"I do indeed, sir."

"Then you are mistaken, and you know nothing about me, and nothing

about the sort of love of which I am capable. Every atom of your

flesh is as dear to me as my own: in pain and sickness it would

still be dear. Your mind is my treasure, and if it were broken, it

would be my treasure still: if you raved, my arms should confine

you, and not a strait waistcoat--your grasp, even in fury, would

have a charm for me: if you flew at me as wildly as that woman did

this morning, I should receive you in an embrace, at least as fond

as it would be restrictive. I should not shrink from you with

disgust as I did from her: in your quiet moments you should have no

watcher and no nurse but me; and I could hang over you with untiring

tenderness, though you gave me no smile in return; and never weary

of gazing into your eyes, though they had no longer a ray of

recognition for me.--But why do I follow that train of ideas? I was

talking of removing you from Thornfield. All, you know, is prepared

for prompt departure: to-morrow you shall go. I only ask you to

endure one more night under this roof, Jane; and then, farewell to

its miseries and terrors for ever! I have a place to repair to,

which will be a secure sanctuary from hateful reminiscences, from

unwelcome intrusion--even from falsehood and slander."

"And take Adele with you, sir," I interrupted; "she will be a

companion for you."

"What do you mean, Jane? I told you I would send Adele to school;

and what do I want with a child for a companion, and not my own

child,--a French dancer's bastard? Why do you importune me about

her! I say, why do you assign Adele to me for a companion?"

"You spoke of a retirement, sir; and retirement and solitude are

dull: too dull for you."

"Solitude! solitude!" he reiterated with irritation. "I see I must

come to an explanation. I don't know what sphynx-like expression is

forming in your countenance. You are to share my solitude. Do you

understand?"

I shook my head: it required a degree of courage, excited as he was

becoming, even to risk that mute sign of dissent. He had been

walking fast about the room, and he stopped, as if suddenly rooted

to one spot. He looked at me long and hard: I turned my eyes from

him, fixed them on the fire, and tried to assume and maintain a

quiet, collected aspect.




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