\'Iwasthinking，sir（youwillexcusetheidea;itwasinvoluntary），IwasthinkingofHerculesandSamsonwiththeircharmers—\'
\'Youwere，youlittleelfish—\'
\'Hush，sir！Youdon\'ttalkverywiselyjustnow;anymorethanthosegentlemenactedverywisely。However，hadtheybeenmarried，theywouldnodoubtbytheirseverityashusbandshavemadeupfortheirsoftnessassuitors;andsowillyou，Ifear。Iwonderhowyouwillanswermeayearhence，shouldIaskafavouritdoesnotsuityourconvenienceorpleasuretogrant。\'
\'Askmesomethingnow，Janet—theleastthing:Idesiretobeentreated—\'
\'IndeedIwillsir;Ihavemypetitionallready。\'
\'Speak！Butifyoulookupandsmilewiththatcountenance，IshallswearconcessionbeforeIknowtowhat，andthatwillmakeafoolofme。\'
\'Notatall，sir;Iaskonlythis:don\'tsendforthejewels，anddon\'tcrownmewithroses:youmightaswellputaborderofgoldlaceroundthatplainpocket—handkerchiefyouhavethere。\'
\'Imightaswell\"gildrefinedgold。\"Iknowit:yourrequestisgrantedthen—forthetime。IwillremandtheorderIdespatchedtomybanker。Butyouhavenotyetaskedforanything;youhaveprayedagifttobewithdrawn:tryagain。\'
\'Well，then，sir，havethegoodnesstogratifymycuriosity，whichismuchpiquedononepoint。\'
Helookeddisturbed。\'What？what？\'hesaidhastily。\'Curiosityisadangerouspetition:itiswellIhavenottakenavowtoaccordeveryrequest—\'
\'Buttherecanbenodangerincomplyingwiththis，sir。\'
\'Utterit，Jane:butIwishthatinsteadofamereinquiryinto，perhaps，asecret，itwasawishforhalfmyestate。\'
\'Now，KingAhasuerus！WhatdoIwantwithhalfyourestate？
DoyouthinkIamaJew—usurer，seekinggoodinvestmentinland？I
wouldmuchratherhaveallyourconfidence。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，\"ablue—piledthunderloft。\"Thatwillbeyourmarriedlook，sir，I
suppose？\'
\'Ifthatwillbeyourmarriedlook，I，asaChristian，willsoongiveupthenotionofconsortingwithamerespriteorsalamander。Butwhathadyoutoask，thing，—outwithit？\'
\'There，youarelessthancivilnow;andIlikerudenessagreatdealbetterthanflattery。Ihadratherbeathingthananangel。ThisiswhatIhavetoask，—WhydidyoutakesuchpainstomakemebelieveyouwishedtomarryMissIngram？\'
\'Isthatall？ThankGoditisnoworse！\'Andnowheunknithisblackbrows;lookeddown，smilingatme，andstrokedmyhair，asifwellpleasedatseeingadangeraverted。\'IthinkImayconfess，\'hecontinued，\'evenalthoughIshouldmakeyoualittleindignant，Jane—andIhaveseenwhatafire—spirityoucanbewhenyouareindignant。Youglowedinthecoolmoonlightlastnight，whenyoumutiniedagainstfate，andclaimedyourrankasmyequal。Janet，bythebye，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。DoyouthinkMissIngramwillnotsufferfromyourdishonestcoquetry？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。I
lovedhimverymuch—morethanIcouldtrustmyselftosay—morethanwordshadpowertoexpress。
\'Asksomethingmore，\'hesaidpresently;\'itismydelighttobeentreated，andtoyield。\'
Iwasagainreadywithmyrequest。\'CommunicateyourintentionstoMrs。Fairfax，sir:shesawmewithyoulastnightinthehall，andshewasshocked。GivehersomeexplanationbeforeIseeheragain。
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。TheoldladyhadbeenreadinghermorningportionofScripture—theLessonfortheday;herBiblelayopenbeforeher，andherspectacleswereuponit。Heroccupation，suspendedbyMr。Rochester\'sannouncement，seemednowforgotten:hereyes，fixedontheblankwallopposite，expressedthesurpriseofaquietmindstirredbyunwontedtidings。Seeingme，sherousedherself:shemadeasortofefforttosmile，andframedafewwordsofcongratulation;butthesmileexpired，andthesentencewasabandonedunfinished。Sheputupherspectacles，shuttheBible，andpushedherchairbackfromthetable。
