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Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, CHAPTER XVII-b

CHAPTER XVII-b

There were but eight; yet, somehow, as they flocked in, they gave the impression of a much larger number. Some of them were very tall; many were dressed in white; and all had a sweeping amplitude of array that seemed to magnify their persons as a mist magnifies the moon. I rose and curtseyed to them: one or two bent their heads in return, the others only stared at me. They dispersed about the room, reminding me, by the lightness and buoyancy of their movements, of a flock of white plumy birds. Some of them threw themselves in half-reclining positions on the sofas and ottomans: some bent over the tables and examined the flowers and books: the rest gathered in a group round the fire: all talked in a low but clear tone which seemed habitual to them. I knew their names afterwards, and may as well mention them now. First, there was Mrs. Eshton and two of her daughters.

She had evidently been a handsome woman, and was well preserved still. Of her daughters, the eldest, Amy, was rather little: naive, and child-like in face and manner, and piquant in form; her white muslin dress and blue sash became her well. The second, Louisa, was taller and more elegant in figure; with a very pretty face, of that order the French term minois chiffoné : both sisters were fair as lilies. Lady Lynn was a large and stout personage of about forty, very erect, very haughty-looking, richly dressed in a satin robe of changeful sheen: her dark hair shone glossily under the shade of an azure plume, and within the circlet of a band of gems. Mrs.

Colonel Dent was less showy; but, I thought, more lady-like. She had a slight figure, a pale, gentle face, and fair hair. Her black satin dress, her scarf of rich foreign lace, and her pearl ornaments, pleased me better than the rainbow radiance of the titled dame. But the three most distinguished—partly, perhaps, because the tallest figures of the band—were the Dowager Lady Ingram and her daughters, Blanche and Mary. They were all three of the loftiest stature of women. The Dowager might be between forty and fifty: her shape was still fine; her hair (by candle-light at least) still black; her teeth, too, were still apparently perfect. Most people would have termed her a splendid woman of her age: and so she was, no doubt, physically speaking; but then there was an expression of almost insupportable haughtiness in her bearing and countenance. She had Roman features and a double chin, disappearing into a throat like a pillar: these features appeared to me not only inflated and darkened, but even furrowed with pride; and the chin was sustained by the same principle, in a position of almost preternatural erectness. She had, likewise, a fierce and a hard eye: it reminded me of Mrs. Reed's; she mouthed her words in speaking; her voice was deep, its inflections very pompous, very dogmatical,—very intolerable, in short. A crimson velvet robe, and a shawl turban of some gold-wrought Indian fabric, invested her (I suppose she thought) with a truly imperial dignity. Blanche and Mary were of equal stature,—straight and tall as poplars. Mary was too slim for her height, but Blanche was moulded like a Dian. I regarded her, of course, with special interest. First, I wished to see whether her appearance accorded with Mrs. Fairfax's description; secondly, whether it at all resembled the fancy miniature I had painted of her; and thirdly—it will out!—whether it were such as I should fancy likely to suit Mr. Rochester's taste. As far as person went, she answered point for point, both to my picture and Mrs. Fairfax's description. The noble bust, the sloping shoulders, the graceful neck, the dark eyes and black ringlets were all there;—but her face? Her face was like her mother's; a youthful unfurrowed likeness: the same low brow, the same high features, the same pride. It was not, however, so saturnine a pride! she laughed continually; her laugh was satirical, and so was the habitual expression of her arched and haughty lip. Genius is said to be self-conscious.

I cannot tell whether Miss Ingram was a genius, but she was self-conscious—remarkably self-conscious indeed. She entered into a discourse on botany with the gentle Mrs. Dent. It seemed Mrs. Dent had not studied that science: though, as she said, she liked flowers, “especially wild ones;” Miss Ingram had, and she ran over its vocabulary with an air. I presently perceived she was (what is vernacularly termed) trailing Mrs. Dent; that is, playing on her ignorance—her trail might be clever, but it was decidedly not good-natured. She played: her execution was brilliant; she sang: her voice was fine; she talked French apart to her mamma; and she talked it well, with fluency and with a good accent. Mary had a milder and more open countenance than Blanche; softer features too, and a skin some shades fairer (Miss Ingram was dark as a Spaniard)—but Mary was deficient in life: her face lacked expression, her eye lustre; she had nothing to say, and having once taken her seat, remained fixed like a statue in its niche. The sisters were both attired in spotless white. And did I now think Miss Ingram such a choice as Mr. Rochester would be likely to make?

I could not tell—I did not know his taste in female beauty. If he liked the majestic, she was the very type of majesty: then she was accomplished, sprightly. Most gentlemen would admire her, I thought; and that he did admire her, I already seemed to have obtained proof: to remove the last shade of doubt, it remained but to see them together. You are not to suppose, reader, that Adèle has all this time been sitting motionless on the stool at my feet: no; when the ladies entered, she rose, advanced to meet them, made a stately reverence, and said with gravity— “Bon jour, mesdames.”

And Miss Ingram had looked down at her with a mocking air, and exclaimed, “Oh, what a little puppet!”

Lady Lynn had remarked, “It is Mr. Rochester's ward, I suppose—the little French girl he was speaking of.” Mrs.

Dent had kindly taken her hand, and given her a kiss. Amy and Louisa Eshton had cried out simultaneously—“What a love of a child!” And then they had called her to a sofa, where she now sat, ensconced between them, chattering alternately in French and broken English; absorbing not only the young ladies' attention, but that of Mrs. Eshton and Lady Lynn, and getting spoilt to her heart's content. At last coffee is brought in, and the gentlemen are summoned. I sit in the shade—if any shade there be in this brilliantly-lit apartment; the window-curtain half hides me. Again the arch yawns; they come. The collective appearance of the gentlemen, like that of the ladies, is very imposing: they are all costumed in black; most of them are tall, some young. Henry and Frederick Lynn are very dashing sparks indeed; and Colonel Dent is a fine soldierly man. Mr. Eshton, the magistrate of the district, is gentleman-like: his hair is quite white, his eyebrows and whiskers still dark, which gives him something of the appearance of a “père noble de théâtre.” Lord Ingram, like his sisters, is very tall; like them, also, he is handsome; but he shares Mary's apathetic and listless look: he seems to have more length of limb than vivacity of blood or vigour of brain. And where is Mr. Rochester?

He comes in last: I am not looking at the arch, yet I see him enter. I try to concentrate my attention on those netting-needles, on the meshes of the purse I am forming—I wish to think only of the work I have in my hands, to see only the silver beads and silk threads that lie in my lap; whereas, I distinctly behold his figure, and I inevitably recall the moment when I last saw it; just after I had rendered him, what he deemed, an essential service, and he, holding my hand, and looking down on my face, surveyed me with eyes that revealed a heart full and eager to overflow; in whose emotions I had a part. How near had I approached him at that moment! What had occurred since, calculated to change his and my relative positions? Yet now, how distant, how far estranged we were! So far estranged, that I did not expect him to come and speak to me. I did not wonder, when, without looking at me, he took a seat at the other side of the room, and began conversing with some of the ladies. No sooner did I see that his attention was riveted on them, and that I might gaze without being observed, than my eyes were drawn involuntarily to his face; I could not keep their lids under control: they would rise, and the irids would fix on him. I looked, and had an acute pleasure in looking,—a precious yet poignant pleasure; pure gold, with a steely point of agony: a pleasure like what the thirst-perishing man might feel who knows the well to which he has crept is poisoned, yet stoops and drinks divine draughts nevertheless. Most true is it that “beauty is in the eye of the gazer.” My master's colourless, olive face, square, massive brow, broad and jetty eyebrows, deep eyes, strong features, firm, grim mouth,—all energy, decision, will,—were not beautiful, according to rule; but they were more than beautiful to me; they were full of an interest, an influence that quite mastered me,—that took my feelings from my own power and fettered them in his. I had not intended to love him; the reader knows I had wrought hard to extirpate from my soul the germs of love there detected; and now, at the first renewed view of him, they spontaneously arrived, green and strong! He made me love him without looking at me. I compared him with his guests.

