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 ."