Иностранный язык: учимся у классиков - Лучшие романы сестер Бронте / The Best of the Bront? Sisters

“I believe I am.”

“Believe! What is the matter? Tell me what you feel.”

“I could not, sir: no words could tell you what I feel. I wish this present hour would never end: who knows with what fate the next may come charged?”

“This is hypochondria, Jane. You have been over-excited, or over-fatigued.”

“Do you, sir, feel calm and happy?”

“Calm? – no: but happy – to the heart’s core.”

I looked up at him to read the signs of bliss in his face: it was ardent and flushed.

“Give me your confidence, Jane,” he said: “relieve your mind of any weight that oppresses it, by imparting it to me. What do you fear? – that I shall not prove a good husband?”

“It is the idea farthest from my thoughts.”

“Are you apprehensive of the new sphere you are about to enter? – of the new life into which you are passing?”

“No.”

“You puzzle me, Jane: your look and tone of sorrowful audacity perplex and pain me. I want an explanation.”

“Then, sir, listen. You were from home last night?”

“I was: I know that; and you hinted a while ago at something which had happened in my absence: – nothing, probably, of consequence; but, in short, it has disturbed you. Let me hear it. Mrs. Fairfax has said something, perhaps? or you have overheard the servants talk? – your sensitive self-respect has been wounded?”

“No, sir.” It struck twelve – I waited till the time-piece had concluded its silver chime, and the clock its hoarse, vibrating stroke, and then I proceeded.

“All day yesterday I was very busy, and very happy in my ceaseless bustle; for I am not, as you seem to think, troubled by any haunting fears about the new sphere, et cetera: I think it a glorious thing to have the hope of living with you, because I love you. No, sir, don’t caress me now – let me talk undisturbed. Yesterday I trusted well in Providence, and believed that events were working together for your good and mine: it was a fine day, if you recollect – the calmness of the air and sky forbade apprehensions respecting your safety or comfort on your journey. I walked a little while on the pavement after tea, thinking of you; and I beheld you in imagination so near me, I scarcely missed your actual presence. I thought of the life that lay before me – your life, sir – an existence more expansive and stirring than my own: as much more so as the depths of the sea to which the brook runs are than the shallows of its own strait channel. I wondered why moralists call this world a dreary wilderness: for me it blossomed like a rose. Just at sunset, the air turned cold and the sky cloudy: I went in, Sophie called me upstairs to look at my wedding-dress, which they had just brought; and under it in the box I found your present – the veil which, in your princely extravagance, you sent for from London: resolved, I suppose, since I would not have jewels, to cheat me into accepting something as costly. I smiled as I unfolded it, and devised how I would tease you about your aristocratic tastes, and your efforts to masque your plebeian bride in the attributes of a peeress. I thought how I would carry down to you the square of unembroidered blond I had myself prepared as a covering for my low-born head, and ask if that was not good enough for a woman who could bring her husband neither fortune, beauty, nor connections. I saw plainly how you would look; and heard your impetuous republican answers, and your haughty disavowal of any necessity on your part to augment your wealth, or elevate your standing, by marrying either a purse or a coronet.”

“How well you read me, you witch!” interposed Mr. Rochester: “but what did you find in the veil besides its embroidery? Did you find poison, or a dagger, that you look so mournful now?”

“No, no, sir; besides the delicacy and richness of the fabric, I found nothing save Fairfax Rochester’s pride; and that did not scare me, because I am used to the sight of the demon. But, sir, as it grew dark, the wind rose: it blew yesterday evening, not as it blows now – wild and high – but ‘with a sullen, moaning sound’[101] far more eerie. I wished you were at home. I came into this room, and the sight of the empty chair and fireless hearth chilled me. For some time after I went to bed, I could not sleep – a sense of anxious excitement distressed me. The gale still rising, seemed to my ear to muffle a mournful under-sound; whether in the house or abroad I could not at first tell, but it recurred, doubtful yet doleful at every lull; at last I made out it must be some dog howling at a distance. I was glad when it ceased. On sleeping, I continued in dreams the idea of a dark and gusty night. I continued also the wish to be with you, and experienced a strange, regretful consciousness of some barrier dividing us. During all my first sleep, I was following the windings of an unknown road; total obscurity environed me; rain pelted me; I was burdened with the charge of a little child: a very small creature, too young and feeble to walk, and which shivered in my cold arms, and wailed piteously in my ear. I thought, sir, that you were on the road a long way before me; and I strained every nerve to overtake you, and made effort on effort to utter your name and entreat you to stop – but my movements were fettered, and my voice still died away inarticulate; while you, I felt, withdrew farther and farther every moment.”

