’ said Emma； in a hurried manner； ‘my dear girl； this is
our last hope。 If we part now； it is only that we may meet again in
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 767…
Barnaby Rudge 768
happiness and honour。 I will trust to this gentleman。’
‘No no…no！’ cried Dolly； clinging to her。 ‘Pray； pray； do not！’
‘You hear；’ said Emma； ‘that to…night—only to…night—within a
few hours—think of that！—you will be among those who would die
of grief to lose you； and who are now plunged in the deepest
misery for your sake。 Pray for me； dear girl； as I will for you； and
never forget the many quiet hours we have passed together。 Say
one “God bless you！” Say that at parting！’
But Dolly could say nothing； no； not when Emma kissed her
cheek a hundred times； and covered it with tears； could she do
more than hang upon her neck； and sob； and clasp； and hold her
tight。
‘We have time for no more of this；’ cried the man； unclenching
her hands； and pushing her roughly off； as he drew Emma
Haredale towards the door： ‘Now！ Quick； outside there！ are you
ready？’
‘Ay！’ cried a loud voice； which made him start。 ‘Quite ready！
Stand back here； for your lives！’
And in an instant he was felled like an ox in the butcher’s
shambles—struck down as though a block of marble had fallen
from the roof and crushed him—and cheerful light； and beaming
faces came pouring in—and Emma was clasped in her uncle’s
embrace； and Dolly； with a shriek that pierced the air； fell into the
arms of her father and mother。
What fainting there was； what laughing； what crying； what
sobbing； what smiling； how much questioning； no answering； all
talking together； all beside themselves with joy； what kissing；
congratulating； embracing； shaking of hands； and falling into all
these raptures； over and over and over again； no language can
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 768…
Barnaby Rudge 769
describe。
At length； and after a long time； the old locksmith went up and
fairly hugged two strangers； who had stood apart and left them to
themselves； and then they saw—whom？ Yes； Edward Chester and
Joseph Willet。
‘See here！’ cried the locksmith。 ‘See here！ where would any of
us have been without these two？ Oh； Mr Edward； Mr Edward—oh；
Joe； Joe； how light； and yet how full； you have made my old heart
to…night！’
‘It was Mr Edward that knocked him down； sir；’ said Joe： ‘I
longed to do it； but I gave it up to him。 Come； you brave and
honest gentleman！ Get your senses together； for you haven’t long
to lie here。’
He had his foot upon the breast of their sham deliverer； in the
absence of a spare arm； and gave him a gentle roll as he spoke。
Gashford； for it was no other； crouching yet malignant； raised his
scowling face； like sin subdued； and pleaded to be gently used。
‘I have access to all my lord’s papers； Mr Haredale；’ he said； in a
submissive voice： Mr Haredale keeping his back towards him； and
not once looking round： ‘there are very important documents
among them。 There are a great many in secret drawers； and
distributed in various places； known only to my lord and me。 I can
give some very valuable information； and render important
assistance to any inquiry。 You will have to answer it； if I receive ill
usage。
‘Pah！’ cried Joe； in deep disgust。 ‘Get up； man； you’re waited
for； outside。 Get up； do you hear？’
Gashford slowly rose； and picking up his hat； and looking with a
baffled malevolence； yet with an air of despicable humility； all
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 769…
Barnaby Rudge 770
round the room； crawled out。
‘And now； gentlemen；’ said Joe； who seemed to be the
spokesman of the party； for all the rest were silent； ‘the sooner we
get back to the Black Lion； the better； perhaps。’
Mr Haredale nodded assent； and drawing his niece’