CHAPTER XXXVII 553
Very early the next morning I heard him up and astir , wandering from one room to another . As soon as Mary came down I heard the question : " Is Miss Eyre here ?" Then : " Which room did you put her into ? Was it dry ? Is she up ? Go and ask if she wants anything ; and when she will come down ."
I came down as soon as I thought there was a prospect of breakfast . Entering the room very softly , I had a view of him before he discovered my presence . It was mournful , indeed , to witness the subjugation of that vigorous spirit to a corporeal infirmity . He sat in his chair -- still , but not at rest : expectant evidently ; the lines of now habitual sadness marking his strong features . His countenance reminded one of a lamp quenched , waiting to be re-lit -- and alas ! it was not himself that could now kindle the lustre of animated expression : he was dependent on another for that office ! I had meant to be gay and careless , but the powerlessness of the strong man touched my heart to the quick : still I accosted him with what vivacity I could .
" It is a bright , sunny morning , sir ," I said . " The rain is over and gone , and there is a tender shining after it : you shall have a walk soon ."
I had wakened the glow : his features beamed .
" Oh , you are indeed there , my skylark ! Come to me . You are not gone : not vanished ? I heard one of your kind an hour ago , singing high over the wood : but its song had no music for me , any more than the rising sun had rays . All the melody on earth is concentrated in my Jane ' s tongue to my ear ( I am glad it is not naturally a silent one ): all the sunshine I can feel is in her presence ."
The water stood in my eyes to hear this avowal of his dependence ; just as if a royal eagle , chained to a perch , should be forced to entreat a sparrow to become its purveyor . But I would not be lachrymose : I dashed off the salt drops , and busied myself with preparing breakfast .
Most of the morning was spent in the open air . I led him out of the wet and wild wood into some cheerful fields : I described to him how brilliantly