The abject Bunsby looked neither to the right nor to the left, nor at his bride, nor at his friend, but straight before him at nothing. The Captain putting out his hand, Bunsby put out his; but, in answer to the Captain's greeting, spake no word.
'Cap'en Cuttle,' said Mrs MacStinger, 'if you would wish to heal up past animosities, and to see the last of your friend, my 'usband, as a single person, we should be 'appy of your company to chapel. Here is a lady here,' said Mrs MacStinger, turning round to the more intrepid of the two, 'my bridesmaid, that will be glad of your protection, Cap'en Cuttle.'
The short gentleman in the tall hat, who it appeared was the husband of the other lady, and who evidently exulted at the reduction of a fellow creature to his own condition, gave place at this, and resigned the lady to Captain Cuttle. The lady immediately seized him, and, observing that there was no time to lose, gave the word, in a strong voice, to advance.
The Captain's concern for his friend, not unmingled, at first, with some concern for himself - for a shadowy terror that he might be married by violence, possessed him, until his knowledge of the service came to his relief, and remembering the legal obligation of saying, 'I will,' he felt himself personally safe so long as he resolved, if asked any question, distinctly to reply I won't' - threw him into a profuse perspiration; and rendered him, for a time, insensible to the movements of the procession, of which he now formed a feature, and to the conversation of his fair companion. But as he became less agitated, he learnt from this lady that she was the widow of a Mr Bokum, who had held an employment in the Custom House; that she was the dearest friend of Mrs MacStinger, whom she considered a pattern for her sex; that she had often heard of the Captain, and now hoped he had repented of his past life; that she trusted Mr Bunsby knew what a blessing he had gained, but that she feared men seldom did know what such blessings were, until they had lost them; with more to the same purpose.
All this time, the Captain could not but observe that Mrs Bokum kept her eyes steadily on the bridegroom, and that whenever they came near a court or other narrow turning which appeared favourable for flight, she was on the alert to cut him off if he attempted escape. The other lady, too, as well as her husband, the short gentleman with the tall hat, were plainly on guard, according to a preconcerted plan; and the wretched man was so secured by Mrs MacStinger, that any effort at self-preservation by flight was rendered futile. This, indeed, was apparent to the mere populace, who expressed their perception of the fact by jeers and cries; to all of which, the dread MacStinger was inflexibly indifferent, while Bunsby himself appeared in a state of unconsciousness.
The Captain made many attempts to accost the philosopher, if only in a monosyllable or a signal; but always failed, in consequence of the vigilance of the guard, and the difficulty, at all times peculiar to Bunsby's constitution, of having his attention aroused by any outward and visible sign whatever. Thus they approached the chapel, a neat whitewashed edifice, recently engaged by the Reverend Melchisedech Howler, who had consented, on very urgent solicitation, to give the world another two years of existence, but had informed his followers that, then, it must positively go.
While the Reverend Melchisedech was offering up some extemporary orisons, the Captain found an opportunity of growling in the bridegroom's ear:
'What cheer, my lad, what cheer?'
To which Bunsby replied, with a forgetfulness of the Reverend Melchisedech, which nothing but his desperate circumstances could have excused:
'D-----d bad,'
'Jack Bunsby,' whispered the Captain, 'do you do this here, of your own free will?'
Mr Bunsby answered 'No.'
'Why do you do it, then, my lad?' inquired the Captain, not unnaturally.
Bunsby, still looking, and always looking with an immovable countenance, at the opposite side of the world, made no reply.
'Why not sheer off?' said the Captain. 'Eh?' whispered Bunsby, with a momentary gleam of hope. 'Sheer off,' said the Captain.
'Where's the good?' retorted the forlorn sage. 'She'd capter me agen.
'Try!' replied the Captain. 'Cheer up! Come! Now's your time. Sheer off, Jack Bunsby!'
Jack Bunsby, however, instead of profiting by the advice, said in a doleful whisper:
'It all began in that there chest o' yourn. Why did I ever conwoy her into port that night?'
