第300页
《简·爱(英文版)》章节:第300页,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
thoughts that rose faster than I could receive, comprehend, settle
them:- thoughts of what might, could, would, and should be, and that
ere long. I looked at the blank wall: it seemed a sky thick with
ascending stars,- every one lit me to a purpose or delight. Those
who had saved my life, whom, till this hour, I had loved barrenly, I
could now benefit. They were under a yoke,- I could free them: they
were scattered,- I could reunite them: the independence, the affluence
which was mine, might be theirs too. Were we not four? Twenty thousand
pounds shared equally, would be five thousand each,- enough and to
spare: justice would be done,- mutual happiness secured. Now the
wealth did not weigh on me: now it was not a mere bequest of coin,- it
was a legacy of life, hope, enjoyment.
How I looked while these ideas were taking my spirit by storm, I
cannot tell; but I perceived soon that Mr. Rivers had placed a chair
behind me, and was gently attempting to make me sit down on it. He
also advised me to be composed; I scorned the insinuation of
helplessness and distraction, shook off his hand, and began to walk
about again.
'Write to Diana and Mary to-morrow,' I said, 'and tell them to come
home directly. Diana said they would both consider themselves rich
with a thousand pounds, so with five thousand they will do very well.'
'Tell me where I can get you a glass of water,' said St. John; 'you
must really make an effort to tranquillise your feelings.'
'Nonsense! and what sort of an effect will the bequest have on you?
Will it keep you in England, induce you to marry Miss Oliver, and
settle down like an ordinary mortal?'
'You wander: your head becomes confused. I have been too abrupt
in communicating the news; it has excited you beyond your strength.'
'Mr. Rivers! you quite put me out of patience: I am rational
enough; it is you who misunderstand, or rather who affect to
misunderstand.'
'Perhaps, if you explained yourself a little more fully, I should
comprehend better.'
'Explain! What is there to explain? You cannot fail to see that
twenty thousand pounds, the sum in question, divided equally between
the nephew and three nieces of our uncle, will give five thousand to
each? What I want is, that you should write to your sisters and tell
them of the fortune that has accrued to them.'
'To you, you mean.'
'I have intimated my view of the case: I am incapable of taking any
other. I am not brutally selfish, blindly unjust, or fiendishly
ungrateful. Besides, I am resolved I will have a home and connections.
I like Moor House, and I will live at Moor House; I like Diana and
Mary, and I will attach myself for life to Diana and Mary. It would
please and benefit me to have five thousand pounds; it would torment
and oppress me to have twenty thousand; which, moreover, could never
be mine in justice, though it might in law. I abandon to you, then,