简爱(英文版)-第31章

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　that　one　of　the　anathematised　race　was　present。
“Tant　pis！”　said　her　Ladyship；　“I　hope　it　may　do　her　good！”　Then；　in　a　lower　tone；　but　still　loud　enough　for　me　to　hear；　“I　noticed　her；　I　am　a　judge　of　physiognomy；　and　in　hers　I　see　all　the　faults　of　her　class。”
“What　are　they；　madam？”　inquired　Mr。　Rochester　aloud。
“I　will　tell　you　in　your　private　ear；”　replied　she；　wagging　her　turban　three　times　with　portentous　significancy。
“But　my　curiosity　will　be　past　its　appetite；　it　craves　food　now。”
“Ask　Blanche；　she　is　nearer　you　than　I。”
“Oh；　don’t　refer　him　to　me；　mama！　I　have　just　one　word　to　say　of　the　whole　tribe；　they　are　a　nuisance。　Not　that　I　ever　suffered　much　from　them；　I　took　care　to　turn　the　tables。　What　tricks　Theodore　and　I　used　to　play　on　our　Miss　Wilsons；　and　Mrs。　Greys；　and　Madame　Jouberts！　Mary　was　always　too　sleepy　to　join　in　a　plot　with　spirit。　The　best　fun　was　with　Madame　Joubert：　Miss　Wilson　was　a　poor　sickly　thing；　lachrymose　and　low…spirited；　not　worth　the　trouble　of　vanquishing；　in　short；　and　Mrs。　Grey　was　coarse　and　insensible；　no　blow　took　effect　on　her。　But　poor　Madame　Joubert！　I　see　her　yet　in　her　raging　passions；　when　we　had　driven　her　to　extremities—spilt　our　tea；　crumbled　our　bread　and　butter；　tossed　our　books　up　to　the　ceiling；　and　played　a　charivari　with　the　ruler　and　desk；　the　fender　and　fire…irons。　Theodore；　do　you　remember　those　merry　days？”
“Yaas；　to　be　sure　I　do；”　drawled　Lord　Ingram；　“and　the　poor　old　stick　used　to　cry　out　‘Oh　you　villains　childs！’—and　then　we　sermonised　her　on　the　presumption　of　attempting　to　teach　such　clever　blades　as　we　were；　when　she　was　herself　so　ignorant。”
“We　did；　and；　Tedo；　you　know；　I　helped　you　in　prosecuting　（or　persecuting）　your　tutor；　whey…faced　Mr。　Vining—the　parson　in　the　pip；　as　we　used　to　call　him。　He　and　Miss　Wilson　took　the　liberty　of　falling　in　love　with　each　other—at　least　Tedo　and　I　thought　so；　we　surprised　sundry　tender　glances　and　sighs　which　we　interpreted　as　tokens　of　‘la　belle　passion；’　and　I　promise　you　the　public　soon　had　the　benefit　of　our　discovery；　we　employed　it　as　a　sort　of　lever　to　hoist　our　dead…weights　from　the　house。　Dear　mama；　there；　as　soon　as　she　got　an　inkling　of　the　business；　found　out　that　it　was　of　an　immoral　tendency。　Did　you　not；　my　lady…mother？”
“Certainly；　my　best。　And　I　was　quite　right：　depend　on　that：　there　are　a　thousand　reasons　why　liaisons　between　governesses　and　tutors　should　never　be　tolerated　a　moment　in　any　well…regulated　house；　firstly—”
“Oh；　gracious；　mama！　Spare　us　the　enumeration！　Au　reste；　we　all　know　them：　danger　of　bad　example　to　innocence　of　childhood；　distractions　and　consequent　neglect　of　duty　on　the　part　of　the　attached—mutual　alliance　and　reliance；　confidence　thence　resulting—insolence　acpanying—mutiny　and　general　blow…up。　Am　I　right；　Baroness　Ingram；　of　Ingram　Park？”
