Some time in the afternoon I raised my head, and looking round and seeing the western sun gilding the sign of its decline on the wall, I asked, ‘What am I to do?’ But the answer my mind gave—‘Leave Thornfield at once’—was so prompt,…

‘Be not far from me, for trouble is near: there is none to help.’ It was near: and as I had lifted no petition to Heaven to avert itas I had neither joined my hands, nor bent my knees, nor moved my lips—it came:…

The morning had been a quiet morning enough—all except the brief scene with the lunatic: the transaction in the church had not been noisy; there was no explosion of passion, no loud altercation, no dispute, no defiance or challenge, no tears, no sobs: a…

‘That is MY WIFE,’ said he. ‘Such is the sole conjugal embrace I am ever to know—such are the endearments which are to solace my leisure hours! And THIS is what I wished to have’ (laying his hand on my shoulder): ‘this young girl,…

Still holding me fast, he left the church: the three gentlemen came after. At the front door of the hall we found the carriage.‘Take it back to the coach-house, John,’ said Mr. Rochester coolly; ‘it will not be wanted to-day.’ At our entrance, Mrs.…

‘I will produce him first—he is on the spot. Mr. Mason, have the goodness to step forward.’ Mr. Rochester, on hearing the name, set his teeth; he experienced, too, a sort of strong convulsive quiver; near to him as I was, I felt the…

‘I cannot proceed without some investigation into what has been asserted, and evidence of its truth or falsehood.’ ‘The ceremony is quite broken off,’ subjoined the voice behind us. ‘I am in a condition to prove my allegation: an insuperable impediment to this marriage…

Sophie came at seven to dress me: she was very long indeed in accomplishing her task; so long that Mr. Rochester, grown, I suppose, impatient of my delay, sent up to ask why I did not come. She was just fastening my veil (the…

I reflected, and in truth it appeared to me the only possible one: satisfied I was not, but to please him I endeavoured to appear so— relieved, I certainly did feel; so I answered him with a contented smile. And now, as it was…

‘Afterwards?’ ‘It drew aside the window-curtain and looked out; perhaps it saw dawn approaching, for, taking the candle, it retreated to the door. Just at my bedside, the figure stopped: the fiery eyes glared upon me—she thrust up her candle close to my face,…