简.爱 英文版 Jane Eyre
夏洛蒂.勃朗特 Charlotte Bronte
CHAPTER XVII Page 3
"My lily-flower, you are right now, as always. "
"Then no more need be said: change the subject. "
Amy Eshton, not hearing or not heeding this dictum, joined in withher soft, infantine tone: "Louisa and I used to quiz our governesstoo; but she was such a good creature, she would bear anything:nothing put her out. She was never cross with us; was she, Louisa?"
"No, never: we might do what we pleased; ransack her desk andher workbox, and turn her drawers inside out; and she was so good-natured, she would give us anything we asked for. "
"I suppose, now, " said Miss Ingram, curling her lip sarcastically,"we shall have an abstract of the memoirs of all the governessesextant: in order to avert such a visitation, I again movethe introduction of a new topic. Mr. Rochester, do you second mymotion?"
deserting too early.
"Madam, I support you on this point, as on every other. "
"Then on me be the onus of bringing it forward. Signior Eduardo,are you in voice to-night?"
"Donna Bianca, if you command it, I will be. "
"Then, signior, I lay on you my sovereign behest to furbish up yourlungs and other vocal organs, as they will be wanted on my royalservice. "
"Who would not be the Rizzio of so divine a Mary?"
Then no more need be said.
"A fig for Rizzio!" cried she, tossing her head with all itscurls, as she moved to the piano. "It is my opinion the fiddlerDavid must have been an insipid sort of fellow; I like black Bothwellbetter: to my mind a man is nothing without a spice of the devilin him; and history may say what it will of James Hepburn, but Ihave a notion, he was just the sort of wild, fierce, bandit herowhom I could have consented to gift with my hand. "
"Gentlemen, you hear! Now which of you most resembles Bothwell?"cried Mr. Rochester.
"I should say the preference lies with you, " responded ColonelDent.
"On my honour, I am much obliged to you, " was the reply.
Miss Ingram, who had now seated herself with proud grace at thepiano, spreading out her snowy robes in queenly amplitude, commenceda brilliant prelude; talking meantime. She appeared to be on herhigh horse to-night; both her words and her air seemed intended toexcite not only the admiration, but the amazement of her auditors:she was evidently bent on striking them as something very dashingand daring indeed.
"Oh, I am so sick of the young men of the present day!" exclaimedshe, rattling away at the instrument. "Poor, puny things, not fitto stir a step beyond papa's park gates: nor to go even so farwithout mama's permission and guardianship! Creatures so absorbedin care about their pretty faces, and their white hands, andtheir small feet; as if a man had anything to do with beauty! Asif loveliness were not the special prerogative of woman -- herlegitimate appanage and heritage! I grant an ugly WOMAN is a bloton the fair face of creation; but as to the GENTLEMEN, let them besolicitous to possess only strength and valour: let their mottobe:- Hunt, shoot, and fight: the rest is not worth a fillip. Suchshould be my device, were I a man. "
"Whenever I marry, " she continued after a pause which none interrupted,"I am resolved my husband shall not be a rival, but a foil to me.I will suffer no competitor near the throne; I shall exact anundivided homage: his devotions shall not be shared between meand the shape he sees in his mirror. Mr. Rochester, now sing, andI will play for you. "
"I am all obedience, " was the response.
"Here then is a Corsair-song. Know that I doat on Corsairs; andfor that reason, sing it con spirito. "
"Commands from Miss Ingram's lips would put spirit into a mug ofmilk and water. "
"Take care, then: if you don't please me, I will shame you byshowing how such things SHOULD be done. "
"That is offering a premium on incapacity: I shall now endeavourto fail. "
"Gardez-vous en bien! If you err wilfully, I shall devise aproportionate punishment. "
"Miss Ingram ought to be clement, for she has it in her power toinflict a chastisement beyond mortal endurance. "
"Ha! explain!" commanded the lady.
"Pardon me, madam: no need of explanation; your own fine sense mustinform you that one of your frowns would be a sufficient substitutefor capital punishment. "
"Sing!" said she, and again touching the piano, she commenced anaccompaniment in spirited style.
"Now is my time to slip away, " thought I: but the tones that thensevered the air arrested me. Mrs. Fairfax had said Mr. Rochesterpossessed a fine voice: he did -- a mellow, powerful bass, intowhich he threw his own feeling, his own force; finding a way throughthe ear to the heart, and there waking sensation strangely. Iwaited till the last deep and full vibration had expired -- tillthe tide of talk, checked an instant, had resumed its flow; I thenquitted my sheltered corner and made my exit by the side-door,which was fortunately near. Thence a narrow passage led into thehall: in crossing it, I perceived my sandal was loose; I stoppedto tie it, kneeling down for that purpose on the mat at the foot ofthe staircase. I heard the dining-room door unclose; a gentlemancame out; rising hastily, I stood face to face with him: it wasMr. Rochester.
"How do you do?" he asked.
"I am very well, sir. "
"Why did you not come and speak to me in the room?"
I thought I might have retorted the question on him whoput it: but I would not take that freedom. I answered -
"I did not wish to disturb you, as you seemed engaged, sir. "
"What have you been doing during my absence?"
"Nothing particular; teaching Adele as usual. "
"And getting a good deal paler than you were -- as I saw at firstsight. What is the matter?"
"Nothing at all, sir. "
"Did you take any cold that night you half drowned me?"
"Not the least. "
"Return to the drawing-room: you are deserting too early. "
"I am tired, sir. "
touching the piano, she commenced.
He looked at me for a minute.
"And a little depressed, " he said. "What about? Tell me. "
"Nothing -- nothing, sir. I am not depressed. "
"But I affirm that you are: so much depressed that a few morewords would bring tears to your eyes -- indeed, they are therenow, shining and swimming; and a bead has slipped from the lashand fallen on to the flag. If I had time, and was not in mortaldread of some prating prig of a servant passing, I would know whatall this means. Well, to-night I excuse you; but understand thatso long as my visitors stay, I expect you to appear in the drawing-roomevery evening; it is my wish; don't neglect it. Now go, and sendSophie for Adele. Good-night, my -- " He stopped, bit his lip,and abruptly left me.