Rochesterhasnotbeenverylonginpossessionoftheproperty;onlyaboutnineyears.”

    “Nineyearsisatolerabletime.Washesoveryfondofhisbrotherastobestillinsolableforhisloss?”

    “Why,no—perhapsnot.Ibelievethereweresomemisuandiweenthem.Mr.RowlandRochesterwasnotquitejusttoMr.Edward;andperhapsheprejudicedhisfatheragainsthim.Theoldgentlemanwasfondofmoney,andanxioustokeepthefamilyestatetogether.Hedidnotliketodiminishthepropertybydivision,ahewasanxiousthatMr.Edwardshouldhavewealth,too,tokeepupthesequehename;and,soonafterhewasofage,somestepsweretakenthatwerenotquitefair,andmadeagreatdealofmischief.OldMr.RochesterandMr.RowlandbiMr.Edwardintowhathesideredapainfulposition,forthesakeofmakinghisfortune:whatthepreatureofthatpositionwasIneverclearlyknew,buthisspiritcouldnotbrookwhathehadtosufferinit.Heisnotveryfiving:hebrokewithhisfamily,andnowformanyyearshehasledaledkindoflife.Idon’tthinkhehaseverbeenresidentatThornfieldforafhttogether,sihedeathofhisbrotherwithoutawilllefthimmasteroftheestate;and,indeed,nowonderheshunstheoldplace.”

    “Whyshouldheshunit?”

    “Perhapshethinksitgloomy.”

    Theanswerwasevasive.Ishouldhavelikedsomethingclearer;butMrs.Fairfaxeithercouldnot,orwouldnot,givememoreexpliformationoftheinandnatureofMr.Rochester’strials.Sheaverredtheywereamysterytoherself,andthatwhatsheknewwaschieflyfromjecture.Itwasevident,ihatshewishedmetodropthesubject,whichIdidaccly.松语文学Www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读