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第55部分(第1页)

“And what will you do; Ja; while I am bargaining for so many tons of flesh and such an assortment of black eyes?”

“I’ll be preparing myself to go out as a missionary to preach liberty to them that are enslaved—your harem inmates amongst the rest。 I’ll get admitted there; and I’ll stir up mutiny; and you; three…tailed bashaw as you are; sir; shall in a trice find yourself fettered amongst our hands: nor will I; for one; consent to cut your bonds till you have signed a charter; the most liberal that despot ever yet conferred。”

“I would consent to be at your mercy; Jane。”

“I would have no mercy; Mr。 Rochester; if you supplicated for it with an eye like that。 While you looked so; I should be certain that whatever charter you might grant under coercion; your first act; when released; would be to violate its conditions。”

“Why; Jane; what would you have? I fear you will pel me to go through a private marriage ceremony; besides that performed at the altar。 You will stipulate; I see; for peculiar terms—what will they be?”

“I only want an easy mind; sir; not crushed by crowded obligations。 Do you remember what you said of Céline Varens?—of the diamonds; the cashmeres you gave her? I will not be your English Céline Varens。 I shall continue to act as Adèle’s governess; by that I shall earn my board and lodging; and thirty pounds a year besides。 I’ll furnish my own wardrobe out of that money; and you shall give me nothing but—”

“Well; but what?”

“Your regard; and if I give you mine in return; that debt will be quit。”

“Well; for cool native impudence and pure innate pride; you haven’t your equal;” said he。 We were now approaching Thornfield。 “Will it please you to dine with me to…day?” he asked; as we re…entered the gates。

“No; thank you; sir。”

“And what for; ‘no; thank you?’ if one may inquire。”

“I never have dined with you; sir: and I see no reason why I should now: till—”

“Till what? You delight in half…phrases。”

“Till I can’t help it。”

“Do you suppose I eat like an ogre or a ghoul; that you dread being the panion of my repast?”

“I have formed no supposition on the subject; sir; but I want to go on as usual for another month。”

“You will give up your governessing slavery at once。”

“Indeed; begging your pardon; sir; I shall not。 I shall just go on with it as usual。 I shall keep out of your way all day; as I have been accustomed to do: you may send for me in the evening; when you feel disposed to see me; and I’ll e then; but at no other time。”

“I want a smoke; Jane; or a pinch of snuff; to fort me under all this; ‘pour me donner une contenance;’ as Adèle would say; and unfortunately I have neither my cigar…case; nor my snuff…box。 But listen—whisper。 It is your time now; little tyrant; but it will be mine presently; and when once I have fairly seized you; to have and to hold; I’ll just—figuratively speaking—attach you to a chain like this” (touching his watch…guard)。 “Yes; bonny wee thing; I’ll wear you in my bosom; lest my jewel I should tyne。”

He said this as he helped me to alight from the carriage; and while he afterwards lifted out Adèle; I entered the house; and made good my retreat upstairs。

He duly summoned me to his presence in the evening。 I had prepared an occupation for him; for I was determined not to spend the whole time in a tête…à…tête conversation。 I remembered his fine voice; I knew he liked to sing—good singers generally do。 I was no vocalist myself; and; in his fastidious judgment; no musician; either; but I delighted in listening when the performance was good。 No sooner had twilight; that hour of romance; began to lower her blue and starry banner over the lattice; than I rose; opened the piano; and entreated him; for the love of heaven; to give me a song。 He said I was a capricious witch; and that he would rather sing another time; but I averred that no time was like the present。

“Did I like his voice?” he asked。

“Very much。” I was not fond of pampering that susceptible vanity of his; but for once; and from motives of expediency; I would e’en soothe and stimulate it。

“Then; Jane; you must play the acpaniment。”

“Very well; sir; I will try。”

I did try; but was presently swept off the stool and denominated “a little bungler。” Being pushed unceremoniously to one side—which was precisely what I wished—he usurped my place; and proceeded to acpany himself: for he could play as well as sing。 I hied me to the window…recess。 And while I sat there and looked out on the still trees and dim lawn; to a sweet air was sung in mellow tones the following strain:—

“The truest love that ever heart

Felt at its kindled core;

Did through each vein; in quickened start;

The tide of being pour。

Her ing was my hope each day;

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