简.爱 英文版 Jane Eyre
夏洛蒂.勃朗特 Charlotte Bronte
CHAPTER XVII Page 1
A week passed, and no news arrived of Mr. Rochester: ten days,and still he did not come. Mrs. Fairfax said she should not besurprised if he were to go straight from the Leas to London, andthence to the Continent, and not show his face again at Thornfieldfor a year to come; he had not unfrequently quitted it in a mannerquite as abrupt and unexpected. When I heard this, I was beginningto feel a strange chill and failing at the heart. I was actuallypermitting myself to experience a sickening sense of disappointment;but rallying my wits, and recollecting my principles, I at oncecalled my sensations to order; and it was wonderful how I got overthe temporary blunder -- how I cleared up the mistake of supposingMr. Rochester's movements a matter in which I had any cause to takea vital interest. Not that I humbled myself by a slavishnotion of inferiority: on the contrary, I just said -
"You have nothing to do with the master of Thornfield, further thanto receive the salary he gives you for teaching his protegee, andto be grateful for such respectful and kind treatment as, if you doyour duty, you have a right to expect at his hands. Be sure thatis the only tie he seriously acknowledges between you and him; sodon't make him the object of your fine feelings, your raptures,agonies, and so forth. He is not of your order: keep to yourcaste, and be too self-respecting to lavish the love of the wholeheart, soul, and strength, where such a gift is not wanted andwould be despised. "
I went on with my day's business tranquilly; but ever and anonvague suggestions kept wandering across my brain of reasons why Ishould quit Thornfield; and I kept involuntarily framing advertisementsand pondering conjectures about new situations: these thoughts Idid not think to check; they might germinate and bear fruit if theycould.
Mr. Rochester had been absent upwards of a fortnight, when the postbrought Mrs. Fairfax a letter.
"It is from the master, " said she, as she looked at the direction."Now I suppose we shall know whether we are to expect his returnor not. "
And while she broke the seal and perused the document, I went ontaking my coffee (we were at breakfast): it was hot, and I attributedto that circumstance a fiery glow which suddenly rose to my face.Why my hand shook, and why I involuntarily spilt half the contentsof my cup into my saucer, I did not choose to consider.
"Well, I sometimes think we are too quiet; but we run a chance ofbeing busy enough now: for a little while at least, " said Mrs.Fairfax, still holding the note before her spectacles.
Ere I permitted myself to request an explanation, I tied the stringof Adele's pinafore, which happened to be loose: having helped heralso to another bun and refilled her mug with milk, I said, nonchalantly -
"Mr. Rochester is not likely to return soon, I suppose?"
"Indeed he is -- in three days, he says: that will be next Thursday;and not alone either. I don't know how many of the fine peopleat the Leas are coming with him: he sends directions for all thebest bedrooms to be prepared; and the library and drawing-rooms areto be cleaned out; I am to get more kitchen hands from the GeorgeInn, at Millcote, and from wherever else I can; and the ladies willbring their maids and the gentlemen their valets: so we shall havea full house of it. " And Mrs. Fairfax swallowed her breakfast andhastened away to commence operations.
The three days were, as she had foretold, busy enough. I had thoughtall the rooms at Thornfield beautifully clean and well arranged;but it appears I was mistaken. Three women were got to help; andsuch scrubbing, such brushing, such washing of paint and beating ofcarpets, such taking down and putting up of pictures, such polishingof mirrors and lustres, such lighting of fires in bedrooms, suchairing of sheets and feather-beds on hearths, I never beheld,either before or since. Adele ran quite wild in the midst of it:the preparations for company and the prospect of their arrival,seemed to throw her into ecstasies. She would have Sophie to lookover all her "toilettes, " as she called frocks; to furbish up anythat were "passees, " and to air and arrange the new. For herself,she did nothing but caper about in the front chambers, jump on andoff the bedsteads, and lie on the mattresses and piled-up bolstersand pillows before the enormous fires roaring in the chimneys.From school duties she was exonerated: Mrs. Fairfax had pressedme into her service, and I was all day in the storeroom, helping(or hindering) her and the cook; learning to make custards andcheese-cakes and French pastry, to truss game and garnish desert-dishes.
