CHAPTER XXVI 370
is now , with his quivering limbs and white cheeks , showing you what a stout heart men may bear . Cheer up , Dick ! -- never fear me ! -- I ' d almost as soon strike a woman as you . Bertha Mason is mad ; and she came of a mad family ; idiots and maniacs through three generations ! Her mother , the Creole , was both a madwoman and a drunkard ! -- as I found out after I had wed the daughter : for they were silent on family secrets before . Bertha , like a dutiful child , copied her parent in both points . I had a charming partner -- pure , wise , modest : you can fancy I was a happy man . I went through rich scenes ! Oh ! my experience has been heavenly , if you only knew it ! But I owe you no further explanation . Briggs , Wood , Mason , I invite you all to come up to the house and visit Mrs . Poole ' s patient , and MY WIFE ! You shall see what sort of a being I was cheated into espousing , and judge whether or not I had a right to break the compact , and seek sympathy with something at least human . This girl ," he continued , looking at me , " knew no more than you , Wood , of the disgusting secret : she thought all was fair and legal and never dreamt she was going to be entrapped into a feigned union with a defrauded wretch , already bound to a bad , mad , and embruted partner ! Come all of you -- follow !"
Still holding me fast , he left the church : the three gentlemen came after . At the front door of the hall we found the carriage .
" Take it back to the coach-house , John ," said Mr . Rochester coolly ; " it will not be wanted to-day ."
At our entrance , Mrs . Fairfax , Adele , Sophie , Leah , advanced to meet and greet us .
" To the right-about -- every soul !" cried the master ; " away with your congratulations ! Who wants them ? Not I ! -- they are fifteen years too late !"
He passed on and ascended the stairs , still holding my hand , and still beckoning the gentlemen to follow him , which they did . We mounted the first staircase , passed up the gallery , proceeded to the third storey : the low , black door , opened by Mr . Rochester ' s master-key , admitted us to the tapestried room , with its great bed and its pictorial cabinet .