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."