“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　with　her　soft；　infantine　tone：　“Louisa　and　I　used　to　quiz　our　governess　too；　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　and　her　workbox；　and　turn　her　drawers　inside　out；　and　she　was　so　good…　natured；　she　would　give　as　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　governesses　extant：　in　order　to　avert　such　a　visitation；　I　again　move　the　introduction　of　a　new　topic。　Mr。　Rochester；　do　you　second　my　motion？”
“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　mand　it；　I　will　be。”
“Then；　signior；　I　lay　on　you　my　sovereign　behest　to　furbish　up　your　lungs　and　other　vocal　organs；　as　they　will　be　wanted　on　my　royal　service。”
“Who　would　not　be　the　Rizzio　of　so　divine　a　Mary？”
“A　fig　for　Rizzio！”　cried　she；　tossing　her　head　with　all　its　curls；　as　she　moved　to　the　piano。　“It　is　my　opinion　the　fiddler　David　must　have　been　an　insipid　sort　of　fellow；　I　like　black　Bothwell　better：　to　my　mind　a　man　is　nothing　without　a　spice　of　the　devil　in　him；　and　history　may　say　what　it　will　of　James　Hepburn；　but　I　have　a　notion；　he　was　just　the　sort　of　wild；　fierce；　bandit　hero　whom　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　Colonel　Dent。
“On　my　honour；　I　am　much　obliged　to　you；”　was　the　reply。
Miss　Ingram；　who　had　now　seated　herself　with　proud　grace　at　the　piano；　spreading　out　her　snomenced　a　brilliant　prelude；　talking　meantime。　She　appeared　to　be　on　her　high　horse　to…night；　both　her　words　and　her　air　seemed　intended　to　excite　not　only　the　admiration；　but　the　amazement　of　her　auditors：　she　was　evidently　bent　on　striking　them　as　something　very　dashing　and　daring　indeed。
“Oh；　I　am　so　sick　of　the　young　men　of　the　present　day！”　exclaimed　she；　rattling　away　at　the　instrument。　“Poor；　puny　things；　not　fit　to　stir　a　step　beyond　papa’s　park　gates：　nor　to　go　even　so　far　without　mama’s　permission　and　guardianship！　Creatures　so　absorbed　in　care　about　their　pretty　faces；　and　their　white　hands；　and　their　small　feet；　as　if　a　man　had　anything　to　do　with　beauty！　As　if　loveliness　were　not　the　special　prerogative　of　woman—her　legitimate　appanage　and　heritage！　I　grant　an　ugly　woman　is　a　blot　on　the　fair　face　of　creation；　but　as　to　the　gentlemen；　let　them　be　solicitous　to　possess　only　strength　and　valour：　let　their　motto　be：…　Hunt；　shoot；　and　fight：　the　rest　is　not　worth　a　fillip。　Such　should　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　petitor　near　the　throne；　I　shall　exact　an　undivided　homage：　his　devotions　shall　not　be　shared　between　me　and　the　shape　he　sees　in　his　mirror。　Mr。　Rochester；　now　sing；　and　I　will　play　for　you。”
“I　am　all　obedience；”　was　the　response。
“Here　then　is　a　Corsair…song。　Know　that　I　doat　on　Corsairs；　and　for　that　reason；　sing　it　con　spirito。”
“mands　from　Miss　Ingram’s　lips　would　put　spirit　into　a　mug　of　milk　and　water。”
“Take　care；　then：　if　you　don’t　please　me；　I　will　shame　you　by　showing　how　such　things　should　be　done。”
“That　is　offering　a　premium　on　incapacity：　I　shall　now　endeavour　to　fail。”
“Gardez…vous　en　bien！　If　you　err　wilfully；　I　shall　devise　a　proportionate　punishment。”
“Miss　Ingram　ought　to　be　clement；　for　she　has　it　in　her　power　to　inflict　a　chastisement　beyond　mortal　endurance。”
