牛津書蟲第6級6-01.Jane Eyre Chapter 18

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Chapter18

MerrydaysweretheseatThornfieldHall;andbusydaystoo:howdifferentfromthefirstthreemonthsofstillness,monotony,andsolitudeIhadpassedbeneathitsroof!Allsadfeelingsseemednowdrivenfromthehouse,allgloomyassociationsforgotten:therewaslifeeverywhere,movementalldaylong.Youcouldnotnowtraversethegallery,oncesohushed,norenterthefrontchambers,oncesotenantless,withoutencounteringasmartlady’s-maidoradandyvalet.

Thekitchen,thebutler’spantry,theservants’hall,theentrancehall,wereequallyalive;andthesaloonswereonlyleftvoidandstillwhentheblueskyandhalcyonsunshineofthegenialspringweathercalledtheiroccupantsoutintothegrounds.Evenwhenthatweatherwasbroken,andcontinuousrainsetinforsomedays,nodampseemedcastoverenjoyment:indooramusementsonlybecamemorelivelyandvaried,inconsequenceofthestopputtooutdoorgaiety.

Iwonderedwhattheyweregoingtodothefirsteveningachangeofentertainmentwasproposed:theyspokeof“playingcharades,”butinmyignoranceIdidnotunderstandtheterm.Theservantswerecalledin,thedining-roomtableswheeledaway,thelightsotherwisedisposed,thechairsplacedinasemicircleoppositethearch.WhileMr.Rochesterandtheothergentlemendirectedthesealterations,theladieswererunningupanddownstairsringingfortheirmaids.

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Mrs.Fairfaxwassummonedtogiveinformationrespectingtheresourcesofthehouseinshawls,dresses,draperiesofanykind;andcertainwardrobesofthethirdstoreywereransacked,andtheircontents,intheshapeofbrocadedandhoopedpetticoats,satinsacques,blackmodes,lacelappets,&c.,werebroughtdowninarmfulsbytheabigails;thenaselectionwasmade,andsuchthingsaswerechosenwerecarriedtotheboudoirwithinthedrawing-room.

Meantime,Mr.Rochesterhadagainsummonedtheladiesroundhim,andwasselectingcertainoftheirnumbertobeofhisparty.“MissIngramismine,ofcourse,”saidhe:afterwardshenamedthetwoMissesEshton,andMrs.Dent.Helookedatme:Ihappenedtobenearhim,asIhadbeenfasteningtheclaspofMrs.Dent’sbracelet,whichhadgotloose.

“Willyouplay?”heasked.Ishookmyhead.Hedidnotinsist,whichIratherfearedhewouldhavedone;heallowedmetoreturnquietlytomyusualseat.

Heandhisaidsnowwithdrewbehindthecurtain:theotherparty,whichwasheadedbyColonelDent,satdownonthecrescentofchairs.Oneofthegentlemen,Mr.Eshton,observingme,seemedtoproposethatIshouldbeaskedtojointhem;butLadyIngraminstantlynegativedthenotion.

“No,”Iheardhersay:“shelookstoostupidforanygameofthesort.”

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Erelongabelltinkled,andthecurtaindrewup.Withinthearch,thebulkyfigureofSirGeorgeLynn,whomMr.Rochesterhadlikewisechosen,wasseenenvelopedinawhitesheet:beforehim,onatable,layopenalargebook;andathissidestoodAmyEshton,drapedinMr.Rochester’scloak,andholdingabookinherhand.Somebody,unseen,rangthebellmerrily;thenAdele(whohadinsistedonbeingoneofherguardian’sparty),boundedforward,scatteringroundherthecontentsofabasketofflowersshecarriedonherarm.ThenappearedthemagnificentfigureofMissIngram,cladinwhite,alongveilonherhead,andawreathofrosesroundherbrow;byhersidewalkedMr.Rochester,andtogethertheydrewnearthetable.Theyknelt;whileMrs.DentandLouisaEshton,dressedalsoinwhite,tookuptheirstationsbehindthem.Aceremonyfollowed,indumbshow,inwhichitwaseasytorecognisethepantomimeofamarriage.Atitstermination,ColonelDentandhispartyconsultedin

whispersfortwominutes,thentheColonelcalledout-“Bride!”Mr.Rochesterbowed,andthecurtainfell.

