CHAPTER XIX 251
" You have seen love: have you not?-- and, looking forward, you have seen him married, and beheld his bride happy?"
" Humph! Not exactly. Your witch ' s skill is rather at fault sometimes." " What the devil have you seen, then?"
" Never mind: I came here to inquire, not to confess. Is it known that Mr. Rochester is to be married?"
" Yes; and to the beautiful Miss Ingram." " Shortly?"
" Appearances would warrant that conclusion: and, no doubt( though, with an audacity that wants chastising out of you, you seem to question it), they will be a superlatively happy pair. He must love such a handsome, noble, witty, accomplished lady; and probably she loves him, or, if not his person, at least his purse. I know she considers the Rochester estate eligible to the last degree; though( God pardon me!) I told her something on that point about an hour ago which made her look wondrous grave: the corners of her mouth fell half an inch. I would advise her blackaviced suitor to look out: if another comes, with a longer or clearer rent-roll,-- he ' s dished-- "
" But, mother, I did not come to hear Mr. Rochester ' s fortune: I came to hear my own; and you have told me nothing of it."
" Your fortune is yet doubtful: when I examined your face, one trait contradicted another. Chance has meted you a measure of happiness: that I know. I knew it before I came here this evening. She has laid it carefully on one side for you. I saw her do it. It depends on yourself to stretch out your hand, and take it up: but whether you will do so, is the problem I study. Kneel again on the rug."
" Don ' t keep me long; the fire scorches me."