Bronte_Jane_Eyre_170.65Nor could I pass unnoticed the suggestion of the bleak shores of Lapland, Siberia, Spitzbergen, Nova Zembla, Iceland, Greenland, with "the vast sweep of the Arctic Zone, and those forlorn regions of dreary space, -- that reservoir of frost and snow, where firm fields of ice, the accumulation of centuries of winters, glazed in Alpine heights above heights, surround the pole, and concentre the multiplied rigours of extreme cold."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_160.64They were those which treat of the haunts of sea-fowl; of "the solitary rocks and promontories" by them only inhabited; of the coast of Norway, studded with isles from its southern extremity, the Lindeness, or Naze, to the North Cape - "Where the Northern Ocean, in vast whirls, Boils round the naked, melancholy isles Of farthest Thule; and the Atlantic surge Pours in among the stormy Hebrides."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68080.53"And far better that crows and ravens -- if any ravens there be in these regions -- should pick my flesh from my bones, than that they should be prisoned in a workhouse coffin and moulder in a pauper's grave."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73810.52I am poor; for I find that, when I have paid my father's debts, all the patrimony remaining to me will be this crumbling grange, the row of scathed firs behind, and the patch of moorish soil, with the yew-trees and holly-bushes in front.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68050.50The very cultivation surrounding it had disappeared.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44300.50There was something ascetic in her look, which was augmented by the extreme plainness of a straight-skirted, black, stuff dress, a starched linen collar, hair combed away from the temples, and the nun-like ornament of a string of ebony beads and a crucifix.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68390.44On each side stood a sable bush-holly or yew.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_210.44The two ships becalmed on a torpid sea, I believed to be marine phantoms.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_230.42So was the black horned thing seated aloof on a rock, surveying a distant crowd surrounding a gallows.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79800.38(I have seen their grave; it formed part of the pavement of a huge churchyard surrounding the grim, soot-black old cathedral of an overgrown manufacturing town in -shire.)
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_90190.37The crows sailing overhead perhaps watched me while I took this survey.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39740.35I must see the light of the unsnuffed candle wane on my employment; the shadows darken on the wrought, antique tapestry round me, and grow black under the hangings of the vast old bed, and quiver strangely over the doors of a great cabinet opposite -- whose front, divided into twelve panels, bore, in grim design, the heads of the twelve apostles, each enclosed in its separate panel as in a frame; while above them at the top rose an ebon crucifix and a dying Christ.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76760.33Whenever I went out, I heard on all sides cordial salutations, and was welcomed with friendly smiles.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62530.32While I walked under the dripping orange-trees of my wet garden, and amongst its drenched pomegranates and pine-apples, and while the refulgent dawn of the tropics kindled round me -- I reasoned thus, Jane -- and now listen; for it was true Wisdom that consoled me in that hour, and showed me the right path to follow.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60730.30You intend to make yourself a complete stranger to me: to live under this roof only as Adele's governess; if ever I say a friendly word to you, if ever a friendly feeling inclines you again to me, you will say, -- 'That man had nearly made me his mistress: I must be ice and rock to him;' and ice and rock you will accordingly become."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83080.29"This parlour is not his sphere," I reflected: "the Himalayan ridge or Caffre bush, even the plague-cursed Guinea Coast swamp would suit him better.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68260.26Could I but have stiffened to the still frost -- the friendly numbness of death -- it might have pelted on; I should not have felt it; but my yet living flesh shuddered at its chilling influence.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7850.23I shuddered as I stood and looked round me: it was an inclement day for outdoor exercise; not positively rainy, but darkened by a drizzling yellow fog; all under foot was still soaking wet with the floods of yesterday.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83140.20they are coming!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53630.20he exclaimed.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23710.68However, I mentally shake hands with you for your answer, despite its inaccuracy; and as much for the manner in which it was said, as for the substance of the speech; the manner was frank and sincere; one does not often see such a manner: no, on the contrary, affectation, or coldness, or stupid, coarse-minded misapprehension of one's meaning are the usual rewards of candour.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44780.60But unimpressionable natures are not so soon softened, nor are natural antipathies so readily eradicated.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20370.58Kindly, as usual -- and, as usual, rather trite -- she condoled with him on the pressure of business he had had all day; on the annoyance it must have been to him with that painful sprain: then she commended his patience and perseverance in going through with it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5880.58Willingly would I now have gone and asked Mrs. Reed's pardon; but I knew, partly from experience and partly from instinct, that was the way to make her repulse me with double scorn, thereby re-exciting every turbulent impulse of my nature.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62110.52I was not sure of the existence of one virtue in her nature: I had marked neither modesty, nor benevolence, nor candour, nor refinement in her mind or manners -- and, I married her:- gross, grovelling, mole-eyed blockhead that I was!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33810.52Too often she betrayed this, by the undue vent she gave to a spiteful antipathy she had conceived against little Adele: pushing her away with some contumelious epithet if she happened to approach her; sometimes ordering her from the room, and always treating her with coldness and acrimony.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28980.50Poor stupid dupe!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88330.50He addressed me precisely in his ordinary manner, or what had, of late, been his ordinary manner -- one scrupulously polite.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22240.50"Partly because it is his nature -- and we can none of us help our nature; and partly because he has painful thoughts, no doubt, to harass him, and make his spirits unequal."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88600.50All men of talent, whether they be men of feeling or not; whether they be zealots, or aspirants, or despots -- provided only they be sincere -- have their sublime moments, when they subdue and rule.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62250.47I was rich enough now -- yet poor to hideous indigence: a nature the most gross, impure, depraved I ever saw, was associated with mine, and called by the law and by society a part of me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25460.45A woman who could betray me for such a rival was not worth contending for; she deserved only scorn; less, however, than I, who had been her dupe.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24920.43I had not, it seems, the originality to chalk out a new road to shame and destruction, but trode the old track with stupid exactness not to deviate an inch from the beaten centre.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27530.41She said "Good morning, Miss," in her usual phlegmatic and brief manner; and taking up another ring and more tape, went on with her sewing.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80980.40"Well, then," he said, "I yield; if not to your earnestness, to your perseverance: as stone is worn by continual dropping.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78930.40But she could not eradicate nature: nor will it be eradicated 'till this mortal shall put on immortality.'"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70180.40I dared to put off the mendicant -- to resume my natural manner and character.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23860.40Then take my word for it, -- I am not a villain: you are not to suppose that -- not to attribute to me any such bad eminence; but, owing, I verily believe, rather to circumstances than to my natural bent, I am a trite commonplace sinner, hackneyed in all the poor petty dissipations with which the rich and worthless try to put on life.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46040.39"Everybody knows you are the most selfish, heartless creature in existence: and I know your spiteful hatred towards me: I have had a specimen of it before in the trick you played me about Lord Edwin Vere: you could not bear me to be raised above you, to have a title, to be received into circles where you dare not show your face, and so you acted the spy and informer, and ruined my prospects for ever."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33530.38A sufficient interval having elapsed for the performers to resume their ordinary costume, they re-entered the dining-room.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20550.38"Miss Eyre, you are not so unsophisticated as Adele: she demands a 'cadeau,' clamorously, the moment she sees me: you beat about the bush."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32670.36"Miss Ingram ought to be clement, for she has it in her power to inflict a chastisement beyond mortal endurance."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27520.35She looked up, while I still gazed at her: no start, no increase or failure of colour betrayed emotion, consciousness of guilt, or fear of detection.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25780.35The ease of his manner freed me from painful restraint: the friendly frankness, as correct as cordial, with which he treated me, drew me to him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_90240.33they might have demanded; "what stupid regardlessness now?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63100.33Any enjoyment that bordered on riot seemed to approach me to her and her vices, and I eschewed it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86670.33It kept up a slow fire of indignation and a trembling trouble of grief, which harassed and crushed me altogether.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78800.33I honour endurance, perseverance, industry, talent; because these are the means by which men achieve great ends and mount to lofty eminence.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46060.33True, generous feeling is made small account of by some, but here were two natures rendered, the one intolerably acrid, the other despicably savourless for the want of it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28030.31What if a former caprice (a freak very possible to a nature so sudden and headstrong as his) has delivered him into her power, and she now exercises over his actions a secret influence, the result of his own indiscretion, which he cannot shake off, and dare not disregard?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_93950.30There was no harassing restraint, no repressing of glee and vivacity with him; for with him I was at perfect ease, because I knew I suited him; all I said or did seemed either to console or revive him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64820.30I had dared and baffled his fury; I must elude his sorrow: I retired to the door.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97020.28HIS chastisements are mighty; and one smote me which has humbled me for ever.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37560.28It was a comfort; but, indeed, I had been on my guard almost from the beginning of the interview.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22780.28Nor do I particularly affect simple-minded old ladies.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_1430.28Eliza, who was headstrong and selfish, was respected.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60780.28Probably those damp walls would soon have eased me of her charge: but to each villain his own vice; and mine is not a tendency to indirect assassination, even of what I most hate.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86390.27Refuse to be my wife, and you limit yourself for ever to a track of selfish ease and barren obscurity.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35420.27I have seen a gipsy vagabond; she has practised in hackneyed fashion the science of palmistry and told me what such people usually tell.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59830.25I would not ascribe vice to him; I would not say he had betrayed me; but the attribute of stainless truth was gone from his idea, and from his presence I must go: THAT I perceived well.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45900.25One day, however, as she put away her account-book and unfolded her embroidery, she suddenly took her up thus - "Georgiana, a more vain and absurd animal than you was certainly never allowed to cumber the earth.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62710.23Grace has, on the whole, proved a good keeper; though, owing partly to a fault of her own, of which it appears nothing can cure her, and which is incident to her harassing profession, her vigilance has been more than once lulled and baffled.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3700.22In the interview which followed between him and Mrs. Reed, I presume, from after-occurrences, that the apothecary ventured to recommend my being sent to school; and the recommendation was no doubt readily enough adopted; for as Abbot said, in discussing the subject with Bessie when both sat sewing in the nursery one night, after I was in bed, and, as they thought, asleep, "Missis was, she dared say, glad enough to get rid of such a tiresome, ill- conditioned child, who always looked as if she were watching everybody, and scheming plots underhand."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75110.21I must not forget that these coarsely-clad little peasants are of flesh and blood as good as the scions of gentlest genealogy; and that the germs of native excellence, refinement, intelligence, kind feeling, are as likely to exist in their hearts as in those of the best-born.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9040.20"Is it still 'Rasselas'?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85230.20Alas!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78400.20No!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49430.20"As we are!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47780.20"And did she inform you what I went to do?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47340.20But what is so headstrong as youth?

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14610.70Having sought and obtained an audience of the superintendent during the noontide recreation, I told her I had a prospect of getting a new situation where the salary would be double what I now received (for at Lowood I only got 15 pounds per annum); and requested she would break the matter for me to Mr. Brocklehurst, or some of the committee, and ascertain whether they would permit me to mention them as references.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5240.67I may then depend upon this child being received as a pupil at Lowood, and there being trained in conformity to her position and prospects?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14280.63"Address, J.E., Post-office, Lowton, -shire."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14200.63-- "Those who want situations advertise; you must advertise in the -shire Herald."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14450.59"If J.E., who advertised in the -shire Herald of last Thursday, possesses the acquirements mentioned, and if she is in a position to give satisfactory references as to character and competency, a situation can be offered her where there is but one pupil, a little girl, under ten years of age; and where the salary is thirty pounds per annum.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8570.56Of this preparation a tolerably abundant plateful was apportioned to each pupil.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39000.54And so, by dint of alternate coaxing and commanding, he contrived to get them all once more enclosed in their separate dormitories.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14650.52This note went the round of the committee, and at last, after what appeared to me most tedious delay, formal leave was given me to better my condition if I could; and an assurance added, that as I had always conducted myself well, both as teacher and pupil, at Lowood, a testimonial of character and capacity, signed by the inspectors of that institution, should forthwith be furnished me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_15760.50let the worst come to the worst, I can advertise again.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81120.50He wrote again a few weeks since, to intimate that the heiress was lost, and asking if we knew anything of her.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72700.50I was brought up a dependant; educated in a charitable institution.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21110.50"None but the pupils and teachers of Lowood, and now the inmates of Thornfield."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8150.50"Well, all the girls here have lost either one or both parents, and this is called an institution for educating orphans."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32160.50-- and then we sermonised her on the presumption of attempting to teach such clever blades as we were, when she was herself so ignorant."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80020.50"I am ignorant of all concerning Mr. Rochester: the letter never mentions him but to narrate the fraudulent and illegal attempt I have adverted to.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25600.50Mrs. Fairfax found you to train it; but now you know that it is the illegitimate offspring of a French opera- girl, you will perhaps think differently of your post and protegee: you will be coming to me some day with notice that you have found another place -- that you beg me to look out for a new governess, &c. -- Eh?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72710.46I will even tell you the name of the establishment, where I passed six years as a pupil, and two as a teacher -- Lowood Orphan Asylum, -shire: you will have heard of it, Mr. Rivers?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_67230.45But it was not her business to think for me, or to seek a place for me: besides, in her eyes, how doubtful must have appeared my character, position, tale.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5750.45You told Mr. Brocklehurst I had a bad character, a deceitful disposition; and I'll let everybody at Lowood know what you are, and what you have done."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46640.44Now act as you please: write and contradict my assertion -- expose my falsehood as soon as you like.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_36930.44"Your fortune is yet doubtful: when I examined your face, one trait contradicted another.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9950.44CHAPTER VII My first quarter at Lowood seemed an age; and not the golden age either; it comprised an irksome struggle with difficulties in habituating myself to new rules and unwonted tasks.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5060.44"Mr. Brocklehurst, I believe I intimated in the letter which I wrote to you three weeks ago, that this little girl has not quite the character and disposition I could wish: should you admit her into Lowood school, I should be glad if the superintendent and teachers were requested to keep a strict eye on her, and, above all, to guard against her worst fault, a tendency to deceit.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13690.44Several wealthy and benevolent individuals in the county subscribed largely for the erection of a more convenient building in a better situation; new regulations were made; improvements in diet and clothing introduced; the funds of the school were intrusted to the management of a committee.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43640.43"Not to advertise: and to trust this quest of a situation to me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14230.43Replies rose smooth and prompt now:- "You must enclose the advertisement and the money to pay for it under a cover directed to the editor of the Herald; you must put it, the first opportunity you have, into the post at Lowton; answers must be addressed to J.E., at the post-office there; you can go and inquire in about a week after you send your letter, if any are come, and act accordingly."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97780.42I found the rules of the establishment were too strict, its course of study too severe for a child of her age: I took her home with me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30040.42And issuing from my asylum with precaution, I sought a back-stairs which conducted directly to the kitchen.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14660.41This testimonial I accordingly received in about a month, forwarded a copy of it to Mrs. Fairfax, and got that lady's reply, stating that she was satisfied, and fixing that day fortnight as the period for my assuming the post of governess in her house.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8080.40What is Lowood Institution?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43490.40"At your peril you advertise!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37460.40"What character did I act?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21290.40"What age were you when you went to Lowood?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32190.40Dear mama, there, as soon as she got an inkling of the business, found out that it was of an immoral tendency.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_90430.38No wonder that letters addressed to people here had never received an answer: as well despatch epistles to a vault in a church aisle.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23580.38I smiled: I thought to myself Mr. Rochester IS peculiar -- he seems to forget that he pays me 30 pounds per annum for receiving his orders.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7740.38The superintendent rose - "I have a word to address to the pupils," said she.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72750.38"I left Lowood nearly a year since to become a private governess.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31370.38What had occurred since, calculated to change his and my relative positions?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14620.38She obligingly consented to act as mediatrix in the matter.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11640.38Continue to act as a good girl, and you will satisfy us."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14260.37"is desirous of meeting with a situation in a private family where the children are under fourteen (I thought that as I was barely eighteen, it would not do to undertake the guidance of pupils nearer my own age).