What was the gallant grace of the Lynns, the languid elegance of Lord Ingram,—even the military distinction of Colonel Dent, contrasted with his look of native pith and genuine power? I had no sympathy in their appearance, their expression: yet I could imagine that most observers would call them attractive, handsome, imposing; while they would pronounce Mr. Rochester at once harsh-featured and melancholy-looking. I saw them smile, laugh—it was nothing; the light of the candles had as much soul in it as their smile; the tinkle of the bell as much significance as their laugh. I saw Mr. Rochester smile:—his stern features softened; his eye grew both brilliant and gentle, its ray both searching and sweet. He was talking, at the moment, to Louisa and Amy Eshton. I wondered to see them receive with calm that look which seemed to me so penetrating: I expected their eyes to fall, their colour to rise under it; yet I was glad when I found they were in no sense moved. “He is not to them what he is to me,” I thought: “he is not of their kind. I believe he is of mine;—I am sure he is—I feel akin to him—I understand the language of his countenance and movements: though rank and wealth sever us widely, I have something in my brain and heart, in my blood and nerves, that assimilates me mentally to him. Did I say, a few days since, that I had nothing to do with him but to receive my salary at his hands? Did I forbid myself to think of him in any other light than as a paymaster? Blasphemy against nature! Every good, true, vigorous feeling I have gathers impulsively round him. I know I must conceal my sentiments: I must smother hope; I must remember that he cannot care much for me. For when I say that I am of his kind, I do not mean that I have his force to influence, and his spell to attract; I mean only that I have certain tastes and feelings in common with him. I must, then, repeat continually that we are for ever sundered:—and yet, while I breathe and think, I must love him.” Coffee is handed.

The ladies, since the gentlemen entered, have become lively as larks; conversation waxes brisk and merry. Colonel Dent and Mr. Eshton argue on politics; their wives listen. The two proud dowagers, Lady Lynn and Lady Ingram, confabulate together. Sir George—whom, by-the-bye, I have forgotten to describe,—a very big, and very fresh-looking country gentleman, stands before their sofa, coffee-cup in hand, and occasionally puts in a word. Mr. Frederick Lynn has taken a seat beside Mary Ingram, and is showing her the engravings of a splendid volume: she looks, smiles now and then, but apparently says little. The tall and phlegmatic Lord Ingram leans with folded arms on the chair-back of the little and lively Amy Eshton; she glances up at him, and chatters like a wren: she likes him better than she does Mr. Rochester. Henry Lynn has taken possession of an ottoman at the feet of Louisa: Adèle shares it with him: he is trying to talk French with her, and Louisa laughs at his blunders. With whom will Blanche Ingram pair? She is standing alone at the table, bending gracefully over an album. She seems waiting to be sought; but she will not wait too long: she herself selects a mate. Mr.

Rochester, having quitted the Eshtons, stands on the hearth as solitary as she stands by the table: she confronts him, taking her station on the opposite side of the mantelpiece. “Mr.

Rochester, I thought you were not fond of children?” “Nor am I.”

“Then, what induced you to take charge of such a little doll as that?” (pointing to Adèle). “Where did you pick her up?” “I did not pick her up; she was left on my hands.” “You should have sent her to school.”

“I could not afford it: schools are so dear.”

“Why, I suppose you have a governess for her: I saw a person with her just now—is she gone? Oh, no! there she is still, behind the window-curtain. You pay her, of course; I should think it quite as expensive,—more so; for you have them both to keep in addition.” I feared—or should I say, hoped?—the allusion to me would make Mr. Rochester glance my way; and I involuntarily shrank farther into the shade: but he never turned his eyes. “I have not considered the subject,” said he indifferently, looking straight before him. “No, you men never do consider economy and common 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 incompetency 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 Mrs. Greys, and Madame Jouberts! Mary was always too sleepy to join in a plot with spirit. The best fun was with Madame Joubert: Miss Wilson was a poor sickly thing, lachrymose and low-spirited, not worth the trouble of vanquishing, in short; and Mrs. Grey was coarse and insensible; no blow took effect on her. But poor Madame Joubert! I see her yet in her raging passions, when we had driven her to extremities—spilt our tea, crumbled our bread and butter, tossed our books up to the ceiling, and played a charivari with the ruler and desk, the fender and fire-irons. Theodore, do you remember those merry days?” “Yaas, to be sure I do,” drawled Lord Ingram; “and the poor old stick used to cry out ‘Oh you villains childs! '—and then we sermonised her on the presumption of attempting to teach such clever blades as we were, when she was herself so ignorant.” “We did; and, Tedo, you know, I helped you in prosecuting (or persecuting) your tutor, whey-faced Mr. Vining—the parson in the pip, as we used to call him. He and Miss Wilson took the liberty of falling in love with each other—at least Tedo and I thought so; we surprised sundry tender glances and sighs which we interpreted as tokens of ‘la belle passion,' and I promise you the public soon had the benefit of our discovery; we employed it as a sort of lever to hoist our dead-weights from the house. Dear mama, there, as soon as she got an inkling of the business, found out that it was of an immoral tendency. Did you not, my lady-mother?” “Certainly, my best.

And I was quite right: depend on that: there are a thousand reasons why liaisons between governesses and tutors should never be tolerated a moment in any well-regulated house; firstly—” “Oh, gracious, mama!

Spare us the enumeration! Au reste , we all know them: danger of bad example to innocence of childhood; distractions and consequent neglect of duty on the part of the attached—mutual alliance and reliance; confidence thence resulting—insolence accompanying—mutiny and general blow-up. Am I right, Baroness Ingram, of Ingram Park?” “My lily-flower, you are right now, as always.” “Then no more need be said: change the subject.” Amy Eshton, not hearing or not heeding this dictum, joined in with her soft, infantine tone: “Louisa and I used to quiz our governess too; but she was such a good creature, she would bear anything: nothing put her out. She was never cross with us; was she, Louisa?” “No, never: we might do what we pleased; ransack her desk and her workbox, and turn her drawers inside out; and she was so good-natured, she would give us anything we asked for.” “I suppose, now,” said Miss Ingram, curling her lip sarcastically, “we shall have an abstract of the memoirs of all the governesses extant: in order to avert such a visitation, I again move the introduction of a new topic. Mr. Rochester, do you second my motion?” “Madam, I support you on this point, as on every other.” “Then on me be the onus of bringing it forward.

Signior Eduardo, are you in voice to-night?” “Donna Bianca, if you command it, I will be.”

“Then, signior, I lay on you my sovereign behest to furbish up your lungs and other vocal organs, as they will be wanted on my royal service.” “Who would not be the Rizzio of so divine a Mary?” “A fig for Rizzio!” cried she, tossing her head with all its curls, as she moved to the piano. “It is my opinion the fiddler David must have been an insipid sort of fellow; I like black Bothwell better: to my mind a man is nothing without a spice of the devil in him; and history may say what it will of James Hepburn, but I have a notion, he was just the sort of wild, fierce, bandit hero whom I could have consented to gift with my hand.” “Gentlemen, you hear!

Now which of you most resembles Bothwell?” cried Mr. Rochester. “I should say the preference lies with you,” responded Colonel Dent. “On my honour, I am much obliged to you,” was the reply. Miss Ingram, who had now seated herself with proud grace at the piano, spreading out her snowy robes in queenly amplitude, commenced a brilliant prelude; talking meantime. She appeared to be on her high horse to-night; both her words and her air seemed intended to excite not only the admiration, but the amazement of her auditors: she was evidently bent on striking them as something very dashing and daring indeed. “Oh, I am so sick of the young men of the present day!” exclaimed she, rattling away at the instrument. “Poor, puny things, not fit to stir a step beyond papa's park gates: nor to go even so far without mama's permission and guardianship! Creatures so absorbed in care about their pretty faces, and their white hands, and their small feet; as if a man had anything to do with beauty! As if loveliness were not the special prerogative of woman—her legitimate appanage and heritage! I grant an ugly woman is a blot on the fair face of creation; but as to the gentlemen , let them be solicitous to possess only strength and valour: let their motto be:—Hunt, shoot, and fight: the rest is not worth a fillip. Such should be my device, were I a man.” “Whenever I marry,” she continued after a pause which none interrupted, “I am resolved my husband shall not be a rival, but a foil to me. I will suffer no competitor near the throne; I shall exact an undivided homage: his devotions shall not be shared between me and the shape he sees in his mirror. Mr. Rochester, now sing, and I will play for you.” “I am all obedience,” was the response.

