CHAPTER XXVII 401
would have succumbed now . I had dared and baffled his fury ; I must elude his sorrow : I retired to the door .
" You are going , Jane ?" " I am going , sir ." " You are leaving me ?" " Yes ."
" You will not come ? You will not be my comforter , my rescuer ? My deep love , my wild woe , my frantic prayer , are all nothing to you ?"
What unutterable pathos was in his voice ! How hard it was to reiterate firmly , " I am going ."
" Jane !" " Mr . Rochester !"
" Withdraw , then , -- I consent ; but remember , you leave me here in anguish . Go up to your own room ; think over all I have said , and , Jane , cast a glance on my sufferings -- think of me ."
He turned away ; he threw himself on his face on the sofa . " Oh , Jane ! my hope -- my love -- my life !" broke in anguish from his lips . Then came a deep , strong sob .
I had already gained the door ; but , reader , I walked back -- walked back as determinedly as I had retreated . I knelt down by him ; I turned his face from the cushion to me ; I kissed his cheek ; I smoothed his hair with my hand .
" God bless you , my dear master !" I said . " God keep you from harm and wrong -- direct you , solace you -- reward you well for your past kindness to me ."