Aconsiderableintervalelapsedbeforeitagainrose.Itssecondrisingdisplayedamoreelaboratelypreparedscenethanthelast.Thedrawing-room,asIhavebeforeobserved,wasraisedtwostepsabovethedining-room,andonthetopoftheupperstep,placedayardortwobackwithintheroom,appearedalargemarblebasin—whichIrecognisedasanornamentoftheconservatory—whereitusuallystood,surroundedbyexotics,andtenantedbygoldfish—andwhenceitmusthavebeen

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transportedwithsometrouble,onaccountofitssizeandweight.

Seatedonthecarpet,bythesideofthisbasin,wasseenMr.Rochester,costumedinshawls,withaturbanonhishead.HisdarkeyesandswarthyskinandPaynimfeaturessuitedthecostumeexactly:helookedtheverymodelofanEasternemir,anagentoravictimofthebowstring.PresentlyadvancedintoviewMissIngram.She,too,wasattiredinorientalfashion:acrimsonscarftiedsash-likeroundthewaist:anembroideredhandkerchiefknottedabouthertemples;herbeautifully-mouldedarmsbare,oneofthemupraisedintheactofsupportingapitcher,poisedgracefullyonherhead.Bothhercastofformandfeature,hercomplexionandhergeneralair,suggestedtheideaofsomeIsraelitishprincessofthepatriarchaldays;andsuchwasdoubtlessthecharactersheintendedtorepresent.

Sheapproachedthebasin,andbentoveritasiftofillherpitcher;sheagainliftedittoherhead.Thepersonageonthewell-brinknowseemedtoaccosther;tomakesomerequest:-“Shehasted,letdownherpitcheronherhand,andgavehimtodrink.”Fromthebosomofhisrobehethenproducedacasket,openeditandshowedmagnificentbraceletsandearrings;sheactedastonishmentandadmiration;kneeling,helaidthetreasureatherfeet;incredulityanddelightwereexpressedbyherlooksandgestures;thestrangerfastenedthebraceletsonherarmsandtheringsinher

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ears.ItwasEliezerandRebecca:thecamelsonlywerewanting.

Thediviningpartyagainlaidtheirheadstogether:apparentlytheycouldnotagreeaboutthewordorsyllablethesceneillustrated.ColonelDent,theirspokesman,demanded“thetableauofthewhole;”whereuponthecurtainagaindescended.

Onitsthirdrisingonlyaportionofthedrawing-roomwasdisclosed;therestbeingconcealedbyascreen,hungwithsomesortofdarkandcoarsedrapery.Themarblebasinwasremoved;initsplace,stoodadealtableandakitchenchair:theseobjectswerevisiblebyaverydimlightproceedingfromahornlantern,thewaxcandlesbeingallextinguished.

Amidstthissordidscene,satamanwithhisclenchedhandsrestingonhisknees,andhiseyesbentontheground.IknewMr.Rochester;thoughthebegrimedface,thedisordereddress(hiscoathangingloosefromonearm,asifithadbeenalmosttornfromhisbackinascuffle),thedesperateandscowlingcountenance,therough,bristlinghairmightwellhavedisguisedhim.Ashemoved,achainclanked;tohiswristswereattachedfetters.

“Bridewell!”exclaimedColonelDent,andthecharadewassolved.

Asufficientintervalhavingelapsedfortheperformerstoresumetheirordinarycostume,theyre-enteredthe

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dining-room.Mr.RochesterledinMissIngram;shewascomplimentinghimonhisacting.

“Doyouknow,”saidshe,“that,ofthethreecharacters,Ilikedyouinthelastbest?Oh,hadyoubutlivedafewyearsearlier,whatagallantgentleman-highwaymanyouwouldhavemade!”

“Isallthesootwashedfrommyface?”heasked,turningittowardsher.

“Alas!yes:themore’sthepity!Nothingcouldbemorebecomingtoyourcomplexionthanthatruffian’srouge.”

“Youwouldlikeaherooftheroadthen?”

“AnEnglishherooftheroadwouldbethenextbestthingtoanItalianbandit;andthatcouldonlybesurpassedbyaLevantinepirate.”

“Well,whateverIam,rememberyouaremywife;weweremarriedanhoursince,inthepresenceofallthesewitnesses.”Shegiggled,andhercolourrose.

