David Copperfield

Chapter 82
Chapter 33 In the Cloud (2)
"She's the most nasty thing I've ever seen in my life," said Dora. "She's got a bad temper and a repulsion, Julia."

"Of course I do, my dear!" said Julia.

"Yes," said Dora, taking Julia's hand, "forgive me for not excluding you in the first place."

In the experience of that day, I guessed it might be something like this: Miss Mills had suffered from being in love with the wrong person, from which she was said to have withdrawn long ago, but was still interested in passionate hope and love.

Then Mr. Spenlow came out of the house, and Dora said, "Look, Pa, what a beautiful flower!" We all walked from the meadow to the carriage which was ready.

I rode behind the open wagon and Dora looked at me with her back to the horse.She put the bouquet close to her on the pillow so that Kip would not rub it.Now and then she held the bouquet in her hand, and refreshed herself with its fragrance.Our eyes often meet.

All I could feel was a mist of love and beauty surrounding Dora, and now and then she stood up and asked me what the view was like.I said, the scenery is pleasant, but I think there are Doras everywhere, the birds in the sun are singing happily, the south wind is blowing, and the flowers blooming by the fence are all Doras, which makes me happy Yes, Miss Mills understands me.Only she can fully understand how I feel.

We arrived at a meadow on a hill covered with soft grass mud.There is lush greenery, heather, and pleasant views.

It makes me mad to see people waiting there, and I envy all my sex--especially a liar three or four years older than me with a red beard--they're all my enemies .

We all open our baskets and prepare dinner.Redbeard claims to make salads in order to attract everyone's attention.A lady washed the lettuce for him and cut it into slices.Dora was among them.I feel like I'm doomed to a duel with this man.

While Redbeard made the salad, he tended the wine.He placed the wine cellar in a hollow in the trunk of a tree.Then I found that he had taken his supper at Dora's feet with a plate.

I pretended to be very happy, and I paid my attention to a little thing in red.She catered to me on purpose, perhaps because of the red beard.Everyone raised their glasses to bless Dora, and when I met Dora's eyes, I felt that there was a begging expression in it.But as she looked at me over the red beard's head, my heart was hardened again.

When dinner was packed, everyone dispersed.I wandered alone in the woods with remorse.At this time I met Dora and Miss Mills.

"Mr. Copperfield," said Miss Mills, "you are not in very much spirit."

I apologized to her and said I was in a good mood.

"And Dora," said Miss Mills, "she's not too happy either."

"No! I'm great."

"Mr. Copperfield and Dora," said Miss Mills, "don't lose your temper. Don't let misunderstandings kill the fresh flowers. If a flower withers, it never blooms again. I am—" Secret Miss Ernes said, "I warn you from past experience."

I have a fever.Took Dora's little hand, and kissed it—she didn't refuse! I kissed Miss Mills' hand, and we all seemed to be in the seventh heaven.

We stayed there all night, wandering in the woods.How lucky I am to be lost in the wood forever, with Dora on my arm!

However, time was running so fast, we heard people talking and laughing, shouting "Where's Dora", so we walked back to the crowd.They asked Dora to sing, and the red beard wanted to go to the carriage to get the violin case, but Dora said that only I knew where the violin case was, so the red beard was finished.So I took the violin case and I sat beside her holding her handkerchief and gloves and savoring every word in her voice!

Dora, Miss Mills, and the others all sang.When night fell, we made and drank tea, and I was as happy as before.

After the meeting was adjourned, the others went back separately, and we walked back amidst the aroma rising around us. Mr. Spenlow fell asleep in the carriage after drinking champagne, and I rode to talk to Dora.

"Mr. Copperfield," said Miss Mills, "come here a moment—give me a moment, please, I have something to say to you."

I leaned over to Miss Mills.

"Dora is coming home with me the day after tomorrow. My father will be glad to see you, if you will come."

I am very grateful for her kindness.

So Miss Mills kindly took me off and said, "Go back to Dora!" and Dora leaned sideways to talk to me, and we talked all the way.

We were soon at Nowood, and Mr. Spenlow came to himself, and said: "Come in and rest, Copperfield!" I agreed.We ate bread and drank light wine, Dora's face was very red, and I kept my eyes on her, like sleepwalking, until the time of farewell.I went all the way thinking of the tender feeling of holding Dora's hand, and everything and every word, lying in bed a little fool intoxicated by love.

The next morning, I resolved to make my confession to Dora, and I wondered what my fate was.Only Dora could answer.So I went to Miss Mills' house with the determination to propose.

Mr. Mills is not at home, which suits me.I don't need him, just Miss Mills.

Miss Mills and Dora were both in an upstairs room, and so was Kip.Miss Mills was arranging the music, and Dora was sketching the flowers.I was so excited when I recognized the flowers I had bought! The flowers were very similar, but I knew what she was drawing from the wrapping paper that was traced so accurately.

Miss Mills was glad to see me, and said it was a pity her papa wasn't home, but I'm sure it didn't matter to us all.After talking with me for a few minutes, Miss Mills put down her pen, got up and left.

I started thinking, putting off until tomorrow.

"I hope your poor horse wasn't worn out last night," said Dora, raising her pretty face. "It's a long way!"

I began to think, I still have to say it today.

"Didn't you feed it?" asked Dora.

I thought again, maybe tomorrow.

"Hello," said I, "he's well cared for. I mean, he's indescribably happy that I'm not near you!"

Dora bowed her head, and I sat stiff and hot all over.

She said, "There were parts of the day when you didn't seem to appreciate the happiness."

I think it has to be fixed right away.

"When you sat beside Miss Kitter," said Dora, "you didn't seem to care much about the happiness."

I should say that the girl in red was called Kit.

"Though I don't understand why you do that," said Dora, "or why you call that happiness, but of course you don't mean it. No one doubts that you can do anything. You little rascal, Kip." , come here!"

I don't know what happened, I stopped Jeep.Holding Dora in my arms, I went on and on, to let her know how much I loved her.I would surely die without her.I worship her as an idol.Jeep barked wildly.

When Dora bowed her head, trembling and weeping, my eloquence was better.I was even willing to die for her.I cannot bear without Dora's love, and have loved her madly since I first saw her.The more I talked in my sleep, the louder Jeep barked. The two of us, in our own way, increased our respective madness.

Well! Dora and I finally calmed down and sat down on the sofa.Kip winked at me peacefully, too, and lay on her lap, and we were engaged.

Dora agreed that we could only marry with her father's permission.

Dora brought Miss Mills, and she was more silent now, but she blessed us, and said she would be our friend forever.

This time is too leisurely!

Then I measured Dora's finger to make a ring.In my memory the ring is closely associated with Dora's hand, and when I stumbled across another like that on my daughter's finger yesterday, I felt a surge of excitement in my heart!

We met in the garden of the square, very merrily.

But shortly after our engagement we had our first big quarrel, and Dora returned my ring, writing, "Our love, which began for no reason, must end!" passed!

At night, I went to Miss Mills, and begged her to mediate between us, and save the situation.At this time, from her own experience, Miss Mills persuaded us to give in to each other and avoid going into the Sahara Desert!

At this time, we cried and reconciled, very happy.She is the god of love in my mind, we agreed that Miss Mills would forward the letter, and send at least one letter to each other every day!
(End of this chapter)