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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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226 Mr. Rochester-‘so,’ he added, enclosing me in his arms, gathering me to his breast, pressing his lips on my lips: ‘so, Jane!’ ‘Yes, so, sir,’ I rejoined: ‘and yet not so; for you are a married man-or as good as a married man, and wed to one inferior to you-to one with whom you have no sympathy-whom I do not believe you truly love; for I have seen and heard you sneer at her. I would scorn such a union: therefore I am better than youlet me go!’ ‘Where, Jane? To Ireland?’ ‘Yes-to Ireland. I have spoken my mind, and can go anywhere now.’ ‘Jane, be still; don’t struggle so, like a wild frantic bird that is rending its own plumage in its desperation.’ ‘I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you.’ Another effort set me at liberty, and I stood erect before him. ‘And your will shall decide your destiny,’ he said: ‘I offer you my hand, my heart, and a share of all my possessions.’ ‘You play a farce, which I merely laugh at.’ ‘I ask you to pass through life at my side-to be my second self, and best earthly companion.’ ‘For that fate you have already made your choice, and must abide by it.’ ‘Jane, be still a few moments: you are over-excited: I will be still too.’ A waft of wind came sweeping down the laurel-walk and trembled through the boughs of the chestnut: it wandered away- away-to an indefinite distance-it died. The nightingale’s song was then the only voice of the hour: in listening to it,I again wept. Mr. Rochester sat quiet, looking at me gently and seriously. Some time passed before he spoke; he at last said‘Come to my side, Jane, and let us explain and understand one another.’ ‘I will never again come to your side: I am torn away now, and cannot return.’ ‘But, Jane, I summon you as my wife: it is you only I intend to marry.’ I was silent: I thought he mocked me. ‘Come, Jane-come hither.’ ‘Your bride stands between us.’ He rose, and with a stride reached me. ‘My bride is here,’ he said, again drawing me to him, ‘because my equal is here, and my likeness. Jane, will you marry me?’ Still I did not answer, and still I writhed myself from his grasp: for I was still incredulous. ‘Do you doubt me, Jane?’ ‘Entirely.’ ‘You have no faith in me?’ ‘Not a whit.’ ‘Am I a liar in your eyes?’ he asked passionately. ‘Little sceptic, you shall be convinced. What love have I for Miss Ingram? None: and that you know. What love has she for me? None: as I have taken pains to prove: I caused a rumour to reach her that my fortune was not a third of what was supposed, and after that I presented myself to see the result; it was coldness both from her and her mother. I would not-I could not-marry Miss Ingram. You- you strange, you almost unearthly thing!- I love as my own flesh. |
