CHAPTER XXVII 378
" Yes , sir ."
" Then tell me so roundly and sharply -- don ' t spare me ."
" I cannot : I am tired and sick . I want some water ." He heaved a sort of shuddering sigh , and taking me in his arms , carried me downstairs . At first I did not know to what room he had borne me ; all was cloudy to my glazed sight : presently I felt the reviving warmth of a fire ; for , summer as it was , I had become icy cold in my chamber . He put wine to my lips ; I tasted it and revived ; then I ate something he offered me , and was soon myself . I was in the library -- sitting in his chair -- he was quite near . " If I could go out of life now , without too sharp a pang , it would be well for me ," I thought ; " then I should not have to make the effort of cracking my heart-strings in rending them from among Mr . Rochester ' s . I must leave him , it appears . I do not want to leave him -- I cannot leave him ."
" How are you now , Jane ?" " Much better , sir ; I shall be well soon ." " Taste the wine again , Jane ."
I obeyed him ; then he put the glass on the table , stood before me , and looked at me attentively . Suddenly he turned away , with an inarticulate exclamation , full of passionate emotion of some kind ; he walked fast through the room and came back ; he stooped towards me as if to kiss me ; but I remembered caresses were now forbidden . I turned my face away and put his aside .
" What ! -- How is this ?" he exclaimed hastily . " Oh , I know ! you won ' t kiss the husband of Bertha Mason ? You consider my arms filled and my embraces appropriated ?"
" At any rate , there is neither room nor claim for me , sir ."