\'Ifeelsoastonished，\'shebegan，\'Ihardlyknowwhattosaytoyou，MissEyre。Ihavesurelynotbeendreaming，haveI？SometimesI
halffallasleepwhenIamsittingaloneandfancythingsthathaveneverhappened。IthasseemedtomemorethanoncewhenIhavebeeninadoze，thatmydearhusband，whodiedfifteenyearssince，hascomeinandsatdownbesideme;andthatIhaveevenheardhimcallmebymyname，Alice，asheusedtodo。Now，canyoutellmewhetheritisactuallytruethatMr。Rochesterhasaskedyoutomarryhim？Don\'tlaughatme。ButIreallythoughthecameinherefiveminutesago，andsaidthatinamonthyouwouldbehiswife。\'
\'Hehassaidthesamethingtome，\'Ireplied。
\'Hehas！Doyoubelievehim？Haveyouacceptedhim？\'
\'Yes。\'
Shelookedatmebewildered。
\'Icouldneverhavethoughtit。Heisaproudman:alltheRochesterswereproud:andhisfather，atleast，likedmoney。He，too，hasalwaysbeencalledcareful。Hemeanstomarryyou？\'
\'Hetellsmeso。\'
Shesurveyedmywholeperson:inhereyesIreadthattheyhadtherefoundnocharmpowerfulenoughtosolvetheenigma。
\'Itpassesme！\'shecontinued;\'butnodoubtitistruesinceyousayso。Howitwillanswer，Icannottell:Ireallydon\'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\"allisnotgoldthatglitters\";andinthiscaseIdofeartherewillbesomethingfoundtobedifferenttowhateitheryouorIexpect。\'
\'Why？—amIamonster？\'Isaid:\'isitimpossiblethatMr。
Rochestershouldhaveasincereaffectionforme？\'
\'No:youareverywell;andmuchimprovedoflate;andMr。
Rochester，Idaresay，isfondofyou。Ihavealwaysnoticedthatyouwereasortofpetofhis。Therearetimeswhen，foryoursake，Ihavebeenalittleuneasyathismarkedpreference，andhavewishedtoputyouonyourguard:butIdidnotliketosuggesteventhepossibilityofwrong。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。Beghimtoletmego，mademoiselle。\'
\'ThatIwill，Adele\';andIhastenedawaywithher，gladtoquitmygloomymonitress。Thecarriagewasready:theywerebringingitroundtothefront，andmymasterwaspacingthepavement，Pilotfollowinghimbackwardsandforwards。
\'Adelemayaccompanyus，mayshenot，sir？\'
\'Itoldherno。I\'llhavenobrats！—I\'llhaveonlyyou。\'
\'Dolethergo，Mr。Rochester，ifyouplease:itwouldbebetter。\'
\'Notit:shewillbearestraint。\'
Hewasquiteperemptory，bothinlookandvoice。ThechillofMrs。Fairfax\'swarnings，andthedampofherdoubtswereuponme:
somethingofunsubstantialityanduncertaintyhadbesetmyhopes。I
halflostthesenseofpoweroverhim。Iwasaboutmechanicallytoobeyhim，withoutfurtherremonstrance;butashehelpedmeintothecarriage，helookedatmyface。
\'Whatisthematter？\'heasked;\'allthesunshineisgone。
Doyoureallywishthebairntogo？Willitannoyyouifsheisleftbehind？\'
\'Iwouldfarrathershewent，sir。\'
\'Thenoffforyourbonnet，andbacklikeaflashoflightning！\'
criedhetoAdele。
Sheobeyedhimwithwhatspeedshemight。
\'Afterall，asinglemorning\'sinterruptionwillnotmattermuch，\'saidhe，\'whenImeanshortlytoclaimyou—yourthoughts，conversation，andcompany—forlife。\'
Adele，whenliftedin，commencedkissingme，bywayofexpressinghergratitudeformyintercession:shewasinstantlystowedawayintoacornerontheothersideofhim。ShethenpeepedroundtowhereIsat;sosternaneighbourwastoorestrictive;tohim，inhispresentfractiousmood，shedaredwhispernoobservations，noraskofhimanyinformation。
\'Lethercometome，\'Ientreated:\'shewill，perhaps，troubleyou，sir:thereisplentyofroomonthisside。\'
