简爱(英文版)-第71章

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expected　submission—the　disapprobation　of　a　cool；　inflexible　judgment；　which　has　detected　in　another　feelings　and　views　in　which　it　has　no　power　to　sympathise：　in　short；　as　a　man；　he　would　have　wished　to　coerce　me　into　obedience：　it　was　only　as　a　sincere　Christian　he　bore　so　patiently　with　my　perversity；　and　allowed　so　long　a　space　for　reflection　and　repentance。
That　night；　after　he　had　kissed　his　sisters；　he　thought　proper　to　forget　even　to　shake　hands　with　me；　but　left　the　room　in　silence。　I—who；　though　I　had　no　love；　had　much　friendship　for　him—was　hurt　by　the　marked　omission：　so　much　hurt　that　tears　started　to　my　eyes。
“I　see　you　and　St。　John　have　been　quarrelling；　Jane；”　said　Diana；　“during　your　walk　on　the　moor。　But　go　after　him；　he　is　now　lingering　in　the　passage　expecting　you—he　will　make　it　up。”
I　have　not　much　pride　under　such　circumstances：　I　would　always　rather　be　happy　than　dignified；　and　I　ran　after　him—he　stood　at　the　foot　of　the　stairs。
“Good…night；　St。　John；”　said　I。
“Good…night；　Jane；”　he　replied　calmly。
“Then　shake　hands；”　I　added。
What　a　cold；　loose　touch；　he　impressed　on　my　fingers！　He　was　deeply　displeased　by　what　had　occurred　that　day；　cordiality　would　not　warm；　nor　tears　move　him。　No　happy　reconciliation　was　to　be　had　with　him—no　cheering　smile　or　generous　word：　but　still　the　Christian　was　patient　and　placid；　and　when　I　asked　him　if　he　forgave　me；　he　answered　that　he　was　not　in　the　habit　of　cherishing　the　remembrance　of　vexation；　that　he　had　nothing　to　forgive；　not　having　been　offended。
And　with　that　answer　he　left　me。　I　would　much　rather　he　had　knocked　me　down。
Chapter　35
He　did　not　leave　for　Cambridge　the　next　day；　as　he　had　said　he　would。　He　deferred　his　departure　a　whole　week；　and　during　that　time　he　made　me　feel　what　severe　punishment　a　good　yet　stern；　a　conscientious　yet　implacable　man　can　inflict　on　one　who　has　offended　him。　Without　one　overt　act　of　hostility；　one　upbraiding　word；　he　contrived　to　impress　me　momently　with　the　conviction　that　I　was　put　beyond　the　pale　of　his　favour。
Not　that　St。　John　harboured　a　spirit　of　unchristian　vindictiveness—　not　that　he　would　have　injured　a　hair　of　my　head；　if　it　had　been　fully　in　his　power　to　do　so。　Both　by　nature　and　principle；　he　was　superior　to　the　mean　gratification　of　vengeance：　he　had　forgiven　me　for　saying　I　scorned　him　and　his　love；　but　he　had　not　forgotten　the　words；　and　as　long　as　he　and　I　lived　he　never　would　forget　them。　I　saw　by　his　look；　when　he　turned　to　me；　that　they　were　always　written　on　the　air　between　me　and　him；　whenever　I　spoke；　they　sounded　in　my　voice　to　his　ear；　and　their　echo　toned　every　answer　he　gave　me。
He　did　not　abstain　from　conversing　with　me：　he　even　called　me　as　usual　each　morning　to　join　him　at　his　desk；　and　I　fear　the　corrupt　man　within　him　had　a　pleasure　unimparted　to；　and　unshared　by；　the　pure　Christian；　in　evincing　with　what　skill　he　could；　while　acting　and　speaking　apparently　just　as　usual；　extract　from　every　deed　and　every　phrase　the　spirit　of　interest　and　approval　which　had　formerly　municated　a　certain　austere　charm　to　his　language　and　manner。　To　me；　he　was　in　reality　bee　no　longer　flesh；　but　marble；　his　eye　was　a　cold；　bright；　blue　gem；　his　tongue　a　speaking　instrument—　nothing　more。
