第233页
《简·爱(英文版)》章节:第233页,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
of gazing into your eyes, though they had no longer a ray of
recognition for me.- But why do I follow that train of ideas? I was
talking of removing you from Thornfield. All, you know, is prepared
for prompt departure: to-morrow you shall go. I only ask you to endure
one more night under this roof, Jane; and then, farewell to its
miseries and terrors for ever! I have a place to repair to, which will
be a secure sanctuary from hateful reminiscences, from unwelcome
intrusion- even from falsehood and slander.'
'And take Adele with you, sir,' I interrupted; 'she will be a
companion for you.'
'What do you mean, Jane? I told you I would send Adele to school;
and what do I want with a child for a companion, and not my own
child,- a French dancer's bastard? Why do you importune me about
her! I say, why do you assign Adele to me for a companion?'
'You spoke of a retirement, sir; and retirement and solitude are
dull: too dull for you.'
'Solitude! solitude!' he reiterated with irritation. 'I see I
must come to an explanation. I don't know what sphynx-like
expression is forming in your countenance. You are to share my
solitude. Do you understand?'
I shook my head: it required a degree of courage, excited as he was
becoming, even to risk that mute sign of dissent. He had been
walking fast about the room, and he stopped, as if suddenly rooted
to one spot. He looked at me long and hard: I turned my eyes from him,
fixed them on the fire, and tried to assume and maintain a quiet,
collected aspect.
'Now for the hitch in Jane's character,' he said at last,
speaking more calmly than from his look I had expected him to speak.
'The reel of silk has run smoothly enough so far; but I always knew
there would come a knot and a puzzle: here it is. Now for vexation,
and exasperation, and endless trouble! By God! I long to exert a
fraction of Samson's strength, and break the entanglement like tow!'
He recommenced his walk, but soon again stopped, and this time just
before me.
'Jane! will you hear reason?' (he stooped and approached his lips
to my ear); 'because, if you won't, I'll try violence. His voice was
hoarse; his look that of a man who is just about to burst an
insufferable bond and plunge headlong into wild license. I saw that in
another moment, and with one impetus of frenzy more, I should be
able to do nothing with him. The present- the passing second of
time- was all I had in which to control and restrain him: a movement
of repulsion, flight, fear would have sealed my doom,- and his. But
I was not afraid: not in the least. I felt an inward power; a sense of
influence, which supported me. The crisis was perilous; but not
without its charm: such as the Indian, perhaps, feels when he slips
over the rapid in his canoe. I took hold of his clenched hand,
loosened the contorted fingers, and said to him, soothingly-
'Sit down; I'll talk to you as long as you like, and hear all you