CHAPTER XXV 352
" Rather : but I ' ll tell you all about it by-and-bye , sir ; and I daresay you will only laugh at me for my pains ."
" I ' ll laugh at you heartily when to-morrow is past ; till then I dare not : my prize is not certain . This is you , who have been as slippery as an eel this last month , and as thorny as a briar-rose ? I could not lay a finger anywhere but I was pricked ; and now I seem to have gathered up a stray lamb in my arms . You wandered out of the fold to seek your shepherd , did you , Jane ?"
" I wanted you : but don ' t boast . Here we are at Thornfield : now let me get down ."
He landed me on the pavement . As John took his horse , and he followed me into the hall , he told me to make haste and put something dry on , and then return to him in the library ; and he stopped me , as I made for the staircase , to extort a promise that I would not be long : nor was I long ; in five minutes I rejoined him . I found him at supper .
" Take a seat and bear me company , Jane : please God , it is the last meal but one you will eat at Thornfield Hall for a long time ."
I sat down near him , but told him I could not eat . " Is it because you have the prospect of a journey before you , Jane ? Is it the thoughts of going to London that takes away your appetite ?"
" I cannot see my prospects clearly to-night , sir ; and I hardly know what thoughts I have in my head . Everything in life seems unreal ."
" Except me : I am substantial enough -- touch me ." " You , sir , are the most phantom-like of all : you are a mere dream ."
He held out his hand , laughing . " Is that a dream ?" said he , placing it close to my eyes . He had a rounded , muscular , and vigorous hand , as well as a long , strong arm .