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80220.36I have it here -- it is always more satisfactory to see important points written down, fairly committed to black and white."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79960.35Yet that she should be found is become a matter of serious urgency: advertisements have been put in all the papers; I myself have received a letter from one Mr. Briggs, a solicitor, communicating the details I have just imparted.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_90370.34No need to cower behind a gate-post, indeed!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78010.34"That I should like to have it is certain: whether it would be judicious or wise is another question."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_50100.34"I do; and if an oath is necessary to satisfy you, I swear it."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4530.34Presently he addressed me -- "Your name, little girl?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37450.34"You did not act the character of a gipsy with me."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14410.34Various duties awaited me on my arrival.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24950.66No, -- I exaggerate; I never thought there was any consecrating virtue about her: it was rather a sort of pastille perfume she had left; a scent of musk and amber, than an odour of sanctity.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97000.63I, in my stiff-necked rebellion, almost cursed the dispensation: instead of bending to the decree, I defied it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62220.57How fearful were the curses those propensities entailed on me!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23020.57And so, under pretence of softening the previous outrage, of stroking and soothing me into placidity, you stick a sly penknife under my ear!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24780.50"Pre-cise-ly!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48650.50"Ex-act-ly -- pre-cise-ly: with your usual acuteness, you have hit the nail straight on the head."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8550.47The odour which now filled the refectory was scarcely more appetising than that which had regaled our nostrils at breakfast: the dinner was served in two huge tin-plated vessels, whence rose a strong steam redolent of rancid fat.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2470.47Yes, Mrs. Reed, to you I owe some fearful pangs of mental suffering, but I ought to forgive you, for you knew not what you did: while rending my heart-strings, you thought you were only uprooting my bad propensities.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79840.43I daresay it is only a rat scrambling along the rafters of the adjoining schoolroom: it was a barn before I had it repaired and altered, and barns are generally haunted by rats.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62210.43What a pigmy intellect she had, and what giant propensities!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23440.42This is legitimate, et j'y tiens, as Adele would say; and it is by virtue of this superiority, and this alone, that I desire you to have the goodness to talk to me a little now, and divert my thoughts, which are galled with dwelling on one point -- cankering as a rusty nail."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21990.40"Far from it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72640.38I was mightily refreshed by the beverage; as much so as a giant with wine: it gave new tone to my unstrung nerves, and enabled me to address this penetrating young judge steadily.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47450.37Well, he is not a ghost; yet every nerve I have is unstrung: for a moment I am beyond my own mastery.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11920.37How fragrant was the steam of the beverage, and the scent of the toast!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32170.35"We did; and, Tedo, you know, I helped you in prosecuting (or persecuting) your tutor, whey-faced Mr. Vining -- the parson in the pip, as we used to call him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12520.34While disease had thus become an inhabitant of Lowood, and death its frequent visitor; while there was gloom and fear within its walls; while its rooms and passages steamed with hospital smells, the drug and the pastille striving vainly to overcome the effluvia of mortality, that bright May shone unclouded over the bold hills and beautiful woodland out of doors.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64740.30If I tear, if I rend the slight prison, my outrage will only let the captive loose.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66580.28Recalled by the rumbling of wheels to the road before me, I saw a heavily-laden waggon labouring up the hill, and not far beyond were two cows and their drover.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_98170.28Firm, faithful, and devoted, full of energy, and zeal, and truth, he labours for his race; he clears their painful way to improvement; he hews down like a giant the prejudices of creed and caste that encumber it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_540.25"That is for your impudence in answering mama awhile since," said he, "and for your sneaking way of getting behind curtains, and for the look you had in your eyes two minutes since, you rat!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48470.23"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?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2610.22Yet, when this cherished volume was now placed in my hand -- when I turned over its leaves, and sought in its marvellous pictures the charm I had, till now, never failed to find -- all was eerie and dreary; the giants were gaunt goblins, the pigmies malevolent and fearful imps, Gulliver a most desolate wanderer in most dread and dangerous regions.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_800.20Rat!"

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69470.75A pang of exquisite suffering -- a throe of true despair -- rent and heaved my heart.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46420.65She made an effort to alter her position, but failed: her face changed; she seemed to experience some inward sensation -- the precursor, perhaps, of the last pang.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65790.63As to my own will or conscience, impassioned grief had trampled one and stifled the other.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25820.63No, reader: gratitude, and many associations, all pleasurable and genial, made his face the object I best liked to see; his presence in a room was more cheering than the brightest fire.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97220.61You will think me superstitious, -- some superstition I have in my blood, and always had: nevertheless, this is true -- true at least it is that I heard what I now relate.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37060.60"As to the mouth, it delights at times in laughter; it is disposed to impart all that the brain conceives; though I daresay it would be silent on much the heart experiences.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65880.58Gentle reader, may you never feel what I then felt!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64600.57They have a worth -- so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane -- quite insane: with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count its throbs.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96210.56I wanted to tease you a little to make you less sad: I thought anger would be better than grief.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58230.55My nerves vibrated to those low-spoken words as they had never vibrated to thunder -- my blood felt their subtle violence as it had never felt frost or fire; but I was collected, and in no danger of swooning.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31550.55I believe he is of mine; -- I am sure he is -- I feel akin to him -- I understand the language of his countenance and movements: though rank and wealth sever us widely, I have something in my brain and heart, in my blood and nerves, that assimilates me mentally to him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80490.55It was a grand boon doubtless; and independence would be glorious -- yes, I felt that -- that thought swelled my heart.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75530.51"But you feel solitude an oppression?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49400.51-- I have as much soul as you, -- and full as much heart!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20310.51At this moment I am not disposed to accost her."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62640.51Far from desiring to publish the connection, he became as anxious to conceal it as myself.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32640.51"That is offering a premium on incapacity: I shall now endeavour to fail."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_94530.51It was mournful, indeed, to witness the subjugation of that vigorous spirit to a corporeal infirmity.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44800.51Again she regarded me so icily, I felt at once that her opinion of me -- her feeling towards me -- was unchanged and unchangeable.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23790.51I envy you your peace of mind, your clean conscience, your unpolluted memory.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96970.50you think me, I daresay, an irreligious dog: but my heart swells with gratitude to the beneficent God of this earth just now.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48080.50If, in the moments I and my pupil spent with him, I lacked spirits and sank into inevitable dejection, he became even gay.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62300.50But that is not your pity, Jane; it is not the feeling of which your whole face is full at this moment -- with which your eyes are now almost overflowing -- with which your heart is heaving -- with which your hand is trembling in mine.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13030.47Indisposed to hesitate, and full of impatient impulses -- soul and senses quivering with keen throes -- I put it back and looked in.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_93780.46"It is a pity to see it; and a pity to see your eyes -- and the scar of fire on your forehead: and the worst of it is, one is in danger of loving you too well for all this; and making too much of you."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_1730.46This idea, consolatory in theory, I felt would be terrible if realised: with all my might I endeavoured to stifle it -- I endeavoured to be firm.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12900.46I experienced a shock of horror, then a strong thrill of grief, then a desire -- a necessity to see her; and I asked in what room she lay.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82360.46I must enjoy them now; don't recall either my mind or body to the school; I am out of it and disposed for full holiday."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45180.46He is beset by sharpers: John is sunk and degraded -- his look is frightful -- I feel ashamed for him when I see him."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_89570.45I recalled that inward sensation I had experienced: for I could recall it, with all its unspeakable strangeness.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86170.45And for the rest, though you have a man's vigorous brain, you have a woman's heart and -- it would not do."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_61400.45he said, in such an accent of bitter sadness it thrilled along every nerve I had; "you don't love me, then?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_780.45I felt a drop or two of blood from my head trickle down my neck, and was sensible of somewhat pungent suffering: these sensations for the time predominated over fear, and I received him in frantic sort.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3270.44Fearful, however, of losing this first and only opportunity of relieving my grief by imparting it, I, after a disturbed pause, contrived to frame a meagre, though, as far as it went, true response.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97760.44Her frantic joy at beholding me again moved me much.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35810.44"I have; and a quick eye and a quick brain."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_1530.44How all my brain was in tumult, and all my heart in insurrection!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63280.43I felt the truth of these words; and I drew from them the certain inference, that if I were so far to forget myself and all the teaching that had ever been instilled into me, as -- under any pretext -- with any justification -- through any temptation -- to become the successor of these poor girls, he would one day regard me with the same feeling which now in his mind desecrated their memory.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18510.43Then my sole relief was to walk along the corridor of the third storey, backwards and forwards, safe in the silence and solitude of the spot, and allow my mind's eye to dwell on whatever bright visions rose before it -- and, certainly, they were many and glowing; to let my heart be heaved by the exultant movement, which, while it swelled it in trouble, expanded it with life; and, best of all, to open my inward ear to a tale that was never ended -- a tale my imagination created, and narrated continuously; quickened with all of incident, life, fire, feeling, that I desired and had not in my actual existence.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97970.43And there was a pleasure in my services, most full, most exquisite, even though sad -- because he claimed these services without painful shame or damping humiliation.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_94170.42A commonplace, practical reply, out of the train of his own disturbed ideas, was, I was sure, the best and most reassuring for him in this frame of mind.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78250.42say nothing -- my heart is full of delight -- my senses are entranced -- let the time I marked pass in peace."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70390.42I thanked God -- experienced amidst unutterable exhaustion a glow of grateful joy -- and slept.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_67480.42"Nay, there was naught but her, and she was housekeeper;" and of her, reader, I could not bear to ask the relief for want of which I was sinking; I could not yet beg; and again I crawled away.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49130.42I have talked, face to face, with what I reverence, with what I delight in, -- with an original, a vigorous, an expanded mind.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37160.42I have formed my plans -- right plans I deem them -- and in them I have attended to the claims of conscience, the counsels of reason.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33800.42She advocated a high tone of sentiment; but she did not know the sensations of sympathy and pity; tenderness and truth were not in her.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24210.42"Not at all -- it bears the most gracious message in the world: for the rest, you are not my conscience-keeper, so don't make yourself uneasy.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96710.42If so, then certainly I delight in sacrifice."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96660.42"Because you delight in sacrifice."

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13170.69I got on to her crib and kissed her: her forehead was cold, and her cheek both cold and thin, and so were her hand and wrist; but she smiled as of old.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_93020.64The muscular hand broke from my custody; my arm was seized, my shoulder -- neck -- waist -- I was entwined and gathered to him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_52120.63I turned my lips to the hand that lay on my shoulder.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96300.62As he turned aside his face a minute, I saw a tear slide from under the sealed eyelid, and trickle down the manly cheek.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_50740.59I gladly advanced; and it was not merely a cold word now, or even a shake of the hand that I received, but an embrace and a kiss.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_6070.58I just put my two arms round her and said, "Come, Bessie!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_55560.58"Yes; though I touch it, it is a dream," said I, as I put it down from before my face.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14820.58In another second I was embracing and kissing her rapturously: "Bessie!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45250.56He threatens me -- he continually threatens me with his own death, or mine: and I dream sometimes that I see him laid out with a great wound in his throat, or with a swollen and blackened face.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49450.56Gathering me to his breast, pressing his lips on my lips: "so, Jane!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47900.56An impulse held me fast -- a force turned me round.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39730.55I must dip my hand again and again in the basin of blood and water, and wipe away the trickling gore.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44770.53My fingers had fastened on her hand which lay outside the sheet: had she pressed mine kindly, I should at that moment have experienced true pleasure.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60020.52I wrestled with my own resolution: I wanted to be weak that I might avoid the awful passage of further suffering I saw laid out for me; and Conscience, turned tyrant, held Passion by the throat, told her tauntingly, she had yet but dipped her dainty foot in the slough, and swore that with that arm of iron he would thrust her down to unsounded depths of agony.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87560.51"I know where your heart turns and to what it clings.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64700.51(And he shook me with the force of his hold.)
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_61760.51burst involuntarily from my lips.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60540.51I turned my face away and put his aside.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48680.51You're not turning your head to look after more moths, are you?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4640.51What a face he had, now that it was almost on a level with mine!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_40400.51I must look to this other wound in the arm: she has had her teeth here too, I think."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86530.51What a cold, loose touch, he impressed on my fingers!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69880.51And indeed my head swam: I dropped, but a chair received me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16610.51I went up to her, and was received with an affable kiss and shake of the hand.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_55550.50He had a rounded, muscular, and vigorous hand, as well as a long, strong arm.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39520.50He took the sponge, dipped it in, and moistened the corpse-like face; he asked for my smelling-bottle, and applied it to the nostrils.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29360.50Why my hand shook, and why I involuntarily spilt half the contents of my cup into my saucer, I did not choose to consider.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13500.50And I clasped my arms closer round Helen; she seemed dearer to me than ever; I felt as if I could not let her go; I lay with my face hidden on her neck.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11510.50Resting my head on Helen's shoulder, I put my arms round her waist; she drew me to her, and we reposed in silence.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39540.50Mr. Rochester opened the shirt of the wounded man, whose arm and shoulder were bandaged: he sponged away blood, trickling fast down.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33860.50If she had managed the victory at once, and he had yielded and sincerely laid his heart at her feet, I should have covered my face, turned to the wall, and (figuratively) have died to them.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46710.50As I laid her down -- for I raised her and supported her on my arm while she drank -- I covered her ice-cold and clammy hand with mine: the feeble fingers shrank from my touch -- the glazing eyes shunned my gaze.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13270.48While I tried to devour my tears, a fit of coughing seized Helen; it did not, however, wake the nurse; when it was over, she lay some minutes exhausted; then she whispered - "Jane, your little feet are bare; lie down and cover yourself with my quilt."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_26510.47He took it from my hand, held it up, and surveyed the bed, all blackened and scorched, the sheets drenched, the carpet round swimming in water.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_910.45"Hold her arms, Miss Abbot: she's like a mad cat."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76360.45she exclaimed, shaking her beautiful curled head, as if shocked at herself.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33500.45As he moved, a chain clanked; to his wrists were attached fetters.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97630.44I put into his hand a five-pound note.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83260.44They both threw their arms round his neck at once.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71980.44"Not at all, with Hannah bustling about and covering you with flour."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64140.44softly kissing my forehead and cheek.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60250.44I suppose, then, your heart has been weeping blood?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_57060.44Am I leaving you without a tear -- without a kiss -- without a word?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46690.44I approached my cheek to her lips: she would not touch it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_40390.44"Directly, sir; the shoulder is just bandaged.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27110.44He held out his hand; I gave him mine: he took it first in one, them in both his own.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_92600.43The tray shook as I held it; the water spilt from the glass; my heart struck my ribs loud and fast.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_61730.43He bared his wrist, and offered it to me: the blood was forsaking his cheek and lips, they were growing livid; I was distressed on all hands.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9980.42Our clothing was insufficient to protect us from the severe cold: we had no boots, the snow got into our shoes and melted there: our ungloved hands became numbed and covered with chilblains, as were our feet: I remember well the distracting irritation I endured from this cause every evening, when my feet inflamed; and the torture of thrusting the swelled, raw, and stiff toes into my shoes in the morning.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_57780.42I would fain have spoken to her, but my hand was held by a grasp of iron: I was hurried along by a stride I could hardly follow; and to look at Mr. Rochester's face was to feel that not a second of delay would be tolerated for any purpose.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33630.58"An English hero of the road would be the next best thing to an Italian bandit; and that could only be surpassed by a Levantine pirate."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41270.53"But I had fastened the door -- I had the key in my pocket: I should have been a careless shepherd if I had left a lamb -- my pet lamb -- so near a wolf's den, unguarded: you were safe."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48120.46It was as if a band of Italian days had come from the South, like a flock of glorious passenger birds, and lighted to rest them on the cliffs of Albion.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30790.46They dispersed about the room, reminding me, by the lightness and buoyancy of their movements, of a flock of white plumy birds.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82710.43Don't cling so tenaciously to ties of the flesh; save your constancy and ardour for an adequate cause; forbear to waste them on trite transient objects.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25220.42I wish to be a better man than I have been, than I am; as Job's leviathan broke the spear, the dart, and the habergeon, hindrances which others count as iron and brass, I will esteem but straw and rotten wood."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_40720.40I got this cordial at Rome, of an Italian charlatan -- a fellow you would have kicked, Carter.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4940.40"I like Revelations, and the book of Daniel, and Genesis and Samuel, and a little bit of Exodus, and some parts of Kings and Chronicles, and Job and Jonah."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_94660.35The 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.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21210.33a novice not worship her priest!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47560.33But I have a veil -- it is down: I may make shift yet to behave with decent composure.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84160.33His idea was still with me, because it was not a vapour sunshine could disperse, nor a sand-traced effigy storms could wash away; it was a name graven on a tablet, fated to last as long as the marble it inscribed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13410.31I rely implicitly on His power, and confide wholly in His goodness: I count the hours till that eventful one arrives which shall restore me to Him, reveal Him to me."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81340.30This was a blessing, bright, vivid, and exhilarating; -- not like the ponderous gift of gold: rich and welcome enough in its way, but sobering from its weight.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11120.27It was as if a martyr, a hero, had passed a slave or victim, and imparted strength in the transit.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81930.25I, wealthy -- gorged with gold I never earned and do not merit!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59510.20Do you know him?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47510.20"Hillo!"

