關燈 巨大 直達底部
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第23部分

ing there to post a letter。”

“You live just below—do you mean at that house with the battlements?” pointing to Thornfield Hall; on which the moon cast a hoary gleam; bringing it out distinct and pale from the woods that; by contrast with the western sky; now seemed one mass of shadow。

“Yes; sir。”

“Whose house is it?”

“Mr。 Rochester’s。”

“Do you know Mr。 Rochester?”

“No; I have never seen him。”

“He is not resident; then?”

“No。”

“Can you tell me where he is?”

“I cannot。”

“You are not a servant at the hall; of course。 You are—” He stopped; ran his eye over my dress; ple: a black merino cloak; a black beaver bon; neither of them half fine enough for a lady’s…maid。 He seemed puzzled to decide what I was; I helped him。

“I am the governess。”

“Ah; the governess!” he repeated; “deuce take me; if I had not forgotten! The governess!” and again my raiment underwent scrutiny。 In two minutes he rose from the stile: his face expressed pain when he tried to move。

“I cannot mission you to fetch help;” he said; “but you may help me a little yourself; if you will be so kind。”

“Yes; sir。”

“You have not an umbrella that I can use as a stick?”

“No。”

“Try to get hold of my horse’s bridle and lead him to me: you are not afraid?”

I should have been afraid to touch a horse when alone; but when told to do it; I was disposed to obey。 I put down my muff on the stile; and wen