第41部分(第2/8 頁)

）；　they　will　be　a　superlatively　happy　pair。　He　must　love　such　a　handsome；　noble；　witty；　acplished　lady；　and　probably　she　loves　him；　or；　if　not　his　person；　at　least　his　purse。　I　know　she　considers　the　Rochester　estate　eligible　to　the　last　degree；　though　（God　pardon　me！）　I　told　her　something　on　that　point　about　an　hour　ago　which　made　her　look　wondrous　grave：　the　corners　of　her　mouth　fell　half　an　inch。　I　would　advise　her　blackaviced　suitor　to　look　out：　if　another　es；　with　a　longer　or　clearer　rent…roll；—he’s　dished—”

“But；　mother；　I　did　not　e　to　hear　Mr。　Rochester’s　fortune：　I　came　to　hear　my　own；　and　you　have　told　me　nothing　of　it。”

“Your　fortune　is　yet　doubtful：　when　I　examined　your　face；　one　trait　contradicted　another。　Chance　has　meted　you　a　measure　of　happiness：　that　I　know。　I　knew　it　before　I　came　here　this　evening。　She　has　laid　it　carefully　on　one　side　for　you。　I　saw　her　do　it。　It　depends　on　yourself　to　stretch　out　your　hand；　and　take　it　up：　but　whether　you　will　do　so；　is　the　problem　I　study。　Kneel　again　on　the　rug。”

“Don’t　keep　me　long；　the　fire　scorches　me。”

I　knelt。　She　did　not　stoop　towards　me；　but　only　gazed；　leaning　back　in　her　chair。　She　began　muttering；—

“The　flame　flickers　in　the　eye；　the　eye　shines　like　dew；　it　looks　soft　and　full　of　feeling；　it　smiles　at　my　jargon：　it　is　susceptible；　impression　follows　impression　through　its　clear　sphere；　where　it　ceases　to　smile；　it　is　sad；　an　unconscious　lassitude　weighs　on　the　lid：　that　signi