Chapter 33 Chapter 30 Before Marriage

The enchanted house no longer exists, and the working people have entered the house, hammering hammers all day, moving things with a clang, and trampling up and down the stairs. and they made Diogenes bark incessantly from sunrise to sunset—apparently he believed that the enemy had finally defeated him, and was now plundering the house in victorious challenge.Notwithstanding these new circumstances, no other significant change occurred at first in Florence's way of life.At night, when the workmen left, the house looked dreary and deserted again; and as they departed, Florence listened to their echoes through the hall and staircase, and imagined in her mind the happy home to which they were returning and the sight that awaited them. children; she thought with joy that they were happy, and went away joyfully.

She welcomed the silence of the evening back again like an old friend; but it came now with a new face, looking at her more kindly than before.There is fresh hope in it.The fair lady who had soothed and caressed her in the room that had broken her heart was to her a fairy of hope.When she will gradually gain her father's love, when on that tragic day when her mother's love died with her last breath on her cheek, all she lost Or when most of it will be regained, the dawn of a bright life will come; and now its gentle shadow is moving about her in the dawn, a welcome companion to her.As she watched the rosy-cheeked children of the neighbors, she thought that she and they would soon be talking and getting to know each other; She would have been sad to sit there alone in her black mourning; and there was something new and precious in her thinking about these things.

As Florence thought of her new mother, as her pure heart overflowed with love and trust, she loved her dead mother more and more deeply.She's not afraid to build a competitor in her heart.She knew that new flowers would grow on old roots planted deep and tended for a long time.Every tender word that fell from the lips of the fair lady resounded like the echo of a voice long dead.Her remembrance of her own mother had formerly been her only recollection of tender care and love for her parents; how could she be less fond of that old memory now when new tender cares came? One day Florence was sitting in her room reading and thinking of the lady and her promise to come and visit her soon (for it was a story similar to this one), when she raised her eyes At that moment, she saw that she was standing at the door.

"Mother!" cried Florence, coming forward cheerfully, "you're here again!" "Not mother yet," replied the lady, smiling solemnly, as she threw her arms about Florence's neck. "But it will be soon," cried Florence. "Very soon, Florence, very soon." Edith lowered her head a little, so as to press her cheek against Florence's fresh, beautiful one; and they remained thus silent for a few seconds.There was such a tenderness in her manner that Florence felt it even more deeply than on their first meeting. She led Florence to a chair beside her, and sat down; Florence looked at her face, marveling at its beauty, and willingly put her hand in hers.

"Have you been alone since I was last here, Florence?" "Yes!" Florence replied hastily, smiling. She hesitated, lowering her eyes because her new mother's eyes were earnest, gazing intently and thoughtfully into her face. "I'm—I'm—used to being alone," Florence said, "and I don't really care. Sometimes it's Day and I who spend whole days together." weeks and months. "Is Dai your maid, dear?" "It's my dog, mother," said Florence, laughing, "and my maid is Susan." "These are your rooms, aren't they?" said Edith, looking round. "I was not shown these rooms that day. We must make them better, Florence. They deserve to be part of the house. Most beautiful room."

"If I could change them, mother," replied Florence, "then I prefer the upstairs one." "Isn't it high enough here, my dear boy?" asked Edith, smiling. "That's my brother's room," said Florence, "and I like it very much. When I came home, I found the workmen here, and everything was changing, and I wanted to tell my father about it." Said, but—” Florence lowered her eyes lest the same look should cause her to stutter again. "—but I was afraid it would cause him pain, and, mother, you said you would be back soon, and be the mistress of everything here, so I decided to take courage and ask you."