“Now,Dent,”continuedMr.Rochester,“itisyourturn.”Andastheotherpartywithdrew,heandhisbandtookthevacatedseats.MissIngramplacedherselfatherleader’srighthand;theotherdivinersfilledthechairsoneachsideofhimandher.Ididnotnowwatchtheactors;Inolongerwaitedwithinterestforthecurtaintorise;myattentionwasabsorbedbythespectators;myeyes,erewhilefixedonthearch,werenowirresistiblyattractedtothesemicircleofchairs.

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WhatcharadeColonelDentandhispartyplayed,whatwordtheychose,howtheyacquittedthemselves,Inolongerremember;butIstillseetheconsultationwhichfollowedeachscene:IseeMr.RochesterturntoMissIngram,andMissIngramtohim;Iseeherinclineherheadtowardshim,tillthejettycurlsalmosttouchhisshoulderandwaveagainsthischeek;Iheartheirmutualwhisperings;Irecalltheirinterchangedglances;andsomethingevenofthefeelingrousedbythespectaclereturnsinmemoryatthismoment.

Ihavetoldyou,reader,thatIhadlearnttoloveMr.Rochester:Icouldnotunlovehimnow,merelybecauseIfoundthathehadceasedtonoticeme—becauseImightpasshoursinhispresence,andhewouldneveronceturnhiseyesinmydirection—becauseIsawallhisattentionsappropriatedbyagreatlady,whoscornedtotouchmewiththehemofherrobesasshepassed;who,ifeverherdarkandimperiouseyefellonmebychance,wouldwithdrawitinstantlyasfromanobjecttoomeantomeritobservation.Icouldnotunlovehim,becauseIfeltsurehewouldsoonmarrythisverylady—becauseIreaddailyinheraproudsecurityinhisintentionsrespectingher—becauseIwitnessedhourlyinhimastyleofcourtshipwhich,ifcarelessandchoosingrathertobesoughtthantoseek,wasyet,initsverycarelessness,captivating,andinitsverypride,irresistible.

Therewasnothingtocoolorbanishloveinthesecircumstances,thoughmuchtocreatedespair.Muchtoo,youwillthink,reader,toengenderjealousy:ifa

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woman,inmyposition,couldpresumetobejealousofawomaninMissIngram’s.ButIwasnotjealous:orveryrarely;—thenatureofthepainIsufferedcouldnotbeexplainedbythatword.MissIngramwasamarkbeneathjealousy:shewastooinferiortoexcitethefeeling.Pardontheseemingparadox;ImeanwhatIsay.Shewasveryshowy,butshewasnotgenuine:shehadafineperson,manybrilliantattainments;buthermindwaspoor,herheartbarrenbynature:nothingbloomedspontaneouslyonthatsoil;nounforcednaturalfruitdelightedbyitsfreshness.Shewasnotgood;shewasnotoriginal:sheusedtorepeatsoundingphrasesfrombooks:sheneveroffered,norhad,anopinionofherown.Sheadvocatedahightoneofsentiment;butshedidnotknowthesensationsofsympathyandpity;tendernessandtruthwerenotinher.Toooftenshebetrayedthis,bytheundueventshegavetoaspitefulantipathyshehadconceivedagainstlittleAdele:pushingherawaywithsomecontumeliousepithetifshehappenedtoapproachher;sometimesorderingherfromtheroom,andalwaystreatingherwithcoldnessandacrimony.Othereyesbesidesminewatchedthesemanifestationsofcharacter—watchedthemclosely,keenly,shrewdly.Yes;thefuturebridegroom,Mr.Rochesterhimself,exercisedoverhisintendedaceaselesssurveillance;anditwasfromthissagacity—thisguardednessofhis—thisperfect,clearconsciousnessofhisfairone’sdefects—thisobviousabsenceofpassioninhissentimentstowardsher,thatmyever-torturingpainarose.

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Isawhewasgoingtomarryher,forfamily,perhapspoliticalreasons,becauseherrankandconnectionssuitedhim;Ifelthehadnotgivenherhislove,andthatherqualificationswereilladaptedtowinfromhimthattreasure.Thiswasthepoint—thiswaswherethenervewastouchedandteased—thiswaswherethefeverwassustainedandfed:SHECOULDNOTCHARM

HIM.

