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Jane Eyre-第101章

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of —; and of ferndean manor; in—shire; england; was married to my sister; bertha antoinetta mason; daughter of jonas mason; merchant; and of antoinetta his wife; a creole; at—church; spanish town; jamaica。 the record of the marriage will be found in the register of that church—a copy of it is now in my possession。 signed; richard mason。’”

“that—if a genuine document—may prove i have been married; but it does not prove that the woman mentioned therein as my wife is still living。”

“she was living three months ago;” returned the lawyer。

“how do you know?”

“i have a witness to the fact; whose testimony even you; sir; will scarcely controvert。”

“produce him—or go to hell。”

“i will produce him first—he is on the spot。 mr。 mason; have the goodness to step forward。”

mr。 rochester; on hearing the name; set his teeth; he experienced; too; a sort of strong convulsive quiver; near to him as i was; i felt the spasmodic movement of fury or despair run through his frame。 the second stranger; who had hitherto lingered in the background; now drew near; a pale face looked over the solicitor’s shoulder—yes; it was mason himself。 mr。 rochester turned and glared at him。 his eye; as i have often said; was a black eye: it had now a tawny; nay; a bloody light in its gloom; and his face flushed—olive cheek and hueless forehead received a glow as from spreading; ascending heart…fire: and he stirred; lifted his strong arm—he could have struck mason; dashed him on the church…floor; shocked by ruthless blow the breath from his body—but mason shrank away; and cried faintly; “good god!” contempt fell cool on mr。 rochester—his passion died as if a blight had shrivelled it up: he only asked—“what have you to say?”

an inaudible reply escaped mason’s white lips。

“the devil is in it if you cannot answer distinctly。 i again demand; what have you to say?”

“sir—sir;” interrupted the clergyman; “do not forget you are in a sacred place。” then addressing mason; he inquired gently; “are you aware; sir; whether or not this gentleman’s wife is still living?”

“courage;” urged the lawyer;—“speak out。”

“she is now living at thornfield hall;” said mason; in more articulate tones: “i saw her there last april。 i am her brother。”

“at thornfield hall!” ejaculated the clergyman。 “impossible! i am an old resident in this neighbourhood; sir; and i never heard of a mrs。 rochester at thornfield hall。”

i saw a grim smile contort mr。 rochester’s lips; and he muttered—

“no; by god! i took care that none should hear of it—or of her under that name。” he mused—for ten minutes he held counsel with himself: he formed his resolve; and announced it—

“enough! all shall bolt out at once; like the bullet from the barrel。 wood; close your book and take off your surplice; john green (to the clerk); leave the church: there will be no wedding to…day。” the man obeyed。

mr。 rochester continued; hardily and recklessly: “bigamy is an ugly word!—i meant; however; to be a bigamist; but fate has out… manoeuvred me; or providence has checked me;—perhaps the last。 i am little better than a devil at this moment; and; as my pastor there would tell me; deserve no doubt the sternest judgments of god; even to the quenchless fire and deathless worm。 gentlemen; my plan is broken up:… what this lawyer and his client say is true: i have been married; and the woman to whom i was married lives! you say you never heard of a mrs。 rochester at the house up yonder; wood; but i daresay you have many a time inclined your ear to gossip about the mysterious lunatic kept there under watch and ward。 some have whispered to you that she is my bastard half…sister: some; my cast… off mistress。 i now inform you that she is my wife; whom i married fifteen years ago;—bertha mason by name; sister of this resolute personage; who is now; with his quivering limbs and white cheeks; showing you what a stout heart men may bear。 cheer up; dick!—never fear me!—i’d almost as soon strike a woman as you。 bertha mason is mad; and she came of a mad family; idiots and maniacs through three generations? her mother; the creole; was both a madwoman and a drunkard!—as i found out after i had wed the daughter: for they were silent on family secrets before。 bertha; like a dutiful child; copied her parent in both points。 i had a charming partner—pure; wise; modest: you can fancy i was a happy man。 i went through rich scenes! oh! my experience has been heavenly; if you only knew it! but i owe you no further explanation。 briggs; wood; mason; i invite you all to e up to the house and visit mrs。 poole’s patient; and my wife! you shall see what sort of a being i was cheated into espousing; and judge whether or not i had a right to break the pact; and seek sympathy with something at least human。 this girl;” he continued; looking at me; “knew no more than you; wood; of the disgusting secret: she thought all was fair and legal and never dreamt she was going to be entrapped into a feigned union with a defrauded wretch; already bound to a bad; mad; and embruted partner! e all of you—follow!”

still holding me fast; he left the church: the three gentlemen came after。 at the front door of the hall we found the carriage。

“take it back to the coach…house; john;” said mr。 rochester coolly; “it will not be wanted to…day。”

at our entrance; mrs。 fairfax; adèle; sophie; leah; advanced to meet and greet us。

“to the right…about—every soul!” cried the master; “away with your congratulations! who wants them? not i!—they are fifteen years too late!”

he passed on and ascended the stairs; still holding my hand; and still beckoning the gentlemen to follow him; which they did。 we mounted the first staircase; passed up the gallery; proceeded to the third storey: the low; black door; opened by mr。 rochester’s master…key; admitted us to the tapestried room; with its great bed and its pictorial cabinet。

“you know this place; mason;” said our guide; “she bit and stabbed you here。”

he lifted the hangings from the wall; uncovering the second door: this; too; he opened。 in a room without a window; there burnt a fire guarded by a h
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