Edith sat looking at her, her bright eyes fixed on her face, until Florence raised them, and it was her turn to look back at the ground.Just then Florence thought how different the lady's beauty was from what she had imagined when they first met her.She had thought herself haughty and unapproachable, but her manner was now so kind and gentle that, had she been Florence's exact age and character, she might not have been able to secure greater confidence than she had now. But it was different when a composure of reluctance and strange self-control crept over her.Now, as if in Florence's presence, she looked base and uncomfortable (though Florence could not understand this, though he could not help noticing and thinking about it).When she had just said that she was not yet mother, when Florence called her the dominating mistress of the place, the change in her was swift and amazing; now, when Florence She sat there, while his eyes were fixed on her face, as if she wished to shrink and hide herself from Florence's sight, and not as someone who, by such kinship rights, was going to love. her and those who raised her.

She promised Florence a new room for her, and said she would give the order herself.Then she asked some questions about poor Paul; and when they had sat and talked some time, she told Florence that she had come to take her to her own house. "We have now moved to London, my mother and I," said Edith, "and you will live with us until I marry. I hope we will understand and trust each other, Florence." "You have been so kind to me," said Florence, "how much I thank you, mother dear!" "Let me talk now, because it's my best chance," Edith continued, looking around to see if they were just the two of them. I'd feel better if you could come home here in a week. No matter who invites you to live somewhere else, you'll come home here. You're all alone Here than—" She restrained herself from finishing the sentence, and then went on, "What I'm trying to say is that I know you're the best at home, Florence dear."

"I'll be home that very day, mother." "Well, that's it. I'll take your word for it. Now, my dear boy, go and pack up and get ready to come with me. Come downstairs and find me when you're all set." Edith walked slowly and thoughtfully by herself through the mansion of which she was soon to be mistress, paying little attention to the grandeur it was about to display.As she had once violently indulged and vented her wrath under the shady woods, so she now, with the same untamed haughtiness of mind, and the same haughty, supercilious look from her eyes and lips, stood in the The same glorious beauty shone in the figure (only less intense because she felt it was worthless, and everything around it was worthless), passing through these luxurious drawing rooms and halls.The roses painted on the walls and floors, surrounded by sharp thorns, pierced her bosom; in each dazzling gold she saw the particles of her hateful buying money; The tall mirror showed her the whole body of a woman; she had not completely lost her noble qualities, but compared with her better self, she seemed too hypocritical, too base, too ruined, and she was beyond redemption. The point of medicine.She believed that all this was clear to all, in varying degrees, and she had no other means or power than pride to make her self-confident, and by this day and night The pride that tormented her soul, she fought her destiny to the end, resisted it, rebelled against it.Could this be the woman Florence--an innocent girl, powerful only by sincerity and innocence--who moved her deeply and conquered her?Could this be the woman who became a different person beside Florence, whose rage and even arrogance died away?Could this be sitting beside Florence in the carriage now, with folded arms, and when Florence begged her to love her and trust her, laying her beautiful head to her bosom, and ready to sacrifice her life The woman who came to defend it from insult and bullying?

Ah, Edith!How good it is to die at such a time!Perhaps, Edith, it would be better and happier to die now than to live on! The honorable Mrs. Skewton had absolutely no such thoughts, for, like many well-born people who have lived in different ages, she has always turned her face away from death, and objected to the mention of this very vile, unworthy thing. A haughty monster who leveled everyone equally.She had borrowed a house in Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, from a noble relation (one of the Phoenixes).The relation had left London; he had so generously lent them the house for their marriage, as a present, that he would be spared further loans and presents to Lady Skewton and her daughter.In order to maintain the honor of the family, it was necessary at such times to be presentable in all respects, and Mrs. Skewton enlisted the help of a merchant in the parish of Mary-le-Born; Loan to nobles and gentlemen all kinds of household items, from dinner sets to servants.He provided the house with a gray-haired butler (who was paid extra for his ancient household appearance), two tall young men in livery, and a selection of kitchen servant.As a result, a legend spread in the basement that Withers, the boy servant, was suddenly relieved of his countless domestic chores, as well as the tiring work of pushing a wheelchair (which is not appropriate in the capital city), and everyone several times See him rubbing his eyes and pinching his hands and feet, as if he wondered if he overslept in the Lamington Dairy and was still dreaming of heaven.Cutlery, china, and various other household utensils were all supplied to the mansion from a source in one direction, including a neat and well-crafted chaise and two sorrel horses.Lady Skewton, seated between the cushions of a main sofa in Cleotrapy's pose, received her audience with dignified queenly airs.

