第89部分(第6/7 页)

n　my　eyes　to　hear　this　avowal　of　his　dependence；　just　as　if　a　royal　eagle；　chained　to　a　perch；　should　be　forced　to　entreat　a　sparrow　to　bee　its　purveyor。　But　I　would　not　be　lachrymose：　I　dashed　off　the　salt　drops；　and　busied　myself　with　preparing　breakfast。

Most　of　the　morning　was　spent　in　the　open　air。　I　led　him　out　of　the　wet　and　wild　wood　into　some　cheerful　fields：　I　described　to　him　how　brilliantly　green　they　were；　how　the　flowers　and　hedges　looked　refreshed；　how　sparklingly　blue　was　the　sky。　I　sought　a　seat　for　him　in　a　hidden　and　lovely　spot；　a　dry　stump　of　a　tree；　nor　did　I　refuse　to　let　him；　when　seated；　place　me　on　his　knee。　Why　should　I；　when　both　he　and　I　were　happier　near　than　apart？　Pilot　lay　beside　us：　all　was　quiet。　He　broke　out　suddenly　while　clasping　me　in　his　arms—

“Cruel；　cruel　deserter！　Oh；　Jane；　what　did　I　feel　when　I　discovered　you　had　fled　from　Thornfield；　and　when　I　could　nowhere　find　you；　and；　after　examining　your　apartment；　ascertained　that　you　had　taken　no　money；　nor　anything　which　could　serve　as　an　equivalent！　A　pearl　necklace　I　had　given　you　lay　untouched　in　its　little　casket；　your　trunks　were　left　corded　and　locked　as　they　had　been　prepared　for　the　bridal　tour。　What　could　my　darling　do；　I　asked；　left　destitute　and　penniless？　And　what　did　she　do？　Let　me　hear　now。”

Thus　urged；　I　began　the　narrative　of　my　experience　for　the　last　year。　I　softened　considerably　what　related　to　the　three　days　of　wandering　and　starvation；　because　to　have　told　him　all　would　have　been　to　inflict　unnecessary　pain：　the　little　I　did　say　lacerated　his　faithful　heart　deeper　than　I　wished。

I　should　not　have　left　him　thus；　he　said；　without　any　means　of　making　my　way：　I　should　have　told　him　my　intention。　I　should　have　confided　in　him：　he　would　nev