第83部分(第5/8 頁)

that；　we　must　be　married。　I　repeat　it：　there　is　no　other　way；　and　undoubtedly　enough　of　love　would　follow　upon　marriage　to　render　the　union　right　even　in　your　eyes。”

“I　scorn　your　idea　of　love；”　I　could　not　help　saying；　as　I　rose　up　and　stood　before　him；　leaning　my　back　against　the　rock。　“I　scorn　the　counterfeit　sentiment　you　offer：　yes；　St。　John；　and　I　scorn　you　when　you　offer　it。”

He　looked　at　me　fixedly；　pressing　his　well…cut　lips　while　he　did　so。　Whether　he　was　incensed　or　surprised；　or　what；　it　was　not　easy　to　tell：　he　could　mand　his　countenance　thoroughly。

“I　scarcely　expected　to　hear　that　expression　from　you；”　he　said：　“I　think　I　have　done　and　uttered　nothing　to　deserve　scorn。”

I　was　touched　by　his　gentle　tone；　and　overawed　by　his　high；　calm　mien。

“Forgive　me　the　words；　St。　John；　but　it　is　your　own　fault　that　I　have　been　roused　to　speak　so　unguardedly。　You　have　introduced　a　topic　on　which　our　natures　are　at　variance—a　topic　we　should　never　discuss：　the　very　name　of　love　is　an　apple　of　discord　between　us。　If　the　reality　were　required；　what　should　we　do？　How　should　we　feel？　My　dear　cousin；　abandon　your　scheme　of　marriage—forget　it。”

“No；”　said　he；　“it　is　a　long…cherished　scheme；　and　the　only　one　which　can　secure　my　great　end：　but　I　shall　urge　you　no　further　at　present。　To…morrow；　I　leave　home　for　Cambridge：　I　have　many　friends　there　to　whom　I　should　wish　to　say　farewell。　I　shall　be　absent　a　fortnight—take　that　space　of　time　to　co