第202页
《简·爱(英文版)》章节:第202页,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
'Why not, sir? You have just been telling me how much you liked
to be conquered, and how pleasant over-persuasion is to you. Don't you
think I had better take advantage of the confession, and begin and
coax and entreat- even cry and be sulky if necessary- for the sake
of a mere essay of my power?'
'I dare you to any such experiment. Encroach, presume, and the game
is up.'
'Is it, sir? You soon give in. How stern you look now! Your
eyebrows have become as thick as my finger, and your forehead
resembles what, in some very astonishing poetry, I once saw styled, "a
blue-piled thunderloft." That will be your married look, sir, I
suppose?'
'If that will be your married look, I, as a Christian, will soon
give up the notion of consorting with a mere sprite or salamander. But
what had you to ask, thing,- out with it?'
'There, you are less than civil now; and I like rudeness a great
deal better than flattery. I had rather be a thing than an angel. This
is what I have to ask,- Why did you take such pains to make me believe
you wished to marry Miss Ingram?'
'Is that all? Thank God it is no worse!' And now he unknit his
black brows; looked down, smiling at me, and stroked my hair, as if
well pleased at seeing a danger averted. 'I think I may confess,' he
continued, 'even although I should make you a little indignant,
Jane- and I have seen what a fire-spirit you can be when you are
indignant. You glowed in the cool moonlight last night, when you
mutinied against fate, and claimed your rank as my equal. Janet, by
the bye, it was you who made me the offer.'
'Of course I did. But to the point if you please, sir- Miss
Ingram?'
'Well, I feigned courtship of Miss Ingram, because I wished to
render you as madly in love with me as I was with you; and I knew
jealousy would be the best ally I could call in for the furtherance of
that end.'
'Excellent! Now you are small- not one whit bigger than the end
of my little finger. It was a burning shame and a scandalous
disgrace to act in that way. Did you think nothing of Miss Ingram's
feelings, sir?'
'Her feelings are concentrated in one- pride; and that needs
humbling. Were you jealous, Jane?'
'Never mind, Mr. Rochester: it is in no way interesting to you to
know that. Answer me truly once more. Do you think Miss Ingram will
not suffer from your dishonest coquetry? Won't she feel forsaken and
deserted?'
'Impossible!- when I told you how she, on the contrary, deserted
me: the idea of my insolvency cooled, or rather extinguished, her
flame in a moment.'
'You have a curious, designing mind, Mr. Rochester. I am afraid
your principles on some points are eccentric.'
'My principles were never trained, Jane: they may have grown a
little awry for want of attention.'
'Once again, seriously; may I enjoy the great good that has been
vouchsafed to me, without fearing that any one else is suffering the