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Chapter24

AsIroseanddressed,Ithoughtoverwhathadhappened,andwonderedifitwereadream.IcouldnotbecertainoftherealitytillIhadseenMr.Rochesteragain,andheardhimrenewhiswordsofloveandpromise.

Whilearrangingmyhair,Ilookedatmyfaceintheglass,andfeltitwasnolongerplain:therewashopeinitsaspectandlifeinitscolour;andmyeyesseemedasiftheyhadbeheldthefountoffruition,andborrowedbeamsfromthelustrousripple.Ihadoftenbeenunwillingtolookatmymaster,becauseIfearedhecouldnotbepleasedatmylook;butIwassureImightliftmyfacetohisnow,andnotcoolhisaffectionbyitsexpression.Itookaplainbutcleanandlightsummerdressfrommydrawerandputiton:itseemednoattirehadeversowellbecomeme,becausenonehadIeverworninsoblissfulamood.

Iwasnotsurprised,whenIrandownintothehall,toseethatabrilliantJunemorninghadsucceededtothetempestofthenight;andtofeel,throughtheopenglassdoor,thebreathingofafreshandfragrantbreeze.NaturemustbegladsomewhenIwassohappy.Abeggar-womanandherlittleboy—pale,raggedobjectsboth—werecomingupthewalk,andIrandownandgavethemallthemoneyIhappenedtohaveinmypurse—somethreeorfourshillings:goodorbad,theymustpartakeofmyjubilee.Therookscawed,and

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blitherbirdssang;butnothingwassomerryorsomusicalasmyownrejoicingheart.

Mrs.Fairfaxsurprisedmebylookingoutofthewindowwithasadcountenance,andsayinggravely—“MissEyre,willyoucometobreakfast?”Duringthemealshewasquietandcool:butIcouldnotundeceiveherthen.Imustwaitformymastertogiveexplanations;andsomustshe.IatewhatIcould,andthenIhastenedupstairs.ImetAdeleleavingtheschoolroom.

“Whereareyougoing?Itistimeforlessons.”“Mr.Rochesterhassentmeawaytothenursery.”“Whereishe?”

“Inthere,”pointingtotheapartmentshehadleft;andIwentin,andtherehestood.

“Comeandbidmegood-morning,”saidhe.Igladlyadvanced;anditwasnotmerelyacoldwordnow,orevenashakeofthehandthatIreceived,butanembraceandakiss.Itseemednatural:itseemedgenialtobesowellloved,socaressedbyhim.

“Jane,youlookblooming,andsmiling,andpretty,”saidhe:“trulyprettythismorning.Isthismypale,littleelf?Isthismymustard-seed?Thislittlesunny-facedgirlwiththedimpledcheekandrosylips;thesatin-smoothhazelhair,andtheradianthazeleyes?”(Ihadgreeneyes,reader;butyoumustexcusethemistake:forhimtheywerenew-dyed,Isuppose.)

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“ItisJaneEyre,sir.”

“SoontobeJaneRochester,”headded:“infourweeks,Janet;notadaymore.Doyouhearthat?”

Idid,andIcouldnotquitecomprehendit:itmademegiddy.Thefeeling,theannouncementsentthroughme,wassomethingstrongerthanwasconsistentwithjoy—somethingthatsmoteandstunned.Itwas,Ithinkalmostfear.

“Youblushed,andnowyouarewhite,Jane:whatisthatfor?”

“Becauseyougavemeanewname—JaneRochester;anditseemssostrange.”

“Yes,Mrs.Rochester,”saidhe;“youngMrs.Rochester—FairfaxRochester’sgirl-bride.”

“Itcanneverbe,sir;itdoesnotsoundlikely.Humanbeingsneverenjoycompletehappinessinthisworld.Iwasnotbornforadifferentdestinytotherestofmyspecies:toimaginesuchalotbefallingmeisafairytale—aday-dream.”

“WhichIcanandwillrealise.Ishallbeginto-day.ThismorningIwrotetomybankerinLondontosendmecertainjewelshehasinhiskeeping,—heirloomsfortheladiesofThornfield.InadayortwoIhopetopourthemintoyourlap:foreveryprivilege,everyattentionshallbeyoursthatIwouldaccordapeer’sdaughter,ifabouttomarryher.”

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“Oh,sir!—neverrainjewels!Idon’tliketohearthemspokenof.JewelsforJaneEyresoundsunnaturalandstrange:Iwouldrathernothavethem.”