Ifshehadmanagedthevictoryatonce,andhehadyieldedandsincerelylaidhisheartatherfeet,Ishouldhavecoveredmyface,turnedtothewall,and(figuratively)havediedtothem.IfMissIngramhadbeenagoodandnoblewoman,endowedwithforce,fervour,kindness,sense,Ishouldhavehadonevitalstrugglewithtwotigers—jealousyanddespair:then,myhearttornoutanddevoured,Ishouldhaveadmiredher—acknowledgedherexcellence,andbeenquietfortherestofmydays:andthemoreabsolutehersuperiority,thedeeperwouldhavebeenmyadmiration—themoretrulytranquilmyquiescence.Butasmattersreallystood,towatchMissIngram’seffortsatfascinatingMr.Rochester,towitnesstheirrepeatedfailure—herselfunconsciousthattheydidfail;vainlyfancyingthateachshaftlaunchedhitthemark,andinfatuatedlyplumingherselfonsuccess,whenherprideandself-complacencyrepelledfurtherandfurtherwhatshewishedtoallure—towitnessTHIS,wastobeatonceunderceaselessexcitationandruthlessrestraint.

Because,whenshefailed,Isawhowshemighthavesucceeded.Arrowsthatcontinuallyglancedofffrom

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Mr.Rochester’sbreastandfellharmlessathisfeet,might,Iknew,ifshotbyasurerhand,havequiveredkeeninhisproudheart—havecalledloveintohissterneye,andsoftnessintohissardonicface;or,betterstill,withoutweaponsasilentconquestmighthavebeenwon.

“Whycanshenotinfluencehimmore,whensheisprivilegedtodrawsoneartohim?”Iaskedmyself.“Surelyshecannottrulylikehim,ornotlikehimwithtrueaffection!Ifshedid,sheneednotcoinhersmilessolavishly,flashherglancessounremittingly,manufactureairssoelaborate,gracessomultitudinous.Itseemstomethatshemight,bymerelysittingquietlyathisside,sayinglittleandlookingless,getnigherhisheart.Ihaveseeninhisfaceafardifferentexpressionfromthatwhichhardensitnowwhilesheissovivaciouslyaccostinghim;butthenitcameofitself:itwasnotelicitedbymeretriciousartsandcalculatedmanoeuvres;andonehadbuttoacceptit—toanswerwhatheaskedwithoutpretension,toaddresshimwhenneedfulwithoutgrimace—anditincreasedandgrewkinderandmoregenial,andwarmedonelikeafosteringsunbeam.Howwillshemanagetopleasehimwhentheyaremarried?Idonotthinkshewillmanageit;andyetitmightbemanaged;andhiswifemight,Iverilybelieve,betheveryhappiestwomanthesunshineson.”

IhavenotyetsaidanythingcondemnatoryofMr.Rochester’sprojectofmarryingforinterestandconnections.ItsurprisedmewhenIfirstdiscovered

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thatsuchwashisintention:Ihadthoughthimamanunlikelytobeinfluencedbymotivessocommonplaceinhischoiceofawife;butthelongerIconsideredtheposition,education,&c.,oftheparties,thelessIfeltjustifiedinjudgingandblamingeitherhimorMissIngramforactinginconformitytoideasandprinciplesinstilledintothem,doubtless,fromtheirchildhood.All

theirclassheldtheseprinciples:Isupposed,then,theyhadreasonsforholdingthemsuchasIcouldnotfathom.Itseemedtomethat,wereIagentlemanlikehim,IwouldtaketomybosomonlysuchawifeasIcouldlove;buttheveryobviousnessoftheadvantagestothehusband’sownhappinessofferedbythisplanconvincedmethattheremustbeargumentsagainstitsgeneraladoptionofwhichIwasquiteignorant:otherwiseIfeltsurealltheworldwouldactasIwishedtoact.

