A certain portion of his time was passed at Cambridge, where he readwith undergraduates as a sort of tolerated smuggler who drove acontraband trade in European languages, instead of conveying Greek andLatin through the Custom-house. The rest of his time he passed inLondon.
Now, from the days when it was always summer in Eden, to thesedays when it is mostly winter in fallen latitudes, the world of aman has invariably gone one way- Charles Darnay's way- the way ofthe love of a woman.
He had loved Lucie Manette from the hour of his danger. He had neverheard a sound so sweet and dear as the sound of her compassionatevoice; he had never seen a face so tenderly beautiful, as hers when itwas confronted with his own on the edge of the grave that had been dugfor him. But, he had not yet spoken to her on the subject; theassassination at the deserted chateau far away beyond the heavingwater and the long, long, dusty roads- the solid stone chateau whichhad itself become the mere mist of a dream- had been done a year,and he had never yet, disclosed toher the state of his heart.
That he had his reasons for this, he knew full well. It was againa summer day when, lately arrived in London from his collegeoccupation, he turned into the quiet corner in Soho, bent on seekingan opportunity of opening his mind to Doctor Manette. It was the closeof the summer day, and he knew Lucie to be out with Miss Pross.
He found the Doctor reading in his arm-chair at a window. The energywhich had at once supported him under his old sufferings andaggravated their sharpness, had been gradually restored to him. He wasnow a very energetic man indeed, with great firmness of purpose,strength of resolution, and vigour of action. In his recoveredenergy he was sometimes a little fitful and sudden, as he had at firstbeen in the exercise of his other recovered faculties; but, this hadnever been frequently observable, and had grown more and more rare.
He studied much, slept little, sustained a great deal of fatiguewith ease, and was equably cheerful. To him, now entered CharlesDarnay, at sight of whom he laid aside his book and held out his hand.
|
收藏
推
噓