“Here then is a Corsair-song.

Know that I doat on Corsairs; and for that reason, sing it con spirito .” “Commands from Miss Ingram's lips would put spirit into a mug of milk and water.”

“Take care, then: if you don't please me, I will shame you by showing how such things should be done.” “That is offering a premium on incapacity: I shall now endeavour to fail.” “Gardez-vous en bien!

If you err wilfully, I shall devise a proportionate punishment.” “Miss Ingram ought to be clement, for she has it in her power to inflict a chastisement beyond mortal endurance.” “Ha!

explain!” commanded the lady. “Pardon me, madam: no need of explanation; your own fine sense must inform you that one of your frowns would be a sufficient substitute for capital punishment.” “Sing!” said she, and again touching the piano, she commenced an accompaniment in spirited style. “Now is my time to slip away,” thought I: but the tones that then severed the air arrested me. Mrs. Fairfax had said Mr. Rochester possessed a fine voice: he did—a mellow, powerful bass, into which he threw his own feeling, his own force; finding a way through the ear to the heart, and there waking sensation strangely. I waited till the last deep and full vibration had expired—till the tide of talk, checked an instant, had resumed its flow; I then quitted my sheltered corner and made my exit by the side-door, which was fortunately near. Thence a narrow passage led into the hall: in crossing it, I perceived my sandal was loose; I stopped to tie it, kneeling down for that purpose on the mat at the foot of the staircase. I heard the dining-room door unclose; a gentleman came out; rising hastily, I stood face to face with him: it was Mr. Rochester. “How do you do?” he asked.

“I am very well, sir.”

“Why did you not come and speak to me in the room?” I thought I might have retorted the question on him who put it: but I would not take that freedom. I answered— “I did not wish to disturb you, as you seemed engaged, sir.” “What have you been doing during my absence?”

“Nothing particular; teaching Adèle as usual.” “And getting a good deal paler than you were—as I saw at first sight. What is the matter?” “Nothing at all, sir.”

“Did you take any cold that night you half drowned me?” “Not the least.”

“Return to the drawing-room: you are deserting too early.” “I am tired, sir.”

He looked at me for a minute.

“And a little depressed,” he said.

“What about? Tell me.” “Nothing—nothing, sir.

I am not depressed.” “But I affirm that you are: so much depressed that a few more words would bring tears to your eyes—indeed, they are there now, shining and swimming; and a bead has slipped from the lash and fallen on to the flag. If I had time, and was not in mortal dread of some prating prig of a servant passing, I would know what all this means. Well, to-night I excuse you; but understand that so long as my visitors stay, I expect you to appear in the drawing-room every evening; it is my wish; don't neglect it. Now go, and send Sophie for Adèle. Good-night, my—” He stopped, bit his lip, and abruptly left me.

CHAPTER XVII-b CAPÍTULO XVII-b CAPÍTULO XVII-b ГЛАВА XVII-б

There were but eight; yet, somehow, as they flocked in, they gave the impression of a much larger number. There were but eight; yet, somehow, as they flocked in, they gave the impression of a much larger number. Some of them were very tall; many were dressed in white; and all had a sweeping amplitude of array that seemed to magnify their persons as a mist magnifies the moon. Some of them were very tall; many were dressed in white; and all had a sweeping amplitude of array that seemed to magnify their persons as a mist magnifies the moon. Certains d'entre eux étaient très grands; beaucoup étaient vêtus de blanc; et tous avaient une grande amplitude de réseau qui semblait magnifier leurs personnes comme un brouillard magnifie la lune. I rose and curtseyed to them: one or two bent their heads in return, the others only stared at me. I rose and curtseyed to them: one or two bent their heads in return, the others only stared at me. Ik stond op en maakte een reverence: een of twee bogen op hun beurt hun hoofd, de anderen staarden me alleen maar aan. They dispersed about the room, reminding me, by the lightness and buoyancy of their movements, of a flock of white plumy birds. Ils se dispersèrent dans la pièce, me rappelant, par la légèreté et la flottabilité de leurs mouvements, une volée d'oiseaux pruniers blancs. Some of them threw themselves in half-reclining positions on the sofas and ottomans: some bent over the tables and examined the flowers and books: the rest gathered in a group round the fire: all talked in a low but clear tone which seemed habitual to them. Some of them threw themselves in half-reclining positions on the sofas and ottomans: some bent over the tables and examined the flowers and books: the rest gathered in a group round the fire: all talked in a low but clear tone which seemed habitual to them. I knew their names afterwards, and may as well mention them now. I knew their names afterwards, and may as well mention them now. First, there was Mrs. Eshton and two of her daughters. First, there was Mrs. Eshton and two of her daughters.

She had evidently been a handsome woman, and was well preserved still. Of her daughters, the eldest, Amy, was rather little: naive, and child-like in face and manner, and piquant in form; her white muslin dress and blue sash became her well. Parmi ses filles, l'aînée, Amy, était plutôt petite : naïve, enfantine dans son visage et ses manières, et piquante dans ses formes ; sa robe de mousseline blanche et sa ceinture bleue lui allaient bien. The second, Louisa, was taller and more elegant in figure; with a very pretty face, of that order the French term minois chiffoné : both sisters were fair as lilies. La seconde, Louisa, était plus grande et plus élégante; avec un très joli visage, de cet ordre du terme français minois chiffonné: les deux sœurs étaient blondes comme des lis. Lady Lynn was a large and stout personage of about forty, very erect, very haughty-looking, richly dressed in a satin robe of changeful sheen: her dark hair shone glossily under the shade of an azure plume, and within the circlet of a band of gems. Lady Lynn était un grand et robuste personnage d'une quarantaine d'années, très dressé, très hautain, richement vêtu d'une robe de satin aux reflets changeants: ses cheveux noirs brillaient de mille feux à l'ombre d'un panache azur, et dans le cercle d'une bande. de gemmes. Mrs.

