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Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, CHAPTER XXXII

CHAPTER XXXII

I continued the labours of the village-school as actively and faithfully as I could.

It was truly hard work at first. Some time elapsed before, with all my efforts, I could comprehend my scholars and their nature. Wholly untaught, with faculties quite torpid, they seemed to me hopelessly dull; and, at first sight, all dull alike: but I soon found I was mistaken. There was a difference amongst them as amongst the educated; and when I got to know them, and they me, this difference rapidly developed itself. Their amazement at me, my language, my rules, and ways, once subsided, I found some of these heavy-looking, gaping rustics wake up into sharp-witted girls enough. Many showed themselves obliging, and amiable too; and I discovered amongst them not a few examples of natural politeness, and innate self-respect, as well as of excellent capacity, that won both my goodwill and my admiration. These soon took a pleasure in doing their work well, in keeping their persons neat, in learning their tasks regularly, in acquiring quiet and orderly manners. The rapidity of their progress, in some instances, was even surprising; and an honest and happy pride I took in it: besides, I began personally to like some of the best girls; and they liked me. I had amongst my scholars several farmers' daughters: young women grown, almost. These could already read, write, and sew; and to them I taught the elements of grammar, geography, history, and the finer kinds of needlework. I found estimable characters amongst them—characters desirous of information and disposed for improvement—with whom I passed many a pleasant evening hour in their own homes. Their parents then (the farmer and his wife) loaded me with attentions. There was an enjoyment in accepting their simple kindness, and in repaying it by a consideration—a scrupulous regard to their feelings—to which they were not, perhaps, at all times accustomed, and which both charmed and benefited them; because, while it elevated them in their own eyes, it made them emulous to merit the deferential treatment they received.

I felt I became a favourite in the neighbourhood.

Whenever I went out, I heard on all sides cordial salutations, and was welcomed with friendly smiles. To live amidst general regard, though it be but the regard of working people, is like “sitting in sunshine, calm and sweet;” serene inward feelings bud and bloom under the ray. At this period of my life, my heart far oftener swelled with thankfulness than sank with dejection: and yet, reader, to tell you all, in the midst of this calm, this useful existence—after a day passed in honourable exertion amongst my scholars, an evening spent in drawing or reading contentedly alone—I used to rush into strange dreams at night: dreams many-coloured, agitated, full of the ideal, the stirring, the stormy—dreams where, amidst unusual scenes, charged with adventure, with agitating risk and romantic chance, I still again and again met Mr. Rochester, always at some exciting crisis; and then the sense of being in his arms, hearing his voice, meeting his eye, touching his hand and cheek, loving him, being loved by him—the hope of passing a lifetime at his side, would be renewed, with all its first force and fire. Then I awoke. Then I recalled where I was, and how situated. Then I rose up on my curtainless bed, trembling and quivering; and then the still, dark night witnessed the convulsion of despair, and heard the burst of passion. By nine o'clock the next morning I was punctually opening the school; tranquil, settled, prepared for the steady duties of the day. Rosamond Oliver kept her word in coming to visit me.

Her call at the school was generally made in the course of her morning ride. She would canter up to the door on her pony, followed by a mounted livery servant. Anything more exquisite than her appearance, in her purple habit, with her Amazon's cap of black velvet placed gracefully above the long curls that kissed her cheek and floated to her shoulders, can scarcely be imagined: and it was thus she would enter the rustic building, and glide through the dazzled ranks of the village children. She generally came at the hour when Mr. Rivers was engaged in giving his daily catechising lesson. Keenly, I fear, did the eye of the visitress pierce the young pastor's heart. A sort of instinct seemed to warn him of her entrance, even when he did not see it; and when he was looking quite away from the door, if she appeared at it, his cheek would glow, and his marble-seeming features, though they refused to relax, changed indescribably, and in their very quiescence became expressive of a repressed fervour, stronger than working muscle or darting glance could indicate.

Of course, she knew her power: indeed, he did not, because he could not, conceal it from her.

In spite of his Christian stoicism, when she went up and addressed him, and smiled gaily, encouragingly, even fondly in his face, his hand would tremble and his eye burn. He seemed to say, with his sad and resolute look, if he did not say it with his lips, “I love you, and I know you prefer me. It is not despair of success that keeps me dumb. If I offered my heart, I believe you would accept it. But that heart is already laid on a sacred altar: the fire is arranged round it. It will soon be no more than a sacrifice consumed.”

And then she would pout like a disappointed child; a pensive cloud would soften her radiant vivacity; she would withdraw her hand hastily from his, and turn in transient petulance from his aspect, at once so heroic and so martyr-like.

St.

John, no doubt, would have given the world to follow, recall, retain her, when she thus left him; but he would not give one chance of heaven, nor relinquish, for the elysium of her love, one hope of the true, eternal Paradise. Besides, he could not bind all that he had in his nature—the rover, the aspirant, the poet, the priest—in the limits of a single passion. He could not—he would not—renounce his wild field of mission warfare for the parlours and the peace of Vale Hall. I learnt so much from himself in an inroad I once, despite his reserve, had the daring to make on his confidence.

Miss Oliver already honoured me with frequent visits to my cottage.

I had learnt her whole character, which was without mystery or disguise: she was coquettish but not heartless; exacting, but not worthlessly selfish. She had been indulged from her birth, but was not absolutely spoilt. She was hasty, but good-humoured; vain (she could not help it, when every glance in the glass showed her such a flush of loveliness), but not affected; liberal-handed; innocent of the pride of wealth; ingenuous; sufficiently intelligent; gay, lively, and unthinking: she was very charming, in short, even to a cool observer of her own sex like me; but she was not profoundly interesting or thoroughly impressive. A very different sort of mind was hers from that, for instance, of the sisters of St. John. Still, I liked her almost as I liked my pupil Adèle; except that, for a child whom we have watched over and taught, a closer affection is engendered than we can give an equally attractive adult acquaintance.

She had taken an amiable caprice to me.

She said I was like Mr. Rivers, only, certainly, she allowed, “not one-tenth so handsome, though I was a nice neat little soul enough, but he was an angel.” I was, however, good, clever, composed, and firm, like him. I was a lusus naturæ , she affirmed, as a village schoolmistress: she was sure my previous history, if known, would make a delightful romance.

One evening, while, with her usual child-like activity, and thoughtless yet not offensive inquisitiveness, she was rummaging the cupboard and the table-drawer of my little kitchen, she discovered first two French books, a volume of Schiller, a German grammar and dictionary, and then my drawing-materials and some sketches, including a pencil-head of a pretty little cherub-like girl, one of my scholars, and sundry views from nature, taken in the Vale of Morton and on the surrounding moors.

She was first transfixed with surprise, and then electrified with delight.

“Had I done these pictures?

Did I know French and German? What a love—what a miracle I was! I drew better than her master in the first school in S-. Would I sketch a portrait of her, to show to papa?”

“With pleasure,” I replied; and I felt a thrill of artist-delight at the idea of copying from so perfect and radiant a model.

She had then on a dark-blue silk dress; her arms and her neck were bare; her only ornament was her chestnut tresses, which waved over her shoulders with all the wild grace of natural curls. I took a sheet of fine card-board, and drew a careful outline. I promised myself the pleasure of colouring it; and, as it was getting late then, I told her she must come and sit another day.

She made such a report of me to her father, that Mr. Oliver himself accompanied her next evening—a tall, massive-featured, middle-aged, and grey-headed man, at whose side his lovely daughter looked like a bright flower near a hoary turret.

He appeared a taciturn, and perhaps a proud personage; but he was very kind to me. The sketch of Rosamond's portrait pleased him highly: he said I must make a finished picture of it. He insisted, too, on my coming the next day to spend the evening at Vale Hall.

I went.

I found it a large, handsome residence, showing abundant evidences of wealth in the proprietor. Rosamond was full of glee and pleasure all the time I stayed. Her father was affable; and when he entered into conversation with me after tea, he expressed in strong terms his approbation of what I had done in Morton school, and said he only feared, from what he saw and heard, I was too good for the place, and would soon quit it for one more suitable.

“Indeed,” cried Rosamond, “she is clever enough to be a governess in a high family, papa.”

I thought I would far rather be where I am than in any high family in the land.

Mr. Oliver spoke of Mr. Rivers—of the Rivers family—with great respect. He said it was a very old name in that neighbourhood; that the ancestors of the house were wealthy; that all Morton had once belonged to them; that even now he considered the representative of that house might, if he liked, make an alliance with the best. He accounted it a pity that so fine and talented a young man should have formed the design of going out as a missionary; it was quite throwing a valuable life away. It appeared, then, that her father would throw no obstacle in the way of Rosamond's union with St. John. Mr. Oliver evidently regarded the young clergyman's good birth, old name, and sacred profession as sufficient compensation for the want of fortune. It was the 5th of November, and a holiday.

My little servant, after helping me to clean my house, was gone, well satisfied with the fee of a penny for her aid. All about me was spotless and bright—scoured floor, polished grate, and well-rubbed chairs. I had also made myself neat, and had now the afternoon before me to spend as I would.