Hehandedheroverasifshehadbeenalapdog。\'I\'llsendhertoschoolyet，\'hesaid，butnowhewassmiling。
Adeleheardhim，andaskedifshewastogotoschool\'sansmademoiselle？\'
\'Yes，\'hereplied，\'absolutelysansmademoiselle;forI
amtotakemademoiselletothemoon，andthereIshallseekacaveinoneofthewhitevalleysamongthevolcano—tops，andmademoiselleshalllivewithmethere，andonlyme。\'
\'Shewillhavenothingtoeat:youwillstarveher，\'observedAdele。
\'Ishallgathermannaforhermorningandnight:theplainsandhillsidesinthemoonarebleachedwithmanna，Adele。\'
\'Shewillwanttowarmherself:whatwillshedoforafire？\'
\'Firerisesoutofthelunarmountains:whensheiscold，I\'llcarryheruptoapeak，andlayherdownontheedgeofacrater。\'
\'Oh，qu\'elleyseramal—peucomfortable！Andherclothes，theywillwearout:howcanshegetnewones？\'
Mr。Rochesterprofessedtobepuzzled。\'Hem！\'saidhe。
\'Whatwouldyoudo，Adele？Cudgelyourbrainsforanexpedient。Howwouldawhiteorapinkcloudanswerforagown，doyouthink？Andonecouldcutaprettyenoughscarfoutofarainbow。\'
\'Sheisfarbetterassheis，\'concludedAdele，aftermusingsometime:\'besides，shewouldgettiredoflivingwithonlyyouinthemoon。IfIweremademoiselle，Iwouldneverconsenttogowithyou。\'
\'Shehasconsented:shehaspledgedherword。\'
\'Butyoucan\'tgetherthere;thereisnoroadtothemoon:
itisallair;andneitheryounorshecanfly。\'
\'Adele，lookatthatfield。\'WewerenowoutsideThornfieldgates，andbowlinglightlyalongthesmoothroadtoMillcote，wherethedustwaswelllaidbythethunderstorm，andwherethelowhedgesandloftytimbertreesoneachsideglistenedgreenandrain—refreshed。
\'Inthatfield，Adele，Iwaswalkinglateoneeveningaboutafortnightsince—theeveningofthedayyouhelpedmetomakehayintheorchardmeadows;andasIwastiredwithrakingswaths，Isatdowntorestmeonastile;andthereItookoutalittlebookandapencil，andbegantowriteaboutamisfortunethatbefellmelongago，andawishIhadforhappydaystocome:Iwaswritingawayveryfast，thoughdaylightwasfadingfromtheleaf，whensomethingcameupthepathandstoppedtwoyardsoffme。Ilookedatit。Itwasalittlethingwithaveilofgossameronitshead。Ibeckonedittocomenearme;itstoodsoonatmyknee。Ineverspoketoit，anditneverspoketome，inwords;butIreaditseyes，anditreadmine;andourspeechlesscolloquywastothiseffect—
\'Itwasafairy，andcomefromElf—land，itsaid;anditserrandwastomakemehappy:Imustgowithitoutofthecommonworldtoalonelyplace—suchasthemoon，forinstance—anditnoddeditsheadtowardsherhorn，risingoverHayhill:ittoldmeofthealabastercaveandsilvervalewherewemightlive。IsaidIshouldliketogo;butremindedit，asyoudidme，thatIhadnowingstofly。
\'\"Oh，\"returnedthefairy，\"thatdoesnotsignify！Hereisatalismanwillremovealldifficulties\";andsheheldoutaprettygoldring。\"Putit，\"shesaid，\"onthefourthfingerofmylefthand，andI
amyours，andyouaremine;andweshallleaveearth，andmakeourownheavenyonder。\"Shenoddedagainatthemoon。Thering，Adele，isinmybreeches—pocket，underthedisguiseofasovereign:butImeansoontochangeittoaringagain。\'
\'Butwhathasmademoiselletodowithit？Idon\'tcareforthefairy:yousaiditwasmademoiselleyouwouldtaketothemoon？\'
\'Mademoiselleisafairy，\'hesaid，whisperingmysteriously。
WhereuponItoldhernottomindhisbadinage;andshe，onherpart，evincedafundofgenuineFrenchscepticism:denominatingMr。
Rochester\'unvraimenteur，\'andassuringhimthatshemadenoaccountwhateverofhis\'contesdefee，\'andthat\'dureste，iln\'yavaitpasdefees，etquandmemeilyenavait\':shewassuretheywouldneverappeartohim，norevergivehimrings，oroffertolivewithhiminthemoon。