Colonel Dent was less showy; but, I thought, more lady-like. Le colonel Dent était moins voyant, mais, à mon avis, plus digne d'une dame. She had a slight figure, a pale, gentle face, and fair hair. Elle avait une silhouette légère, un visage pâle et doux et des cheveux blonds. Her black satin dress, her scarf of rich foreign lace, and her pearl ornaments, pleased me better than the rainbow radiance of the titled dame. Sa robe de satin noir, son écharpe de dentelle étrangère riche et ses ornements de perles me plaisaient mieux que l'éclat arc-en-ciel de la dame titrée. But the three most distinguished—partly, perhaps, because the tallest figures of the band—were the Dowager Lady Ingram and her daughters, Blanche and Mary. Mais les trois plus distingués - en partie, peut-être, parce que les plus grandes figures du groupe - étaient la douairière Lady Ingram et ses filles, Blanche et Mary. They were all three of the loftiest stature of women. Elles étaient toutes les trois de la plus haute stature des femmes. The Dowager might be between forty and fifty: her shape was still fine; her hair (by candle-light at least) still black; her teeth, too, were still apparently perfect. Most people would have termed her a splendid woman of her age: and so she was, no doubt, physically speaking; but then there was an expression of almost insupportable haughtiness in her bearing and countenance. La plupart des gens l'auraient qualifiée de femme splendide de son âge: et c'est ainsi qu'elle l'était, sans aucun doute, physiquement; mais alors il y avait une expression de hauteur presque insupportable dans son allure et son visage. She had Roman features and a double chin, disappearing into a throat like a pillar: these features appeared to me not only inflated and darkened, but even furrowed with pride; and the chin was sustained by the same principle, in a position of almost preternatural erectness. Elle avait des traits romains et un double menton, disparaissant dans une gorge comme un pilier: ces traits me paraissaient non seulement gonflés et assombris, mais même sillonnés d'orgueil; et le menton était soutenu par le même principe, dans une position d'érection presque surnaturelle. She had, likewise, a fierce and a hard eye: it reminded me of Mrs. Reed’s; she mouthed her words in speaking; her voice was deep, its inflections very pompous, very dogmatical,—very intolerable, in short. Elle avait, de même, un œil féroce et dur: cela me rappelait celui de Mme Reed; elle a prononcé ses paroles en parlant; sa voix était profonde, ses inflexions très pompeuses, très dogmatiques, - très intolérables, en somme. A crimson velvet robe, and a shawl turban of some gold-wrought Indian fabric, invested her (I suppose she thought) with a truly imperial dignity. Une robe de velours cramoisi et un châle turban en tissu indien forgé à l'or lui ont donné (je suppose qu'elle pensait) une dignité vraiment impériale. Blanche and Mary were of equal stature,—straight and tall as poplars. Mary was too slim for her height, but Blanche was moulded like a Dian. Mary était trop mince pour sa taille, mais Blanche était moulée comme un Dian. I regarded her, of course, with special interest. First, I wished to see whether her appearance accorded with Mrs. Fairfax’s description; secondly, whether it at all resembled the fancy miniature I had painted of her; and thirdly—it will out!—whether it were such as I should fancy likely to suit Mr. Rochester’s taste. Premièrement, je voulais voir si son apparence correspondait à la description de Mme Fairfax; deuxièmement, si cela ressemblait du tout à la miniature fantaisie que j'avais peinte d'elle; et troisièmement - il sortira! - s'il était tel que j'aurais voulu convenir au goût de M. Rochester. As far as person went, she answered point for point, both to my picture and Mrs. Fairfax’s description. En ce qui concerne la personne, elle a répondu point par point, à la fois à ma photo et à la description de Mme Fairfax. The noble bust, the sloping shoulders, the graceful neck, the dark eyes and black ringlets were all there;—but her face? Her face was like her mother’s; a youthful unfurrowed likeness: the same low brow, the same high features, the same pride. Son visage était comme celui de sa mère; une ressemblance juvénile non-sillonnée: le même front bas, les mêmes traits hauts, la même fierté. It was not, however, so saturnine a pride! Ce n'était pourtant pas une fierté si saturnine! she laughed continually; her laugh was satirical, and so was the habitual expression of her arched and haughty lip. elle riait continuellement; son rire était satirique, tout comme l'expression habituelle de sa lèvre arquée et hautaine. Genius is said to be self-conscious. On dit que le génie est timide.

I cannot tell whether Miss Ingram was a genius, but she was self-conscious—remarkably self-conscious indeed. Je ne peux pas dire si Miss Ingram était un génie, mais elle était gênée - remarquablement consciente en fait. She entered into a discourse on botany with the gentle Mrs. Dent. Elle entra dans un discours sur la botanique avec la gentille Mme Dent. It seemed Mrs. Dent had not studied that science: though, as she said, she liked flowers, “especially wild ones;” Miss Ingram had, and she ran over its vocabulary with an air. Il semblait que Mme Dent n'avait pas étudié cette science: cependant, comme elle l'a dit, elle aimait les fleurs, «surtout les fleurs sauvages»; Miss Ingram l'avait fait, et elle parcourut son vocabulaire avec un air. I presently perceived she was (what is vernacularly termed) trailing Mrs. Dent; that is, playing on her ignorance—her trail might be clever, but it was decidedly not good-natured. J'ai actuellement perçu qu'elle suivait (ce qu'on appelle en langue vernaculaire) Mme Dent; c'est-à-dire jouer sur son ignorance - sa piste pouvait être intelligente, mais elle n'était décidément pas de bonne humeur. She played: her execution was brilliant; she sang: her voice was fine; she talked French apart to her mamma; and she talked it well, with fluency and with a good accent. Elle a joué: son exécution était brillante; elle chantait: sa voix était belle; elle parlait le français à part à sa maman; et elle parlait bien, avec aisance et avec un bon accent. Mary had a milder and more open countenance than Blanche; softer features too, and a skin some shades fairer (Miss Ingram was dark as a Spaniard)—but Mary was deficient in life: her face lacked expression, her eye lustre; she had nothing to say, and having once taken her seat, remained fixed like a statue in its niche. Mary avait un visage plus doux et plus ouvert que Blanche; des traits plus doux aussi, et une peau des nuances plus claires (Miss Ingram était sombre comme une Espagnole) - mais Mary était déficiente dans la vie: son visage manquait d'expression, son éclat des yeux; elle n'avait rien à dire et, une fois assise, resta fixée comme une statue dans sa niche. The sisters were both attired in spotless white. And did I now think Miss Ingram such a choice as Mr. Rochester would be likely to make? Et est-ce que je pensais maintenant à Mlle Ingram un choix tel que M. Rochester serait susceptible de faire?

I could not tell—I did not know his taste in female beauty. If he liked the majestic, she was the very type of majesty: then she was accomplished, sprightly. S'il aimait le majestueux, elle était le type même de la majesté: alors elle était accomplie, enjouée. Most gentlemen would admire her, I thought; and that he did admire her, I already seemed to have obtained proof: to remove the last shade of doubt, it remained but to see them together. La plupart des messieurs l'admireraient, pensai-je; et qu'il l'admirait, il me semblait déjà en avoir obtenu la preuve: pour lever la dernière nuance de doute, il ne restait plus qu'à les voir ensemble. You are not to suppose, reader, that Adèle has all this time been sitting motionless on the stool at my feet: no; when the ladies entered, she rose, advanced to meet them, made a stately reverence, and said with gravity— “Bon jour, mesdames.”

And Miss Ingram had looked down at her with a mocking air, and exclaimed, “Oh, what a little puppet!” Et miss Ingram l'avait regardée d'un air moqueur et s'était exclamée: «Oh, quelle petite marionnette!

Lady Lynn had remarked, “It is Mr. Rochester’s ward, I suppose—the little French girl he was speaking of.” Lady Lynn avait fait remarquer: «C'est la pupille de M. Rochester, je suppose, la petite fille française dont il parlait. Mrs.

Dent had kindly taken her hand, and given her a kiss. Dent lui avait gentiment pris la main et l'avait embrassée. Amy and Louisa Eshton had cried out simultaneously—“What a love of a child!” And then they had called her to a sofa, where she now sat, ensconced between them, chattering alternately in French and broken English; absorbing not only the young ladies' attention, but that of Mrs. Eshton and Lady Lynn, and getting spoilt to her heart’s content. Et puis ils l'avaient appelée sur un canapé, où elle était maintenant assise, installée entre eux, bavardant alternativement en français et en anglais cassé; absorbant non seulement l'attention des jeunes filles, mais celle de Mme Eshton et Lady Lynn, et se gâtant à sa guise. At last coffee is brought in, and the gentlemen are summoned. Enfin le café est apporté et les messieurs sont convoqués. I sit in the shade—if any shade there be in this brilliantly-lit apartment; the window-curtain half hides me. Again the arch yawns; they come. De nouveau l'arc bâille; Ils viennent. The collective appearance of the gentlemen, like that of the ladies, is very imposing: they are all costumed in black; most of them are tall, some young. Henry and Frederick Lynn are very dashing sparks indeed; and Colonel Dent is a fine soldierly man. Henry et Frederick Lynn sont en effet des étincelles très fringantes; et le colonel Dent est un bon soldat. Mr. Eshton, the magistrate of the district, is gentleman-like: his hair is quite white, his eyebrows and whiskers still dark, which gives him something of the appearance of a “père noble de théâtre.”  Lord Ingram, like his sisters, is very tall; like them, also, he is handsome; but he shares Mary’s apathetic and listless look: he seems to have more length of limb than vivacity of blood or vigour of brain. M. Eshton, le magistrat du quartier, a l'air d'un gentleman: ses cheveux sont bien blancs, ses sourcils et ses moustaches encore sombres, ce qui lui donne un air de «père noble de théâtre». Lord Ingram, comme ses sœurs, est très grand; comme eux aussi, il est beau; mais il partage le regard apathique et apathique de Mary: il semble avoir plus de longueur de membre que de vivacité de sang ou de vigueur de cerveau. And where is Mr. Rochester?

