06-01-简·爱 [32]
went off just after breakfast，to visit a family in a big house about sixteen miles away．I know they've invited a lot of guests，who'll be staying in the house．Mr Rochester is always very popular with the ladies at these parties，so he may not come back for a week or so．'
'Who are the ladies at this house-party？
'Three sisters，very elegant young ladies，and their friends，Blanche and Mary Ingram．But Blanche is the most beautiful of all．I saw her when she came to a Christmas party at Thornfield，six or seven years ago．'
'What does she look like？'
'She was eighteen then，a lovely girl，with beautiful skin，long curling black hair，and fine black eyes which shone as brightly as her jewels．She looked like a queen．All the gentlemen admired her，not only for her beauty but also for her musical skills．When she and Mr Rochester sang together，it was a delight to hear．'
'Mr Rochester？I didn't know he could sing．'
'Oh yes，he has a very fine voice．And then she played the piano later．The master said she played extremely well．'
'And this beautiful lady isn't married yet？'
'No，I don't think she or her sister has much money．'
'But I'm surprised some rich gentleman hasn't fallen in love with her．Mr Rochester，for example．He's rich，isn't he？'
'Oh yes But you see，there's a considerable difference in age．He's nearly forty，and she's only twenty-five．'
'Well，marriages like that happen every day．De you think-'But I was interrupted by Adele，who came to Join us，and the subject was changed．
That night in my room I was stern with myself．
'You，Jane Eyre，'I accused my reflection in the mirror，'you are the biggest fool in the world! How could you imagine that a gentleman of family and wealth would love you，a plain little governess! Just look at yourself!'And I decided that next day I would draw an honest sketch of myself，and then one of Blanche Ingram，painting the most lovely face I could imagine，according to Mrs Fairfax 's description．In the future，if ever my old feelings about Mr Rochester began to return，I would only have to glance at the two pictures to see the great difference between us，and in this way common sense would destroy my foolish dreams.
■ 10 格丽丝·普尔之谜
度过一个不眠之夜后，早晨我很想见到罗切斯特先生，但是根本没有他的人影。显然他已经告诉仆人们他不小心碰翻了蜡烛，使房间着火了。经过他的房间时，我看见格丽丝·普尔坐在里面，平静地补着窗帘。她看上去根本不像绝望或疯狂到要杀死主人的地步。但我还是决定探个究竟。
“早上好，格丽丝。”我说着走进屋里。“告诉我，昨晚出了什么事？仆人们都在议论呢。”
“早上好，小姐。”她回答着抬起头来，没事儿似的。“嗯，主人躺在床上看书睡着了，他肯定是碰翻了蜡烛。蜡烛点着了床单，好在他用水把火扑灭了。”
“多怪啊！”我轻声说。“没有人听到动静吗？”听到这话，她好像仔细打量了我一眼。
“费尔法斯太太和你睡得离他最近，小姐。费尔法斯太太像大多数老年人一样，睡得很沉，没听见什么。不过，小姐，你还年轻。也许你听到了动静？”
“是的。”我说，“我敢肯定我听到了一声怪笑。”
她继续平静地干着手中的针线活。
“处在这样的危险之中，我想主人是不会笑的。”她说，“你一定在做梦。”
“不，我没有做梦。”我厉声答道。
“你没想起要开门朝走廊里看看？”她问。我突然意识到如果她怀疑我知道她的罪过，可能会袭击我。
“不，我把门锁上了。”我说，“从今往后我每天晚上都会锁门。”
“小姐，这才是明智的。谁知道呢，也许有一天特恩费得会闯进盗贼
'Who are the ladies at this house-party？
'Three sisters，very elegant young ladies，and their friends，Blanche and Mary Ingram．But Blanche is the most beautiful of all．I saw her when she came to a Christmas party at Thornfield，six or seven years ago．'
'What does she look like？'
'She was eighteen then，a lovely girl，with beautiful skin，long curling black hair，and fine black eyes which shone as brightly as her jewels．She looked like a queen．All the gentlemen admired her，not only for her beauty but also for her musical skills．When she and Mr Rochester sang together，it was a delight to hear．'
'Mr Rochester？I didn't know he could sing．'
'Oh yes，he has a very fine voice．And then she played the piano later．The master said she played extremely well．'
'And this beautiful lady isn't married yet？'
'No，I don't think she or her sister has much money．'
'But I'm surprised some rich gentleman hasn't fallen in love with her．Mr Rochester，for example．He's rich，isn't he？'
'Oh yes But you see，there's a considerable difference in age．He's nearly forty，and she's only twenty-five．'
'Well，marriages like that happen every day．De you think-'But I was interrupted by Adele，who came to Join us，and the subject was changed．
That night in my room I was stern with myself．
'You，Jane Eyre，'I accused my reflection in the mirror，'you are the biggest fool in the world! How could you imagine that a gentleman of family and wealth would love you，a plain little governess! Just look at yourself!'And I decided that next day I would draw an honest sketch of myself，and then one of Blanche Ingram，painting the most lovely face I could imagine，according to Mrs Fairfax 's description．In the future，if ever my old feelings about Mr Rochester began to return，I would only have to glance at the two pictures to see the great difference between us，and in this way common sense would destroy my foolish dreams.
■ 10 格丽丝·普尔之谜
度过一个不眠之夜后，早晨我很想见到罗切斯特先生，但是根本没有他的人影。显然他已经告诉仆人们他不小心碰翻了蜡烛，使房间着火了。经过他的房间时，我看见格丽丝·普尔坐在里面，平静地补着窗帘。她看上去根本不像绝望或疯狂到要杀死主人的地步。但我还是决定探个究竟。
“早上好，格丽丝。”我说着走进屋里。“告诉我，昨晚出了什么事？仆人们都在议论呢。”
“早上好，小姐。”她回答着抬起头来，没事儿似的。“嗯，主人躺在床上看书睡着了，他肯定是碰翻了蜡烛。蜡烛点着了床单，好在他用水把火扑灭了。”
“多怪啊！”我轻声说。“没有人听到动静吗？”听到这话，她好像仔细打量了我一眼。
“费尔法斯太太和你睡得离他最近，小姐。费尔法斯太太像大多数老年人一样，睡得很沉，没听见什么。不过，小姐，你还年轻。也许你听到了动静？”
“是的。”我说，“我敢肯定我听到了一声怪笑。”
她继续平静地干着手中的针线活。
“处在这样的危险之中，我想主人是不会笑的。”她说，“你一定在做梦。”
“不，我没有做梦。”我厉声答道。
“你没想起要开门朝走廊里看看？”她问。我突然意识到如果她怀疑我知道她的罪过，可能会袭击我。
“不，我把门锁上了。”我说，“从今往后我每天晚上都会锁门。”
“小姐，这才是明智的。谁知道呢，也许有一天特恩费得会闯进盗贼