The translation of a few pages of German occupied an hour; then I got my palette and pencils, and fell to the more soothing, because easier occupation, of completing Rosamond Oliver's miniature. The head was finished already: there was but the background to tint and the drapery to shade off; a touch of carmine, too, to add to the ripe lips—a soft curl here and there to the tresses—a deeper tinge to the shadow of the lash under the azured eyelid. I was absorbed in the execution of these nice details, when, after one rapid tap, my door unclosed, admitting St. John Rivers.

“I am come to see how you are spending your holiday,” he said.

“Not, I hope, in thought? No, that is well: while you draw you will not feel lonely. You see, I mistrust you still, though you have borne up wonderfully so far. I have brought you a book for evening solace,” and he laid on the table a new publication—a poem: one of those genuine productions so often vouchsafed to the fortunate public of those days—the golden age of modern literature. Alas! the readers of our era are less favoured. But courage! I will not pause either to accuse or repine. I know poetry is not dead, nor genius lost; nor has Mammon gained power over either, to bind or slay: they will both assert their existence, their presence, their liberty and strength again one day. Powerful angels, safe in heaven! they smile when sordid souls triumph, and feeble ones weep over their destruction. Poetry destroyed? Genius banished? No! Mediocrity, no: do not let envy prompt you to the thought. No; they not only live, but reign and redeem: and without their divine influence spread everywhere, you would be in hell—the hell of your own meanness.

While I was eagerly glancing at the bright pages of “Marmion” (for “Marmion” it was), St.

John stooped to examine my drawing. His tall figure sprang erect again with a start: he said nothing. I looked up at him: he shunned my eye. I knew his thoughts well, and could read his heart plainly; at the moment I felt calmer and cooler than he: I had then temporarily the advantage of him, and I conceived an inclination to do him some good, if I could.

“With all his firmness and self-control,” thought I, “he tasks himself too far: locks every feeling and pang within—expresses, confesses, imparts nothing.

I am sure it would benefit him to talk a little about this sweet Rosamond, whom he thinks he ought not to marry: I will make him talk.”

I said first, “Take a chair, Mr. Rivers.” But he answered, as he always did, that he could not stay.

“Very well,” I responded, mentally, “stand if you like; but you shall not go just yet, I am determined: solitude is at least as bad for you as it is for me. I'll try if I cannot discover the secret spring of your confidence, and find an aperture in that marble breast through which I can shed one drop of the balm of sympathy.” “Is this portrait like?” I asked bluntly.

“Like!

Like whom? I did not observe it closely.”

“You did, Mr. Rivers.”

He almost started at my sudden and strange abruptness: he looked at me astonished.

“Oh, that is nothing yet,” I muttered within. “I don't mean to be baffled by a little stiffness on your part; I'm prepared to go to considerable lengths.” I continued, “You observed it closely and distinctly; but I have no objection to your looking at it again,” and I rose and placed it in his hand. “A well-executed picture,” he said; “very soft, clear colouring; very graceful and correct drawing.”

“Yes, yes; I know all that.

But what of the resemblance? Who is it like?”

Mastering some hesitation, he answered, “Miss Oliver, I presume.”

“Of course.

And now, sir, to reward you for the accurate guess, I will promise to paint you a careful and faithful duplicate of this very picture, provided you admit that the gift would be acceptable to you. I don't wish to throw away my time and trouble on an offering you would deem worthless.” He continued to gaze at the picture: the longer he looked, the firmer he held it, the more he seemed to covet it.

“It is like!” he murmured; “the eye is well managed: the colour, light, expression, are perfect. It smiles!”

“Would it comfort, or would it wound you to have a similar painting?

Tell me that. When you are at Madagascar, or at the Cape, or in India, would it be a consolation to have that memento in your possession? or would the sight of it bring recollections calculated to enervate and distress?”

He now furtively raised his eyes: he glanced at me, irresolute, disturbed: he again surveyed the picture.

“That I should like to have it is certain: whether it would be judicious or wise is another question.”

Since I had ascertained that Rosamond really preferred him, and that her father was not likely to oppose the match, I—less exalted in my views than St.

John—had been strongly disposed in my own heart to advocate their union. It seemed to me that, should he become the possessor of Mr. Oliver's large fortune, he might do as much good with it as if he went and laid his genius out to wither, and his strength to waste, under a tropical sun. With this persuasion I now answered—

“As far as I can see, it would be wiser and more judicious if you were to take to yourself the original at once.”

By this time he had sat down: he had laid the picture on the table before him, and with his brow supported on both hands, hung fondly over it.

I discerned he was now neither angry nor shocked at my audacity. I saw even that to be thus frankly addressed on a subject he had deemed unapproachable—to hear it thus freely handled—was beginning to be felt by him as a new pleasure—an unhoped-for relief. Reserved people often really need the frank discussion of their sentiments and griefs more than the expansive. The sternest-seeming stoic is human after all; and to “burst” with boldness and good-will into “the silent sea” of their souls is often to confer on them the first of obligations.

“She likes you, I am sure,” said I, as I stood behind his chair, “and her father respects you.

Moreover, she is a sweet girl—rather thoughtless; but you would have sufficient thought for both yourself and her. You ought to marry her.”

“ Does she like me?” he asked.

“Certainly; better than she likes any one else.

She talks of you continually: there is no subject she enjoys so much or touches upon so often.”

“It is very pleasant to hear this,” he said—“very: go on for another quarter of an hour.” And he actually took out his watch and laid it upon the table to measure the time.

“But where is the use of going on,” I asked, “when you are probably preparing some iron blow of contradiction, or forging a fresh chain to fetter your heart?”

“Don't imagine such hard things. Fancy me yielding and melting, as I am doing: human love rising like a freshly opened fountain in my mind and overflowing with sweet inundation all the field I have so carefully and with such labour prepared—so assiduously sown with the seeds of good intentions, of self-denying plans. And now it is deluged with a nectarous flood—the young germs swamped—delicious poison cankering them: now I see myself stretched on an ottoman in the drawing-room at Vale Hall at my bride Rosamond Oliver's feet: she is talking to me with her sweet voice—gazing down on me with those eyes your skilful hand has copied so well—smiling at me with these coral lips. She is mine—I am hers—this present life and passing world suffice to me. Hush! say nothing—my heart is full of delight—my senses are entranced—let the time I marked pass in peace.”

I humoured him: the watch ticked on: he breathed fast and low: I stood silent.

Amidst this hush the quartet sped; he replaced the watch, laid the picture down, rose, and stood on the hearth.

“Now,” said he, “that little space was given to delirium and delusion.

I rested my temples on the breast of temptation, and put my neck voluntarily under her yoke of flowers. I tasted her cup. The pillow was burning: there is an asp in the garland: the wine has a bitter taste: her promises are hollow—her offers false: I see and know all this.”

I gazed at him in wonder.

“It is strange,” pursued he, “that while I love Rosamond Oliver so wildly—with all the intensity, indeed, of a first passion, the object of which is exquisitely beautiful, graceful, fascinating—I experience at the same time a calm, unwarped consciousness that she would not make me a good wife; that she is not the partner suited to me; that I should discover this within a year after marriage; and that to twelve months' rapture would succeed a lifetime of regret. This I know.”

“Strange indeed!” I could not help ejaculating.

“While something in me,” he went on, “is acutely sensible to her charms, something else is as deeply impressed with her defects: they are such that she could sympathise in nothing I aspired to—co-operate in nothing I undertook.

Rosamond a sufferer, a labourer, a female apostle? Rosamond a missionary's wife? No!”

“But you need not be a missionary.

You might relinquish that scheme.”

“Relinquish!

What! my vocation? My great work? My foundation laid on earth for a mansion in heaven? My hopes of being numbered in the band who have merged all ambitions in the glorious one of bettering their race—of carrying knowledge into the realms of ignorance—of substituting peace for war—freedom for bondage—religion for superstition—the hope of heaven for the fear of hell? Must I relinquish that? It is dearer than the blood in my veins. It is what I have to look forward to, and to live for.”

After a considerable pause, I said—“And Miss Oliver?

Are her disappointment and sorrow of no interest to you?”

“Miss Oliver is ever surrounded by suitors and flatterers: in less than a month, my image will be effaced from her heart.

She will forget me; and will marry, probably, some one who will make her far happier than I should do.”

“You speak coolly enough; but you suffer in the conflict.

You are wasting away.”

“No.

If I get a little thin, it is with anxiety about my prospects, yet unsettled—my departure, continually procrastinated. Only this morning, I received intelligence that the successor, whose arrival I have been so long expecting, cannot be ready to replace me for three months to come yet; and perhaps the three months may extend to six.”

“You tremble and become flushed whenever Miss Oliver enters the schoolroom.”

Again the surprised expression crossed his face.

