简爱(英文版)-第69章

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　Greek　face　was　brought　to　a　level　y　eyes　piercingly—he　kissed　me。　There　are　no　such　things　as　marble　kisses　or　ice　kisses；　or　I　should　say　my　ecclesiastical　cousin’s　salute　belonged　to　one　of　these　classes；　but　there　may　be　experiment　kisses；　and　his　was　an　experiment　kiss。　When　given；　he　viewed　me　to　learn　the　result；　it　was　not　striking：　I　am　sure　I　did　not　blush；　perhaps　I　might　have　turned　a　little　pale；　for　I　felt　as　if　this　kiss　were　a　seal　affixed　to　my　fetters。　He　never　omitted　the　ceremony　afterwards；　and　the　gravity　and　quiescence　with　which　I　underwent　it；　seemed　to　invest　it　for　him　with　a　certain　charm。
As　for　me；　I　daily　wished　more　to　please　him；　but　to　do　so；　I　felt　daily　more　and　more　that　I　must　disown　half　my　nature；　stifle　half　my　faculties；　wrest　my　tastes　from　their　original　bent；　force　myself　to　the　adoption　of　pursuits　for　which　I　had　no　natural　vocation。　He　wanted　to　train　me　to　an　elevation　I　could　never　reach；　it　racked　me　hourly　to　aspire　to　the　standard　he　uplifted。　The　thing　was　as　impossible　as　to　mould　my　irregular　features　to　his　correct　and　classic　pattern；　to　give　to　my　changeable　green　eyes　the　sea…blue　tint　and　solemn　lustre　of　his　own。
Not　his　ascendancy　alone；　however；　held　me　in　thrall　at　present。　Of　late　it　had　been　easy　enough　for　me　to　look　sad：　a　cankering　evil　sat　at　my　heart　and　drained　my　happiness　at　its　source—the　evil　of　suspense。
Perhaps　you　think　I　had　forgotten　Mr。　Rochester；　reader；　amidst　these　changes　of　place　and　fortune。　Not　for　a　moment。　His　idea　was　still　with　me；　because　it　was　not　a　vapour　sunshine　could　disperse；　nor　a　sand…traced　effigy　storms　could　wash　away；　it　was　a　name　graven　on　a　tablet；　fated　to　last　as　long　as　the　marble　it　inscribed。　The　craving　to　know　what　had　bee　of　him　followed　me　everywhere；　when　I　was　at　Morton；　I　re…entered　my　cottage　every　evening　to　think　of　that；　and　now　at　Moor　House；　I　sought　my　bedroom　each　night　to　brood　over　it。
In　the　course　of　my　necessary　correspondence　with　Mr。　Briggs　about　the　will；　I　had　inquired　if　he　knew　anything　of　Mr。　Rochester’s　present　residence　and　state　of　health；　but；　as　St。　John　had　conjectured；　he　was　quite　ignorant　of　all　concerning　him。　I　then　wrote　to　Mrs。　Fairfax；　entreating　information　on　the　subject。　I　had　calculated　with　certainty　on　this　step　answering　my　end：　I　felt　sure　it　would　elicit　an　early　answer。　I　was　astonished　when　a　fortnight　passed　without　reply；　but　when　two　months　wore　away；　and　day　after　day　the　post　arrived　and　brought　nothing　for　me；　I　fell　a　prey　to　the　keenest　anxiety。
I　wrote　again：　there　was　a　chance　of　my　first　letter　having　missed。　Renewed　hope　followed　renewed　effort：　it　shone　like　the　former　for　some　weeks；　then；　like　it；　it　faded；　flickered：　not　a　line；　not　a　word　reached　me。　When　half　a　year　wasted　in　vain　expectancy；　my　hope　died　out；　and　then　I　felt　dark　indeed。
A　fine　spring　shone　round　me；　which　I　could　not　enjoy。　Summer　approached；　Diana　tried　to　cheer　me：　she　said　I　looked　ill；　and　wished　to　acpany　me　to　the　sea…side。　This　St。　John　opposed；　he　said　I　did　not　want　dissipation；　I　wanted　employment；　my　present　life　was　too　purposeless；　I　required　an　aim；　and；　I　suppose；　by　way　of　supplying　deficiencies；　he　prolonged　still　further　my　lessons　in　Hindostanee；　and　greplishment：　and　I；　like　a　fool；　never　thought　of　resisting　him—I　could　not　resist　him。