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12510.60Many, already smitten, went home only to die: some died at the school, and were buried quietly and quickly, the nature of the malady forbidding delay.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68930.56She wiped her eyes with her apron: the two girls, grave before, looked sad now.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60930.54I have a place to repair to, which will be a secure sanctuary from hateful reminiscences, from unwelcome intrusion -- even from falsehood and slander."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84800.50He had calculated on these first objections: he was not irritated by them.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85000.50I have proved you in that time by sundry tests: and what have I seen and elicited?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66330.50Looking up, I, with tear-dimmed eyes, saw the mighty Milky-way.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29040.50Open their bleared lids and look on your own accursed senselessness!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_98050.50He had the advice of an eminent oculist; and he eventually recovered the sight of that one eye.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_55040.50A puerile tear dimmed my eye while I looked -- a tear of disappointment and impatience; ashamed of it, I wiped it away.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5110.50"Nothing, indeed," thought I, as I struggled to repress a sob, and hastily wiped away some tears, the impotent evidences of my anguish.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11230.50Now I wept: Helen Burns was not here; nothing sustained me; left to myself I abandoned myself, and my tears watered the boards.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12690.50She was not, I was told, in the hospital portion of the house with the fever patients; for her complaint was consumption, not typhus: and by consumption I, in my ignorance, understood something mild, which time and care would be sure to alleviate.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12160.50Helen she held a little longer than me: she let her go more reluctantly; it was Helen her eye followed to the door; it was for her she a second time breathed a sad sigh; for her she wiped a tear from her cheek.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14360.46She peered at me over her spectacles, and then she opened a drawer and fumbled among its contents for a long time, so long that my hopes began to falter.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45800.45Her own fortune she had taken care to secure; and when her mother died -- and it was wholly improbable, she tranquilly remarked, that she should either recover or linger long -- she would execute a long-cherished project: seek a retirement where punctual habits would be permanently secured from disturbance, and place safe barriers between herself and a frivolous world.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80910.44Of course these objections wrought my eagerness to a climax: gratified it must be, and that without delay; and I told him so.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77990.44or would the sight of it bring recollections calculated to enervate and distress?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_90530.43where meantime was the hapless owner of this wreck?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27080.43-- snatched me from a horrible and excruciating death!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18530.42Millions are condemned to a stiller doom than mine, and millions are in silent revolt against their lot.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96110.40He has no indulgence for me -- no fondness.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80770.40Again the latch rattled.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69650.40"Yes -- yes; open quickly."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68950.40And then, nobody need to have a quieter death nor he had."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68000.40sustain me a little longer!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53020.40She obeyed him with what speed she might.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35880.40"Why don't you consult my art?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_1340.40yes: no jail was ever more secure.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13220.40"Are you going somewhere, Helen?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_61270.40I had been struggling with tears for some time: I had taken great pains to repress them, because I knew he would not like to see me weep.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10460.40You are aware that my plan in bringing up these girls is, not to accustom them to habits of luxury and indulgence, but to render them hardy, patient, self-denying.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5380.38In my hand I held the tract containing the sudden death of the Liar, to which narrative my attention had been pointed as to an appropriate warning.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84340.38And while I smothered the paroxysm with all haste, he sat calm and patient, leaning on his desk, and looking like a physician watching with the eye of science an expected and fully understood crisis in a patient's malady.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9530.38Yes, his enemies were the worst: they shed blood they had no right to shed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68690.38"There you have a dim and mighty archangel fitly set before you!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63160.38Giacinta was unprincipled and violent: I tired of her in three months.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44040.38The doctor says she may linger a week or two yet; but he hardly thinks she will finally recover."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11310.38I was the first who spoke - "Helen, why do you stay with a girl whom everybody believes to be a liar?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49050.37In listening, I sobbed convulsively; for I could repress what I endured no longer; I was obliged to yield, and I was shaken from head to foot with acute distress.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25470.37"They began to talk; their conversation eased me completely: frivolous, mercenary, heartless, and senseless, it was rather calculated to weary than enrage a listener.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10980.37A pause -- in which I began to steady the palsy of my nerves, and to feel that the Rubicon was passed; and that the trial, no longer to be shirked, must be firmly sustained.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9940.36Helen sighed as her reverie fled, and getting up, obeyed the monitor without reply as without delay.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83770.36Her constitution is both sound and elastic; -- better calculated to endure variations of climate than many more robust."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46760.36I yet lingered half-an-hour longer, hoping to see some sign of amity: but she gave none.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29960.36Adele now petitioned to go down; but I took her on my knee, and gave her to understand that she must not on any account think of venturing in sight of the ladies, either now or at any other time, unless expressly sent for: that Mr. Rochester would be very angry, &c. "Some natural tears she shed" on being told this; but as I began to look very grave, she consented at last to wipe them.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88390.36But," was slowly, distinctly read, "the fearful, the unbelieving, &c., shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66000.36Yet a chance traveller might pass by; and I wish no eye to see me now: strangers would wonder what I am doing, lingering here at the sign-post, evidently objectless and lost.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84300.35The bitter check had wrung from me some tears; and now, as I sat poring over the crabbed characters and flourishing tropes of an Indian scribe, my eyes filled again.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27820.35I was not aware any danger or annoyance was to be dreaded at Thornfield Hall: but in future" (and I laid marked stress on the words) "I shall take good care to make all secure before I venture to lie down."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64540.34Still indomitable was the reply -- "I care for myself.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12400.72April advanced to May: a bright serene May it was; days of blue sky, placid sunshine, and soft western or southern gales filled up its duration.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84420.70The breeze was from the west: it came over the hills, sweet with scents of heath and rush; the sky was of stainless blue; the stream descending the ravine, swelled with past spring rains, poured along plentiful and clear, catching golden gleams from the sun, and sapphire tints from the firmament.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21780.67The first represented clouds low and livid, rolling over a swollen sea: all the distance was in eclipse; so, too, was the foreground; or rather, the nearest billows, for there was no land.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48180.65The east had its own charm or fine deep blue, and its own modest gem, a casino and solitary star: soon it would boast the moon; but she was yet beneath the horizon.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48170.60Where the sun had gone down in simple state -- pure of the pomp of clouds -- spread a solemn purple, burning with the light of red jewel and furnace flame at one point, on one hill-peak, and extending high and wide, soft and still softer, over half heaven.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66150.60I looked at the sky; it was pure: a kindly star twinkled just above the chasm ridge.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65160.60I lifted up my head to look: the roof resolved to clouds, high and dim; the gleam was such as the moon imparts to vapours she is about to sever.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_55180.60He saw me; for the moon had opened a blue field in the sky, and rode in it watery bright: he took his hat off, and waved it round his head.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12380.60-- when mists as chill as death wandered to the impulse of east winds along those purple peaks, and rolled down "ing" and holm till they blended with the frozen fog of the beck!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66570.60All the valley at my right hand was full of pasture-fields, and cornfields, and wood; and a glittering stream ran zig-zag through the varied shades of green, the mellowing grain, the sombre woodland, the clear and sunny lea.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54290.59"Still bright on clouds of suffering dim Shines that soft, solemn joy; Nor care I now, how dense and grim Disasters gather nigh.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21810.58The second picture contained for foreground only the dim peak of a hill, with grass and some leaves slanting as if by a breeze.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41160.57They were fresh now as a succession of April showers and gleams, followed by a lovely spring morning, could make them: the sun was just entering the dappled east, and his light illumined the wreathed and dewy orchard trees and shone down the quiet walks under them.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84680.56The glen and sky spun round: the hills heaved!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18840.55A rude noise broke on these fine ripplings and whisperings, at once so far away and so clear: a positive tramp, tramp, a metallic clatter, which effaced the soft wave-wanderings; as, in a picture, the solid mass of a crag, or the rough boles of a great oak, drawn in dark and strong on the foreground, efface the aerial distance of azure hill, sunny horizon, and blended clouds where tint melts into tint.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68150.52My eye still roved over the sullen swell and along the moor-edge, vanishing amidst the wildest scenery, when at one dim point, far in among the marshes and the ridges, a light sprang up.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48110.52CHAPTER XXIII A splendid Midsummer shone over England: skies so pure, suns so radiant as were then seen in long succession, seldom favour even singly, our wave-girt land.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84250.50A fine spring shone round me, which I could not enjoy.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68330.50Having crossed the marsh, I saw a trace of white over the moor.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58130.50How his eye shone, still watchful, and yet wild beneath!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22090.50There is a high gale in that sky, and on this hill-top.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_1750.50Was it, I asked myself, a ray from the moon penetrating some aperture in the blind?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66050.50High banks of moor were about me; the crag protected my head: the sky was over that.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47660.50-- but I'd as soon offer to take hold of a blue ignis fatuus light in a marsh.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2700.50"Why did they send me so far and so lonely, Up where the moors spread and grey rocks are piled?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24030.50And I may get it as sweet and fresh as the wild honey the bee gathers on the moor."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25970.50Suppose he should be absent spring, summer, and autumn: how joyless sunshine and fine days will seem!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41210.50That sky with its high and light clouds which are sure to melt away as the day waxes warm -- this placid and balmly atmosphere?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_92320.50He lifted his hand and opened his eyelids; gazed blank, and with a straining effort, on the sky, and toward the amphitheatre of trees: one saw that all to him was void darkness.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47300.48It was not a bright or splendid summer evening, though fair and soft: the haymakers were at work all along the road; and the sky, though far from cloudless, was such as promised well for the future: its blue -- where blue was visible -- was mild and settled, and its cloud strata high and thin.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29770.47It had been a mild, serene spring day -- one of those days which, towards the end of March or the beginning of April, rise shining over the earth as heralds of summer.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24800.46I have been green, too, Miss Eyre, -- ay, grass green: not a more vernal tint freshens you now than once freshened me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65980.46There are great moors behind and on each hand of me; there are waves of mountains far beyond that deep valley at my feet.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_19610.45A touch of a spurred heel made his horse first start and rear, and then bound away; the dog rushed in his traces; all three vanished, "Like heath that, in the wilderness, The wild wind whirls away."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20900.45I don't think either summer or harvest, or winter moon, will ever shine on their revels more."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84430.45As we advanced and left the track, we trod a soft turf, mossy fine and emerald green, minutely enamelled with a tiny white flower, and spangled with a star-like yellow blossom: the hills, meantime, shut us quite in; for the glen, towards its head, wound to their very core.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62560.43From a flowery arch at the bottom of my garden I gazed over the sea -- bluer than the sky: the old world was beyond; clear prospects opened thus:- "'Go,' said Hope, 'and live again in Europe: there it is not known what a sullied name you bear, nor what a filthy burden is bound to you.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69860.43"As white as clay or death," was responded.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68160.43"That is an ignis fatuus," was my first thought; and I expected it would soon vanish.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12370.43How different had this scene looked when I viewed it laid out beneath the iron sky of winter, stiffened in frost, shrouded with snow!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5950.42It was a very grey day; a most opaque sky, "onding on snaw," canopied all; thence flakes felt it intervals, which settled on the hard path and on the hoary lea without melting.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21820.42Beyond and above spread an expanse of sky, dark blue as at twilight: rising into the sky was a woman's shape to the bust, portrayed in tints as dusk and soft as I could combine.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_19240.42pointing to Thornfield Hall, on which the moon cast a hoary gleam, bringing it out distinct and pale from the woods that, by contrast with the western sky, now seemed one mass of shadow.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_57870.41And now I can recall the picture of the grey old house of God rising calm before me, of a rook wheeling round the steeple, of a ruddy morning sky beyond.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83310.41Sweet was that evening.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69930.41How very thin, and how very bloodless!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_6800.41"Ay, ay!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58830.41I went through rich scenes!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_40380.41The sun will soon rise, and I must have him off."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65180.41She broke forth as never moon yet burst from cloud: a hand first penetrated the sable folds and waved them away; then, not a moon, but a white human form shone in the azure, inclining a glorious brow earthward.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68710.79'Ich wage die Gedanken in der Schale meines Zornes und die Werke mit dem Gewichte meines Grimms.'
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_98180.64He may be stern; he may be exacting; he may be ambitious yet; but his is the sternness of the warrior Greatheart, who guards his pilgrim convoy from the onslaught of Apollyon.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86310.58You have introduced a topic on which our natures are at variance -- a topic we should never discuss: the very name of love is an apple of discord between us.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29710.54All I had gathered from it amounted to this, -- that there was a mystery at Thornfield; and that from participation in that mystery I was purposely excluded.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65670.40As yet my flight, I was sure, was undiscovered.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4880.40continued my interrogator.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31980.40"Tant pis!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24240.40"Now," he continued, again addressing me, "I have received the pilgrim -- a disguised deity, as I verily believe.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42660.38He made a curious grimace -- one of his strange and equivocal demonstrations -- threw down his cue and followed me from the room.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68650.37At a later day, I knew the language and the book; therefore, I will here quote the line: though, when I first heard it, it was only like a stroke on sounding brass to me -- conveying no meaning:- "'Da trat hervor Einer, anzusehen wie die Sternen Nacht.'
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12260.35I learned the first two tenses of the verb ETRE, and sketched my first cottage (whose walls, by-the-bye, outrivalled in slope those of the leaning tower of Pisa), on the same day.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71000.33Turning to me, as she took some loaves from the oven, she asked bluntly - "Did you ever go a-begging afore you came here?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29510.33Still, now and then, I received a damping check to my cheerfulness; and was, in spite of myself, thrown back on the region of doubts and portents, and dark conjectures.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33960.30I have seen in his face a far different expression from that which hardens it now while she is so vivaciously accosting him; but then it came of itself: it was not elicited by meretricious arts and calculated manoeuvres; and one had but to accept it -- to answer what he asked without pretension, to address him when needful without grimace -- and it increased and grew kinder and more genial, and warmed one like a fostering sunbeam.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21160.30"And you girls probably worshipped him, as a convent full of religieuses would worship their director."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56020.28No, sir, don't caress me now -- let me talk undisturbed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10670.27Leaning a little back on my bench, I could see the looks and grimaces with which they commented on this manoeuvre: it was a pity Mr. Brocklehurst could not see them too; he would perhaps have felt that, whatever he might do with the outside of the cup and platter, the inside was further beyond his interference than he imagined.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32310.26"I suppose, now," said Miss Ingram, curling her lip sarcastically, "we shall have an abstract of the memoirs of all the governesses extant: in order to avert such a visitation, I again move the introduction of a new topic.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33490.26I knew Mr. Rochester; though the begrimed face, the disordered dress (his coat hanging loose from one arm, as if it had been almost torn from his back in a scuffle), the desperate and scowling countenance, the rough, bristling hair might well have disguised him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77030.25I had learnt her whole character, which was without mystery or disguise: she was coquettish but not heartless; exacting, but not worthlessly selfish.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25070.25Floating on with closed eyes and muffled ears, you neither see the rocks bristling not far off in the bed of the flood, nor hear the breakers boil at their base.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43840.20"Yes?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43250.20Take your wages."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34110.15The Ladies Lynn and Ingram continued to consort in solemn conferences, where they nodded their two turbans at each other, and held up their four hands in confronting gestures of surprise, or mystery, or horror, according to the theme on which their gossip ran, like a pair of magnified puppets.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30000.88"Chez maman," said she, "quand il y avait du monde, je le suivais partout, au salon et e leurs chambres; souvent je regardais les femmes de chambre coiffer et habiller les dames, et c'etait si amusant: comme cela on apprend."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20010.85"Et cela doit signifier," said she, "qu'il y aura le dedans un cadeau pour moi, et peut-etre pour vous aussi, mademoiselle.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20020.84Monsieur a parle de vous: il m'a demande le nom de ma gouvernante, et si elle n'etait pas une petite personne, assez mince et un peu pale.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28120.83"Vos doigts tremblent comme la feuille, et vos joues sont rouges: mais, rouges comme des cerises!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30690.82"Est-ce que je ne puis pas prendrie une seule de ces fleurs magnifiques, mademoiselle?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20030.71J'ai dit qu'oui: car c'est vrai, n'est-ce pas, mademoiselle?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53150.66"Oh, qu' elle y sera mal -- peu comfortable!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30020.64"Mais oui, mademoiselle: voile cinq ou six heures que nous n'avons pas mange."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20440.57As he took the cup from my hand, Adele, thinking the moment propitious for making a request in my favour, cried out - "N'est-ce pas, monsieur, qu'il y a un cadeau pour Mademoiselle Eyre dans votre petit coffre?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32650.57"Gardez-vous en bien!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28100.57"Qu' avez-vous, mademoiselle?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17330.57"Yes, and she just used to say it in this way: 'Qu' avez vous donc?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24760.55Tenez, je crois que je vais danser!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17340.55lui dit un de ces rats; parlez!'
