第21部分(第5/7 页)

ets　so　damp　in　apartments　that　are　seldom　inhabited；　the　drawing…room　yonder　feels　like　a　vault。”

She　pointed　to　a　wide　arch　corresponding　to　the　window；　and　hung　like　it　with　a　Tyrian…dyed　curtain；　now　looped　up。　Mounting　to　it　by　two　broad　steps；　and　looking　through；　I　thought　I　caught　a　glimpse　of　a　fairy　place；　so　bright　to　my　novice…eyes　appeared　the　view　beyond。　Yet　it　was　merely　a　very　pretty　drawing…room；　and　within　it　a　boudoir；　both　spread　with　white　carpets；　on　which　seemed　laid　brilliant　garlands　of　flowers；　both　ceiled　with　snowy　mouldings　of　white　grapes　and　vine…leaves；　beneath　which　glowed　in　rich　contrast　crimson　couches　and　ottomans；　while　the　ornaments　on　the　pale　Pariain　mantelpiece　were　of　sparkling　Bohemian　glass；　ruby　red；　and　between　the　windows　large　mirrors　repeated　the　general　blending　of　snow　and　fire。

“In　what　order　you　keep　these　rooms；　Mrs。　Fairfax！”　said　I。　“No　dust；　no　canvas　coverings：　except　that　the　air　feels　chilly；　one　would　think　they　were　inhabited　daily。”

“Why；　Miss　Eyre；　though　Mr。　Rochester’s　visits　here　are　rare；　they　are　always　sudden　and　unexpected；　and　as　I　observed　that　it　put　him　out　to　find　everything　swathed　up；　and　to　have　a　bustle　of　arrangement　on　his　arrival；　I　thought　it　best　to　keep　the　rooms　in　readiness。”

“Is　Mr。　Rochester　an　exacting；　fastidious　sort　of　man？”

“Not　particularly　so；　but　he　has　a　gentleman’s　tastes　and　habits；　and　he　expects　to　have　things　managed　in　conformity　to　them。”

“Do　you　like　him？　Is　he　generally　liked？”

“Oh；　yes；　the　family　have　always　been　respected　here。　Almost　all　the　land　in　this　neighbourhood；　as　far　as　you　can　see；　has　belonged　to　the　Rochesters　time　out　of　mind。”

“Well；　but；　leaving　his　land　out　of　the　question；　do　you　like　hi