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第28节

jane eyre(简·爱)-第28节

小说: jane eyre(简·爱) 字数: 每页4000字

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encourage inquiry。 
   October; November; December passed away。 One afternoon in 
January; Mrs。 Fairfax had begged a holiday for Adele; because she 
had a cold; and; as Adele seconded the request with an ardour that 
reminded me how precious occasional holidays had been to me in my 
own childhood; I accorded it; deeming that I did well in showing 
pliability on the point。 It was a fine; calm day; though very cold; 
I was tired of sitting still in the library through a whole long 
morning: Mrs。 Fairfax had just written a letter which was waiting to 
be posted; so I put on my bonnet and cloak and volunteered to carry it 
to Hay; the distance; two miles; would be a pleasant winter 
afternoon walk。 Having seen Adele comfortably seated in her little 
chair by Mrs。 Fairfax's parlour fireside; and given her her best wax 
doll (which I usually kept enveloped in silver paper in a drawer) to 
play with; and a story…book for a change of amusement; and having 
replied to her 'Revenez bientot; ma bonne amie; ma chere Mdlle。 
Jeannette;' with a kiss I set out。 
   The ground was hard; the air was still; my road was lonely; I 
walked fast till I got warm; and then I walked slowly to enjoy and 
analyse the species of pleasure brooding for me in the hour and 
situation。 It was three o'clock; the church bell tolled as I passed 
under the belfry: the charm of the hour lay in its approaching 
dimness; in the low…gliding and pale…beaming sun。 I was a mile from 
Thornfield; in a lane noted for wild roses in summer; for nuts and 
blackberries in autumn; and even now possessing a few coral 
treasures in hips and haws; but whose best winter delight lay in its 
utter solitude and leafless repose。 If a breath of air stirred; it 
made no sound here; for there was not a holly; not an evergreen to 
rustle; and the stripped hawthorn and hazel bushes were as still as 
the white; worn stones which causewayed the middle of the path。 Far 
and wide; on each side; there were only fields; where no cattle now 
browsed; and the little brown birds; which stirred occasionally in the 
hedge; looked like single russet leaves that had forgotten to drop。 
   This lane inclined up…hill all the way to Hay; having reached the 
middle; I sat down on a stile which led thence into a field。 Gathering 
my mantle about me; and sheltering my hands in my muff; I did not feel 
the cold; though it froze keenly; as was attested by a sheet of ice 
covering the causeway; where a little brooklet; now congealed; had 
overflowed after a rapid thaw some days since。 From my seat I could 
look down on Thornfield: the grey and battlemented hall was the 
principal object in the vale below me; its woods and dark rookery rose 
against the; west。 I lingered till the sun went down amongst the 
trees; and sank crimson and clear behind them。 I then turned eastward。 
   On the hill…top above me sat the rising moon; pale yet as a 
cloud; but brightening momentarily; she looked over Hay; which; half 
lost in trees; sent up a blue smoke from its few chimneys: it was 
yet a mile distant; but in the absolute hush I could hear plainly 
its thin murmurs of life。 My ear; too; felt the flow of currents; in 
what dales and depths I could not tell: but there were many hills 
beyond Hay; and doubtless many becks threading their passes。 That 
evening calm betrayed alike the tinkle of the nearest streams; the 
sough of the most remote。 
   A rude noise broke on these fine ripplings and whisperings; at once 
so far away and so clear: a positive tramp; tramp; a metallic clatter; 
which effaced the soft wave…wanderings; as; in a picture; the solid 
mass of a crag; or the rough boles of a great oak; drawn in dark and 
strong on the foreground; efface the aerial distance of azure hill; 
sunny horizon; and blended clouds where tint melts into tint。 
   The din was on the causeway: a horse was coming; the windings of 
the lane yet hid it; but it approached。 I was just leaving the 
stile; yet; as the path was narrow; I sat still to let it go by。 In 
those days I was young; and all sorts of fancies bright and dark 
tenanted my mind: the memories of nursery stories were there amongst 
other rubbish; and when they recurred; maturing youth added to them 
a vigour and vividness beyond what childhood could give。 As this horse 
approached; and as I watched for it to appear through the dusk; I 
remembered certain of Bessie's tales; wherein figured a 
North…of…England spirit called a 'Gytrash;' which; in the form of 
horse; mule; or large dog; haunted solitary ways; and sometimes came 
