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oliver twist(雾都孤儿(孤星血泪))-第63章

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Oliver Twist 342 

was unusually refreshing。 Rose had been in high spirits; too; and 
they had walked on; in merry conversation; until they had far 
exceeded their ordinary bounds。 Mrs。 Maylie being fatigued; they 
returned more slowly home。 The young lady merely throwing off 
her simple bonnet; sat down to the piano as usual。 After running 
abstractedly over the keys for a few minutes; she fell into a low 
and very solemn air; and; as she played it; they heard a sound as if 
she were weeping。 

“Rose; my dear!” said the elder lady。 

Rose made no reply; but played a little quicker; as though the 
words had roused her from some painful thoughts。 

“Rose; my love!” cried Mrs。 Maylie; rising hastily; and bending 
over her。 “What is this? In tears! My dear child; what distresses 
you?” 

“Nothing; aunt; nothing;” replied the young lady。 “I don’t know 
what it is; I can’t describe it; but I feel—” 

“Not ill; my love?” interposed Mrs。 Maylie。 

“No; no! Oh; not ill!” replied Rose; shuddering as though some 
deadly chillness were passing over her; while she spoke; “I shall be 
better presently。 Close the window; pray!” 

Oliver hastened to comply with her request。 The young lady; 
making an effort to recover her cheerfulness; strove to play some 
livelier tune; but her fingers dropped powerless on the keys。 
Covering her face with her hands; she sank upon a sofa; and gave 
vent to the tears which she was now unable to repress。 

“My child!” said the elderly lady; folding her arms about her。 “I 
never saw you so before。” 

“I would not alarm you if I could avoid it;” rejoined Rose; “but 
indeed I have tried very hard; and cannot help this。 I fear I am ill; 

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Oliver Twist 343 

aunt。” 

She was; indeed; for; when candles were brought; they saw that 
in the very short time which had elapsed since their return home; 
the hue of her countenance had changed to a marble whiteness。 
Its expression had lost nothing of its beauty; but it was changed; 
and there was an anxious; haggard look about the gentle face; 
which it had never worn before。 Another minute; and it was 
suffused with a crimson flush; and a heavy wildness came over the 
soft blue eye。 Again this disappeared; like the shadow thrown by a 
passing cloud; and she was once more deadly pale。 

Oliver; who watched the old lady anxiously; observed that she 
was alarmed by these appearances; and so in truth; was he; but; 
seeing that she affected to make light of them; he endeavoured to 
do the same; and they so far succeeded; that when Rose was 
persuaded by her aunt to retire for the night; she was in better 
spirits; and appeared even in better health; assuring them that she 
felt certain she should rise in the morning; quite well。 “I hope;” 
said Oliver; when Mrs。 Maylie returned; “that nothing is the 
matter? She don’t look well tonight; but—” The old lady motioned 
to him not to speak; and; sitting herself down in a dark corner of 
the room; remained silent for some time。 At length; she said; in a 
trembling voice: 

“I hope not; Oliver。 I have been very happy with her for some 
years—too happy; perhaps。 It may be time that I should meet with 
some misfortune; but I hope it is not this。” 

“What?” inquired Oliver。 

“The heavy blow;” said the old lady; “of losing the dear girl who 
has so long been my comfort and happiness。” 

“Oh! God forbid!” exclaimed Oliver hastily。 

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Oliver Twist 344 

“Amen to that; my child!” said the old lady; wringing her hands。 

“Surely there is no danger of anything so dreadful?” said 
Oliver。 “Two hours ago; she was quite well。” 

“She is very ill now;” rejoined Mrs。 Maylie; “and will be worse; I 
am sure。 My dear; dear Rose! Oh; what should I do without her!” 