"How is my dear Florence?" said Lady Skewton, as her daughter and her protege entered, "you must come and kiss me, Florence, if you will, my dear of." Florence stooped timidly, and was seeking a place in the white part of Lady Skewton's face, when the lady put her ears together, and rescued her. "Edith, my dear," said Lady Skewton, "it is true that I— Please stand by the light, my dear Florence. " Florence complied, blushing with shame. "Do you remember, my dearest Edith," said her mother, "what you were like when you were about the same age as or a few years younger than our sweet darling Florence?" "I forgot, mother." "In truth, my dear," said Mrs. Skewton, "I find our very handsome young friend to be very much like you at that time, and to show, too," said Mrs. Skewton, in a low voice. , "How important education is." This shows that, in her opinion, Florence is far from being well-educated. "Yes, that's right," replied Edith dryly. Her mother cast a keen glance at her, feeling that she herself was in danger; and to divert attention, said: "My dear Florence, you must come and kiss me again, if you will, my dear." Florence naturally complied, and pressed her lips to her ear again. "My dear darling, you have no doubt heard," said Mrs Skewton, taking her by the hand, "that your papa--whom we all adore and love--is due in a week's time. My dearest Edith is married." "I know it will be soon," replied Florence, "but I don't know the exact date." "My darling Edith," urged her mother cheerfully, "is it possible that you haven't told Florence?" "Why should I tell Florence?" she answered so abruptly and abruptly that Florence could hardly believe it was her voice. Mrs Skewton, in order to divert attention once more, and out of danger, told Florence that her papa would be here to supper, and that he would no doubt be surprised and delighted to see her; for he had been in town last night talking As to matters of dress, Lady Skewton expected he would be pleasantly surprised, without knowing a thing of Edith's plans.Florence was disturbed by these words, and her distress was intensified towards supper; and if she knew how to ask permission to go home, and explain without involving her father, she He would have preferred to run home alone, barefoot and without a hat, than run the risk of displeasing him. As time drew nearer, she could hardly breathe.She dared not go near the window lest he should see her from the street.She dared not go upstairs to hide her emotion, lest she should meet him unexpectedly when she went out of the door; I don't even have the courage to come back.Troubled with these fears, she was sitting by Cleopatra's couch, listening and answering the lady's dull conversation, when suddenly she heard his steps on the stairs. . "I hear his steps!" cried Florence, starting up. "Here he comes!" Cleopatra, from her naive temper, was often fond of a joke, and from self-righteousness, did not bother to study the nature of Florence's agitation, so she pushed Florence to her Changsha. With the back of her hair, she threw a scarf over her, ready to surprise Mr. Dombey.All this was done with such rapidity that in the next instant Florence heard his dreadful step enter the room. He greets his future mother-in-law and future bride.The strange sound of his voice made his daughter tremble when she heard it. "My dear Dombey," said Cleopatra, "come here and tell me, how