As I rose and dressed, I thought over what had happened, and wondered if it were a dream. I could not be certain of the reality till I had seen Mr. Rochester again, and heard him renew his words of love and promise.
While arranging my hair, I looked at my fa the glass, a it was no longer plain: there was hope in its asped life in its colour; and my eyes seemed as if they had beheld the fount of fruition, and borrowed beams from the lustrous ripple. I had often been unwilling to look at my master, because I feared he could not be pleased at my look; but I was sure I might lift my face to his now, and not cool his affe by its expression. I took a plain but and light summer dress from my draut it on: it seemed no attire had ever so well bee, because none had I ever worn in so blissful a mood.
I was not surprised, when I ran down into the hall, to see that a brilliant June m had succeeded to the tempest of the night; and to feel, through the open glass door, the breathing of a fresh and fragrant breeze. Nature must be gladsome when I was so happy. A beggar-woman and her little boy—pale, ragged objects both—were ing up the walk, and I ran down and gave them all the money I happeo have in my purse—some three or four shillings: good or bad, they must partake of my jubilee. The rooks cawed, and blither birds sang; but nothing was so merry or so musical as my own rejoig heart.
Mrs. Fairfax surprised me by looking out of the window with a sad tenance, and saying gravely—「Miss Eyre, will you e to breakfast?」 During the meal she was quiet and cool: but I could not undeceive her then. I must wait for my master to give explanations; and so must she. I ate what I could, and then I hastened upstairs. I met Adèle leaving the schoolroom.
「Where are you going? It is time for lessons.」
「Mr. Rochester has sent me away to the nursery.」
「Where is he?」
「In there,」 pointing to the apartment she had left; and I went in, and there he stood.
「e and bid me good-m,」 said he. I gladly advanced; and it was not merely a cold word now, or even a shake of the hand that I received, but an embrad a kiss. It seemed natural: it seemed genial to be so well loved, so caressed by him.
「Jane, you look blooming, and smiling, and pretty,」 said he: 「truly pretty this m. Is this my pale, little elf? Is this my mustard-seed? This little sunny-faced girl with the dimpled cheek and rosy lips; the satin-smooth hazel hair, and the radiant hazel eyes?」 (I had green eyes, reader; but you must excuse the mistake: for him they were new-dyed, I suppose.)
「It is Jane Eyre, sir.」
「Soon to be Jane Rochester,」 he added: 「in four weeks, Ja; not a day more. Do you hear that?」
I did, and I could not quite prehend it: it made me giddy. The feeling, the annou sent through me, was something strohan was sistent with joy—something that smote and stunned. It was, I think almost fear.
「You blushed, and now you are white, Jane: what is that for?」
「Because you gave me a new name—Jane Rochester; and it seems se.」
「Yes, Mrs. Rochester,」 said he; 「young Mrs. Rochester—Fairfax Rochester』s girl-bride.」
「It ever be, sir; it does not sound likely. Human beings never enjoy plete happiness in this world. I was not born for a differeiny to the rest of my species: to imagine such a lot befalling me is a fairy tale—a day-dream.」
「Which I and will realise. I shall begin to-day. This m I wrote to my banker in London