"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.

You--poor and obscure, and small and plain as you are--I entreat to

accept me as a husband."

"What, me!" I ejaculated, beginning in his earnestness--and

especially in his incivility--to credit his sincerity: "me who have

not a friend in the world but you- if you are my friend: not a

shilling but what you have given me?"

"You, Jane, I must have you for my own--entirely my own. Will you

be mine? Say yes, quickly."




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