Jane Eyre | Page 360

CHAPTER XXV 360
" The creature of an over-stimulated brain ; that is certain . I must be careful of you , my treasure : nerves like yours were not made for rough handling ."
" Sir , depend on it , my nerves were not in fault ; the thing was real : the transaction actually took place ."
" And your previous dreams , were they real too ? Is Thornfield Hall a ruin ? Am I severed from you by insuperable obstacles ? Am I leaving you without a tear -- without a kiss -- without a word ?"
" Not yet ."
" Am I about to do it ? Why , the day is already commenced which is to bind us indissolubly ; and when we are once united , there shall be no recurrence of these mental terrors : I guarantee that ."
" Mental terrors , sir ! I wish I could believe them to be only such : I wish it more now than ever ; since even you cannot explain to me the mystery of that awful visitant ."
" And since I cannot do it , Jane , it must have been unreal ."
" But , sir , when I said so to myself on rising this morning , and when I looked round the room to gather courage and comfort from the cheerful aspect of each familiar object in full daylight , there -- on the carpet -- I saw what gave the distinct lie to my hypothesis , -- the veil , torn from top to bottom in two halves !"
I felt Mr . Rochester start and shudder ; he hastily flung his arms round me . " Thank God !" he exclaimed , " that if anything malignant did come near you last night , it was only the veil that was harmed . Oh , to think what might have happened !"
He drew his breath short , and strained me so close to him , I could scarcely pant . After some minutes ' silence , he continued , cheerily -