The party were expected to arrive on Thursday afternoon, in timefor dinner at six. During the intervening period I had no time tonurse chimeras; and I believe I was as active and gay as anybody-- Adele excepted. Still, now and then, I received a damping checkto my cheerfulness; and was, in spite of myself, thrown back onthe region of doubts and portents, and dark conjectures. This waswhen I chanced to see the third-storey staircase door (which oflate had always been kept locked) open slowly, and give passage tothe form of Grace Poole, in prim cap, white apron, and handkerchief; whenI watched her glide along the gallery, her quiet tread muffled ina list slipper; when I saw her look into the bustling, topsy-turvybedrooms, -- just say a word, perhaps, to the charwoman about theproper way to polish a grate, or clean a marble mantelpiece, ortake stains from papered walls, and then pass on. She would thusdescend to the kitchen once a day, eat her dinner, smoke a moderatepipe on the hearth, and go back, carrying her pot of porter withher, for her private solace, in her own gloomy, upper haunt. Onlyone hour in the twenty-four did she pass with her fellow-servantsbelow; all the rest of her time was spent in some low-ceiled,oaken chamber of the second storey: there she sat and sewed --and probably laughed drearily to herself, -- as companionless asa prisoner in his dungeon.
The strangest thing of all was, that not a soul in the house,except me, noticed her habits, or seemed to marvel at them: no onediscussed her position or employment; no one pitied her solitudeor isolation. I once, indeed, overheard part of a dialogue betweenLeah and one of the charwomen, of which Grace formed the subject.Leah had been saying something I had not caught, and thecharwoman remarked -
"She gets good wages, I guess?"
"Yes, " said Leah; "I wish I had as good; not that mine are tocomplain of, -- there's no stinginess at Thornfield; but they'renot one fifth of the sum Mrs. Poole receives. And she is layingby: she goes every quarter to the bank at Millcote. I shouldnot wonder but she has saved enough to keep her independent if sheliked to leave; but I suppose she's got used to the place; and thenshe's not forty yet, and strong and able for anything. It is toosoon for her to give up business. "
"She is a good hand, I daresay, " said the charwoman.
"Ah! -- she understands what she has to do, -- nobody better, "rejoined Leah significantly; "and it is not every one could fillher shoes -- not for all the money she gets. "
"That it is not!" was the reply. "I wonder whether the master -- "
The charwoman was going on; but here Leah turned and perceived me,and she instantly gave her companion a nudge.
"Doesn't she know?" I heard the woman whisper.
washing of paint and beating ofcarpets, such taking down and putting up of pictures, such .
Leah shook her head, and the conversation was of course dropped.All I had gathered from it amounted to this, -- that there was amystery at Thornfield; and that from participation in that mysteryI was purposely excluded.
Thursday came: all work had been completed the previous evening;carpets were laid down, bed-hangings festooned, radiant whitecounterpanes spread, toilet tables arranged, furniture rubbed,flowers piled in vases: both chambers and saloons looked as freshand bright as hands could make them. The hall, too, was scoured;and the great carved clock, as well as the steps and banisters ofthe staircase, were polished to the brightness of glass; in thedining-room, the sideboard flashed resplendent with plate; in thedrawing-room and boudoir, vases of exotics bloomed on all sides.
Afternoon arrived: Mrs. Fairfax assumed her best black satin gown,her gloves, and her gold watch; for it was her part to receive thecompany, -- to conduct the ladies to their rooms, &c. Adele, too,would be dressed: though I thought she had little chance of beingintroduced to the party that day at least. However, to please her,I allowed Sophie to apparel her in one of her short, full muslinfrocks. For myself, I had no need to make any change; I should notbe called upon to quit my sanctum of the schoolroom; for a sanctumit was now become to me, -- "a very pleasant refuge in time oftrouble. "
It had been a mild, serene spring day -- one of those days which,towards the end of March or the beginning of April, rise shiningover the earth as heralds of summer. It was drawing to an end now;but the evening was even warm, and I sat at work in the schoolroomwith the window open.
"It gets late, " said Mrs. Fairfax, entering in rustling state."I am glad I ordered dinner an hour after the time Mr. Rochestermentioned; for it is past six now. I have sent John down to thegates to see if there is anything on the road: one can see a longway from thence in the direction of Millcote. " She went to thewindow. "Here he is!" said she. "Well, John" (leaning out), "anynews?"
