第53部分(第5/7 页)

to　act　in　that　way。　Did　you　think　nothing　of　Miss　Ingram’s　feelings；　sir？”

“Her　feelings　are　concentrated　in　one—pride；　and　that　needs　humbling。　Were　you　jealous；　Jane？”

“Never　mind；　Mr。　Rochester：　it　is　in　no　way　interesting　to　you　to　know　that。　Answer　me　truly　once　more。　Do　you　think　Miss　Ingram　will　not　suffer　from　your　dishonest　coquetry？　Won’t　she　feel　forsaken　and　deserted？”

“Impossible！—when　I　told　you　how　she；　on　the　contrary；　deserted　me：　the　idea　of　my　insolvency　cooled；　or　rather　extinguished；　her　flame　in　a　moment。”

“You　have　a　curious；　designing　mind；　Mr。　Rochester。　I　am　afraid　your　principles　on　some　points　are　eccentric。”

“My　principles　were　never　trained；　Jane：　they　may　have　grown　a　little　awry　for　want　of　attention。”

“Once　again；　seriously；　may　I　enjoy　the　great　good　that　has　been　vouchsafed　to　me；　without　fearing　that　any　one　else　is　suffering　the　bitter　pain　I　myself　felt　a　while　ago？”

“That　you　may；　my　good　little　girl：　there　is　not　another　being　in　the　world　has　the　same　pure　love　for　me　as　yourself—for　I　lay　that　pleasant　unction　to　my　soul；　Jane；　a　belief　in　your　affection。”

I　turned　my　lips　to　the　hand　that　lay　on　my　shoulder。　I　loved　him　very　much—more　than　I　could　trust　myself　to　say—more　than　words　had　power　to　express。

“Ask　something　more；”　he　said　presently；　“it　is　my　delight　to　be　entreated；　and　to　yield。”

I　was　again　ready　unicate　your　intentions　to　Mrs。　Fairfax；　sir：　she　saw　me　with　you　last　night　in　the　hall；　and　she　was　shocked。　Give　her　some　explanation　before　I　see　her　again。　It　pains　me　to　be　misjudged　by　so　good　a　woman。”

“Go　to　your　room；　and　put　on　your　bon；”　he　replied。　“I　mean　you　to　acpany　me　to　Millcote　this　morning；　and　while　you　prepare　for　the　driv