第59部分(第2/7 页)

turned　and　glared　at　him。　His　eye；　as　I　have　often　said；　was　a　black　eye：　it　had　now　a　tawny；　nay；　a　bloody　light　in　its　gloom；　and　his　face　flushed—olive　cheek　and　hueless　forehead　received　a　glow　as　from　spreading；　ascending　heart…fire：　and　he　stirred；　lifted　his　strong　arm—he　could　have　struck　Mason；　dashed　him　on　the　church…floor；　shocked　by　ruthless　blow　the　breath　from　his　body—but　Mason　shrank　away；　and　cried　faintly；　“Good　God！”　Contempt　fell　cool　on　Mr。　Rochester—his　passion　died　as　if　a　blight　had　shrivelled　it　up：　he　only　asked—“What　have　you　to　say？”

An　inaudible　reply　escaped　Mason’s　white　lips。

“The　devil　is　in　it　if　you　cannot　answer　distinctly。　I　again　demand；　what　have　you　to　say？”

“Sir—sir；”　interrupted　the　clergyman；　“do　not　forget　you　are　in　a　sacred　place。”　Then　addressing　Mason；　he　inquired　gently；　“Are　you　aware；　sir；　whether　or　not　this　gentleman’s　wife　is　still　living？”

“Courage；”　urged　the　lawyer；—“speak　out。”

“She　is　now　living　at　Thornfield　Hall；”　said　Mason；　in　more　articulate　tones：　“I　saw　her　there　last　April。　I　am　her　brother。”

“At　Thornfield　Hall！”　ejaculated　the　clergyman。　“Impossible！　I　am　an　old　resident　in　this　neighbourhood；　sir；　and　I　never　heard　of　a　Mrs。　Rochester　at　Thornfield　Hall。”

I　saw　a　grim　smile　contort　Mr。　Rochester’s　lips；　and　he　muttered—

“No；　by　God！　I　took　care　that　none　should　hear　of　it—or　of　her　under　that　name。”　He　mused—for　ten　minutes　he　held　counsel　with　himself：　he　formed　his　resolve；　and　announced　it—

“Enough！　all　shall　bolt　out　at　once；　like　the　bullet　from　the　barrel。　Wood；　close　your　book　and　take　off　your　surplice；　John　Green　（to　the　clerk）；　leave　the　church：　there　will　be　no　wedding　to…day。”　The　man　obeyed。

Mr。　Rochester　continued；　ha