“And these dreams weigh on your spirits now, Jane, when I am close to you? Little nervous subject! Forget visionary woe, and think only of real happiness! You say you love me, Janet: yes – I will not forget that; and you cannot deny it. Those words did not die inarticulate on your lips. I heard them clear and soft: a thought too solemn perhaps, but sweet as music – ‘I think it is a glorious thing to have the hope of living with you, Edward, because I love you.’ Do you love me, Jane? – repeat it.”

“I do, sir – I do, with my whole heart.”

“Well,” he said, after some minutes’ silence, “it is strange; but that sentence has penetrated my breast painfully. Why? I think because you said it with such an earnest, religious energy, and because your upward gaze at me now is the very sublime of faith, truth, and devotion: it is too much as if some spirit were near me. Look wicked, Jane: as you know well how to look: coin one of your wild, shy, provoking smiles; tell me you hate me – tease me, vex me; do anything but move me: I would rather be incensed than saddened.”

“I will tease you and vex you to your heart’s content, when I have finished my tale: but hear me to the end.”

“I thought, Jane, you had told me all. I thought I had found the source of your melancholy in a dream.”

I shook my head. “What! is there more? But I will not believe it to be anything important. I warn you of incredulity beforehand. Go on.”

The disquietude of his air, the somewhat apprehensive impatience of his manner, surprised me: but I proceeded.

“I dreamt another dream, sir: that Thornfield Hall was a dreary ruin, the retreat of bats and owls. I thought that of all the stately front nothing remained but a shell-like wall, very high and very fragile-looking. I wandered, on a moonlight night, through the grass-grown enclosure within: here I stumbled over a marble hearth, and there over a fallen fragment of cornice. Wrapped up in a shawl, I still carried the unknown little child: I might not lay it down anywhere, however tired were my arms – however much its weight impeded my progress, I must retain it. I heard the gallop of a horse at a distance on the road; I was sure it was you; and you were departing for many years and for a distant country. I climbed the thin wall with frantic perilous haste, eager to catch one glimpse of you from the top: the stones rolled from under my feet, the ivy branches I grasped gave way, the child clung round my neck in terror, and almost strangled me; at last I gained the summit. I saw you like a speck on a white track, lessening every moment. The blast blew so strong I could not stand. I sat down on the narrow ledge; I hushed the scared infant in my lap: you turned an angle of the road: I bent forward to take a last look; the wall crumbled; I was shaken; the child rolled from my knee, I lost my balance, fell, and woke.”

“Now, Jane, that is all.”

“All the preface, sir; the tale is yet to come. On waking, a gleam dazzled my eyes; I thought – Oh, it is daylight! But I was mistaken; it was only candlelight. Sophie, I supposed, had come in. There was a light in the dressing-table, and the door of the closet, where, before going to bed, I had hung my wedding-dress and veil, stood open; I heard a rustling there. I asked, ‘Sophie, what are you doing?’ No one answered; but a form emerged from the closet; it took the light, held it aloft, and surveyed the garments pendent from the portmanteau. ‘Sophie! Sophie!’ I again cried: and still it was silent. I had risen up in bed, I bent forward: first surprise, then bewilderment, came over me; and then my blood crept cold through my veins. Mr. Rochester, this was not Sophie, it was not Leah, it was not Mrs. Fairfax: it was not – no, I was sure of it, and am still – it was not even that strange woman, Grace Poole.”

“It must have been one of them,” interrupted my master.

“No, sir, I solemnly assure you to the contrary. The shape standing before me had never crossed my eyes within the precincts of Thornfield Hall before; the height, the contour were new to me.”

Примечания

1

a quotation from the poem “The Seasons” (“Autumn”) by James Thomson (1700 – 1748), a Scottish poet and playwright.

2

Pamela, and Henry, Earl of Moreland – “Pamela” is the title of a novel by Samuel Richardson (1689–1761), “Henry, Earl of Moreland” – a book by John Wesley (1703–1791).

3

Marseilles – strong cotton cloth made in Marseilles, France

4

Guy Fawkes (1570–1606) – a conspirator, executed for attempting to blow up the king and Parliament in 1605.