ThehourspentatMillcotewasasomewhatharassingonetome。
Mr。Rochesterobligedmetogotoacertainsilkwarehouse:thereI
wasorderedtochoosehalfadozendresses。Ihatedthebusiness，I
beggedleavetodeferit:no—itshouldbegonethroughwithnow。Bydintofentreatiesexpressedinenergeticwhispers，Ireducedthehalf—dozentotwo:these，however，hevowedhewouldselecthimself。
WithanxietyIwatchedhiseyeroveoverthegaystores:hefixedonarichsilkofthemostbrilliantamethystdye，andasuperbpinksatin。
Itoldhiminanewseriesofwhispers，thathemightaswellbuymeagoldgownandasilverbonnetatonce:Ishouldcertainlyneverventuretowearhischoice。Withinfinitedifficulty，forhewasstubbornasastone，Ipersuadedhimtomakeanexchangeinfavourofasoberblacksatinandpearl—greysilk。\'Itmightpassforthepresent，\'hesaid;\'buthewouldyetseemeglitteringlikeaparterre。\'
GladwasItogethimoutofthesilkwarehouse，andthenoutofajeweller\'sshop:themoreheboughtme，themoremycheekburnedwithasenseofannoyanceanddegradation。Aswere—enteredthecarriage，andIsatbackfeverishandfagged，Irememberedwhat，inthehurryofevents，darkandbright，Ihadwhollyforgotten—theletterofmyuncle，JohnEyre，toMrs。Reed:hisintentiontoadoptmeandmakemehislegatee。\'Itwould，indeed，bearelief，\'Ithought，\'ifIhadeversosmallanindependency;InevercanbearbeingdressedlikeadollbyMr。Rochester，orsittinglikeasecondDanaewiththegoldenshowerfallingdailyroundme。IwillwritetoMadeirathemomentIgethome，andtellmyuncleJohnIamgoingtobemarried，andtowhom:ifIhadbutaprospectofonedaybringingMr。Rochesteranaccessionoffortune，Icouldbetterenduretobekeptbyhimnow。\'Andsomewhatrelievedbythisidea（whichIfailednottoexecutethatday），Iventuredoncemoretomeetmymaster\'sandlover\'seye，whichmostpertinaciouslysoughtmine，thoughIavertedbothfaceandgaze。Hesmiled;andIthoughthissmilewassuchasasultanmight，inablissfulandfondmoment，bestowonaslavehisgoldandgemshadenriched:Icrushedhishand，whichwaseverhuntingmine，vigorously，andthrustitbacktohimredwiththepassionatepressure。
\'Youneednotlookinthatway，\'Isaid;\'ifyoudo，I\'llwearnothingbutmyoldLowoodfrockstotheendofthechapter。I\'llbemarriedinthislilacgingham:youmaymakeadressing—gownforyourselfoutofthepearl—greysilk，andaninfiniteseriesofwaistcoatsoutoftheblacksatin。\'
Hechuckled;herubbedhishands。\'Oh，itisrichtoseeandhearher！\'heexclaimed。\'Issheoriginal？Isshepiquant？IwouldnotexchangethisonelittleEnglishgirlfortheGrandTurk\'swholeseraglio，gazelle—eyes，houriforms，andall！\'
TheEasternallusionbitmeagain。\'I\'llnotstandyouaninchinthesteadofaseraglio，\'Isaid;\'sodon\'tconsidermeanequivalentforone。Ifyouhaveafancyforanythinginthatline，awaywithyou，sir，tothebazaarsofStamboulwithoutdelay，andlayoutinextensiveslave—purchasessomeofthatsparecashyouseematalosstospendsatisfactorilyhere。\'
\'Andwhatwillyoudo，Janet，whileIambargainingforsomanytonsoffleshandsuchanassortmentofblackeyes？\'
\'I\'llbepreparingmyselftogooutasamissionarytopreachlibertytothemthatareenslaved—yourhareminmatesamongsttherest。I\'llgetadmittedthere，andI\'llstirupmutiny;andyou，three—tailedbashawasyouare，sir，shallinatricefindyourselffetteredamongstourhands:norwillI，forone，consenttocutyourbondstillyouhavesignedacharter，themostliberalthatdespoteveryetconferred。\'
\'Iwouldconsenttobeatyourmercy，Jane。\'
