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Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, CHAPTER XIX

CHAPTER XIX

The library looked tranquil enough as I entered it, and the Sibyl—if Sibyl she were—was seated snugly enough in an easy-chair at the chimney-corner. She had on a red cloak and a black bonnet: or rather, a broad-brimmed gipsy hat, tied down with a striped handkerchief under her chin. An extinguished candle stood on the table; she was bending over the fire, and seemed reading in a little black book, like a prayer-book, by the light of the blaze: she muttered the words to herself, as most old women do, while she read; she did not desist immediately on my entrance: it appeared she wished to finish a paragraph. I stood on the rug and warmed my hands, which were rather cold with sitting at a distance from the drawing-room fire.

I felt now as composed as ever I did in my life: there was nothing indeed in the gipsy's appearance to trouble one's calm. She shut her book and slowly looked up; her hat-brim partially shaded her face, yet I could see, as she raised it, that it was a strange one. It looked all brown and black: elf-locks bristled out from beneath a white band which passed under her chin, and came half over her cheeks, or rather jaws: her eye confronted me at once, with a bold and direct gaze. “Well, and you want your fortune told?” she said, in a voice as decided as her glance, as harsh as her features. “I don't care about it, mother; you may please yourself: but I ought to warn you, I have no faith.” “It's like your impudence to say so: I expected it of you; I heard it in your step as you crossed the threshold.” “Did you?

You've a quick ear.” “I have; and a quick eye and a quick brain.”

“You need them all in your trade.”

“I do; especially when I've customers like you to deal with. Why don't you tremble?” “I'm not cold.”

“Why don't you turn pale?”

“I am not sick.”

“Why don't you consult my art?”

“I'm not silly.”

The old crone “nichered” a laugh under her bonnet and bandage; she then drew out a short black pipe, and lighting it began to smoke. Having indulged a while in this sedative, she raised her bent body, took the pipe from her lips, and while gazing steadily at the fire, said very deliberately—“You are cold; you are sick; and you are silly.” “Prove it,” I rejoined.

“I will, in few words.

You are cold, because you are alone: no contact strikes the fire from you that is in you. You are sick; because the best of feelings, the highest and the sweetest given to man, keeps far away from you. You are silly, because, suffer as you may, you will not beckon it to approach, nor will you stir one step to meet it where it waits you.” She again put her short black pipe to her lips, and renewed her smoking with vigour. “You might say all that to almost any one who you knew lived as a solitary dependent in a great house.” “I might say it to almost any one: but would it be true of almost any one?” “In my circumstances.”

“Yes; just so, in your circumstances: but find me another precisely placed as you are.” “It would be easy to find you thousands.”

“You could scarcely find me one.

If you knew it, you are peculiarly situated: very near happiness; yes, within reach of it. The materials are all prepared; there only wants a movement to combine them. Chance laid them somewhat apart; let them be once approached and bliss results.” “I don't understand enigmas.

I never could guess a riddle in my life.” “If you wish me to speak more plainly, show me your palm.” “And I must cross it with silver, I suppose?”

“To be sure.”

I gave her a shilling: she put it into an old stocking-foot which she took out of her pocket, and having tied it round and returned it, she told me to hold out my hand. I did. She approached her face to the palm, and pored over it without touching it. “It is too fine,” said she.

“I can make nothing of such a hand as that; almost without lines: besides, what is in a palm? Destiny is not written there.” “I believe you,” said I.

“No,” she continued, “it is in the face: on the forehead, about the eyes, in the lines of the mouth. Kneel, and lift up your head.” “Ah!

now you are coming to reality,” I said, as I obeyed her. “I shall begin to put some faith in you presently.” I knelt within half a yard of her.

She stirred the fire, so that a ripple of light broke from the disturbed coal: the glare, however, as she sat, only threw her face into deeper shadow: mine, it illumined. “I wonder with what feelings you came to me to-night,” she said, when she had examined me a while. “I wonder what thoughts are busy in your heart during all the hours you sit in yonder room with the fine people flitting before you like shapes in a magic-lantern: just as little sympathetic communion passing between you and them as if they were really mere shadows of human forms, and not the actual substance.” “I feel tired often, sleepy sometimes, but seldom sad.” “Then you have some secret hope to buoy you up and please you with whispers of the future?” “Not I. The utmost I hope is, to save money enough out of my earnings to set up a school some day in a little house rented by myself.” “A mean nutriment for the spirit to exist on: and sitting in that window-seat (you see I know your habits )—” “You have learned them from the servants.”

“Ah!

you think yourself sharp. Well, perhaps I have: to speak truth, I have an acquaintance with one of them, Mrs. Poole—” I started to my feet when I heard the name.

“You have—have you?” thought I; “there is diablerie in the business after all, then!”

“Don't be alarmed,” continued the strange being; “she's a safe hand is Mrs. Poole: close and quiet; any one may repose confidence in her. But, as I was saying: sitting in that window-seat, do you think of nothing but your future school? Have you no present interest in any of the company who occupy the sofas and chairs before you? Is there not one face you study? one figure whose movements you follow with at least curiosity?” “I like to observe all the faces and all the figures.” “But do you never single one from the rest—or it may be, two?” “I do frequently; when the gestures or looks of a pair seem telling a tale: it amuses me to watch them.” “What tale do you like best to hear?”

“Oh, I have not much choice!

They generally run on the same theme—courtship; and promise to end in the same catastrophe—marriage.” “And do you like that monotonous theme?”

“Positively, I don't care about it: it is nothing to me.” “Nothing to you?

When a lady, young and full of life and health, charming with beauty and endowed with the gifts of rank and fortune, sits and smiles in the eyes of a gentleman you—” “I what?”

“You know—and perhaps think well of.”

“I don't know the gentlemen here.

I have scarcely interchanged a syllable with one of them; and as to thinking well of them, I consider some respectable, and stately, and middle-aged, and others young, dashing, handsome, and lively: but certainly they are all at liberty to be the recipients of whose smiles they please, without my feeling disposed to consider the transaction of any moment to me.” “You don't know the gentlemen here?

You have not exchanged a syllable with one of them? Will you say that of the master of the house!” “He is not at home.”

“A profound remark!

A most ingenious quibble! He went to Millcote this morning, and will be back here to-night or to-morrow: does that circumstance exclude him from the list of your acquaintance—blot him, as it were, out of existence?” “No; but I can scarcely see what Mr. Rochester has to do with the theme you had introduced.”

“I was talking of ladies smiling in the eyes of gentlemen; and of late so many smiles have been shed into Mr. Rochester's eyes that they overflow like two cups filled above the brim: have you never remarked that?” “Mr.

Rochester has a right to enjoy the society of his guests.” “No question about his right: but have you never observed that, of all the tales told here about matrimony, Mr. Rochester has been favoured with the most lively and the most continuous?” “The eagerness of a listener quickens the tongue of a narrator.” I said this rather to myself than to the gipsy, whose strange talk, voice, manner, had by this time wrapped me in a kind of dream. One unexpected sentence came from her lips after another, till I got involved in a web of mystification; and wondered what unseen spirit had been sitting for weeks by my heart watching its workings and taking record of every pulse. “Eagerness of a listener!” repeated she: “yes; Mr. Rochester has sat by the hour, his ear inclined to the fascinating lips that took such delight in their task of communicating; and Mr. Rochester was so willing to receive and looked so grateful for the pastime given him; you have noticed this?” “Grateful!

I cannot remember detecting gratitude in his face.” “Detecting!

You have analysed, then. And what did you detect, if not gratitude?” I said nothing.

“You have seen love: have you not?—and, looking forward, you have seen him married, and beheld his bride happy?” “Humph!

Not exactly. Your witch's skill is rather at fault sometimes.” “What the devil have you seen, then?”

