"Yes, Jane."
I rang the bell and ordered away the tray. When we were again
alone, I stirred the fire, and then took a low seat at my master's
knee.
"It is near midnight," I said.
"Yes: but remember, Jane, you promised to wake with me the night
before my wedding."
"I did; and I will keep my promise, for an hour or two at least: I
have no wish to go to bed."
"Are all your arrangements complete?"
"All, sir."
"And on my part likewise," he returned, "I have settled everything;
and we shall leave Thornfield to-morrow, within half-an-hour after
our return from church."
"Very well, sir."
"With what an extraordinary smile you uttered that word--'very
well,' Jane! What a bright spot of colour you have on each cheek!
and how strangely your eyes glitter! Are you well?"
"I believe I am."
"Believe! What is the matter? Tell me what you feel."
"I could not, sir: no words could tell you what I feel. I wish
this present hour would never end: who knows with what fate the
next may come charged?"
"This is hypochondria, Jane. You have been over-excited, or over-
fatigued."
"Do you, sir, feel calm and happy?"
"Calm?--no: but happy--to the heart's core."
I looked up at him to read the signs of bliss in his face: it was
ardent and flushed.
"Give me your confidence, Jane," he said: "relieve your mind of any
weight that oppresses it, by imparting it to me. What do you fear?-
-that I shall not prove a good husband?"
"It is the idea farthest from my thoughts."
"Are you apprehensive of the new sphere you are about to enter?--of
the new life into which you are passing?"
"No."
"You puzzle me, Jane: your look and tone of sorrowful audacity
perplex and pain me. I want an explanation."
"Then, sir, listen. You were from home last night?"
"I was: I know that; and you hinted a while ago at something which
had happened in my absence:- nothing, probably, of consequence; but,
in short, it has disturbed you. Let me hear it. Mrs. Fairfax has
said something, perhaps? or you have overheard the servants talk?--
your sensitive self-respect has been wounded?"
"No, sir." It struck twelve--I waited till the time-piece had
concluded its silver chime, and the clock its hoarse, vibritting
stroke, and then I proceeded.