All　this　was　torture　to　me—refined；　lingering　torture。　It　kept　up　a　slow　fire　of　indignation　and　a　trembling　trouble　of　grief；　which　harassed　and　crushed　me　altogether。　I　felt　how—if　I　were　his　wife；　this　good　man；　pure　as　the　deep　sunless　source；　could　soon　kill　me；　without　drawing　from　my　veins　a　single　drop　of　blood；　or　receiving　on　his　own　crystal　conscience　the　faintest　stain　of　crime。　Especially　I　felt　this　when　I　made　any　attempt　to　propitiate　him。　No　ruth　met　my　ruth。　He　experienced　no　suffering　from　estrangement—no　yearning　after　reconciliation；　and　though；　more　than　once；　my　fast　falling　tears　blistered　the　page　over　which　we　both　bent；　they　produced　no　more　effect　on　him　than　if　his　heart　had　been　really　a　matter　of　stone　or　metal。　To　his　sisters；　meantime；　he　was　somewhat　kinder　than　usual：　as　if　afraid　that　mere　coldness　would　not　sufficiently　convince　me　how　pletely　I　was　banished　and　banned；　he　added　the　force　of　contrast；　and　this　I　am　sure　he　did　not　by　force；　but　on　principle。
The　night　before　he　left　home；　happening　to　see　him　walking　in　the　garden　about　sunset；　and　remembering；　as　I　looked　at　him；　that　this　man；　alienated　as　he　now　was；　had　once　saved　my　life；　and　that　we　were　near　relations；　I　was　moved　to　make　a　last　attempt　to　regain　his　friendship。　I　went　out　and　approached　him　as　he　stood　leaning　over　the　little　gate；　I　spoke　to　the　point　at　once。
“St。　John；　I　am　unhappy　because　you　are　still　angry　with　me。　Let　us　be　friends。”
“I　hope　we　are　friends；”　was　the　unmoved　reply；　while　he　still　watched　the　rising　of　the　moon；　which　he　had　been　contemplating　as　I　approached。
“No；　St。　John；　we　are　not　friends　as　we　were。　You　know　that。”
“Are　we　not？　That　is　wrong。　For　my　part；　I　wish　you　no　ill　and　all　good。”
“I　believe　you；　St。　John；　for　I　am　sure　you　are　incapable　of　wishing　any　one　ill；　but；　as　I　am　your　kinswoman；　I　should　desire　somewhat　more　of　affection　than　that　sort　of　general　philanthropy　you　extend　to　mere　strangers。”
“Of　course；”　he　said。　“Your　wish　is　reasonable；　and　I　am　far　from　regarding　you　as　a　stranger。”
This；　spoken　in　a　cool；　tranquil　tone；　was　mortifying　and　baffling　enough。　Had　I　attended　to　the　suggestions　of　pride　and　ire；　I　should　immediately　have　left　him；　but　something　worked　within　me　more　strongly　than　those　feelings　could。　I　deeply　venerated　my　cousin’s　talent　and　principle。　His　friendship　was　of　value　to　me：　to　lose　it　tried　me　severely。　I　would　not　so　soon　relinquish　the　attempt　to　reconquer　it。
“Must　we　part　in　this　way；　St。　John？　And　when　you　go　to　India；　will　you　leave　me　so；　without　a　kinder　word　than　you　have　yet　spoken？”
He　nooon　and　faced　me。
“When　I　go　to　India；　Jane；　will　I　leave　you！　What！　do　you　not　go　to　India？”
“You　said　I　could　not　unless　I　married　you。”
“And　you　will　not　marry　me！　You　adhere　to　that　resolution？”
Reader；　do　you　know；　as　I　do；　what　terror　those　cold　people　can　put　into　the　ice　of　their　questions？　How　much　of　the　fall　of　the　avalanche　is　in　their　anger？　of　the　breaking　up　of　the　frozen　sea　in　their　displeasure？
“No。　St。　John；　I　will　not　marry　you。　I　adhere　to　my　resolution。”
The　avalanche　had　shaken　and　slid　a　little　forward；　but　it　did　not　yet　crash　down。
“Once　more；　why　this　refusal？”　he　asked。