“Never mind: I came here to inquire, not to confess. Is it known that Mr. Rochester is to be married?” “Yes; and to the beautiful Miss Ingram.”

“Shortly?”

“Appearances would warrant that conclusion: and, no doubt (though, with an audacity that wants chastising out of you, you seem to question it), they will be a superlatively happy pair. He must love such a handsome, noble, witty, accomplished lady; and probably she loves him, or, if not his person, at least his purse. I know she considers the Rochester estate eligible to the last degree; though (God pardon me!) I told her something on that point about an hour ago which made her look wondrous grave: the corners of her mouth fell half an inch. I would advise her blackaviced suitor to look out: if another comes, with a longer or clearer rent-roll,—he's dished—” “But, mother, I did not come to hear Mr. Rochester's fortune: I came to hear my own; and you have told me nothing of it.” “Your fortune is yet doubtful: when I examined your face, one trait contradicted another. Chance has meted you a measure of happiness: that I know. I knew it before I came here this evening. She has laid it carefully on one side for you. I saw her do it. It depends on yourself to stretch out your hand, and take it up: but whether you will do so, is the problem I study. Kneel again on the rug.” “Don't keep me long; the fire scorches me.” I knelt.

She did not stoop towards me, but only gazed, leaning back in her chair. She began muttering,— “The flame flickers in the eye; the eye shines like dew; it looks soft and full of feeling; it smiles at my jargon: it is susceptible; impression follows impression through its clear sphere; where it ceases to smile, it is sad; an unconscious lassitude weighs on the lid: that signifies melancholy resulting from loneliness. It turns from me; it will not suffer further scrutiny; it seems to deny, by a mocking glance, the truth of the discoveries I have already made,—to disown the charge both of sensibility and chagrin: its pride and reserve only confirm me in my opinion. The eye is favourable. “As to the mouth, it delights at times in laughter; it is disposed to impart all that the brain conceives; though I daresay it would be silent on much the heart experiences. Mobile and flexible, it was never intended to be compressed in the eternal silence of solitude: it is a mouth which should speak much and smile often, and have human affection for its interlocutor. That feature too is propitious. “I see no enemy to a fortunate issue but in the brow; and that brow professes to say,—‘I can live alone, if self-respect, and circumstances require me so to do. I need not sell my soul to buy bliss. I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or offered only at a price I cannot afford to give. ' The forehead declares, ‘Reason sits firm and holds the reins, and she will not let the feelings burst away and hurry her to wild chasms. The passions may rage furiously, like true heathens, as they are; and the desires may imagine all sorts of vain things: but judgment shall still have the last word in every argument, and the casting vote in every decision. Strong wind, earthquake-shock, and fire may pass by: but I shall follow the guiding of that still small voice which interprets the dictates of conscience. “Well said, forehead; your declaration shall be respected. I have formed my plans—right plans I deem them—and in them I have attended to the claims of conscience, the counsels of reason. I know how soon youth would fade and bloom perish, if, in the cup of bliss offered, but one dreg of shame, or one flavour of remorse were detected; and I do not want sacrifice, sorrow, dissolution—such is not my taste. I wish to foster, not to blight—to earn gratitude, not to wring tears of blood—no, nor of brine: my harvest must be in smiles, in endearments, in sweet—That will do. I think I rave in a kind of exquisite delirium. I should wish now to protract this moment ad infinitum ; but I dare not. So far I have governed myself thoroughly. I have acted as I inwardly swore I would act; but further might try me beyond my strength. Rise, Miss Eyre: leave me; the play is played out'.” Where was I?

Did I wake or sleep? Had I been dreaming? Did I dream still? The old woman's voice had changed: her accent, her gesture, and all were familiar to me as my own face in a glass—as the speech of my own tongue. I got up, but did not go. I looked; I stirred the fire, and I looked again: but she drew her bonnet and her bandage closer about her face, and again beckoned me to depart. The flame illuminated her hand stretched out: roused now, and on the alert for discoveries, I at once noticed that hand. It was no more the withered limb of eld than my own; it was a rounded supple member, with smooth fingers, symmetrically turned; a broad ring flashed on the little finger, and stooping forward, I looked at it, and saw a gem I had seen a hundred times before. Again I looked at the face; which was no longer turned from me—on the contrary, the bonnet was doffed, the bandage displaced, the head advanced. “Well, Jane, do you know me?” asked the familiar voice. “Only take off the red cloak, sir, and then—” “But the string is in a knot—help me.”

“Break it, sir.”

“There, then—‘Off, ye lendings! '” And Mr. Rochester stepped out of his disguise. “Now, sir, what a strange idea!”

“But well carried out, eh?

Don't you think so?” “With the ladies you must have managed well.”

“But not with you?”

“You did not act the character of a gipsy with me.” “What character did I act?

My own?” “No; some unaccountable one.

In short, I believe you have been trying to draw me out—or in; you have been talking nonsense to make me talk nonsense. It is scarcely fair, sir.” “Do you forgive me, Jane?”

“I cannot tell till I have thought it all over.

If, on reflection, I find I have fallen into no great absurdity, I shall try to forgive you; but it was not right.” “Oh, you have been very correct—very careful, very sensible.”

I reflected, and thought, on the whole, I had.

It was a comfort; but, indeed, I had been on my guard almost from the beginning of the interview. Something of masquerade I suspected. I knew gipsies and fortune-tellers did not express themselves as this seeming old woman had expressed herself; besides I had noted her feigned voice, her anxiety to conceal her features. But my mind had been running on Grace Poole—that living enigma, that mystery of mysteries, as I considered her. I had never thought of Mr. Rochester. “Well,” said he, “what are you musing about? What does that grave smile signify?” “Wonder and self-congratulation, sir.

I have your permission to retire now, I suppose?” “No; stay a moment; and tell me what the people in the drawing-room yonder are doing.” “Discussing the gipsy, I daresay.”

“Sit down!—Let me hear what they said about me.” “I had better not stay long, sir; it must be near eleven o'clock.

Oh, are you aware, Mr. Rochester, that a stranger has arrived here since you left this morning?” “A stranger!—no; who can it be?

I expected no one; is he gone?” “No; he said he had known you long, and that he could take the liberty of installing himself here till you returned.” “The devil he did!

Did he give his name?” “His name is Mason, sir; and he comes from the West Indies; from Spanish Town, in Jamaica, I think.” Mr.

Rochester was standing near me; he had taken my hand, as if to lead me to a chair. As I spoke he gave my wrist a convulsive grip; the smile on his lips froze: apparently a spasm caught his breath. “Mason!—the West Indies!” he said, in the tone one might fancy a speaking automaton to enounce its single words; “Mason!—the West Indies!” he reiterated; and he went over the syllables three times, growing, in the intervals of speaking, whiter than ashes: he hardly seemed to know what he was doing. “Do you feel ill, sir?” I inquired.

“Jane, I've got a blow; I've got a blow, Jane!” He staggered. “Oh, lean on me, sir.”

“Jane, you offered me your shoulder once before; let me have it now.” “Yes, sir, yes; and my arm.”

He sat down, and made me sit beside him.

Holding my hand in both his own, he chafed it; gazing on me, at the same time, with the most troubled and dreary look. “My little friend!” said he, “I wish I were in a quiet island with only you; and trouble, and danger, and hideous recollections removed from me.” “Can I help you, sir?—I'd give my life to serve you.” “Jane, if aid is wanted, I'll seek it at your hands; I promise you that.” “Thank you, sir.

Tell me what to do,—I'll try, at least, to do it.” “Fetch me now, Jane, a glass of wine from the dining-room: they will be at supper there; and tell me if Mason is with them, and what he is doing.” I went.

