第208页
《简·爱(英文版)》章节:第208页,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
'I'll be preparing myself to go out as a missionary to preach
liberty to them that are enslaved- your harem inmates amongst the
rest. I'll get admitted there, and I'll stir up mutiny; and you,
three-tailed bashaw as you are, sir, shall in a trice find yourself
fettered amongst our hands: nor will I, for one, consent to cut your
bonds till you have signed a charter, the most liberal that despot
ever yet conferred.'
'I would consent to be at your mercy, Jane.'
'I would have no mercy, Mr. Rochester, if you supplicated for it
with an eye like that. While you looked so, I should be certain that
whatever charter you might grant under coercion, your first act,
when released, would be to violate its conditions.'
'Why, Jane, what would you have? I fear you will compel me to go
through a private marriage ceremony, besides that performed at the
altar. You will stipulate, I see, for peculiar terms- what will they
be?'
'I only want an easy mind, sir; not crushed by crowded obligations.
Do you remember what you said of Celine Varens?- of the diamonds,
the cashmeres you gave her? I will not be your English Celine
Varens. I shall continue to act as Adele's governess; by that I
shall earn my board and lodging, and thirty pounds a year besides.
I'll furnish my own wardrobe out of that money, and you shall give
me nothing but-'
'Well, but what?'
'Your regard; and if I give you mine in return, that debt will be
quit.'
'Well, for cool native impudence and pure innate pride, you haven't
your equal,' said he. We were now approaching Thornfield. 'Will it
please you to dine with me to-day?' he asked, as we re-entered the
gates.
'No, thank you, sir.'
'And what for, "no, thank you?" if one may inquire.'
'I never have dined with you, sir: and I see no reason why I should
now: till-'
'Till what? You delight in half-phrases.'
'Till I can't help it.'
'Do you suppose I eat like an ogre or a ghoul, that you dread being
the companion of my repast?'
'I have formed no supposition on the subject, sir; but I want to go
on as usual for another month.'
'You will give up your governessing slavery at once.'
'Indeed, begging your pardon, sir, I shall not. I shall just go
on with it as usual. I shall keep out of your way all day, as I have
been accustomed to do: you may send for me in the evening, when you
feel disposed to see me, and I'll come then; but at no other time.'
'I want a smoke, Jane, or a pinch of snuff, to comfort me under all
this, "pour me donner une contenance," as Adele would say; and
unfortunately I have neither my cigar-case nor my snuff-box. But
listen- whisper. It is your time now, little tyrant, but it will be
mine presently; and when once I have fairly seized you, to have and to
hold, I'll just- figuratively speaking- attach you to a chain like
this' (touching his watch-guard). 'Yes, bonny wee thing, I'll wear you