第114页
《简·爱(英文版)》章节:第114页,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
of the shower-bath I had liberally bestowed, roused Mr. Rochester at
last. Though it was now dark, I knew he was awake; because I heard him
fulminating strange anathemas at finding himself lying in a pool of
water.
'Is there a flood?' he cried.
No, sir,' I answered; 'but there has been a fire: get up, do; you
are quenched now; I will fetch you a candle.'
'In the name of all the elves in Christendom, is that Jane Eyre?'
he demanded. 'What have you done with me, witch, sorceress? Who is
in the room besides you? Have you plotted to drown me?'
'I will fetch you a candle, sir; and, in Heaven's name, get up.
Somebody has plotted something: you cannot too soon find out who and
what it is.'
'There! I am up now; but at your peril you fetch a candle yet: wait
two minutes till I get into some dry garments, if any dry there be-
yes, here is my dressing-gown. Now run!'
I did run; I brought the candle which still remained in the
gallery. He took it from my hand, held it up, and surveyed the bed,
all blackened and scorched, the sheets drenched, the carpet round
swimming in water.
'What is it? and who did it?' he asked.
I briefly related to him what had transpired: the strange laugh I
had heard in the gallery; the step ascending to the third storey;
the smoke,- the smell of fire which had conducted me to his room; in
what state I had found matters there, and how I had deluged him with
all the water I could lay hands on.
He listened very gravely; his face, as I went on, expressed more
concern than astonishment; he did not immediately speak when I had
concluded.
'Shall I call Mrs. Fairfax?' I asked.
'Mrs. Fairfax? No; what the deuce would you call her for? What
can she do? Let her sleep unmolested.'
'Then I will fetch Leah, and wake John and his wife.'
'Not at all: just be still. You have a shawl on. If you are not
warm enough, you may take my cloak yonder; wrap it about you, and
sit down in the arm-chair: there,- I will put it on. Now place your
feet on the stool, to keep them out of the wet. I am going to leave
you a few minutes. I shall take the candle. Remain where you are
till I return; be as still as a mouse. I must pay a visit to the
second storey. Don't move, remember, or call any one.'
He went: I watched the light withdraw. He passed up the gallery
very softly, unclosed the staircase door with as little noise as
possible, shut it after him, and the last ray vanished. I was left
in total darkness. I listened for some noise, but heard nothing. A
very long time elapsed. I grew weary: it was cold, in spite of the
cloak; and then I did not see the use of staying, as I was not to
rouse the house. I was on the point of risking Mr. Rochester's
displeasure by disobeying his orders, when the light once more gleamed
dimly on the gallery wall, and I heard his unshod feet tread the
matting. 'I hope it is he,' thought I, 'and not something worse.'