第83部分(第4/7 页)

est；　though　you　have　a　man’s　vigorous　brain；　you　have　a　woman’s　heart　and—it　would　not　do。”

“It　would　do；”　I　affirmed　with　some　disdain；　“perfectly　well。　I　have　a　woman’s　heart；　but　not　where　you　are　concerned；　for　you　I　have　only　a　rade’s　constancy；　a　fellow…soldier’s　frankness；　fidelity；　fraternity；　if　you　like；　a　neophyte’s　respect　and　submission　to　his　hierophant：　nothing　more—don’t　fear。”

“It　is　what　I　want；”　he　said；　speaking　to　himself；　“it　is　just　what　I　want。　And　there　are　obstacles　in　the　way：　they　must　be　hewn　down。　Jane；　you　would　not　repent　marrying　me—be　certain　of　that；　we　must　be　married。　I　repeat　it：　there　is　no　other　way；　and　undoubtedly　enough　of　love　would　follow　upon　marriage　to　render　the　union　right　even　in　your　eyes。”

“I　scorn　your　idea　of　love；”　I　could　not　help　saying；　as　I　rose　up　and　stood　before　him；　leaning　my　back　against　the　rock。　“I　scorn　the　counterfeit　sentiment　you　offer：　yes；　St。　John；　and　I　scorn　you　when　you　offer　it。”

He　looked　at　me　fixedly；　pressing　his　well…cut　lips　while　he　did　so。　Whether　he　was　incensed　or　surprised；　or　what；　it　was　not　easy　to　tell：　he　could　mand　his　countenance　thoroughly。

“I　scarcely　expected　to　hear　that　expression　from　you；”　he　said：　“I　think　I　have　done　and　uttered　nothing　to　deserve　scorn。”

I　was　touched　by　his　gentle　tone；　and　overawed　by　his　high；　calm　mien。

“Forgive　me　the　words；　St。　John；　but　it　is　your　own　fault　that　I　have　been　roused　to　speak　so　unguardedly。　You　have　introduced　a　topic　on　which　our　natures　are　at　variance—a　topic　we　should　never　discuss：　the　very　name　of　love　is　an　apple　of　discord　between　us。　If　the　reality　were　required；　what　should　we　do？　How　should　we　feel？　My　dear　cousin；　abandon　your　scheme　of　marriage—forget　it。”

“N