“Ha！　explain！”　manded　the　lady。
“Pardon　me；　madam：　no　need　of　explanation；　your　own　fine　sense　must　inform　you　that　one　of　your　frowns　would　be　a　sufficient　substitute　for　capital　punishment。”
“Sing！”　said　she；　and　again　touching　the　piano；　she　menced　an　acpaniment　in　spirited　style。
“Now　is　my　time　to　slip　away；”　thought　I：　but　the　tones　that　then　severed　the　air　arrested　me。　Mrs。　Fairfax　had　said　Mr。　Rochester　possessed　a　fine　voice：　he　did—a　mellow；　powerful　bass；　into　which　he　threw　his　own　feeling；　his　own　force；　finding　a　way　through　the　ear　to　the　heart；　and　there　waking　sensation　strangely。　I　waited　till　the　last　deep　and　full　vibration　had　expired—till　the　tide　of　talk；　checked　an　instant；　had　resumed　its　floy　sheltered　corner　and　made　my　exit　by　the　side…door；　which　was　fortunately　near。　Thence　a　narrow　passage　led　into　the　hall：　in　crossing　it；　I　perceived　my　sandal　was　loose；　I　stopped　to　tie　it；　kneeling　down　for　that　purpose　on　the　mat　at　the　foot　of　the　staircase。　I　heard　the　dining…room　door　unclose；　a　gentleman　came　out；　rising　hastily；　I　stood　face　to　face　with　him：　it　was　Mr。　Rochester。
“How　do　you　do？”　he　asked。
“I　am　very　well；　sir。”
“Why　did　you　not　e　and　speak　to　me　in　the　room？”
I　thought　I　might　have　retorted　the　question　on　him　who　put　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　Adèle　as　usual。”
“And　getting　a　good　deal　paler　than　you　were—as　I　saw　at　first　sight。　What　is　the　matter？”
“Nothing　at　all；　sir。”
“Did　you　take　any　cold　that　night　you　half　drowned　me？”
“Not　she　least。”
“Return　to　the　drawing…room：　you　are　deserting　too　early。”
“I　am　tired；　sir。”
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　more　words　would　bring　tears　to　your　eyes—indeed；　they　are　there　now；　shining　and　swimming；　and　a　bead　has　slipped　from　the　lash　and　fallen　on　to　the　flag。　If　I　had　time；　and　was　not　in　mortal　dread　of　some　prating　prig　of　a　servant　passing；　I　would　know　what　all　this　means。　Well；　to…night　I　excuse　you；　but　understand　that　so　long　as　my　visitors　stay；　I　expect　you　to　appear　in　the　drawing…room　every　evening；　it　is　my　wish；　don’t　neglect　it。　Now　go；　and　send　Sophie　for　Adèle。　Good…night；　my—”　He　stopped；　bit　his　lip；　and　abruptly　left　me。
Chapter　18
Merry　days　were　these　at　Thornfield　Hall；　and　busy　days　too：　how　different　from　the　first　three　months　of　stillness；　monotony；　and　solitude　I　had　passed　beneath　its　roof！　All　sad　feelings　seemed　now　driven　from　the　house；　all　gloomy　associations　forgotten：　there　was　life　everywhere；　movement　all　day　long。　You　could　not　now　traverse　the　gallery；　once　so　hushed；　nor　enter　the　front　chambers；　once　so　tenantless；　without　encountering　a　smart　lady’s…maid　or　a　dandy　valet。
The　kitchen；　the　butler’s　pantry；　the　servants’　hall；　the　entrance　hall；　were　equally　alive；　and　the　saloons　were　only　left　void　and　still　when　the　blue　sky　and　halcyon　sunshine　of　the　genial　spring　weather　called　their　occupants　out　into　the　grounds。　Even　when　that　weather　was　broken；　and　continuous　rain　set　in　for　some　days；　no　damp　seemed　cast　over　enjoyment：　indoor　amusements　only　became　more　lively　and　varied；　in　consequence　of　the　stop　put　to　outdoor　gaiety。
