the expedition of humphry clinker-第45部分
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their servants rode round to give notice to the rest； whom they
had left at a public house on the road。 The moment their backs
were turned； the censorious daemon took possession of our
Yorkshire landlady and our sister Tabitha The former observed；
that the countess was a good sort of a body； but totally ignorant
of good breeding； consequently aukward in her address。 The squire
said； he did not pretend to the breeding of any thing but colts；
but that the jade would be very handsome； if she was a little
more in flesh。 'Handsome！ （cried Tabby） she has indeed a pair of
black eyes without any meaning； but then there is not a good
feature in her face。' 'I know not what you call good features in
Wales （replied our landlord）； but they'll pass in Yorkshire。'
Then turning to Liddy； he added； 'What say you； my pretty
Redstreak？ what is your opinion of the countess？' 'I think
（cried Liddy； with great emotion）； she's an angel。' Tabby chid
her for talking with such freedom in company； and the lady of the
house said； in a contemptuous tone； she supposed miss had been
brought up at some country boarding…school。
Our conversation was suddenly interrupted by the young gentleman；
who galloped into the yard all aghast； exclaiming； that the coach
was attacked by a great number of highwaymen。 My nephew and I
rushed out； found his own and his servant's horse ready saddled
in the stable； with pistols in the caps We mounted instantly；
ordering Clinker and Dutton to follow with all possible
expedition； but notwithstanding all the speed we could make； the
action was over before we arrived； and the count with his lady；
safe lodged at the house of Grieve； who had signalized himself
in a very remarkable manner on this occasion。 At the turning of
a lane； that led to the village where the count's servants
remained； a couple of robbers a…horseback suddenly appeared； with
their pistols advanced： one kept the coachman in awe； and the
other demanded the count's money； while the young 'squire went
off at full speed； without ever casting a look behind。 The count
desiring the thief to withdraw his pistol； as the lady was in
great terror； delivered his purse without making the least
resistance； but not satisfied with this booty； which was pretty
considerable； the rascal insisted upon rifling her of her car…rings
and necklace； and the countess screamed with affright。 Her
husband； exasperated at the violence with which she was
threatened； wrested the pistol out of the fellow's hand； and
turning it upon him； snapped it in his face； but the robber
knowing there was no charge in it； drew another from his bosom；
and in all probability would have killed him on the spot； had not
his life been saved by a wonderful interposition。 Grieve； the
apothecary； chancing to pass that very instant； ran up to the
coach； and with a crab…stick； which was all the weapon he had；
brought the fellow to the ground with the first blow； then
seizing his pistol； presented it at his colleague； who fired his
piece at random； and fled without further opposition。 The other
was secured by the assistance of the count and the coachman； and
his legs being tied under the belly of his own horse； Grieve
conducted him to the village； whither also the carriage
proceeded。 It was with great difficulty the countess could be
kept from swooning； but at last she was happily conveyed to the
house of the apothecary； who went into the shop to prepare some
drops for her； while his wife and daughter administered to her in
another apartment。
I found the count standing in the kitchen with the parson of the
parish； and expressing much impatience to see his protector； whom
as yet he had scarce found time to thank for the essential
service he had done him and the countess。 The daughter passing
at the same time with a glass of water； monsieur de Melville
could not help taking notice of her figure； which was strikingly
engaging。 'Ay （said the parson）； she is the prettiest girl； and
the best girl in all my parish： and if I could give my son an
estate of ten thousand a year； he should have my consent to lay
it at her feet。 If Mr Grieve had been as solicitious about
getting money； as he has been in performing all the duties of a
primitive Christian； he would not have hung so long upon his
hands。' 'What is her name？' said I。 'Sixteen years ago （answered
the vicar） I christened her by the names of Seraphina Melvilia。'
'Ha！ what！ how！ （cried the count eagerly） sure； you said
Seraphina Melvilia。' 'I did （said he）； Mr Grieve told me those