He comes in last: I am not looking at the arch, yet I see him enter. He comes in last: I am not looking at the arch, yet I see him enter. I try to concentrate my attention on those netting-needles, on the meshes of the purse I am forming—I wish to think only of the work I have in my hands, to see only the silver beads and silk threads that lie in my lap; whereas, I distinctly behold his figure, and I inevitably recall the moment when I last saw it; just after I had rendered him, what he deemed, an essential service, and he, holding my hand, and looking down on my face, surveyed me with eyes that revealed a heart full and eager to overflow; in whose emotions I had a part. J'essaye de concentrer mon attention sur ces filets-aiguilles, sur les mailles de la bourse que je suis en train de former - je veux ne penser qu'au travail que j'ai entre les mains, ne voir que les perles d'argent et les fils de soie qui reposent sur mes genoux ; alors que je vois distinctement sa figure, et je me souviens inévitablement du moment où je l'ai vue pour la dernière fois; juste après que je lui eût rendu, ce qu'il jugeait, un service essentiel, et lui, me tenant la main et baissant les yeux sur mon visage, me regarda avec des yeux qui révélaient un cœur plein et désireux de déborder; dans les émotions de qui j'ai eu une part. How near had I approached him at that moment! Comme l'avais-je approché à ce moment! What had occurred since, calculated to change his and my relative positions? Que s'était-il passé depuis, calculé pour changer sa position et ma position relative? Yet now, how distant, how far estranged we were! So far estranged, that I did not expect him to come and speak to me. So far estranged, that I did not expect him to come and speak to me. Si éloigné que je ne m'attendais pas à ce qu'il vienne me parler. I did not wonder, when, without looking at me, he took a seat at the other side of the room, and began conversing with some of the ladies. I did not wonder, when, without looking at me, he took a seat at the other side of the room, and began conversing with some of the ladies. Je ne me suis pas demandé quand, sans me regarder, il s'est assis de l'autre côté de la pièce et s'est mis à converser avec quelques-unes des dames. No sooner did I see that his attention was riveted on them, and that I might gaze without being observed, than my eyes were drawn involuntarily to his face; I could not keep their lids under control: they would rise, and the irids would fix on him. A peine ai-je vu que son attention était rivée sur eux et que je pouvais regarder sans être observé, que mes yeux étaient attirés involontairement sur son visage; Je ne pouvais pas garder leurs paupières sous contrôle: elles se soulèveraient et les irides se fixaient sur lui. I looked, and had an acute pleasure in looking,—a precious yet poignant pleasure; pure gold, with a steely point of agony: a pleasure like what the thirst-perishing man might feel who knows the well to which he has crept is poisoned, yet stoops and drinks divine draughts nevertheless. J'ai regardé, et j'ai eu un plaisir aigu à regarder, un plaisir précieux mais poignant; or pur, avec un point d'agonie d'acier: un plaisir comme ce que pourrait ressentir l'homme assoiffé qui sait que le puits dans lequel il s'est glissé est empoisonné, mais se penche et boit néanmoins des brouillons divins. Most true is it that “beauty is in the eye of the gazer.”  My master’s colourless, olive face, square, massive brow, broad and jetty eyebrows, deep eyes, strong features, firm, grim mouth,—all energy, decision, will,—were not beautiful, according to rule; but they were more than beautiful to me; they were full of an interest, an influence that quite mastered me,—that took my feelings from my own power and fettered them in his. Most true is it that “beauty is in the eye of the gazer.” My master's colourless, olive face, square, massive brow, broad and jetty eyebrows, deep eyes, strong features, firm, grim mouth,—all energy, decision, will,—were not beautiful, according to rule; but they were more than beautiful to me; they were full of an interest, an influence that quite mastered me,—that took my feelings from my own power and fettered them in his. Le plus vrai est que «la beauté est dans l'œil du spectateur». Le visage incolore et olive de mon maître, le front carré et massif, les sourcils larges et jetés, les yeux profonds, les traits forts, la bouche ferme et sombre, - toute l'énergie, la décision, la volonté, - n'étaient pas beaux, selon la règle; mais ils étaient plus que beaux pour moi; ils étaient pleins d'un intérêt, d'une influence qui me maîtrisait bien, qui prenait mes sentiments de mon propre pouvoir et les enchaînait dans le sien. I had not intended to love him; the reader knows I had wrought hard to extirpate from my soul the germs of love there detected; and now, at the first renewed view of him, they spontaneously arrived, green and strong! I had not intended to love him; the reader knows I had wrought hard to extirpate from my soul the germs of love there detected; and now, at the first renewed view of him, they spontaneously arrived, green and strong! Je n'avais pas eu l'intention de l'aimer; le lecteur sait que j'avais travaillé dur pour extirper de mon âme les germes d'amour y détectés; et maintenant, à la première vue renouvelée de lui, ils sont arrivés spontanément, verts et forts! He made me love him without looking at me. I compared him with his guests.

What was the gallant grace of the Lynns, the languid elegance of Lord Ingram,—even the military distinction of Colonel Dent, contrasted with his look of native pith and genuine power? What was the gallant grace of the Lynns, the languid elegance of Lord Ingram,—even the military distinction of Colonel Dent, contrasted with his look of native pith and genuine power? Quelle était la grâce galante des Lynn, l'élégance langoureuse de lord Ingram, - même la distinction militaire du colonel Dent, contrastant avec son air de moelle indigène et de pouvoir authentique? I had no sympathy in their appearance, their expression: yet I could imagine that most observers would call them attractive, handsome, imposing; while they would pronounce Mr. Rochester at once harsh-featured and melancholy-looking. I had no sympathy in their appearance, their expression: yet I could imagine that most observers would call them attractive, handsome, imposing; while they would pronounce Mr. Rochester at once harsh-featured and melancholy-looking. Je n'avais aucune sympathie dans leur apparence, leur expression: pourtant je pouvais imaginer que la plupart des observateurs les qualifieraient de séduisantes, belles, imposantes; tandis qu'ils prononceraient M. Rochester à la fois dur et mélancolique. I saw them smile, laugh—it was nothing; the light of the candles had as much soul in it as their smile; the tinkle of the bell as much significance as their laugh. Je les ai vus sourire, rire, ce n'était rien, la lumière des bougies avait autant d'âme que leur sourire, le tintement de la cloche autant de signification que leur rire. I saw Mr. Rochester smile:—his stern features softened; his eye grew both brilliant and gentle, its ray both searching and sweet. J'ai vu M. Rochester sourire: ... ses traits sévères se sont adoucis; son œil devint à la fois brillant et doux, son rayon à la fois cherchant et doux. He was talking, at the moment, to Louisa and Amy Eshton. I wondered to see them receive with calm that look which seemed to me so penetrating: I expected their eyes to fall, their colour to rise under it; yet I was glad when I found they were in no sense moved. I wondered to see them receive with calm that look which seemed to me so penetrating: I expected their eyes to fall, their colour to rise under it; yet I was glad when I found they were in no sense moved. Je me demandais de les voir recevoir avec calme ce regard qui me paraissait si pénétrant: je m'attendais à ce que leurs yeux tombent, leur couleur se lève sous lui; pourtant j'étais heureux quand j'ai découvert qu'ils n'étaient en aucun cas émus. “He is not to them what he is to me,” I thought: “he is not of their kind. I believe he is of mine;—I am sure he is—I feel akin to him—I understand the language of his countenance and movements: though rank and wealth sever us widely, I have something in my brain and heart, in my blood and nerves, that assimilates me mentally to him. Je crois qu'il est à moi; - je suis sûr qu'il est - je me sens semblable à lui - je comprends le langage de sa physionomie et de ses mouvements: bien que le rang et la richesse nous séparent largement, j'ai quelque chose dans mon cerveau et mon cœur, dans mon sang et les nerfs, ça m'assimile mentalement à lui. Did I say, a few days since, that I had nothing to do with him but to receive my salary at his hands? Ai-je dit, il y a quelques jours, que je n'avais rien à voir avec lui que de recevoir mon salaire de ses mains? Did I forbid myself to think of him in any other light than as a paymaster? Me suis-je interdit de penser à lui autrement qu'en tant que payeur? Blasphemy against nature! Every good, true, vigorous feeling I have gathers impulsively round him. Chaque sentiment bon, vrai, vigoureux que j'ai se rassemble impulsivement autour de lui. I know I must conceal my sentiments: I must smother hope; I must remember that he cannot care much for me. Je sais que je dois cacher mes sentiments: je dois étouffer l'espérance; Je dois me rappeler qu'il ne se soucie guère de moi. For when I say that I am of his kind, I do not mean that I have his force to influence, and his spell to attract; I mean only that I have certain tastes and feelings in common with him. Car quand je dis que je suis de son espèce, je ne veux pas dire que j'ai sa force pour influencer et son charme pour attirer; Je veux dire seulement que j'ai certains goûts et sentiments en commun avec lui. I must, then, repeat continually that we are for ever sundered:—and yet, while I breathe and think, I must love him.” Je dois donc répéter sans cesse que nous sommes à jamais séparés: ... et pourtant, pendant que je respire et que je pense, je dois l'aimer. Coffee is handed. Le café est remis.

