CHAPTER XXVII 385
" I am a fool !" cried Mr . Rochester suddenly . " I keep telling her I am not married , and do not explain to her why . I forget she knows nothing of the character of that woman , or of the circumstances attending my infernal union with her . Oh , I am certain Jane will agree with me in opinion , when she knows all that I know ! Just put your hand in mine , Janet -- that I may have the evidence of touch as well as sight , to prove you are near me -- and I will in a few words show you the real state of the case . Can you listen to me ?"
" Yes , sir ; for hours if you will ."
" I ask only minutes . Jane , did you ever hear or know that I was not the eldest son of my house : that I had once a brother older than I ?"
" I remember Mrs . Fairfax told me so once ." " And did you ever hear that my father was an avaricious , grasping man ?" " I have understood something to that effect ."
" Well , Jane , being so , it was his resolution to keep the property together ; he could not bear the idea of dividing his estate and leaving me a fair portion : all , he resolved , should go to my brother , Rowland . Yet as little could he endure that a son of his should be a poor man . I must be provided for by a wealthy marriage . He sought me a partner betimes . Mr . Mason , a West India planter and merchant , was his old acquaintance . He was certain his possessions were real and vast : he made inquiries . Mr . Mason , he found , had a son and daughter ; and he learned from him that he could and would give the latter a fortune of thirty thousand pounds : that sufficed . When I left college , I was sent out to Jamaica , to espouse a bride already courted for me . My father said nothing about her money ; but he told me Miss Mason was the boast of Spanish Town for her beauty : and this was no lie . I found her a fine woman , in the style of Blanche Ingram : tall , dark , and majestic . Her family wished to secure me because I was of a good race ; and so did she . They showed her to me in parties , splendidly dressed . I seldom saw her alone , and had very little private conversation with her . She flattered me ,