CHAPTER XXVII 381
" Then you are mistaken , and you know nothing about me , and nothing about the sort of love of which I am capable . Every atom of your flesh is as dear to me as my own : in pain and sickness it would still be dear . Your mind is my treasure , and if it were broken , it would be my treasure still : if you raved , my arms should confine you , and not a strait waistcoat -- your grasp , even in fury , would have a charm for me : if you flew at me as wildly as that woman did this morning , I should receive you in an embrace , at least as fond as it would be restrictive . I should not shrink from you with disgust as I did from her : in your quiet moments you should have no watcher and no nurse but me ; and I could hang over you with untiring tenderness , though you gave me no smile in return ; and never weary of gazing into your eyes , though they had no longer a ray of recognition for me . -- But why do I follow that train of ideas ? I was talking of removing you from Thornfield . All , you know , is prepared for prompt departure : to-morrow you shall go . I only ask you to endure one more night under this roof , Jane ; and then , farewell to its miseries and terrors for ever ! I have a place to repair to , which will be a secure sanctuary from hateful reminiscences , from unwelcome intrusion -- even from falsehood and slander ."
" And take Adele with you , sir ," I interrupted ; " she will be a companion for you ."
" What do you mean , Jane ? I told you I would send Adele to school ; and what do I want with a child for a companion , and not my own child , -- a French dancer ' s bastard ? Why do you importune me about her ! I say , why do you assign Adele to me for a companion ?"
" You spoke of a retirement , sir ; and retirement and solitude are dull : too dull for you ."
" Solitude ! solitude !" he reiterated with irritation . " I see I must come to an explanation . I don ' t know what sphynx-like expression is forming in your countenance . You are to share my solitude . Do you understand ?"