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PinkMonkey.com Digital Library - PinkMonkey.com Digital Library-Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte


340

St. John smiled. ‘Did I not say you neglected essential points to
pursue trifles?’ he asked. ‘You were serious when I told you you
had got a fortune; and now, for a matter of no moment, you are
excited.’ ‘What can you mean? It may be of no moment to you; you
have sisters and don’t care for a cousin; but I had nobody; and now
three relations,- or two, if you don’t choose to be counted,- are born
into my world full-grown. I say again, I am glad!’ I walked fast
through the room: I stopped, half suffocated with the thoughts that
rose faster than I could receive, comprehend, settle them:- thoughts
of what might, could, would, and should be, and that ere long. I
looked at the blank wall: it seemed a sky thick with ascending
stars,- every one lit me to a purpose or delight. Those who had
saved my life, whom, till this hour, I had loved barrenly, I could
now benefit. They were under a yoke,- I could free them: they were
scattered,- I could reunite them: the independence, the affluence
which was mine, might be theirs too. Were we not four? Twenty
thousand pounds shared equally, would be five thousand each,-
enough and to spare: justice would be done,- mutual happiness
secured. Now the wealth did not weigh on me: now it was not a
mere bequest of coin,- it was a legacy of life, hope, enjoyment.
How I looked while these ideas were taking my spirit by storm, I
cannot tell; but I perceived soon that Mr. Rivers had placed a chair
behind me, and was gently attempting to make me sit down on it.
He also advised me to be composed; I scorned the insinuation of
helplessness and distraction, shook off his hand, and began to walk
about again.

‘Write to Diana and Mary to-morrow,’ I said, ‘and tell them to
come home directly. Diana said they would both consider
themselves rich with a thousand pounds, so with five thousand
they will do very well.’ ‘Tell me where I can get you a glass of
water,’ said St. John; ‘you must really make an effort to tranquillise
your feelings.’ ‘Nonsense! and what sort of an effect will the
bequest have on you? Will it keep you in England, induce you to
marry Miss Oliver, and settle down like an ordinary mortal?’

‘You wander: your head becomes confused. I have been too abrupt
in communicating the news; it has excited you beyond your
strength.’ ‘Mr. Rivers! you quite put me out of patience: I am
rational enough; it is you who misunderstand, or rather who affect
to misunderstand.’ ‘Perhaps, if you explained yourself a little more
fully, I should comprehend better.’ ‘Explain! What is there to
explain? You cannot fail to see that twenty thousand pounds, the
sum in question, divided equally between the nephew and three
nieces of our uncle, will give five thousand to each? What I want is,
that you should write to your sisters and tell them of the fortune
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PinkMonkey.com Digital Library - PinkMonkey.com Digital Library-Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte



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