第55部分(第1/7 頁)

“And　what　will　you　do；　Ja；　while　I　am　bargaining　for　so　many　tons　of　flesh　and　such　an　assortment　of　black　eyes？”

“I’ll　be　preparing　myself　to　go　out　as　a　missionary　to　preach　liberty　to　them　that　are　enslaved—your　harem　inmates　amongst　the　rest。　I’ll　get　admitted　there；　and　I’ll　stir　up　mutiny；　and　you；　three…tailed　bashaw　as　you　are；　sir；　shall　in　a　trice　find　yourself　fettered　amongst　our　hands：　nor　will　I；　for　one；　consent　to　cut　your　bonds　till　you　have　signed　a　charter；　the　most　liberal　that　despot　ever　yet　conferred。”

“I　would　consent　to　be　at　your　mercy；　Jane。”

“I　would　have　no　mercy；　Mr。　Rochester；　if　you　supplicated　for　it　with　an　eye　like　that。　While　you　looked　so；　I　should　be　certain　that　whatever　charter　you　might　grant　under　coercion；　your　first　act；　when　released；　would　be　to　violate　its　conditions。”

“Why；　Jane；　what　would　you　have？　I　fear　you　will　pel　me　to　go　through　a　private　marriage　ceremony；　besides　that　performed　at　the　altar。　You　will　stipulate；　I　see；　for　peculiar　terms—what　will　they　be？”

“I　only　want　an　easy　mind；　sir；　not　crushed　by　crowded　obligations。　Do　you　remember　what　you　said　of　Céline　Varens？—of　the　diamonds；　the　cashmeres　you　gave　her？　I　will　not　be　your　English　Céline　Varens。　I　shall　continue　to　act　as　Adèle’s　governess；　by　that　I　shall　earn　my　board　and　lodging；　and　thirty　pounds　a　year　besides。　I’ll　furnish　my　own　wardrobe　out　of　that　money；　and　you　shall　give　me　nothing　but—”

“Well；　but　what？”

“Your　regard；　and　if　I　give　you　mine　in　return；　that　debt　will　be　quit。”

“Well；　for　cool　native　impudence　and　pure　innate　pride；　you　haven’t　your　equal；”　said　he。　We　were　now　approaching　Thornfield。　“Will　it　please　you　to　dine　with　me　to…day？”　he　asked；　as　we　re…entered　the　gates。