第227页
《简·爱(英文版)》章节:第227页,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
wanted her just as a change after that fierce ragout. Wood and Briggs,
look at the difference! Compare these clear eyes with the red balls
yonder- this face with that mask- this form with that bulk; then judge
me, priest of the gospel and man of the law, and remember with what
judgment ye judge ye shall be judged! Off with you now. I must shut up
my prize.'
We all withdrew. Mr. Rochester stayed a moment behind us, to give
some further order to Grace Poole. The solicitor addressed me as he
descended the stair.
'You, madam,' said he, 'are cleared from all blame: your uncle will
be glad to hear it- if, indeed, he should be still living- when Mr.
Mason returns to Madeira.'
'My uncle! What of him? Do you know him?'
'Mr. Mason does. Mr. Eyre has been the Funchal correspondent of his
house for some years. When your uncle received your letter
intimating the contemplated union between yourself and Mr.
Rochester, Mr. Mason, who was staying at Madeira to recruit his
health, on his way back to Jamaica, happened to be with him. Mr.
Eyre mentioned the intelligence; for he knew that my client here was
acquainted with a gentleman of the name of Rochester. Mr. Mason,
astonished and distressed as you may suppose, revealed the real
state of matters. Your uncle, I am sorry to say, is now on a sick-bed;
from which, considering the nature of his disease- decline- and the
stage it has reached, it is unlikely he will ever rise. He could not
then hasten to England himself, to extricate you from the snare into
which you had fallen, but he implored Mr. Mason to lose no time in
taking steps to prevent the false marriage. He referred him to me
for assistance. I used all despatch, and am thankful I was not too
late: as you, doubtless, must be also. Were I not morally certain that
your uncle will be dead ere you reach Madeira, I would advise you to
accompany Mr. Mason back; but as it is, I think you had better
remain in England till you can hear further, either from or of Mr.
Eyre. Have we anything else to stay for?' he inquired of Mr. Mason.
'No, no- let us be gone,' was the anxious reply; and without
waiting to take leave of Mr. Rochester, they made their exit at the
hall door. The clergyman stayed to exchange a few sentences, either of
admonition or reproof, with his haughty parishioner; this duty done,
he too departed.
I heard him go as I stood at the half-open door of my own room,
to which I had now withdrawn. The house cleared, I shut myself in,
fastened the bolt that none might intrude, and proceeded- not to weep,
not to mourn, I was yet too calm for that, but- mechanically to take
off the wedding-dress, and replace it by the stuff gown I had worn
yesterday, as I thought, for the last time. I then sat down: I felt
weak and tired. I leaned my arms on a table, and my head dropped on
them. And now I thought: till now I had only heard, seen, moved-
followed up and down where I was led or dragged- watched event rush on