\'Iwouldhavenomercy，Mr。Rochester，ifyousupplicatedforitwithaneyelikethat。Whileyoulookedso，Ishouldbecertainthatwhatevercharteryoumightgrantundercoercion，yourfirstact，whenreleased，wouldbetoviolateitsconditions。\'
\'Why，Jane，whatwouldyouhave？Ifearyouwillcompelmetogothroughaprivatemarriageceremony，besidesthatperformedatthealtar。Youwillstipulate，Isee，forpeculiarterms—whatwilltheybe？\'
\'Ionlywantaneasymind，sir;notcrushedbycrowdedobligations。
DoyourememberwhatyousaidofCelineVarens？—ofthediamonds，thecashmeresyougaveher？IwillnotbeyourEnglishCelineVarens。IshallcontinuetoactasAdele\'sgoverness;bythatI
shallearnmyboardandlodging，andthirtypoundsayearbesides。
I\'llfurnishmyownwardrobeoutofthatmoney，andyoushallgivemenothingbut—\'
\'Well，butwhat？\'
\'Yourregard;andifIgiveyoumineinreturn，thatdebtwillbequit。\'
\'Well，forcoolnativeimpudenceandpureinnatepride，youhaven\'tyourequal，\'saidhe。WewerenowapproachingThornfield。\'Willitpleaseyoutodinewithmeto—day？\'heasked，aswere—enteredthegates。
\'No，thankyou，sir。\'
\'Andwhatfor，\"no，thankyou？\"ifonemayinquire。\'
\'Ineverhavedinedwithyou，sir:andIseenoreasonwhyIshouldnow:till—\'
\'Tillwhat？Youdelightinhalf—phrases。\'
\'TillIcan\'thelpit。\'
\'DoyousupposeIeatlikeanogreoraghoul，thatyoudreadbeingthecompanionofmyrepast？\'
\'Ihaveformednosuppositiononthesubject，sir;butIwanttogoonasusualforanothermonth。\'
\'Youwillgiveupyourgovernessingslaveryatonce。\'
\'Indeed，beggingyourpardon，sir，Ishallnot。Ishalljustgoonwithitasusual。Ishallkeepoutofyourwayallday，asIhavebeenaccustomedtodo:youmaysendformeintheevening，whenyoufeeldisposedtoseeme，andI\'llcomethen;butatnoothertime。\'
\'Iwantasmoke，Jane，orapinchofsnuff，tocomfortmeunderallthis，\"pourmedonnerunecontenance，\"asAdelewouldsay;andunfortunatelyIhaveneithermycigar—casenormysnuff—box。Butlisten—whisper。Itisyourtimenow，littletyrant，butitwillbeminepresently;andwhenonceIhavefairlyseizedyou，tohaveandtohold，I\'lljust—figurativelyspeaking—attachyoutoachainlikethis\'（touchinghiswatch—guard）。\'Yes，bonnyweething，I\'llwearyouinmybosom，lestmyjewelIshouldtyne。\'
Hesaidthisashehelpedmetoalightfromthecarriage，andwhileheafterwardsliftedoutAdele，Ienteredthehouse，andmadegoodmyretreatupstairs。
Hedulysummonedmetohispresenceintheevening。Ihadpreparedanoccupationforhim;forIwasdeterminednottospendthewholetimeinatete—a—teteconversation。Irememberedhisfinevoice;Iknewhelikedtosing—goodsingersgenerallydo。Iwasnovocalistmyself，and，inhisfastidiousjudgment，nomusician，either;
butIdelightedinlisteningwhentheperformancewasgood。Nosoonerhadtwilight，thathourofromance，begantolowerherblueandstarrybanneroverthelattice，thanIrose，openedthepiano，andentreatedhim，fortheloveofheaven，togivemeasong。HesaidI
wasacapriciouswitch，andthathewouldrathersinganothertime;
butIaverredthatnotimewaslikethepresent。
\'DidIlikehisvoice？\'heasked。
\'Verymuch。\'Iwasnotfondofpamperingthatsusceptiblevanityofhis;butforonce，andfrommotivesofexpediency，Iwoulde\'ensootheandstimulateit。
\'Then，Jane，youmustplaytheaccompaniment。\'
\'Verywell，sir，Iwilltry。\'
Ididtry，butwaspresentlysweptoffthestoolanddenominated\'alittlebungler。\'Beingpushedunceremoniouslytooneside—whichwaspreciselywhatIwished—heusurpedmyplace，andproceededtoaccompanyhimself:forhecouldplayaswellassing。Ihiedmetothewindow—recess。AndwhileIsatthereandlookedoutonthestilltreesanddimlawn，toasweetairwassunginmellowtonesthefollowingstrain:—
