"Hello! No, don't run back into the house, Jane, on such a lovely night. Come and walk with me." [-----1-----].
"Jane," he began, "you like living at Thornfield, don't you? You like little Adele and Mrs. Fairfax, and I know they love you."
"I do like it here, sir, I really don't wan't to leave them."
"I am sorry!" he said. "These things happen in life. When you begin to like living in one place, to a place, then you have to leave it."
"Do I have to leave, sir? Leave Thornfield?"
"I'm afraid you must, Jane."
"Then you are going to be married, sir?"
"Yes, Jane. And as you have told me, when Miss Ingram becomes my wife, you and Adele must leave the house. I am looking for a new job for you, don't worry."
"[-----2-----], sir," I said quietly.
"Oh, it isn't any trouble at all! In fact, I know about a very good job, that is just right for you. you'll teach the five daughters of an Irish family. I think you'll like Ireland, it's a beautiful place," he said happily.
"Sir, thank you for wanting to help me... but it's so far away," I said. I was trying not to cry. My heart felt as if it had been cut into pieces.
"Far away from what, Jane?"
"From England, and from Thornfield and..."
"Well?"
"From you, sir." I could not hide my feelings any more, and began to cry. "Yes, Ireland is very far away," he said calmly. "Let's sit on this bench, Jane. You know, I sometimes feel as if you and I were connected. Our hearts and minds are the same in some wonderful way."
"I wish... I wish I'd never been born!" I cried. "[-----3-----]!" I said what was in my heart. "Oh, I can't bear to leave! For the first time in my life, I've been so happy... and I've met you, Mr. Rochester, and I can't bear never to see you again. Now I have to leave. I feel as if I'm dying." |