第201章

Through deep green vistas where the boughs arched overhead, and showed the sunlight flashing in the beautiful perspective; through dewy fern from which the startled hares leaped up, and fled at his approach; by mantled pools, and fallen trees, and down in hollow places, rustling among last year's leaves whose scent woke memory of the past; the placid Pecksniff strolled. By meadow gates and hedges fragrant with wild roses; and by thatched-roof cottages whose inmates humbly bowed before him as a man both good and wise; the worthy Pecksniff walked in tranquil meditation. The bee passed onward, humming of the work he had to do; the idle gnats for ever going round and round in one contracting and expanding ring, yet always going on as fast as he, danced merrily before him; the colour of the long grass came and went, as if the light clouds made it timid as they floated through the distant air. The birds, so many Pecksniff consciences, sang gaily upon every branch; and Mr. Pecksniff paid his homage to the day by ruminating on his projects as he walked along.

Chancing to trip, in his abstraction, over the spreading root of an old tree, he raised his pious eyes to take a survey of the ground before him. It startled him to see the embodied image of his thoughts not far ahead. Mary herself. And alone.

At first Mr. Pecksniff stopped as if with the intention of avoiding her; but his next impulse was to advance, which he did at a brisk pace; carolling as he went so sweetly and with so much innocence that he only wanted feathers and wings to be a bird.

Hearing notes behind her, not belonging to the songsters of the grove, she looked round. Mr. Pecksniff kissed his hand, and was at her side immediately.

`Communing with nature?' said Mr. Pecksniff. `So am I.'

She said the morning was so beautiful that she had walked further than she intended, and would return. Mr. Pecksniff said it was exactly his case, and he would return with her.

`Take my arm, sweet girl,' said Mr. Pecksniff.

Mary declined it, and walked so very fast that he remonstrated. `You were loitering when I came upon you,' Mr. Pecksniff said. `Why be so cruel as to hurry now? You would not shun me, would you?'

`Yes, I would,' she answered, turning her glowing cheek indignantly upon him, `you know I would. Release me, Mr. Pecksniff. Your touch is disagreeable to me.'

His touch! What? That chaste patriarchal touch which Mrs. Todgers--surely a discreet lady--had endured, not only without complaint, but with apparent satisfaction! This was positively wrong. Mr. Pecksniff was sorry to hear her say it.

`If you have not observed,' said Mary, `that it is so, pray take assurance from my lips, and not, as you are a gentleman, continue to offend me.'

`Well, well!' said Mr. Pecksniff, mildly, `I feel that I might consider this becoming in a daughter of my own, and why should I object to it in one so beautiful! It's harsh. It cuts me to the soul,' said Mr. Pecksniff:

`but I cannot quarrel with you, Mary.'

She tried to say she was sorry to hear it, but burst into tears. Mr. Pecksniff now repeated the Todgers performance on a comfortable scale, as if he intended it to last some time; and in his disengaged hand, catching hers, employed himself in separating the fingers with his own, and sometimes kissing them, as he pursued the conversation thus:

`I am glad we met. I am very glad we met. I am able now to ease my bosom of a heavy load, and speak to you in confidence. Mary,' said Mr. Pecksniff in his tenderest tones: indeed, they were so very tender that he almost squeaked: `My soul! I love you!'

A fantastic thing, that maiden affectation! She made believe to shudder.

`I love you,' said Mr. Pecksniff, `my gentle life, with a devotion which is quite surprising, even to myself. I did suppose that the sensation was buried in the silent tomb of a lady, only second to you in qualities of the mind and form: but I find I am mistaken.'

She tried to disengage her hand, but might as well have tried to free herself from the embrace of an affectionate boa-constrictor: if anything so wily may be brought into comparison with Pecksniff.

`Although I am a widower,' said Mr. Pecksniff, examining the rings upon her fingers, and tracing the course of one delicate blue vein with his fat thumb, `a widower with two daughters, still I am not encumbered, my love. One of them, as you know, is married. The other, by her own desire, but with a view, I will confess--why not?--to my altering my condition, is about to leave her father's house. I have a character, I hope. People are pleased to speak well of me, I think. My person and manner are not absolutely those of a monster, I trust. Ah, naughty Hand!' said Mr. Pecksniff, apostrophising the reluctant prize, `why did you take me prisoner! Go, go!'

He slapped the hand to punish it; but relenting, folded it in his waistcoat to comfort it again.

`Blessed in each other, and in the society of our venerable friend, my darling,' said Mr. Pecksniff, `we shall be happy. When he is wafted to a haven of rest, we will console each other. My pretty primrose, what do you say?'

`It is possible,' Mary answered, in a hurried manner, `that I ought to feel grateful for this mark of your confidence. I cannot say that I do, but I am willing to suppose you may deserve my thanks. Take them; and pray leave me, Mr. Pecksniff.'

The good man smiled a greasy smile; and drew her closer to him.

`Pray, pray release me, Mr. Pecksniff. I cannot listen to your proposal.

I cannot receive it. There are many to whom it may be acceptable, but it is not so to me. As an act of kindness and an act of pity, leave me!'

Mr. Pecksniff walked on with his arm round her waist, and her hand in his, as contentedly as if they had been all in all to each other, and were joined in the bonds of truest love.