The ladies, since the gentlemen entered, have become lively as larks; conversation waxes brisk and merry. Les dames, depuis que les messieurs sont entrés, sont devenues vives comme des alouettes; la conversation devient vive et joyeuse. Colonel Dent and Mr. Eshton argue on politics; their wives listen. The two proud dowagers, Lady Lynn and Lady Ingram, confabulate together. Les deux fières douairières, Lady Lynn et Lady Ingram, se confabulent ensemble. Sir George—whom, by-the-bye, I have forgotten to describe,—a very big, and very fresh-looking country gentleman, stands before their sofa, coffee-cup in hand, and occasionally puts in a word. Sir George - que, en passant, j'ai oublié de décrire, - un très grand gentilhomme campagnard à l'air très frais, se tient devant leur canapé, une tasse de café à la main, et met parfois un mot. Mr. Frederick Lynn has taken a seat beside Mary Ingram, and is showing her the engravings of a splendid volume: she looks, smiles now and then, but apparently says little. The tall and phlegmatic Lord Ingram leans with folded arms on the chair-back of the little and lively Amy Eshton; she glances up at him, and chatters like a wren: she likes him better than she does Mr. Rochester. Le grand et flegmatique Lord Ingram s'appuie les bras croisés sur le dossier de la petite et animée Amy Eshton; elle le regarde et bavarde comme un troglodyte: elle l'aime mieux que M. Rochester. Henry Lynn has taken possession of an ottoman at the feet of Louisa: Adèle shares it with him: he is trying to talk French with her, and Louisa laughs at his blunders. Henry Lynn a pris possession d'un pouf aux pieds de Louisa: Adèle le partage avec lui: il essaie de parler français avec elle, et Louisa se moque de ses maladresses. With whom will Blanche Ingram pair? Avec qui Blanche Ingram va-t-elle s'associer? She is standing alone at the table, bending gracefully over an album. She seems waiting to be sought; but she will not wait too long: she herself selects a mate. She seems waiting to be sought; but she will not wait too long: she herself selects a mate. Elle semble attendre d'être recherchée; mais elle n'attendra pas trop longtemps: elle choisit elle-même un compagnon. Mr.

Rochester, having quitted the Eshtons, stands on the hearth as solitary as she stands by the table: she confronts him, taking her station on the opposite side of the mantelpiece. Rochester, ayant quitté les Eshton, se tient sur le foyer aussi solitaire qu'elle se tient près de la table: elle lui fait face, prenant sa place de l'autre côté de la cheminée. “Mr.

Rochester, I thought you were not fond of children?” “Nor am I.”

“Then, what induced you to take charge of such a little doll as that?” (pointing to Adèle). “Where did you pick her up?” «Où l'avez-vous prise?» “I did not pick her up; she was left on my hands.” «Je ne l'ai pas prise; elle a été laissée entre mes mains. “You should have sent her to school.” «Tu aurais dû l'envoyer à l'école.»

“I could not afford it: schools are so dear.” «Je ne pouvais pas me le permettre: les écoles sont si chères.»

“Why, I suppose you have a governess for her: I saw a person with her just now—is she gone? Oh, no! there she is still, behind the window-curtain. You pay her, of course; I should think it quite as expensive,—more so; for you have them both to keep in addition.” Vous la payez, bien sûr; Je devrais penser que c'est tout aussi cher, plus encore; car vous avez les deux à garder en plus. I feared—or should I say, hoped?—the allusion to me would make Mr. Rochester glance my way; and I involuntarily shrank farther into the shade: but he never turned his eyes. Je craignais - ou devrais-je dire, espérait? - que l'allusion à moi ne ferait que M. Rochester me regarder; et je me suis involontairement rétréci plus loin dans l'ombre: mais il n'a jamais tourné les yeux. “I have not considered the subject,” said he indifferently, looking straight before him. «Je n'ai pas réfléchi au sujet», dit-il indifféremment, regardant droit devant lui. “No, you men never do consider economy and common sense. «Non, vous ne considérez jamais l'économie et le bon sens. 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?” Vous devriez entendre maman sur le chapitre des gouvernantes: Marie et moi en avons eu, je crois, au moins une douzaine de nos jours; la moitié est détestable et le reste ridicule, et tous les incubes - n'est-ce pas, maman? “Did you speak, my own?” «Avez-vous parlé, le mien?»

The young lady thus claimed as the dowager’s special property, reiterated her question with an explanation. La demoiselle, revendiquée ainsi comme propriété spéciale de la douairière, réitère sa question avec une explication. “My dearest, don’t mention governesses; the word makes me nervous. I have suffered a martyrdom from their incompetency 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. Dent se pencha vers la pieuse dame et lui murmura quelque chose à l'oreille; Je suppose que, d'après la réponse obtenue, c'était un rappel que l'un des membres de la race anathématisée était présent. “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.” «Tant pis!» dit sa Ladyship, «J'espère que cela lui fera du bien! Puis, d'un ton plus bas, mais toujours assez fort pour que j'entende: «Je l'ai remarquée; Je suis juge de la physionomie, et dans la sienne je vois tous les défauts de sa classe. “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. «Je vais vous le dire à votre oreille privée,» répondit-elle en remuant son turban trois fois avec une signification terrible. “But my curiosity will be past its appetite; it craves food now.” «Mais ma curiosité aura dépassé son appétit; il a soif de nourriture maintenant. “Ask Blanche; she is nearer you than I.”

“Oh, don’t refer him to me, mama! «Oh, ne me le référez pas, maman!

