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oliver twist(雾都孤儿(孤星血泪))-第65章

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and stupefied by the unexpected intelligence; he could not 
weep; or speak; or rest。 He had scarcely the power of 
understanding anything that had passed; until; after a long ramble 
in the quiet evening air; a burst of tears came to his relief; and he 
seemed to awaken all at once; to a full sense of the joyful change 
that had occurred; and the almost insupportable load of anguish 
which had been taken from his breast。 

The night was fast closing in; when he returned homeward; 
laden with flowers which he had culled; with peculiar care; for the 
adornment of the sick chamber。 As he walked briskly along the 
road he heard behind him; the noise of some vehicle; approaching 
at a furious pace。 Looking round; he saw that it was a post…chaise; 
driven at great speed; and as the horses were galloping; and the 
road was narrow; he stood leaning against a gate until it should 
have passed him。 

As it dashed on; Oliver caught a glimpse of a man; in a white 
night…cap; whose face seemed familiar to him; although his view 
was so brief that he could not identify the person。 In another 
second or two; the night…cap was thrust out of the chaise window; 
and a stentorian voice bellowed to the driver to stop; which he did; 

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as soon as he could pull up his horses。 Then; the night…cap once 
again appeared; and the same voice called Oliver by his name。 

“Here!” cried the voice。 “Oliver; what’s the news? Miss Rose! 
Master O…li…ver!” 

“Is it you; Giles?” cried Oliver; running up to the chaise door。 

Giles popped out his night…cap again; preparatory to making 
some reply; when he was suddenly pulled back by a young 
gentleman who occupied the other corner of the chaise; and who 
eagerly demanded what was the news。 “In a word!” cried the 
gentleman; “better or worse?” 

“Better—much better!” replied Oliver hastily。 

“Thank Heaven!” exclaimed the gentleman。 “You are sure?” 

“Quite; sir;” replied Oliver。 “The change took place—only a few 
hours ago; and Mr。 Losberne says that all danger is at an end。” 

The gentleman did not say another word; but; opening the 
chaise door; leaped out; and taking Oliver hurriedly by the arm; 
led him aside。 

“You are quite certain? There is no possibility of any mistake 
on your part; my boy; is there?” demanded the gentleman in a 
tremulous voice。 “Do not deceive me; by awakening hopes that are 
not to be fulfilled。” 

“I would not for the world; sir;” replied Oliver。 “Indeed you may 
believe me。 Mr。 Losberne’s words were; that she would live to 
bless us all for many years to come。 I heard him say so。” 

The tears stood in Oliver’s eyes as he recalled the scene which 
was the beginning of so much happiness; and the gentleman 
turned his face away; and remained silent; for some minutes。 
Oliver thought he heard him sob; more than once; but he feared to 
interrupt him by any fresh remark—for he could well guess what 

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his feelings were—and so stood apart; feigning to be occupied with 
his nosegay。 

All this time; Mr。 Giles; with the white night…cap on; had been 
sitting on the steps of the chaise; supporting an elbow on each 
knee; and wiping his eyes with a blue cotton pocket…handkerchief 
dotted with white spots。 That the honest fellow had not been 
feigning emotion; was abundantly demonstrated by the very red 
eyes with which he regarded the young gentleman; when he 
turned round and addressed him。 

“I think you had better go on to my mother’s in the chaise; 
Giles;” said he。 “I would rather walk slowly on; so as to gain a little 
time before I see her。 You can say I am coming。” 

“I beg your pardon; Mr。 Harry;” said Giles; giving a final polish 
to his ruffled countenance with the handkerchief; “but if you 
would leave the postboy to say that; I should be very much obliged 
to you。 It wouldn’t be proper for the maids to see me in this state; 
sir; I should never have any more authority with them if they did。” 

“Well;” rejoined Harry Maylie; smiling; “you can do as you like。 
Let him go on with the luggage; if you wish it; and do you follow 
with us。 Only first exchange that night…cap for some more 
appropriate covering; or we shall be taken for madmen。” 

