CHAPTER XXVII 398
" Jane!" recommenced he, with a gentleness that broke me down with grief, and turned me stone-cold with ominous terror-- for this still voice was the pant of a lion rising-- " Jane, do you mean to go one way in the world, and to let me go another?"
" I do." " Jane "( bending towards and embracing me), " do you mean it now?" " I do." " And now?" softly kissing my forehead and cheek. " I do," extricating myself from restraint rapidly and completely.
" Oh, Jane, this is bitter! This-- this is wicked. It would not be wicked to love me."
" It would to obey you."
A wild look raised his brows-- crossed his features: he rose; but he forebore yet. I laid my hand on the back of a chair for support: I shook, I feared-- but I resolved.
" One instant, Jane. Give one glance to my horrible life when you are gone. All happiness will be torn away with you. What then is left? For a wife I have but the maniac upstairs: as well might you refer me to some corpse in yonder churchyard. What shall I do, Jane? Where turn for a companion and for some hope?"
" Do as I do: trust in God and yourself. Believe in heaven. Hope to meet again there."
" Then you will not yield?" " No."