“Formerly；”　I　answered；　“because　you　did　not　love　me；　now；　I　reply；　because　you　almost　hate　me。　If　I　were　to　marry　you；　you　would　kill　me。　You　are　killing　me　now。”
His　lips　and　cheeks　turned　white—quite　white。
“I　should　kill　you—I　am　killing　you？　Your　words　are　such　as　ought　not　to　be　used：　violent；　unfeminine；　and　untrue。　They　betray　an　unfortunate　state　of　mind：　they　merit　severe　reproof：　they　would　seem　inexcusable；　but　that　it　is　the　duty　of　man　to　forgive　his　fellow　even　until　seventy…and…seven　times。”
I　had　finished　the　business　now。　While　earnestly　wishing　to　erase　from　his　mind　the　trace　of　my　former　offence；　I　had　stamped　on　that　tenacious　surface　another　and　far　deeper　impression；　I　had　burnt　it　in。
“Now　you　will　indeed　hate　me；”　I　said。　“It　is　useless　to　attempt　to　conciliate　you：　I　see　I　have　made　an　eternal　enemy　of　you。”
A　fresh　wrong　did　these　words　inflict：　the　worse；　because　they　touched　on　the　truth。　That　bloodless　lip　quivered　to　a　temporary　spasm。　I　knew　the　steely　ire　I　had　whetted。　I　was　heart…wrung。
“You　utterly　misinterpret　my　words；”　I　said；　at　once　seizing　his　hand：　“I　have　no　intention　to　grieve　or　pain　you—indeed；　I　have　not。”
Most　bitterly　he　smiled—most　decidedly　he　withdrew　his　hand　from　mine。　“And　now　you　recall　your　promise；　and　will　not　go　to　India　at　all；　I　presume？”　said　he；　after　a　considerable　pause。
“Yes；　I　will；　as　your　assistant；”　I　answered。
A　very　long　silence　succeeded。　What　struggle　there　was　in　him　between　Nature　and　Grace　in　this　interval；　I　cannot　tell：　only　singular　gleams　scintillated　in　his　eyes；　and　strange　shadows　passed　over　his　face。　He　spoke　at　last。
“I　before　proved　to　you　the　absurdity　of　a　single　woman　of　your　age　proposing　to　acpany　abroad　a　single　man　of　mine。　I　proved　it　to　you　in　such　terms　as；　I　should　have　thought；　would　have　prevented　your　ever　again　alluding　to　the　plan。　That　you　have　done　so；　I　regret—for　your　sake。”
I　interrupted　him。　Anything　like　a　tangible　reproach　gave　me　courage　at　once。　“Keep　to　mon　sense；　St。　John：　you　are　verging　on　nonsense。　You　pretend　to　be　shocked　by　what　I　have　said。　You　are　not　really　shocked：　for；　with　your　superior　mind；　you　cannot　be　either　so　dull　or　so　conceited　as　to　misunderstand　my　meaning。　I　say　again；　I　will　be　your　curate；　if　you　like；　but　never　your　wife。”
Again　he　turned　lividly　pale；　but；　as　before；　controlled　his　passion　perfectly。　He　answered　emphatically　but　calmly—
“A　female　curate；　who　is　not　my　wife；　would　never　suit　me。　With　me；　then；　it　seems；　you　cannot　go：　but　if　you　are　sincere　in　your　offer；　I　will；　while　in　town；　speak　to　a　married　missionary；　whose　wife　needs　a　coadjutor。　Your　own　fortune　will　make　you　independent　of　the　Society’s　aid；　and　thus　you　may　still　be　spared　the　dishonour　of　breaking　your　promise　and　deserting　the　band　you　engaged　to　join。”
Now　I　never　had；　as　the　reader　knows；　either　given　any　formal　promise　or　entered　into　any　engagement；　and　this　language　was　all　much　too　hard　and　much　too　despotic　for　the　occasion。　I　replied—
“There　is　no　dishonour；　no　breach　of　promise；　no　desertion　in　the　case。　I　am　not　under　the　slightest　obligation　to　go　to　India；　especially　with　strangers。　With　you　I　would　have　ventured　much；　because　I　admire；　confide　in；　and；　as　a　sister；　I　love　you；　but　I　am　convinced　that；　go　when　and　with　whom　I　would；　I　should　not　live　long　in　that　climate。”
