the professor(教授)-第47章
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space—so； doubtless； the directress thought； and she took
occasion to walk past in order to ascertain by what art I prolonged
so disproportionately the period necessary for filling it。 I was
obliged to go。 Distasteful effort—to leave what we most prefer！
Frances did not become pale or feeble in consequence of her
sedentary employment； perhaps the stimulus it communicated to
her mind counterbalanced the inaction it imposed on her body。
She changed； indeed； changed obviously and rapidly； but it was
for the better。 When I first saw her； her countenance was sunless；
her complexion colourless； she looked like one who had no source
of enjoyment； no store of bliss anywhere in the world； now the
cloud had passed from her mien； leaving space for the dawn of
hope and interest； and those feelings rose like a clear morning；
animating what had been depressed； tinting what had been pale。
Her eyes； whose colour I had not at first known； so dim were they
with repressed tears； so shadowed with ceaseless dejection； now；
lit by a ray of the sunshine that cheered her heart； revealed irids of
bright hazel—irids large and full； screened with long lashes； and
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pupils instinct with fire。 That look of wan emaciation which
anxiety or low spirits often communicates to a thoughtful； thin
face； rather long than round； having vanished from hers； a
clearness of skin almost bloom； and a plumpness almost
embonpoint； softened the decided lines of her features。 Her figure
shared in this beneficial change； it became rounder； and as the
harmony of her form was complete and her stature of the graceful
middle height； one did not regret （or at least I did not regret） the
absence of confirmed fulness； in contours； still slight； though
compact； elegant； flexible—the exquisite turning of waist； wrist；
hand； foot； and ankle satisfied completely my notions of symmetry；
and allowed a lightness and freedom of movement which
corresponded with my ideas of grace。
Thus improved； thus wakened to life； Mdlle Henri began to take
a new footing in the school； her mental power； manifested
gradually but steadily； ere long extorted recognition even from the
envious； and when the young and healthy saw that she could smile
brightly； converse gaily； move with vivacity and alertness； they
acknowledged in her a sisterhood of youth and health； and
tolerated her as of their kind accordingly。
To speak truth； I watched this change much as a gardener
watches the growth of a precious plant； and I contributed to it too；
even as the said gardener contributes to the development of his
favourite。 To me it was not difficult to discover how I could best
foster my pupil； cherish her starved feelings； and induce the
outward manifestation of that inward vigour which sunless
drought and blighting blast had hitherto forbidden to expand。
Constancy of attention—a kindness as mute as watchful； always
standing by her； cloaked in the rough garb of austerity； and
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making its real nature known only by a rare glance of interest； or a
cordial and gentle word； real respect masked with seeming
imperiousness； directing； urging her actions； yet helping her too；
and that with devoted care： these were the means I used； for these
means best suited Frances’ feelings； as susceptible as deep
vibrating—her nature at once proud and shy。
The benefits of my system became apparent also in her altered
demeanour as a teacher； she now took her place amongst her
pupils with an air of spirit and firmness which assured them at
once that she meant to be obeyed—and obeyed she was。 They felt
they had lost their power over her。 If any girl had rebelled； she
would no longer have taken her rebellion to heart； she possessed a
source of comfort they could not drain； a pillar of support they
could not overthrow： formerly； when insulted； she wept； now； she
smiled。
The public reading of one of her devoirs achieved the revelation
of her talents to all and sundry； I remember the subject—it was an
emigrant’s letter to his friends at home。 It opened with simplicity；
some natural and graphic touches disclosed to the reader the
scene of virgin forest and great； New…World river—barren of sail
and flag—amidst which the epistle was supposed to be indited。
The difficulties and dangers that attend a settler’s life； were hinted
at； and in the few words said on that subject； Mdlle Henri failed
not to render audible the voice of resolve； patience； endeavour。
The disasters which had driven him from his native country were
alluded to； stainless honour； inflexible independence；
indestructible self…respect there took the word。 Past days were
spoken of； the grief of parting； the regrets of absence； were
touched upon； feeling； forcible and fine； breathed eloquent in
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every period。 At the close； consolation was suggested； religious
faith became there the speaker； and she spoke well。
The devoir was powerfully written in language at once chaste
and choice； in a style nerved with vigour and graced with
harmony。
Mdlle Reuter was quite sufficiently acquainted with English to
understand it when read or spoken in her presence； though she
could neither speak nor write it herself。 During the perusal of this
devoir； she sat placidly busy； her eyes and fingers occupied with
the formation of a “rivière” or open…work hem round a cambric
handkerchief； she said nothing； and her face and forehead； clothed
with a mask of purely negative expression； were as blank of
comment as her lips。 As neither surprise； pleasure； approbation；
nor interest were evinced in her countenance； so no more were
disdain； envy； annoyance； weariness； if that inscrutable mien said
anything； it was simply this—
“The matter is too trite to excite an emotion； or call forth an
opinion。”
As soon as I had done； a hum rose； several of the pupils；
pressing round Mdlle Henri； began to beset her with compliments；
the composed voice of the directress was now heard：—
“Young ladies； such of you as have cloaks and umbrellas will
hasten to return home before