5

doat – dote on = to be fond of

6

sotto voce – in a very low voice (Italian)

7

“onding on snaw” – on the verge of snowing

8

Collect – a short prayer for a particular day

9

frieze – heavy woolen cloth

10

“Rasselas” – a didactic novel by Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)

11

Felix – from the Bible; Felix was a Roman governor who listened to St. Paul’s teaching

12

a moiety – half of the portion

13

en masse – together (French). Here and further on the characters of the book often use French in their communication.

14

Barmecide feast – an imaginary feast, with empty plates, given to a beggar by rich Baghdad nobleman (from “Arabian Nights”)

15

Cuyp-like – as in the pictures of Aelbert Jacobsz Cuyp (1620–1691), Dutch painter

16

references – here: a written testimonial

17

en regle – according to the rules (French)

18

Wolfe, James (1727–1759) – English soldier who was killed when commanding the British capture of Quebec

19

common – a part of the territory in the centre of some district, belonging to or used by a community as a whole

20

negus – kind of mulled wine

21

Quakerlike – Quakers are members of the Christian group known as the Society of Friends; here: modest and strict.

22

C’est la ma gouverante. – It’s my governess.

23

Mais oui, certainement! – Of course she is!

24

canzonette – a small song (Italian)

25

La Ligue des Rats: fable de La Fontaine – “The Rats’ Union,” fable by Jean de La Fontaine

26

Qu’ avez vous donc? lui dit un de ces rats; parlez! – So, what do you have? says one of the rats. Speak up!

27

yonder – there (archaic). Here and later archaic words are used, such as “bairn” – child, “nought” – nothing, etc.

28

Tyrian-dyed – purple

29

Parian – made of white semitranslucent marble quarried at Paros

30

Hebrew ark – the ark of the Covenant

31

“after life’s fitful fever they sleep well” – a quotation from “Macbeth” (Act 3, Scene 2) by William Shakespeare

32

Mesdames, vous etes servies! J’ai bien faim, moi! – Ladies, dinner is served! As for me, I’m terribly hungry!

33

par parenthese – by the way

34

viz. – that is

35

Revenez bientot, ma bonne amie, ma chere Mdlle. Jeannette. – Come back soon, my good friend, my dear Miss Jane.

36

It’s a quotation from the poem “Fallen is thy Throne” by Thomas Moore.

37

“Et cela doit signifier qu’il y aura la dedans un cadeau pour moi, et peut-etre pour vous aussi, mademoiselle. Monsieur a parle de vous: il m’a demande le nom de ma gouvernante, et si elle n’etait pas une petite personne, assez mince et un peu pale. J’ai dit qu’oui: car c’est vrai, n’est-ce pas, mademoiselle?” – It must mean there is a present for me inside, and maybe for you too, Miss. Monsieur has talked about you: he asked me what’s your name and if you are small, thin and somewhat pale. I said yes, because it’s true, isn’t it, Miss?

38

“N’est-ce pas, monsieur, qu’il y a un cadeau pour Mademoiselle Eyre dans votre petit coffre?” – Isn’t there a present for Miss Eyre in your small chest?

39

the men in green – Mr. Rochester refers to Jane as to an imp, a fairy.

40

the likeness of a kingly crown, the shape which shape had none – from “Paradise Lost” by John Milton (1608–1674) where Raphael describes Death to Adam.

41

Latmos – Mount Latmus; according to Greek legends, it was the place where the moon goddess Selene first met Endymion, a mortal who became her lover.

42

petit coffre – a small chest

43

Ma boite! ma boite – My box! My box!

44

tiens-toi tranquille, enfant; comprends-tu? – Be quiet, child. Do you understand?

45

Oh ciel! Que c’est beau! – Oh heavens! But it is beautiful!

46

nonnette – a young nun

47

India-rubber ball – meaning natural rubber

48

ditto – the same (Italian)

49

et j’y tiens – it matters to me

50

Medes and Persians – two tribes mentioned in the Bible

51

Il faut que je l’essaie! et a l’instant meme! – I must try it on! Right now!

52

Est-ce que ma robe va bien? et mes souliers? et mes bas? Tenez, je crois que je vais danser! – My frock, does it suit me? And my shoes? And my stockings? Look, I believe I’m going to dance!