“Iwillmyselfputthediamondchainroundyourneck,andthecircletonyourforehead,—whichitwillbecome:fornature,atleast,hasstampedherpatentofnobilityonthisbrow,Jane;andIwillclaspthebraceletsonthesefinewrists,andloadthesefairy-likefingerswithrings.”

“No,no,sir!thinkofothersubjects,andspeakofotherthings,andinanotherstrain.Don’taddressmeasifIwereabeauty;Iamyourplain,Quakerishgoverness.”

“Youareabeautyinmyeyes,andabeautyjustafterthedesireofmyheart,—delicateandaerial.”

“Punyandinsignificant,youmean.Youaredreaming,sir,—oryouaresneering.ForGod’ssakedon’tbeironical!”

“Iwillmaketheworldacknowledgeyouabeauty,too,”hewenton,whileIreallybecameuneasyatthestrainhehadadopted,becauseIfelthewaseitherdeludinghimselfortryingtodeludeme.“IwillattiremyJaneinsatinandlace,andsheshallhaverosesinherhair;andIwillcovertheheadIlovebestwithapricelessveil.”

“Andthenyouwon’tknowme,sir;andIshallnotbeyourJaneEyreanylonger,butanapeinaharlequin’sjacket—ajayinborrowedplumes.Iwouldassoonseeyou,Mr.Rochester,trickedoutinstage-trappings,as

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myselfcladinacourt-lady’srobe;andIdon’tcallyouhandsome,sir,thoughIloveyoumostdearly:fartoodearlytoflatteryou.Don’tflatterme.”

Hepursuedhistheme,however,withoutnoticingmydeprecation.“ThisverydayIshalltakeyouinthecarriagetoMillcote,andyoumustchoosesomedressesforyourself.Itoldyouweshallbemarriedinfourweeks.Theweddingistotakeplacequietly,inthechurchdownbelowyonder;andthenIshallwaftyouawayatoncetotown.Afterabriefstaythere,Ishallbearmytreasuretoregionsnearerthesun:toFrenchvineyardsandItalianplains;andsheshallseewhateverisfamousinoldstoryandinmodernrecord:sheshalltaste,too,ofthelifeofcities;andsheshalllearnto

valueherselfbyjustcomparisonwithothers.”“ShallItravel?—andwithyou,sir?”

“YoushallsojournatParis,Rome,andNaples:atFlorence,Venice,andVienna:allthegroundIhavewanderedovershallbere-troddenbyyou:whereverIstampedmyhoof,yoursylph’sfootshallstepalso.Tenyearssince,IflewthroughEuropehalfmad;withdisgust,hate,andrageasmycompanions:nowIshallrevisitithealedandcleansed,withaveryangelasmycomforter.”

Ilaughedathimashesaidthis.“Iamnotanangel,”Iasserted;“andIwillnotbeonetillIdie:Iwillbemyself.Mr.Rochester,youmustneitherexpectnorexactanythingcelestialofme—foryouwillnotgetit,

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anymorethanIshallgetitofyou:whichIdonotatallanticipate.”“Whatdoyouanticipateofme?”“Foralittlewhileyouwillperhapsbeasyouarenow,—averylittlewhile;andthenyouwillturncool;andthenyouwillbecapricious;andthenyouwillbestern,

andIshallhavemuchadotopleaseyou:butwhenyougetwellusedtome,youwillperhapslikemeagain,—LIKEme,Isay,notLOVEme.Isupposeyourlovewilleffervesceinsixmonths,orless.Ihaveobservedinbookswrittenbymen,thatperiodassignedasthefarthesttowhichahusband’sardourextends.Yet,afterall,asafriendandcompanion,Ihopenevertobecomequitedistastefultomydearmaster.”“Distasteful!andlikeyouagain!IthinkIshalllikeyouagain,andyetagain:andIwillmakeyouconfessIdonotonlyLIKE,butLOVEyou—withtruth,fervour,constancy.”“Yetareyounotcapricious,sir?”“Towomenwhopleasemeonlybytheirfaces,IamtheverydevilwhenIfindouttheyhaveneithersoulsnorhearts—whentheyopentomeaperspectiveofflatness,triviality,andperhapsimbecility,coarseness,andill-temper:buttothecleareyeandeloquenttongue,tothesoulmadeoffire,andthecharacterthatbendsbutdoesnotbreak—atoncesuppleandstable,tractableandconsistent—Iamevertenderandtrue.”

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“Hadyoueverexperienceofsuchacharacter,sir?Didyoueverlovesuchanone?”

