第36部分(第3/7 页)

“Nor　am　I。”

“Then；　what　induced　you　to　take　charge　of　such　a　little　doll　as　that？”　（pointing　to　Adèle）。　“Where　did　you　pick　her　up？”

“I　did　not　pick　her　up；　she　was　left　on　my　hands。”

“You　should　have　sent　her　to　school。”

“I　could　not　afford　it：　schools　are　so　dear。”

“Why；　I　suppose　you　have　a　governess　for　her：　I　saw　a　person　with　her　just　now—is　she　gone？　Oh；　no！　there　she　is　still；　behind　the　window…curtain。　You　pay　her；　of　course；　I　should　think　it　quite　as　expensive；—more　so；　for　you　have　them　both　to　keep　in　addition。”

I　feared—or　should　I　say；　hoped？—the　allusion　to　me　would　make　Mr。　Rochester　glance　my　way；　and　I　involuntarily　shrank　farther　into　the　shade：　but　he　never　turned　his　eyes。

“I　have　not　considered　the　subject；”　said　he　indifferently；　looking　straight　before　him。

“No；　you　men　never　do　consider　economy　and　mon　sense。　You　should　hear　mama　on　the　chapter　of　governesses：　Mary　and　I　have　had；　I　should　think；　a　dozen　at　least　in　our　day；　half　of　them　detestable　and　the　rest　ridiculous；　and　all　incubi—were　they　not；　mama？”

“Did　you　speak；　my　own？”

The　young　lady　thus　claimed　as　the　dowager’s　special　property；　reiterated　her　question　with　an　explanation。

“My　dearest；　don’t　mention　governesses；　the　word　makes　me　nervous。　I　have　suffered　a　martyrdom　from　their　inpetency　and　caprice。　I　thank　Heaven　I　have　now　done　with　them！”

Mrs。　Dent　here　bent　over　to　the　pious　lady　and　whispered　something　in　her　ear；　I　suppose；　from　the　answer　elicited；　it　was　a　reminder　that　one　of　the　anathematised　race　was　present。

“Tant　pis！”　said　her　Ladyship；　“I　hope　it　may　do　her　good！”　Then；　in　a　lower　tone；　but　still　loud　enough　for　me　to　hear；　“I　noticed　her；　I　am　a　judge　of　physiognom