第59部分(第6/7 页)

ave　him　a　cord；　and　he　pinioned　them　behind　her：　with　more　rope；　which　was　at　hand；　he　bound　her　to　a　chair。　The　operation　was　performed　amidst　the　fiercest　yells　and　the　most　convulsive　plunges。　Mr。　Rochester　then　turned　to　the　spectators：　he　looked　at　them　with　a　smile　both　acrid　and　desolate。

“That　is　my　wife；”　said　he。　“Such　is　the　sole　conjugal　embrace　I　am　ever　to　know—such　are　the　endearments　which　are　to　solace　my　leisure　hours！　And　THIS　is　what　I　wished　to　have”　（laying　his　hand　on　my　shoulder）：　“this　young　girl；　who　stands　so　grave　and　quiet　at　the　mouth　of　hell；　looking　collectedly　at　the　gambols　of　a　demon；　I　wanted　her　just　as　a　change　after　that　fierce　ragout。　Wood　and　Briggs；　look　at　the　difference！　pare　these　clear　eyes　with　the　red　balls　yonder—this　face　with　that　mask—this　form　with　that　bulk；　then　judge　me；　priest　of　the　gospel　and　man　of　the　law；　and　remember　with　what　judgment　ye　judge　ye　shall　be　judged！　Off　with　you　now。　I　must　shut　up　my　prize。”

We　all　withdrew。　Mr。　Rochester　stayed　a　moment　behind　us；　to　give　some　further　order　to　Grace　Poole。　The　solicitor　addressed　me　as　he　descended　the　stair。

“You；　madam；”　said　he；　“are　cleared　from　all　blame：　your　uncle　will　be　glad　to　hear　it—if；　indeed；　he　should　be　still　living—when　Mr。　Mason　returns　to　Madeira。”

“My　uncle！　What　of　him？　Do　you　know　him？”

“Mr。　Mason　does。　Mr。　Eyre　has　been　the　Funchal　correspondent　of　his　house　for　some　years。　When　your　uncle　received　your　letter　intimating　the　contemplated　union　between　yourself　and　Mr。　Rochester；　Mr。　Mason；　who　was　staying　at　Madeira　to　recruit　his　health；　on　his　way　back　to　Jamaica；　happened　to　be　with　him。　Mr。　Eyre　mentioned　the　intelligence；　for　he　knew　that　my　client　here　was　acquainted　with　a　gentleman　of　the　name