Mr。 Giles; reminded of his unbecoming costume; snatched off 
and pocketed his night…cap; and substituted a hat; of grave and 
sober shape; which he took out of the chaise。 This done; the 
postboy drove off; Giles; Mr。 Maylie; and Oliver; followed at their 
leisure。 

As they walked along; Oliver glanced from time to time with 
much interest and curiosity at the newcomer。 He seemed about 
five…and…twenty years of age; and was of the middle height; his 

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countenance was frank and handsome; and his demeanour easy 
and prepossessing。 Notwithstanding the difference between youth 
and age; he bore so strong a likeness to the old lady; that Oliver 
would have had no great difficulty in imagining their relationship; 
if he had not already spoken of her as his mother。 

Mrs。 Maylie was anxiously waiting to receive her son when he 
reached the cottage。 The meeting did not take place without great 
emotion on both sides。 

“Mother!” whispered the young man; “why did you not write 
before?” 

“I did;” replied Mrs。 Maylie; “but; on reflection; I determined to 
keep back the letter until I had heard Mr。 Losberne’s opinion。” 

“But why;” said the young man—“why run the chance of that 
occurring which so nearly happened? If Rose had—I cannot utter 
that word now—if this illness had terminated differently; how 
could you ever have forgiven yourself! How could I ever have 
known happiness again!” 

“If that had been the case; Harry;” said Mrs。 Maylie; “I fear your 
happiness would have been effectually blighted; and that your 
arrival here; a day sooner; or a day later; would have been of very; 
very little import。” 

“And who can wonder if it be so; mother?” rejoined the young 
man; “or why should I say; if?—It is—it is—You know it; mother— 
you must know it!” 

“I know that she deserves the best and purest love the heart of 
man can offer;” said Mrs。 Maylie; “I know that the devotion and 
affection of her nature require no ordinary return; but one that 
shall be deep and lasting。 If I did not feel this; and know; besides; 
that a changed behaviour in one she loved would break her heart; 

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I should not feel my task so difficult of performance; or have to 
encounter so many struggles in my own bosom; when I take what 
seems to me to be the strict line of duty。” 

“This is unkind; mother;” said Harry。 “Do you still suppose that 
I am a boy ignorant of my own mind; and mistaking the impulses 
of my own soul?” 

“I think; my dear son;” returned Mrs。 Maylie; laying her hand 
upon his shoulder; “that youth has many generous impulses which 
do not last; and that among them are some; which; being gratified; 
become only the more fleeting。 Above all; I think;” said the lady; 
fixing her eyes on her son’s face; “that if an enthusiastic; ardent; 
and ambitious man marry a wife on whose name there is a stain; 
which; though it originate in no fault of hers; may be visited by 
cold and sordid people upon her; and upon his children also; and; 
in exact proportion to his success in the world; be cast in his teeth; 
and made the subject of sneers against him; he may; no matter 
how generous and good his nature; one day repent of the 
connection he formed in early life。 And she may have the pain of 
knowing that he does so。” 

“Mother;” said the young man impatiently;” he would be a 
selfish brute; unworthy alike of the name of man and of the 
woman you describe; who acted thus。” 

“You think so now; Harry;” replied his mother。 

“And ever will!” said the young man。 “The mental agony I have 
suffered; during the last two days; wrings from me the avowal to 
you of a passion which; as you well know; is not one of yesterday; 
nor one I have lightly formed。 On Rose; sweet; gentle girl! my 
heart is set; as firmly as ever heart of man was set on woman。 I 
have no thought; no view; no hope in life; beyond her; and if you 

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oppose me in this great stake; you take my peace and happiness in 
your hands; and cast them to the wind。 Mother; think better of 
this; and of me; and do not disregard the happiness of which you 
seem to think so little。” 

“Harry;” said Mrs。 Maylie; “it is because I think so much of 
warm and sensitive hearts; that I would spare them from being 
wounded。 But we have said enough; and more than enough; on 
this matter; just now。” 

“Let it rest with Rose; then;” interposed Harry。 “You will not 
press these overstrained opinions of yours; so far; as to throw any 
obstacle in my way?” 

“I will not;” rejoined Mrs。 Maylie; “but I would have you 
consider—” 

“I have considered!” w
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