I found all the party in the dining-room at supper, as Mr. Rochester had said; they were not seated at table,—the supper was arranged on the sideboard; each had taken what he chose, and they stood about here and there in groups, their plates and glasses in their hands. Every one seemed in high glee; laughter and conversation were general and animated. Mr. Mason stood near the fire, talking to Colonel and Mrs. Dent, and appeared as merry as any of them. I filled a wine-glass (I saw Miss Ingram watch me frowningly as I did so: she thought I was taking a liberty, I daresay), and I returned to the library. Mr.

Rochester's extreme pallor had disappeared, and he looked once more firm and stern. He took the glass from my hand. “Here is to your health, ministrant spirit!” he said. He swallowed the contents and returned it to me. “What are they doing, Jane?” “Laughing and talking, sir.”

“They don't look grave and mysterious, as if they had heard something strange?” “Not at all: they are full of jests and gaiety.” “And Mason?”

“He was laughing too.”

“If all these people came in a body and spat at me, what would you do, Jane?”

“Turn them out of the room, sir, if I could.”

He half smiled.

“But if I were to go to them, and they only looked at me coldly, and whispered sneeringly amongst each other, and then dropped off and left me one by one, what then? Would you go with them?” “I rather think not, sir: I should have more pleasure in staying with you.”

“To comfort me?”

“Yes, sir, to comfort you, as well as I could.” “And if they laid you under a ban for adhering to me?” “I, probably, should know nothing about their ban; and if I did, I should care nothing about it.” “Then, you could dare censure for my sake?”

“I could dare it for the sake of any friend who deserved my adherence; as you, I am sure, do.”

“Go back now into the room; step quietly up to Mason, and whisper in his ear that Mr. Rochester is come and wishes to see him: show him in here and then leave me.” “Yes, sir.”

I did his behest.

The company all stared at me as I passed straight among them. I sought Mr. Mason, delivered the message, and preceded him from the room: I ushered him into the library, and then I went upstairs. At a late hour, after I had been in bed some time, I heard the visitors repair to their chambers: I distinguished Mr. Rochester's voice, and heard him say, “This way, Mason; this is your room.” He spoke cheerfully: the gay tones set my heart at ease.

I was soon asleep.

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CHAPTER XIX CAPÍTULO XIX ГЛАВА XIX BÖLÜM XIX

The library looked tranquil enough as I entered it, and the Sibyl—if Sibyl she were—was seated snugly enough in an easy-chair at the chimney-corner. |||||||||||Sibyl||Sibyl||||assise|confortablement||||fauteuil confortable|fauteuil|||cheminée| The library looked tranquil enough as I entered it, and the Sibyl—if Sibyl she were—was seated snugly enough in an easy-chair at the chimney-corner. She had on a red cloak and a black bonnet: or rather, a broad-brimmed gipsy hat, tied down with a striped handkerchief under her chin. |||||cape||||||plutôt||large|à larges bords|chapeau de gips|chapeau|attaché||||rayé|||| |||||||||帽子|||||||||||||||| Elle portait un manteau rouge et un bonnet noir: ou plutôt un chapeau de gitane à larges bords, attaché avec un mouchoir rayé sous le menton. An extinguished candle stood on the table; she was bending over the fire, and seemed reading in a little black book, like a prayer-book, by the light of the blaze: she muttered the words to herself, as most old women do, while she read; she did not desist immediately on my entrance: it appeared she wished to finish a paragraph. |||||||||||||||||||||comme||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| I stood on the rug and warmed my hands, which were rather cold with sitting at a distance from the drawing-room fire. ||||||||||||||||||from|||| Je me tenais sur le tapis et me réchauffais les mains, qui étaient plutôt froides en m'asseyant à distance du feu du salon.

I felt now as composed as ever I did in my life: there was nothing indeed in the gipsy’s appearance to trouble one’s calm. Je me sentais maintenant aussi calme que jamais dans ma vie: il n'y avait en effet rien dans l'apparence du gitan qui troublait son calme. She shut her book and slowly looked up; her hat-brim partially shaded her face, yet I could see, as she raised it, that it was a strange one. Elle ferma son livre et leva lentement les yeux; son bord de chapeau ombrageait partiellement son visage, mais je pouvais voir, en le soulevant, que c'était étrange. It looked all brown and black: elf-locks bristled out from beneath a white band which passed under her chin, and came half over her cheeks, or rather jaws: her eye confronted me at once, with a bold and direct gaze. ||||||||bristled|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| It looked all brown and black: elf-locks bristled out from beneath a white band which passed under her chin, and came half over her cheeks, or rather jaws: her eye confronted me at once, with a bold and direct gaze. Elle paraissait toute brune et noire: des mèches elfes se hérissaient de sous une bande blanche qui passait sous son menton, et passaient à moitié sur ses joues, ou plutôt ses mâchoires: son œil me confronta aussitôt, avec un regard audacieux et direct. “Well, and you want your fortune told?” she said, in a voice as decided as her glance, as harsh as her features. ||||your||||||||||||||||| «Eh bien, et vous voulez que votre fortune soit racontée? dit-elle d'une voix aussi décidée que son regard, aussi dure que ses traits. “I don’t care about it, mother; you may please yourself: but I ought to warn you, I have no faith.” |||||||||||||to|||||| «Je m'en fiche, mère; vous pouvez vous plaire: mais je dois vous prévenir, je n’ai pas la foi. “It’s like your impudence to say so: I expected it of you; I heard it in your step as you crossed the threshold.” «C'est comme votre impudence de le dire: je l'attendais de vous; Je l'ai entendu à ton pas alors que tu franchissais le seuil. “Did you?

You’ve a quick ear.” “I have; and a quick eye and a quick brain.”

“You need them all in your trade.” "Vous avez besoin de tous ces éléments dans votre métier".

“I do; especially when I’ve customers like you to deal with. "Je fais; surtout quand j'ai des clients comme vous. Why don’t you tremble?” “I’m not cold.”

“Why don’t you turn pale?”

“I am not sick.”

“Why don’t you consult my art?” «Pourquoi ne consultez-vous pas mon art?»

“I’m not silly.”

The old crone “nichered” a laugh under her bonnet and bandage; she then drew out a short black pipe, and lighting it began to smoke. |||nichered||||||||||||||||||||| The old crone “nichered” a laugh under her bonnet and bandage; she then drew out a short black pipe, and lighting it began to smoke. La vieille vieille «s'enrichit» d'un rire sous son bonnet et son bandage; elle tira alors une courte pipe noire, et l'allumant se mit à fumer. Having indulged a while in this sedative, she raised her bent body, took the pipe from her lips, and while gazing steadily at the fire, said very deliberately—“You are cold; you are sick; and you are silly.” ||||||sedative||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Having indulged a while in this sedative, she raised her bent body, took the pipe from her lips, and while gazing steadily at the fire, said very deliberately—“You are cold; you are sick; and you are silly.” Après s'être livrée un moment à ce sédatif, elle leva son corps plié, ôta la pipe de ses lèvres et, tout en regardant fixement le feu, dit très délibérément: «Tu as froid; tu es malade; et vous êtes stupide. “Prove it,” I rejoined. «Prouvez-le», ai-je répondu.

“I will, in few words.

