第36部分(第4/8 頁)

mon　sense。　You　should　hear　mama　on　the　chapter　of　governesses：　Mary　and　I　have　had；　I　should　think；　a　dozen　at　least　in　our　day；　half　of　them　detestable　and　the　rest　ridiculous；　and　all　incubi—were　they　not；　mama？”

“Did　you　speak；　my　own？”

The　young　lady　thus　claimed　as　the　dowager’s　special　property；　reiterated　her　question　with　an　explanation。

“My　dearest；　don’t　mention　governesses；　the　word　makes　me　nervous。　I　have　suffered　a　martyrdom　from　their　inpetency　and　caprice。　I　thank　Heaven　I　have　now　done　with　them！”

Mrs。　Dent　here　bent　over　to　the　pious　lady　and　whispered　something　in　her　ear；　I　suppose；　from　the　answer　elicited；　it　was　a　reminder　that　one　of　the　anathematised　race　was　present。

“Tant　pis！”　said　her　Ladyship；　“I　hope　it　may　do　her　good！”　Then；　in　a　lower　tone；　but　still　loud　enough　for　me　to　hear；　“I　noticed　her；　I　am　a　judge　of　physiognomy；　and　in　hers　I　see　all　the　faults　of　her　class。”

“What　are　they；　madam？”　inquired　Mr。　Rochester　aloud。

“I　will　tell　you　in　your　private　ear；”　replied　she；　wagging　her　turban　three　times　with　portentous　significancy。

“But　my　curiosity　will　be　past　its　appetite；　it　craves　food　now。”

“Ask　Blanche；　she　is　nearer　you　than　I。”

“Oh；　don’t　refer　him　to　me；　mama！　I　have　just　one　word　to　say　of　the　whole　tribe；　they　are　a　nuisance。　Not　that　I　ever　suffered　much　from　them；　I　took　care　to　turn　the　tables。　What　tricks　Theodore　and　I　used　to　play　on　our　Miss　Wilsons；　and