upon belated travellers; as this horse was now coming upon me。 
   It was very near; but not yet in sight; when; in addition to the 
tramp; tramp; I heard a rush under the hedge; and close down by the 
hazel stems glided a great dog; whose black and white colour made 
him a distinct object against the trees。 It was exactly one form of 
Bessie's Gytrash… a lion…like creature with long hair and a huge head: 
it passed me; however; quietly enough; not staying to look up; with 
strange pretercanine eyes; in my face; as I half expected it would。 
The horse followed;… a tall steed; and on its back a rider。 The man; 
the human being; broke the spell at once。 Nothing ever rode the 
Gytrash: it was always alone; and goblins; to my notions; though 
they might tenant the dumb carcasses of beasts; could scarce covet 
shelter in the commonplace human form。 No Gytrash was this;… only a 
traveller taking the short cut to Millcote。 He passed; and I went 
on; a few steps; and I turned: a sliding sound and an exclamation of 
'What the deuce is to do now?' and a clattering tumble; arrested my 
attention。 Man and horse were down; they had slipped on the sheet of 
ice which glazed the causeway。 The dog came bounding back; and 
seeing his master in a predicament; and hearing the horse groan; 
barked till the evening hills echoed the sound; which was deep in 
proportion to his magnitude。 He snuffed round the prostrate group; and 
then he ran up to me; it was all he could do;… there was no other help 
at hand to summon。 I obeyed him; and walked down to the traveller; 
by this time struggling himself free of his steed。 His efforts were so 
vigorous; I thought he could not be much hurt; but I asked him the 
question… 
   'Are you injured; sir?' 
   I think he was swearing; but am not certain; however; he was 
pronouncing some formula which prevented him from replying to me 
directly。 
   'Can I do anything?' I asked again。 
   'You must just stand on one side;' he answered as he rose; first to 
his knees; and then to his feet。 I did; whereupon began a heaving; 
stamping; clattering process; accompanied by a barking and baying 
which removed me effectually some yards' distance; but I would not 
be driven quite away till I saw the event。 This was finally fortunate; 
the horse was re…established; and the dog was silenced with a 'Down; 
Pilot!' The traveller now; stooping; felt his foot and leg; as if 
trying whether they were sound; apparently something ailed them; for 
he halted to the stile whence I had just risen; and sat down。 
   I was in the mood for being useful; or at least officious; I think; 
for I now drew near him again。 
   'If you are hurt; and want help; sir; I can fetch some one either 
from Thornfield Hall or from Hay。' 
   'Thank you: I shall do: I have no broken bones;… only a sprain;' 
and again he stood up and tried his foot; but the result extorted an 
involuntary 'Ugh!' 
   Something of daylight still lingered; and the moon was waxing 
bright: I could see him plainly。 His figure was enveloped in a 
riding cloak; fur collared and steel clasped; its details were not 
apparent; but I traced the general points of middle height and 
considerable breadth of chest。 He had a dark face; with stern features 
and a heavy brow; his eyes and gathered eyebrows looked ireful and 
thwarted just now; he was past youth; but had not reached 
middle…age; perhaps he might be thirty…five。 I felt no fear of him; 
and but little shyness。 Had he been a handsome; heroic…looking young 
gentleman; I should not have dared to stand thus questioning him 
against his will; and offering my services unasked。 I had hardly 
ever seen a handsome youth; never in my life spoken to one。 I had a 
theoretical reverence and homage for beauty; elegance; gallantry; 
fascination; but had I met those qualities incarnate in masculine 
shape; I should have known instinctively that they neither had nor 
could have sympathy with anything in me; and should have shunned 
them as one would fire; lightning; or anything else that is bright but 
antipathetic。 
   If even this stranger had smiled and been good…humoured to me 
when I addressed him; if he had put off my offer of assistance gaily 
and with thanks; I should have gone on my way and not felt any 
vocation to renew inquiries: but the frown; the roughness of the 
traveller; set me at my ease: I retained my station when he waved to 
me to go; and announced… 
   'I cannot think of leaving you; sir; at so late an hour; in this 
solitary lane; till I see you are fit to mount your horse。' 
   He looked at me when I said this; he had

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