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53440.53Whereupon I told her not to mind his badinage; and she, on her part, evinced a fund of genuine French scepticism: denominating Mr. Rochester "un vrai menteur," and assuring him that she made no account whatever of his "contes de fee," and that "du reste, il n'y avait pas de fees, et quand meme il y en avait:" she was sure they would never appear to him, nor ever give him rings, or offer to live with him in the moon.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30700.50Seulement pour completer ma toilette."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18370.50adding, "J'ai bien faim, moi!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17290.50Assuming an attitude, she began, "La Ligue des Rats: fable de La Fontaine."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24770.50And spreading out her dress, she chasseed across the room till, having reached Mr. Rochester, she wheeled lightly round before him on tip-toe, then dropped on one knee at his feet, exclaiming - "Monsieur, je vous remercie mille fois de votre bonte;" then rising, she added, "C'est comme cela que maman faisait, n'est-ce pas, monsieur?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54020.47"I want a smoke, Jane, or a pinch of snuff, to comfort me under all this, 'pour me donner une contenance,' as Adele would say; and unfortunately I have neither my cigar-case, nor my snuff-box.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24730.44"Est-ce que ma robe va bien?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24650.43'Il faut que je l'essaie!'
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16920.43"C'est le ma gouverante!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51210.38"You shall sojourn at Paris, Rome, and Naples: at Florence, Venice, and Vienna: all the ground I have wandered over shall be re-trodden by you: wherever I stamped my hoof, your sylph's foot shall step also.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62990.35For ten long years I roved about, living first in one capital, then another: sometimes in St. Petersburg; oftener in Paris; occasionally in Rome, Naples, and Florence.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53100.35"Yes," he replied, "absolutely sans mademoiselle; for I am to take mademoiselle to the moon, and there I shall seek a cave in one of the white valleys among the volcano-tops, and mademoiselle shall live with me there, and only me."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24790.25was the answer; "and, 'comme cela,' she charmed my English gold out of my British breeches' pocket.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_92540.70She then proceeded to fill a glass with water, and place it on a tray, together with candles.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30220.69The dessert was not carried out till after nine and at ten footmen were still running to and fro with trays and coffee-cups.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4280.68The remains of my breakfast of bread and milk stood on the table, and having crumbled a morsel of roll, I was tugging at the sash to put out the crumbs on the window- sill, when Bessie came running upstairs into the nursery.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7760.67She went on - "You had this morning a breakfast which you could not eat; you must be hungry: -- I have ordered that a lunch of bread and cheese shall be served to all."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71810.60They returned within the time Hannah had allotted them: they entered by the kitchen door.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_6280.60I'll ask cook to bake you a little cake, and then you shall help me to look over your drawers; for I am soon to pack your trunk.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12020.60"I meant to give each of you some of this to take with you," said she, "but as there is so little toast, you must have it now," and she proceeded to cut slices with a generous hand.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_67690.60A little before dark I passed a farm-house, at the open door of which the farmer was sitting, eating his supper of bread and cheese.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_67490.58Once more I took off my handkerchief -- once more I thought of the cakes of bread in the little shop.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11940.58"Barbara," said she, "can you not bring a little more bread and butter?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8560.57I found the mess to consist of indifferent potatoes and strange shreds of rusty meat, mixed and cooked together.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_94410.56I laughed and made my escape, still laughing as I ran upstairs.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_90.56A breakfast-room adjoined the drawing-room, I slipped in there.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44110.55Old times crowded fast back on me as I watched her bustling about -- setting out the tea-tray with her best china, cutting bread and butter, toasting a tea-cake, and, between whiles, giving little Robert or Jane an occasional tap or push, just as she used to give me in former days.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54080.55I had prepared an occupation for him; for I was determined not to spend the whole time in a tete-e-tete conversation.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45380.55But I was determined not to seem at a loss for occupation or amusement: I had brought my drawing materials with me, and they served me for both.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20390.54She hastened to ring the bell; and when the tray came, she proceeded to arrange the cups, spoons, &c., with assiduous celerity.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72030.52"Sit there," she said, placing me on the sofa, "while we take our things off and get the tea ready; it is another privilege we exercise in our little moorland home -- to prepare our own meals when we are so inclined, or when Hannah is baking, brewing, washing, or ironing."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12560.51Besides, there were fewer to feed; the sick could eat little; our breakfast-basins were better filled; when there was no time to prepare a regular dinner, which often happened, she would give us a large piece of cold pie, or a thick slice of bread and cheese, and this we carried away with us to the wood, where we each chose the spot we liked best, and dined sumptuously.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_92580.51"Give the tray to me; I will carry it in."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72220.51Hannah says you have had nothing but some gruel since breakfast."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69090.51And she proceeded to prepare the meal.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51540.51I know it: your request is granted then -- for the time.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_50660.51I ate what I could, and then I hastened upstairs.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16290.51She took her candle, and I followed her from the room.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70050.50And he withdrew the cup of milk and the plate of bread.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8700.50Soon after five p.m. we had another meal, consisting of a small mug of coffee, and half-a-slice of brown bread.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75880.50Papa told me you had opened your school, and that the new mistress was come; and so I put on my bonnet after tea, and ran up the valley to see her: this is she?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_6550.48Few children can eat when excited with the thoughts of a journey; nor could I. Bessie, having pressed me in vain to take a few spoonfuls of the boiled milk and bread she had prepared for me, wrapped up some biscuits in a paper and put them into my bag; then she helped me on with my pelisse and bonnet, and wrapping herself in a shawl, she and I left the nursery.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_57730.46"We shall not want it to go to church; but it must be ready the moment we return: all the boxes and luggage arranged and strapped on, and the coachman in his seat."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11890.46"Barbara," she said to the servant who answered it, "I have not yet had tea; bring the tray and place cups for these two young ladies."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29400.46I don't know how many of the fine people at the Leas are coming with him: he sends directions for all the best bedrooms to be prepared; and the library and drawing-rooms are to be cleaned out; I am to get more kitchen hands from the George Inn, at Millcote, and from wherever else I can; and the ladies will bring their maids and the gentlemen their valets: so we shall have a full house of it."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70760.46Hannah had brought me some gruel and dry toast, about, as I supposed, the dinner-hour.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14440.46There still remained an inch of candle: I now took out my letter; the seal was an initial F.; I broke it; the contents were brief.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69240.45"I want a night's shelter in an out-house or anywhere, and a morsel of bread to eat."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17230.45She had finished her breakfast, so I permitted her to give a specimen of her accomplishments.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70320.44"Hannah," said Mr. St. John, at last, "let her sit there at present, and ask her no questions; in ten minutes more, give her the remainder of that milk and bread.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69350.43Here is a penny; now go -- " "A penny cannot feed me, and I have no strength to go farther.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_67700.43I stopped and said - "Will you give me a piece of bread?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5410.43"Go out of the room; return to the nursery," was her mandate.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_52190.43"Go to your room, and put on your bonnet," he replied.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31260.43At last coffee is brought in, and the gentlemen are summoned.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16020.43"I'll see it carried into your room," she said, and bustled out.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14060.43Any one may serve: I have served here eight years; now all I want is to serve elsewhere.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12010.42Having invited Helen and me to approach the table, and placed before each of us a cup of tea with one delicious but thin morsel of toast, she got up, unlocked a drawer, and taking from it a parcel wrapped in paper, disclosed presently to our eyes a good-sized seed-cake.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7790.42The bread and cheese was presently brought in and distributed, to the high delight and refreshment of the whole school.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72200.42Diana, as she passed in and out, in the course of preparing tea, brought me a little cake, baked on the top of the oven.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32620.42"Commands from Miss Ingram's lips would put spirit into a mug of milk and water."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27890.42"No; just put my pint of porter and bit of pudding on a tray, and I'll carry it upstairs."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7150.41The tall girls went out and returned presently, each bearing a tray, with portions of something, I knew not what, arranged thereon, and a pitcher of water and mug in the middle of each tray.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39480.71An easy-chair was near the bed-head: a man sat in it, dressed with the exception of his coat; he was still; his head leant back; his eyes were closed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78050.70By this time he had sat down: he had laid the picture on the table before him, and with his brow supported on both hands, hung fondly over it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5370.70Sitting on a low stool, a few yards from her arm-chair, I examined her figure; I perused her features.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2620.67I closed the book, which I dared no longer peruse, and put it on the table, beside the untasted tart.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_26670.64If you are not warm enough, you may take my cloak yonder; wrap it about you, and sit down in the arm-chair: there, -- I will put it on.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68240.64And I sank down where I stood, and hid my face against the ground.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24230.60He said this as if he spoke to a vision, viewless to any eye but his own; then, folding his arms, which he had half extended, on his chest, he seemed to enclose in their embrace the invisible being.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97430.59He put me off his knee, rose, and reverently lifting his hat from his brow, and bending his sightless eyes to the earth, he stood in mute devotion.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80700.58He was lifting the latch: a sudden thought occurred to me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58200.58The speaker came forward and leaned on the rails.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21620.58I perceive those pictures were done by one hand: was that hand yours?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8860.58"Burns, I insist on your holding your head up; I will not have you before me in that attitude," &c. &c. A chapter having been read through twice, the books were closed and the girls examined.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11300.58She sat down on the ground near me, embraced her knees with her arms, and rested her head upon them; in that attitude she remained silent as an Indian.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_55600.56When we were again alone, I stirred the fire, and then took a low seat at my master's knee.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7130.55Four tall girls arose from different tables, and going round, gathered the books and removed them.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64210.55I laid my hand on the back of a chair for support: I shook, I feared -- but I resolved.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11130.55I mastered the rising hysteria, lifted up my head, and took a firm stand on the stool.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87710.54Diana was a great deal taller than I: she put her hand on my shoulder, and, stooping, examined my face.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72040.54She closed the door, leaving me solus with Mr. St. John, who sat opposite, a book or newspaper in his hand.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13120.54She stirred herself, put back the curtain, and I saw her face, pale, wasted, but quite composed: she looked so little changed that my fear was instantly dissipated.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97470.52Then he stretched his hand out to be led.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70980.52She pointed to the rocking-chair: I took it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66800.52She pointed to a seat; I sank into it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_36240.52I knelt within half a yard of her.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_36200.52Kneel, and lift up your head."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_880.51Four hands were immediately laid upon me, and I was borne upstairs.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81170.51I paused -- he stood before me, hat in hand, looking composed enough.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72420.51Here I saw his glance directed to my hands, which were folded on the table before me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59690.51I leaned my arms on a table, and my head dropped on them.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37020.51She did not stoop towards me, but only gazed, leaning back in her chair.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44840.51I brought a chair to the bed-head: I sat down and leaned over the pillow.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33400.51She approached the basin, and bent over it as if to fill her pitcher; she again lifted it to her head.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25480.51A card of mine lay on the table; this being perceived, brought my name under discussion.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_92020.51I followed it, expecting soon to reach the dwelling; but it stretched on and on, it would far and farther: no sign of habitation or grounds was visible.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66240.51I folded my shawl double, and spread it over me for a coverlet; a low, mossy swell was my pillow.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46120.51I renewed the fuel, re-arranged the bedclothes, gazed awhile on her who could not now gaze on me, and then I moved away to the window.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44910.50Turning restlessly, she drew the bedclothes round her; my elbow, resting on a corner of the quilt, fixed it down: she was at once irritated.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59140.50A fierce cry seemed to give the lie to her favourable report: the clothed hyena rose up, and stood tall on its hind-feet.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_90280.50All is still: he again advances: he bends above her; a light veil rests on her features: he lifts it, bends lower; now his eyes anticipate the vision of beauty -- warm, and blooming, and lovely, in rest.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79500.50He soon stirred; my eye was instantly drawn to his movements; he only took out a morocco pocket-book, thence produced a letter, which he read in silence, folded it, put it back, relapsed into meditation.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17240.50Descending from her chair, she came and placed herself on my knee; then, folding her little hands demurely before her, shaking back her curls and lifting her eyes to the ceiling, she commenced singing a song from some opera.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30800.50Some of them threw themselves in half-reclining positions on the sofas and ottomans: some bent over the tables and examined the flowers and books: the rest gathered in a group round the fire: all talked in a low but clear tone which seemed habitual to them.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20230.47Half reclined on a couch appeared Mr. Rochester, his foot supported by the cushion; he was looking at Adele and the dog: the fire shone full on his face.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_92340.47He relinquished the endeavour, folded his arms, and stood quiet and mute in the rain, now falling fast on his uncovered head.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33480.47Amidst this sordid scene, sat a man with his clenched hands resting on his knees, and his eyes bent on the ground.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_61070.47I shook my head: it required a degree of courage, excited as he was becoming, even to risk that mute sign of dissent.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56780.47But presently she took my veil from its place; she held it up, gazed at it long, and then she threw it over her own head, and turned to the mirror.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35710.47I stood on the rug and warmed my hands, which were rather cold with sitting at a distance from the drawing-room fire.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78000.46He now furtively raised his eyes: he glanced at me, irresolute, disturbed: he again surveyed the picture.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_52310.46She put up her spectacles, shut the Bible, and pushed her chair back from the table.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39420.61A shout of laughter greeted his entrance; noisy at first, and terminating in Grace Poole's own goblin ha!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58940.58At our entrance, Mrs. Fairfax, Adele, Sophie, Leah, advanced to meet and greet us.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43990.57exclaimed Mrs. Leaven, as I entered.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18190.57"Some of the servants, very likely," she answered: "perhaps Grace Poole."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21250.55"That was very false economy," remarked Mrs. Fairfax, who now again caught the drift of the dialogue.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_61870.50"I remember Mrs. Fairfax told me so once."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59230.50Mrs. Poole advanced.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20180.50"You want a brooch," said Mrs. Fairfax.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18260.50exclaimed Mrs. Fairfax.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29940.50exclaimed Mrs. Fairfax, and away she hurried to her post below.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17810.50This was all the account I got from Mrs. Fairfax of her employer and mine.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56690.46Mr. Rochester, this was not Sophie, it was not Leah, it was not Mrs. Fairfax: it was not -- no, I was sure of it, and am still -- it was not even that strange woman, Grace Poole."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29580.46"Yes," said Leah; "I wish I had as good; not that mine are to complain of, -- there's no stinginess at Thornfield; but they're not one fifth of the sum Mrs. Poole receives.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31030.45As far as person went, she answered point for point, both to my picture and Mrs. Fairfax's description.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29560.45I once, indeed, overheard part of a dialogue between Leah and one of the charwomen, of which Grace formed the subject.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47950.45Mrs. Fairfax received me with her usual plain friendliness.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45240.43exclaimed Mrs. Reed, "there is another thing I wished to say.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30400.43"You will see her this evening," answered Mrs. Fairfax.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18300.43"Too much noise, Grace," said Mrs. Fairfax.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59130.43"We're tolerable, sir, I thank you," replied Grace, lifting the boiling mess carefully on to the hob: "rather snappish, but not 'rageous."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5400.43Mrs. Reed looked up from her work; her eye settled on mine, her fingers at the same time suspended their nimble movements.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22180.43Mrs. Fairfax folded up her knitting: I took my portfolio: we curtseyed to him, received a frigid bow in return, and so withdrew.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_15750.42I pray God Mrs. Fairfax may not turn out a second Mrs. Reed; but if she does, I am not bound to stay with her!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_55960.41Mrs. Fairfax has said something, perhaps?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44470.41"Mrs. Reed?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44010.41How is Mrs. Reed?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_400.41"Say, 'What do you want, Master Reed?'"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3140.41What, you are a baby after all!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28530.41"You saw her, you say, Mrs. Fairfax: what was she like?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_26600.41"Mrs. Fairfax?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_26180.41"Was that Grace Poole?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21050.41said Mrs. Fairfax.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_19880.41and is Mrs. Fairfax with him?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18310.41"Remember directions!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17990.41"Where are you going now, Mrs.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17150.41asked Mrs. Fairfax.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16770.41I am only the housekeeper -- the manager.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14510.41Mrs. Fairfax!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14350.41I asked.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_57210.40A woman did, I doubt not, enter your room: and that woman was -- must have been -- Grace Poole.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27880.40"Mrs. Poole," said she, addressing Grace, "the servants' dinner will soon be ready: will you come down?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_26260.40I thought no more of Mrs. Fairfax; I thought no more of Grace Poole, or the laugh: in an instant, I was within the chamber.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_6060.39The fact is, after my conflict with and victory over Mrs. Reed, I was not disposed to care much for the nursemaid's transitory anger; and I WAS disposed to bask in her youthful lightness of heart.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71340.38I remembered the answer of the old housekeeper at the parsonage, when I had asked to see the clergyman.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21570.38Adele and Mrs. Fairfax drew near to see the pictures.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42190.37"I daresay you hardly remember me, Miss," he said, rising as I entered; "but my name is Leaven: I lived coachman with Mrs. Reed when you were at Gateshead, eight or nine years since, and I live there still."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20910.36Mrs. Fairfax had dropped her knitting, and, with raised eyebrows, seemed wondering what sort of talk this was.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_19770.36I hastened to Mrs. Fairfax's room; there was a fire there too, but no candle, and no Mrs. Fairfax.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54730.36Mr. Rochester had himself written the direction, "Mrs. Rochester, -- Hotel, London," on each: I could not persuade myself to affix them, or to have them affixed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27640.36Mrs. Fairfax's room and yours are the nearest to master's; but Mrs. Fairfax said she heard nothing: when people get elderly, they often sleep heavy."