She gave way to such great grief; that Oliver; suppressing his 
own emotion; ventured to remonstrate with her; and to beg; 
earnestly; that; for the sake of the dear young lady herself; she 
would be more calm。 

“And consider; ma’am;” said Oliver; as the tears forced 
themselves into his eyes; despite of his efforts to the contrary。 “Oh! 
consider how young and good she is; and what pleasure and 
comfort she gives to all about her。 I am sure—certain—quite 
certain—that; for your sake; who are so good yourself; and for her 
own; and for the sake of all she makes so happy; she will not die。 
Heaven will never let her die so young。” 

“Hush!” said Mrs。 Maylie; laying her hand on Oliver’s head。 
“You think like a child; poor boy。 But you teach me my duty; 
notwithstanding。 I had forgotten it for a moment; Oliver; but I 
hope I may be pardoned; for I am old; and have seen enough of 
illness and death to know the agony of separation from the objects 
of our love。 I have seen enough; too; to know that it is not always 
the youngest and best who are spared to those that love them; but 
this should give us comfort in our sorrow; for Heaven is just; and 
such things teach us; impressively; that there is a brighter world 
than this; and that the passage to it is speedy。 God’s will be done! I 
love her; and He knows how well!” 

Oliver was surprised to see that as Mrs。 Maylie said these 
words; she checked her lamentations as though by one effort; and 

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Oliver Twist 345 

drawing herself up as she spoke; became composed and firm。 He 
was still more astonished to find that this firmness lasted; and 
that; under all the care and watching which ensued; Mrs。 Maylie 
was ever ready and collected; performing all the duties which 
devolved upon her; steadily; and; to all external appearance; even 
cheerfully。 But he was young; and did not know what strong 
minds are capable of; under trying circumstances。 How should he; 
when their possessors so seldom know themselves? 

An anxious night ensued。 When morning came; Mrs。 Maylie’s 
predictions were but too well verified。 Rose was in the first stage 
of a high and dangerous fever。 

“We must be active; Oliver; and not give way to useless grief;” 
said Mrs。 Maylie; laying her finger on her lip; as she looked 
steadily into his face; “this letter must be sent; with all possible 
expedition; to Mr。 Losberne。 It must be carried to the market…
town; which is not more than four miles off; by the footpath across 
the fields; and thence despatched; by an express on horseback; 
straight to Chertsey。 The people at the inn will undertake to do 
this; and I can trust to you to see it done; I know。” 

Oliver could make no reply; but looked with anxiety to be gone 
at once。 

“Here is another letter;” said Mrs。 Maylie; pausing to reflect; 
“but whether to send it now; or wait until I see how Rose goes on; I 
scarcely know。 I would not forward it; unless I feared the worst。” 

“Is it for Chertsey; too; ma’am?” inquired Oliver; impatient to 
execute his commission; and holding out his trembling hand for 
the letter。 

“No;” replied the old lady; giving it to him mechanically。 Oliver 
glanced at it; and saw that it was directed to Harry Maylie; 

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Oliver Twist 346 

Esquire; at some great lord’s house in the country; where; he could 

not make out。 

“Shall it go; ma’am?” asked Oliver; looking up impatiently。 

“I think not;” replied Mrs。 Maylie; taking it back。 “I will wait 
until tomorrow。” 

With these words; she gave Oliver her purse; and he started off; 
without more delay; at the greatest speed he could muster。 

Swiftly he ran across the fields; and down the little lanes which 
sometimes divided them; now almost hidden by the high corn on 
either side; and now emerging on an open field; where the mowers 
and hay…makers were busy at their work; nor did he stop once; 
save now and then; for a few seconds; to recover breath; until he 
came; in a great heat; and covered with dust; on the little marketplace of the market…town。 

Here he paused; and looked about for the inn。 There were a 
white bank; and a red brewery; and a yellow town…hall; and in one 
corner there was a large house; with all the wood about it painted 
green; before which was the sign of “The George”。 To this he 
hastened; as soon as it caught his eye。 

He spoke to a postboy; who was dozing under the gateway; 
and—who; after hearing what he wanted; referred him to the 
hostler; who; after hearing all he had to say again; referred him to 
the landlord; who was a tall gentleman in a blue neckcloth; a white 
hat; drab breeches; and boots with tops to match; leaning against a 
pump by the stable door; picking his teeth with a silver toothpick。 

This gentleman walked with much deliberation into the bar to 
make out the bill; which took a long time making out; and after it 
was ready; and paid; a horse had to be saddled; and a man to be 
dressed; which took up ten good minutes more。 Meanwhile Oliver 

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Oliver Twist 347 

was in such a desperate state of impatience and anxiety; that he 
felt as if he could have jumped upon the horse him
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