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


233

astonishing poetry, I once saw styled, “a blue-piled thunderloft.”
That will be your married look, sir, I suppose?’ ‘If that will be your
married look, I, as a Christian, will soon give up the notion of
consorting with a mere sprite or salamander. But what had you to
ask, thing,- out with it?’ ‘There, you are less than civil now; and I
like rudeness a great deal better than flattery. I had rather be a
thing than an angel. This is what I have to ask,- Why did you take
such pains to make me believe you wished to marry Miss Ingram?’
‘Is that all? Thank God it is no worse!’ And now he unknit his black
brows; looked down, smiling at me, and stroked my hair, as if well
pleased at seeing a danger averted. ‘I think I may confess,’ he
continued, ‘even although I should make you a little indignant,
Jane-and I have seen what a fire-spirit you can be when you are
indignant. You glowed in the cool moonlight last night, when you
mutinied against fate, and claimed your rank as my equal. Janet,
by the bye, it was you who made me the offer.’ ‘Of course I did.
But to the point if you please, sir-Miss Ingram?’

‘Well, I feigned courtship of Miss Ingram, because I wished to
render you as madly in love with me as I was with you; and I
knew jealousy would be the best ally I could call in for the
furtherance of that end.’ ‘Excellent! Now you are small-not one
whit bigger than the end of my little finger. It was a burning shame
and a scandalous disgrace to act in that way. Did you think
nothing of Miss Ingram’s feelings, sir?’ ‘Her feelings are
concentrated in one-pride; and that needs humbling. Were you
jealous, Jane?’ ‘Never mind, Mr. Rochester: it is in no way
interesting to you to know that.

Answer me truly once more. Do you think Miss Ingram will not
suffer from your dishonest coquetry? Won’t she feel forsaken and
deserted?’ ‘Impossible!- when I told you how she, on the contrary,
deserted me: the idea of my insolvency cooled, or rather
extinguished, her flame in a moment.’ ‘You have a curious,
designing mind, Mr. Rochester. I am afraid your principles on
some points are eccentric.’ ‘My principles were never trained, Jane:
they may have grown a little awry for want of attention.’ ‘Once
again, seriously; may I enjoy the great good that has been
vouchsafed to me, without fearing that any one else is suffering the
bitter pain I myself felt a while ago?’

‘That you may, my good little girl: there is not another being in the
world has the same pure love for me as yourself-for I lay that
pleasant unction to my soul, Jane, a belief in your affection.’ I
turned my lips to the hand that lay on my shoulder. I loved him
very muchmore than I could trust myself to say-more than words
had power to express.
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