I　wondered　what　they　were　going　to　do　the　first　evening　a　change　of　entertainment　was　proposed：　they　spoke　of　“playing　charades；”　but　in　my　ignorance　I　did　not　understand　the　term。　The　servants　were　called　in；　the　dining…room　tables　wheeled　away；　the　lights　otherwise　disposed；　the　chairs　placed　in　a　semicircle　opposite　the　arch。　While　Mr。　Rochester　and　the　other　gentlemen　directed　these　alterations；　the　ladies　were　running　up　and　down　stairs　ringing　for　their　maids。　Mrs。　Fairfax　was　summoned　to　give　information　respecting　the　resources　of　the　house　in　shawls；　dresses；　draperies　of　any　kind；　and　certain　wardrobes　of　the　third　storey　were　ransacked；　and　their　contents；　in　the　shape　of　brocaded　and　hooped　petticoats；　satin　sacques；　black　modes；　lace　lappets；　&c。；　were　brought　down　in　armfuls　by　the　abigails；　then　a　selection　was　made；　and　such　things　as　were　chosen　were　carried　to　the　boudoir　within　the　drawing…room。
Meantime；　Mr。　Rochester　had　again　summoned　the　ladies　round　him；　and　was　selecting　certain　of　their　number　to　be　of　his　party。　“Miss　Ingram　is　mine；　of　course；”　said　he：　afterwards　he　named　the　two　Misses　Eshton；　and　Mrs。　Dent。　He　looked　at　me：　I　happened　to　be　near　him；　as　I　had　been　fastening　the　clasp　of　Mrs。　Dent’s　bracelet；　which　had　got　loose。
“Will　you　play？”　he　asked。　I　shook　my　head。　He　did　not　insist；　which　I　rather　feared　he　would　have　done；　he　alloy　usual　seat。
He　and　his　aids　now　withdrew　behind　the　curtain：　the　other　party；　which　was　headed　by　Colonel　Dent；　sat　down　on　the　crescent　of　chairs。　One　of　the　gentlemen；　Mr。　Eshton；　observing　me；　seemed　to　propose　that　I　should　be　asked　to　join　them；　but　Lady　Ingram　instantly　negatived　the　notion。
“No；”　I　heard　her　say：　“she　looks　too　stupid　for　any　game　of　the　sort。”
Ere　long　a　bell　tinkled；　and　the　curtain　drew　up。　Within　the　arch；　the　bulky　figure　of　Sir　George　Lynn；　whom　Mr。　Rochester　had　likewise　chosen；　was　seen　enveloped　in　a　white　sheet：　before　him；　on　a　table；　lay　open　a　large　book；　and　at　his　side　stood　Amy　Eshton；　draped　in　Mr。　Rochester’s　cloak；　and　holding　a　book　in　her　hand。　Somebody；　unseen；　rang　the　bell　merrily；　then　Adèle　（who　had　insisted　on　being　one　of　her　guardian’s　party）；　bounded　forward；　scattering　round　her　the　contents　of　a　basket　of　flowers　she　carried　on　her　arm。　Then　appeared　the　magnificent　figure　of　Miss　Ingram；　clad　in　white；　a　long　veil　on　her　head；　and　a　wreath　of　roses　round　her　brow；　by　her　side　walked　Mr。　Rochester；　and　together　they　drew　near　the　table。　They　knelt；　while　Mrs。　Dent　and　Louisa　Eshton；　dressed　also　in　white；　took　up　their　stations　behind　them。　A　ceremony　followed；　in　dumb　show；　in　which　it　was　easy　to　recognise　the　pantomime　of　a　marriage。　At　its　termination；　Colonel　Dent　and　his　party　consulted　in　whispers　for　two　minutes；　then　the　Colonel　called　out—
“Bride！”　Mr。　Rochester　bowed；　and　the　curtain　fell。
A　considerable　interval　elapsed　before　it　again　rose。　Its　second　rising　displayed　a　more　elaborately　pre