One　day　I　had　e　to　my　studies　in　lower　spirits　than　usual；　the　ebb　was　occasioned　by　a　poignantly　felt　disappointment。　Hannah　had　told　me　in　the　morning　there　was　a　letter　for　me；　and　when　I　went　down　to　take　it；　almost　certain　that　the　long…looked　for　tidings　were　vouchsafed　me　at　last；　I　found　only　an　unimportant　note　from　Mr。　Briggs　on　business。　The　bitter　check　had　wrung　from　me　some　tears；　and　now；　as　I　sat　poring　over　the　crabbed　characters　and　flourishing　tropes　of　an　Indian　scribe；　my　eyes　filled　again。
St。　John　called　me　to　his　side　to　read；　in　attempting　to　do　this　my　voice　failed　me：　words　were　lost　in　sobs。　He　and　I　were　the　only　occupants　of　the　parlour：　Diana　was　practising　her　music　in　the　drawing…room；　Mary　was　gardening—it　was　a　very　fine　May　day；　clear；　sunny；　and　breezy。　My　panion　expressed　no　surprise　at　this　emotion；　nor　did　he　question　me　as　to　its　cause；　he　only　said—
“We　will　wait　a　few　minutes；　Jane；　till　you　are　more　posed。”　And　while　I　smothered　the　paroxysm　with　all　haste；　he　sat　calm　and　patient；　leaning　on　his　desk；　and　looking　like　a　physician　watching　with　the　eye　of　science　an　expected　and　fully　understood　crisis　in　a　patient’s　malady。　Having　stifled　my　sobs；　wiped　my　eyes；　and　muttered　something　about　not　being　very　well　that　morning；　I　resumed　my　task；　and　succeeded　in　pleting　it。　St。　John　put　away　my　books　and　his；　locked　his　desk；　and　said—
“Now；　Jane；　you　shall　take　a　walk；　and　with　me。”
“I　will　call　Diana　and　Mary。”
“No；　I　want　only　one　panion　this　morning；　and　that　must　be　you。　Put　on　your　things；　go　out　by　the　kitchen…door：　take　the　road　towards　the　head　of　Marsh　Glen：　I　will　join　you　in　a　moment。”
I　know　no　medium：　I　never　in　my　life　have　known　any　medium　in　my　dealings　with　positive；　hard　characters；　antagonistic　to　my　own；　between　absolute　submission　and　determined　revolt。　I　have　always　faithfully　observed　the　one；　up　to　the　very　moment　of　bursting；　sometimes　with　volcanic　vehemence；　into　the　other；　and　as　neither　present　circumstances　warranted；　nor　my　present　mood　inclined　me　to　mutiny；　I　observed　careful　obedience　to　St。　John’s　directions；　and　in　ten　minutes　I　was　treading　the　wild　track　of　the　glen；　side　by　side　with　him。
The　breeze　was　from　the　west：　it　came　over　the　hills；　sweet　with　scents　of　heath　and　rush；　the　sky　was　of　stainless　blue；　the　stream　descending　the　ravine；　swelled　with　past　spring　rains；　poured　along　plentiful　and　clear；　catching　golden　gleams　from　the　sun；　and　sapphire　tints　from　the　firmament。　As　we　advanced　and　left　the　track；　we　trod　a　soft　turf；　mossy　fine　and　emerald　green；　minutely　enamelled　with　a　tiny　white　flower；　and　spangled　with　a　star…like　yellow　blossom：　the　hills；　meantime；　shut　us　quite　in；　for　the　glen；　towards　its　head；　wound　to　their　very　core。
“Let　us　rest　here；”　said　St。　John；　as　we　reached　the　first　stragglers　of　a　battalion　of　rocks；　guarding　a　sort　of　pass；　beyond　which　the　beck　rushed　down　a　waterfall；　and　where；　still　a　little　farther；　the　mountain　shook　off　turf　and　flower；　had　only　heath　for　raiment　and　crag　for　gem—where　it　exaggerated　the　wild　to　the　savage；　and　exchanged　the　fresh　for　the　frowning—where　it　guarded　the　forlorn　hope　of　solitude；　and　a　last　refuge　for　silence。
