第90部分(第6/8 頁)

w　a　tear　slide　from　under　the　sealed　eyelid；　and　trickle　down　the　manly　cheek。　My　heart　swelled。

“I　am　no　better　than　the　old　lightning…struck　chestnut…tree　in　Thornfield　orchard；”　he　remarked　ere　long。　“And　what　right　would　that　ruin　have　to　bid　a　budding　woodbine　cover　its　decay　with　freshness？”

“You　are　no　ruin；　sir—no　lightning…struck　tree：　you　are　green　and　vigorous。　Plants　will　grow　about　your　roots；　whether　you　ask　them　or　not；　because　they　take　delight　in　your　bountiful　shadow；　and　as　they　grow　they　will　lean　towards　you；　and　wind　round　you；　because　your　strength　offers　them　so　safe　a　prop。”

Again　he　smiled：　I　gave　him　fort。

“You　speak　of　friends；　Jane？”　he　asked。

“Yes；　of　friends；”　I　answered　rather　hesitatingly：　for　I　knew　I　meant　more　than　friends；　but　could　not　tell　what　other　word　to　employ。　He　helped　me。

“Ah！　Jane。　But　I　want　a　wife。”

“Do　you；　sir？”

“Yes：　is　it　news　to　you？”

“Of　course：　you　said　nothing　about　it　before。”

“Is　it　unwele　news？”

“That　depends　on　circumstances；　sir—on　your　choice。”

“Which　you　shall　make　for　me；　Jane。　I　will　abide　by　your　decision。”

“Choose　then；　sir—her　who　loves　you　best。”

“I　will　at　least　choose—her　i　love　best。　Jane；　will　you　marry　me？”

“Yes；　sir。”

“A　poor　blind　man；　whom　you　will　have　to　lead　about　by　the　hand？”

“Yes；　sir。”

“A　crippled　man；　twenty　years　older　than　you；　whom　you　will　have　to　wait　on？”