'My lad,' faltered the Captain, 'I thought as you had come over her; not as she had come over you. A man as has got such opinions as you have!'
Mr Bunsby merely uttered a suppressed groan.
'Come!' said the Captain, nudging him with his elbow, 'now's your time! Sheer off! I'll cover your retreat. The time's a flying. Bunsby! It's for liberty. Will you once?'
Bunsby was immovable. 'Bunsby!' whispered the Captain, 'will you twice ?' Bunsby wouldn't twice.
'Bunsby!' urged the Captain, 'it's for liberty; will you three times? Now or never!'
Bunsby didn't then, and didn't ever; for Mrs MacStinger immediately afterwards married him.
One of the most frightful circumstances of the ceremony to the Captain, was the deadly interest exhibited therein by Juliana MacStinger; and the fatal concentration of her faculties, with which that promising child, already the image of her parent, observed the whole proceedings. The Captain saw in this a succession of man-traps stretching out infinitely; a series of ages of oppression and coercion, through which the seafaring line was doomed. It was a more memorable sight than the unflinching steadiness of Mrs Bokum and the other lady, the exultation of the short gentleman in the tall hat, or even the fell inflexibility of Mrs MacStinger. The Master MacStingers understood little of what was going on, and cared less; being chiefly engaged, during the ceremony, in treading on one another's half-boots; but the contrast afforded by those wretched infants only set off and adorned the precocious woman in Juliana. Another year or two, the Captain thought, and to lodge where that child was, would be destruction.
The ceremony was concluded by a general spring of the young family on Mr Bunsby, whom they hailed by the endearing name of father, and from whom they solicited half-pence. These gushes of affection over, the procession was about to issue forth again, when it was delayed for some little time by an unexpected transport on the part of Alexander MacStinger. That dear child, it seemed, connecting a chapel with tombstones, when it was entered for any purpose apart from the ordinary religious exercises, could not be persuaded but that his mother was now to be decently interred, and lost to him for ever. In the anguish of this conviction, he screamed with astonishing force, and turned black in the face. However touching these marks of a tender disposition were to his mother, it was not in the character of that remarkable woman to permit her recognition of them to degenerate into weakness. Therefore, after vainly endeavouring to convince his reason by shakes, pokes, bawlings-out, and similar applications to his head, she led him into the air, and tried another method; which was manifested to the marriage party by a quick succession of sharp sounds, resembling applause, and subsequently, by their seeing Alexander in contact with the coolest paving-stone in the court, greatly flushed, and loudly lamenting.
The procession being then in a condition to form itself once more, and repair to Brig Place, where a marriage feast was in readiness, returned as it had come; not without the receipt, by Bunsby, of many humorous congratulations from the populace on his recently-acquired happiness. The Captain accompanied it as far as the house-door, but, being made uneasy by the gentler manner of Mrs Bokum, who, now that she was relieved from her engrossing duty - for the watchfulness and alacrity of the ladies sensibly diminished when the bridegroom was safely married - had greater leisure to show an interest in his behalf, there left it and the captive; faintly pleading an appointment, and promising to return presently. The Captain had another cause for uneasiness, in remorsefully reflecting that he had been the first means of Bunsby's entrapment, though certainly without intending it, and through his unbounded faith in the resources of that philosopher.
To go back to old Sol Gills at the wooden Midshipman's, and not first go round to ask how Mr Dombey was - albeit the house where he lay was out of London, and away on the borders of a fresh heath - was quite out of the Captain's course. So he got a lift when he was tired, and made out the journey gaily.
The blinds were pulled down, and the house so quiet, that the Captain was almost afraid to knock; but listening at the door, he heard low voices within, very near it, and, knocking softly, was admitted by Mr Toots. Mr Toots and his wife had, in fact, just arrived there; having been at the Midshipman's to seek him, and having there obtained the address.