I　took　a　seat：　St。　John　stood　near　me。　He　looked　up　the　pass　and　down　the　hollow；　his　glance　wandered　away　with　the　stream；　and　returned　to　traverse　the　unclouded　heaven　which　coloured　it：　he　removed　his　hat；　let　the　breeze　stir　his　hair　and　kiss　his　brow。　He　seemed　in　munion　with　the　genius　of　the　haunt：　with　his　eye　he　bade　farewell　to　something。
“And　I　shall　see　it　again；”　he　said　aloud；　“in　dreams　when　I　sleep　by　the　Ganges：　and　again　in　a　more　remote　hour—when　another　slumber　overes　me—on　the　shore　of　a　darker　stream！”
Strange　words　of　a　strange　love！　An　austere　patriot’s　passion　for　his　fatherland！　He　sat　down；　for　half…an…hour　we　never　spoke；　neither　he　to　me　nor　I　to　him：　that　interval　past；　he　remenced—
“Jane；　I　go　in　six　weeks；　I　have　taken　my　berth　in　an　East　Indiaman　which　sails　on　the　20th　of　June。”
“God　will　protect　you；　for　you　have　undertaken　His　work；”　I　answered。
“Yes；”　said　he；　“there　is　my　glory　and　joy。　I　am　the　servant　of　an　infallible　Master。　I　am　not　going　out　under　human　guidance；　subject　to　the　defective　laws　and　erring　control　of　my　feeble　fellow…worms：　my　king；　my　lawgiver；　my　captain；　is　the　All…perfect。　It　seems　strange　to　me　that　all　round　me　do　not　burn　to　enlist　under　the　same　banner；—to　join　in　the　same　enterprise。”
“All　have　not　your　powers；　and　it　would　be　folly　for　the　feeble　to　wish　to　march　with　the　strong。”
“I　do　not　speak　to　the　feeble；　or　think　of　them：　I　address　only　such　as　are　worthy　of　the　work；　and　petent　to　acplish　it。”
“Those　are　few　in　number；　and　difficult　to　discover。”
“You　say　truly；　but　when　found；　it　is　right　to　stir　them　up—to　urge　and　exhort　them　to　the　effort—to　show　them　what　their　gifts　are；　and　why　they　were　given—to　speak　Heaven’s　message　in　their　ear；—to　offer　them；　direct　from　God；　a　place　in　the　ranks　of　His　chosen。”
“If　they　are　really　qualified　for　the　task；　will　not　their　own　hearts　be　the　first　to　inform　them　of　it？”
I　felt　as　if　an　awful　charm　was　framing　round　and　gathering　over　me：　I　trembled　to　hear　some　fatal　word　spoken　which　would　at　once　declare　and　rivet　the　spell。
“And　what　does　your　heart　say？”　demanded　St。　John。
“My　heart　is　mute；—my　heart　is　mute；”　I　answered；　struck　and　thrilled。
“Then　I　must　speak　for　it；”　continued　the　deep；　relentless　voice。　“Jane；　e　with　me　to　India：　e　as　my　helpmeet　and　fellow…　labourer。”
The　glen　and　sky　spun　round：　the　hills　heaved！　It　was　as　if　I　had　heard　a　summons　from　Heaven—as　if　a　visionary　messenger；　like　him　of　Macedonia；　had　enounced；　“e　over　and　help　us！”　But　I　was　no　apostle；—I　could　not　behold　the　herald；—I　could　not　receive　his　call。
“Oh；　St。　John！”　I　cried；　“have　some　mercy！”
I　appealed　to　one　who；　in　the　discharge　of　what　he　believed　his　duty；　knew　neither　mercy　nor　remorse。　He　continued—
“God　and　nature　intended　you　for　a　missionary’s　wife。　It　is　not　personal；　but　mental　endowments　they　have　given　you：　you　are　formed　for　labour；　not　for　love。　A　missionary’s　wife　you　must—shall　be。　You　shall　be　mine：　I　claim　you—not　for　my　pleasure；　but　for　my　Sovereign’s　service。”
“I　am　not　fit　for　it：　I　have　no　vocation；”　I　said。
He　had　calculated　on　these　first　objections：　he　was　not　irritated　by　them。　Indeed；　as　he　leaned　back　against　the　crag　behind　him；　folded　his　arms　on　his　chest；　and　fixed　his　countenance；　I　saw　he　was　prepared　for　a　long　and　trying　opposition；　and　had　taken　in　a　stock　of　patience　to　last　him　to　its　close—resolved；　however；　that　that　close　should　be　conquest　for　him。
