第65部分(第3/7 页)
。 “Farewell; my darling Adèle!” I said; as I glanced towards the nursery。 No thought could be admitted of entering to embrace her。 I had to deceive a fine ear: for aught I knew it might now be listening。
I would have got past Mr。 Rochester’s chamber without a pause; but my heart momentarily stopping its beat at that threshold; my foot was forced to stop also。 No sleep was there: the inmate was walking restlessly from wall to wall; and again and again he sighed while I listened。 There was a heaven—a temporary heaven—in this room for me; if I chose: I had but to go in and to say—
“Mr。 Rochester; I will love you and live with you through life till death;” and a fount of rapture would spring to my lips。 I thought of this。
That kind master; who could not sleep now; was waiting with impatience for day。 He would send for me in the morning; I should be gone。 He would have me sought for: vainly。 He would feel himself forsaken; his love rejected: he would suffer; perhaps grow desperate。 I thought of this too。 My hand moved towards the lock: I caught it back; and glided on。
Drearily I wound my way downstairs: I knew what I had to do; and I did it mechanically。 I sought the key of the side…door in the kitchen; I sought; too; a phial of oil and a feather; I oiled the key and the lock。 I got some water; I got some bread: for perhaps I should have to walk far; and my strength; sorely shaken of late; must not break down。 All this I did without one sound。 I opened the door; passed out; shut it softly。 Dim dawn glimmered in the yard。 The great gates were closed and locked; but a wicket in one of them was only latched。 Through that I departed: it; too; I shut; and now I was out of Thornfield。
A mile off; beyond the fields; lay a road which stretched in t
本章未完,点击下一页继续。