第270页
《简·爱(英文版)》章节:第270页,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
points in planning my departure- speed, secrecy: to secure these, I
had to leave behind me everything I possessed except a small parcel;
which, in my hurry and trouble of mind, I forgot to take out of the
coach that brought me to Whitcross. To this neighbourhood, then, I
came, quite destitute. I slept two nights in the open air, and
wandered about two days without crossing a threshold: but twice in
that space of time did I taste food; and it was when brought by
hunger, exhaustion, and despair almost to the last gasp, that you, Mr.
Rivers, forbade me to perish of want at your door, and took me under
the shelter of your roof. I know all your sisters have done for me
since- for I have not been insensible during my seeming torpor- and
I owe to their spontaneous, genuine, genial compassion as large a debt
as to your evangelical charity.'
'Don't make her talk any more now, St. John,' said Diana, as I
paused; 'she is evidently not yet fit for excitement. Come to the sofa
and sit down now, Miss Elliott.'
I gave an involuntary half start at hearing the alias: I had
forgotten my new name. Mr. Rivers, whom nothing seemed to escape,
noticed it at once.
'You said your name was Jane Elliott?' he observed.
'I did say so; and it is the name by which I think it expedient
to be called at present, but it is not my real name, and when I hear
it, it sounds strange to me.'
'Your real name you will not give?'
'No: I fear discovery above all things; and whatever disclosure
would lead to it, I avoid.'
'You are quite right, I am sure,' said Diana. 'Now do, brother, let
her be at peace a while.'
But when St. John had mused a few moments he recommenced as
imperturbably and with as much acumen as ever.
'You would not like to be long dependent on our hospitality- you
would wish, I see, to dispense as soon as may be with my sisters'
compassion, and, above all, with my charity (I am quite sensible of
the distinction drawn, nor do I resent it- it is just): you desire
to be independent of us?'
'I do: I have already said so. Show me how to work, or how to
seek work: that is all I now ask; then let me go, if it be but to
the meanest cottage; but till then, allow me to stay here: I dread
another essay of the horrors of homeless destitution.'
'Indeed you shall stay here,' said Diana, putting her white hand on
my head. 'You shall,' repeated Mary, in the tone of undemonstrative
sincerity which seemed natural to her.
'My sisters, you see, have a pleasure in keeping you,' said Mr. St.
John, 'as they would have a pleasure in keeping and cherishing a
half-frozen bird, some wintry wind might have driven through their
casement. I feel more inclination to put you in the way of keeping
yourself, and shall endeavour to do so; but observe, my sphere is
narrow. I am but the incumbent of a poor country parish: my aid must
be of the humblest sort. And if you are inclined to despise the day of