were the names of two noble persons abroad； to whom he had been
obliged for more than life。'
The count； without speaking another syllable； rushed into the
parlour； crying； 'This is your god…daughter； my dear。' Mrs
Grieve； then seizing the countess by the hand； exclaimed with
great agitation； 'O madam！ O sir！ I am I am your poor Elinor。
This is my Seraphina Melvilia O child！ these are the count and
countess of Melville； the generous the glorious benefactors of
thy once unhappy parents。'
The countess rising from her scat threw her arms about the neck
of the amiable Seraphina； and clasped her to her breast with
great tenderness； while she herself was embraced by the weeping
mother。 This moving scene was completed by the entrance of Grieve
himself； who falling on his knees before the count； 'Behold （said
he） a penitent； who at length can look upon his patron without
shrinking。' 'Ah； Ferdinand！ （cried he； raising and folding him in
his arms） the playfellow of my infancy the companion of my
youth！ Is it to you then I am indebted for my life？' 'Heaven has
heard my prayer （said the other）； and given me an opportunity to
prove myself not altogether unworthy of your clemency and
protection。' He then kissed the hand of the countess； while
monsieur de Melville saluted his wife and lovely daughter； and
all of us were greatly affected by this pathetic recognition。
In a word； Grieve was no other than Ferdinand count Fathom； whose
adventures were printed many years ago。 Being a sincere convert
to virtue； he had changed his name； that he might elude the
enquiries of the count； whose generous allowance he determined to
forego； that he might have no dependence but upon his own
industry and moderation。 He had accordingly settled in this
village as a practitioner in surgery and physic； and for some
years wrestled with all the miseries of indigence； which；
however； he and his wife had borne with the most exemplary
resignation。 At length； by dint of unwearied attention to the
duties of his profession； which he exercised with equal humanity
and success； he had acquired tolerable share of business among
the farmers and common people； which enabled him to live in a
decent manner。 He had been scarce ever seen to smile； was
unaffectedly pious； and all the time he could spare from the
avocations of his employment； he spent in educating his daughter；
and in studying for his own improvement。 In short； the adventurer
Fathom was； under the name of Grieve； universally respected among
the commonalty of this district； as a prodigy of learning and
virtue。 These particulars I learned from the vicar； when we
quitted the room； that they might be under no restraint in their
mutual effusions。 I make no doubt that Grieve will be pressed to
leave off business； and re…unite himself to the count's family；
and as the countess seemed extremely fond of his daughter； she
will； in all probability； insist upon Seraphina's accompanying
her to Scotland。
Having paid our compliments to these noble persons； we returned
to the 'squire's； where we expected an invitation to pass the
night； which was wet and raw； but it seems； 'squire Burdock's
hospitality reached not so far for the honour of Yorkshire； we
therefore departed in the evening； and lay at an inn； where I
caught cold。
In hope of riding it down before it could take fast hold on my
constitution； I resolved to visit another relation； one Mr
Pimpernel； who lived about a dozen miles from the place where we
lodged。 Pimpernel being the youngest of four sons； was bred an
attorney at Furnival's inn； but all his elder brothers dying； he
got himself called to the bar for the honour of his family； and
soon after this preferment； succeeded to his father's estate
which was very considerable。 He carried home with him all the
knavish chicanery of the lowest pettifogger； together with a wife
whom he had purchased of a drayman for twenty pounds； and he soon
found means to obtain a dedimus as an acting justice of peace。 He
is not only a sordid miser in his disposition； but his avarice is
mingled with a spirit of despotism； which is truly diabolical。
He is a brutal husband； an unnatural parent； a harsh master； an
oppressive landlord； a litigious neighbour； and a partial
magistrate。 Friends he has none； and in point of hospitality and
good breeding； our cousin Burdock is a prince in comparison of
this ungracious miscreant； whose house is the lively
representation of a gaol。 Our
reception was suitable to the character I have sketched。 Had it
depended upon the wife； we should have been kindly treated。 She
is really a good sort of a woman； in spite of her low ori
