第53部分(第5/8 頁)

　with　it？”

“There；　you　are　less　than　civil　now；　and　I　like　rudeness　a　great　deal　better　than　flattery。　I　had　rather　be　a　thing　than　an　angel。　This　is　what　I　have　to　ask；—Why　did　you　take　such　pains　to　make　me　believe　you　wished　to　marry　Miss　Ingram？”

“Is　that　all？　Thank　God　it　is　no　worse！”　And　now　he　unknit　his　black　brows；　looked　down；　smiling　at　me；　and　stroked　my　hair；　as　if　well　pleased　at　seeing　a　danger　averted。　“I　think　I　may　confess；”　he　continued；　“even　although　I　should　make　you　a　little　indignant；　Jane—and　I　have　seen　what　a　fire…spirit　you　can　be　when　you　are　indignant。　You　glowed　in　the　cool　moonlight　last　night；　when　you　mutinied　against　fate；　and　claimed　your　rank　as　my　equal。　Ja；　by…the…bye；　it　was　you　who　made　me　the　offer。”

“Of　course　I　did。　But　to　the　point　if　you　please；　sir—Miss　Ingram？”

“Well；　I　feigned　courtship　of　Miss　Ingram；　because　I　wished　to　render　you　as　madly　in　love　with　me　as　I　was　with　you；　and　I　knew　jealousy　would　be　the　best　ally　I　could　call　in　for　the　furtherance　of　that　end。”

“Excellent！　Now　you　are　small—not　one　whit　bigger　than　the　end　of　my　little　finger。　It　was　a　burning　shame　and　a　scandalous　disgrace　to　act　in　that　way。　Did　you　think　nothing　of　Miss　Ingram’s　feelings；　sir？”

“Her　feelings　are　concentrated　in　one—pride；　and　that　needs　humbling。　Were　you　jealous；　Jane？”

“Never　mind；　Mr。　Rochester：　it　is　in　no　way　interesting　to　you　to　know　that。　Answer　me　truly　once　more。　Do　you　think