CHAPTER XXIII 322
hour: in listening to it, I again wept. Mr. Rochester sat quiet, looking at me gently and seriously. Some time passed before he spoke; he at last said-
" Come to my side, Jane, and let us explain and understand one another."
" I will never again come to your side: I am torn away now, and cannot return."
" But, Jane, I summon you as my wife: it is you only I intend to marry." I was silent: I thought he mocked me. " Come, Jane-- come hither." " Your bride stands between us." He rose, and with a stride reached me.
" My bride is here," he said, again drawing me to him, " because my equal is here, and my likeness. Jane, will you marry me?"
Still I did not answer, and still I writhed myself from his grasp: for I was still incredulous.
" Do you doubt me, Jane?" " Entirely." " You have no faith in me?" " Not a whit."
" Am I a liar in your eyes?" he asked passionately. " Little sceptic, you SHALL be convinced. What love have I for Miss Ingram? None: and that you know. What love has she for me? None: as I have taken pains to prove: I caused a rumour to reach her that my fortune was not a third of what was