Крошка Доррит

Chapter 33. Mrs Merdle’s Complaint

           

           Amongherconnectionsandacquaintances,however,shemaintainedherindividualdignityandthedignityofthebloodoftheBarnacles,bydiligentlynursingthepretencethatitwasamostunfortunatebusiness;thatshewassadlycutupbyit;thatthiswasaperfectfascinationunderwhichHenrylaboured;thatshehadopposeditforalongtime,butwhatcouldamotherdo;andthelike.ShehadalreadycalledArthurClennamtobearwitnesstothisfable,asafriendoftheMeaglesfamily;andshefollowedupthemovebynowimpoundingthefamilyitselfforthesamepurpose.InthefirstinterviewsheaccordedtoMrMeagles,sheslidedherselfintothepositionofdisconsolatelybutgracefullyyieldingtoirresistiblepressure.Withtheutmostpolitenessandgood-breeding,shefeignedthatitwasshe—nothe—whohadmadethedifficulty,andwhoatlengthgaveway;andthatthesacrificewashers—nothis.Thesamefeint,withthesamepolitedexterity,shefoistedonMrsMeagles,asaconjurormighthaveforcedacardonthatinnocentlady;and,whenherfuturedaughter-in-lawwaspresentedtoherbyherson,shesaidonembracingher,‘Mydear,whathaveyoudonetoHenrythathasbewitchedhimso!’atthesametimeallowingafewtearstocarrybeforethem,inlittlepills,thecosmeticpowderonhernose;asadelicatebuttouchingsignalthatshesufferedmuchinwardlyfortheshowofcomposurewithwhichsheborehermisfortune.

           AmongthefriendsofMrsGowan(whopiquedherselfatonceonbeingSociety,andonmaintainingintimateandeasyrelationswiththatPower),MrsMerdleoccupiedafrontrow.

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