You are cold, because you are alone: no contact strikes the fire from you that is in you. tu||||||||||||||||| Vous avez froid, parce que vous êtes seul: aucun contact ne frappe le feu de vous qui est en vous. You are sick; because the best of feelings, the highest and the sweetest given to man, keeps far away from you. Tu es malade; parce que le meilleur des sentiments, le plus élevé et le plus doux donné à l'homme, reste loin de vous. You are silly, because, suffer as you may, you will not beckon it to approach, nor will you stir one step to meet it where it waits you.” Vous êtes stupide, parce que, souffrez comme vous le pouvez, vous ne lui demanderez pas de s'approcher, et vous ne ferez pas non plus un pas pour le rencontrer là où il vous attend. She again put her short black pipe to her lips, and renewed her smoking with vigour. “You might say all that to almost any one who you knew lived as a solitary dependent in a great house.” “You might say all that to almost any one who you knew lived as a solitary dependent in a great house.” «Vous pourriez dire tout cela à presque tous ceux qui, selon vous, vivaient seuls dans une grande maison. “I might say it to almost any one: but would it be true of almost any one?” "Je pourrais le dire à presque tout le monde, mais est-ce que ce serait vrai pour presque tout le monde ?" “In my circumstances.” «Dans ma situation.»

“Yes; just so, in your circumstances: but find me another precisely placed as you are.” "Oui; juste ainsi, dans votre situation: mais trouvez-moi un autre placé précisément tel que vous êtes. “It would be easy to find you thousands.”

“You could scarcely find me one.

If you knew it, you are peculiarly situated: very near happiness; yes, within reach of it. Si vous le saviez, vous êtes dans une situation particulière: tout près du bonheur; oui, à sa portée. The materials are all prepared; there only wants a movement to combine them. Les matériaux sont tous préparés; il ne veut qu'un mouvement pour les combiner. Chance laid them somewhat apart; let them be once approached and bliss results.” Le hasard les a quelque peu séparés; laissez-les une fois approchés et le bonheur en résulte. " “I don’t understand enigmas.

I never could guess a riddle in my life.” “If you wish me to speak more plainly, show me your palm.” “And I must cross it with silver, I suppose?” «Et je dois le traverser avec de l'argent, je suppose?

“To be sure.” "Être sûr."

I gave her a shilling: she put it into an old stocking-foot which she took out of her pocket, and having tied it round and returned it, she told me to hold out my hand. I gave her a shilling: she put it into an old stocking-foot which she took out of her pocket, and having tied it round and returned it, she told me to hold out my hand. Je lui ai donné un shilling : elle l'a mis dans un vieux pied de bas qu'elle a sorti de sa poche, et après l'avoir noué et retourné, elle m'a dit de lui tendre la main. I did. She approached her face to the palm, and pored over it without touching it. “It is too fine,” said she. «C'est trop beau», dit-elle.

“I can make nothing of such a hand as that; almost without lines: besides, what is in a palm? «Je ne peux rien faire d'une telle main; presque sans lignes: d'ailleurs, qu'est-ce qu'il y a dans une paume? Destiny is not written there.” “I believe you,” said I.

“No,” she continued, “it is in the face: on the forehead, about the eyes, in the lines of the mouth. "Non, poursuit-elle, c'est dans le visage : sur le front, autour des yeux, dans les lignes de la bouche. Kneel, and lift up your head.” Agenouillez-vous et relevez la tête. “Ah!

now you are coming to reality,” I said, as I obeyed her. maintenant tu viens à la réalité, »dis-je en lui obéissant. “I shall begin to put some faith in you presently.” «Je commencerai à avoir confiance en vous tout de suite.» I knelt within half a yard of her.

She stirred the fire, so that a ripple of light broke from the disturbed coal: the glare, however, as she sat, only threw her face into deeper shadow: mine, it illumined. Elle a agité le feu, de sorte qu'une ondulation de lumière s'est détachée du charbon perturbé: l'éclat, cependant, alors qu'elle était assise, ne faisait que jeter son visage dans une ombre plus profonde: le mien, il éclairait. “I wonder with what feelings you came to me to-night,” she said, when she had examined me a while. “I wonder with what feelings you came to me to-night,” she said, when she had examined me a while. "Je me demande avec quels sentiments vous êtes venu me voir ce soir", dit-elle après m'avoir examiné un moment. “I wonder what thoughts are busy in your heart during all the hours you sit in yonder room with the fine people flitting before you like shapes in a magic-lantern: just as little sympathetic communion passing between you and them as if they were really mere shadows of human forms, and not the actual substance.” |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||communion|||||||||||||||||||| «Je me demande quelles pensées sont occupées dans votre cœur pendant toutes les heures où vous êtes assis dans cette pièce avec les braves gens qui voltigent devant vous comme des formes dans une lanterne magique: tout aussi peu de communion sympathique passant entre vous et eux comme si elles étaient vraiment simples les ombres des formes humaines, et non la substance réelle. “I feel tired often, sleepy sometimes, but seldom sad.” «Je me sens souvent fatigué, somnolent parfois, mais rarement triste.» “Then you have some secret hope to buoy you up and please you with whispers of the future?” |||||||buoy|||||||||| «Alors tu as un espoir secret pour te soutenir et te faire plaisir avec des chuchotements du futur? “Not I.  The utmost I hope is, to save money enough out of my earnings to set up a school some day in a little house rented by myself.” “Not I. The utmost I hope is, to save money enough out of my earnings to set up a school some day in a little house rented by myself.” «Pas moi. Le mieux que j'espère, c'est d'économiser suffisamment d'argent sur mes revenus pour ouvrir un jour une école dans une petite maison que je loue moi-même. “A mean nutriment for the spirit to exist on: and sitting in that window-seat (you see I know your habits )—” ||nourishment|||||||||||||||||| “A mean nutriment for the spirit to exist on: and sitting in that window-seat (you see I know your habits )—” "Un aliment moyen pour l'esprit d'exister: et assis dans ce siège de fenêtre (vous voyez que je connais vos habitudes) -" “You have learned them from the servants.”

“Ah!

you think yourself sharp. vous vous pensez vif. Well, perhaps I have: to speak truth, I have an acquaintance with one of them, Mrs. Poole—” Eh bien, peut-être ai-je: à vrai dire, je connais l’une d’elles, Mme Poole… I started to my feet when I heard the name. J'ai commencé à me lever quand j'ai entendu le nom.

“You have—have you?” thought I; “there is diablerie in the business after all, then!” ||||||||devilry|||||| «Vous avez ... avez-vous? pensais-je; «Il y a de la diablerie dans l'entreprise après tout, alors!»

“Don’t be alarmed,” continued the strange being; “she’s a safe hand is Mrs. Poole: close and quiet; any one may repose confidence in her. “Don't be alarmed,” continued the strange being; “she's a safe hand is Mrs. Poole: close and quiet; any one may repose confidence in her. «Ne vous inquiétez pas, continua l'étrange être; «Elle est une main sûre est Mme Poole: proche et calme; n'importe qui peut avoir confiance en elle. But, as I was saying: sitting in that window-seat, do you think of nothing but your future school? Have you no present interest in any of the company who occupy the sofas and chairs before you? N'avez-vous actuellement aucun intérêt pour l'une des entreprises qui occupent les canapés et les chaises avant vous? Is there not one face you study? one figure whose movements you follow with at least curiosity?” “I like to observe all the faces and all the figures.” “But do you never single one from the rest—or it may be, two?” “I do frequently; when the gestures or looks of a pair seem telling a tale: it amuses me to watch them.” «Je le fais souvent; quand les gestes ou les regards d'une paire semblent raconter une histoire: ça m'amuse de les regarder. “What tale do you like best to hear?”

“Oh, I have not much choice!

They generally run on the same theme—courtship; and promise to end in the same catastrophe—marriage.” They generally run on the same theme—courtship; and promise to end in the same catastrophe—marriage.” Ils fonctionnent généralement sur le même thème: la cour; et promettre de finir dans la même catastrophe: le mariage. “And do you like that monotonous theme?”

“Positively, I don’t care about it: it is nothing to me.” “Nothing to you?

When a lady, young and full of life and health, charming with beauty and endowed with the gifts of rank and fortune, sits and smiles in the eyes of a gentleman you—” Quand une femme, jeune et pleine de vie et de santé, charmante de beauté et dotée des dons de rang et de fortune, s'assoit et sourit aux yeux d'un gentleman, vous… “I what?”