\'ThetruestlovethateverheartFeltatitskindledcore，Didthrougheachvein，inquickenedstart，Thetideofbeingpour。
Hercomingwasmyhopeeachday，Herpartingwasmypain;
ThechancethatdidherstepsdelayWasiceineveryvein。
Idreameditwouldbenamelessbliss，AsIloved，lovedtobe;
AndtothisobjectdidIpressAsblindaseagerly。
ButwideaspathlesswasthespaceThatlayourlivesbetween，AnddangerousasthefoamyraceOfocean—surgesgreen。
Andhauntedasarobber—pathThroughwildernessorwood;
ForMightandRight，andWoeandWrath，Betweenourspiritsstood。
Idangersdared;Ihindrancescorned;
Iomensdiddefy:
Whatevermenaced，harassed，warned，Ipassedimpetuousby。
Onspedmyrainbow，fastaslight;
Iflewasinadream;
ForgloriousroseuponmysightThatchildofShowerandGleam。
StillbrightoncloudsofsufferingdimShinesthatsoft，solemnjoy;
NorcareInow，howdenseandgrimDisastersgathernigh。
Icarenotinthismomentsweet，ThoughallIhaverushedo\'erShouldcomeonpinion，strongandfleet，Proclaimingvengeancesore:
ThoughhaughtyHateshouldstrikemedown，Right，barapproachtome，AndgrindingMight，withfuriousfrown，Swearendlessenmity。
MylovehasplacedherlittlehandWithnoblefaithinmine，Andvowedthatwedlock\'ssacredbandOurnatureshallentwine。
Mylovehassworn，withsealingkiss，Withmetolive—todie;
Ihaveatlastmynamelessbliss:
AsIlove—lovedamI！\'
Heroseandcametowardsme，andIsawhisfaceallkindled，andhisfullfalcon—eyeflashing，andtendernessandpassionineverylineament。Iquailedmomentarily—thenIrallied。Softscene，daringdemonstration，Iwouldnothave;andIstoodinperilofboth:aweaponofdefencemustbeprepared—Iwhettedmytongue:ashereachedme，Iaskedwithasperity，\'whomhewasgoingtomarrynow？\'
\'ThatwasastrangequestiontobeputbyhisdarlingJane。\'
\'Indeed！Iconsidereditaverynaturalandnecessaryone:
hehadtalkedofhisfuturewifedyingwithhim。Whatdidhemeanbysuchapaganidea？Ihadnointentionofdyingwithhim—hemightdependonthat。\'
\'Oh，allhelonged，allheprayedfor，wasthatImightlivewithhim！DeathwasnotforsuchasI。\'
\'Indeeditwas:Ihadasgoodarighttodiewhenmytimecameashehad:butIshouldbidethattime，andnotbehurriedawayinasuttee。\'
\'WouldIforgivehimfortheselfishidea，andprovemypardonbyareconcilingkiss？\'
\'No:Iwouldratherbeexcused。\'
HereIheardmyselfapostrophisedasa\'hardlittlething\';
anditwasadded，\'anyotherwomanwouldhavebeenmeltedtomarrowathearingsuchstanzascroonedinherpraise。\'
IassuredhimIwasnaturallyhard—veryflinty，andthathewouldoftenfindmeso;andthat，moreover，Iwasdeterminedtoshowhimdiversruggedpointsinmycharacterbeforetheensuingfourweekselapsed:heshouldknowfullywhatsortofabargainhehadmade，whiletherewasyettimetorescindit。
\'WouldIbequietandtalkrationally？\'
\'Iwouldbequietifheliked，andastotalkingrationally，I
flatteredmyselfIwasdoingthatnow。\'
Hefretted，pished，andpshawed。\'Verygood，\'Ithought;
\'youmayfumeandfidgetasyouplease:butthisisthebestplantopursuewithyou，Iamcertain。IlikeyoumorethanIcansay;butI\'llnotsinkintoabathosofsentiment:andwiththisneedleofreparteeI\'llkeepyoufromtheedgeofthegulftoo;and，moreover，maintainbyitspungentaidthatdistancebetweenyouandmyselfmostconducivetoourrealmutualadvantage。\'
Fromlesstomore，Iworkedhimuptoconsiderableirritation;
then，afterhehadretired，indudgeon，quitetotheotherendoftheroom，Igotup，andsaying，\'Iwishyougood—night，sir，\'inmynaturalandwontedrespectfulmanner，Islippedoutbytheside—doorandgotaway。