小说园

第57部分（第2页）

“Not　at　first。　But　presently　she　took　my　veil　from　its　place；　she　held　it　up；　gazed　at　it　long；　and　then　she　threw　it　over　her　own　head；　and　turned　to　the　mirror。　At　that　moment　I　saw　the　reflection　of　the　visage　and　features　quite　distinctly　in　the　dark　oblong　glass。”

“And　how　were　they？”

“Fearful　and　ghastly　to　me—oh；　sir；　I　never　saw　a　face　like　it！　It　was　a　discoloured　face—it　was　a　savage　face。　I　wish　I　could　forget　the　roll　of　the　red　eyes　and　the　fearful　blackened　inflation　of　the　lineaments！”

“Ghosts　are　usually　pale；　Jane。”

“This；　sir；　was　purple：　the　lips　were　swelled　and　dark；　the　brow　furrowed：　the　black　eyebrows　widely　raised　over　the　bloodshot　eyes。　Shall　I　tell　you　of　what　it　reminded　me？”

“You　may。”

“Of　the　foul　German　spectre—the　Vampyre。”

“Ah！—what　did　it　do？”

“Sir；　it　removed　my　veil　from　its　gaunt　head；　rent　it　in　two　parts；　and　flinging　both　on　the　floor；　trampled　on　them。”

“Afterwards？”

“It　drew　aside　the　window…curtain　and　looked　out；　perhaps　it　saw　dawn　approaching；　for；　taking　the　candle；　it　retreated　to　the　door。　Just　at　my　bedside；　the　figure　stopped：　the　fiery　eyes　glared　upon　me—she　thrust　up　her　candle　close　to　my　face；　and　extinguished　it　under　my　eyes。　I　was　aware　her　lurid　visage　flamed　over　mine；　and　I　lost　consciousness：　for　the　second　time　in　my　life—only　the　second　time—I　became　insensible　from　terror。”

“Who　was　with　you　when　you　revived？”

“No　one；　sir；　but　the　broad　day。　I　rose；　bathed　my　head　and　face　in　water；　drank　a　long　draught；　felt　that　though　enfeebled　I　was　not　ill；　and　determined　that　to　none　but　you　would　I　impart　this　vision。　Now；　sir；　tell　me　who　and　what　that　woman　was？”

“The　creature　of　an　over…stimulated　brain；　that　is　certain。　I　must　be　careful　of　you；　my　treasure：　nerves　like　yours　were　not　made　for　rough　handling。”

“Sir；　depend　on　it；　my　nerves　were　not　in　fault；　the　thing　was　real：　the　transaction　actually　took　place。”

“And　your　previous　dreams；　were　they　real　too？　Is　Thornfield　Hall　a　ruin？　Am　I　severed　from　you　by　insuperable　obstacles？　Am　I　leaving　you　without　a　tear—without　a　kiss—without　a　word？”

“Not　yet。”

“Am　I　about　to　do　it？　Why；　the　day　is　already　menced　which　is　to　bind　us　indissolubly；　and　when　we　are　once　united；　there　shall　be　no　recurrence　of　these　mental　terrors：　I　guarantee　that。”

“Mental　terrors；　sir！　I　wish　I　could　believe　them　to　be　only　such：　I　wish　it　more　now　than　ever；　since　even　you　cannot　explain　to　me　the　mystery　of　that　awful　visitant。”

“And　since　I　cannot　do　it；　Jane；　it　must　have　been　unreal。”

“But；　sir；　when　I　said　so　to　mysel