“You know—and perhaps think well of.” «Vous savez - et pensez peut-être bien.

“I don’t know the gentlemen here.

I have scarcely interchanged a syllable with one of them; and as to thinking well of them, I consider some respectable, and stately, and middle-aged, and others young, dashing, handsome, and lively: but certainly they are all at liberty to be the recipients of whose smiles they please, without my feeling disposed to consider the transaction of any moment to me.” J'ai à peine interchangé une syllabe avec l'une d'elles; et quant à bien penser à eux, je considère certains respectables, majestueux et d'âge moyen, et d'autres jeunes, fringants, beaux et vifs: mais ils sont certainement tous libres d'être les destinataires des sourires desquels ils plaisent, sans mon sentiment disposé à considérer la transaction de n'importe quel moment pour moi. “You don’t know the gentlemen here?

You have not exchanged a syllable with one of them? Will you say that of the master of the house!” “He is not at home.”

“A profound remark!

A most ingenious quibble! |||argument Un chipotage des plus ingénieux! He went to Millcote this morning, and will be back here to-night or to-morrow: does that circumstance exclude him from the list of your acquaintance—blot him, as it were, out of existence?” He went to Millcote this morning, and will be back here to-night or to-morrow: does that circumstance exclude him from the list of your acquaintance—blot him, as it were, out of existence?” Il est allé à Millcote ce matin, et sera de retour ici ce soir ou demain: est-ce que cette circonstance l'exclut de la liste de votre connaissance - l'efface, pour ainsi dire, de l'existence? “No; but I can scarcely see what Mr. Rochester has to do with the theme you had introduced.” "Non; mais je peux à peine voir ce que M. Rochester a à voir avec le thème que vous avez introduit.

“I was talking of ladies smiling in the eyes of gentlemen; and of late so many smiles have been shed into Mr. Rochester’s eyes that they overflow like two cups filled above the brim: have you never remarked that?” “I was talking of ladies smiling in the eyes of gentlemen; and of late so many smiles have been shed into Mr. Rochester's eyes that they overflow like two cups filled above the brim: have you never remarked that?” «Je parlais de dames souriantes aux yeux de messieurs; et dernièrement tant de sourires ont été versés dans les yeux de M. Rochester qu'ils débordent comme deux tasses remplies au-dessus du bord: n'avez-vous jamais remarqué cela? “Mr.

Rochester has a right to enjoy the society of his guests.” “No question about his right: but have you never observed that, of all the tales told here about matrimony, Mr. Rochester has been favoured with the most lively and the most continuous?” “No question about his right: but have you never observed that, of all the tales told here about matrimony, Mr. Rochester has been favoured with the most lively and the most continuous?” «Pas de doute sur son droit: mais n'avez-vous jamais remarqué que, de toutes les histoires racontées ici sur le mariage, M. Rochester a été favorisé par la plus vivante et la plus continue? “The eagerness of a listener quickens the tongue of a narrator.”  I said this rather to myself than to the gipsy, whose strange talk, voice, manner, had by this time wrapped me in a kind of dream. |||||quickens||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| “The eagerness of a listener quickens the tongue of a narrator.” I said this rather to myself than to the gipsy, whose strange talk, voice, manner, had by this time wrapped me in a kind of dream. «L'empressement d'un auditeur accélère la langue d'un narrateur.» Je me disais cela plutôt à moi-même qu'à la gitane, dont le discours, la voix, les manières étranges m'avaient à ce moment enveloppé dans une sorte de rêve. One unexpected sentence came from her lips after another, till I got involved in a web of mystification; and wondered what unseen spirit had been sitting for weeks by my heart watching its workings and taking record of every pulse. One unexpected sentence came from her lips after another, till I got involved in a web of mystification; and wondered what unseen spirit had been sitting for weeks by my heart watching its workings and taking record of every pulse. Une phrase inattendue est sortie de ses lèvres après l'autre, jusqu'à ce que je sois impliqué dans une toile de mystification; et je me demandais quel esprit invisible avait été assis pendant des semaines près de mon cœur à regarder son fonctionnement et à enregistrer chaque pouls. “Eagerness of a listener!” repeated she: “yes; Mr. Rochester has sat by the hour, his ear inclined to the fascinating lips that took such delight in their task of communicating; and Mr. Rochester was so willing to receive and looked so grateful for the pastime given him; you have noticed this?” “Eagerness of a listener!” repeated she: “yes; Mr. Rochester has sat by the hour, his ear inclined to the fascinating lips that took such delight in their task of communicating; and Mr. Rochester was so willing to receive and looked so grateful for the pastime given him; you have noticed this?” «Aigreur d'un auditeur!» répéta-t-elle: «oui; M. Rochester s'est assis à l'heure, l'oreille inclinée vers les lèvres fascinantes qui prenaient tant de plaisir dans leur tâche de communiquer; et M. Rochester était si disposé à recevoir et avait l'air si reconnaissant pour le passe-temps qui lui était donné; vous l'avez remarqué? “Grateful!

I cannot remember detecting gratitude in his face.” Je ne me souviens pas avoir détecté de la gratitude sur son visage. “Detecting!

You have analysed, then. And what did you detect, if not gratitude?” Et qu'avez-vous détecté, sinon de la gratitude? I said nothing.

“You have seen love: have you not?—and, looking forward, you have seen him married, and beheld his bride happy?” «Vous avez vu l'amour, n'est-ce pas? Et, avec impatience, vous l'avez vu marié et avez vu son épouse heureuse? “Humph!

Not exactly. Your witch’s skill is rather at fault sometimes.” L'habileté de votre sorcière est parfois mise à mal." “What the devil have you seen, then?” «Qu'est-ce que diable avez-vous vu, alors?

“Never mind: I came here to inquire, not to confess. «Qu'importe: je suis venu ici pour m'enquérir, pas pour avouer. Is it known that Mr. Rochester is to be married?” “Yes; and to the beautiful Miss Ingram.”

“Shortly?”

“Appearances would warrant that conclusion: and, no doubt (though, with an audacity that wants chastising out of you, you seem to question it), they will be a superlatively happy pair. ||||||||||||||chastising|||||||||||||superlatively|| «Les apparences justifieraient cette conclusion: et, sans aucun doute (même si, avec une audace qui veut vous châtier, vous semblez la remettre en question), ils formeront un couple extrêmement heureux. He must love such a handsome, noble, witty, accomplished lady; and probably she loves him, or, if not his person, at least his purse. Il doit aimer une dame si belle, noble, spirituelle et accomplie; et probablement elle l'aime, ou, sinon sa personne, du moins sa bourse. I know she considers the Rochester estate eligible to the last degree; though (God pardon me!) Je sais qu'elle considère le domaine de Rochester comme éligible au dernier degré; cependant (Dieu me pardonne!) I told her something on that point about an hour ago which made her look wondrous grave: the corners of her mouth fell half an inch. Je lui ai dit quelque chose à ce sujet il y a environ une heure qui lui donnait un air de tombe merveilleuse: les coins de sa bouche tombaient d'un demi-pouce. I would advise her blackaviced suitor to look out: if another comes, with a longer or clearer rent-roll,—he’s dished—” ||||blackaviced|suitor|||||||||||||||done for I would advise her blackaviced suitor to look out: if another comes, with a longer or clearer rent-roll,—he's dished—” Je conseillerais à son prétendant à la peau noire de faire attention: si un autre arrive, avec un loyer plus long ou plus clair, il est assommé. “But, mother, I did not come to hear Mr. Rochester’s fortune: I came to hear my own; and you have told me nothing of it.” “But, mother, I did not come to hear Mr. Rochester's fortune: I came to hear my own; and you have told me nothing of it.” “Your fortune is yet doubtful: when I examined your face, one trait contradicted another. «Votre fortune est encore douteuse: quand j'ai examiné votre visage, un trait en contredit un autre. Chance has meted you a measure of happiness: that I know. ||measured|||||||| Le hasard vous a rencontré une mesure de bonheur: cela je le sais. I knew it before I came here this evening. She has laid it carefully on one side for you. |||||||côté|| Elle l'a soigneusement mis d'un côté pour vous. I saw her do it. Je l'ai vue faire ça. It depends on yourself to stretch out your hand, and take it up: but whether you will do so, is the problem I study. ||||||||||||||||||so||||| Cela dépend de vous-même pour tendre la main et la prendre: mais si vous allez le faire, c'est le problème que j'étudie. Kneel again on the rug.” “Don’t keep me long; the fire scorches me.” ||||||burns| «Ne me retiens pas longtemps; le feu me brûle. I knelt.

