第51部分(第1/7 頁)

ting　with　moonrise。”

It　is　one　of　my　faults；　that　though　my　tongue　is　sometimes　prompt　enough　at　an　answer；　there　are　times　when　it　sadly　fails　me　in　framing　an　excuse；　and　always　the　lapse　occurs　at　some　crisis；　when　a　facile　word　or　plausible　pretext　is　specially　wanted　to　get　me　out　of　painful　embarrassment。　I　did　not　like　to　walk　at　this　hour　alone　with　Mr。　Rochester　in　the　shadowy　orchard；　but　I　could　not　find　a　reason　to　allege　for　leaving　him。　I　followed　with　lagging　step；　and　thoughts　busily　bent　on　discovering　a　means　of　extrication；　but　he　himself　looked　so　posed　and　so　grave　also；　I　became　ashamed　of　feeling　any　confusion：　the　evil—if　evil　existent　or　prospective　there　was—seemed　to　lie　with　me　only；　his　mind　was　unconscious　and　quiet。

“Jane；”　he　remenced；　as　we　entered　the　laurel　walk；　and　slowly　strayed　down　in　the　direction　of　the　sunk　fence　and　the　horse…　chestnut；　“Thornfield　is　a　pleasant　place　in　summer；　is　it　not？”

“Yes；　sir。”

“You　must　have　bee　in　some　degree　attached　to　the　house；—you；　who　have　an　eye　for　natural　beauties；　and　a　good　deal　of　the　organ　of　Adhesiveness？”

“I　am　attached　to　it；　indeed。”

“And　though　I　don’t　prehend　how　it　is；　I　perceive　you　have　acquired　a　degree　of　regard　for　that　foolish　little　child　Adèle；　too；　and　even　for　simple　dame　Fairfax？”

“Yes；　sir；　in　different　ways；　I　have　an　affection　for　both。”

“And　would　be　sorry　to　part　with　them？”

“Yes。”

“Pity！”　he　said；　and　sighed　and　paused。　“It　is　always　the　way　of　events　in　this　life；”　he　continued　presently：　“no　sooner　have　you　got　settled　in　a　pleasant　resting…place；　than　a　voice　calls　out　to　you　to　rise　and　move　on；　for　the　hour　of　repose　is　expired。”

“Must　I　move　on；　sir？”　I　asked。　“Must　I　leave　Thor