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简爱(英文版)-第章

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 wife?”—when a distinct and near voice said—
“The marriage cannot go on: I declare the existence of an impediment。”
The clergyman looked up at the speaker and stood mute; the clerk did the same; Mr。 Rochester moved slightly; as if an earthquake had rolled under his feet: taking a firmer footing; and not turning his head or eyes; he said; “Proceed。”
Profound silence fell when he had uttered that word; with deep but low intonation。 Presently Mr。 Wood said—
“I cannot proceed without some investigation into what has been asserted; and evidence of its truth or falsehood。”
“The ceremony is quite broken off;” subjoined the voice behind us。 “I am in a condition to prove my allegation: an insuperable impediment to this marriage exists。”
Mr。 Rochester heard; but heeded not: he stood stubborn and rigid; making no movement but to possess himself of my hand。 What a hot and strong grasp he had! and hoarble was his pale; firm; massive front at this moment! How his eye shone; still watchful; and yet wild beneath!
Mr。 Wood seemed at a loss。 “What is the nature of the impediment?” he asked。 “Perhaps it may be got over—explained away?”
“Hardly;” was the answer。 “I have called it insuperable; and I speak advisedly。”
The speaker came forward and leaned on the rails。 He continued; uttering each word distinctly; calmly; steadily; but not loudly—
“It simply consists in the existence of a previous marriage。 Mr。 Rochester has a wife now living。”
My nerves vibrated to those low…spoken words as they had never vibrated to thunder—my blood felt their subtle violence as it had never felt frost or fire; but I was collected; and in no danger of swooning。 I looked at Mr。 Rochester: I made him look at me。 His whole face was colourless rock: his eye was both spark and flint。 He disavowed nothing: he seemed as if he would defy all things。 Without speaking; without smiling; without seeming to recognise in me a human being; he only twined my waist with his arm and riveted me to his side。
“Who are you?” he asked of the intruder。
“My name is Briggs; a solicitor of—Street; London。”
“And you would thrust on me a wife?”
“I would remind you of your lady’s existence; sir; which the law recognises; if you do not。”
“Favour me with an account of her—with her name; her parentage; her place of abode。”
“Certainly。” Mr。 Briggs calmly took a paper from his pocket; and read out in a sort of official; nasal voice:—
“‘I affirm and can prove that on the 20th of October A。D。—(a date of fifteen years back); Edward Fairfax Rochester; of Thornfield Hall; in the county of —; and of Ferndean Manor; in—shire; England; was married to my sister; Bertha Antoita Mason; daughter of Jonas Mason; merchant; and of Antoita his wife; a Creole; at—church; Spanish Town; Jamaica。 The record of the marriage will be found in the register of that church—a copy of it is now in my possession。 Signed; Richard Mason。’”
“That—if a genuine document—may prove I have been married; but it does not prove that the woman mentioned therein as my wife is still living。”
“She was living three months ago;” returned the lawyer。
“How do you know?”
“I have a witness to the fact; whose testimony even you; sir; will scarcely controvert。”
“Produce him—or go to hell。”
“I will produce him first—he is on the spot。 Mr。 Mason; have the goodness to step forward。”
Mr。 Rochester; on hearing the name; set his teeth; he experienced; too; a sort of strong convulsive quiver; near to him as I was; I felt the spasmodic movement of fury or despair run through his frame。 The second stranger; who had hitherto lingered in the background; now drew near; a pale face looked over the solicitor’s shoulder—yes; it was Mason himself。 Mr。 Rochester turned and glared at him。 His eye; as I have often said; was a black eye: it had now a tawny; nay; a bloody light in its gloom; and his face flushed—olive cheek and hueless forehead received a glow as from spreading; ascending heart…fire: and he stirred; lifted his strong arm—he could have struck Mason; dashed him on the church…floor; shocked by ruthless blow the breath from his body—but Mason shrank away; and cried faintly; “Good God!” Contempt fell cool on Mr。 Rochester—his passion died as if a blight had shrivelled it up: he only asked—“What have you to say?”
An inaudible reply escaped Mason’s white lips。
“The devil is in it if you cannot answer distinctly。 I again demand; what have you to say?”
“Sir—sir;” interrupted the clergyman; “do not forget you are in a sacred place。” Then addressing Mason; he inquired gently; “Are you aware; sir; whether or not this gentleman’s wife is still living?”
“Courage;” urged the lawyer;—“speak out。”
“She is now living at Thornfield Hall;” said Mason; in more articulate tones: “I saw her there last April。 I am her brother。”
“At Thornfield Hall!” ejaculated the clergyman。 “Impossible! I am an old resident in this neighbourhood; sir; and I never heard of a Mrs。 Rochester at Thornfield Hall。”
I saw a grim smile contort Mr。 Rochester’s lips; and he muttered—
“No; by God! I took care that none should hear of it—or of her under that name。” He mused—for ten minutes he held counsel with himself: he formed his resolve; and announced it—
“Enough! all shall bolt out at once; like the bullet from the barrel。 Wood; close your book and take off your surplice; John Green (to the clerk); leave the church: there will be no wedding to…day。” The man obeyed。
Mr。 Rochester continued; hardily and recklessly: “Bigamy is an ugly word!—I meant; however; to be a bigamist; but fate has out… manoeuvred me; or Providence has checked me;—perhaps the last。 I am little better than a devil at this moment; and; as my pastor there would tell me; deserve no doubt the sternest judgments of God; even to the quenchless fire and deathless worm。 Gentlemen; my plan is broken up:… what this lawyer and his client say is true: I have been married; and the woman to whom I was married lives! You say you never heard of a Mrs。 Rochester at the house up yonder; Wood; but I daresay you have many a time inclined your ear to gossip about the mysterious lunatic kept there under wa
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