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28770.70"But I wonder no wealthy nobleman or gentleman has taken a fancy to her: Mr. Rochester, for instance.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77330.59Mr. Oliver spoke of Mr. Rivers -- of the Rivers family -- with great respect.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_40550.58inquired Mr. Rochester presently.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_40240.58"You should not have yielded: you should have grappled with her at once," said Mr. Rochester.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39880.58Why DID Mr. Rochester enforce this concealment?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59630.51he inquired of Mr. Mason.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28910.51"YOU," I said, "a favourite with Mr. Rochester?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21910.51asked Mr. Rochester presently.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95550.51"Did Rivers spend much time with the ladies of his family?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33310.51Mr. Rochester bowed, and the curtain fell.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42650.50she inquired of Mr. Rochester; and Mr. Rochester turned to see who the "person" was.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37700.50Oh, are you aware, Mr. Rochester, that a stranger has arrived here since you left this morning?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30410.50"I happened to remark to Mr. Rochester how much Adele wished to be introduced to the ladies, and he said: 'Oh!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10220.50Yes, I was right: it was Mr. Brocklehurst, buttoned up in a surtout, and looking longer, narrower, and more rigid than ever.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9270.46"Probably you would do nothing of the sort: but if you did, Mr. Brocklehurst would expel you from the school; that would be a great grief to your relations.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56120.45interposed Mr. Rochester: "but what did you find in the veil besides its embroidery?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49440.45repeated Mr. Rochester -- "so," he added, enclosing me in his arms.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45530.45Of course, I lied: it was, in fact, a very faithful representation of Mr. Rochester.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39870.45Why did he so quietly submit to the concealment Mr. Rochester enforced?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28500.45She came here to a Christmas ball and party Mr. Rochester gave.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16810.45"She is Mr. Rochester's ward; he commissioned me to find a governess for her.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72740.44"I have heard of Mr. Brocklehurst, and I have seen the school."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_61610.44You shall be Mrs. Rochester -- both virtually and nominally.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58470.44Mr. Rochester turned and glared at him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_52760.44Try and keep Mr. Rochester at a distance: distrust yourself as well as him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37390.44And Mr. Rochester stepped out of his disguise.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32020.44inquired Mr. Rochester aloud.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30330.44It was near one before the gentlemen and ladies sought their chambers.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29080.44you revert to Mr. Rochester as a model!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_19860.44"With master -- Mr. Rochester -- he is just arrived."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_91780.42As he came down the great staircase at last, after Mrs. Rochester had flung herself from the battlements, there was a great crash -- all fell.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58540.42Then addressing Mason, he inquired gently, "Are you aware, sir, whether or not this gentleman's wife is still living?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95260.41"Why not, Mr.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95200.41"Yes, Mr. Rochester, I liked him: but you asked me that before."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_94050.41"I conscientiously believe so, Mr.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82300.41asked Mr. Rivers, when they were gone.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8230.41"Who was Naomi Brocklehurst?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81630.41"Mr. Rivers!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80290.41He perhaps knows more of Mr. Rochester than you do."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80280.41"Yes -- yes; but where is Mr. Briggs?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77690.41Rivers."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76320.41Now, Mr. Rivers, DO come.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71060.41she inquired presently.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68970.41inquired one of the ladies.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64060.41"Mr. Rochester, I will NOT be yours."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59820.41Mr. Rochester was not to me what he had been; for he was not what I had thought him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59520.41"Mr. Mason does.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59100.41said Mr. Rochester.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_50120.41"Edward -- my little wife!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37830.41-- the West Indies!"

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10470.87Should any little accidental disappointment of the appetite occur, such as the spoiling of a meal, the under or the over dressing of a dish, the incident ought not to be neutralised by replacing with something more delicate the comfort lost, thus pampering the body and obviating the aim of this institution; it ought to be improved to the spiritual edification of the pupils, by encouraging them to evince fortitude under temporary privation.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_36670.62"The eagerness of a listener quickens the tongue of a narrator."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35480.56A negotiation was opened through the medium of the ambassador, Sam; and after much pacing to and fro, till, I think, the said Sam's calves must have ached with the exercise, permission was at last, with great difficulty, extorted from the rigorous Sibyl, for the three to wait upon her in a body.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48420.50It is one of my faults, that though my tongue is sometimes prompt enough at an answer, there are times when it sadly fails me in framing an excuse; and always the lapse occurs at some crisis, when a facile word or plausible pretext is specially wanted to get me out of painful embarrassment.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51660.44Do you think I am a Jew-usurer, seeking good investment in land?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12310.44CHAPTER IX But the privations, or rather the hardships, of Lowood lessened.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9990.43Then the scanty supply of food was distressing: with the keen appetites of growing children, we had scarcely sufficient to keep alive a delicate invalid.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54160.41I was not fond of pampering that susceptible vanity of his; but for once, and from motives of expediency, I would e'en soothe and stimulate it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76030.40She is teachable and handy."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41790.40"But the instrument -- the instrument!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_36700.40"Eagerness of a listener!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34500.40A curious friendship theirs must have been: a pointed illustration, indeed, of the old adage that "extremes meet."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34900.37recollect -- " "I do -- I recollect all you can suggest; and I must have my will -- quick, Sam!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83100.37It is in scenes of strife and danger -- where courage is proved, and energy exercised, and fortitude tasked -- that he will speak and move, the leader and superior.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74580.37"We are now without father: we shall soon be without home and brother," she murmured, At that moment a little accident supervened, which seemed decreed by fate purposely to prove the truth of the adage, that "misfortunes never come singly," and to add to their distresses the vexing one of the slip between the cup and the lip.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28360.36"Then you must prove it by evincing a good appetite; will you fill the teapot while I knit off this needle?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82390.33What sudden eagerness is this you evince?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32500.33exclaimed she, rattling away at the instrument.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12670.33How could it be otherwise, when Helen, at all times and under all circumstances, evinced for me a quiet and faithful friendship, which ill-humour never soured, nor irritation never troubled?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11400.33Teachers and pupils may look coldly on you for a day or two, but friendly feelings are concealed in their hearts; and if you persevere in doing well, these feelings will ere long appear so much the more evidently for their temporary suppression.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_38970.30Miss Ingram, I am sure you will not fail in evincing superiority to idle terrors.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35630.30"Oh, I will go by all means," I answered: and I was glad of the unexpected opportunity to gratify my much-excited curiosity.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41810.29I have myself -- I tell it you without parable -- been a worldly, dissipated, restless man; and I believe I have found the instrument for my cure in -- " He paused: the birds went on carolling, the leaves lightly rustling.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72230.28I did not refuse it, for my appetite was awakened and keen.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41130.28"The glamour of inexperience is over your eyes," he answered; "and you see it through a charmed medium: you cannot discern that the gilding is slime and the silk draperies cobwebs; that the marble is sordid slate, and the polished woods mere refuse chips and scaly bark.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34480.26I think (with deference be it spoken) the contrast could not be much greater between a sleek gander and a fierce falcon: between a meek sheep and the rough-coated keen-eyed dog, its guardian.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42060.25CHAPTER XXI Presentiments are strange things!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51620.25"Curiosity is a dangerous petition: it is well I have not taken a vow to accord every request -- " "But there can be no danger in complying with this, sir."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28270.25It little mattered whether my curiosity irritated him; I knew the pleasure of vexing and soothing him by turns; it was one I chiefly delighted in, and a sure instinct always prevented me from going too far; beyond the verge of provocation I never ventured; on the extreme brink I liked well to try my skill.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77590.20No!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53640.20"Is she original?

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95220.61Jealousy had got hold of him: she stung him; but the sting was salutary: it gave him respite from the gnawing fang of melancholy.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25550.51Opening the window, I walked in upon them; liberated Celine from my protection; gave her notice to vacate her hotel; offered her a purse for immediate exigencies; disregarded screams, hysterics, prayers, protestations, convulsions; made an appointment with the vicomte for a meeting at the Bois de Boulogne.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25450.42On recognising him, the fang of the snake Jealousy was instantly broken; because at the same moment my love for Celine sank under an extinguisher.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96990.41I did wrong: I would have sullied my innocent flower -- breathed guilt on its purity: the Omnipotent snatched it from me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25290.40"Oh, I had forgotten Celine!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24880.38He then said that she was the daughter of a French opera-dancer, Celine Varens, towards whom he had once cherished what he called a "grande passion."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82020.37"That is saying too much: such hazardous affirmations are a proof of the excitement under which you labour."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70860.37My very shoes and stockings were purified and rendered presentable.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24990.36Here ensued a pause, filled up by the producing and lighting of a cigar; having placed it to his lips and breathed a trail of Havannah incense on the freezing and sunless air, he went on - "I liked bonbons too in those days, Miss Eyre, and I was croquant -- (overlook the barbarism) -- croquant chocolate comfits, and smoking alternately, watching meantime the equipages that rolled along the fashionable streets towards the neighbouring opera-house, when in an elegant close carriage drawn by a beautiful pair of English horses, and distinctly seen in the brilliant city-night, I recognised the 'voiture' I had given Celine.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25570.35But unluckily the Varens, six months before, had given me this filette Adele, who, she affirmed, was my daughter; and perhaps she may be, though I see no proofs of such grim paternity written in her countenance: Pilot is more like me than she.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53820.33I will not be your English Celine Varens.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53800.33Do you remember what you said of Celine Varens?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25370.33Happily I do not mean to harm it: but, if I did, it would not take harm from me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24680.33She is now with Sophie, undergoing a robing process: in a few minutes she will re-enter; and I know what I shall see, -- a miniature of Celine Varens, as she used to appear on the boards at the rising of -- But never mind that.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27760.30The idea struck me that if she discovered I knew or suspected her guilt, she would be playing of some of her malignant pranks on me; I thought it advisable to be on my guard.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79260.28"I shall sully the purity of your floor," said he, "but you must excuse me for once."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_57160.25he exclaimed, "that if anything malignant did come near you last night, it was only the veil that was harmed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10230.21I had my own reasons for being dismayed at this apparition; too well I remembered the perfidious hints given by Mrs. Reed about my disposition, &c.; the promise pledged by Mr. Brocklehurst to apprise Miss Temple and the teachers of my vicious nature.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62390.20"One night I had been awakened by her yells -- (since the medical men had pronounced her mad, she had, of course, been shut up) -- it was a fiery West Indian night; one of the description that frequently precede the hurricanes of those climates.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31040.78The noble bust, the sloping shoulders, the graceful neck, the dark eyes and black ringlets were all there; -- but her face?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34460.77For a handsome and not an unamiable-looking man, he repelled me exceedingly: there was no power in that smooth-skinned face of a full oval shape: no firmness in that aquiline nose and small cherry mouth; there was no thought on the low, even forehead; no command in that blank, brown eye.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28590.75"Tall, fine bust, sloping shoulders; long, graceful neck: olive complexion, dark and clear; noble features; eyes rather like Mr. Rochester's: large and black, and as brilliant as her jewels.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_6980.70The first was a tall lady with dark hair, dark eyes, and a pale and large forehead; her figure was partly enveloped in a shawl, her countenance was grave, her bearing erect.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60240.67I see a white cheek and a faded eye, but no trace of tears.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20240.67I knew my traveller with his broad and jetty eyebrows; his square forehead, made squarer by the horizontal sweep of his black hair.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72120.66He was young -- perhaps from twenty-eight to thirty -- tall, slender; his face riveted the eye; it was like a Greek face, very pure in outline: quite a straight, classic nose; quite an Athenian mouth and chin.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45430.66Strongly-marked horizontal eyebrows must be traced under that brow; then followed, naturally, a well-defined nose, with a straight ridge and full nostrils; then a flexible- looking mouth, by no means narrow; then a firm chin, with a decided cleft down the middle of it: of course, some black whiskers were wanted, and some jetty hair, tufted on the temples, and waved above the forehead.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95150.64He is a handsome man: tall, fair, with blue eyes, and a Grecian profile."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20250.63I recognised his decisive nose, more remarkable for character than beauty; his full nostrils, denoting, I thought, choler; his grim mouth, chin, and jaw -- yes, all three were very grim, and no mistake.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45450.61I drew them large; I shaped them well: the eyelashes I traced long and sombre; the irids lustrous and large.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44680.61The well-known face was there: stern, relentless as ever -- there was that peculiar eye which nothing could melt, and the somewhat raised, imperious, despotic eyebrow.