"They're coming, ma'am, " was the answer. "They'll be here in tenminutes. "
Adele flew to the window. I followed, taking care to stand on oneside, so that, screened by the curtain, I could see without beingseen.
The ten minutes John had given seemed very long, but at last wheelswere heard; four equestrians galloped up the drive, and after themcame two open carriages. Fluttering veils and waving plumes filledthe vehicles; two of the cavaliers were young, dashing-lookinggentlemen; the third was Mr. Rochester, on his black horse, Mesrour,Pilot bounding before him; at his side rode a lady, and he and shewere the first of the party. Her purple riding-habit almost sweptthe ground, her veil streamed long on the breeze; mingling withits transparent folds, and gleaming through them, shone rich ravenringlets.
"Miss Ingram!" exclaimed Mrs. Fairfax, and away she hurried toher post below.
The cavalcade, following the sweep of the drive, quickly turned theangle of the house, and I lost sight of it. Adele now petitionedto go down; but I took her on my knee, and gave her to understandthat she must not on any account think of venturing in sight ofthe ladies, either now or at any other time, unless expressly sentfor: that Mr. Rochester would be very angry, &c. "Some naturaltears she shed" on being told this; but as I began to look verygrave, she consented at last to wipe them.
A joyous stir was now audible in the hall: gentlemen's deeptones and ladies' silvery accents blent harmoniously together, anddistinguishable above all, though not loud, was the sonorous voiceof the master of Thornfield Hall, welcoming his fair and gallantguests under its roof. Then light steps ascended the stairs; andthere was a tripping through the gallery, and soft cheerful laughs,and opening and closing doors, and, for a time, a hush.
"Elles changent de toilettes, " said Adele; who, listening attentively,had followed every movement; and she sighed.
"Chez maman, " said she, "quand il y avait du monde, je le suivaispartout, au salon et e leurs chambres; souvent je regardais lesfemmes de chambre coiffer et habiller les dames, et c'etait siamusant: comme cela on apprend. "
"Don't you feel hungry, Adele?"
"Mais oui, mademoiselle: voile cinq ou six heures que nous n'avonspas mange. "
"Well now, while the ladies are in their rooms, I will venture downand get you something to eat. "
And issuing from my asylum with precaution, I sought a back-stairswhich conducted directly to the kitchen. All in that region wasfire and commotion; the soup and fish were in the last stage ofprojection, and the cook hung over her crucibles in a frame of mindand body threatening spontaneous combustion. In the servants' halltwo coachmen and three gentlemen's gentlemen stood or sat round thefire; the abigails, I suppose, were upstairs with their mistresses;the new servants, that had been hired from Millcote, were bustlingabout everywhere. Threading this chaos, I at last reached thelarder; there I took possession of a cold chicken, a roll of bread,some tarts, a plate or two and a knife and fork: with this bootyI made a hasty retreat. I had regained the gallery, and was justshutting the back-door behind me, when an accelerated hum warned methat the ladies were about to issue from their chambers. I couldnot proceed to the schoolroom without passing some of their doors,and running the risk of being surprised with my cargo of victualage;so I stood still at this end, which, being windowless, was dark:quite dark now, for the sun was set and twilight gathering.
Presently the chambers gave up their fair tenants one after another:each came out gaily and airily, with dress that gleamed lustrousthrough the dusk. For a moment they stood grouped together atthe other extremity of the gallery, conversing in a key of sweetsubdued vivacity: they then descended the staircase almost asnoiselessly as a bright mist rolls down a hill. Their collectiveappearance had left on me an impression of high-born elegance, suchas I had never before received.
I found Adele peeping through the schoolroom door, which she heldajar. "What beautiful ladies!" cried she in English. "Oh, I wishI might go to them! Do you think Mr. Rochester will send for usby-and-bye, after dinner?"
"No, indeed, I don't; Mr. Rochester has something else to thinkabout. Never mind the ladies to-night; perhaps you will see themto-morrow: here is your dinner. "
She was really hungry, so the chicken and tarts served to diverther attention for a time. It was well I secured this forage, orboth she, I, and Sophie, to whom I conveyed a share of our repast,would have run a chance of getting no dinner at all: every onedownstairs was too much engaged to think of us. The dessert was notcarried out till after nine and at ten footmen were still runningto and fro with trays and coffee-cups. I allowed Adele to sit upmuch later than usual; for she declared she could not possibly goto sleep while the doors kept opening and shutting below, and peoplebustling about. Besides, she added, a message might possibly comefrom Mr. Rochester when she was undressed; "et alors quel dommage!"