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. Non pas que j'en ai jamais beaucoup souffert; J'ai pris soin de renverser les rôles. What tricks Theodore and I used to play on our Miss Wilsons, and Mrs. Greys, and Madame Jouberts! Quels tours Théodore et moi jouions à nos Miss Wilson, Mrs Greys et Mrs Joubert ! Mary was always too sleepy to join in a plot with spirit. Mary was always too sleepy to join in a plot with spirit. Mary était toujours trop endormie pour se joindre à un complot avec esprit. The best fun was with Madame Joubert: Miss Wilson was a poor sickly thing, lachrymose and low-spirited, not worth the trouble of vanquishing, in short; and Mrs. Grey was coarse and insensible; no blow took effect on her. Le meilleur amusement était avec Mme Joubert: Miss Wilson était une pauvre chose maladive, lacrymogène et humble, qui ne valait pas la peine de vaincre, en somme; et Mme Gray était grossière et insensible; aucun coup ne lui fit effet. But poor Madame Joubert! I see her yet in her raging passions, when we had driven her to extremities—spilt our tea, crumbled our bread and butter, tossed our books up to the ceiling, and played a charivari with the ruler and desk, the fender and fire-irons. Je la vois encore dans ses passions déchaînées, quand nous l'avions poussée aux extrémités - renversé notre thé, émietté notre pain et notre beurre, jeté nos livres au plafond, et joué un charivari avec la règle et le bureau, l'aile et le feu - fers. Theodore, do you remember those merry days?” “Yaas, to be sure I do,” drawled Lord Ingram; “and the poor old stick used to cry out ‘Oh you villains childs! «Yaas, je suis sûr que oui», dit lord Ingram d'une voix traînante; «Et le pauvre vieux bâton criait:« Oh, vous les vilains enfants! '—and then we sermonised her on the presumption of attempting to teach such clever blades as we were, when she was herself so ignorant.” '—and then we sermonised her on the presumption of attempting to teach such clever blades as we were, when she was herself so ignorant.” «... et ensuite nous l'avons sermonné sur la présomption d'essayer d'enseigner des lames aussi intelligentes que nous étions, alors qu'elle était elle-même si ignorante. “We did; and, Tedo, you know, I helped you in prosecuting (or persecuting) your tutor, whey-faced Mr. Vining—the parson in the pip, as we used to call him. "Nous faisions; et, Tedo, vous savez, je vous ai aidé à poursuivre (ou à persécuter) votre tuteur, M. Vining au visage de petit-lait, le pasteur dans le pip, comme nous l'appelions. He and Miss Wilson took the liberty of falling in love with each other—at least Tedo and I thought so; we surprised sundry tender glances and sighs which we interpreted as tokens of ‘la belle passion,' and I promise you the public soon had the benefit of our discovery; we employed it as a sort of lever to hoist our dead-weights from the house. He and Miss Wilson took the liberty of falling in love with each other—at least Tedo and I thought so; we surprised sundry tender glances and sighs which we interpreted as tokens of ‘la belle passion,' and I promise you the public soon had the benefit of our discovery; we employed it as a sort of lever to hoist our dead-weights from the house. Lui et Mlle Wilson ont pris la liberté de tomber amoureux l'un de l'autre - du moins Tedo et je le pensais; nous avons surpris divers regards et soupirs tendres que nous avons interprétés comme des marques de «la belle passion», et je vous promets que le public a bientôt eu le bénéfice de notre découverte; nous l'utilisions comme une sorte de levier pour hisser nos poids morts de la maison. Lui e la signorina Wilson si sono presi la libertà di innamorarsi l'uno dell'altra, almeno così pensavamo io e Tedo; abbiamo sorpreso diversi sguardi e sospiri teneri che abbiamo interpretato come segni di "la belle passion", e vi assicuro che il pubblico ha avuto presto il beneficio della nostra scoperta; l'abbiamo usata come una sorta di leva per sollevare i nostri pesi morti dalla casa. Dear mama, there, as soon as she got an inkling of the business, found out that it was of an immoral tendency. Chère maman, là, dès qu'elle eut une idée de l'affaire, elle découvrit qu'il s'agissait d'une tendance immorale. Did you not, my lady-mother?” “Certainly, my best.

And I was quite right: depend on that: there are a thousand reasons why liaisons between governesses and tutors should never be tolerated a moment in any well-regulated house; firstly—” Et j'avais tout à fait raison : il y a mille raisons pour lesquelles les liaisons entre gouvernantes et précepteurs ne devraient jamais être tolérées un seul instant dans une maison bien réglée ; tout d'abord..." “Oh, gracious, mama!

Spare us the enumeration! Epargnez-nous l'énumération! Au reste , we all know them: danger of bad example to innocence of childhood; distractions and consequent neglect of duty on the part of the attached—mutual alliance and reliance; confidence thence resulting—insolence accompanying—mutiny and general blow-up. Au reste, nous les connaissons tous: danger de mauvais exemple pour l'innocence de l'enfance; distractions et négligence conséquente du devoir de la part de l'alliance et de la confiance mutuelles attachées; la confiance en résulta - l'insolence accompagnant - la mutinerie et l'explosion générale. Am I right, Baroness Ingram, of Ingram Park?” Ai-je raison, baronne Ingram, d'Ingram Park? “My lily-flower, you are right now, as always.” “Then no more need be said: change the subject.” Amy Eshton, not hearing or not heeding this dictum, joined in with her soft, infantine tone: “Louisa and I used to quiz our governess too; but she was such a good creature, she would bear anything: nothing put her out. Amy Eshton, n'entendant pas ou ne tenant pas compte de ce dicton, s'est jointe à son ton doux et infantile: «Louisa et moi avions l'habitude de questionner notre gouvernante aussi; mais c'était une si bonne créature, elle supporterait n'importe quoi: rien ne la faisait sortir. She was never cross with us; was she, Louisa?” “No, never: we might do what we pleased; ransack her desk and her workbox, and turn her drawers inside out; and she was so good-natured, she would give us anything we asked for.” «Non, jamais: nous pourrions faire ce que nous voulions; fouillez son bureau et sa boîte de travail, et retournez ses tiroirs; et elle était si gentille qu'elle nous donnerait tout ce que nous demandions. “I suppose, now,” said Miss Ingram, curling her lip sarcastically, “we shall have an abstract of the memoirs of all the governesses extant: in order to avert such a visitation, I again move the introduction of a new topic. «Je suppose, maintenant,» dit Mlle Ingram, frisant sa lèvre sarcastiquement, «nous aurons un résumé des mémoires de toutes les gouvernantes existantes: afin d'éviter une telle visite, je propose à nouveau l'introduction d'un nouveau sujet. Mr. Rochester, do you second my motion?” Monsieur Rochester, appuyez-vous ma motion? “Madam, I support you on this point, as on every other.” “Then on me be the onus of bringing it forward. “Then on me be the onus of bringing it forward. «Alors c'est à moi qu'il incombe de le faire avancer.

Signior Eduardo, are you in voice to-night?” Signior Eduardo, are you in voice to-night?” “Donna Bianca, if you command it, I will be.”

“Then, signior, I lay on you my sovereign behest to furbish up your lungs and other vocal organs, as they will be wanted on my royal service.” «Alors, monseigneur, je vous demande, mon souverain, de raviver vos poumons et vos autres organes vocaux, car ils seront recherchés lors de mon service royal. “Who would not be the Rizzio of so divine a Mary?” "Qui ne serait pas le Rizzio d'une Marie si divine?" “A fig for Rizzio!” cried she, tossing her head with all its curls, as she moved to the piano. «Une figue pour Rizzio!» s'écria-t-elle en secouant la tête avec toutes ses boucles, alors qu'elle se dirigeait vers le piano. “It is my opinion the fiddler David must have been an insipid sort of fellow; I like black Bothwell better: to my mind a man is nothing without a spice of the devil in him; and history may say what it will of James Hepburn, but I have a notion, he was just the sort of wild, fierce, bandit hero whom I could have consented to gift with my hand.” «À mon avis, le violoneux David a dû être une sorte de type insipide; J'aime mieux Bothwell noir: pour moi, un homme n'est rien sans une épice du diable en lui; et l’histoire peut dire ce que James Hepburn fera, mais j’ai une idée, il était juste le genre de héros bandit sauvage et féroce que j’aurais pu consentir à offrir de ma main. “Gentlemen, you hear!