“Iloveitnow.”

“Butbeforeme:ifI,indeed,inanyrespectcomeuptoyourdifficultstandard?”

“Inevermetyourlikeness.Jane,youpleaseme,andyoumasterme—youseemtosubmit,andIlikethesenseofpliancyyouimpart;andwhileIamtwiningthesoft,silkenskeinroundmyfinger,itsendsathrillupmyarmtomyheart.Iaminfluenced—conquered;andtheinfluenceissweeterthanIcanexpress;andtheconquestIundergohasawitcherybeyondanytriumphIcanwin.Whydoyousmile,Jane?Whatdoesthatinexplicable,thatuncannyturnofcountenancemean?”

“Iwasthinking,sir(youwillexcusetheidea;itwasinvoluntary),IwasthinkingofHerculesandSamsonwiththeircharmers—“

“Youwere,youlittleelfish—“

“Hush,sir!Youdon’ttalkverywiselyjustnow;anymorethanthosegentlemenactedverywisely.However,hadtheybeenmarried,theywouldnodoubtbytheirseverityashusbandshavemadeupfortheirsoftnessassuitors;andsowillyou,Ifear.Iwonderhowyouwillanswermeayearhence,shouldIaskafavouritdoesnotsuityourconvenienceorpleasuretogrant.”

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“Askmesomethingnow,Jane,—theleastthing:Idesiretobeentreated—“

“IndeedIwill,sir;Ihavemypetitionallready.”

“Speak!Butifyoulookupandsmilewiththatcountenance,IshallswearconcessionbeforeIknowtowhat,andthatwillmakeafoolofme.”

“Notatall,sir;Iaskonlythis:don’tsendforthejewels,anddon’tcrownmewithroses:youmightaswellputaborderofgoldlaceroundthatplainpockethandkerchiefyouhavethere.”

“Imightaswell‘gildrefinedgold.’Iknowit:yourrequestisgrantedthen—forthetime.IwillremandtheorderIdespatchedtomybanker.Butyouhavenotyetaskedforanything;youhaveprayedagifttobewithdrawn:tryagain.”

“Wellthen,sir,havethegoodnesstogratifymycuriosity,whichismuchpiquedononepoint.”

Helookeddisturbed.“What?what?”hesaidhastily.“Curiosityisadangerouspetition:itiswellIhavenottakenavowtoaccordeveryrequest—“

“Buttherecanbenodangerincomplyingwiththis,sir.”

“Utterit,Jane:butIwishthatinsteadofamereinquiryinto,perhaps,asecret,itwasawishforhalfmyestate.”

“Now,KingAhasuerus!WhatdoIwantwithhalfyourestate?DoyouthinkIamaJew-usurer,seekinggood

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investmentinland?Iwouldmuchratherhaveallyourconfidence.Youwillnotexcludemefromyourconfidenceifyouadmitmetoyourheart?”

“Youarewelcometoallmyconfidencethatisworthhaving,Jane;butforGod’ssake,don’tdesireauselessburden!Don’tlongforpoison—don’tturnoutadownrightEveonmyhands!”

“Whynot,sir?Youhavejustbeentellingmehowmuchyoulikedtobeconquered,andhowpleasantover-persuasionistoyou.Don’tyouthinkIhadbettertakeadvantageoftheconfession,andbeginandcoaxandentreat—evencryandbesulkyifnecessary—forthesakeofamereessayofmypower?”

“Idareyoutoanysuchexperiment.Encroach,presume,andthegameisup.”

“Isit,sir?Yousoongivein.Howsternyoulooknow!Youreyebrowshavebecomeasthickasmyfinger,andyourforeheadresembleswhat,insomeveryastonishingpoetry,Ioncesawstyled,‘a(chǎn)blue-piledthunderloft.’Thatwillbeyourmarriedlook,sir,Isuppose?”

“IfthatwillbeYOURmarriedlook,I,asaChristian,willsoongiveupthenotionofconsortingwithamerespriteorsalamander.Butwhathadyoutoask,thing,—outwithit?”

“There,youarelessthancivilnow;andIlikerudenessagreatdealbetterthanflattery.Ihadratherbea

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THINGthananangel.ThisiswhatIhavetoask,—WhydidyoutakesuchpainstomakemebelieveyouwishedtomarryMissIngram?”