“Humility；　Jane；”　said　he；　“is　the　groundwork　of　Christian　virtues：　you　say　right　that　you　are　not　fit　for　the　work。　Who　is　fit　for　it？　Or　who；　that　ever　was　truly　called；　believed　himself　worthy　of　the　summons？　I；　for　instance；　am　but　dust　and　ashes。　With　St。　Paul；　I　acknowledge　myself　the　chiefest　of　sinners；　but　I　do　not　suffer　this　sense　of　my　personal　vileness　to　daunt　me。　I　know　my　Leader：　that　He　is　just　as　well　as　mighty；　and　while　He　has　chosen　a　feeble　instrument　to　perform　a　great　task；　He　will；　from　the　boundless　stores　of　His　providence；　supply　the　inadequacy　of　the　means　to　the　end。　Think　like　me；　Jane—trust　like　me。　It　is　the　Rock　of　Ages　I　ask　you　to　lean　on：　do　not　doubt　but　it　will　bear　the　weight　of　your　human　weakness。”
“I　do　not　understand　a　missionary　life：　I　have　never　studied　missionary　labours。”
“There　I；　humble　as　I　am；　can　give　you　the　aid　you　want：　I　can　set　you　your　task　from　hour　to　hour；　stand　by　you　always；　help　you　from　moment　to　moment。　This　I　could　do　in　the　beginning：　soon　（for　I　know　your　powers）　you　would　be　as　strong　and　apt　as　myself；　and　y　help。”
“But　my　powers—where　are　they　for　this　undertaking？　I　do　not　feel　them。　Nothing　speaks　or　stirs　in　me　while　you　talk。　I　am　sensible　of　no　light　kindling—no　life　quickening—no　voice　counselling　or　cheering。　Oh；　I　wish　I　could　make　you　see　how　much　my　mind　is　at　this　moment　like　a　rayless　dungeon；　with　one　shrinking　fear　fettered　in　its　depths—the　fear　of　being　persuaded　by　you　to　attempt　what　I　cannot　acplish！”
“I　have　an　answer　for　you—hear　it。　I　have　watched　you　ever　since　we　first　met：　I　have　made　you　my　study　for　ten　months。　I　have　proved　you　in　that　time　by　sundry　tests：　and　what　have　I　seen　and　elicited？　In　the　village　school　I　found　you　could　perform　well；　punctually；　uprightly；　labour　uncongenial　to　your　habits　and　inclinations；　I　saw　you　could　perform　it　with　capacity　and　tact：　you　could　win　while　you　controlled。　In　the　calm　with　which　you　learnt　you　had　bee　suddenly　rich；　I　read　a　mind　clear　of　the　vice　of　Demas：…　lucre　had　no　undue　power　over　you。　In　the　resolute　readiness　with　which　you　cut　your　wealth　into　four　shares；　keeping　but　one　to　yourself；　and　relinquishing　the　three　others　to　the　claim　of　abstract　justice；　I　recognised　a　soul　that　revelled　in　the　flame　and　excitement　of　sacrifice。　In　the　tractability　with　which；　at　my　wish；　you　forsook　a　study　in　which　you　were　interested；　and　adopted　another　because　it　interested　me；　in　the　untiring　assiduity　with　which　you　have　since　persevered　in　it—in　the　unflagging　energy　and　unshaken　temper　with　which　you　have　met　its　difficulties—I　acknowledge　the　plement　of　the　qualities　I　seek。　Jane；　you　are　docile；　diligent；　disinterested；　faithful；　constant；　and　courageous；　very　gentle；　and　very　heroic：　cease　to　mistrust　yourself—I　can　trust　you　unreservedly。　As　a　conductress　of　Indian　schools；　and　a　helper　amongst　Indian　women；　your　assistance　will　be　to　me　invaluable。”
My　iron　shroud　contracted　round　me；　persuasion　advanced　with　slow　sure　step。　Shut　my　eyes　as　I　would；　these　last　words　of　his　succeeded　in　making　the　way；　which　had　seemed　blocked　up；　paratively　clear。　My　work；　which　had　appeared　so　vague；　so　hopelessly