第58部分(第7/8 頁)

s　their　matrimony　lawful。”

He　paused；　as　the　custom　is。　When　is　the　pause　after　that　sentence　ever　broken　by　reply？　Not；　perhaps；　once　in　a　hundred　years。　And　the　clergyman；　who　had　not　lifted　his　eyes　from　his　book；　and　had　held　his　breath　but　for　a　moment；　was　proceeding：　his　hand　was　already　stretched　towards　Mr。　Rochester；　as　his　lips　unclosed　to　ask；　“Wilt　thou　have　this　woman　for　thy　wedded　wife？”—when　a　distinct　and　near　voice　said—

“The　marriage　cannot　go　on：　I　declare　the　existence　of　an　impediment。”

The　clergyman　looked　up　at　the　speaker　and　stood　mute；　the　clerk　did　the　same；　Mr。　Rochester　moved　slightly；　as　if　an　earthquake　had　rolled　under　his　feet：　taking　a　firmer　footing；　and　not　turning　his　head　or　eyes；　he　said；　“Proceed。”

Profound　silence　fell　when　he　had　uttered　that　word；　with　deep　but　low　intonation。　Presently　Mr。　Wood　said—

“I　cannot　proceed　without　some　investigation　into　what　has　been　asserted；　and　evidence　of　its　truth　or　falsehood。”

“The　ceremony　is　quite　broken　off；”　subjoined　the　voice　behind　us。　“I　am　in　a　condition　to　prove　my　allegation：　an　insuperable　impediment　to　this　marriage　exists。”

Mr。　Rochester　heard；　but　heeded　not：　he　stood　stubborn　and　rigid；　making　no　movement　but　to　possess　himself　of　my　hand。　What　a　hot　and　strong　grasp　he　had！　and　hoarble　was　his　pale；　firm；　massive　front　at　this　moment！　How　his　eye　shone；　still　watchful；　and　yet　wild　beneath！

Mr。　Wood　seemed　at　a　loss。　“What