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Jane Eyre-第55章

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“no; sir;” i answered; “but there has been a fire: get up; do; you are quenched now; i will fetch you a candle。”

“in the name of all the elves in christendom; is that jane eyre?” he demanded。 “what have you done with me; witch; sorceress? who is in the room besides you? have you plotted to drown me?”

“i will fetch you a candle; sir; and; in heaven’s name; get up。 somebody has plotted something: you cannot too soon find out who and what it is。”

“there! i am up now; but at your peril you fetch a candle yet: wait two minutes till i get into some dry garments; if any dry there be—yes; here is my dressing…gown。 now run!”

i did run; i brought the candle which still remained in the gallery。 he took it from my hand; held it up; and surveyed the bed; all blackened and scorched; the sheets drenched; the carpet round swimming in water。

“what is it? and who did it?” he asked。 i briefly related to him what had transpired: the strange laugh i had heard in the gallery: the step ascending to the third storey; the smoke;—the smell of fire which had conducted me to his room; in what state i had found matters there; and how i had deluged him with all the water i could lay hands on。

he listened very gravely; his face; as i went on; expressed more concern than astonishment; he did not immediately speak when i had concluded。

“shall i call mrs。 fairfax?” i asked。

“mrs。 fairfax? no; what the deuce would you call her for? what can she do? let her sleep unmolested。”

“then i will fetch leah; and wake john and his wife。”

“not at all: just be still。 you have a shawl on。 if you are not warm enough; you may take my cloak yonder; wrap it about you; and sit down in the arm…chair: there;—i will put it on。 now place your feet on the stool; to keep them out of the wet。 i am going to leave you a few minutes。 i shall take the candle。 remain where you are till i return; be as still as a mouse。 i must pay a visit to the second storey。 don’t move; remember; or call any one。”

he went: i watched the light withdraw。 he passed up the gallery very softly; unclosed the staircase door with as little noise as possible; shut it after him; and the last ray vanished。 i was left in total darkness。 i listened for some noise; but heard nothing。 a very long time elapsed。 i grew weary: it was cold; in spite of the cloak; and then i did not see the use of staying; as i was not to rouse the house。 i was on the point of risking mr。 rochester’s displeasure by disobeying his orders; when the light once more gleamed dimly on the gallery wall; and i heard his unshod feet tread the matting。 “i hope it is he;” thought i; “and not something worse。”

he re…entered; pale and very gloomy。 “i have found it all out;” said he; setting his candle down on the washstand; “it is as i thought。”

“how; sir?”

he made no reply; but stood with his arms folded; looking on the ground。 at the end of a few minutes he inquired in rather a peculiar tone—

“i forget whether you said you saw anything when you opened your chamber door。”

“no; sir; only the candlestick on the ground。”

“but you heard an odd laugh? you have heard that laugh before; i should think; or something like it?”

“yes; sir: there is a woman who sews here; called grace poole;—she laughs in that way。 she is a singular person。”

“just so。 grace poole—you have guessed it。 she is; as you say; singular—very。 well; i shall reflect on the subject。 meantime; i am glad that you are the only person; besides myself; acquainted with the precise details of to…night’s incident。 you are no talking fool: say nothing about it。 i will account for this state of affairs” (pointing to the bed): “and now return to your own room。 i shall do very well on the sofa in the library for the rest of the night。 it is near four:… in two hours the servants will be up。”

“good…night; then; sir;” said i; departing。

he seemed surprised—very inconsistently so; as he had just told me to go。

“what!” he exclaimed; “are you quitting me already; and in that way?”

“you said i might go; sir。”

“but not without taking leave; not without a word or two of acknowledgment and good…will: not; in short; in that brief; dry fashion。 why; you have saved my life!—snatched me from a horrible and excruciating death! and you walk past me as if we were mutual strangers! at least shake hands。”

he held out his hand; i gave him mine: he took it first in one; them in both his own。

“you have saved my life: i have a pleasure in owing you so immense a debt。 i cannot say more。 nothing else that has being would have been tolerable to me in the character of creditor for such an obligation: but you: it is different;—i feel your benefits no burden; jane。”

he paused; gazed at me: words almost visible trembled on his lips;—but his voice was checked。

“good…night again; sir。 there is no debt; benefit; burden; obligation; in the case。”

“i knew;” he continued; “you would do me good in some way; at some time;—i saw it in your eyes when i first beheld you: their expression and smile did not”—(again he stopped)—“did not” (he proceeded hastily) “strike delight to my very inmost heart so for nothing。 people talk of natural sympathies; i have heard of good genii: there are grains of truth in the wildest fable。 my cherished preserver; goodnight!”

strange energy was in his voice; strange fire in his look。

“i am glad i happened to be awake;” i said: and then i was going。

“what! you will go?”

“i am cold; sir。”

“cold? yes;—and standing in a pool! go; then; jane; go!” but he still retained my hand; and i could not free it。 i bethought myself of an expedient。

“i think i hear mrs。 fairfax move; sir;” said i。

“well; leave me:” he relaxed his fingers; and i was gone。

i regained my couch; but never thought of sleep。 till morning dawned i was tossed on a buoyant but unquiet sea; where billows of trouble rolled under surges of joy。 i thought sometimes i saw beyond its wild waters a shore; sweet as the hills of beulah; and now and then a freshening gale; wakened by hope; bore my spirit triumphantly towards the bourne: but i could not reach it
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