They were not so recently arrived, but that Mrs Toots had caught the baby from somebody, taken it in her arms, and sat down on the stairs, hugging and fondling it. Florence was stooping down beside her; and no one could have said which Mrs Toots was hugging and fondling most, the mother or the child, or which was the tenderer, Florence of Mrs Toots, or Mrs Toots of her, or both of the baby; it was such a little group of love and agitation.
'And is your Pa very ill, my darling dear Miss Floy?' asked Susan.
'He is very, very ill,' said Florence. 'But, Susan, dear, you must not speak to me as you used to speak. And what's this?' said Florence, touching her clothes, in amazement. 'Your old dress, dear? Your old cap, curls, and all?'
Susan burst into tears, and showered kisses on the little hand that had touched her so wonderingly.
'My dear Miss Dombey,' said Mr Toots, stepping forward, 'I'll explain. She's the most extraordinary woman. There are not many to equal her! She has always said - she said before we were married, and has said to this day - that whenever you came home, she'd come to you in no dress but the dress she used to serve you in, for fear she might seem strange to you, and you might like her less. I admire the dress myself,' said Mr Toots, 'of all things. I adore her in it! My dear Miss Dombey, she'll be your maid again, your nurse, all that she ever was, and more. There's no change in her. But, Susan, my dear,' said Mr Toots, who had spoken with great feeling and high admiration, 'all I ask is, that you'll remember the medical man, and not exert yourself too much!'
