Jane Eyre

means of extrication; but he himself looked so composed and so grave also, I became ashamed of feeling any confusion: the evil – if evil existent or prospective there was – seemed to lie with me only; his mind was unconscious and quiet.
    »Jane,« he recommenced, as we entered the laurel-walk, and slowly strayed down in the direction of the sunk fence and the horse-chesnut, »Thornfield is a pleasant place in summer, is it not?«
    »Yes, sir.«
    »You must have become in some degree attached to the house, – you, who have an eye for natural beauties, and a good deal of the organ of Adhesiveness?«
    »I am attached to it, indeed.«
    »And, though I don't comprehend how it is, I perceive you have acquired a degree of regard for that foolish little child Adèle, too; and even for simple dame Fairfax?«
    »Yes, sir; in different ways, I have an affection for both.«
    »And would be sorry to part with them?«
    »Yes.«
    »Pity!« he said, and sighed and paused. »It is always the way of events in this life,« he continued presently: »no sooner have you got settled in a pleasant resting-place, than a voice calls out to you to rise and move on, for the hour of repose is expired.«
    »Must I move on, sir?« I asked. »Must I leave Thornfield?«
    »I believe you must, Jane. I am sorry, Janet, but I believe indeed you must.«
    This was a blow: but I did not let it prostrate me.
    »Well, sir, I shall be ready when the order to march comes.«
    »It is come now – I must give it to-night.«
    »Then you are going to be married, sir?«
    »Ex-act-ly – pre-cise-ly: with your usual acuteness, you have hit the nail straight on the head.«
    »Soon, sir?«
    »Very soon, my –– that is, Miss Eyre: and you'll remember, Jane, the first time I, or Rumour, plainly intimated to you that it was my intention to put my old bachelor's neck into the sacred noose, to enter into the holy estate of matrimony – to take Miss Ingram to my bosom, in short (she's an extensive armful: but that's not to the point – one can't have too much of such a very excellent thing as my beautiful Blanche): well, as I was saying – listen to me, Jane! You're not turning your head to look after more moths, are you? That was only a lady-clock, child, ›flying away home.‹ I wish to remind you that it was you who first said to me, with that discretion I respect in you – with that foresight, prudence, and humility which befit your responsible and dependent position – that in case I married Miss Ingram – both you and little Adèle had better trot forthwith. I pass over the sort of slur conveyed in this suggestion on the character of my beloved; indeed, when you are far away, Janet, I'll try to forget it: I shall notice only its wisdom; which is such that I have made it my law of action. Adèle must go to school; and you, Miss Eyre, must get a new situation.«
    »Yes, sir, I will advertise immediately: and meantime, I suppose ––« I was going to say, »I suppose I may stay here, till I find another shelter to betake myself to:« but I stopped, feeling it would not do to risk a long sentence, for my voice was not quite under command.
    »In about a month I hope to be a bridegroom,« continued Mr. Rochester; »and in the interim I shall myself look out for employment and an asylum for you.«
    »Thank you, sir; I am sorry to give –«
    »Oh, no need to apologize! I consider that when a dependant does her duty as well as you have done yours, she has a sort of claim upon her employer for any little assistance he can conveniently render her; indeed I have already, through my future mother-in-law, heard of a place that I think will suit: it is to undertake the education of the five daughters of Mrs. Dionysius O'Gall of Bitternutt Lodge, Connaught, Ireland. You'll like Ireland, I think: they're such warm-hearted people there, they say.«
    »It is a long way off, sir.«
    »No matter – a girl of your sense will not object to the voyage or the distance.«
    »Not the voyage, but the distance: and then the sea is a barrier –«
    »From what, Jane?«
    »From England and from Thornfield: and –«
    »Well?«
    »From
you,
sir.«
    I said this almost involuntarily; and, with as little sanction of free will, my tears gushed out. I did not cry so as to be heard, however; I avoided sobbing. The thought of Mrs. O'Gall and Bitternutt Lodge struck cold to my heart; and colder the thought of all the brine and foam, destined, as it seemed, to rush between me and the