I told her stories as long as she would listen to them; and thenfor a change I took her out into the gallery. The hall lamp wasnow lit, and it amused her to look over the balustrade and watchthe servants passing backwards and forwards. When the eveningwas far advanced, a sound of music issued from the drawing-room,whither the piano had been removed; Adele and I sat down on thetop step of the stairs to listen. Presently a voice blent withthe rich tones of the instrument; it was a lady who sang, and verysweet her notes were. The solo over, a duet followed, and then aglee: a joyous conversational murmur filled up the intervals. Ilistened long: suddenly I discovered that my ear was wholly intenton analysing the mingled sounds, and trying to discriminate amidstthe confusion of accents those of Mr. Rochester; and when it caughtthem, which it soon did, it found a further task in framing thetones, rendered by distance inarticulate, into words.
The clock struck eleven. I looked at Adele, whose head leantagainst my shoulder; her eyes were waxing heavy, so I took her upin my arms and carried her off to bed. It was near one before thegentlemen and ladies sought their chambers.
The next day was as fine as its predecessor: it was devoted bythe party to an excursion to some site in the neighbourhood. Theyset out early in the forenoon, some on horseback, the rest incarriages; I witnessed both the departure and the return. MissIngram, as before, was the only lady equestrian; and, as before,Mr. Rochester galloped at her side; the two rode a little apart fromthe rest. I pointed out this circumstance to Mrs. Fairfax,who was standing at the window with me -
"You said it was not likely they should think of being married, "said I, "but you see Mr. Rochester evidently prefers her to any ofthe other ladies. "
"Yes, I daresay: no doubt he admires her. "
"And she him, " I added; "look how she leans her head towards himas if she were conversing confidentially; I wish I could see herface; I have never had a glimpse of it yet. "
"You will see her this evening, " answered Mrs. Fairfax. "I happenedto remark to Mr. Rochester how much Adele wished to be introducedto the ladies, and he said: 'Oh! let her come into the drawing-roomafter dinner; and request Miss Eyre to accompany her. '"
"Yes; he said that from mere politeness: I need not go, I am sure, "I answered.
"Well, I observed to him that as you were unused to company, I didnot think you would like appearing before so gay a party -- allstrangers; and he replied, in his quick way -- 'Nonsense! If sheobjects, tell her it is my particular wish; and if she resists,say I shall come and fetch her in case of contumacy. '"
"I will not give him that trouble, " I answered. "I will go, ifno better may be; but I don't like it. Shall you be there, Mrs.Fairfax?"
"No; I pleaded off, and he admitted my plea. I'll tell you how tomanage so as to avoid the embarrassment of making a formal entrance,which is the most disagreeable part of the business. You must gointo the drawing-room while it is empty, before the ladies leavethe dinner-table; choose your seat in any quiet nook you like; youneed not stay long after the gentlemen come in, unless you please:just let Mr. Rochester see you are there and then slip away --nobody will notice you. "
"Will these people remain long, do you think?"
"Perhaps two or three weeks, certainly not more. After theEaster recess, Sir George Lynn, who was lately elected member forMillcote, will have to go up to town and take his seat; I daresayMr. Rochester will accompany him: it surprises me that he hasalready made so protracted a stay at Thornfield. "
It was with some trepidation that I perceived the hour approachwhen I was to repair with my charge to the drawing-room. Adelehad been in a state of ecstasy all day, after hearing she was to bepresented to the ladies in the evening; and it was not till Sophiecommenced the operation of dressing her that she sobered down. Thenthe importance of the process quickly steadied her, and by the timeshe had her curls arranged in well-smoothed, drooping clusters, herpink satin frock put on, her long sash tied, and her lace mittensadjusted, she looked as grave as any judge. No need to warn her notto disarrange her attire: when she was dressed, she sat demurelydown in her little chair, taking care previously to lift up thesatin skirt for fear she should crease it, and assured me she wouldnot stir thence till I was ready. This I quickly was: my bestdress (the silver-grey one, purchased for Miss Temple's wedding,and never worn since) was soon put on; my hair was soon smoothed;my sole ornament, the pearl brooch, soon assumed. We descended.