is your dear Florence?" "Florence is very well," said Mr. Dombey, going to the sofa. "at home?" "At home," said Mr Dombey. "My dear Dombey," replied Cleopatra, with a most charming and cheerful look, "are you sure you have not deceived me? I do not know that my dearest What my dear Edith will say about me, but, to be honest, I fear you are the most dishonest man in the world, my dear Dombey." Even if he was really like this, even if he was exposed on the spot that he had indeed committed a great deal of hypocrisy in the past, then he would not have thought that after Mrs. Skewton lifted the scarf, Florence was pale, trembling, and ghostly. She was even more flustered when she stood in front of him like that.Before he recovered his composure, Florence ran up to him, put her arms around his neck, kissed his face, and hurried out of the room.He looked about him as though wishing to discuss the matter with the others, but Edith followed Florence at once. "Now, confess, my dear Dombey," said Mrs. Skewton, holding out her hand to him, "you have never had anything so surprising and delightful in your life!" "I've never seen anything as amazing as this." "I've never encountered such a happy thing, my dear Dombey?" Mrs. Skewton raised her fan and asked: "I—yes, I am very glad to meet Florence here," said Mr. Dombey; he seemed to consider it gravely for a moment, and then said with greater certainty, "Yes, I am indeed very glad to meet Flo here. Lance." "Don't you wonder how she came here?" asked Mrs. Skewton, "isn't it?" "Perhaps, Edith—" said Mr Dombey speculatively. "Ah! you wretched guesser!" replied Cleopatra, shaking her head, "oh, you cunning, cunning man! I ought not to say such things; you men, my dear Dombey, vain What a heavy heart, and what a pleasure to play on our weaknesses; but you know, my heart is frank—well, come at once!" The last words were addressed to one of the two tall young men who came in to announce that supper was ready. "But Edith, dear Dombey," she went on in a low voice, "when she can't see you near him--and I tell her she can't always count on that--at least she can see to something or someone that belongs to you. Yes, it is perfectly natural. In her mind, nothing can prevent her from going to fetch our dear Florence today in a carriage. You see , what a lovely thing this is!" As she waited for an answer, Mr Dombey replied, "Indeed it is." "My dear Dombey, this proves that you have a good heart, and may God bless you for this!" Cleopatra clenched his hand, and cried, "But I am a little too serious! Please, like an angel , lead me downstairs, and see what these people have prepared for my supper. May God bless you, dear Dombey!" Cleopatra, after her second benediction, sprang from the couch with considerable agility; Mr Dombey took her by the arm, and led her downstairs with great courtesy; and when the two entered the dining-room, One of the tall hired young men (whose organ to show respect to his master was very underdeveloped) stuck his tongue out to his cheek, and was giving the other tall young hired amused. Florence and Edith were already there, sitting side by side.Florence was about to rise when her father entered, and yield her chair to him; but Edith took her arm firmly with her hand, and Mr Dombey took the seat opposite the round table. The conversation was carried on almost entirely by Mrs Skewton alone.Florence scarcely dared