He had not imagined that a woman would dare to speak so to a man. For me, I felt at home in this sort of discourse. I could never rest in communication with strong, discreet, and refined minds, whether male or female, till I had passed the outworks of conventional reserve, and crossed the threshold of confidence, and won a place by their heart's very hearthstone. “You are original,” said he, “and not timid.

There is something brave in your spirit, as well as penetrating in your eye; but allow me to assure you that you partially misinterpret my emotions. You think them more profound and potent than they are. You give me a larger allowance of sympathy than I have a just claim to. When I colour, and when I shade before Miss Oliver, I do not pity myself. I scorn the weakness. I know it is ignoble: a mere fever of the flesh: not, I declare, the convulsion of the soul. That is just as fixed as a rock, firm set in the depths of a restless sea. Know me to be what I am—a cold hard man.”

I smiled incredulously.

“You have taken my confidence by storm,” he continued, “and now it is much at your service.

I am simply, in my original state—stripped of that blood-bleached robe with which Christianity covers human deformity—a cold, hard, ambitious man. Natural affection only, of all the sentiments, has permanent power over me. Reason, and not feeling, is my guide; my ambition is unlimited: my desire to rise higher, to do more than others, insatiable. I honour endurance, perseverance, industry, talent; because these are the means by which men achieve great ends and mount to lofty eminence. I watch your career with interest, because I consider you a specimen of a diligent, orderly, energetic woman: not because I deeply compassionate what you have gone through, or what you still suffer.”

“You would describe yourself as a mere pagan philosopher,” I said.

“No.

There is this difference between me and deistic philosophers: I believe; and I believe the Gospel. You missed your epithet. I am not a pagan, but a Christian philosopher—a follower of the sect of Jesus. As His disciple I adopt His pure, His merciful, His benignant doctrines. I advocate them: I am sworn to spread them. Won in youth to religion, she has cultivated my original qualities thus:—From the minute germ, natural affection, she has developed the overshadowing tree, philanthropy. From the wild stringy root of human uprightness, she has reared a due sense of the Divine justice. Of the ambition to win power and renown for my wretched self, she has formed the ambition to spread my Master's kingdom; to achieve victories for the standard of the cross. So much has religion done for me; turning the original materials to the best account; pruning and training nature. But she could not eradicate nature: nor will it be eradicated ‘till this mortal shall put on immortality. '” Having said this, he took his hat, which lay on the table beside my palette.

Once more he looked at the portrait.

“She is lovely,” he murmured.

“She is well named the Rose of the World, indeed!”

“And may I not paint one like it for you?”

“ Cui bono ?

No.”

He drew over the picture the sheet of thin paper on which I was accustomed to rest my hand in painting, to prevent the cardboard from being sullied.

What he suddenly saw on this blank paper, it was impossible for me to tell; but something had caught his eye. He took it up with a snatch; he looked at the edge; then shot a glance at me, inexpressibly peculiar, and quite incomprehensible: a glance that seemed to take and make note of every point in my shape, face, and dress; for it traversed all, quick, keen as lightning. His lips parted, as if to speak: but he checked the coming sentence, whatever it was.

“What is the matter?” I asked.

“Nothing in the world,” was the reply; and, replacing the paper, I saw him dexterously tear a narrow slip from the margin.

It disappeared in his glove; and, with one hasty nod and “good-afternoon,” he vanished.

“Well!” I exclaimed, using an expression of the district, “that caps the globe, however!”

I, in my turn, scrutinised the paper; but saw nothing on it save a few dingy stains of paint where I had tried the tint in my pencil.

I pondered the mystery a minute or two; but finding it insolvable, and being certain it could not be of much moment, I dismissed, and soon forgot it.

CHAPTER XXXII BÖLÜM XXXII

I continued the labours of the village-school as actively and faithfully as I could.

It was truly hard work at first. Some time elapsed before, with all my efforts, I could comprehend my scholars and their nature. Il s'est écoulé un certain temps avant que, malgré tous mes efforts, je puisse comprendre mes boursiers et leur nature. Wholly untaught, with faculties quite torpid, they seemed to me hopelessly dull; and, at first sight, all dull alike: but I soon found I was mistaken. Wholly untaught, with faculties quite torpid, they seemed to me hopelessly dull; and, at first sight, all dull alike: but I soon found I was mistaken. Tout à fait inexpérimentés, avec des facultés assez torpides, ils me parurent désespérément ennuyeux; et, à première vue, tout ennuyeux: mais je me suis vite rendu compte que je m'étais trompé. There was a difference amongst them as amongst the educated; and when I got to know them, and they me, this difference rapidly developed itself. There was a difference amongst them as amongst the educated; and when I got to know them, and they me, this difference rapidly developed itself. Il y avait une différence entre eux comme entre les gens instruits ; et quand j'ai appris à les connaître, et eux à me connaître, cette différence s'est rapidement développée. Their amazement at me, my language, my rules, and ways, once subsided, I found some of these heavy-looking, gaping rustics wake up into sharp-witted girls enough. Leur étonnement face à moi, à ma langue, à mes règles et à mes habitudes, une fois apaisés, j'ai trouvé que certains de ces rustiques à l'air lourd et béants se réveillaient en filles assez intelligentes. Many showed themselves obliging, and amiable too; and I discovered amongst them not a few examples of natural politeness, and innate self-respect, as well as of excellent capacity, that won both my goodwill and my admiration. Beaucoup se sont montrés serviables et aimables aussi; et j'ai découvert parmi eux pas quelques exemples de politesse naturelle et de respect de soi inné, ainsi que d'excellentes capacités, qui ont gagné à la fois ma bonne volonté et mon admiration. These soon took a pleasure in doing their work well, in keeping their persons neat, in learning their tasks regularly, in acquiring quiet and orderly manners. Ceux-ci prirent bientôt plaisir à bien faire leur travail, à garder leur personne propre, à apprendre régulièrement leurs tâches, à acquérir des manières calmes et ordonnées. The rapidity of their progress, in some instances, was even surprising; and an honest and happy pride I took in it: besides, I began personally to like some of the best girls; and they liked me. La rapidité de leurs progrès, dans certains cas, était même surprenante, et j'en ai tiré une fierté honnête et heureuse : en outre, j'ai commencé à aimer personnellement certaines des meilleures filles, et elles m'aimaient bien. I had amongst my scholars several farmers' daughters: young women grown, almost. J'avais parmi mes boursiers plusieurs filles d'agriculteurs : des jeunes femmes adultes, presque. These could already read, write, and sew; and to them I taught the elements of grammar, geography, history, and the finer kinds of needlework. Ceux-ci pouvaient déjà lire, écrire et coudre; et à eux je leur ai enseigné les éléments de grammaire, de géographie, d'histoire et les plus beaux types de travaux d'aiguille. I found estimable characters amongst them—characters desirous of information and disposed for improvement—with whom I passed many a pleasant evening hour in their own homes. J'ai trouvé parmi eux des personnages estimables, désireux de s'informer et disposés à s'améliorer, avec lesquels j'ai passé de nombreuses heures agréables le soir dans leur propre maison. Their parents then (the farmer and his wife) loaded me with attentions. Leurs parents alors (le fermier et sa femme) m'ont chargé d'attentions. There was an enjoyment in accepting their simple kindness, and in repaying it by a consideration—a scrupulous regard to their feelings—to which they were not, perhaps, at all times accustomed, and which both charmed and benefited them; because, while it elevated them in their own eyes, it made them emulous to merit the deferential treatment they received. Il y avait un plaisir à accepter leur simple gentillesse, et à la rembourser par une considération - un respect scrupuleux de leurs sentiments - à laquelle ils n'étaient peut-être pas toujours habitués, et qui les charmait et leur était bénéfique; parce que, tout en les élevant à leurs propres yeux, cela les rendait ému de mériter le traitement déférent qu'ils ont reçu.

I felt I became a favourite in the neighbourhood.

