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