to raise her eyes, for fear of showing the stains of tears, much less to speak; and Edith said not a word, except to answer a question.Cleopatra was indeed working very hard in order to get the family fortune in her hands soon.This is indeed a rich family business, and she can be rewarded well! "So all your preparations are coming to an end at last, my dear Dombey?" said Cleopatra when the last snacks and fruit were brought to the table and the gray-haired butler withdrew. "Even the legal preparations are done!" "Yes, ma'am," replied Mr Dombey, "the lawyers tell me that the engagement is now ready, and that, as I told you, Edith has only to appoint a date for its signing." Edith sat like a beautiful statue; as cold as a statue, as silent, as motionless. "My dearest," said Cleopatra, "did you hear Mr Dombey say? Ah, my dear Dombey!" she turned to the gentleman, and whispered, "she is And the absent-minded attitude really reminds me of those days in the past, when her father, a rare good man in the world, was in the same situation as you are now!" "I don't want to suggest days. You can do whatever you like," said Edith, looking hardly over the table at Mr. Dombey. "Tomorrow?" suggested Mr Dombey. "As you please." "Or the day after tomorrow, if that suits you better to arrange things?" said Mr. Dombey. "I don't have anything to arrange. I'm always at your disposal. Make any day you see." "There's nothing to arrange, my dear Edith!" said her mother, protesting, "you've got to be running around all day, you know, and you've got a thousand calls to various merchants. Zero first encounter!" "It's up to you," Edith frowned slightly, turning to her, and replied, "You and Mr. Dombey will discuss and arrange it." "Exactly, my dear, how thoughtful you are!" said Cleopatra. "My dear Florence, you must really come here and kiss me again, if you will, my dear." of!" It is a strange coincidence: Cleopatra's concern for Florence always follows her haste to avoid Edith to come in for a conversation, however little she may say!Never indeed had Florence received so many embraces, and perhaps never in her life had she been so useful, unwittingly. In his heart Mr. Dombey had no complaints at all against his beautiful fiancée.He had good reason to sympathize with her arrogance and indifference, since he himself had the same character.He thought with pleasure that Edith respected his opinion as if his will were hers.He was pleased to imagine how this haughty and stately woman would imitate his attitude in receiving guests at home, making them shy and timid.Yes, the dignity of Dombey and Son will be enhanced and preserved in such hands. As Mr. Dombey was left alone at the table, thinking silently of his past and future destinies, it seemed to him that these destinies had nothing to do with the shabby and gloomy atmosphere of the room. Not suitable; the room was dark brown, and pictures like mourning emblems stained the walls; twenty-four black chairs, like hired mourners, waited on the edge of a Turkish rug, decorated with numerous There were as many nails as there were coffins; the two withered sticks of the candelabra on the sideboard were held up by two exhausted negroes; Buried in the sarcophagus below.The owner of the house lived a great deal of time abroad, and the English air could not long suit the liking of a member of the Phoenix family; the room gradually dressed him in