Whenever I went out, I heard on all sides cordial salutations, and was welcomed with friendly smiles. To live amidst general regard, though it be but the regard of working people, is like “sitting in sunshine, calm and sweet;” serene inward feelings bud and bloom under the ray. Vivre au milieu du respect général, même s'il ne s'agit que du respect des travailleurs, c'est comme «s'asseoir au soleil, calme et doux»; des sentiments intérieurs sereins bourgeonnent et fleurissent sous le rayon. At this period of my life, my heart far oftener swelled with thankfulness than sank with dejection: and yet, reader, to tell you all, in the midst of this calm, this useful existence—after a day passed in honourable exertion amongst my scholars, an evening spent in drawing or reading contentedly alone—I used to rush into strange dreams at night: dreams many-coloured, agitated, full of the ideal, the stirring, the stormy—dreams where, amidst unusual scenes, charged with adventure, with agitating risk and romantic chance, I still again and again met Mr. Rochester, always at some exciting crisis; and then the sense of being in his arms, hearing his voice, meeting his eye, touching his hand and cheek, loving him, being loved by him—the hope of passing a lifetime at his side, would be renewed, with all its first force and fire. A cette période de ma vie, mon cœur se gonflait beaucoup plus de reconnaissance qu'il ne sombrait de découragement: et pourtant, lecteur, pour tout vous dire, au milieu de ce calme, de cette existence utile - après une journée passée dans un effort honorable parmi mes savants. , une soirée passée à dessiner ou à lire avec contentement - je me précipitais la nuit dans des rêves étranges: des rêves multicolores, agités, pleins d'idéal, d'émouvants, d'orages - des rêves où, au milieu de scènes insolites, chargés d'aventures, avec un risque agité et une chance amoureuse, je rencontrais encore et encore M. Rochester, toujours dans une crise passionnante; et puis le sentiment d'être dans ses bras, d'entendre sa voix, de croiser son œil, de lui toucher la main et la joue, de l'aimer, d'être aimé de lui - l'espoir de passer une vie à ses côtés, serait renouvelé, avec toute sa première la force et le feu. Then I awoke. Then I recalled where I was, and how situated. Then I rose up on my curtainless bed, trembling and quivering; and then the still, dark night witnessed the convulsion of despair, and heard the burst of passion. Puis je me suis levé sur mon lit sans rideau, tremblant et frémissant; et puis la nuit calme et sombre a été témoin de la convulsion du désespoir, et a entendu l'éclat de la passion. By nine o'clock the next morning I was punctually opening the school; tranquil, settled, prepared for the steady duties of the day. À neuf heures du matin, j'ouvrais ponctuellement l'école; tranquille, serein, préparé pour les tâches régulières de la journée. Rosamond Oliver kept her word in coming to visit me. Rosamond Oliver a tenu parole en venant me rendre visite.

Her call at the school was generally made in the course of her morning ride. Son appel à l'école se faisait généralement au cours de sa promenade matinale. She would canter up to the door on her pony, followed by a mounted livery servant. Elle galopait jusqu'à la porte sur son poney, suivie d'un domestique à cheval. Anything more exquisite than her appearance, in her purple habit, with her Amazon's cap of black velvet placed gracefully above the long curls that kissed her cheek and floated to her shoulders, can scarcely be imagined: and it was thus she would enter the rustic building, and glide through the dazzled ranks of the village children. Rien de plus exquis que son apparence, dans son habit pourpre, avec son bonnet de velours noir d'Amazonie placé gracieusement au-dessus des longues boucles qui embrassaient sa joue et flottaient sur ses épaules, peut à peine être imaginé: et c'était ainsi qu'elle entrerait dans le bâtiment rustique. , et glissez à travers les rangs éblouis des enfants du village. She generally came at the hour when Mr. Rivers was engaged in giving his daily catechising lesson. Elle venait généralement à l'heure où M. Rivers était occupé à donner sa leçon de catéchèse quotidienne. Keenly, I fear, did the eye of the visitress pierce the young pastor's heart. Je crains vivement que l'œil de la visiteuse ne transperce le cœur du jeune pasteur. A sort of instinct seemed to warn him of her entrance, even when he did not see it; and when he was looking quite away from the door, if she appeared at it, his cheek would glow, and his marble-seeming features, though they refused to relax, changed indescribably, and in their very quiescence became expressive of a repressed fervour, stronger than working muscle or darting glance could indicate. Une sorte d'instinct semblait l'avertir de son entrée, même quand il ne la voyait pas; et quand il regardait tout à fait loin de la porte, si elle y apparaissait, sa joue brillait, et ses traits d'aspect marbré, bien qu'ils refusaient de se détendre, changeaient de manière indescriptible, et dans leur calme même devenaient expressifs d'une ferveur réprimée, plus fort que le travail musculaire ou un coup d'œil rapide pourrait l'indiquer.

Of course, she knew her power: indeed, he did not, because he could not, conceal it from her. Bien sûr, elle connaissait son pouvoir: en effet, il ne le lui cachait pas, car il ne le pouvait pas.

In spite of his Christian stoicism, when she went up and addressed him, and smiled gaily, encouragingly, even fondly in his face, his hand would tremble and his eye burn. In spite of his Christian stoicism, when she went up and addressed him, and smiled gaily, encouragingly, even fondly in his face, his hand would tremble and his eye burn. Malgré son stoïcisme chrétien, lorsqu'elle s'approcha de lui et lui sourit gaiement, encourageant, même tendrement sur son visage, sa main tremblait et son œil brûlait. He seemed to say, with his sad and resolute look, if he did not say it with his lips, “I love you, and I know you prefer me. Il semblait dire, avec son regard triste et résolu, s'il ne le disait pas avec ses lèvres : "Je t'aime, et je sais que tu me préfères. It is not despair of success that keeps me dumb. Ce n’est pas le désespoir du succès qui me rend muet. If I offered my heart, I believe you would accept it. But that heart is already laid on a sacred altar: the fire is arranged round it. Mais ce cœur est déjà posé sur un autel sacré: le feu est disposé autour de lui. It will soon be no more than a sacrifice consumed.” Ce ne sera bientôt plus qu’un sacrifice consommé.

And then she would pout like a disappointed child; a pensive cloud would soften her radiant vivacity; she would withdraw her hand hastily from his, and turn in transient petulance from his aspect, at once so heroic and so martyr-like. Et puis elle faisait la moue comme une enfant déçue; un nuage pensif adoucirait sa vivacité rayonnante; elle retirerait à la hâte sa main de la sienne, et se détournerait passagère de son aspect, à la fois si héroïque et si martyr.

St.

John, no doubt, would have given the world to follow, recall, retain her, when she thus left him; but he would not give one chance of heaven, nor relinquish, for the elysium of her love, one hope of the true, eternal Paradise. Jean, sans doute, aurait donné au monde pour la suivre, la rappeler, la retenir, lorsqu'elle le quittait ainsi; mais il ne voulait pas donner une seule chance au ciel, ni abandonner, pour l'elysium de son amour, une espérance du vrai paradis éternel. Besides, he could not bind all that he had in his nature—the rover, the aspirant, the poet, the priest—in the limits of a single passion. D'ailleurs, il ne pouvait lier tout ce qu'il avait dans sa nature - le vagabond, l'aspirant, le poète, le prêtre - dans les limites d'une seule passion. He could not—he would not—renounce his wild field of mission warfare for the parlours and the peace of Vale Hall. Il ne pouvait pas - il ne voulait pas - renoncer à son champ de mission sauvage pour les salons et la paix de Vale Hall. I learnt so much from himself in an inroad I once, despite his reserve, had the daring to make on his confidence. J'ai tellement appris de lui-même dans une incursion que j'ai eu une fois, malgré sa réserve, l'audace de faire preuve de confiance.

Miss Oliver already honoured me with frequent visits to my cottage.

I had learnt her whole character, which was without mystery or disguise: she was coquettish but not heartless; exacting, but not worthlessly selfish. J'avais appris tout son caractère, qui était sans mystère ni déguisement: elle était coquette mais pas sans cœur; exigeant, mais pas sans valeur égoïste. She had been indulged from her birth, but was not absolutely spoilt. Elle avait été gâtée depuis sa naissance, mais n'était pas absolument gâtée. She was hasty, but good-humoured; vain (she could not help it, when every glance in the glass showed her such a flush of loveliness), but not affected; liberal-handed; innocent of the pride of wealth; ingenuous; sufficiently intelligent; gay, lively, and unthinking: she was very charming, in short, even to a cool observer of her own sex like me; but she was not profoundly interesting or thoroughly impressive. Elle était hâtive, mais de bonne humeur; vaine (elle ne pouvait pas s'en empêcher, quand chaque coup d'œil dans le verre lui montrait une telle bouffée de beauté), mais pas affectée; libéral; innocent de l'orgueil de la richesse; ingénu; suffisamment intelligent; gaie, vive et irréfléchie: elle était très charmante, en somme, même pour un observateur cool de son propre sexe comme moi; mais elle n'était ni profondément intéressante ni vraiment impressionnante. A very different sort of mind was hers from that, for instance, of the sisters of St. Son esprit était très différent de celui, par exemple, des sœurs de St. John. Still, I liked her almost as I liked my pupil Adèle; except that, for a child whom we have watched over and taught, a closer affection is engendered than we can give an equally attractive adult acquaintance. Still, I liked her almost as I liked my pupil Adèle; except that, for a child whom we have watched over and taught, a closer affection is engendered than we can give an equally attractive adult acquaintance. Pourtant, je l'aimais presque comme j'aimais mon élève Adèle ; sauf que, pour un enfant que nous avons surveillé et éduqué, une affection plus étroite est engendrée que nous pouvons donner à une connaissance adulte tout aussi attrayante.

She had taken an amiable caprice to me. Elle avait pris un aimable caprice à mon égard.