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16430.58I sometimes regretted that I was not handsomer; I sometimes wished to have rosy cheeks, a straight nose, and small cherry mouth; I desired to be tall, stately, and finely developed in figure; I felt it a misfortune that I was so little, so pale, and had features so irregular and so marked.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95300.57Your eyes dwell on a Vulcan, -- a real blacksmith, brown, broad-shouldered: and blind and lame into the bargain."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95290.56Your words have delineated very prettily a graceful Apollo: he is present to your imagination, -- tall, fair, blue-eyed, and with a Grecian profile.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56850.56"This, sir, was purple: the lips were swelled and dark; the brow furrowed: the black eyebrows widely raised over the bloodshot eyes.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_36190.56"No," she continued, "it is in the face: on the forehead, about the eyes, in the lines of the mouth.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72150.55His eyes were large and blue, with brown lashes; his high forehead, colourless as ivory, was partially streaked over by careless locks of fair hair.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44330.55This was a full-blown, very plump damsel, fair as waxwork, with handsome and regular features, languishing blue eyes, and ringleted yellow hair.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45420.55Soon I had traced on the paper a broad and prominent forehead and a square lower outline of visage: that contour gave me pleasure; my fingers proceeded actively to fill it with features.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_19140.55He had a dark face, with stern features and a heavy brow; his eyes and gathered eyebrows looked ireful and thwarted just now; he was past youth, but had not reached middle-age; perhaps he might be thirty-five.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21890.55This pale crescent was "the likeness of a kingly crown;" what it diademed was "the shape which shape had none."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56740.54"It seemed, sir, a woman, tall and large, with thick and dark hair hanging long down her back.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30930.53The Dowager might be between forty and fifty: her shape was still fine; her hair (by candle-light at least) still black; her teeth, too, were still apparently perfect.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31310.52Mr. Eshton, the magistrate of the district, is gentleman-like: his hair is quite white, his eyebrows and whiskers still dark, which gives him something of the appearance of a "pere noble de theatre."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31440.51My master's colourless, olive face, square, massive brow, broad and jetty eyebrows, deep eyes, strong features, firm, grim mouth, -- all energy, decision, will, -- were not beautiful, according to rule; but they were more than beautiful to me; they were full of an interest, an influence that quite mastered me, -- that took my feelings from my own power and fettered them in his.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4670.50and what large prominent teeth!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30920.50They were all three of the loftiest stature of women.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87120.50His lips and cheeks turned white -- quite white.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58120.50and how like quarried marble was his pale, firm, massive front at this moment!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51050.50"You are a beauty in my eyes, and a beauty just after the desire of my heart, -- delicate and aerial."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30890.50She had a slight figure, a pale, gentle face, and fair hair.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_93240.50I pressed my lips to his once brilliant and now rayless eyes -- I swept his hair from his brow, and kissed that too.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29920.50Her purple riding-habit almost swept the ground, her veil streamed long on the breeze; mingling with its transparent folds, and gleaming through them, shone rich raven ringlets.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5360.47Mrs. Reed might be at that time some six or seven and thirty; she was a woman of robust frame, square-shouldered and strong-limbed, not tall, and, though stout, not obese: she had a somewhat large face, the under jaw being much developed and very solid; her brow was low, her chin large and prominent, mouth and nose sufficiently regular; under her light eyebrows glimmered an eye devoid of ruth; her skin was dark and opaque, her hair nearly flaxen; her constitution was sound as a bell -- illness never came near her; she was an exact, clever manager; her household and tenantry were thoroughly under her control; her children only at times defied her authority and laughed it to scorn; she dressed well, and had a presence and port calculated to set off handsome attire.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44630.47I looked into a certain corner near, half-expecting to see the slim outline of a once dreaded switch which used to lurk there, waiting to leap out imp-like and lace my quivering palm or shrinking neck.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75800.46No charm was wanting, no defect was perceptible; the young girl had regular and delicate lineaments; eyes shaped and coloured as we see them in lovely pictures, large, and dark, and full; the long and shadowy eyelash which encircles a fine eye with so soft a fascination; the pencilled brow which gives such clearness; the white smooth forehead, which adds such repose to the livelier beauties of tint and ray; the cheek oval, fresh, and smooth; the lips, fresh too, ruddy, healthy, sweetly formed; the even and gleaming teeth without flaw; the small dimpled chin; the ornament of rich, plenteous tresses -- all advantages, in short, which, combined, realise the ideal of beauty, were fully hers.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85990.46I said briefly; and I looked at his features, beautiful in their harmony, but strangely formidable in their still severity; at his brow, commanding but not open; at his eyes, bright and deep and searching, but never soft; at his tall imposing figure; and fancied myself in idea HIS WIFE.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_91400.45She was a big woman, and had long black hair: we could see it streaming against the flames as she stood.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4470.45-- such, at least, appeared to me, at first sight, the straight, narrow, sable-clad shape standing erect on the rug: the grim face at the top was like a carved mask, placed above the shaft by way of capital.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_52630.45I was so hurt by her coldness and scepticism, that the tears rose to my eyes.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68510.44Two young, graceful women -- ladies in every point -- sat, one in a low rocking-chair, the other on a lower stool; both wore deep mourning of crape and bombazeen, which sombre garb singularly set off very fair necks and faces: a large old pointer dog rested its massive head on the knee of one girl -- in the lap of the other was cushioned a black cat.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79360.43If he were insane, however, his was a very cool and collected insanity: I had never seen that handsome-featured face of his look more like chiselled marble than it did just now, as he put aside his snow-wet hair from his forehead and let the firelight shine free on his pale brow and cheek as pale, where it grieved me to discover the hollow trace of care or sorrow now so plainly graved.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74560.43And the tears gushed to her fine eyes.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70740.43The grace and harmony of beauty are quite wanting in those features."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30830.43She had evidently been a handsome woman, and was well preserved still.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51790.43Your 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.'
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32520.43Creatures so absorbed in care about their pretty faces, and their white hands, and their small feet; as if a man had anything to do with beauty!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30910.43But the three most distinguished -- partly, perhaps, because the tallest figures of the band -- were the Dowager Lady Ingram and her daughters, Blanche and Mary.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_61990.42I found her a fine woman, in the style of Blanche Ingram: tall, dark, and majestic.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73880.75His, under such circumstances, is the destiny of the pioneer; and the first pioneers of the Gospel were the Apostles -- their captain was Jesus, the Redeemer, Himself."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78860.66I am not a pagan, but a Christian philosopher -- a follower of the sect of Jesus.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72370.56He seemed to use them rather as instruments to search other people's thoughts, than as agents to reveal his own: the which combination of keenness and reserve was considerably more calculated to embarrass than to encourage.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24180.50By what instinct do you pretend to distinguish between a fallen seraph of the abyss and a messenger from the eternal throne -- between a guide and a seducer?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86020.48As his curate, his comrade, all would be right: I would cross oceans with him in that capacity; toil under Eastern suns, in Asian deserts with him in that office; admire and emulate his courage and devotion and vigour; accommodate quietly to his masterhood; smile undisturbed at his ineradicable ambition; discriminate the Christian from the man: profoundly esteem the one, and freely forgive the other.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75650.47God had an errand for me; to bear which afar, to deliver it well, skill and strength, courage and eloquence, the best qualifications of soldier, statesman, and orator, were all needed: for these all centre in the good missionary.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78910.47Of the ambition to win power and renown for my wretched self, she has formed the ambition to spread my Master's kingdom; to achieve victories for the standard of the cross.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82520.43What aim, what purpose, what ambition in life have you now?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78840.43There is this difference between me and deistic philosophers: I believe; and I believe the Gospel.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78820.43"You would describe yourself as a mere pagan philosopher," I said.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41780.42Men and women die; philosophers falter in wisdom, and Christians in goodness: if any one you know has suffered and erred, let him look higher than his equals for strength to amend and solace to heal."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78790.41Reason, and not feeling, is my guide; my ambition is unlimited: my desire to rise higher, to do more than others, insatiable.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25870.41I believed he was naturally a man of better tendencies, higher principles, and purer tastes than such as circumstances had developed, education instilled, or destiny encouraged.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88030.40"Yet he is a handsome fellow."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81920.40Yes; slaving amongst strangers!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51640.40"Now, King Ahasuerus!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43860.40I should like something else: a little addition to the rite.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_67360.40Renewing then my courage, and gathering my feeble remains of strength, I pushed on.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83070.39I saw he was of the material from which nature hews her heroes -- Christian and Pagan -- her lawgivers, her statesmen, her conquerors: a steadfast bulwark for great interests to rest upon; but, at the fireside, too often a cold cumbrous column, gloomy and out of place.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86190.39I have a woman's heart, but not where you are concerned; for you I have only a comrade's constancy; a fellow-soldier's frankness, fidelity, fraternity, if you like; a neophyte's respect and submission to his hierophant: nothing more -- don't fear."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73870.39I hold that the more arid and unreclaimed the soil where the Christian labourer's task of tillage is appointed him -- the scantier the meed his toil brings -- the higher the honour.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95130.38"His appearance, -- I forget what description you gave of his appearance; -- a sort of raw curate, half strangled with his white neckcloth, and stilted up on his thick-soled high-lows, eh?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66660.37The wish to have some strength and some vigour returned to me as soon as I was amongst my fellow-beings.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32660.37If you err wilfully, I shall devise a proportionate punishment."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10070.36I can remember Miss Temple walking lightly and rapidly along our drooping line, her plaid cloak, which the frosty wind fluttered, gathered close about her, and encouraging us, by precept and example, to keep up our spirits, and march forward, as she said, "like stalwart soldiers."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75620.35I burnt for the more active life of the world -- for the more exciting toils of a literary career -- for the destiny of an artist, author, orator; anything rather than that of a priest: yes, the heart of a politician, of a soldier, of a votary of glory, a lover of renown, a luster after power, beat under my curate's surplice.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84550.35I am not going out under human guidance, subject to the defective laws and erring control of my feeble fellow-worms: my king, my lawgiver, my captain, is the All-perfect.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78650.34I could never rest in communication with strong, discreet, and refined minds, whether male or female, till I had passed the outworks of conventional reserve, and crossed the threshold of confidence, and won a place by their heart's very hearthstone.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95360.33Then followed this cross-examination.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30950.33She had Roman features and a double chin, disappearing into a throat like a pillar: these features appeared to me not only inflated and darkened, but even furrowed with pride; and the chin was sustained by the same principle, in a position of almost preternatural erectness.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_98160.30A more resolute, indefatigable pioneer never wrought amidst rocks and dangers.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83630.30Besides, I was out of practice in talking to him: his reserve was again frozen over, and my frankness was congealed beneath it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62070.30Her relatives encouraged me; competitors piqued me; she allured me: a marriage was achieved almost before I knew where I was.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4210.30; which interest she exacted every quarter, keeping her accounts in a little book with anxious accuracy.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73290.28If in our trio there was a superior and a leader, it was Diana.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63950.28Then I should have asked you to accept my pledge of fidelity and to give me yours.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18060.28No feature in the scene was extraordinary, but all was pleasing.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_57790.28I wonder what other bridegroom ever looked as he did -- so bent up to a purpose, so grimly resolute: or who, under such steadfast brows, ever revealed such flaming and flashing eyes.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33880.25But as matters really stood, to watch Miss Ingram's efforts at fascinating Mr. Rochester, to witness their repeated failure -- herself unconscious that they did fail; vainly fancying that each shaft launched hit the mark, and infatuatedly pluming herself on success, when her pride and self-complacency repelled further and further what she wished to allure -- to witness THIS, was to be at once under ceaseless excitation and ruthless restraint.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78380.25Rosamond a sufferer, a labourer, a female apostle?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_680.25"You are like a murderer -- you are like a slave-driver -- you are like the Roman emperors!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13710.25The school, thus improved, became in time a truly useful and noble institution.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5170.25I have studied how best to mortify in them the worldly sentiment of pride; and, only the other day, I had a pleasing proof of my success.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9870.24We are, and must be, one and all, burdened with faults in this world: but the time will soon come when, I trust, we shall put them off in putting off our corruptible bodies; when debasement and sin will fall from us with this cumbrous frame of flesh, and only the spark of the spirit will remain, -- the impalpable principle of light and thought, pure as when it left the Creator to inspire the creature: whence it came it will return; perhaps again to be communicated to some being higher than man -- perhaps to pass through gradations of glory, from the pale human soul to brighten to the seraph!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5830.23It was the hardest battle I had fought, and the first victory I had gained: I stood awhile on the rug, where Mr. Brocklehurst had stood, and I enjoyed my conqueror's solitude.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32570.23I will suffer no competitor near the throne; I shall exact an undivided homage: his devotions shall not be shared between me and the shape he sees in his mirror.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10120.23I generally contrived to reserve a moiety of this bounteous repast for myself; but the remainder I was invariably obliged to part with.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_1540.22Yet in what darkness, what dense ignorance, was the mental battle fought!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85580.20"Well -- well.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_710.20what!"

