有声名著之简爱Jene Eyer Chapter9

　　CHAPTER NINE Mr. Rochester’s Secrets
After a little time at Thornfield, I knew that Mr. Rochester and I were becoming friends. He was beginning to trust and like me. Many times, when we walked in the garden or sat by a fire in the evening, he told me strange stories of his life and adventures. One day he said to me, “Jane, it is strange that I tell you my secrets, but I know you will never tell anyone else. I know, also, that my stories can’t have a bad effect on you. Your mind and heart are too strong and good for that.”
I felt proud and happy that Mr. Rochester trusted and liked me so much. I thought about him a lot of the time. I was aware of his faults, but I also saw his kindness and goodness¹ to me. From then on, my happiest times at Thornfield Hall were when I was with him. I could not imagine a more wonderful friend.
One night I woke up and heard a soft noise. I thought that someone was standing² outside my bedroom. I got out of bed and said, “who is there?” suddenly I heard a strange cry. It sounded like the cry of an animal. Then I heard a door close loudly on the top floor, where Grace³ Poole stayed. “Did she make the noise?” I wondered. I opened the door and saw that the hall was full of smoke! The door of Mr. Rochester’s room was open, and I saw the smoke was coming from there! Immediately, I forgot my own danger and ran into his room. He was sleeping in his bed, with fire and smoke all around him. Even the bed was on fire!
“Mr. Rochester! Wake up! Wake up !” I screamed, throwing water on the bed to put out the fire. Not until the fire was almost out did he wake up. He was surprised to see that he was wet.
“Jane, what is going on? Is there a flood in this house?”
He said.
“No, sir,” I answered, “there’s been a fire!”
“Jane Eyre, is it you and your magic?” he asked. “Did you put a spell on me again? Did you want to drown me this time?”
I did not answer this. “Sir, please get up. Someone has tried to kill you!” I told him about the strange sounds I had heard outside my room and about the fire. He turned very pale, and thought for a few moments.
“Do you want to talk to Mrs. Fairfax, or the other servants, sir?” I asked.
“No, we shouldn’t wake them. Wait here for a moment. I’m going up to the top floor. I’ll be back soon.”
I waited in his room for what seemed like a very long time. When he came back, be looked worried.
“Jane, did you see anything when you opened your bedroom door?” he asked, looking carefully at me.
“No sir,”
“But you heard a strange laugh?”
“Yes, I’ve heard it before. It was like a strange laugh I heard once, I think it is Grace Poole, she laughs like that.”
“Well, perhaps it was Grace Poole who started this fire. I must think about what to do. I’m glad you’re the only person who knows about this. Don’t tell anyone! Now, go back to your room.”
“Good night, then, sir,” I said. Walking towards the door.
“What! Are you leaving me already!” he said. He looked surprised, although he had just told me to go.
“You said I should go to my room, sir.”
“But not without a kind word or two first! Why, you’ve saved my life, Jane. I don’t like to owe⁴ anyone anything, but with you it’s different. I’m happy to owe you my life.” Suddenly he took both my hands in his. “When I first saw you, Jane, I knew that you would be good for me. I saw it in your eyes when I met you. I was right to like your smile and your face.” He spoke⁵ softly⁶, and there was a strange light in his eyes.
“I’m glad I was awake, sir,” I said. I was trembling⁷, and I knew I could not control my feelings much longer. I needed time to think. But he still held on to my hands, looking at me. Then I thought of a way to leave.
“Sir, I think I hear the servants moving,” I said.
“Well, leave me then,” he said, and let go of my hands.
I could not sleep for the rest of the night. My mind was full of strange ideas and deep emotions. I felt that I was falling in love with Mr. Rochester, even though he was mysterious sometimes.

1 goodness   

n.善良，善行，美德

参考例句：

• Would you have the goodness to turn off the radio?劳驾，请你把收音机关上好不好？
• Thank goodness,we've found a cure for the disease.好了，这病有救了！

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 grace   

n.优雅，雅致，魅力，恩惠，慈悲

参考例句：

• She is a beautiful girl with the grace and poise.她是一位仪态优雅的佳丽。
• I hope the grace of God would descend on me.我期望上帝的恩惠。

4 owe   

vt./vi.欠（债等）；感激；把……归功于某人

参考例句：

• We still owe one hundred dollars for the car.为这部车我们还欠着100美元。
• We owe it to society to make our country a better place.把国家建设得更美好是我们对社会应尽的责任。

5 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

6 softly   

adv.柔和地，静静地，温柔地

参考例句：

• He speaks too softly for her to hear.他讲话声音太轻，她听不见。
• She breathed her advice softly.她低声劝告。

7 trembling   

n.发抖adj.发抖的v.发抖( tremble的现在分词 )；焦虑；颤动；轻轻摇晃

参考例句：

• My legs were trembling with fear. 我吓得双腿直发抖。
• Daddy was trembling with anxiety as to how the talks would go. 爸爸为那些商谈的进展而焦虑不安。 来自《简明英汉词典》