Now which of you most resembles Bothwell?” cried Mr. Rochester. Maintenant, lequel de vous ressemble le plus à Bothwell? s'écria M. Rochester. “I should say the preference lies with you,” responded Colonel Dent. “On my honour, I am much obliged to you,” was the reply. «Sur mon honneur, je vous suis très obligé», fut la réponse. Miss Ingram, who had now seated herself with proud grace at the piano, spreading out her snowy robes in queenly amplitude, commenced a brilliant prelude; talking meantime. Mlle Ingram, qui s'était assise maintenant avec une grâce fière au piano, étalant ses robes neigeuses dans une ampleur de reine, commença un brillant prélude; parler en attendant. She appeared to be on her high horse to-night; both her words and her air seemed intended to excite not only the admiration, but the amazement of her auditors: she was evidently bent on striking them as something very dashing and daring indeed. Elle semblait être sur son grand cheval ce soir; ses paroles et son air semblaient destinés à exciter non seulement l'admiration, mais la stupéfaction de ses auditeurs: elle était évidemment déterminée à les frapper comme quelque chose de très fringant et d'audace. “Oh, I am so sick of the young men of the present day!” exclaimed she, rattling away at the instrument. «Oh, j'en ai tellement marre des jeunes hommes d'aujourd'hui!» s'exclama-t-elle en ronflant sur l'instrument. “Poor, puny things, not fit to stir a step beyond papa’s park gates: nor to go even so far without mama’s permission and guardianship! «Pauvres choses chétives, pas dignes de franchir les portes du parc de papa: ni d'aller même si loin sans la permission et la tutelle de maman! Creatures so absorbed in care about their pretty faces, and their white hands, and their small feet; as if a man had anything to do with beauty! Des créatures si absorbées par le soin de leurs jolis visages, de leurs mains blanches et de leurs petits pieds, comme si un homme avait quelque chose à voir avec la beauté ! As if loveliness were not the special prerogative of woman—her legitimate appanage and heritage! Comme si la beauté n'était pas l'apanage de la femme, sa propriété et son héritage légitimes ! I grant an ugly woman is a blot on the fair face of creation; but as to the gentlemen , let them be solicitous to possess only strength and valour: let their motto be:—Hunt, shoot, and fight: the rest is not worth a fillip. J'accorde qu'une femme laide est une tache sur le beau visage de la création; mais quant aux messieurs, qu'ils se soucient de n'avoir que force et valeur: que leur devise soit: - Chassez, tirez et combattez: le reste ne vaut pas un coup de fouet. Such should be my device, were I a man.” Tel devrait être mon appareil, si j'étais un homme. “Whenever I marry,” she continued after a pause which none interrupted, “I am resolved my husband shall not be a rival, but a foil to me. «Chaque fois que je me marie», continua-t-elle après une pause qu'aucune interrompit, «je suis résolue que mon mari ne sera pas un rival, mais un repoussoir pour moi. I will suffer no competitor near the throne; I shall exact an undivided homage: his devotions shall not be shared between me and the shape he sees in his mirror. Je ne souffrirai aucun concurrent près du trône; J'exigerai un hommage sans partage: ses dévotions ne seront pas partagées entre moi et la forme qu'il voit dans son miroir. Mr. Rochester, now sing, and I will play for you.” “I am all obedience,” was the response.

“Here then is a Corsair-song.

Know that I doat on Corsairs; and for that reason, sing it con spirito .” Sachez que je fais des corsaires; et pour cette raison, chantez-le con spirito. “Commands from Miss Ingram’s lips would put spirit into a mug of milk and water.” «Les commandes des lèvres de Mlle Ingram mettraient l'esprit dans une tasse de lait et d'eau.

“Take care, then: if you don’t please me, I will shame you by showing how such things should be done.” «Prends garde donc: si tu ne me plais pas, je te ferai honte en te montrant comment faire de telles choses. “That is offering a premium on incapacity: I shall now endeavour to fail.” «C'est offrir une prime d'incapacité: je vais maintenant m'efforcer d'échouer.» “Gardez-vous en bien!

If you err wilfully, I shall devise a proportionate punishment.” Si vous vous trompez volontairement, je vais concevoir une punition proportionnée. “Miss Ingram ought to be clement, for she has it in her power to inflict a chastisement beyond mortal endurance.” «Miss Ingram doit être clémente, car elle a le pouvoir d'infliger un châtiment au-delà de l'endurance mortelle. "Juffrouw Ingram zou mild moeten zijn, want ze heeft het in haar macht om een straf op te leggen die het uithoudingsvermogen van het sterfelijk leven te boven gaat." “Ha!

explain!” commanded the lady. “Pardon me, madam: no need of explanation; your own fine sense must inform you that one of your frowns would be a sufficient substitute for capital punishment.” «Pardonnez-moi, madame: pas besoin d'explication; votre bon sens doit vous informer que l'un de vos froncements de sourcils serait un substitut suffisant à la peine capitale. “Sing!” said she, and again touching the piano, she commenced an accompaniment in spirited style. “Now is my time to slip away,” thought I: but the tones that then severed the air arrested me. «Le moment est venu de m'échapper», pensai-je: mais les tonalités qui coupaient alors l'air m'arrêtèrent. Mrs. Fairfax had said Mr. Rochester possessed a fine voice: he did—a mellow, powerful bass, into which he threw his own feeling, his own force; finding a way through the ear to the heart, and there waking sensation strangely. I waited till the last deep and full vibration had expired—till the tide of talk, checked an instant, had resumed its flow; I then quitted my sheltered corner and made my exit by the side-door, which was fortunately near. J'attendis que la dernière vibration profonde et complète fût expirée - que la marée des conversations, arrêtée un instant, eût repris son cours; J'ai alors quitté mon coin abrité et ai fait ma sortie par la porte latérale, qui était heureusement proche. Thence a narrow passage led into the hall: in crossing it, I perceived my sandal was loose; I stopped to tie it, kneeling down for that purpose on the mat at the foot of the staircase. De là, un passage étroit menait à la salle: en la traversant, je vis que ma sandale était lâche; Je m'arrêtai pour l'attacher, m'agenouillant à cet effet sur le tapis au pied de l'escalier. I heard the dining-room door unclose; a gentleman came out; rising hastily, I stood face to face with him: it was Mr. Rochester. J'entendis la porte de la salle à manger se fermer; un monsieur est sorti; me levant à la hâte, je me trouvai face à face avec lui: c'était M. Rochester. “How do you do?” he asked.

“I am very well, sir.”

“Why did you not come and speak to me in the room?” I thought I might have retorted the question on him who put it: but I would not take that freedom. J'ai pensé que j'aurais peut-être rétorqué la question sur celui qui l'a posée: mais je ne prendrais pas cette liberté. I answered— “I did not wish to disturb you, as you seemed engaged, sir.” “What have you been doing during my absence?”

“Nothing particular; teaching Adèle as usual.” “And getting a good deal paler than you were—as I saw at first sight. «Et devenir beaucoup plus pâle que vous ne l'étiez - comme je l'ai vu à première vue. What is the matter?” “Nothing at all, sir.”

“Did you take any cold that night you half drowned me?” "Avez-vous pris froid la nuit où vous m'avez à moitié noyé ?" “Not the least.”

“Return to the drawing-room: you are deserting too early.” «Retournez au salon: vous désertez trop tôt. “I am tired, sir.”

He looked at me for a minute.

“And a little depressed,” he said.

“What about? Tell me.” “Nothing—nothing, sir.

I am not depressed.” “But I affirm that you are: so much depressed that a few more words would bring tears to your eyes—indeed, they are there now, shining and swimming; and a bead has slipped from the lash and fallen on to the flag. «Mais j'affirme que vous êtes: tellement déprimé que quelques mots de plus vous apporteraient les larmes aux yeux - en effet, ils sont là maintenant, brillant et nageant; et une perle a glissé du fouet et est tombée sur le drapeau. If I had time, and was not in mortal dread of some prating prig of a servant passing, I would know what all this means. Si j'avais le temps et que je ne craignais pas mortellement le passage de quelque prig de serviteur, je saurais ce que tout cela signifie. Well, to-night I excuse you; but understand that so long as my visitors stay, I expect you to appear in the drawing-room every evening; it is my wish; don’t neglect it. Now go, and send Sophie for Adèle. Good-night, my—”  He stopped, bit his lip, and abruptly left me. Bonne nuit, mon… »Il s'arrêta, se mordit la lèvre et me quitta brusquement.