She said I was like Mr. Rivers, only, certainly, she allowed, “not one-tenth so handsome, though I was a nice neat little soul enough, but he was an angel.”  I was, however, good, clever, composed, and firm, like him. She said I was like Mr. Rivers, only, certainly, she allowed, “not one-tenth so handsome, though I was a nice neat little soul enough, but he was an angel.” I was, however, good, clever, composed, and firm, like him. Elle a dit que j'étais comme M. Rivers, seulement, certainement, elle a admis, «pas un dixième de si beau, même si j'étais une petite âme assez soignée, mais il était un ange. J'étais cependant bon, intelligent, composé et ferme, comme lui. I was a lusus naturæ , she affirmed, as a village schoolmistress: she was sure my previous history, if known, would make a delightful romance. I was a lusus naturæ , she affirmed, as a village schoolmistress: she was sure my previous history, if known, would make a delightful romance. J'étais une lusus naturæ, affirmait-elle, en tant que maîtresse d'école de village: elle était sûre que mon histoire antérieure, si elle était connue, ferait une délicieuse romance.

One evening, while, with her usual child-like activity, and thoughtless yet not offensive inquisitiveness, she was rummaging the cupboard and the table-drawer of my little kitchen, she discovered first two French books, a volume of Schiller, a German grammar and dictionary, and then my drawing-materials and some sketches, including a pencil-head of a pretty little cherub-like girl, one of my scholars, and sundry views from nature, taken in the Vale of Morton and on the surrounding moors. Un soir, alors que, avec son activité enfantine habituelle, et sa curiosité irréfléchie mais pas offensante, elle fouilla l'armoire et le tiroir de ma petite cuisine, elle découvrit les deux premiers livres français, un volume de Schiller, une grammaire allemande. et le dictionnaire, puis mon matériel de dessin et quelques croquis, y compris une tête de crayon d'une jolie petite fille aux allures de chérubin, un de mes érudits, et diverses vues de la nature, prises dans la vallée de Morton et sur les landes environnantes.

She was first transfixed with surprise, and then electrified with delight. Elle a d'abord été transpercée de surprise, puis électrifiée de plaisir.

“Had I done these pictures? «Avais-je fait ces photos?

Did I know French and German? What a love—what a miracle I was! Quel amour, quel miracle j'étais ! I drew better than her master in the first school in S-. Je dessinais mieux que son maître dans la première école de S-. Would I sketch a portrait of her, to show to papa?”

“With pleasure,” I replied; and I felt a thrill of artist-delight at the idea of copying from so perfect and radiant a model. “With pleasure,” I replied; and I felt a thrill of artist-delight at the idea of copying from so perfect and radiant a model. «Avec plaisir», répondis-je; et j'ai ressenti un frisson d'artiste-plaisir à l'idée de copier un modèle aussi parfait et radieux.

She had then on a dark-blue silk dress; her arms and her neck were bare; her only ornament was her chestnut tresses, which waved over her shoulders with all the wild grace of natural curls. She had then on a dark-blue silk dress; her arms and her neck were bare; her only ornament was her chestnut tresses, which waved over her shoulders with all the wild grace of natural curls. Elle portait alors une robe de soie bleu foncé; ses bras et son cou étaient nus; son seul ornement était ses cheveux châtains, qui ondulaient sur ses épaules avec toute la grâce sauvage des boucles naturelles. I took a sheet of fine card-board, and drew a careful outline. J'ai pris une feuille de carton fin et en ai dessiné un contour soigné. I promised myself the pleasure of colouring it; and, as it was getting late then, I told her she must come and sit another day. Je me suis promis le plaisir de le colorier; et, comme il se faisait tard, je lui ai dit qu'elle devait venir s'asseoir un autre jour.

She made such a report of me to her father, that Mr. Oliver himself accompanied her next evening—a tall, massive-featured, middle-aged, and grey-headed man, at whose side his lovely daughter looked like a bright flower near a hoary turret. Elle a fait un tel rapport de moi à son père, que M. Oliver lui-même l'a accompagnée le soir suivant - un homme grand, aux traits massifs, d'âge moyen et à la tête grise, au côté duquel sa jolie fille ressemblait à une fleur brillante près une tourelle chienne.

He appeared a taciturn, and perhaps a proud personage; but he was very kind to me. The sketch of Rosamond's portrait pleased him highly: he said I must make a finished picture of it. L'esquisse du portrait de Rosamond lui plut beaucoup: il dit que je devais en faire une image finie. He insisted, too, on my coming the next day to spend the evening at Vale Hall.

I went.

I found it a large, handsome residence, showing abundant evidences of wealth in the proprietor. I found it a large, handsome residence, showing abundant evidences of wealth in the proprietor. Rosamond was full of glee and pleasure all the time I stayed. Rosamond was full of glee and pleasure all the time I stayed. Rosamond était pleine de joie et de plaisir tout le temps que je restais. Her father was affable; and when he entered into conversation with me after tea, he expressed in strong terms his approbation of what I had done in Morton school, and said he only feared, from what he saw and heard, I was too good for the place, and would soon quit it for one more suitable. Her father was affable; and when he entered into conversation with me after tea, he expressed in strong terms his approbation of what I had done in Morton school, and said he only feared, from what he saw and heard, I was too good for the place, and would soon quit it for one more suitable. Son père était affable, et lorsqu'il engagea la conversation avec moi après le thé, il exprima en termes forts son approbation de ce que j'avais fait à l'école de Morton, et dit qu'il craignait seulement, d'après ce qu'il avait vu et entendu, que je sois trop bien pour l'endroit, et que je le quitte bientôt pour un endroit plus convenable.

“Indeed,” cried Rosamond, “she is clever enough to be a governess in a high family, papa.”

I thought I would far rather be where I am than in any high family in the land. Je me suis dit que je préférerais de loin être là où je suis plutôt que dans n'importe quelle grande famille du pays.

Mr. Oliver spoke of Mr. Rivers—of the Rivers family—with great respect. He said it was a very old name in that neighbourhood; that the ancestors of the house were wealthy; that all Morton had once belonged to them; that even now he considered the representative of that house might, if he liked, make an alliance with the best. He said it was a very old name in that neighbourhood; that the ancestors of the house were wealthy; that all Morton had once belonged to them; that even now he considered the representative of that house might, if he liked, make an alliance with the best. Il a dit que c'était un nom très ancien dans ce quartier; que les ancêtres de la maison étaient riches; que tout Morton leur avait appartenu autrefois; que même maintenant il considérait que le représentant de cette maison pourrait, s'il le voulait, faire alliance avec les meilleurs. He accounted it a pity that so fine and talented a young man should have formed the design of going out as a missionary; it was quite throwing a valuable life away. He accounted it a pity that so fine and talented a young man should have formed the design of going out as a missionary; it was quite throwing a valuable life away. Il a regretté qu'un jeune homme si beau et si talentueux ait formé le dessein de sortir comme missionnaire; c'était vraiment jeter une vie précieuse. It appeared, then, that her father would throw no obstacle in the way of Rosamond's union with St. John. Mr. Oliver evidently regarded the young clergyman's good birth, old name, and sacred profession as sufficient compensation for the want of fortune. Mr. Oliver evidently regarded the young clergyman's good birth, old name, and sacred profession as sufficient compensation for the want of fortune. M. Oliver considérait manifestement la bonne naissance, l'ancien nom et la profession sacrée du jeune ecclésiastique comme une compensation suffisante pour le manque de fortune. It was the 5th of November, and a holiday. C'était le 5 novembre, un jour férié.

My little servant, after helping me to clean my house, was gone, well satisfied with the fee of a penny for her aid. My little servant, after helping me to clean my house, was gone, well satisfied with the fee of a penny for her aid. Ma petite servante, après m'avoir aidé à nettoyer ma maison, est partie, bien satisfaite de la rémunération d'un penny pour son aide. All about me was spotless and bright—scoured floor, polished grate, and well-rubbed chairs. Tout autour de moi était impeccable et brillant - sol décapé, grille polie et chaises bien frottées. I had also made myself neat, and had now the afternoon before me to spend as I would. J'avais également pris soin de moi, et j'avais maintenant l'après-midi devant moi pour le passer à ma guise.

The translation of a few pages of German occupied an hour; then I got my palette and pencils, and fell to the more soothing, because easier occupation, of completing Rosamond Oliver's miniature. The translation of a few pages of German occupied an hour; then I got my palette and pencils, and fell to the more soothing, because easier occupation, of completing Rosamond Oliver's miniature. La traduction de quelques pages d'allemand a pris une heure; puis j'ai eu ma palette et mes crayons, et je suis tombé dans le métier plus apaisant, car plus facile, de terminer la miniature de Rosamond Oliver. The head was finished already: there was but the background to tint and the drapery to shade off; a touch of carmine, too, to add to the ripe lips—a soft curl here and there to the tresses—a deeper tinge to the shadow of the lash under the azured eyelid. The head was finished already: there was but the background to tint and the drapery to shade off; a touch of carmine, too, to add to the ripe lips—a soft curl here and there to the tresses—a deeper tinge to the shadow of the lash under the azured eyelid. La tête était déjà terminée: il n'y avait plus que le fond à teinter et la draperie à ombrager; une touche de carmin, aussi, à ajouter aux lèvres mûres - une douce boucle ici et là aux tresses - une teinte plus profonde à l'ombre du cil sous la paupière azurée. I was absorbed in the execution of these nice details, when, after one rapid tap, my door unclosed, admitting St. I was absorbed in the execution of these nice details, when, after one rapid tap, my door unclosed, admitting St. John Rivers.

