第26部分(第2/8 頁)

ply。”

“And　you　felt　self…satisfied　with　the　result　of　your　ardent　labours？”

“Far　from　it。　I　was　tormented　by　the　contrast　between　my　idea　and　my　handiwork：　in　each　case　I　had　imagined　something　which　I　was　quite　powerless　to　realise。”

“Not　quite：　you　have　secured　the　shadow　of　your　thought；　but　no　more；　probably。　You　had　not　enough　of　the　artist’s　skill　and　science　to　give　it　full　being：　yet　the　drawings　are；　for　a　school…　girl；　peculiar。　As　to　the　thoughts；　they　are　elfish。　These　eyes　in　the　Evening　Star　you　must　have　seen　in　a　dream。　How　could　you　make　them　look　so　clear；　and　yet　not　at　all　brilliant？　for　the　pla　above　quells　their　rays。　And　what　meaning　is　that　in　their　solemn　depth？　And　who　taught　you　to　paint　wind。　There　is　a　high　gale　in　that　sky；　and　on　this　hill…top。　Where　did　you　see　Latmos？　For　that　is　Latmos。　There！　put　the　drawings　away！”

I　had　scarce　tied　the　strings　of　the　portfolio；　when；　looking　at　his　watch；　he　said　abruptly—

“It　is　nine　o’clock：　what　are　you　about；　Miss　Eyre；　to　let　Adèle　sit　up　so　long？　Take　her　to　bed。”

Adèle　went　to　kiss　him　before　quitting　the　room：　he　endured　the　caress；　but　scarcely　seemed　to　relish　it　more　than　Pilot　would　have　done；　nor　so　much。

“I　wish　you　all　good…night；　now；”　said　he；　making　a　movement　of　the　hand　towards　the　door；　in　token　that　he　was　tired　of　our　pany；　and　wished　to　dismiss　us。　Mrs。　Fairfax　folded　up　her　knitting：　I　took　my　portfolio：　we　curtseyed　to　him；　received