CHAPTER XXIII 320
with what I delight in,-- with an original, a vigorous, an expanded mind. I have known you, Mr. Rochester; and it strikes me with terror and anguish to feel I absolutely must be torn from you for ever. I see the necessity of departure; and it is like looking on the necessity of death."
" Where do you see the necessity?" he asked suddenly. " Where? You, sir, have placed it before me." " In what shape?" " In the shape of Miss Ingram; a noble and beautiful woman,-- your bride." " My bride! What bride? I have no bride!" " But you will have." " Yes;-- I will!-- I will!" He set his teeth. " Then I must go:- you have said it yourself." " No: you must stay! I swear it-- and the oath shall be kept."
" I tell you I must go!" I retorted, roused to something like passion. " Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do you think I am an automaton?-- a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!-- I have as much soul as you,-- and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh;-- it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God ' s feet, equal,-- as we are!"