第79部分(第5/7 页)

s…wax；　oil；　and　an　indefinite　number　of　cloths；　till　it　glitters　again；　my　third；　to　arrange　every　chair；　table；　bed；　carpet；　with　mathematical　precision；　afterwards　I　shall　go　near　to　ruin　you　in　coals　and　peat　to　keep　up　good　fires　in　every　room；　and　lastly；　the　two　days　preceding　that　on　which　your　sisters　are　expected　will　be　devoted　by　Hannah　and　me　to　such　a　beating　of　eggs；　sorting　of　currants；　grating　of　spices；　pounding　of　Christmas　cakes；　chopping　up　of　materials　for　mince…pies；　and　solemnising　of　other　culinary　rites；　as　words　can　convey　but　an　inadequate　notion　of　to　the　uninitiated　like　you。　My　purpose；　in　short；　is　to　have　all　things　in　an　absolutely　perfect　state　of　readiness　for　Diana　and　Mary　before　next　Thursday；　and　my　ambition　is　to　give　them　a　beau…ideal　of　a　wele　when　they　e。”

St。　John　smiled　slightly：　still　he　was　dissatisfied。

“It　is　all　very　well　for　the　present；”　said　he；　“but　seriously；　I　trust　that　when　the　first　flush　of　vivacity　is　over；　you　will　look　a　little　higher　than　domestic　endearments　and　household　joys。”

“The　best　things　the　world　has！”　I　interrupted。

“No；　Jane；　no：　this　world　is　not　the　scene　of　fruition；　do　not　attempt　to　make　it　so：　nor　of　rest；　do　not　turn　slothful。”

“I　mean；　on　the　contrary；　to　be　busy。”

“Jane；　I　excuse　you　for　the　present：　two　months’　grace　I　allow　you　for　the　full　enjoyment　of　your　new　position；　and　for　pleasing　yourself　with　this　late…found　charm　of　relationship；　but　then；　I　hope　you　will　begin　to　look　beyond　Moor　House　and　Morton；　and　sisterly　society；　and　the　selfish　calm　and　sensual　fort　of　civilised　affluence。　I　hope　your　energies　will　then　once　more　trouble　you　with　their　strength。”

I　looked　at　him　with　surprise。　“St。　John；”　I　said；　“I　think　you　are　almo