She did not stoop towards me, but only gazed, leaning back in her chair. Elle ne s'est pas penchée vers moi, mais a seulement regardé, se penchant en arrière sur sa chaise. She began muttering,— “The flame flickers in the eye; the eye shines like dew; it looks soft and full of feeling; it smiles at my jargon: it is susceptible; impression follows impression through its clear sphere; where it ceases to smile, it is sad; an unconscious lassitude weighs on the lid: that signifies melancholy resulting from loneliness. ||flickers|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||lassitude|||||||||| «La flamme scintille dans les yeux; l'œil brille comme la rosée; il a l'air doux et plein de sensations; il sourit à mon jargon: il est sensible; l'impression suit l'impression à travers sa sphère claire; là où il cesse de sourire, c'est triste; une lassitude inconsciente pèse sur le couvercle: cela signifie la mélancolie résultant de la solitude. It turns from me; it will not suffer further scrutiny; it seems to deny, by a mocking glance, the truth of the discoveries I have already made,—to disown the charge both of sensibility and chagrin: its pride and reserve only confirm me in my opinion. It turns from me; it will not suffer further scrutiny; it seems to deny, by a mocking glance, the truth of the discoveries I have already made,—to disown the charge both of sensibility and chagrin: its pride and reserve only confirm me in my opinion. Il se détourne de moi; il ne souffrira pas d'un examen plus approfondi; il semble nier, par un regard moqueur, la vérité des découvertes que j'ai déjà faites, - renier l'accusation à la fois de sensibilité et de chagrin: son orgueil et sa réserve ne font que me confirmer à mon avis. The eye is favourable. “As to the mouth, it delights at times in laughter; it is disposed to impart all that the brain conceives; though I daresay it would be silent on much the heart experiences. |||||||||||||||||||conceives|||||||||||| «Quant à la bouche, elle ravit parfois de rire; il est disposé à donner tout ce que le cerveau conçoit; bien que j'ose dire que ce serait silencieux sur la plupart des expériences cardiaques. Mobile and flexible, it was never intended to be compressed in the eternal silence of solitude: it is a mouth which should speak much and smile often, and have human affection for its interlocutor. Mobile and flexible, it was never intended to be compressed in the eternal silence of solitude: it is a mouth which should speak much and smile often, and have human affection for its interlocutor. Mobile et flexible, il n'a jamais été destiné à être comprimé dans l'éternel silence de la solitude: c'est une bouche qui doit beaucoup parler et sourire souvent, et avoir de l'affection humaine pour son interlocuteur. That feature too is propitious. “I see no enemy to a fortunate issue but in the brow; and that brow professes to say,—‘I can live alone, if self-respect, and circumstances require me so to do. |||||||||||||||seems|||||||||||||||| «Je ne vois aucun ennemi à une issue heureuse mais dans le front; et ce front prétend dire: «Je peux vivre seul, si le respect de moi-même et les circonstances l'exigent. I need not sell my soul to buy bliss. Je n'ai pas besoin de vendre mon âme pour acheter le bonheur. I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or offered only at a price I cannot afford to give. I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or offered only at a price I cannot afford to give. J'ai un trésor intérieur né avec moi, qui peut me maintenir en vie si tous les plaisirs superflus sont refusés, ou offerts uniquement à un prix que je ne peux pas me permettre de donner. '  The forehead declares, ‘Reason sits firm and holds the reins, and she will not let the feelings burst away and hurry her to wild chasms. 'Le front déclare:' La raison reste ferme et tient les rênes, et elle ne laissera pas les sentiments éclater et la précipiter vers des abîmes sauvages. The passions may rage furiously, like true heathens, as they are; and the desires may imagine all sorts of vain things: but judgment shall still have the last word in every argument, and the casting vote in every decision. The passions may rage furiously, like true heathens, as they are; and the desires may imagine all sorts of vain things: but judgment shall still have the last word in every argument, and the casting vote in every decision. Les passions peuvent faire fureur, comme de vrais païens, comme elles sont; et les désirs peuvent imaginer toutes sortes de choses vaines: mais le jugement aura toujours le dernier mot dans chaque argument, et la voix prépondérante dans chaque décision. Strong wind, earthquake-shock, and fire may pass by: but I shall follow the guiding of that still small voice which interprets the dictates of conscience. |||||||||||||||||||||||Commands or principles|| Strong wind, earthquake-shock, and fire may pass by: but I shall follow the guiding of that still small voice which interprets the dictates of conscience. Le vent fort, le tremblement de terre et le feu peuvent passer; mais je suivrai la conduite de cette voix encore petite qui interprète les préceptes de la conscience. “Well said, forehead; your declaration shall be respected. «Bien dit, front; votre déclaration doit être respectée. I have formed my plans—right plans I deem them—and in them I have attended to the claims of conscience, the counsels of reason. ||||||||consider|||||||||||||||| J'ai formé mes plans - les bons plans je les juge - et j'y ai assisté aux revendications de la conscience, aux conseils de la raison. I know how soon youth would fade and bloom perish, if, in the cup of bliss offered, but one dreg of shame, or one flavour of remorse were detected; and I do not want sacrifice, sorrow, dissolution—such is not my taste. |||||||||||||||||||trace of impurity|||||||||||||||give up|Grief|disintegration||||| Je sais combien de temps la jeunesse se fanerait et s'épanouirait, si, dans la coupe de félicité offerte, on ne décelait qu'une lie de honte ou une saveur de remords; et je ne veux pas de sacrifice, de chagrin, de dissolution, tel n'est pas mon goût. I wish to foster, not to blight—to earn gratitude, not to wring tears of blood—no, nor of brine: my harvest must be in smiles, in endearments, in sweet—That will do. |||nurture||||||||||||||||saltwater tears||||||||affectionate expressions||||| I wish to foster, not to blight—to earn gratitude, not to wring tears of blood—no, nor of brine: my harvest must be in smiles, in endearments, in sweet—That will do. Je veux nourrir, ne pas flétrir - gagner de la gratitude, ne pas essorer des larmes de sang - non, ni de saumure: ma récolte doit être en sourires, en tendresse, en douceur - Cela fera l'affaire. I think I rave in a kind of exquisite delirium. I think I rave in a kind of exquisite delirium. Je pense que je délire dans une sorte de délire exquis. I should wish now to protract this moment ad infinitum ; but I dare not. |||||extend indefinitely||||endlessly|||| I should wish now to protract this moment ad infinitum ; but I dare not. Je voudrais maintenant prolonger ce moment à l'infini; mais je n'ose pas. So far I have governed myself thoroughly. ||||controlled|| Jusqu'à présent, je me suis bien gouverné. I have acted as I inwardly swore I would act; but further might try me beyond my strength. J'ai agi comme j'avais juré intérieurement que j'agirais; mais plus pourrait m'éprouver au-delà de mes forces. Rise, Miss Eyre: leave me; the play is played out'.” Rise, Miss Eyre: leave me; the play is played out'.” Levez-vous, Miss Eyre: laissez-moi; la pièce est jouée ».» Where was I? Où étais-je?