53

Monsieur, je vous remercie mille fois de votre bonte; C’est comme cela que maman faisait, n’est-ce pas, monsieur? – Monsieur, I thank you thousand times for you generosity. That’s like my mom used to do, isn’t it, Monsieur?

54

comme cela – like that

55

taille d’athlete – athletic built

56

croquant – crunching

57

porte cochere – gateway

58

Job’s leviathan broke the spear, the dart, and the habergeon – allusion to the Bible (the Book of Job, 41:26). Here is meant the readiness to overcome any hardships and obstacles.

59

roue – a scapegrace

60

beaute male – man’s beauty, handsomness

61

filette – a daughter or a girl

62

Beulah – from the Bible: a symbolic name of the heavenly Zion, the promised land.

63

Qu’ avez-vous, mademoiselle? Vos doigts tremblent comme la feuille, et vos joues sont rouges: mais, rouges comme des cerises.  – What’s happened, Miss? Your fingers are trembling like a leaf, and your cheeks are red, as red as cherries.

64

ignis-fatus – “fool’s fire” (Latin), dim wandering light appearing over the swamps at night. It is believed to drive travellers from the safe paths.

65

passees – old-fashioned

66

Some natural tears she shed – allusion to “Paradise Lost” by John Milton (1608–1674); the original quote is “Some natural tears they dropped.”

67

Elles changent de toilettes – They change.

68

Chez maman, quand il y avait du monde, je le suivais partout, au salon et a leurs chambres; souvent je regardais les femmes de chambre coiffer et habiller les dames, et c’etait si amusant: comme cela on apprend. – When my mom had guests, I followed them everywhere, in the drawing room and in the bedrooms. I often watched the maids combing and dressing the ladies, and that was real fun; that’s how they learn.

69

Mais oui, mademoiselle: voila cinq ou six heures que nous n’avons pas mange. – Oh yes, Miss; it is really five or six hours since we had some food.

70

abigails – allusion to the Bible, here: ladies’ maids

71

et alors quel dommage – well, it’s a pity

72

Est-ce que je ne puis pas prendre une seule de ces fleurs magnifiques, mademoiselle? Seulement pour completer ma toilette. – Oh Miss, can’t I take one of these beautiful flowers? Just to complete my toilette.

73

minois chiffone – here: pretty

74

pere noble de theatre – noble (aristocratic) head of the family, father (theater emploi)

75

Tant pis! – even worse! (meaning “it serves her right”)

76

Au reste – as for the rest of it

77

Who would not be the Rizzio of so divine a Mary – an allusion to the story of David Rizzio, a private secretary of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (1542–1587)

78

black Bothwell – the husband of the said Mary who mastered the murder of Rizzio

79

con spirito – here: in a high-spirited way (Italian)

80

Gardez-vous en bien – Look out!

81

Paynim – Muslim or pagan

82

airs – here: songs

83

Voila, Monsieur Rochester, qui revient ! – Here is Mr. Rochester, he’s come back!

84

Mother Bunches – a person from the English folklore, a wise old countrywoman, teaching a mixture of charms and magical recipes

85

le cas – the proper case

86

the old gentleman – the devil

87

ad infinitum – eternally (Latin)

88

Queen Boadicea – a British Celtic warrior queen who led an uprising against Roman occupation.

89

prete a croquer sa petite maman Anglaise – ready to eat her English mommy up

90

Midsummer – a religious holiday celebrated on the 24^th of June

91

Day its fervid fires had wasted – it is a slightly changed quotation from Thomas Campbell’s “The Turkish Lady.” The original phrase was “Day her sultry fires had wasted.”

92

organ of Adhesiveness – according to Phrenology (a science of faculty psychology and theory of brain), each faculty must have a separate seat or “organ” in the brain

93

gild refined gold – it is a quotation from William Shakespeare’s “King John,” meaning “to improve something unnecessarily.”

94

King Ahasuerus – Persian king (better known as Xerxes I), famous for his riches and splendor

95

Oh, qu’ elle y sera mal – peu comfortable! – Oh, she would be quite uncomfortable there!

96

un vrai menteur – a true liar

97

contes de fee – fairy tales

98

du reste, il n’y avait pas de fees, et quand meme il y en avait – besides, there were no fairies, and if they were

99

pour me donner une contenance – to give me composure

100

D.V. – Devout Virgin (from Latin Devota Virgo)

101

with a sullen, moaning sound – it’s a quotation from “The Lay of the Last Minstrel” by Sir Walter Scott.

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