第31部分(第2/7 页)

rised—very　inconsistently　so；　as　he　had　just　told　me　to　go。

“What！”　he　exclaimed；　“are　you　quitting　me　already；　and　in　that　way？”

“You　said　I　might　go；　sir。”

“But　not　without　taking　leave；　not　without　a　word　or　two　of　acknowledgment　and　good…will：　not；　in　short；　in　that　brief；　dry　fashion。　Why；　you　have　saved　my　life！—snatched　me　from　a　horrible　and　excruciating　death！　and　you　walk　past　me　as　if　we　were　mutual　strangers！　At　least　shake　hands。”

He　held　out　his　hand；　I　gave　him　mine：　he　took　it　first　in　one；　them　in　both　his　own。

“You　have　saved　my　life：　I　have　a　pleasure　in　owing　you　so　immense　a　debt。　I　cannot　say　more。　Nothing　else　that　has　being　would　have　been　tolerable　to　me　in　the　character　of　creditor　for　such　an　obligation：　but　you：　it　is　different；—I　feel　your　benefits　no　burden；　Jane。”

He　paused；　gazed　at　me：　words　almost　visible　trembled　on　his　lips；—but　his　voice　was　checked。

“Good…night　again；　sir。　There　is　no　debt；　benefit；　burden；　obligation；　in　the　case。”

“I　knew；”　he　continued；　“you　would　do　me　good　in　some　way；　at　some　time；—I　saw　it　in　your　eyes　when　I　first　beheld　you：　their　expression　and　smile　did　not”—（again　he　stopped）—“did　not”　（he　proceeded　hastily）　“strike　delight　to　my　very　inmost　heart　so　for　nothing。　People　talk　of　natural　sympathies；　I　have　heard　of　good　genii：　there　are　grains　of　truth　in　the　wildest　fable。　My　cherished　preserver；　goodnight！”

Strange　energy　was　in　his　voice；　strange　fire　in　his　look。

“I　am　glad　I　happened　to　be　awake；”　I　said：　and　then　I　was　going。

“What！　you　will　go？”

“I　am　cold；　sir。”

“Cold？　Yes；—and　standing　in　a　pool！　Go；　then；　Jane；　go！”　But　he　still　retained　my　hand；　and　I　could　not　free　it。　I　bethought　myself　of　an　expedient。