darker and darker mourning until, at last, the atmosphere of funerals was very strong Now, nothing was missing but the corpse. -------- ① (someone or something) a nail on the coffin (anailinsb's (orit's) coffin) is a British idiom, which means to accelerate the cause of someone's (or something's) demise.The comparison between the number of nails and the number of coffins here is the association caused by this idiom. It would not have been bad for Mr Dombey to represent the corpse for the moment, for, apart from his posture, it was indistinguishable from a corpse in so far as his unbending figure was concerned.The mahogany table was like a Dead Sea, where the fruit plate and the round wine bottle were moored, and Mr. Dombey looked down into the cold depths of the Dead Sea, as if the characters he was thinking were rising one by one. Floats to the surface, then sinks again.Here was Edith, majestic in face and figure; next to her was Florence, looking timidly towards him, as she had been at the moment when she had left the room; Dish's eyes were on her, and Edith reached out to protect her.Then suddenly a little figure sitting in a low arm-chair appeared in the light and looked at him in amazement; Shine bright.Florence was again at the little man's side, and attracted all his attention.Did Mr. Dombey notice her because she was destined to give him difficulties and disappointments?Or was it because she was a formidable enemy who had stood in his way, and might stand in his way again?Or was it because she was his child that he could soften his mind and think about her now when his proposal was successful, because she asked not to be alienated by him at such a time?Or was she a hint to him that now, when he formed a new family, he had to show at least some superficial concern for his own flesh and blood?Only he himself understands all this best.But perhaps he hasn't thought much about it, and he's still hazy at best, for the wedding and the altar and the ambitious vista (still with a Florence spot in it) , always with Florence), flashed up in his mind so rapidly and disjointedly that he got up and went upstairs to avoid them. The candles were not lit till very late in the night, for Lady Skewton complained that lighting them would give her a headache now; and all evening Florence and Lady Skewton talked (Cleopatra eagerly keep her close), or Florence playing softly on the piano to Mrs Skewton's amusement; the loving lady sometimes had to ask Florence to kiss her again, which always It was after Edith said something.Edith said little, however, and in spite of her mother's fear that she should catch a cold, she sat alone by the open window till Mr Dombey had taken his leave.He took his farewell with calm and calm courtesy to Florence.Florence went to sleep in the room adjacent to Edith's bedroom feeling very happy and full of hope; when she thought of her past, it was like thinking of another poor abandoned girl; A girl's misfortune should be sympathized with, and she wept, wept, and fell asleep in this sympathy. This week flies by.Drive to women's clothing stores, tailors, jewelry stores, law offices, florists and pastry shops.Florence often accompanied them.Florence will be at the wedding.Florence must then put off her mourning clothes and put on splendid attire.The dresser was a Frenchwoman, very like Mrs. Skewton; and her idea of ​​Florence's suit was so elegant