CHAPTER XXIV 327
" Where is he?"
" In there," pointing to the apartment she had left; and I went in, and there he stood.
" Come and bid me good-morning," said he. I gladly advanced; and it was not merely a cold word now, or even a shake of the hand that I received, but an embrace and a kiss. It seemed natural: it seemed genial to be so well loved, so caressed by him.
" Jane, you look blooming, and smiling, and pretty," said he: " truly pretty this morning. Is this my pale, little elf? Is this my mustard-seed? This little sunny-faced girl with the dimpled cheek and rosy lips; the satin-smooth hazel hair, and the radiant hazel eyes?"( I had green eyes, reader; but you must excuse the mistake: for him they were new-dyed, I suppose.)
" It is Jane Eyre, sir."
" Soon to be Jane Rochester," he added: " in four weeks, Janet; not a day more. Do you hear that?"
I did, and I could not quite comprehend it: it made me giddy. The feeling, the announcement sent through me, was something stronger than was consistent with joy-- something that smote and stunned. It was, I think almost fear.
" You blushed, and now you are white, Jane: what is that for?"
" Because you gave me a new name-- Jane Rochester; and it seems so strange."
" Yes, Mrs. Rochester," said he; " young Mrs. Rochester-- Fairfax Rochester ' s girl-bride."
" It can never be, sir; it does not sound likely. Human beings never enjoy complete happiness in this world. I was not born for a different destiny to