第292页
《简·爱(英文版)》章节:第292页,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
weakness. I know it is ignoble: a mere fever of the flesh: not, I
declare, the convulsion of the soul. That is just as fixed as a
rock, firm set in the depths of a restless sea. Know me to be what I
am- a cold, hard man.'
I smiled incredulously.
'You have taken my confidence by storm,' he continued, 'and now
it is much at your service. I am simply, in my original state-
stripped of that blood-bleached robe with which Christianity covers
human deformity- a cold, hard, ambitious man. Natural affection
only, of all the sentiments, has permanent power over me. Reason,
and not feeling, is my guide; my ambition is unlimited: my desire to
rise higher, to do more than others, insatiable. I honour endurance,
perseverance, industry, talent; because these are the means by which
men achieve great ends and mount to lofty eminence. I watch your
career with interest, because I consider you a specimen of a diligent,
orderly, energetic woman: not because I deeply compassionate what
you have gone through, or what you still suffer.'
'You would describe yourself as a mere pagan philosopher,' I said.
'No. There is this difference between me and deistic
philosophers: I believe; and I believe the Gospel. You missed your
epithet. I am not a pagan, but a Christian philosopher- a follower
of the sect of Jesus. As His disciple I adopt His pure, His
merciful, His benignant doctrines. I advocate them: I am sworn to
spread them. Won in youth to religion, she has cultivated my
original qualities thus:- From the minute germ, natural affection, she
has developed the overshadowing tree, philanthropy. From the wild
stringy root of human uprightness, she has reared a due sense of the
Divine justice. Of the ambition to win power and renown for my
wretched self, she has formed the ambition to spread my Master's
kingdom; to achieve victories for the standard of the cross. So much
has religion done for me; turning the original materials to the best
account; pruning and training nature. But she could not eradicate
nature: nor will it be eradicated "till this mortal shall put on
immortality."'
Having said this, he took his hat, which lay on the table beside my
palette. Once more he looked at the portrait.
'She is lovely,' he murmured. 'She is well named the Rose of the
World, indeed!'
'And may I not paint one like it for you?'
'Cui bono? No.'
He drew over the picture the sheet of thin paper on which I was
accustomed to rest my hand in painting, to prevent the card-board from
being sullied. What he suddenly saw on this blank paper, it was
impossible for me to tell; but something had caught his eye. He took
it up with a snatch; he looked at the edge; then shot a glance at
me, inexpressibly peculiar, and quite incomprehensible: a glance
that seemed to take and make note of every point in my shape, face,
and dress; for it traversed all, quick, keen as lightning. His lips