and graceful that Mrs. Skewton ordered for herself a similar one. and the dresser said that she would be admired by everyone, who would think she was the lady's sister. This week goes by faster.Edith doesn't look at anything, doesn't care about anything.The sumptuous dresses were brought home for her, tried on; Mrs Skewton and the dressmaker raved about them, and she put them away without a word.Mrs. Skewton drew up their plans for the day, and carried them out.Sometimes Edith sat in the carriage when they went shopping; sometimes she went into the shop when it was absolutely necessary.But in any case, Lady Skewton directed everything, and Edith took no interest in it, and looked on at it all with evident indifference, as if she cared nothing about it.She was haughty and listless, Florence might have thought, but she never treated her like that, and whenever Florence wondered, she suppressed her astonishment with gratitude. Go down and get over it pretty quickly. This week goes by faster.It almost flew over with wings.The last night of the week, the night before the wedding, came.It was still dark in the room, for Mrs Skewton had not recovered from her headache, though she hoped to be rid of it for good tomorrow.In the room were Mrs Skewton, Edith and Mr Dombey.Edith sat by the open window again, looking out at the street; Mr Dombey and Cleopatra sat on the sofa talking in low voices.It was late, and Florence was tired, and had gone to bed. "My dear Dombey," said Cleopatra, "to-morrow you have taken my dearest Edith, and you must leave me Florence." Mr Dombey said he would be glad to do so. "Keep her with me while you two are in Paris, and think that at her age I can help her form her interests, my dear Dombey," said Cleopatra, "in I am about to be in a state of extreme confusion, and this will be the best pain reliever for me." Edith turned her head suddenly.Her listlessness turned in an instant into intense concern; she listened attentively to their conversation. Mr Dombey would be delighted to entrust Florence to such an admirable guardian. "My dear Dombey," replied Cleopatra, "I would like to thank you a thousand times for your high opinion. I am afraid that your departure from here is premeditated, like those dreadful lawyers. We—these nasty people!— What I said, let me taste the bitterness of loneliness. " "How can you be so unjust to me, my dear lady?" said Mr Dombey. "Because my dear Florence has told me with such certainty that she must go home to-morrow," said Cleopatra, "I am beginning to fear, my dearest Dombey, what a pasha you are." -------- ① Pasha (Bashaw or Pasha), the original meaning is a senior official title in Islamic countries such as Turkey, and it means an arrogant bureaucrat. "I assure you, ma'am!" said Mr. Dombey, "I have no orders for Florence; and if I had, your wishes are above all orders." "My dear Dombey," answered Cleopatra, "what a flatterer you are! But I hate to say that, because flatterers are ill-intentioned, and your kindness lies in It is evident in your life and character.