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_52460.67He is a proud man: all the Rochesters were proud: and his father, at least, liked money.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80340.64"Merely to tell you that your uncle, Mr. Eyre of Madeira, is dead; that he has left you all his property, and that you are now rich -- merely that -- nothing more."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3450.64I asked Aunt Reed once, and she said possibly I might have some poor, low relations called Eyre, but she knew nothing about them."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81110.58Mr. Briggs, being Mr. Eyre's solicitor, wrote to us last August to inform us of our uncle's death, and to say that he had left his property to his brother the clergyman's orphan daughter, overlooking us, in consequence of a quarrel, never forgiven, between him and my father.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81690.58What I want is, that you should write to your sisters and tell them of the fortune that has accrued to them."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81180.58I resumed - "Your mother was my father's sister?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17370.58"No, that will do: but after your mama went to the Holy Virgin, as you say, with whom did you live then?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22380.56The old gentleman was fond of money, and anxious to keep the family estate together.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75260.51He was fond and proud of me -- it is what no man besides will ever be.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74610.51"Our uncle John is dead," said he.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72680.51"I am an orphan, the daughter of a clergyman.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3930.51"What would Uncle Reed say to you, if he were alive?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20960.51"Where do your brothers and sisters live?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_15360.51He looked quite a gentleman, and I believe he was your father's brother."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8130.50I suppose you are an orphan: are not either your father or your mother dead?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42860.50"Mr. Reed was my uncle -- my mother's brother."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3280.50"For one thing, I have no father or mother, brothers or sisters."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45110.50John does not at all resemble his father, and I am glad of it: John is like me and like my brothers -- he is quite a Gibson.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44760.50I had once vowed that I would never call her aunt again: I thought it no sin to forget and break that vow now.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25580.50Some years after I had broken with the mother, she abandoned her child, and ran away to Italy with a musician or singer.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13770.47At this period she married, removed with her husband (a clergyman, an excellent man, almost worthy of such a wife) to a distant county, and consequently was lost to me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42250.46"Yes, Miss: my wife is very hearty, thank you; she brought me another little one about two months since -- we have three now -- and both mother and child are thriving."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_610.45"You have no business to take our books; you are a dependent, mama says; you have no money; your father left you none; you ought to beg, and not to live here with gentlemen's children like us, and eat the same meals we do, and wear clothes at our mama's expense.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80160.45Oh, my poor master -- once almost my husband -- whom I had often called "my dear Edward!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74880.45It was by his advice that my father risked most of his property in the speculation that ruined him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44530.45"Mama dislikes being disturbed in an evening," remarked Eliza.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17190.45"I lived long ago with mama; but she is gone to the Holy Virgin.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58790.43Her mother, the Creole, was both a madwoman and a drunkard!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25520.43"Monsieur, John has just been to say that your agent has called and wishes to see you."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22290.43He lost his elder brother a few years since."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3720.43On that same occasion I learned, for the first time, from Miss Abbot's communications to Bessie, that my father had been a poor clergyman; that my mother had married him against the wishes of her friends, who considered the match beneath her; that my grandfather Reed was so irritated at her disobedience, he cut her off without a shilling; that after my mother and father had been married a year, the latter caught the typhus fever while visiting among the poor of a large manufacturing town where his curacy was situated, and where that disease was then prevalent: that my mother took the infection from him, and both died within a month of each other.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2730.43"Ev'n should I fall o'er the broken bridge passing, Or stray in the marshes, by false lights beguiled, Still will my Father, with promise and blessing, Take to His bosom the poor orphan child.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81100.42"My mother's name was Eyre; she had two brothers; one a clergyman, who married Miss Jane Reed, of Gateshead; the other, John Eyre, Esq., merchant, late of Funchal, Madeira.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3990.42"My Uncle Reed is in heaven, and can see all you do and think; and so can papa and mama: they know how you shut me up all day long, and how you wish me dead."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20920.42"Well," resumed Mr. Rochester, "if you disown parents, you must have some sort of kinsfolk: uncles and aunts?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85380.41No: such a martyrdom would be monstrous.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8500.41"My mother is dead."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74860.41He was my mother's brother.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71780.41She did not know where there was such a family for being united.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71410.41"Their father is dead?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46270.41"Who calls me aunt?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46190.41"It is I, Aunt Reed."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45850.41Georgiana should take her own course; and she, Eliza, would take hers."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44750.41How are you, dear aunt?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44740.41"Yes, Aunt Reed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32060.41"Oh, don't refer him to me, mama!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23890.41"How do you know?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22300.41"His ELDER brother?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66180.40To-night, at least, I would be her guest, as I was her child: my mother would lodge me without money and without price.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62240.40"My brother in the interval was dead, and at the end of the four years my father died too.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44270.77Glancing at the bookcases, I thought I could distinguish the two volumes of Bewick's British Birds occupying their old place on the third shelf, and Gulliver's Travels and the Arabian Nights ranged just above.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53690.66If you have a fancy for anything in that line, away with you, sir, to the bazaars of Stamboul without delay, and lay out in extensive slave-purchases some of that spare cash you seem at a loss to spend satisfactorily here."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21590.57He deliberately scrutinised each sketch and painting.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74100.55Knitting, sewing, reading, writing, ciphering, will be all you will have to teach.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83800.54His sisters were gone to Morton in my stead: I sat reading Schiller; he, deciphering his crabbed Oriental scrolls.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2580.53Bessie asked if I would have a book: the word BOOK acted as a transient stimulus, and I begged her to fetch Gulliver's Travels from the library.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77250.50The sketch of Rosamond's portrait pleased him highly: he said I must make a finished picture of it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79110.50I, in my turn, scrutinised the paper; but saw nothing on it save a few dingy stains of paint where I had tried the tint in my pencil.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73480.50Often, of an evening, when he sat at the window, his desk and papers before him, he would cease reading or writing, rest his chin on his hand, and deliver himself up to I know not what course of thought; but that it was perturbed and exciting might be seen in the frequent flash and changeful dilation of his eye.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_150.47I returned to my book -- Bewick's History of British Birds: the letterpress thereof I cared little for, generally speaking; and yet there were certain introductory pages that, child as I was, I could not pass quite as a blank.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79010.46He drew over the picture the sheet of thin paper on which I was accustomed to rest my hand in painting, to prevent the cardboard from being sullied.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5900.44I took a book -- some Arabian tales; I sat down and endeavoured to read.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49970.44you will find it scarcely more legible than a crumpled, scratched page.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77420.44The translation of a few pages of German occupied an hour; then I got my palette and pencils, and fell to the more soothing, because easier occupation, of completing Rosamond Oliver's miniature.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75060.43But three of the number can read: none write or cipher.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68790.43We don't speak German, and we cannot read it without a dictionary to help us."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54570.43In other people's presence I was, as formerly, deferential and quiet; any other line of conduct being uncalled for: it was only in the evening conferences I thus thwarted and afflicted him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82990.41I showed him the volume on the shelf: he took it down, and withdrawing to his accustomed window recess, he began to read it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_590.40"Show the book."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4900.40"Do you read your Bible?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22210.40"I think so: he is very changeful and abrupt."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88350.40For the evening reading before prayers, he selected the twenty-first chapter of Revelation.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45580.40I offered to sketch their portraits; and each, in turn, sat for a pencil outline.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17470.40I then proposed to occupy myself till dinner-time in drawing some little sketches for her use.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31010.38First, I wished to see whether her appearance accorded with Mrs. Fairfax's description; secondly, whether it at all resembled the fancy miniature I had painted of her; and thirdly -- it will out!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65570.35The first was a page so heavenly sweet -- so deadly sad -- that to read one line of it would dissolve my courage and break down my energy.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21900.33"Were you happy when you painted these pictures?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7990.33In turning a leaf she happened to look up, and I said to her directly - "Is your book interesting?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_100.33It contained a bookcase: I soon possessed myself of a volume, taking care that it should be one stored with pictures.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29190.33An hour or two sufficed to sketch my own portrait in crayons; and in less than a fortnight I had completed an ivory miniature of an imaginary Blanche Ingram.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83730.33While Mary drew, Diana pursued a course of encyclopaedic reading she had (to my awe and amazement) undertaken, and I fagged away at German, he pondered a mystic lore of his own: that of some Eastern tongue, the acquisition of which he thought necessary to his plans.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12130.33Then they seemed so familiar with French names and French authors: but my amazement reached its climax when Miss Temple asked Helen if she sometimes snatched a moment to recall the Latin her father had taught her, and taking a book from a shelf, bade her read and construe a page of Virgil; and Helen obeyed, my organ of veneration expanding at every sounding line.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51290.31I have observed in books written by men, that period assigned as the farthest to which a husband's ardour extends.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73360.30They discovered I could draw: their pencils and colour-boxes were immediately at my service.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30660.30I retired to a window-seat, and taking a book from a table near, endeavoured to read.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77120.30One evening, while, with her usual child-like activity, and thoughtless yet not offensive inquisitiveness, she was rummaging the cupboard and the table-drawer of my little kitchen, she discovered first two French books, a volume of Schiller, a German grammar and dictionary, and then my drawing-materials and some sketches, including a pencil-head of a pretty little cherub-like girl, one of my scholars, and sundry views from nature, taken in the Vale of Morton and on the surrounding moors.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77180.29Would I sketch a portrait of her, to show to papa?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75400.29I think it contains a colour-box, pencils, and paper."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47520.29he cries; and he puts up his book and his pencil.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7690.28I suppose I have a considerable organ of veneration, for I retain yet the sense of admiring awe with which my eyes traced her steps.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12340.28Flowers peeped out amongst the leaves; snow- drops, crocuses, purple auriculas, and golden-eyed pansies.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77490.28I have brought you a book for evening solace," and he laid on the table a new publication -- a poem: one of those genuine productions so often vouchsafed to the fortunate public of those days -- the golden age of modern literature.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63000.27Provided with plenty of money and the passport of an old name, I could choose my own society: no circles were closed against me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53300.25"In that field, Adele, I was walking late one evening about a fortnight since -- the evening of the day you helped me to make hay in the orchard meadows; and, as I was tired with raking swaths, I sat down to rest me on a stile; and there I took out a little book and a pencil, and began to write about a misfortune that befell me long ago, and a wish I had for happy days to come: I was writing away very fast, though daylight was fading from the leaf, when something came up the path and stopped two yards off me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68700.25The line is worth a hundred pages of fustian.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47850.25Mr. Rochester had sometimes read my unspoken thoughts with an acumen to me incomprehensible: in the present instance he took no notice of my abrupt vocal response; but he smiled at me with a certain smile he had of his own, and which he used but on rare occasions.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29060.25"Listen, then, Jane Eyre, to your sentence: tomorrow, place the glass before you, and draw in chalk your own picture, faithfully, without softening one defect; omit no harsh line, smooth away no displeasing irregularity; write under it, 'Portrait of a Governess, disconnected, poor, and plain.'
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17430.24Most of the books were locked up behind glass doors; but there was one bookcase left open containing everything that could be needed in the way of elementary works, and several volumes of light literature, poetry, biography, travels, a few romances, &c. I suppose he had considered that these were all the governess would require for her private perusal; and, indeed, they contented me amply for the present; compared with the scanty pickings I had now and then been able to glean at Lowood, they seemed to offer an abundant harvest of entertainment and information.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3880.23Eliza and Georgiana, evidently acting according to orders, spoke to me as little as possible: John thrust his tongue in his cheek whenever he saw me, and once attempted chastisement; but as I instantly turned against him, roused by the same sentiment of deep ire and desperate revolt which had stirred my corruption before, he thought it better to desist, and ran from me tittering execrations, and vowing I had burst his nose.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23850.23You would say you don't see it; at least I flatter myself I read as much in your eye (beware, by-the-bye, what you express with that organ; I am quick at interpreting its language).

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47150.81My journey seemed tedious -- very tedious: fifty miles one day, a night spent at an inn; fifty miles the next day.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14680.72I had not a very large wardrobe, though it was adequate to my wants; and the last day sufficed to pack my trunk, -- the same I had brought with me eight years ago from Gateshead.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_6290.71Missis intends you to leave Gateshead in a day or two, and you shall choose what toys you like to take with you."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75870.65"Oh, I only came home from S-" (she mentioned the name of a large town some twenty miles distant) "this afternoon.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14550.65Millcote, - shire; I brushed up my recollections of the map of England, yes, I saw it; both the shire and the town.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74960.64The next day I left Marsh End for Morton.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42400.64He came down to Gateshead about three weeks ago and wanted missis to give up all to him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37740.64"No; he said he had known you long, and that he could take the liberty of installing himself here till you returned."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71760.63They had lived very little at home for a long while, and were only come now to stay a few weeks on account of their father's death; but they did so like Marsh End and Morton, and all these moors and hills about.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71690.63Marsh End had belonged to the Rivers ever since it was a house: and it was, she affirmed, "aboon two hundred year old -- for all it looked but a small, humble place, naught to compare wi' Mr. Oliver's grand hall down i' Morton Vale.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46890.61CHAPTER XXII Mr. Rochester had given me but one week's leave of absence: yet a month elapsed before I quitted Gateshead.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62820.59I sought the Continent, and went devious through all its lands.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47200.59I was going back to Thornfield: but how long was I to stay there?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_15550.59"Is there a place in this neighbourhood called Thornfield?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14140.59They apply to friends, I suppose: I have no friends.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71250.57"Some calls it Marsh End, and some calls it Moor House."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43050.57"At all events you WILL come back: you will not be induced under any pretext to take up a permanent residence with her?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_40440.57"You will when you are out of the country: when you get back to Spanish Town, you may think of her as dead and buried -- or rather, you need not think of her at all."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17690.57Almost all the land in this neighbourhood, as far as you can see, has belonged to the Rochesters time out of mind."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54830.56Mr. Rochester that night was absent from home; nor was he yet returned: business had called him to a small estate of two or three farms he possessed thirty miles off -- business it was requisite he should settle in person, previous to his meditated departure from England.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77340.55He said it was a very old name in that neighbourhood; that the ancestors of the house were wealthy; that all Morton had once belonged to them; that even now he considered the representative of that house might, if he liked, make an alliance with the best.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22500.55In the mornings he seemed much engaged with business, and, in the afternoon, gentlemen from Millcote or the neighbourhood called, and sometimes stayed to dine with him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79860.53Mrs. Reed kept the orphan ten years: whether it was happy or not with her, I cannot say, never having been told; but at the end of that time she transferred it to a place you know -- being no other than Lowood School, where you so long resided yourself.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73410.53One reason of the distance yet observed between us was, that he was comparatively seldom at home: a large proportion of his time appeared devoted to visiting the sick and poor among the scattered population of his parish.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34380.53"It appears I come at an inopportune time, madam," said he, "when my friend, Mr. Rochester, is from home; but I arrive from a very long journey, and I think I may presume so far on old and intimate acquaintance as to instal myself here till he returns."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10170.53I have not yet alluded to the visits of Mr. Brocklehurst; and indeed that gentleman was from home during the greater part of the first month after my arrival; perhaps prolonging his stay with his friend the archdeacon: his absence was a relief to me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8330.52"No -- two miles off, at a large hall."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76270.52He is alone this evening, and not very well: will you return with me and visit him?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74270.52"You will not stay at Morton long: no, no!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71290.52When he is at home, he is in his own parish at Morton."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47380.52be with him while you may: but a few more days or weeks, at most, and you are parted from him for ever!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43090.52You don't travel a hundred miles alone."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28450.52"Do you expect him back to-night?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20670.52"From Lowood school, in -shire."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20640.52"You have been resident in my house three months?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_19210.52"I should think you ought to be at home yourself," said he, "if you have a home in this neighbourhood: where do you come from?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16820.52He intended to have her brought up in -shire, I believe.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13240.52"Yes; to my long home -- my last home."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86580.51CHAPTER XXXV He did not leave for Cambridge the next day, as he had said he would.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75390.51"No, I cannot stay; I have only brought you a little parcel my sisters left for you.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74190.51"I will go to my house to-morrow, and open the school, if you like, next week."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58390.51"She was living three months ago," returned the lawyer.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58330.51"Favour me with an account of her -- with her name, her parentage, her place of abode."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43280.51Better not give you all now: you would, perhaps, stay away three months if you had fifty pounds.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10020.51Sundays were dreary days in that wintry season.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62610.51Place her in safety and comfort: shelter her degradation with secrecy, and leave her.'
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_61970.51When I left college, I was sent out to Jamaica, to espouse a bride already courted for me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48000.51A fortnight of dubious calm succeeded my return to Thornfield Hall.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13920.51My vacations had all been spent at school: Mrs. Reed had never sent for me to Gateshead; neither she nor any of her family had ever been to visit me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58660.51Wood, close your book and take off your surplice; John Green (to the clerk), leave the church: there will be no wedding to-day."