Butinotherpoints,aswellasthis,Iwasgrowingvery

lenienttomymaster:Iwasforgettingallhisfaults,forwhichIhadoncekeptasharplook-out.Ithadformerlybeenmyendeavourtostudyallsidesofhischaracter:totakethebadwiththegood;andfromthejustweighingofboth,toformanequitablejudgment.NowIsawnobad.Thesarcasmthathadrepelled,theharshnessthathadstartledmeonce,wereonlylike

keencondimentsinachoicedish:theirpresencewaspungent,buttheirabsencewouldbefeltascomparativelyinsipid.Andasforthevaguesomething—wasitasinisterorasorrowful,adesigningoradespondingexpression?—thatopeneduponacareful

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observer,nowandthen,inhiseye,andclosedagainbeforeonecouldfathomthestrangedepthpartiallydisclosed;thatsomethingwhichusedtomakemefearandshrink,asifIhadbeenwanderingamongstvolcanic-lookinghills,andhadsuddenlyfeltthegroundquiverandseenitgape:thatsomething,I,atintervals,beheldstill;andwiththrobbingheart,butnotwithpalsiednerves.Insteadofwishingtoshun,Ilongedonlytodare—todivineit;andIthoughtMissIngramhappy,becauseonedayshemightlookintotheabyssatherleisure,exploreitssecretsandanalysetheirnature.

Meantime,whileIthoughtonlyofmymasterandhisfuturebride—sawonlythem,heardonlytheirdiscourse,andconsideredonlytheirmovementsofimportance—therestofthepartywereoccupiedwiththeirownseparateinterestsandpleasures.TheLadiesLynnandIngramcontinuedtoconsortinsolemnconferences,wheretheynoddedtheirtwoturbansateachother,andhelduptheirfourhandsinconfrontinggesturesofsurprise,ormystery,orhorror,accordingtothethemeonwhichtheirgossipran,likeapairofmagnifiedpuppets.MildMrs.Denttalkedwithgood-naturedMrs.Eshton;andthetwosometimesbestowedacourteouswordorsmileonme.SirGeorgeLynn,ColonelDent,andMr.Eshtondiscussedpolitics,orcountyaffairs,orjusticebusiness.LordIngramflirtedwithAmyEshton;LouisaplayedandsangtoandwithoneoftheMessrs.Lynn;andMaryIngramlistenedlanguidlytothegallantspeechesoftheother.

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Sometimesall,aswithoneconsent,suspendedtheirby-playtoobserveandlistentotheprincipalactors:for,afterall,Mr.Rochesterand—becausecloselyconnectedwithhim—MissIngramwerethelifeandsouloftheparty.Ifhewasabsentfromtheroomanhour,aperceptibledulnessseemedtostealoverthespiritsofhisguests;andhisre-entrancewassuretogiveafreshimpulsetothevivacityofconversation.

ThewantofhisanimatinginfluenceappearedtobepeculiarlyfeltonedaythathehadbeensummonedtoMillcoteonbusiness,andwasnotlikelytoreturntilllate.Theafternoonwaswet:awalkthepartyhadproposedtotaketoseeagipsycamp,latelypitchedonacommonbeyondHay,wasconsequentlydeferred.Someofthegentlemenweregonetothestables:theyoungerones,togetherwiththeyoungerladies,wereplayingbilliardsinthebilliard-room.ThedowagersIngramandLynnsoughtsolaceinaquietgameatcards.BlancheIngram,afterhavingrepelled,bysupercilioustaciturnity,someeffortsofMrs.DentandMrs.Eshtontodrawherintoconversation,hadfirstmurmuredoversomesentimentaltunesandairsonthepiano,andthen,havingfetchedanovelfromthelibrary,hadflungherselfinhaughtylistlessnessonasofa,andpreparedtobeguile,bythespelloffiction,thetedioushoursofabsence.Theroomandthehouseweresilent:onlynowandthenthemerrimentofthebilliard-playerswasheardfromabove.

Itwasvergingondusk,andtheclockhadalreadygivenwarningofthehourtodressfordinner,whenlittle

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Adele,whokneltbymeinthedrawing-roomwindow-seat,suddenlyexclaimed-

“Voile,MonsieurRochester,quirevient!”

Iturned,andMissIngramdartedforwardsfromhersofa:theothers,too,lookedupfromtheirseveraloccupations;foratthesametimeacrunchingofwheelsandasplashingtrampofhorse-hoofsbecameaudibleonthewetgravel.Apost-chaisewasapproaching.

“Whatcanpossesshimtocomehomeinthatstyle?”saidMissIngram.“HerodeMesrour(theblackhorse),didhenot,whenhewentout?andPilotwaswithhim:-whathashedonewiththeanimals?”