“I am come to see how you are spending your holiday,” he said.

“Not, I hope, in thought? «Pas, j'espère, en pensée? No, that is well: while you draw you will not feel lonely. Non, c'est bien : pendant que tu dessineras, tu ne te sentiras pas seul. You see, I mistrust you still, though you have borne up wonderfully so far. Vous voyez, je me méfie encore de vous, même si vous avez admirablement supporté jusqu'ici. I have brought you a book for evening solace,” and he laid on the table a new publication—a poem: one of those genuine productions so often vouchsafed to the fortunate public of those days—the golden age of modern literature. Je vous ai apporté un livre pour le réconfort du soir », et il posa sur la table une nouvelle publication - un poème: une de ces productions authentiques si souvent vouées à l'heureux public de l'époque - l'âge d'or de la littérature moderne. Alas! the readers of our era are less favoured. les lecteurs de notre époque sont moins favorisés. But courage! I will not pause either to accuse or repine. Je ne m'arrêterai ni pour accuser ni pour me plaindre. I know poetry is not dead, nor genius lost; nor has Mammon gained power over either, to bind or slay: they will both assert their existence, their presence, their liberty and strength again one day. I know poetry is not dead, nor genius lost; nor has Mammon gained power over either, to bind or slay: they will both assert their existence, their presence, their liberty and strength again one day. Je sais que la poésie n'est pas morte, ni le génie perdu; Mammon n'a pas non plus pris de pouvoir sur l'un ou l'autre, pour lier ou tuer: ils affirmeront tous deux leur existence, leur présence, leur liberté et leur force un jour. Powerful angels, safe in heaven! Des anges puissants, en sécurité au paradis ! they smile when sordid souls triumph, and feeble ones weep over their destruction. ils sourient quand les âmes sordides triomphent, et les faibles pleurent sur leur destruction. Poetry destroyed? Genius banished? No! Mediocrity, no: do not let envy prompt you to the thought. Médiocrité, non: ne laissez pas l'envie vous inciter à penser. No; they not only live, but reign and redeem: and without their divine influence spread everywhere, you would be in hell—the hell of your own meanness. No; they not only live, but reign and redeem: and without their divine influence spread everywhere, you would be in hell—the hell of your own meanness. Non; non seulement ils vivent, mais ils règnent et rachètent: et sans leur influence divine répandue partout, vous seriez en enfer - l'enfer de votre propre méchanceté.

While I was eagerly glancing at the bright pages of “Marmion” (for “Marmion” it was), St. Alors que je regardais avec impatience les pages lumineuses de «Marmion» (pour «Marmion»), St.

John stooped to examine my drawing. His tall figure sprang erect again with a start: he said nothing. Sa grande silhouette se redressa en sursaut: il ne dit rien. I looked up at him: he shunned my eye. J'ai levé les yeux vers lui: il a évité mon regard. I knew his thoughts well, and could read his heart plainly; at the moment I felt calmer and cooler than he: I had then temporarily the advantage of him, and I conceived an inclination to do him some good, if I could. I knew his thoughts well, and could read his heart plainly; at the moment I felt calmer and cooler than he: I had then temporarily the advantage of him, and I conceived an inclination to do him some good, if I could. Je connaissais bien ses pensées et je pouvais lire clairement son cœur; en ce moment, je me sentais plus calme et plus froid que lui: j'avais alors temporairement l'avantage de lui, et je concevais l'envie de lui faire du bien, si je le pouvais.

“With all his firmness and self-control,” thought I, “he tasks himself too far: locks every feeling and pang within—expresses, confesses, imparts nothing. «Avec toute sa fermeté et sa maîtrise de soi», pensai-je, «il s'éloigne trop loin: enferme chaque sentiment et douleur à l'intérieur - exprime, avoue, ne donne rien.

I am sure it would benefit him to talk a little about this sweet Rosamond, whom he thinks he ought not to marry: I will make him talk.” I am sure it would benefit him to talk a little about this sweet Rosamond, whom he thinks he ought not to marry: I will make him talk.” Je suis sûr que cela lui ferait du bien de parler un peu de cette douce Rosamond, qu'il pense ne pas devoir épouser : Je vais le faire parler."

I said first, “Take a chair, Mr. Rivers.”  But he answered, as he always did, that he could not stay.

“Very well,” I responded, mentally, “stand if you like; but you shall not go just yet, I am determined: solitude is at least as bad for you as it is for me. “Very well,” I responded, mentally, “stand if you like; but you shall not go just yet, I am determined: solitude is at least as bad for you as it is for me. "Très bien, répondis-je mentalement, restez debout si vous voulez ; mais vous ne partirez pas tout de suite, j'y suis résolu : la solitude est au moins aussi mauvaise pour vous qu'elle l'est pour moi. I'll try if I cannot discover the secret spring of your confidence, and find an aperture in that marble breast through which I can shed one drop of the balm of sympathy.” J'essaierai si je ne peux pas découvrir le ressort secret de votre confiance, et trouver une ouverture dans ce sein de marbre à travers lequel je peux verser une goutte du baume de la sympathie. “Is this portrait like?” I asked bluntly.

“Like!

Like whom? I did not observe it closely.”

“You did, Mr. Rivers.”

He almost started at my sudden and strange abruptness: he looked at me astonished.

“Oh, that is nothing yet,” I muttered within. "Oh, ce n'est pas encore ça", ai-je murmuré intérieurement. “I don't mean to be baffled by a little stiffness on your part; I'm prepared to go to considerable lengths.”  I continued, “You observed it closely and distinctly; but I have no objection to your looking at it again,” and I rose and placed it in his hand. «Je ne veux pas être déconcerté par un peu de raideur de votre part; Je suis prêt à aller très loin. » J'ai continué: «Vous l'avez observé de près et distinctement; mais je n'ai aucune objection à ce que vous la regardiez à nouveau », et je me levai et la remit dans sa main. “A well-executed picture,” he said; “very soft, clear colouring; very graceful and correct drawing.”

“Yes, yes; I know all that.

But what of the resemblance? Who is it like?” À qui ressemble-t-il?

Mastering some hesitation, he answered, “Miss Oliver, I presume.”

“Of course.

And now, sir, to reward you for the accurate guess, I will promise to paint you a careful and faithful duplicate of this very picture, provided you admit that the gift would be acceptable to you. Et maintenant, monsieur, pour vous récompenser de la supposition exacte, je promets de vous peindre un duplicata soigné et fidèle de cette image même, à condition que vous admettiez que le cadeau vous serait acceptable. I don't wish to throw away my time and trouble on an offering you would deem worthless.” Je ne souhaite pas gaspiller mon temps et mes problèmes sur une offre que vous jugeriez sans valeur. He continued to gaze at the picture: the longer he looked, the firmer he held it, the more he seemed to covet it. Il continua à regarder l'image: plus il regardait longtemps, plus il la tenait ferme, plus il semblait la convoiter.

“It is like!” he murmured; “the eye is well managed: the colour, light, expression, are perfect. It smiles!”

“Would it comfort, or would it wound you to have a similar painting? «Cela vous réconforterait-il ou vous blesserait-il d'avoir un tableau similaire?

Tell me that. When you are at Madagascar, or at the Cape, or in India, would it be a consolation to have that memento in your possession? or would the sight of it bring recollections calculated to enervate and distress?” ou sa vue apporterait-elle des souvenirs calculés pour énerver et angoisser?

He now furtively raised his eyes: he glanced at me, irresolute, disturbed: he again surveyed the picture. He now furtively raised his eyes: he glanced at me, irresolute, disturbed: he again surveyed the picture. Il leva maintenant les yeux furtivement: il me regarda, irrésolu, troublé: il regarda à nouveau l'image.

“That I should like to have it is certain: whether it would be judicious or wise is another question.”

Since I had ascertained that Rosamond really preferred him, and that her father was not likely to oppose the match, I—less exalted in my views than St. Since I had ascertained that Rosamond really preferred him, and that her father was not likely to oppose the match, I—less exalted in my views than St. Depuis que j'avais constaté que Rosamond le préférait vraiment et que son père n'était pas susceptible de s'opposer au match, je - moins exalté dans mes opinions que St.

John—had been strongly disposed in my own heart to advocate their union. John — avait été fermement disposé dans mon propre cœur à défendre leur union. It seemed to me that, should he become the possessor of Mr. Oliver's large fortune, he might do as much good with it as if he went and laid his genius out to wither, and his strength to waste, under a tropical sun. It seemed to me that, should he become the possessor of Mr. Oliver's large fortune, he might do as much good with it as if he went and laid his genius out to wither, and his strength to waste, under a tropical sun. Il me sembla que, s'il devenait le possesseur de la grande fortune de M. Oliver, il pourrait en faire autant de bien que s'il allait étendre son génie à flétrir et sa force à gaspiller sous un soleil tropical. With this persuasion I now answered—

“As far as I can see, it would be wiser and more judicious if you were to take to yourself the original at once.” "Pour autant que je sache, il serait plus sage et plus judicieux que vous preniez tout de suite l'original.