“Isthatall?ThankGoditisnoworse!”Andnowheunknithisblackbrows;lookeddown,smilingatme,andstrokedmyhair,asifwellpleasedatseeingadangeraverted.“IthinkImayconfess,”hecontinued,“evenalthoughIshouldmakeyoualittleindignant,Jane—andIhaveseenwhatafire-spirityoucanbewhenyouareindignant.Youglowedinthecoolmoonlightlastnight,whenyoumutiniedagainstfate,andclaimedyourrankasmyequal.Janet,by-the-bye,itwasyouwhomademetheoffer.”

“OfcourseIdid.Buttothepointifyouplease,sir—MissIngram?”

“Well,IfeignedcourtshipofMissIngram,becauseIwishedtorenderyouasmadlyinlovewithmeasIwaswithyou;andIknewjealousywouldbethebestallyIcouldcallinforthefurtheranceofthatend.”

“Excellent!Nowyouaresmall—notonewhitbiggerthantheendofmylittlefinger.Itwasaburningshameandascandalousdisgracetoactinthatway.DidyouthinknothingofMissIngram’sfeelings,sir?”

“Herfeelingsareconcentratedinone—pride;andthatneedshumbling.Wereyoujealous,Jane?”

“Nevermind,Mr.Rochester:itisinnowayinterestingtoyoutoknowthat.Answermetrulyoncemore.Do

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youthinkMissIngramwillnotsufferfromyourdishonestcoquetry?Won’tshefeelforsakenanddeserted?”

“Impossible!—whenItoldyouhowshe,onthecontrary,desertedme:theideaofmyinsolvencycooled,orratherextinguished,herflameinamoment.”

“Youhaveacurious,designingmind,Mr.Rochester.Iamafraidyourprinciplesonsomepointsareeccentric.”

“Myprincipleswerenevertrained,Jane:theymayhavegrownalittleawryforwantofattention.”

“Onceagain,seriously;mayIenjoythegreatgoodthathasbeenvouchsafedtome,withoutfearingthatanyoneelseissufferingthebitterpainImyselffeltawhileago?”

“Thatyoumay,mygoodlittlegirl:thereisnotanotherbeingintheworldhasthesamepureloveformeasyourself—forIlaythatpleasantunctiontomysoul,Jane,abeliefinyouraffection.”

Iturnedmylipstothehandthatlayonmyshoulder.Ilovedhimverymuch—morethanIcouldtrustmyselftosay—morethanwordshadpowertoexpress.

“Asksomethingmore,”hesaidpresently;“itismydelighttobeentreated,andtoyield.”

Iwasagainreadywithmyrequest.“CommunicateyourintentionstoMrs.Fairfax,sir:shesawmewithyoulastnightinthehall,andshewasshocked.Givehersome

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explanationbeforeIseeheragain.Itpainsmetobemisjudgedbysogoodawoman.”

“Gotoyourroom,andputonyourbonnet,”hereplied.“ImeanyoutoaccompanymetoMillcotethismorning;andwhileyouprepareforthedrive,Iwillenlightentheoldlady’sunderstanding.Didshethink,Janet,youhadgiventheworldforlove,andconsidereditwelllost?”

“IbelieveshethoughtIhadforgottenmystation,andyours,sir.”

“Station!station!—yourstationisinmyheart,andonthenecksofthosewhowouldinsultyou,noworhereafter.—Go.”

Iwassoondressed;andwhenIheardMr.RochesterquitMrs.Fairfax’sparlour,Ihurrieddowntoit.Theoldlady,hadbeenreadinghermorningportionofScripture—theLessonfortheday;herBiblelayopenbeforeher,andherspectacleswereuponit.Heroccupation,suspendedbyMr.Rochester’sannouncement,seemednowforgotten:hereyes,fixedontheblankwallopposite,expressedthesurpriseofaquietmindstirredbyunwontedtidings.Seeingme,sherousedherself:shemadeasortofefforttosmile,andframedafewwordsofcongratulation;butthesmileexpired,andthesentencewasabandonedunfinished.Sheputupherspectacles,shuttheBible,andpushedherchairbackfromthetable.

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“Ifeelsoastonished,”shebegan,“Ihardlyknowwhattosaytoyou,MissEyre.Ihavesurelynotbeendreaming,haveI?SometimesIhalffallasleepwhenIamsittingaloneandfancythingsthathaveneverhappened.IthasseemedtomemorethanoncewhenIhavebeeninadoze,thatmydearhusband,whodiedfifteenyearssince,hascomeinandsatdownbesideme;andthatIhaveevenheardhimcallmebymyname,Alice,asheusedtodo.Now,canyoutellmewhetheritisactuallytruethatMr.Rochesterhasaskedyoutomarryhim?Don’tlaughatme.ButIreallythoughthecameinherefiveminutesago,andsaid

thatinamonthyouwouldbehiswife.”

