第196页
《简·爱(英文版)》章节:第196页,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
and best earthly companion.'
'For that fate you have already made your choice, and must abide by
it.'
'Jane, be still a few moments: you are over-excited: I will be
still too.'
A waft of wind came sweeping down the laurel-walk and trembled
through the boughs of the chestnut: it wandered away- away- to an
indefinite distance- it died. The nightingale's song was then the only
voice of the hour: in listening to it, I again wept. Mr. Rochester sat
quiet, looking at me gently and seriously. Some time passed before
he spoke; he at last said-
'Come to my side, Jane, and let us explain and understand one
another.'
'I will never again come to your side: I am torn away now, and
cannot return.'
'But, Jane, I summon you as my wife: it is you only I intend to
marry.'
I was silent: I thought he mocked me.
'Come, Jane- come hither.'
'Your bride stands between us.'
He rose, and with a stride reached me.
'My bride is here,' he said, again drawing me to him, 'because my
equal is here, and my likeness. Jane, will you marry me?'
Still I did not answer, and still I writhed myself from his
grasp: for I was still incredulous.
'Do you doubt me, Jane?'
'Entirely.'
'You have no faith in me?'
'Not a whit.'
'Am I a liar in your eyes?' he asked passionately. 'Little sceptic,
you shall be convinced. What love have I for Miss Ingram? None: and
that you know. What love has she for me? None: as I have taken pains
to prove: I caused a rumour to reach her that my fortune was not a
third of what was supposed, and after that I presented myself to see
the result; it was coldness both from her and her mother. I would not-
I could not- marry Miss Ingram. You- you strange, you almost unearthly
thing!- I love as my own flesh. You- poor and obscure, and small and
plain as you are- I entreat to accept me as a husband.'
'What, me!' I ejaculated, beginning in his earnestness- and
especially in his incivility- to credit his sincerity: 'me who have
not a friend in the world but you- if you are my friend: not a
shilling but what you have given me?'
'You, Jane, I must have you for my own- entirely my own. Will you
be mine? Say yes, quickly.'
'Mr. Rochester, let me look at your face: turn to the moonlight.'
'Why?'
'Because I want to read your countenance- turn!'
'There! you will find it scarcely more legible than a crumpled,
scratched page. Read on: only make haste, for I suffer.'
His face was very much agitated and very much flushed, and there
were strong workings in the features, and strange gleams in the eyes.
'Oh, Jane, you torture me!' he exclaimed. 'With that searching
and yet faithful and generous look, you torture me!'
'How can I do that? If you are true, and your offer real, my only
feelings to you must be gratitude and devotion- they cannot torture.'
'Gratitude!' he ejaculated; and added wildly- 'Jane, accept me