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