“Hehassaidthesamethingtome,”Ireplied.

“Hehas!Doyoubelievehim?Haveyouacceptedhim?”“Yes.”

Shelookedatmebewildered.“Icouldneverhavethoughtit.Heisaproudman:alltheRochesterswereproud:andhisfather,atleast,likedmoney.He,too,hasalwaysbeencalledcareful.Hemeanstomarryyou?”

“Hetellsmeso.”

Shesurveyedmywholeperson:inhereyesIreadthattheyhadtherefoundnocharmpowerfulenoughtosolvetheenigma.

“Itpassesme!”shecontinued;“butnodoubt,itistruesinceyousayso.Howitwillanswer,Icannottell:I

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reallydon’tknow.Equalityofpositionandfortuneisoftenadvisableinsuchcases;andtherearetwentyyearsofdifferenceinyourages.Hemightalmostbeyourfather.”

“No,indeed,Mrs.Fairfax!”exclaimedI,nettled;“heisnothinglikemyfather!Noone,whosawustogether,wouldsupposeitforaninstant.Mr.Rochesterlooksasyoung,andisasyoung,assomemenatfive-and-twenty.”

“Isitreallyforloveheisgoingtomarryyou?”sheasked.

Iwassohurtbyhercoldnessandscepticism,thatthetearsrosetomyeyes.

“Iamsorrytogrieveyou,”pursuedthewidow;“butyouaresoyoung,andsolittleacquaintedwithmen,Iwishedtoputyouonyourguard.Itisanoldsayingthat‘a(chǎn)llisnotgoldthatglitters;’andinthiscaseIdofeartherewillbesomethingfoundtobedifferenttowhateitheryouorIexpect.”

“Why?—amIamonster?”Isaid:“isitimpossiblethatMr.Rochestershouldhaveasincereaffectionforme?”

“No:youareverywell;andmuchimprovedoflate;andMr.Rochester,Idaresay,isfondofyou.Ihavealwaysnoticedthatyouwereasortofpetofhis.Therearetimeswhen,foryoursake,Ihavebeenalittleuneasyathismarkedpreference,andhavewishedtoputyouonyourguard:butIdidnotliketosuggesteventhe

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possibilityofwrong.Iknewsuchanideawouldshock,perhapsoffendyou;andyouweresodiscreet,andsothoroughlymodestandsensible,Ihopedyoumightbetrustedtoprotectyourself.LastnightIcannottellyouwhatIsufferedwhenIsoughtalloverthehouse,andcouldfindyounowhere,northemastereither;andthen,attwelveo’clock,sawyoucomeinwithhim.”

“Well,nevermindthatnow,”Iinterruptedimpatiently;“itisenoughthatallwasright.”

“Ihopeallwillberightintheend,”shesaid:“butbelieveme,youcannotbetoocareful.TryandkeepMr.Rochesteratadistance:distrustyourselfaswellashim.Gentlemeninhisstationarenotaccustomedtomarrytheirgovernesses.”

Iwasgrowingtrulyirritated:happily,Adeleranin.

“Letmego,—letmegotoMillcotetoo!”shecried.“Mr.Rochesterwon’t:thoughthereissomuchroominthenewcarriage.Beghimtoletmegomademoiselle.”

“ThatIwill,Adele;”andIhastenedawaywithher,gladtoquitmygloomymonitress.Thecarriagewasready:theywerebringingitroundtothefront,andmymasterwasonthepavement,Pilotfollowinghimbackwardsandforwards.

“Adelemayaccompanyus,mayshenot,sir?”

“Itoldherno.I’llhavenobrats!—I’llhaveonlyyou.”

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“Dolethergo,Mr.Rochester,ifyouplease:itwouldbebetter.”

“Notit:shewillbearestraint.”

Hewasquiteperemptory,bothinlookandvoice.ThechillofMrs.Fairfax’swarnings,andthedampofherdoubtswereuponme:somethingofunsubstantialityanduncertaintyhadbesetmyhopes.Ihalflostthesenseofpoweroverhim.Iwasaboutmechanicallytoobeyhim,withoutfurtherremonstrance;butashehelpedmeintothecarriage,helookedatmyface.

