CHAPTER XXVI 364
The church , as the reader knows , was but just beyond the gates ; the footman soon returned .
" Mr . Wood is in the vestry , sir , putting on his surplice ." " And the carriage ?" " The horses are harnessing ."
" We shall not want it to go to church ; but it must be ready the moment we return : all the boxes and luggage arranged and strapped on , and the coachman in his seat ."
" Yes , sir ." " Jane , are you ready ?"
I rose . There were no groomsmen , no bridesmaids , no relatives to wait for or marshal : none but Mr . Rochester and I . Mrs . Fairfax stood in the hall as we passed . I would fain have spoken to her , but my hand was held by a grasp of iron : I was hurried along by a stride I could hardly follow ; and to look at Mr . Rochester ' s face was to feel that not a second of delay would be tolerated for any purpose . I wonder what other bridegroom ever looked as he did -- so bent up to a purpose , so grimly resolute : or who , under such steadfast brows , ever revealed such flaming and flashing eyes .
I know not whether the day was fair or foul ; in descending the drive , I gazed neither on sky nor earth : my heart was with my eyes ; and both seemed migrated into Mr . Rochester ' s frame . I wanted to see the invisible thing on which , as we went along , he appeared to fasten a glance fierce and fell . I wanted to feel the thoughts whose force he seemed breasting and resisting .
At the churchyard wicket he stopped : he discovered I was quite out of breath . " Am I cruel in my love ?" he said . " Delay an instant : lean on me , Jane ."