Asshesaidthis,sheapproachedhertallpersonandamplegarmentssonearthewindow,thatIwasobligedtobendbackalmosttothebreakingofmyspine:inhereagernessshedidnotobservemeatfirst,butwhenshedid,shecurledherlipandmovedtoanothercasement.Thepost-chaisestopped;thedriverrangthedoor-bell,andagentlemanalightedattiredintravellinggarb;butitwasnotMr.Rochester;itwasatall,fashionable-lookingman,astranger.

“Howprovoking!”exclaimedMissIngram:“youtiresomemonkey!”(apostrophisingAdele),“whoperchedyouupinthewindowtogivefalseintelligence?”andshecastonmeanangryglance,asifIwereinfault.

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Someparleyingwasaudibleinthehall,andsoonthenew-comerentered.HebowedtoLadyIngram,asdeeminghertheeldestladypresent.

“ItappearsIcomeataninopportunetime,madam,”saidhe,“whenmyfriend,Mr.Rochester,isfromhome;butIarrivefromaverylongjourney,andIthinkImaypresumesofaronoldandintimateacquaintanceastoinstalmyselfheretillhereturns.”

Hismannerwaspolite;hisaccent,inspeaking,struckmeasbeingsomewhatunusual,—notpreciselyforeign,butstillnotaltogetherEnglish:hisagemightbeaboutMr.Rochester’s,—betweenthirtyandforty;hiscomplexionwassingularlysallow:otherwisehewasafine-lookingman,atfirstsightespecially.Oncloserexamination,youdetectedsomethinginhisfacethatdispleased,orratherthatfailedtoplease.Hisfeatureswereregular,buttoorelaxed:hiseyewaslargeandwellcut,butthelifelookingoutofitwasatame,vacantlife—atleastsoIthought.

Thesoundofthedressing-belldispersedtheparty.ItwasnottillafterdinnerthatIsawhimagain:hethenseemedquiteathisease.ButIlikedhisphysiognomyevenlessthanbefore:itstruckmeasbeingatthesametimeunsettledandinanimate.Hiseyewandered,andhadnomeaninginitswandering:thisgavehimanoddlook,suchasIneverrememberedtohaveseen.Forahandsomeandnotanunamiable-lookingman,herepelledmeexceedingly:therewasnopowerinthatsmooth-skinnedfaceofafullovalshape:nofirmnessin

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thataquilinenoseandsmallcherrymouth;therewasnothoughtonthelow,evenforehead;nocommandinthatblank,browneye.

AsIsatinmyusualnook,andlookedathimwiththelightofthegirandolesonthemantelpiecebeamingfulloverhim—forheoccupiedanarm-chairdrawnclosetothefire,andkeptshrinkingstillnearer,asifhewerecold,IcomparedhimwithMr.Rochester.Ithink(withdeferencebeitspoken)thecontrastcouldnotbemuchgreaterbetweenasleekganderandafiercefalcon:betweenameeksheepandtherough-coatedkeen-eyeddog,itsguardian.

HehadspokenofMr.Rochesterasanoldfriend.Acuriousfriendshiptheirsmusthavebeen:apointedillustration,indeed,oftheoldadagethat“extremesmeet.”

Twoorthreeofthegentlemensatnearhim,andIcaughtattimesscrapsoftheirconversationacrosstheroom.AtfirstIcouldnotmakemuchsenseofwhatIheard;forthediscourseofLouisaEshtonandMaryIngram,whosatnearertome,confusedthefragmentarysentencesthatreachedmeatintervals.Theselastwerediscussingthestranger;theybothcalledhim“abeautifulman.”Louisasaidhewas“aloveofacreature,”andshe“adoredhim;”andMaryinstancedhis“prettylittlemouth,andnicenose,”asheridealofthecharming.

“Andwhatasweet-temperedforeheadhehas!”criedLouisa,—“sosmooth—noneofthosefrowning

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irregularitiesIdislikesomuch;andsuchaplacideyeandsmile!”

Andthen,tomygreatrelief,Mr.HenryLynnsummonedthemtotheothersideoftheroom,tosettlesomepointaboutthedeferredexcursiontoHay

Common.

Iwasnowabletoconcentratemyattentiononthegroupbythefire,andIpresentlygatheredthatthenew-comerwascalledMr.Mason;thenIlearnedthathe