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,…

‘Now, Jane, that is all.’ ‘All the preface, sir; the tale is yet to come. On waking, a gleam dazzled my eyes; I thought—Oh, it is daylight! But I was mistaken; it was only candlelight. Sophie, I supposed, had come in. There was a…

‘And these dreams weigh on your spirits now, Jane, when I am close to you? Little nervous subject! Forget visionary woe, and think only of real happiness! You say you love me, Janet: yes—I will not forget that; and you cannot deny it. THOSE…

‘Take a seat and bear me company, Jane: please God, it is the last meal but one you will eat at Thornfield Hall for a long time.’ I sat down near him, but told him I could not eat. ‘Is it because you have…

‘I wish he would come! I wish he would come!’ I exclaimed, seized with hypochondriac foreboding. I had expected his arrival before tea; now it was dark: what could keep him? Had an accident happened? The event of last night again recurred to me.…