“Whatisthematter?”heasked;“allthesunshineisgone.Doyoureallywishthebairntogo?Willitannoy

youifsheisleftbehind?”

“Iwouldfarrathershewent,sir.”

“Thenoffforyourbonnet,andbacklikeaflashoflightning!”criedhetoAdele.

Sheobeyedhimwithwhatspeedshemight.

“Afterall,asinglemorning’sinterruptionwillnotmattermuch,”saidhe,“whenImeanshortlytoclaimyou—yourthoughts,conversation,andcompany—forlife.”

Adele,whenliftedin,commencedkissingme,bywayofexpressinghergratitudeformyintercession:shewasinstantlystowedawayintoacornerontheothersideofhim.ShethenpeepedroundtowhereIsat;sosternaneighbourwastoorestrictivetohim,inhispresent

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fractiousmood,shedaredwhispernoobservations,noraskofhimanyinformation.

“Lethercometome,”Ientreated:“shewill,perhaps,troubleyou,sir:thereisplentyofroomonthisside.”

Hehandedheroverasifshehadbeenalapdog.“I’llsendhertoschoolyet,”hesaid,butnowhewassmiling.

Adeleheardhim,andaskedifshewastogotoschool“sansmademoiselle?”

“Yes,”hereplied,“absolutelysansmademoiselle;forIamtotakemademoiselletothemoon,andthereIshallseekacaveinoneofthewhitevalleysamongthevolcano-tops,andmademoiselleshalllivewithmethere,andonlyme.”

“Shewillhavenothingtoeat:youwillstarveher,”observedAdele.

“Ishallgathermannaforhermorningandnight:theplainsandhillsidesinthemoonarebleachedwithmanna,Adele.”

“Shewillwanttowarmherself:whatwillshedoforafire?”

“Firerisesoutofthelunarmountains:whensheiscold,I’llcarryheruptoapeak,andlayherdownontheedgeofacrater.”

“Oh,qu’elleyseramal—peucomfortable!Andherclothes,theywillwearout:howcanshegetnewones?”

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Mr.Rochesterprofessedtobepuzzled.“Hem!”saidhe.“Whatwouldyoudo,Adele?Cudgelyourbrainsforanexpedient.Howwouldawhiteorapinkcloudanswerforagown,doyouthink?Andonecouldcutaprettyenoughscarfoutofarainbow.”

“Sheisfarbetterassheis,”concludedAdele,aftermusingsometime:“besides,shewouldgettiredoflivingwithonlyyouinthemoon.IfIwere

mademoiselle,Iwouldneverconsenttogowithyou.”“Shehasconsented:shehaspledgedherword.”

“Butyoucan’tgetherthere;thereisnoroadtothemoon:itisallair;andneitheryounorshecanfly.”

“Adele,lookatthatfield.”WewerenowoutsideThornfieldgates,andbowlinglightlyalongthesmoothroadtoMillcote,wherethedustwaswelllaidbythethunderstorm,and,wherethelowhedgesandloftytimbertreesoneachsideglistenedgreenandrain-refreshed.

“Inthatfield,Adele,Iwaswalkinglateoneeveningaboutafortnightsince—theeveningofthedayyouhelpedmetomakehayintheorchardmeadows;and,asIwastiredwithrakingswaths,Isatdowntorestmeonastile;andthereItookoutalittlebookandapencil,andbegantowriteaboutamisfortunethatbefellmelongago,andawishIhadforhappydaystocome:Iwaswritingawayveryfast,thoughdaylightwasfadingfromtheleaf,whensomethingcameupthepathandstoppedtwoyardsoffme.Ilookedatit.Itwas

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alittlethingwithaveilofgossameronitshead.Ibeckonedittocomenearme;itstoodsoonatmyknee.Ineverspoketoit,anditneverspoketome,inwords;butIreaditseyes,anditreadmine;andourspeechlesscolloquywastothiseffect-

“Itwasafairy,andcomefromElf-land,itsaid;anditserrandwastomakemehappy:Imustgowithitoutofthecommonworldtoalonelyplace—suchasthemoon,forinstance—anditnoddeditsheadtowardsherhorn,risingoverHay-hill:ittoldmeofthealabastercaveandsilvervalewherewemightlive.IsaidIshouldliketogo;butremindedit,asyoudidme,thatIhadnowingstofly.

“’Oh,’returnedthefairy,‘thatdoesnotsignify!Hereisatalismanwillremovealldifficulties;’andsheheldoutaprettygoldring.‘Putit,’shesaid,‘onthe