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！
Hmidst of a dazzling and brilliant circle； how he enchanted
all those with whom he mingled by the grace of his
deportment； the politeness of his manner； the vivacity of his
conversation； and the sweetness of his voice； how it was observed
in every corner； that Chester was a man of that happy disposition
that nothing ruffled him； that he was one on whom the world’s
cares and errors sat lightly as his dress； and in whose smiling face
a calm and tranquil mind was constantly reflected； how honest
men； who by instinct knew him better； bowed down before him
nevertheless； deferred to his every word； and courted his
favourable notice； how people； who really had good in them； went
with the stream； and fawned and flattered； and approved； and
despised themselves while they did so； and yet had not the
courage to resist； how； in short； he was one of those who are
received and cherished in society （as the phrase is） by scores who
individually would shrink from and be repelled by the object of
their lavish regard； are things of course； which will suggest
themselves。 Matter so commonplace needs but a passing glance；
and there an end。
The despisers of mankind—apart from the mere fools and
mimics； of that creed—are of two sorts。 They who believe their
merit neglected and unappreciated； make up one class； they who
receive adulation and flattery； knowing their own worthlessness；
compose the other。 Be sure that the coldest…hearted misanthropes
are ever of this last order。
Mr Chester sat up in bed next morning； sipping his coffee； and
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 264…
Barnaby Rudge 265
remembering with a kind of contemptuous satisfaction how he
had shone last night； and how he had been caressed and courted；
when his servant brought in a very small scrap of dirty paper；
tightly sealed in two places； on the inside whereof was inscribed in
pretty large text these words： ‘A friend。 Desiring of a conference。
Immediate。 Private。 Burn it when you’ve read it。’
‘Where in the name of the Gunpowder Plot did you pick up
this？’ said his master。
It was given him by a person then waiting at the door； the man
replied。
‘With a cloak and dagger？’ said Mr Chester。
With nothing more threatening about him； it appeared； than a
leather apron and a dirty face。 ‘Let him come in。’ In he came—Mr
Tappertit； with his hair still on end； and a great lock in his hand；
which he put down on the floor in the middle of the chamber as if
he were about to go through some performances in which it was a
necessary agent。
‘Sir；’ said Mr Tappertit with a low bow； ‘I thank you for this
condescension； and am glad to see you。 Pardon the menial office
in which I am engaged； sir； and extend your sympathies to one；
who； humble as his appearance is； has inn’ard workings far above
his station。’
Mr Chester held the bed…curtain farther back； and looked at
him with a vague impression that he was some maniac； who had
not only broken open the door of his place of confinement； but had
brought away the lock。 Mr Tappertit bowed again； and displayed
his legs to the best advantage。
‘You have heard； sir；’ said Mr Tappertit； laying his hand upon
his breast； ‘of G。 Varden Locksmith and bell…hanger and repairs
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 265…
Barnaby Rudge 266
neatly executed in town and country； Clerkenwell； London？’
‘What then？’ asked Mr Chester。
‘I’m his ’prentice； sir。’
‘What then？’
‘Ahem！’ said Mr Tappertit。 ‘Would you permit me to shut the
door； sir； and will you further； sir； give me your honour bright； that
what passes between us is in the strictest confidence？’
Mr Chester laid himself calmly down in bed again； and turning
a perfectly undisturbed face towards the strange apparition； which
had by this time closed the door； begged him to speak out； and to
be as rational as he could； without putting himself to any very
great personal inconvenience。
‘In the first place； sir；’ said Mr Tappertit； producing a small
pocket…handkerchief and shaking it out of the folds； ‘as I have not
a card about me （for the envy of masters debases us below that
level） allow me to offer the best substitute that circumstances will
admit of。 If you will take that in your own hand； sir； and cast your
eye on the right…hand corner；’ said Mr Tappertit； offering it with a
graceful air； ‘you will meet with my credentials。’
‘Thank you；’ answered Mr Chester； politely accepting it； and
turning to some blood…red characters at one end。 ‘“Four。 Simon
Tappertit。 One。” Is that the—’
‘Without the numbers； sir； that is my name；’ replied the
’prentice。 ‘They are merely intended as directions to the
washerwoman； and have no connection with myself or family。
Your name； sir；’ said Mr Tappertit； looking very hard at his
nightcap； ‘is Chester； I suppose？ You needn’t pull it off； sir； thank
you。 I observe E。 C。 from here。 We will take the rest for granted。’
‘Pray； Mr Tappertit；’ said Mr Chester； ‘has that complicated
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 266…
Barnaby Rudge 267
piece of ironmongery which you have done me the favour to bring
with you； any immediate connection with the business we are to
discuss？’
‘It has not； sir；’ rejoined the ’prentice。 ‘It’s going to be fitted on a
ware’us…door in Thames Street。’
‘Perhaps； as that is the case；’ said Mr Chester； ‘and as it has a
stronger flavour of oil than I usually refresh my bedroom with； you
will oblige me so far as to put it outside the door？’
‘By all means； sir；’ said Mr Tappertit； suiting the action to the
word。
‘You’ll excuse my mentioning it； I hope？’
‘Don’t apolog