Did I wake or sleep? Est-ce que je me suis réveillé ou dormi? Had I been dreaming? Avais-je rêvé? Did I dream still? The old woman’s voice had changed: her accent, her gesture, and all were familiar to me as my own face in a glass—as the speech of my own tongue. La voix de la vieille avait changé: son accent, son geste, et tout cela m'était familier comme mon propre visage dans un verre - comme le discours de ma propre langue. I got up, but did not go. Je me suis levé, mais je ne suis pas parti. I looked; I stirred the fire, and I looked again: but she drew her bonnet and her bandage closer about her face, and again beckoned me to depart. J'ai regardé; J'ai attisé le feu et j'ai regardé de nouveau: mais elle a rapproché son bonnet et son bandage autour de son visage, et m'a de nouveau fait signe de partir. The flame illuminated her hand stretched out: roused now, and on the alert for discoveries, I at once noticed that hand. La flamme illuminait sa main tendue: éveillée maintenant, et à l'affût des découvertes, je remarquai aussitôt cette main. It was no more the withered limb of eld than my own; it was a rounded supple member, with smooth fingers, symmetrically turned; a broad ring flashed on the little finger, and stooping forward, I looked at it, and saw a gem I had seen a hundred times before. ||||||||old age||||||||Flexible and graceful|||||Evenly shaped||||||||||||||||||||precious stone||||||| Ce n'était pas plus le membre desséché du champ que le mien; c'était un membre souple et arrondi, aux doigts lisses, tournés symétriquement; un large anneau jaillit sur le petit doigt, et me penchant en avant, je le regardai et vis une gemme que j'avais vue cent fois auparavant. Again I looked at the face; which was no longer turned from me—on the contrary, the bonnet was doffed, the bandage displaced, the head advanced. |||||||||||||||||||taken off|||moved out of place||| Je regardai à nouveau le visage; qui ne m'était plus détournée - au contraire, le bonnet était ôté, le bandage déplacé, la tête avancée. “Well, Jane, do you know me?” asked the familiar voice. “Only take off the red cloak, sir, and then—” «Enlevez seulement la cape rouge, monsieur, et ensuite…» “But the string is in a knot—help me.” «Mais la corde est dans un nœud - aidez-moi.

“Break it, sir.” «Cassez-le, monsieur.

“There, then—‘Off, ye lendings! là|||| ||||borrowed items «Là, alors…« Off, vous les prêts! '”  And Mr. Rochester stepped out of his disguise. «» Et M. Rochester est sorti de son déguisement. “Now, sir, what a strange idea!”

“But well carried out, eh? «Mais bien réalisé, hein?

Don’t you think so?” “With the ladies you must have managed well.” «Avec les dames, vous devez avoir bien géré.»

“But not with you?”

“You did not act the character of a gipsy with me.” «Tu n'as pas joué le rôle d'un gitan avec moi. “What character did I act?

My own?” “No; some unaccountable one. ||mysterious or inexplicable| “No; some unaccountable one. "Non; certains inexplicables.

In short, I believe you have been trying to draw me out—or in; you have been talking nonsense to make me talk nonsense. In short, I believe you have been trying to draw me out—or in; you have been talking nonsense to make me talk nonsense. Bref, je crois que vous avez essayé de me faire sortir - ou de m'introduire; vous avez dit des bêtises pour me faire dire des bêtises. It is scarcely fair, sir.” Ce n'est guère juste, monsieur. “Do you forgive me, Jane?”

“I cannot tell till I have thought it all over. «Je ne peux pas le dire avant d'avoir pensé à tout cela.

If, on reflection, I find I have fallen into no great absurdity, I shall try to forgive you; but it was not right.” |||||||||||ridiculous mistake||||||||||| Si, après réflexion, je trouve que je ne suis tombé dans aucune grande absurdité, j'essaierai de vous pardonner; mais ce n'était pas juste. “Oh, you have been very correct—very careful, very sensible.” "Oh, vous avez été très correct - très prudent, très raisonnable."

I reflected, and thought, on the whole, I had. J'ai réfléchi et pensé, dans l'ensemble, que j'avais.

It was a comfort; but, indeed, I had been on my guard almost from the beginning of the interview. It was a comfort; but, indeed, I had been on my guard almost from the beginning of the interview. C'était un réconfort; mais, en effet, j'avais été sur mes gardes presque depuis le début de l'entrevue. Something of masquerade I suspected. ||deception or disguise|| Quelque chose de mascarade que je soupçonnais. I knew gipsies and fortune-tellers did not express themselves as this seeming old woman had expressed herself; besides I had noted her feigned voice, her anxiety to conceal her features. |||||fortune-tellers||||||||||||||||||Pretended||||||| I knew gipsies and fortune-tellers did not express themselves as this seeming old woman had expressed herself; besides I had noted her feigned voice, her anxiety to conceal her features. Je savais que les gitans et les diseuses de bonne aventure ne s'exprimaient pas comme cette apparente vieille femme s'était exprimée; d'ailleurs j'avais remarqué sa voix feinte, son inquiétude de cacher ses traits. But my mind had been running on Grace Poole—that living enigma, that mystery of mysteries, as I considered her. But my mind had been running on Grace Poole—that living enigma, that mystery of mysteries, as I considered her. Mais mon esprit s'était tourné vers Grace Poole - cette énigme vivante, ce mystère de mystères, comme je la considérais. I had never thought of Mr. Rochester. “Well,” said he, “what are you musing about? ||||are||| “Well,” said he, “what are you musing about? What does that grave smile signify?” |||||indicate What does that grave smile signify?” Que signifie ce sourire grave? “Wonder and self-congratulation, sir. |||self-praise| «Merveille et auto-félicitation, monsieur.

I have your permission to retire now, I suppose?” I have your permission to retire now, I suppose?” J'ai votre permission de prendre ma retraite maintenant, je suppose? “No; stay a moment; and tell me what the people in the drawing-room yonder are doing.” “No; stay a moment; and tell me what the people in the drawing-room yonder are doing.” "Non; restez un instant; et dis-moi ce que font les gens du salon là-bas. “Discussing the gipsy, I daresay.” «En discutant du gitan, j'ose dire.

“Sit down!—Let me hear what they said about me.” «Asseyez-vous! - Laissez-moi entendre ce qu'ils ont dit de moi. “I had better not stay long, sir; it must be near eleven o’clock. “I had better not stay long, sir; it must be near eleven o'clock.

Oh, are you aware, Mr. Rochester, that a stranger has arrived here since you left this morning?” Oh, savez-vous, monsieur Rochester, qu'un étranger est arrivé ici depuis que vous êtes parti ce matin? “A stranger!—no; who can it be?

I expected no one; is he gone?” I expected no one; is he gone?” Je n'attendais personne; est-il parti? “No; he said he had known you long, and that he could take the liberty of installing himself here till you returned.” ||||||||||||||||settling in||||| “No; he said he had known you long, and that he could take the liberty of installing himself here till you returned.” "Non; il a dit qu'il vous connaissait depuis longtemps et qu'il pouvait prendre la liberté de s'installer ici jusqu'à votre retour. “The devil he did! «Le diable qu'il a fait!

Did he give his name?” “His name is Mason, sir; and he comes from the West Indies; from Spanish Town, in Jamaica, I think.” Mr.

