David Copperfield Charles Dickens (100 best novels of all time .TXT) đ
- Author: Charles Dickens
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Mr. Spenlow apologetically murmured his assent.
âLast evening after tea,â pursued Miss Murdstone, âI observed the little dog starting, rolling, and growling about the drawing room, worrying something. I said to Miss Spenlow, âDora, what is that the dog has in his mouth? Itâs paper.â Miss Spenlow immediately put her hand to her frock, gave a sudden cry, and ran to the dog. I interposed, and said, âDora, my love, you must permit me.âââ
Oh Jip, miserable Spaniel, this wretchedness, then, was your work!
âMiss Spenlow endeavoured,â said Miss Murdstone, âto bribe me with kisses, work-boxes, and small articles of jewelleryâ âthat, of course, I pass over. The little dog retreated under the sofa on my approaching him, and was with great difficulty dislodged by the fire-irons. Even when dislodged, he still kept the letter in his mouth; and on my endeavouring to take it from him, at the imminent risk of being bitten, he kept it between his teeth so pertinaciously as to suffer himself to be held suspended in the air by means of the document. At length I obtained possession of it. After perusing it, I taxed Miss Spenlow with having many such letters in her possession; and ultimately obtained from her the packet which is now in David Copperfieldâs hand.â
Here she ceased; and snapping her reticule again, and shutting her mouth, looked as if she might be broken, but could never be bent.
âYou have heard Miss Murdstone,â said Mr. Spenlow, turning to me. âI beg to ask, Mr. Copperfield, if you have anything to say in reply?â
The picture I had before me, of the beautiful little treasure of my heart, sobbing and crying all nightâ âof her being alone, frightened, and wretched, thenâ âof her having so piteously begged and prayed that stony-hearted woman to forgive herâ âof her having vainly offered her those kisses, work-boxes, and trinketsâ âof her being in such grievous distress, and all for meâ âvery much impaired the little dignity I had been able to muster. I am afraid I was in a tremulous state for a minute or so, though I did my best to disguise it.
âThere is nothing I can say, sir,â I returned, âexcept that all the blame is mine. Doraâ ââ
âMiss Spenlow, if you please,â said her father, majestically.
ââ âwas induced and persuaded by me,â I went on, swallowing that colder designation, âto consent to this concealment, and I bitterly regret it.â
âYou are very much to blame, sir,â said Mr. Spenlow, walking to and fro upon the hearthrug, and emphasizing what he said with his whole body instead of his head, on account of the stiffness of his cravat and spine. âYou have done a stealthy and unbecoming action, Mr. Copperfield. When I take a gentleman to my house, no matter whether he is nineteen, twenty-nine, or ninety, I take him there in a spirit of confidence. If he abuses my confidence, he commits a dishonourable action, Mr. Copperfield.â
âI feel it, sir, I assure you,â I returned. âBut I never thought so, before. Sincerely, honestly, indeed, Mr. Spenlow, I never thought so, before. I love Miss Spenlow to that extentâ ââ
âPooh! nonsense!â said Mr. Spenlow, reddening. âPray donât tell me to my face that you love my daughter, Mr. Copperfield!â
âCould I defend my conduct if I did not, sir?â I returned, with all humility.
âCan you defend your conduct if you do, sir?â said Mr. Spenlow, stopping short upon the hearthrug. âHave you considered your years, and my daughterâs years, Mr. Copperfield? Have you considered what it is to undermine the confidence that should subsist between my daughter and myself? Have you considered my daughterâs station in life, the projects I may contemplate for her advancement, the testamentary intentions I may have with reference to her? Have you considered anything, Mr. Copperfield?â
âVery little, sir, I am afraid;â I answered, speaking to him as respectfully and sorrowfully as I felt; âbut pray believe me, I have considered my own worldly position. When I explained it to you, we were already engagedâ ââ
âI beg,â said Mr. Spenlow, more like Punch than I had ever seen him, as he energetically struck one hand upon the otherâ âI could not help noticing that even in my despair; âthat you will not talk to me of engagements, Mr. Copperfield!â
The otherwise immovable Miss Murdstone laughed contemptuously in one short syllable.
âWhen I explained my altered position to you, sir,â I began again, substituting a new form of expression for what was so unpalatable to him, âthis concealment, into which I am so unhappy as to have led Miss Spenlow, had begun. Since I have been in that altered position, I have strained every nerve, I have exerted every energy, to improve it. I am sure I shall improve it in time. Will you grant me timeâ âany length of time? We are both so young, sirâ ââ
âYou are right,â interrupted Mr. Spenlow, nodding his head a great many times, and frowning very much, âyou are both very young. Itâs all nonsense. Let there be an end of the nonsense. Take away those letters, and throw them in the fire. Give me Miss Spenlowâs letters to throw in the fire; and although our future intercourse must, you are aware, be restricted to the Commons here, we will agree to make no further mention of the past. Come, Mr. Copperfield, you donât want sense; and this is the sensible course.â
No. I couldnât think of agreeing to it. I was very sorry, but there was a higher consideration than sense. Love was above all earthly considerations, and I loved Dora to idolatry, and Dora loved me. I didnât exactly say so; I softened it down as much as I could; but I implied it, and I was resolute upon it. I donât think I made myself very
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