In listening I let out a little sob. He stared at me.

"I wish I'd never come to Thornfield!" I exclaimed, in tears.

"Because you are sorry to leave it?" he asked.

"I love Thornfield," I cried, "but I see that I must go."

"Why?" he asked suddenly.

"Because Miss Ingramyourbridewill not want me here."

"My bride! What bride? I have no bride!"

"But you will have."

"YesI will! I will!" He set his teeth as he spoke.

"Then I must goyou said it yourself."

"No! You must stay! I swear itand the oath shall be kept."

"I tell you I must go!" I cried. "Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do you think, because I am poor, that I have no heart?"

"No,Jane," he said quietly, taking me in his arms, pressing his lips on my lips. "I know that you have a heart."

"Let me go!" I cried.

I pulled myself away and stood before him. He looked up at me.

"Jane," he said, "I offer you my hand, my heart, and a share of all I own."

"You are joking with me!" I cried.

"No, Jane," he answered, looking at me gently and seriously. "It is only you I intend to marry."

I was silent. I thought he mocked me.

"Come, Janecome here."

"Your bride stands between us," I replied.

He rose, and with a stride reached me.

"My bride is here," he said, again drawing me to him. "Jane, will you marry me? Say yes, quickly."

ТРЕК 12_03

"Mr. Rochester, let me look at your face. Turn to the moonlight."

He did so. I looked into his eyes and, in that moment, I saw that he meant what he said.

"Do you truly love me?" I asked. "Do you really wish me to be your wife?"

"I do. I swear it."

"Then, sir, I will marry you."

He gave a long, deep sigh, and we sat together on the bench. We stayed there a long time, while he spoke softly in my ear, his cheek laid on mine. And then, with a start, I realized that we were all in shadow. The moon was not yet set, but I could scarcely see my master's face, though I was sat close by him. The tree was writhing and groaning, while a wind roared in the laurel walk and came sweeping and gusting over us.

"There will be a storm," said Mr. Rochester. "We must go in."

"Tell me one thing," I said. "Why did you take such pains to make me think you wished to marry Miss Ingram when you had no intention of doing so?"

"Because I wished to make you as madly in love with me as I was with you, from the moment I first saw you in the lane. I knew that jealousy could best help me do that. Were you jealous, Jane?"

Before I could answer a livid, vivid spark leapt out of a cloud at which I was looking. There was a crack, a crash, and a close rattling of thunder. The rain rushed down. Mr. Rochester hurried me up the walk, through the grounds, and into the house; but we were quite wet before we entered the hall.

"Hasten to take off your wet things," he said. "And before you go, good-nightgood-night, my darling!"

He kissed me, and then I ran upstairs.

Before I left my bed in the morning Adele came running in to tell me that the great horse-chestnut at the bottom of the orchard had been struck by lightning in the night. It had been struck with such force that half of it had been split away.

ТРЕК 13_01

Chapter 13

Wedding Day

A month passed, such a month of joy and happiness as I had never known. And then it was my wedding day.

Sophie came at seven to dress me. She took so long that Mr. Rochester sent up to ask why I did not come. "Jane!" I heard him call, and I hastened down. He met me at the foot of the stairs, and led me into the dining-room.

"I'll give you ten minutes to eat some breakfast," he said.

He rang the bell. A footman answered it.

"IsJohn getting the carriage ready?" asked Mr. Rochester.

"Yes, sir."

"Go to the church. See if Mr. Wood (the clergyman) is there and return and tell me."

The church was just beyond the gates; the footman soon returned.

"Mr. Wood is in the vestry, sir."

"And the carriage?"

"The horses are being harnessed."

"We shall not want it to go to church; but it must be ready the moment we return: all the boxes and luggage strapped on, and the coachman in his seat."

"Yes, sir."

"Jane, are you ready?"