Rochester was standing near me; he had taken my hand, as if to lead me to a chair. Rochester se tenait près de moi; il m'avait pris la main, comme pour m'amener à une chaise. As I spoke he gave my wrist a convulsive grip; the smile on his lips froze: apparently a spasm caught his breath. ||||||||sudden, involuntary||||||||||||| As I spoke he gave my wrist a convulsive grip; the smile on his lips froze: apparently a spasm caught his breath. Pendant que je parlais, il a donné à mon poignet une prise convulsive; le sourire sur ses lèvres se figea: apparemment un spasme retint son souffle. “Mason!—the West Indies!” he said, in the tone one might fancy a speaking automaton to enounce its single words; “Mason!—the West Indies!” he reiterated; and he went over the syllables three times, growing, in the intervals of speaking, whiter than ashes: he hardly seemed to know what he was doing. ||||||||||||||robotic speaker||pronounce|||||||||||||||units of sound|||||||||paler||pale as death||||||||| «Mason! - les Antilles! il a dit, dans le ton on pourrait imaginer un automate parlant pour énoncer ses mots simples; «Mason! - les Antilles! il a réitéré; et il parcourut les syllabes trois fois, devenant, dans les intervalles de parole, plus blanc que la cendre: il semblait à peine savoir ce qu'il faisait. “Do you feel ill, sir?” I inquired.

“Jane, I’ve got a blow; I’ve got a blow, Jane!”  He staggered. «Jane, j'ai un coup; J'ai un coup, Jane! Il chancela. “Oh, lean on me, sir.”

“Jane, you offered me your shoulder once before; let me have it now.” «Jane, tu m'as déjà offert ton épaule une fois; laissez-moi l'avoir maintenant. “Yes, sir, yes; and my arm.”

He sat down, and made me sit beside him.

Holding my hand in both his own, he chafed it; gazing on me, at the same time, with the most troubled and dreary look. Tenant ma main dans la sienne, il la frotta; me regardant en même temps avec le regard le plus troublé et le plus morne. “My little friend!” said he, “I wish I were in a quiet island with only you; and trouble, and danger, and hideous recollections removed from me.” "Mon petit ami!" dit-il, «j'aurais aimé être dans une île tranquille avec seulement toi; et des ennuis, des dangers et des souvenirs affreux m'ont enlevé. “Can I help you, sir?—I’d give my life to serve you.” “Jane, if aid is wanted, I’ll seek it at your hands; I promise you that.” «Jane, si vous avez besoin d'aide, je la chercherai entre vos mains; Je vous le promets. “Thank you, sir.

Tell me what to do,—I’ll try, at least, to do it.” “Fetch me now, Jane, a glass of wine from the dining-room: they will be at supper there; and tell me if Mason is with them, and what he is doing.” «Va me chercher maintenant, Jane, un verre de vin de la salle à manger: ils y dîneront; et dis-moi si Mason est avec eux et ce qu'il fait. I went.

I found all the party in the dining-room at supper, as Mr. Rochester had said; they were not seated at table,—the supper was arranged on the sideboard; each had taken what he chose, and they stood about here and there in groups, their plates and glasses in their hands. Je trouvai toute la fête dans la salle à manger au souper, comme l'avait dit M. Rochester; ils n'étaient pas assis à table, le souper était disposé sur le buffet; chacun avait pris ce qu'il voulait, et ils se tenaient ici et là en groupes, leurs assiettes et leurs verres à la main. Every one seemed in high glee; laughter and conversation were general and animated. Tout le monde semblait dans une grande joie; les rires et les conversations étaient généraux et animés. Mr. Mason stood near the fire, talking to Colonel and Mrs. Dent, and appeared as merry as any of them. I filled a wine-glass (I saw Miss Ingram watch me frowningly as I did so: she thought I was taking a liberty, I daresay), and I returned to the library. |||||||||||with disapproval||||||||||||||||||| J'ai rempli un verre de vin (j'ai vu Miss Ingram me regarder en fronçant les sourcils: elle pensait que je prenais une liberté, j'ose dire), et je suis retourné à la bibliothèque. Mr.

Rochester’s extreme pallor had disappeared, and he looked once more firm and stern. ||paleness|||||||||| L'extrême pâleur de Rochester avait disparu, et il paraissait une fois de plus ferme et sévère. He took the glass from my hand. “Here is to your health, ministrant spirit!” he said. |||||attendant or helper||| «Voilà pour votre santé, esprit ministrant!» il a dit. He swallowed the contents and returned it to me. Il a avalé le contenu et me l'a rendu. “What are they doing, Jane?” “Laughing and talking, sir.”

“They don’t look grave and mysterious, as if they had heard something strange?” “Not at all: they are full of jests and gaiety.” "Pas du tout: ils sont pleins de plaisanteries et de gaieté." “And Mason?”

“He was laughing too.”

“If all these people came in a body and spat at me, what would you do, Jane?” |||||||||spit|at|||||| «Si tous ces gens venaient dans un corps et me crachaient dessus, que feriez-vous, Jane?

“Turn them out of the room, sir, if I could.” «Faites-les sortir de la pièce, monsieur, si je le pouvais.

He half smiled.

“But if I were to go to them, and they only looked at me coldly, and whispered sneeringly amongst each other, and then dropped off and left me one by one, what then? |||||||||||||||||With contempt||||||||||||||| «Mais si je devais aller vers eux, et qu'ils ne me regardaient que froidement, et se chuchotaient avec ricanement entre eux, puis se laissaient tomber et me laissaient un par un, et alors? Would you go with them?” “I rather think not, sir: I should have more pleasure in staying with you.” «Je pense plutôt que non, monsieur: je devrais avoir plus de plaisir à rester avec vous.

“To comfort me?” «Pour me réconforter?»

“Yes, sir, to comfort you, as well as I could.” “And if they laid you under a ban for adhering to me?” |||||||||sticking with|| «Et s'ils vous interdisaient de m'adhérer?» “I, probably, should know nothing about their ban; and if I did, I should care nothing about it.” «Je ne devrais probablement rien savoir de leur interdiction; et si je le faisais, je ne m'en soucierais pas. “Then, you could dare censure for my sake?” ||||criticize or condemn||| «Alors, tu pourrais oser la censure pour moi?

“I could dare it for the sake of any friend who deserved my adherence; as you, I am sure, do.” |||||||||||||loyal support|||||| «Je pourrais l'oser pour le bien de n'importe quel ami qui méritait mon adhésion; comme vous, j'en suis sûr, faites-le.

“Go back now into the room; step quietly up to Mason, and whisper in his ear that Mr. Rochester is come and wishes to see him: show him in here and then leave me.” «Retournez maintenant dans la pièce; avancez tranquillement vers Mason, et lui murmurez à l'oreille que M. Rochester est venu et souhaite le voir: montrez-lui ici et laissez-moi. “Yes, sir.”

I did his behest. |||his command J'ai fait sa demande.

The company all stared at me as I passed straight among them. La compagnie me regarda tous tandis que je passais droit parmi eux. I sought Mr. Mason, delivered the message, and preceded him from the room: I ushered him into the library, and then I went upstairs. ||||||||went before him||||||||||||||| J'ai cherché M. Mason, j'ai délivré le message et je l'ai précédé de la salle: je l'ai fait entrer dans la bibliothèque, puis je suis monté à l'étage. At a late hour, after I had been in bed some time, I heard the visitors repair to their chambers: I distinguished Mr. Rochester’s voice, and heard him say, “This way, Mason; this is your room.” À une heure tardive, après avoir été couché quelque temps, j'entendis les visiteurs se rendre dans leur chambre: je distinguai la voix de M. Rochester et l'entendis dire: «Par ici, Mason; c'est ta chambre." He spoke cheerfully: the gay tones set my heart at ease. Il parlait joyeusement: les tons gays m'ont mis le cœur à l'aise.

I was soon asleep.