布林伯博士和夫人每半年举行一次隆重的庆祝典礼，他们恭请在那所高贵的学校中学习的每一位年轻的先生们光临一个早晚会，7点半开始，在晚会上举行四对舞，大约在这个时候，这个庆祝典礼已经按时举行过了；这些年轻的先生们没有轻浮地表露出任何不得体的狂喜，已装满一肚子学问，回到自己家里去。斯凯特尔斯先生这时已前往国外，为他的家庭永远增光；他的父亲巴尼特•斯凯特尔斯爵士由于深孚众望的举止风度，被任命为一个外交官，他和斯凯特尔斯夫人一起履行着这个光荣的职务，甚至他们本国的男同胞们和女同胞们都感到满意，这一点大家都认为几乎是一个奇迹。托泽先生现在是一位身材高大的年轻人，穿着惠灵顿长靴，脑子里装满了古代的风习制度，因而他在英语知识方面只跟一位真正的古代的罗马人不相上下；他在古代风习制度方面所取得的这个了不起的成就使他善良的双亲深受感动，也使布里格斯先生的父母把他们羞愧的脸孔掩藏起来；布里格斯先生的学识，就像整理得不好的行李，捆扎得很紧，因此他无法取得他想要得到的任何东西。这位年轻的先生从知识树上费力采集的果实由于事实上受到过很大的压力，因此它已变成一种智力上的诺福克苹果饼①，完全失去了原先的形状与滋味。比瑟斯通少爷的不幸境况现在要好受得多；当高压的机器停止工作时，它在他身上没有留下任何压痕，这是这个高压制度在他身上所产生的比较令人高兴的、不是罕见的效果；这时他正在开往孟加拉的船上，感到自己正以惊人的速度丧失记忆力；他脑子中名词词形变化的知识是否能保持到旅途终点，这是可疑的。
按照惯例，在举行晚会的那天早上，布林伯博士本来会向年轻的先生们说，“先生们，我们将在下个月的二十五日重新开始我们的学习”；但是他却打破了惯例，说，“先生们，当我们的朋友辛辛纳图斯②退隐到他的农庄去时，他没有向元老院提名任何罗马人作为他的继承人。但是这里有一位罗马人，”布林伯博士把手搁在文学士菲德先生的肩膀上说，“adolescensimprimisgravisetdoc－tus③，先生们，我，一个退隐的辛辛纳图斯，希望向我的小元老院提名他为他们未来的执政官。先生们，我们将在下个月的二十五日在文学士菲德先生的主持下，重新开始我们的学习。”布林伯博士事先曾拜访过所有的父母们，并彬彬有礼地向他们解释过这件事。年轻的先生们听他发表了这番讲话后，都发出欢呼。托泽先生代表所有的学生们，立即向博士赠送了一个银制的墨水台，并发表了一篇讲话，讲话中很少使用本国语言，但却包含了十五个拉丁语的引用语和七个希腊语的引用语；年轻的先生们当中那些年龄比较小的人对这感到不满和妒嫉，他们说，“嘿，您瞧！这对老托泽来说倒是怪不错的，但要知道他们捐出钱来并不是让老托泽卖弄自己的，是不是？老托泽为什么要与其他人不同？这又不是他的墨水台。为什么他不能把大家的财产放在那里就此了事？”他们还嘀咕着其他表示不满的话，似乎觉得称他为“老托泽”比采用其他出气的方式能得到更大的安慰。
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①诺福克苹果饼（NorfolkBiffin）：把苹果压成扁平、进行烘烤后做成的饼，它主要是在英格兰东岸的诺福克郡产生的。
②辛辛纳图斯（LuciusQuinctiusCincinatus，公元前519？——？年）：罗马政治家；他的事迹带有神秘色彩。根据历史传说，公元前458年，他被罗马城居民推举为执政官，让他去救援被埃魁人（Aegui）围困于阿尔基多斯山（Mt．Algidus）上由一位执政官率领的军队；他接到此项任命时，正在自己的小农庄上耕作；据说他在一天之内就打败了敌军，在罗马举行了凯旋式。辛辛纳图斯限定自己仅仅在领导罗马度过危机时期掌权；危机刚一解除，他便辞职返回农庄。
③（拉丁文）：一位极为庄重和有学问的年轻人。
文学士菲德先生与美丽的科妮莉亚•布林伯即将结婚这件事没有向年轻的先生们说过一个字，也没有作出过一点暗示。特别是布林伯博士，他似乎竭力装出一副仿佛没有什么消息能比这更会使他感到吃惊的神态；可是尽管如此，年轻的先生们都完全知道这个消息了；当他们离开学校前去与他们的亲属与朋友团聚时，他们都怀着敬畏的心情去跟菲德先生告别。
菲德先生极为浪漫的梦想实现了。博士决定把房屋的外面油漆一新，并彻底进行修理；也决定交出他的事业和科妮莉亚。年轻的先生们离开学校的那一天，油漆与修理工作就已开始了，现在请看！举行婚礼的这天早晨来临了，科妮莉亚戴着一副新眼镜，正等待着被领到结婚的圣坛那里去。
博士跨着博学的双腿；布林伯夫人戴着淡紫色的软帽；文学士菲德先生有着长长的指节和竖立的头发；菲德先生的哥哥、文硕士艾尔弗雷德大师将执掌婚礼；他们全都聚集在客厅里。科妮莉亚拿着香橙花，跟她的女傧相刚刚走下楼来，像过去一样，看上去腰身被勒得有些紧窄，但很迷人；这时门开了，那位弱视的年轻人用洪亮的通报道：
