第138页
《简·爱(英文版)》章节:第138页,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
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.'
'Commands 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!' commanded 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 commenced an
accompaniment 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 flow; I then quitted my
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 come 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 Adele 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 the 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