“Ah！　you　are　afraid　of　yourself；”　he　said；　curling　his　lip。
“I　am。　God　did　not　give　me　my　life　to　throw　away；　and　to　do　as　you　wish　me　would；　I　begin　to　think；　be　almost　equivalent　to　mitting　suicide。　Moreover；　before　I　definitively　resolve　on　quitting　England；　I　will　know　for　certain　whether　I　cannot　be　of　greater　use　by　remaining　in　it　than　by　leaving　it。”
“What　do　you　mean？”
“It　would　be　fruitless　to　attempt　to　explain；　but　there　is　a　point　on　which　I　have　long　endured　painful　doubt；　and　I　can　go　nowhere　till　by　some　means　that　doubt　is　removed。”
“I　know　where　your　heart　turns　and　to　what　it　clings。　The　interest　you　cherish　is　lawless　and　unconsecrated。　Long　since　you　ought　to　have　crushed　it：　now　you　should　blush　to　allude　to　it。　You　think　of　Mr。　Rochester？”
It　was　true。　I　confessed　it　by　silence。
“Are　you　going　to　seek　Mr。　Rochester？”
“I　must　find　out　what　is　bee　of　him。”
“It　remains　for　me；　then；”　he　said；　“to　remember　you　in　my　prayers；　and　to　entreat　God　for　you；　in　all　earnestness；　that　you　may　not　indeed　bee　a　castaway。　I　had　thought　I　recognised　in　you　one　of　the　chosen。　But　God　sees　not　as　man　sees：　His　will　be　done—”
He　opened　the　gate；　passed　through　it；　and　strayed　away　down　the　glen。　He　was　soon　out　of　sight。
On　re…entering　the　parlour；　I　found　Diana　standing　at　the　window；　looking　very　thoughtful。　Diana　was　a　great　deal　taller　than　I：　she　put　her　hand　on　my　shoulder；　and；　stooping；　examined　my　face。
“Jane；”　she　said；　“you　are　always　agitated　and　pale　now。　I　am　sure　there　is　something　the　matter。　Tell　me　what　business　St。　John　and　you　have　on　hands。　I　have　watched　you　this　half　hour　from　the　window；　you　must　forgive　my　being　such　a　spy；　but　for　a　long　time　I　have　fancied　I　hardly　know　what。　St。　John　is　a　strange　being—”
She　paused—I　did　not　speak：　soon　she　resumed—
“That　brother　of　mine　cherishes　peculiar　views　of　some　sort　respecting　you；　I　am　sure：　he　has　long　distinguished　you　by　a　notice　and　interest　he　never　showed　to　any　one　else—to　what　end？　I　wish　he　loved　you—does　he；　Jane？”
I　put　her　cool　hand　to　my　hot　forehead；　“No；　Die；　not　one　whit。”
“Then　why　does　he　follow　you　so　with　his　eyes；　and　get　you　so　frequently　alone　with　him；　and　keep　you　so　continually　at　his　side？　Mary　and　I　had　both　concluded　he　wished　you　to　marry　him。”
“He　does—he　has　asked　me　to　be　his　wife。”
Diana　clapped　her　hands。　“That　is　just　what　we　hoped　and　thought！　And　you　will　marry　him；　Jane；　won’t　you？　And　then　he　will　stay　in　England。”
“Far　from　that；　Diana；　his　sole　idea　in　proposing　to　me　is　to　procure　a　fitting　fellow…labourer　in　his　Indian　toils。”
“What！　He　wishes　you　to　go　to　India？”
“Yes。”
“Madness！”　she　exclaimed。　“You　would　not　live　three　months　there；　I　am　certain。　You　never　shall　go：　you　have　not　consented；　have　you；　Jane？”
“I　have　refused　to　marry　him—”
“And　have　consequently　displeased　him？”　she　suggested。
“Deeply：　he　will　never　forgive　me；　I　fear：　yet　I　offered　to　acpany　him　as　his　sister。”
“It　was　frantic　folly　to　do　so；　Jane。　Think　of　the　task　you　undertook—one　of　incessant　fatigue；　where　fatigue　kills　even　the　strong；　and　you　are　weak。　St。　John—you　know　him—would　urge　you　to　impossibilities：　with　him　there　would　be　no　permission　to　rest　during　the　hot　hours；　and　unfortunately；　I　have　noticed；　whatever　he　exacts；　you　force　yourself　to　perform。　I　am　astonished　you　found　c