By this time he had sat down: he had laid the picture on the table before him, and with his brow supported on both hands, hung fondly over it. By this time he had sat down: he had laid the picture on the table before him, and with his brow supported on both hands, hung fondly over it. À ce moment-là, il s'était assis: il avait posé le tableau sur la table devant lui, et, le front appuyé sur les deux mains, il était tendu dessus.

I discerned he was now neither angry nor shocked at my audacity. I saw even that to be thus frankly addressed on a subject he had deemed unapproachable—to hear it thus freely handled—was beginning to be felt by him as a new pleasure—an unhoped-for relief. Je vis même qu'être ainsi franchement abordé sur un sujet qu'il avait jugé inaccessible - l'entendre ainsi librement manipulé - commençait à être ressenti par lui comme un plaisir nouveau - un soulagement inespéré. Reserved people often really need the frank discussion of their sentiments and griefs more than the expansive. Les personnes réservées ont souvent besoin d'une discussion franche de leurs sentiments et de leurs chagrins plus que de l'exhaustivité. The sternest-seeming stoic is human after all; and to “burst” with boldness and good-will into “the silent sea” of their souls is often to confer on them the first of obligations. Le stoïcien le plus sévère est après tout humain; et «éclater» avec audace et bonne volonté dans «la mer silencieuse» de leurs âmes, c'est souvent leur conférer la première des obligations.

“She likes you, I am sure,” said I, as I stood behind his chair, “and her father respects you.

Moreover, she is a sweet girl—rather thoughtless; but you would have sufficient thought for both yourself and her. De plus, c'est une gentille fille, plutôt insouciante, mais vous auriez suffisamment de considération pour vous et pour elle. You ought to marry her.”

“ Does she like me?” he asked.

“Certainly; better than she likes any one else.

She talks of you continually: there is no subject she enjoys so much or touches upon so often.”

“It is very pleasant to hear this,” he said—“very: go on for another quarter of an hour.”  And he actually took out his watch and laid it upon the table to measure the time. "C'est très agréable d'entendre cela", dit-il, "très : continuez encore un quart d'heure". Il sortit sa montre et la posa sur la table pour mesurer le temps.

“But where is the use of going on,” I asked, “when you are probably preparing some iron blow of contradiction, or forging a fresh chain to fetter your heart?” «Mais où est l'utilité de continuer», ai-je demandé, «quand vous préparez probablement un coup de fer de contradiction, ou que vous forgez une nouvelle chaîne pour enchaîner votre cœur?

“Don't imagine such hard things. Fancy me yielding and melting, as I am doing: human love rising like a freshly opened fountain in my mind and overflowing with sweet inundation all the field I have so carefully and with such labour prepared—so assiduously sown with the seeds of good intentions, of self-denying plans. Fancy me yielding and melting, as I am doing: human love rising like a freshly opened fountain in my mind and overflowing with sweet inundation all the field I have so carefully and with such labour prepared—so assiduously sown with the seeds of good intentions, of self-denying plans. J'imagine que je cède et que je fond, comme je le fais: l'amour humain qui monte comme une fontaine fraîchement ouverte dans mon esprit et déborde d'une douce inondation tout le champ que j'ai préparé avec tant de soin et de travail - si assidûment semé des graines de bonnes intentions, des plans de renoncement à soi. And now it is deluged with a nectarous flood—the young germs swamped—delicious poison cankering them: now I see myself stretched on an ottoman in the drawing-room at Vale Hall at my bride Rosamond Oliver's feet: she is talking to me with her sweet voice—gazing down on me with those eyes your skilful hand has copied so well—smiling at me with these coral lips. Et maintenant elle est inondée d'un déluge nectare - les jeunes germes submergés - un délicieux poison qui les caresse: maintenant je me vois allongé sur un pouf dans le salon de Vale Hall aux pieds de mon épouse Rosamond Oliver: elle me parle avec elle douce voix - me regardant de ces yeux que ta main habile a si bien copiés - me sourit de ces lèvres de corail. She is mine—I am hers—this present life and passing world suffice to me. Hush! say nothing—my heart is full of delight—my senses are entranced—let the time I marked pass in peace.” ne dis rien - mon cœur est plein de délices - mes sens sont ravis - laisse passer le temps que j'ai marqué en paix.

I humoured him: the watch ticked on: he breathed fast and low: I stood silent. Je l'ai comblé: la montre tournait: il respirait vite et bas: je me taisais.

Amidst this hush the quartet sped; he replaced the watch, laid the picture down, rose, and stood on the hearth. Au milieu de ce silence, le quatuor accéléra; il remit la montre, posa le tableau, se leva et se tint sur le foyer.

“Now,” said he, “that little space was given to delirium and delusion. "Maintenant, dit-il, ce peu d'espace a été donné au délire et à la délusion.

I rested my temples on the breast of temptation, and put my neck voluntarily under her yoke of flowers. Je posai mes tempes sur la poitrine de la tentation, et passai volontairement mon cou sous son joug de fleurs. I tasted her cup. The pillow was burning: there is an asp in the garland: the wine has a bitter taste: her promises are hollow—her offers false: I see and know all this.” L'oreiller brûlait: il y a une aspe dans la guirlande: le vin a un goût amer: ses promesses sont creuses - elle propose de fausses propositions: je vois et je sais tout cela.

I gazed at him in wonder. Je le regardai avec étonnement.

“It is strange,” pursued he, “that while I love Rosamond Oliver so wildly—with all the intensity, indeed, of a first passion, the object of which is exquisitely beautiful, graceful, fascinating—I experience at the same time a calm, unwarped consciousness that she would not make me a good wife; that she is not the partner suited to me; that I should discover this within a year after marriage; and that to twelve months' rapture would succeed a lifetime of regret. «Il est étrange, poursuivit-il, que si j'aime si follement Rosamond Oliver - avec toute l'intensité, en effet, d'une première passion dont l'objet est d'une beauté exquise, gracieuse, fascinante - j'éprouve en même temps un une conscience calme et non déformée qu'elle ne ferait pas de moi une bonne épouse; qu'elle n'est pas le partenaire qui me convient; que je devrais découvrir cela dans un délai d'un an après le mariage; et que jusqu'à douze mois d'enlèvement succéderaient à une vie de regret. This I know.”

“Strange indeed!” I could not help ejaculating. "Étrange, en effet ! Je n'ai pas pu m'empêcher d'éjaculer.

“While something in me,” he went on, “is acutely sensible to her charms, something else is as deeply impressed with her defects: they are such that she could sympathise in nothing I aspired to—co-operate in nothing I undertook. «Tandis que quelque chose en moi, continua-t-il, est extrêmement sensible à ses charmes, quelque chose d'autre est aussi profondément impressionné par ses défauts: ils sont tels qu'elle ne pouvait sympathiser en rien à quoi j'aspirais - ne coopérer à rien de ce que j'entreprenais.

Rosamond a sufferer, a labourer, a female apostle? Rosamond une souffrante, une ouvrière, une apôtre? Rosamond a missionary's wife? No!”

“But you need not be a missionary.

You might relinquish that scheme.” Vous pourriez abandonner ce plan. "

“Relinquish!

What! my vocation? My great work? My foundation laid on earth for a mansion in heaven? Ma fondation posée sur la terre pour une maison au paradis? My hopes of being numbered in the band who have merged all ambitions in the glorious one of bettering their race—of carrying knowledge into the realms of ignorance—of substituting peace for war—freedom for bondage—religion for superstition—the hope of heaven for the fear of hell? Mes espoirs d'être comptés dans le groupe qui ont fusionné toutes les ambitions dans le glorieux de l'amélioration de leur race - de porter la connaissance dans les royaumes de l'ignorance - de substituer la paix à la guerre - la liberté pour la servitude - la religion pour la superstition - l'espoir du ciel pour la peur de l'enfer? Must I relinquish that? It is dearer than the blood in my veins. C'est plus cher que le sang dans mes veines. It is what I have to look forward to, and to live for.” C'est ce à quoi je dois attendre et vivre. »

After a considerable pause, I said—“And Miss Oliver?

Are her disappointment and sorrow of no interest to you?” Sa déception et son chagrin ne vous intéressent-ils pas?

“Miss Oliver is ever surrounded by suitors and flatterers: in less than a month, my image will be effaced from her heart. «Miss Oliver est toujours entourée de prétendants et de flatteurs: dans moins d'un mois, mon image s'effacera de son cœur.

She will forget me; and will marry, probably, some one who will make her far happier than I should do.”

“You speak coolly enough; but you suffer in the conflict. «Vous parlez assez froidement; mais vous souffrez dans le conflit.

You are wasting away.” Vous dépérissez.

“No.

