Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter XIV
Havishamwasannounced;andwhenheentered,hewasfollowedbynolessthanthreepersons—onewasasharp-facedboyandonewasabigyoungmanandthethirdwastheEarlofDorincourt.
Shesprangtoherfeetandactuallyutteredacryofterror.Itbrokefromherbeforeshehadtimetocheckit.Shehadthoughtofthesenew-comersasbeingthousandsofmilesaway,whenshehadeverthoughtofthematall,whichshehadscarcelydoneforyears.Shehadneverexpectedtoseethemagain.ItmustbeconfessedthatDickgrinnedalittlewhenhesawher.
“Hello,Minna!”hesaid.
Thebigyoungman—whowasBen—stoodstillaminuteandlookedather.
“Doyouknowher?”Mr.Havishamasked,glancingfromonetotheother.
“Yes,”saidBen.“Iknowherandsheknowsme.”Andheturnedhisbackonherandwentandstoodlookingoutofthewindow,asifthesightofherwashatefultohim,asindeeditwas.Thenthewoman,seeingherselfsobaffledandexposed,lostallcontroloverherselfandflewintosucharageasBenandDickhadoftenseenherinbefore.Dickgrinnedatriflemoreashewatchedherandheardthenamesshecalledthemallandtheviolentthreatsshemade,butBendidnotturntolookather.
“Icansweartoherinanycourt,”hesaidtoMr.Havisham,“andIcanbringadozenotherswhowill.Herfatherisarespectablesortofman,thoughhe’slowdownintheworld.Hermotherwasjustlikeherself.She’sdead,buthe’salive,andhe’shonestenoughtobeashamedofher.He’lltellyouwhosheis,andwhethershemarriedmeornot.