“图茨先生与夫人！”
“这时，长得非常肥胖的图茨先生进来了；挽着他的胳膊的是一位穿着漂亮而又得体的衣服、并有一双很明亮的黑眼睛的女士。
“布林伯夫人，”图茨先生说道，“请允许我介绍我的妻子。”
布林伯夫人高兴地接待了她。布林伯夫人稍稍有点降尊纡贵的神气，但却非常客气。
“因为您了解我已很久了，”图茨先生说道，“那就让我来肯定地对您说，她是世界上极了不起的女人之一。”
“我亲爱的，”图茨夫人表示异议地说道。
“说实话，我以荣誉发誓，她是这样的，”图茨先生说道。
“我——我肯定地对您说，布林伯夫人，她是一位极了不起的女人。”
图茨夫人愉快地大笑着；布林伯夫人把她领到科妮莉亚跟前。图茨先生向那个方向表示了敬意，并向他过去的导师致敬，他的导师暗示他的婚姻状况，说，“很好，图茨，很好，图茨！所以您是我们当中的一个了，是不是，图茨？”然后，图茨先生就跟文学士菲德先生离开大家，走到窗口。
文学士菲德先生兴致勃勃，摆出拳击的姿态，向图茨先生打了一拳，手背灵巧地轻打在他的胸骨上。
“唔，老伙计！”菲德先生大笑一声，说道。“这正是我们所要的！说了就做。对吧！”
“菲德，”图茨先生回答道。“我向您祝贺。如果您在夫妇生活中像我一样非常幸福，那么您就不会再需要什么了。”
“我不会忘记我的老朋友，您看，”菲德先生说道，“我请他们来参加我的婚礼，图茨。”
“菲德，”图茨郑重其事地回答道，“事实是，有一些情况妨碍我在举行婚礼之前跟您通信。首先，我过去跟您谈到董贝小姐的时候，我自己真成了一条畜牲。我觉得，如果我请您参加我的婚礼的话，那么您自然会以为我是跟董贝小姐结婚；那样一来就要进行好多解释；说实话，以我的荣誉发誓，在那个关键时刻，那样做就会使我感到非常痛苦！第二，我们的婚礼完全是悄悄举行的，除了我和图茨夫人的一位朋友外，没有其他人参加；这位朋友是一位船长，我不清楚他是在那里工作的，”图茨先生说道，“但这无关紧要。菲德，图茨夫人和我本人出国旅游之前，我曾写信把发生的事情告诉了您；我希望，我这样做已完全尽到一位朋友的责任了。”
“图茨，我的朋友，”菲德先生握握他的手，说道，“我是跟您开玩笑。”
“现在，菲德，”图茨先生说道，“我将高兴地了解一下您对我的婚姻有什么看法。”
“好极了！”菲德先生回答道。
“您认为好极了，是不是，菲德？”图茨先生一本正经地说道。“那么我更该认为它好极了！因为您永远也不会知道，她是一位多么了不起的女人。”
菲德先生很乐意地认为，这是当然的，不成问题的；但是图茨先生摇摇头，认为菲德先生是不可能知道这一点的。
“您知道，”图茨先生说，“我对妻子需要的是，总之，是智慧。钱，我有，菲德，智慧，我——我却格外缺乏。”
菲德先生低声说，“啊，不，您有的，图茨！”可是图茨先生说道：
“没有，菲德，我没有。我为什么要假装有？我没有。我知道智慧在那里，”图茨先生伸出手指指他的妻子，“一大堆。我没有任何亲属因为我们的身份不同来反对我的婚姻，或者生我的气，因为我没有亲属；除了我的监护人外，从来没有什么人是属于我的，而这位监护人我一直认为他是一个海盗和海贼。菲德，所以，您知道，”图茨先生说道，“当时我不可能去跟他商量，听他的意见。”
“当然，”菲德先生说道。
“因此，”图茨先生继续说道，“我是按照我自己的意见来办的。我办这件事的那一天是多么幸福啊！菲德！除了我本人，没有人能知道这女人的脑子有多么聪明。如果有一天人们适当注意妇女的权利或所有这一类的东西的话，那么那将是由于她那高超的智慧才做到的。苏珊，我亲爱的！”图茨先生立刻将眼光从窗帘移开，“请别把你自己搞累了！”
“我亲爱的，”图茨夫人说道，“我只是在谈话。”
“可是我亲爱的，”图茨先生说道，“请别把自己搞累了。你确实必须小心。我亲爱的苏珊，请别把你自己搞累了。她很容易兴奋，”图茨先生对布林伯夫人说道，“那时她就把医生的话全都忘了。”
布林伯夫人正在开导图茨夫人必须谨慎小心的时候，文学士菲德先生向她伸出手，扶着她下楼到四轮马车那里，那马车正等待着开往教堂去。布林伯博士扶着图茨夫人。图茨先生扶着美丽的新娘，在她闪闪发光的眼镜周围，两位小女傧相穿着轻薄透明的衣衫，像飞蛾一样地飞来飞去。菲德先生的哥哥、文硕士艾尔弗雷德•菲德先生早已先走，以便去执行他的职务。