If I get a little thin, it is with anxiety about my prospects, yet unsettled—my departure, continually procrastinated. Si je maigris un peu, c'est avec inquiétude sur mes perspectives, encore instables - mon départ, sans cesse tergiversé. Only this morning, I received intelligence that the successor, whose arrival I have been so long expecting, cannot be ready to replace me for three months to come yet; and perhaps the three months may extend to six.” Ce matin seulement, j'ai reçu des informations selon lesquelles le successeur, dont j'attends depuis si longtemps l'arrivée, ne peut pas être prêt à me remplacer pendant trois mois encore; et peut-être que les trois mois pourraient s'étendre à six.

“You tremble and become flushed whenever Miss Oliver enters the schoolroom.”

Again the surprised expression crossed his face. De nouveau, l'expression surprise traversa son visage.

He had not imagined that a woman would dare to speak so to a man. For me, I felt at home in this sort of discourse. Pour moi, je me sentais chez moi dans ce genre de discours. I could never rest in communication with strong, discreet, and refined minds, whether male or female, till I had passed the outworks of conventional reserve, and crossed the threshold of confidence, and won a place by their heart's very hearthstone. Je ne pourrais jamais me reposer en communication avec des esprits forts, discrets et raffinés, qu'ils soient masculins ou féminins, jusqu'à ce que j'aie dépassé les limites de la réserve conventionnelle, franchi le seuil de la confiance et gagné une place au cœur même de la pierre angulaire. “You are original,” said he, “and not timid.

There is something brave in your spirit, as well as penetrating in your eye; but allow me to assure you that you partially misinterpret my emotions. Il y a quelque chose de courageux dans votre esprit, ainsi que de pénétrer dans vos yeux; mais permettez-moi de vous assurer que vous interprétez partiellement mes émotions. You think them more profound and potent than they are. Vous les croyez plus profonds et plus puissants qu'ils ne le sont. You give me a larger allowance of sympathy than I have a just claim to. Vous me donnez une plus grande allocation de sympathie que je ne le prétends. When I colour, and when I shade before Miss Oliver, I do not pity myself. Quand je colore, et quand j'ombrage devant Miss Oliver, je ne me plains pas. I scorn the weakness. I know it is ignoble: a mere fever of the flesh: not, I declare, the convulsion of the soul. Je sais que c'est ignoble: une simple fièvre de chair: non, je le déclare, la convulsion de l'âme. That is just as fixed as a rock, firm set in the depths of a restless sea. C'est tout aussi fixe qu'un rocher, ferme dans les profondeurs d'une mer agitée. Know me to be what I am—a cold hard man.” Sache que je suis ce que je suis - un homme dur et froid.

I smiled incredulously.

“You have taken my confidence by storm,” he continued, “and now it is much at your service. «Vous avez pris d'assaut ma confiance», a-t-il poursuivi, «et maintenant elle est à votre service.

I am simply, in my original state—stripped of that blood-bleached robe with which Christianity covers human deformity—a cold, hard, ambitious man. Je suis simplement, dans mon état d'origine - dépouillé de cette robe blanchie par le sang avec laquelle le christianisme recouvre la déformation humaine - un homme froid, dur et ambitieux. Natural affection only, of all the sentiments, has permanent power over me. L'affection naturelle seule, de tous les sentiments, a un pouvoir permanent sur moi. Reason, and not feeling, is my guide; my ambition is unlimited: my desire to rise higher, to do more than others, insatiable. La raison, et non le sentiment, est mon guide ; mon ambition est illimitée : mon désir de m'élever plus haut, de faire plus que les autres, insatiable. I honour endurance, perseverance, industry, talent; because these are the means by which men achieve great ends and mount to lofty eminence. J'honore l'endurance, la persévérance, l'industrie, le talent; parce que ce sont les moyens par lesquels les hommes atteignent de grandes fins et atteignent une éminence élevée. I watch your career with interest, because I consider you a specimen of a diligent, orderly, energetic woman: not because I deeply compassionate what you have gone through, or what you still suffer.” Je regarde votre carrière avec intérêt, parce que je vous considère comme un spécimen de femme diligente, ordonnée et énergique: pas parce que je compatis profondément à ce que vous avez vécu ou à ce que vous souffrez encore.

“You would describe yourself as a mere pagan philosopher,” I said. «Vous vous décririez comme un simple philosophe païen», dis-je.

“No.

There is this difference between me and deistic philosophers: I believe; and I believe the Gospel. Il y a cette différence entre moi et les philosophes déistes: je crois; et je crois à l'Évangile. You missed your epithet. Vous avez manqué votre épithète. I am not a pagan, but a Christian philosopher—a follower of the sect of Jesus. As His disciple I adopt His pure, His merciful, His benignant doctrines. En tant que son disciple, j'adopte ses doctrines pures, miséricordieuses et bienveillantes. I advocate them: I am sworn to spread them. Je les préconise: je suis juré de les diffuser. Won in youth to religion, she has cultivated my original qualities thus:—From the minute germ, natural affection, she has developed the overshadowing tree, philanthropy. Gagnée dans sa jeunesse à la religion, elle a ainsi cultivé mes qualités originelles: - Du germe infime, de l'affection naturelle, elle a développé l'arbre occultant, la philanthropie. From the wild stringy root of human uprightness, she has reared a due sense of the Divine justice. De la racine filandreuse sauvage de la droiture humaine, elle a élevé un juste sens de la justice divine. Of the ambition to win power and renown for my wretched self, she has formed the ambition to spread my Master's kingdom; to achieve victories for the standard of the cross. De l'ambition de gagner le pouvoir et la renommée de mon moi misérable, elle a formé l'ambition d'étendre le royaume de mon Maître; pour remporter des victoires pour l'étendard de la croix. So much has religion done for me; turning the original materials to the best account; pruning and training nature. La religion a tant fait pour moi; valoriser au mieux les matériaux originaux; taille et formation de la nature. But she could not eradicate nature: nor will it be eradicated ‘till this mortal shall put on immortality. Mais elle ne pouvait pas éradiquer la nature: elle ne sera pas non plus éradiquée jusqu'à ce que ce mortel revête l'immortalité. '” Having said this, he took his hat, which lay on the table beside my palette. Having said this, he took his hat, which lay on the table beside my palette. Ce disant, il prit son chapeau, qui se trouvait sur la table à côté de ma palette.

Once more he looked at the portrait.

“She is lovely,” he murmured.

“She is well named the Rose of the World, indeed!” "Elle est bien nommée la Rose du Monde, en effet !"

“And may I not paint one like it for you?” "Et puis-je ne pas en peindre un comme ça pour vous?"

“ Cui bono ? «Cui bono?

No.”

He drew over the picture the sheet of thin paper on which I was accustomed to rest my hand in painting, to prevent the cardboard from being sullied. Il dessina sur le tableau la feuille de papier fin sur laquelle j'avais l'habitude de poser ma main en peinture, pour éviter que le carton ne se salisse.

What he suddenly saw on this blank paper, it was impossible for me to tell; but something had caught his eye. Il m'est impossible de dire ce qu'il a vu soudainement sur cette feuille blanche, mais quelque chose a attiré son attention. He took it up with a snatch; he looked at the edge; then shot a glance at me, inexpressibly peculiar, and quite incomprehensible: a glance that seemed to take and make note of every point in my shape, face, and dress; for it traversed all, quick, keen as lightning. Il l'a pris avec un arraché; il regarda le bord; puis me lança un regard, inexprimablement singulier et tout à fait incompréhensible: un regard qui semblait prendre et noter chaque point de ma forme, de mon visage et de ma robe; car il traversait tout, rapide, vif comme l'éclair. His lips parted, as if to speak: but he checked the coming sentence, whatever it was. Ses lèvres s'entrouvrirent, comme pour parler: mais il vérifia la phrase suivante, quelle qu'elle soit.

“What is the matter?” I asked.

“Nothing in the world,” was the reply; and, replacing the paper, I saw him dexterously tear a narrow slip from the margin. «Rien au monde», fut la réponse; et, remplaçant le papier, je le vis déchirer adroitement un bout étroit de la marge.

It disappeared in his glove; and, with one hasty nod and “good-afternoon,” he vanished. Il disparut dans son gant et, avec un hochement de tête précipité et un "bonjour", il disparut.

“Well!” I exclaimed, using an expression of the district, “that caps the globe, however!” "Bien!" M'écriai-je, en utilisant une expression du quartier, "qui coiffe le globe, cependant!"

I, in my turn, scrutinised the paper; but saw nothing on it save a few dingy stains of paint where I had tried the tint in my pencil. J'ai, à mon tour, examiné le papier; mais je n'ai rien vu dessus sauf quelques taches de peinture crasseuses où j'avais essayé la teinte de mon crayon.

I pondered the mystery a minute or two; but finding it insolvable, and being certain it could not be of much moment, I dismissed, and soon forgot it. J'ai réfléchi au mystère une minute ou deux; mais la trouvant insoluble, et étant certaine qu'elle ne pouvait pas être de grand moment, je la renvoyai et l'oublia bientôt.