CHAPTER XXIII 316
" And though I don ' t comprehend how it is , I perceive you have acquired a degree of regard for that foolish little child Adele , too ; and even for simple dame Fairfax ?"
" Yes , sir ; in different ways , I have an affection for both ." " And would be sorry to part with them ?" " Yes ."
" Pity !" he said , and sighed and paused . " It is always the way of events in this life ," he continued presently : " no sooner have you got settled in a pleasant resting-place , than a voice calls out to you to rise and move on , for the hour of repose is expired ."
" Must I move on , sir ?" I asked . " Must I leave Thornfield ?" " I believe you must , Jane . I am sorry , Janet , but I believe indeed you must ." This was a blow : but I did not let it prostrate me . " Well , sir , I shall be ready when the order to march comes ." " It is come now -- I must give it to-night ." " Then you ARE going to be married , sir ?"
" Ex-act-ly -- pre-cise-ly : with your usual acuteness , you have hit the nail straight on the head ."
" Soon , sir ?"
" Very soon , my -- that is , Miss Eyre : and you ' ll remember , Jane , the first time I , or Rumour , plainly intimated to you that it was my intention to put my old bachelor ' s neck into the sacred noose , to enter into the holy estate of matrimony -- to take Miss Ingram to my bosom , in short ( she ' s an extensive