第57部分(第2/8 頁)

y　moralists　call　this　world　a　dreary　wilderness：　for　me　it　blossomed　like　a　rose。　Just　at　sunset；　the　air　turned　cold　and　the　sky　cloudy：　I　went　in；　Sophie　called　me　upstairs　to　look　at　my　wedding…dress；　which　they　had　just　brought；　and　under　it　in　the　box　I　found　your　present—the　veil　which；　in　your　princely　extravagance；　you　sent　for　from　London：　resolved；　I　suppose；　since　I　would　not　have　jewels；　to　cheat　me　into　accepting　something　as　costly。　I　smiled　as　I　unfolded　it；　and　devised　how　I　would　tease　you　about　your　aristocratic　tastes；　and　your　efforts　to　masque　your　plebeian　bride　in　the　attributes　of　a　peeress。　I　though　how　I　would　carry　dobroidered　blond　I　had　myself　prepared　as　a　covering　for　my　low…born　head；　and　ask　if　that　was　not　good　enough　for　a　woman　who　could　bring　her　husband　neither　fortune；　beauty；　nor　connections。　I　saw　plainly　how　you　would　look；　and　heard　your　impetuous　republican　answers；　and　your　haughty　disavowal　of　any　necessity　on　your　part　to　augment　your　wealth；　or　elevate　your　standing；　by　marrying　either　a　purse　or　a　coro。”

“How　well　you　read　me；　you　witch！”　interposed　Mr。　Rochester：　“but　what　did　you　find　in　the　veil　besides　its　embroidery？　Did　you　find　poison；　or　a　dagger；　that　you　look　so　mournful　now？”

“No；　no；　sir；　besides　the　delicacy　and　richness　of　the　fabric；　I　found　nothing　save　Fairfax　Rochester’s　pride；　and　that　did　not　scare　me；　because　I　am　used　to　the　sight　of　the　demon。　But；　sir；　as　it　grew　dark；　the　wind　rose：　it　ble