第14部分(第6/7 页)

e　after　the　fit：　for　I　never　forgot　the；　to　me；　frightful　episode　of　the　red…room：　in　detailing　which；　my　excitement　was　sure；　in　some　degree；　to　break　bounds；　for　nothing　could　soften　in　my　recollection　the　spasm　of　agony　which　clutched　my　heart　when　Mrs。　Reed　spurned　my　wild　supplication　for　pardon；　and　locked　me　a　second　time　in　the　dark　and　haunted　chamber。

I　had　finished：　Miss　Temple　regarded　me　a　few　minutes　in　silence；　she　then　said—

“I　know　something　of　Mr。　Lloyd；　I　shall　write　to　him；　if　his　reply　agrees　with　your　statement；　you　shall　be　publicly　cleared　from　every　imputation；　to　me；　Jane；　you　are　clear　now。”

She　kissed　me；　and　still　keeping　me　at　her　side　（where　I　was　well　contented　to　stand；　for　I　derived　a　child’s　pleasure　from　the　contemplation　of　her　face；　her　dress；　her　one　or　two　ornaments；　her　white　forehead；　her　clustered　and　shining　curls；　and　beaming　dark　eyes）；　she　proceeded　to　address　Helen　Burns。

“How　are　you　to…night；　Helen？　Have　you　coughed　much　to…day？”

“Not　quite　so　much；　I　think；　ma’am。”

“And　the　pain　in　your　chest？”

“It　is　a　little　better。”

Miss　Temple　got　up；　took　her　hand　and　examined　her　pulse；　then　she　returned　to　her　own　seat：　as　she　resumed　it；　I　heard　her　sigh　low。　She　was　pensive　a　few　minutes；　then　rousing　herself；　she　said　cheerfully—

“But　you　two　are　my　visitors　to…night；　I　must　treat　you　as　such。”　She　rang　her　bell。

“Barbara；”　she　said　to　the　servant　who　answered　it；　“I　have　not　yet　had　tea；　bring　the　tray　and　place　cups　for　these　two　young　ladies。”

And　a　tray　was　soon　brought。　How　pretty；　to　my　eyes；　did　the　china　cups　and　bright　teapot　look；　placed　on　the　little　round　table　near　the　fire！　How　fragrant　was　the　steam　of　the　beverage；　and　the　scent　of　the