Jane Eyre - Page 259/412

"Well," said Mr. Rochester, gazing inquiringly into my eyes, "how is

my Janet now?"

"The night is serene, sir; and so am I."

"And you will not dream of separation and sorrow to-night; but of

happy love and blissful union."

This prediction was but half fulfilled: I did not indeed dream of

sorrow, but as little did I dream of joy; for I never slept at all.

With little Adele in my arms, I watched the slumber of childhood--so

tranquil, so passionless, so innocent--and waited for the coming

day: all my life was awake and astir in my frame: and as soon as

the sun rose I rose too. I remember Adele clung to me as I left

her: I remember I kissed her as I loosened her little hands from my

neck; and I cried over her with strange emotion, and quitted her

because I feared my sobs would break her still sound repose. She

seemed the emblem of my past life; and he I was now to array myself

to meet, the dread, but adored, type of my unknown future day.