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 ."