worth having, Jane; but for God’s sake, don’t desire a useless burden! Don’t long for poison – don’t turn out a downright Eve on my hands!’
‘Why not, sir? You have just been telling me how much you liked to be conquered, and how pleasant over-persuasion is to you. Don’t you think I had better take advantage of the confession, and begin and coax and entreat – even cry and be sulky if necessary – for the sake of a mere essay of my power?’
‘I dare you to any such experiment. Encroach, presume, and the game is up.’
‘Is it, sir? You soon give in. How stern you look now! Your eyebrows have become as thick as my finger, and your forehead resembles what, in some very astonishing poetry, I once saw styled, “a blue-piled thunderloft.”8 That will be your married look, sir, I suppose?’
‘If that will be your married look, I, as a Christian, will soon give up the notion of consorting with a mere sprite or salamander. But what had you to ask, thing – out with it?’
‘There, you are less than civil now; and I like rudeness a great deal better than flattery. I had rather be a thing than an angel. This is what I have to ask, Why did you take such pains to make me believe you wished to marry Miss Ingram?’
‘Is that all? Thank God it is no worse!’ And now he unknit his black brows; looked down, smiling at me, and stroked my hair, as if well pleased at seeing a danger averted. ‘I think I may confess,’ he continued, ‘even although I should make you a little indignant, Jane – and I have seen what a fire-spirit you can be when you are indignant. You glowed in the cool moonlight last night, when you mutinied against fate, and claimed your rank as my equal. Janet, by the bye, it was you who made me the offer.’
‘Of course I did. But to the point, if you please, sir – Miss Ingram?’
‘Well, I feigned courtship of Miss Ingram, because I wished to render you as madly in love with me as I was with you; and I knew jealousy would be the best ally I could call in for the furtherance of that end.’
‘Excellent! Now you are small – not one whit bigger than the end of my little finger. It was a burning shame and a scandalous disgrace to act in that way. Did you think nothing of Miss Ingram’s feelings, sir?’
‘Her feelings are concentrated in one – pride; and that needs humbling. Were you jealous, Jane?’
‘Never mind, Mr Rochester: it is in no way interesting to you to know that. Answer me truly once more. Do you think Miss Ingram will not suffer from your dishonest coquetry? Won’t she feel forsaken and deserted?’
‘Impossible! – when I told you how she, on the contrary, deserted me: the idea of my insolvency cooled, or rather extinguished, her flame in a moment.’
‘You have a curious, designing mind, Mr Rochester. I am afraid your principles on some points are eccentric.’
‘My principles were never trained, Jane: they may have grown a little awry for want of attention.’
‘Once again, seriously; may I enjoy the great good that has been vouchsafed to me, without fearing that anyone else is suffering the bitter pain I myself felt a while ago?’
‘That you may, my good little girl: there is not another being in the world has the same pure love for me as yourself – for I lay that pleasant unction to my soul,9 Jane, a belief in your affection.’
I turned my lips to the hand that lay on my shoulder. I loved him very much – more than I could trust myself to say – more than words had power to express.
‘Ask something more,’ he said presently; ‘it is my delight to be entreated, and to yield.’
I was again ready with my request. ‘Communicate your intentions to Mrs Fairfax, sir: she saw me with you last night in the hall, and she was shocked. Give her some explanation before I see her again. It pains me to be misjudged by so good a woman.’
‘Go to your room, and put on your bonnet,’ he replied. ‘I mean you to accompany me to Millcote this morning; and while you prepare for the drive, I will enlighten the old lady’s understanding. Did she think, Janet, you had given the world for love, and considered it well lost?’