—Are you really going away so early, my dear Dombey?" "Oh, indeed! It is very late," said Mr. Dombey, feeling that he must go. "This is an absolutely true fact, but it is still a big dream!" Cleopatra said inarticulately, "I can believe that when you come back here tomorrow morning, you will take it from me. My dear companion, is Edith my own flesh and blood?" Mr. Dombey, accustomed to take people's words literally, reminded Mrs. Skewton that they first met at church. "My dear Dombey," said Mrs Skewton, "the pain of marrying one's own child, even to you, is the most unbearable pain, and with my natural frail constitution, the breakfast-bake The pastry-cook is extremely dull, and that is simply too much for my poor strength. But, my dear Dombey, I will pick myself up in the morning; don't worry about me, and don't be disturbed on my account. God bless you. You! my dearest Edith!" she cried mischievously, "someone is leaving, my darling." 伊迪丝早已经把头重新转向窗口；她对他们的谈话已经不感兴趣，这时站起身来，但没有向他走去，也没有说话。董贝先生以一种符合于他的尊严，又适合于当时情况的高傲的、殷勤的态度，皮靴格吱格吱地向她走去，把她的手拉到他的嘴唇上，说，“明天早上我将幸福地能把这只手称为董贝夫人的手了，”然后庄严地鞠了个躬，走出去了。 在他走后大门一关上，斯丘顿夫人就立即按铃叫拿上蜡烛。随同蜡烛而来的是她的侍女，手上拿着明天将用来欺骗世人的少女般的服装。可是，就像这服装所常有的情形那样，这套服装中包含着一种残酷的报应：它比她那件油腻的法兰绒长外衣更使她显得老态龙钟，并更令人憎厌。可是斯丘顿夫人试穿了它，装腔作势地表示满意；当她想到它将使少校目瞪口呆时，她就对着镜子里死尸般枯槁的形象痴笑；然后她让侍女又把它拿走，并准备她安睡；这时候她像用纸牌做的房子一样，倒塌了。 在这段时间里，伊迪丝依旧一直坐在黑暗的窗口看着外面的街道。当最后只有她和母亲两个人的时候，她才在那天晚上第一次离开窗口，走到母亲的面前。母亲正在打呵欠，身子摇摇晃晃，脾气暴躁地发着牢骚，这时抬起眼睛，望着女儿高傲的、挺直的身姿；女儿燃烧着怒火的眼光向下注视着她；从母亲的神态来看，她一切都明白，这一点不是变化无常或暴躁生气所能掩盖的。 “我累得要死，”她说道，“对你片刻也不能信赖。你比小孩子还坏。小孩子！没有一个小孩子会这样顽固和不孝顺。” “听我说，妈妈，”伊迪丝轻蔑地不屑去理会这些无谓的话，回答道，“你必须独自一人留在这里，直到我回来。” “我必须独自一人留在这里，伊迪丝，直到你回来！”她的母亲重复着说道。 “要不然，我就以明天我将请求他来做我的十分虚伪十分可耻的行为的见证人的名义发誓①，我将在教堂中拒绝和这位男子结婚；如果我不拒绝的话，就让我跌死在铺石路上！” -------- ①即以上帝的名义发誓；按基督教规定，上帝是男女结婚的见证人。 母亲用极为惊慌的眼光看了女儿一眼，她所遇到的眼光没有使她减少惊慌。 “我们现在成了什么样的人就让我们是什么样的人，这已经够了。”伊迪丝坚定地说道，“我不允许再让一个年轻、纯朴的人堕落到我的水平。我不允许再有一个无罪的心灵被毁损、被腐蚀、被败坏，来给世界上无聊的母亲们消遣解闷。你明白我的意思。弗洛伦斯必须回家去。” “你是个白痴，伊迪丝，”怒气冲冲的母亲喊道，“难道在她结婚和离开之前，你能指望在那个家里得到安宁吗？” “问我或问你自己，我什么时候指望过在那个家里得到安宁？”女儿回答道，“你自己知道答案。” “今天夜里，在我经过了所有的操心和劳累之后，在你由于我的张罗就要独立生活的时候，你是不是要告诉我，我身上有腐败的东西，有传染病，我不配跟一个女孩子在一起！”母亲怒气冲冲地、几乎是尖声喊叫着说道；她那患有麻痹症的脑袋像一张叶子似地震颤着，“请问你是个什么人啊？你是个什么人啊！” “我坐在那里的时候，不止一次向我自己提出过这个问题，”伊迪丝的脸色像死人一般苍白，她指着窗子说道，“可是街道上走过去的是和我相像的衰败的女人；上帝知道，我已经找到了答案！啊妈妈呀，妈妈！当我也是个女孩子——一个比弗洛伦斯还小的女孩子——的时候，如果你只要听任我自然纯朴的天性自由发展的话，那么我将会是个多么不同的人啊！” 母亲明白这时发脾气是没有用的，就克制自己，开始啜泣和悲叹道，她活得太长久了，她的亲生女儿已经把她抛弃了；在现在这邪恶的日子里，子女该对父母孝顺的道理早已被忘记了；她听到了不合情理的奚落，她不再珍惜生命了。 “要是一个人活下去还得这样吵闹不休，”她哀诉道，“我看还不如想个法子把我这条命结束掉算了。啊，你想一想吧，你是我的女儿，伊迪丝，可是竟用这样的腔调来对我说话！” “在我们两人之间，”伊迪丝悲伤地回答道，“相互指责的时候已经过去了。” “那么你为什么又重新挑起它？”母亲啜泣着说道，“你知道，你是以最残酷的方式折磨我。你知道，我对无情无义是多么敏感。而且是在这样一个时刻，正当我有许多事情要想，并且理所当然地想在最光彩体面的情况下出现在大家面前的时候！我对你感到奇怪，伊迪丝。在你结婚的日子，你竟把你母亲弄成一个吓人的怪物！” 当她哭泣和擦着眼睛的时候，伊迪丝又用同样的眼光向下注视着她，并用同样低沉和坚定的声音（从她开始对她说话以来，这既没有升高，也没有降低）说道，“我已经说了，弗洛伦斯必须回家去。” “让她走吧！”痛苦和受惊的母亲急忙地喊道，“说实在的，我乐意她走。一个女孩子对我算得了什么？” “她对我来说却是意义重大；我自己不会，我也不允许别人在她心中播下一颗罪恶的种子！如果要那样做，那么，妈妈，我宁肯跟你断绝关系，就像如果你让我找到理由的话，那么我宁肯明天在教堂里跟他断绝关系一样。”伊迪丝回答道，“让她一个人吧。只要我能干预的话，我就不允许让她重蹈我的覆辙。在这悲痛的晚上，这并不是苛刻的条件。” “如果你是以孝顺的态度提出这个建议的话，伊迪丝，”母亲哀诉道，“那么也许这并不是，很可能并不是苛刻的条件。 但是你用了这样尖酸刻薄的话语——” “它们已经过去了，在我们两人之间再也不会发生了，”伊迪丝说道，“走你自己的道路，爱干什么就干什么吧。你所已取得的一切，你就随意分享吧；挥霍吧，享受吧，充分地利用这已取得的一切吧，你想怎么幸福就怎么幸福吧。我们生活的目的已经达到了。从此以后，让我们默默过我们的生活吧。从现在起，我将闭口不提往事，我原谅你参与明天的罪恶交易，愿上帝也宽恕我的参与！” 她的和身体没有一点颤抖，她向前走去，脚步践踏在所有的脉脉温情之上；她向母亲请了晚安之后，回到自己的房间。 但是并不是去休息；因为当她独自一人时，她心情激动，是得不到休息的；她在准备给她明天妆饰用的光彩夺目的豪华物品中间走来走去，走来走去，走来走去，走了五百多次；乌黑的头发向下披散，乌黑的眼睛闪射出愤怒的光芒，丰满雪白的乳房被无情的手残酷地抓得发红，好像她想把它们拽掉似的。她走来走去的时候，把头转向一边，仿佛是要竭力避免看到她自己漂亮的容貌，并想要跟它脱离关系似的。就这样，在结婚前万籁无声的深夜中，伊迪丝·格兰杰跟自己不平静的心情斗争着，没有眼泪，没有朋友，默不作声，高傲自负，没有怨言。 最后，她的手偶尔碰到通向弗洛伦斯睡觉的房间的门，那门是开着的。 她吃了一惊，停下脚步，往里面看。 那里点着灯，她看到弗洛伦斯在深沉的睡眠中显示出无比的天真与美丽。伊迪丝屏住呼吸，感到她正被吸引到她那里去。 被吸引得愈来愈近，愈来愈近，愈来愈近。终于，她弯下身去，把嘴唇紧贴在伸到床外的温柔的手上，并把它轻轻地放到她的脖子上。它的接触就像古时先知者的棍子接触到岩石一样。当她跪在地上，把发痛的头和松散的头发搁在那手边的枕头上时，她涌出了眼泪。 伊迪丝·格兰杰就这样度过了她结婚前的一夜。在她结婚的那天早上，太阳就这样照射在她的身上。