第79部分(第2/7 页)

s　affirmations　are　a　proof　of　the　excitement　under　which　you　labour。”

“It　is　not　saying　too　much：　I　know　what　I　feel；　and　how　averse　are　my　inclinations　to　the　bare　thought　of　marriage。　No　one　would　take　me　for　love；　and　I　will　not　be　regarded　in　the　light　of　a　mere　money　speculation。　And　I　do　not　want　a　stranger—unsympathising；　alien；　different　from　me；　I　want　my　kindred：　those　with　whom　I　have　full　fellow…feeling。　Say　again　you　will　be　my　brother：　when　you　uttered　the　words　I　was　satisfied；　happy；　repeat　them；　if　you　can；　repeat　them　sincerely。”

“I　think　I　can。　I　know　I　have　always　loved　my　own　sisters；　and　I　know　on　what　my　affection　for　them　is　grounded；—respect　for　their　worth　and　admiration　of　their　talents。　You　too　have　principle　and　mind：　your　tastes　and　habits　resemble　Diana’s　and　Mary’s；　your　presence　is　always　agreeable　to　me；　in　your　conversation　I　have　already　for　some　time　found　a　salutary　solace。　I　feel　I　can　easily　and　naturally　make　room　in　my　heart　for　you；　as　my　third　and　youngest　sister。”

“Thank　you：　that　contents　me　for　to…night。　Now　you　had　better　go；　for　if　you　stay　longer；　you　will　perhaps　irritate　me　afresh　by　some　mistrustful　scruple。”

“And　the　school；　Miss　Eyre？　It　must　now　be　shut　up；　I　suppose？”

“No。　I　will　retain　my　post　of　mistress　till　you　get　a　substitute。”

He　smiled　approbation：　we　shook　hands；　and　he　took　leave。

I　need　not　narrate　in　detail　the　further　struggles　I　had；　and　arguments　I　used；　to　get　matters　regarding　the　legacy　settled　as　I　wished。　My　task　was　a　very　hard　one；　but；　as　I　was　absolutely　resolved—as　my　cousins　saw　at　length　that　my　mind　was　really　and　immutably　fixed　on　making　a　just　division　of　the　property—as　they　must　in　their　own　hearts　have　felt　the　equity　of　the　intenti