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_1620.79My habitual mood of humiliation, self-doubt, forlorn depression, fell damp on the embers of my decaying ire.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2430.73I caught scraps of their conversation, from which I was able only too distinctly to infer the main subject discussed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70800.60Only my damp and bemired apparel; in which I had slept on the ground and fallen in the marsh.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74890.56Mutual recrimination passed between them: they parted in anger, and were never reconciled.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65680.56I could go back and be his comforter -- his pride; his redeemer from misery, perhaps from ruin.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2420.55Sarah came back with her; they both went to bed; they were whispering together for half-an-hour before they fell asleep.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72410.51"A most singular position at your age!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14670.50I now busied myself in preparations: the fortnight passed rapidly.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69530.50Not only the anchor of hope, but the footing of fortitude was gone -- at least for a moment; but the last I soon endeavoured to regain.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24470.50"MAY it be right then," I said, as I rose, deeming it useless to continue a discourse which was all darkness to me; and, besides, sensible that the character of my interlocutor was beyond my penetration; at least, beyond its present reach; and feeling the uncertainty, the vague sense of insecurity, which accompanies a conviction of ignorance.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39920.47Why had the mere name of this unresisting individual -- whom his word now sufficed to control like a child -- fallen on him, a few hours since, as a thunderbolt might fall on an oak?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7890.45My reflections were too undefined and fragmentary to merit record: I hardly yet knew where I was; Gateshead and my past life seemed floated away to an immeasurable distance; the present was vague and strange, and of the future I could form no conjecture.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84470.45He seemed in communion with the genius of the haunt: with his eye he bade farewell to something.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58730.45Some have whispered to you that she is my bastard half-sister: some, my cast-off mistress.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68320.43This light was my forlorn hope: I must gain it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34350.43and she cast on me an angry glance, as if I were in fault.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22470.43She averred they were a mystery to herself, and that what she knew was chiefly from conjecture.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14240.43This scheme I went over twice, thrice; it was then digested in my mind; I had it in a clear practical form: I felt satisfied, and fell asleep.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87130.41"I SHOULD KILL YOU -- I AM KILLING YOU?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82930.41This silence damped me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78680.41You think them more profound and potent than they are.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77580.41Genius banished?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77570.41Poetry destroyed?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74630.41"Dead?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63760.41"I resumed my notice of you.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32270.41"Then no more need be said: change the subject."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_21070.41The widow looked bewildered.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2090.41I shall be killed if -- " "Silence!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60920.40I only ask you to endure one more night under this roof, Jane; and then, farewell to its miseries and terrors for ever!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_52340.40Sometimes I half fall asleep when I am sitting alone and fancy things that have never happened.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60060.40I rose up suddenly, terror-struck at the solitude which so ruthless a judge haunted, -- at the silence which so awful a voice filled.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28040.40But, having reached this point of conjecture, Mrs. Poole's square, flat figure, and uncomely, dry, even coarse face, recurred so distinctly to my mind's eye, that I thought, "No; impossible!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_180.39Of these death-white realms I formed an idea of my own: shadowy, like all the half-comprehended notions that float dim through children's brains, but strangely impressive.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84910.39"There I, humble as I am, can give you the aid you want: I can set you your task from hour to hour; stand by you always; help you from moment to moment.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84350.39Having stifled my sobs, wiped my eyes, and muttered something about not being very well that morning, I resumed my task, and succeeded in completing it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22630.38"And mind," he continued, "don't bother me with any details of the anatomical process, or any notice of the condition of the entrails: let your operation be conducted in silence: tiens-toi tranquille, enfant; comprends-tu?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_93250.38He suddenly seemed to arouse himself: the conviction of the reality of all this seized him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65550.38No reflection was to be allowed now: not one glance was to be cast back; not even one forward.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47650.38If I dared, I'd touch you, to see if you are substance or shadow, you elf!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42280.38"I hope no one is dead," I said, glancing at his black dress.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71010.37I was indignant for a moment; but remembering that anger was out of the question, and that I had indeed appeared as a beggar to her, I answered quietly, but still not without a certain marked firmness - "You are mistaken in supposing me a beggar.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_67760.37But my night was wretched, my rest broken: the ground was damp, the air cold: besides, intruders passed near me more than once, and I had again and again to change my quarters; no sense of safety or tranquillity befriended me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2150.37I heard voices, too, speaking with a hollow sound, and as if muffled by a rush of wind or water: agitation, uncertainty, and an all-predominating sense of terror confused my faculties.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5860.36A ridge of lighted heath, alive, glancing, devouring, would have been a meet emblem of my mind when I accused and menaced Mrs. Reed: the same ridge, black and blasted after the flames are dead, would have represented as meetly my subsequent condition, when half-an-hour's silence and reflection had shown me the madness of my conduct, and the dreariness of my hated and hating position.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_36270.36"I wonder what thoughts are busy in your heart during all the hours you sit in yonder room with the fine people flitting before you like shapes in a magic-lantern: just as little sympathetic communion passing between you and them as if they were really mere shadows of human forms, and not the actual substance."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8070.36I returned it to her; she received it quietly, and without saying anything she was about to relapse into her former studious mood: again I ventured to disturb her - "Can you tell me what the writing on that stone over the door means?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75670.35From that moment my state of mind changed; the fetters dissolved and dropped from every faculty, leaving nothing of bondage but its galling soreness -- which time only can heal.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10140.35A frequent interlude of these performances was the enactment of the part of Eutychus by some half-dozen of little girls, who, overpowered with sleep, would fall down, if not out of the third loft, yet off the fourth form, and be taken up half dead.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_1380.35Superstition was with me at that moment; but it was not yet her hour for complete victory: my blood was still warm; the mood of the revolted slave was still bracing me with its bitter vigour; I had to stem a rapid rush of retrospective thought before I quailed to the dismal present.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95820.34here I reach the root of the matter.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44820.62I felt pain, and then I felt ire; and then I felt a determination to subdue her -- to be her mistress in spite both of her nature and her will.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83960.58By degrees, he acquired a certain influence over me that took away my liberty of mind: his praise and notice were more restraining than his indifference.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9830.56What a singularly deep impression her injustice seems to have made on your heart!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51420.54I am influenced -- conquered; and the influence is sweeter than I can express; and the conquest I undergo has a witchery beyond any triumph I can win.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_900.52The fact is, I was a trifle beside myself; or rather OUT of myself, as the French would say: I was conscious that a moment's mutiny had already rendered me liable to strange penalties, and, like any other rebel slave, I felt resolved, in my desperation, to go all lengths.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51390.51"But before me: if I, indeed, in any respect come up to your difficult standard?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9790.50Bitter and truculent when excited, I spoke as I felt, without reserve or softening.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73550.47It began calm -- and indeed, as far as delivery and pitch of voice went, it was calm to the end: an earnestly felt, yet strictly restrained zeal breathed soon in the distinct accents, and prompted the nervous language.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25160.46Wild was the wrestle which should be paramount; but another feeling rose and triumphed: something hard and cynical: self-willed and resolute: it settled his passion and petrified his countenance: he went on - "During the moment I was silent, Miss Eyre, I was arranging a point with my destiny.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39820.45And this man I bent over -- this commonplace, quiet stranger -- how had he become involved in the web of horror?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80260.45-- I confess I had my suspicions, but it was only yesterday afternoon they were at once resolved into certainty.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14090.45Yes -- yes -- the end is not so difficult; if I had only a brain active enough to ferret out the means of attaining it."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86610.43Not that St. John harboured a spirit of unchristian vindictiveness -- not that he would have injured a hair of my head, if it had been fully in his power to do so.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23940.43Now, when any vicious simpleton excites my disgust by his paltry ribaldry, I cannot flatter myself that I am better than he: I am forced to confess that he and I are on a level.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88430.41In the prayer following the chapter, all his energy gathered -- all his stern zeal woke: he was in deep earnest, wrestling with God, and resolved on a conquest.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3890.41I had indeed levelled at that prominent feature as hard a blow as my knuckles could inflict; and when I saw that either that or my look daunted him, I had the greatest inclination to follow up my advantage to purpose; but he was already with his mama.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88770.41how far more potent is it than force!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84930.41"But my powers -- where are they for this undertaking?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82410.41"To be active: as active as I can.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76900.41Of course, she knew her power: indeed, he did not, because he could not, conceal it from her.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76620.41It was truly hard work at first.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16440.41And why had I these aspirations and these regrets?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11840.41"And the pain in your chest?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88220.40He would not want me to love him; and if I showed the feeling, he would make me sensible that it was a superfluity, unrequired by him, unbecoming in me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82700.40And try to restrain the disproportionate fervour with which you throw yourself into commonplace home pleasures.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75590.40St. John continued - "It is hard work to control the workings of inclination and turn the bent of nature; but that it may be done, I know from experience.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37580.40I knew gipsies and fortune-tellers did not express themselves as this seeming old woman had expressed herself; besides I had noted her feigned voice, her anxiety to conceal her features.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44430.39The fact was, I had other things to think about; within the last few months feelings had been stirred in me so much more potent than any they could raise -- pains and pleasures so much more acute and exquisite had been excited than any it was in their power to inflict or bestow -- that their airs gave me no concern either for good or bad.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25150.39Pain, shame, ire, impatience, disgust, detestation, seemed momentarily to hold a quivering conflict in the large pupil dilating under his ebon eyebrow.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82770.38And really, after a day or two of confusion worse confounded, it was delightful by degrees to invoke order from the chaos ourselves had made.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47550.38I suppose I do come on; though in what fashion I know not; being scarcely cognisant of my movements, and solicitous only to appear calm; and, above all, to control the working muscles of my face -- which I feel rebel insolently against my will, and struggle to express what I had resolved to conceal.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75150.38Not to deceive myself, I must reply -- No: I felt desolate to a degree.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74490.38They both tried to appear as usual; but the sorrow they had to struggle against was one that could not be entirely conquered or concealed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59340.38He could have settled her with a well-planted blow; but he would not strike: he would only wrestle.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82190.38My task was a very hard one; but, as I was absolutely resolved -- as my cousins saw at length that my mind was really and immutably fixed on making a just division of the property -- as they must in their own hearts have felt the equity of the intention; and must, besides, have been innately conscious that in my place they would have done precisely what I wished to do -- they yielded at length so far as to consent to put the affair to arbitration.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_94800.37I softened considerably what related to the three days of wandering and starvation, because to have told him all would have been to inflict unnecessary pain: the little I did say lacerated his faithful heart deeper than I wished.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83910.37St. John was not a man to be lightly refused: you felt that every impression made on him, either for pain or pleasure, was deep-graved and permanent.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82180.36I need not narrate in detail the further struggles I had, and arguments I used, to get matters regarding the legacy settled as I wished.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41370.36Your influence, sir, is evidently potent with him: he will never set you at defiance or wilfully injure you."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88410.36A calm, subdued triumph, blent with a longing earnestness, marked his enunciation of the last glorious verses of that chapter.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87170.36While earnestly wishing to erase from his mind the trace of my former offence, I had stamped on that tenacious surface another and far deeper impression, I had burnt it in.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76680.36These soon took a pleasure in doing their work well, in keeping their persons neat, in learning their tasks regularly, in acquiring quiet and orderly manners.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3260.36Children can feel, but they cannot analyse their feelings; and if the analysis is partially effected in thought, they know not how to express the result of the process in words.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97370.35If I told anything, my tale would be such as must necessarily make a profound impression on the mind of my hearer: and that mind, yet from its sufferings too prone to gloom, needed not the deeper shade of the supernatural.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_40420.35I saw Mr. Rochester shudder: a singularly marked expression of disgust, horror, hatred, warped his countenance almost to distortion; but he only said - "Come, be silent, Richard, and never mind her gibberish: don't repeat it."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95230.34I would not, therefore, immediately charm the snake.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68120.34But all the surface of the waste looked level.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51720.34You have just been telling me how much you liked to be conquered, and how pleasant over-persuasion is to you.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33910.34"Why can she not influence him more, when she is privileged to draw so near to him?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86160.33"It is known that you are not my sister; I cannot introduce you as such: to attempt it would be to fasten injurious suspicions on us both.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51830.67"There, you are less than civil now; and I like rudeness a great deal better than flattery.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30120.63Their collective appearance had left on me an impression of high-born elegance, such as I had never before received.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9280.60It is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, than to commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you; and besides, the Bible bids us return good for evil."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41500.58I see genuine contentment in your gait and mien, your eye and face, when you are helping me and pleasing me -- working for me, and with me, in, as you characteristically say, 'ALL THAT IS RIGHT:' for if I bid you do what you thought wrong, there would be no light-footed running, no neat-handed alacrity, no lively glance and animated complexion.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43740.50"Then you and I must bid good-bye for a little while?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_6090.50The action was more frank and fearless than any I was habituated to indulge in: somehow it pleased her.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83780.50And when I returned, sometimes a good deal tired, and not a little weather-beaten, I never dared complain, because I saw that to murmur would be to vex him: on all occasions fortitude pleased him; the reverse was a special annoyance.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66970.46"Some were farm labourers; a good deal worked at Mr. Oliver's needle-factory, and at the foundry."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46410.44"After all, it is of no great importance, perhaps," she murmured to herself: "and then I may get better; and to humble myself so to her is painful."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24340.44"And better -- so much better as pure ore is than foul dross.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9620.43"A great deal: you are good to those who are good to you.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8350.43"He is a clergyman, and is said to do a great deal of good."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56880.43"Of the foul German spectre -- the Vampyre."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32870.43"And getting a good deal paler than you were -- as I saw at first sight.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17720.43"I have no cause to do otherwise than like him; and I believe he is considered a just and liberal landlord by his tenants: but he has never lived much amongst them."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13210.43"You came to bid me good-bye, then: you are just in time probably."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24830.43I keep it and rear it rather on the Roman Catholic principle of expiating numerous sins, great or small, by one good work.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30290.41The solo over, a duet followed, and then a glee: a joyous conversational murmur filled up the intervals.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95580.40"A good deal."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79690.40"It is like her: she is so good-natured."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5300.40Good-bye."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23610.40"Paid subordinates!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17770.40He is rather peculiar, perhaps: he has travelled a great deal, and seen a great deal of the world, I should think.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_1180.40They will have a great deal of money, and you will have none: it is your place to be humble, and to try to make yourself agreeable to them."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18410.38My pupil was a lively child, who had been spoilt and indulged, and therefore was sometimes wayward; but as she was committed entirely to my care, and no injudicious interference from any quarter ever thwarted my plans for her improvement, she soon forgot her little freaks, and became obedient and teachable.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71730.37She was a great reader, and studied a deal; and the "bairns" had taken after her.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81950.33Famous equality and fraternisation!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_6650.33"Good-bye to Gateshead!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65740.33I had no solace from self- approbation: none even from self-respect.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_50730.33"Come and bid me good-morning," said he.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31930.33The young lady thus claimed as the dowager's special property, reiterated her question with an explanation.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4150.33Bessie Lee must, I think, have been a girl of good natural capacity, for she was smart in all she did, and had a remarkable knack of narrative; so, at least, I judge from the impression made on me by her nursery tales.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22390.33He did not like to diminish the property by division, and yet he was anxious that Mr. Edward should have wealth, too, to keep up the consequence of the name; and, soon after he was of age, some steps were taken that were not quite fair, and made a great deal of mischief.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28470.32Gentlemen especially are often in request on such occasions; and Mr. Rochester is so talented and so lively in society, that I believe he is a general favourite: the ladies are very fond of him; though you would not think his appearance calculated to recommend him particularly in their eyes: but I suppose his acquirements and abilities, perhaps his wealth and good blood, make amends for any little fault of look."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97660.30And again, "If she ben't one o' th' handsomest, she's noan faal and varry good-natured; and i' his een she's fair beautiful, onybody may see that."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53750.30While you looked so, I should be certain that whatever charter you might grant under coercion, your first act, when released, would be to violate its conditions."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47960.30Leah smiled, and even Sophie bid me "bon soir" with glee.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82280.30And that is saying a great deal; for after all, the British peasantry are the best taught, best mannered, most self-respecting of any in Europe: since those days I have seen paysannes and Bauerinnen; and the best of them seemed to me ignorant, coarse, and besotted, compared with my Morton girls.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88260.28It is better, therefore, for the insignificant to keep out of his way, lest, in his progress, he should trample them down.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35670.28Nor was I; but I was a good deal interested and excited.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7080.27Miss Miller was more ordinary; ruddy in complexion, though of a careworn countenance; hurried in gait and action, like one who had always a multiplicity of tasks on hand: she looked, indeed, what I afterwards found she really was, an under-teacher.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8610.27The punishment seemed to me in a high degree ignominious, especially for so great a girl -- she looked thirteen or upwards.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_6560.27As we passed Mrs. Reed's bedroom, she said, "Will you go in and bid Missis good-bye?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42410.27Missis refused: her means have long been much reduced by his extravagance; so he went back again, and the next news was that he was dead.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_510.27Habitually obedient to John, I came up to his chair: he spent some three minutes in thrusting out his tongue at me as far as he could without damaging the roots: I knew he would soon strike, and while dreading the blow, I mused on the disgusting and ugly appearance of him who would presently deal it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62060.26There is no folly so besotted that the idiotic rivalries of society, the prurience, the rashness, the blindness of youth, will not hurry a man to its commission.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41020.25"Leave the window open on his side, Carter; there is no wind -- good- bye, Dick."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23670.25"And will you consent to dispense with a great many conventional forms and phrases, without thinking that the omission arises from insolence?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83950.25I found him a very patient, very forbearing, and yet an exacting master: he expected me to do a great deal; and when I fulfilled his expectations, he, in his own way, fully testified his approbation.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4350.25I was spared the trouble of answering, for Bessie seemed in too great a hurry to listen to explanations; she hauled me to the washstand, inflicted a merciless, but happily brief scrub on my face and hands with soap, water, and a coarse towel; disciplined my head with a bristly brush, denuded me of my pinafore, and then hurrying me to the top of the stairs, bid me go down directly, as I was wanted in the breakfast-room.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69020.64that's t' last o' t' old stock -- for ye and Mr. St. John is like of different soart to them 'at's gone; for all your mother wor mich i' your way, and a'most as book-learned.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83930.59When Diana and Mary returned, the former found her scholar transferred from her to her brother: she laughed, and both she and Mary agreed that St. John should never have persuaded them to such a step.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73080.57"Right," said Mr. St. John, quite coolly.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71380.57"Aye; St. John is like his kirstened name."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71610.54"No more I ought," said she: "Mr. St. John tells me so too; and I see I wor wrang -- but I've clear a different notion on you now to what I had.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96040.50"You know -- this St. John Rivers."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_94880.50"This St. John, then, is your cousin?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68870.50I wonder when St. John will come home."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88690.50The Impossible -- I.E., my marriage with St. John -- was fast becoming the Possible.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75830.50What did St. John Rivers think of this earthly angel?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71390.50"And his sisters are called Diana and Mary Rivers?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_93530.50Perhaps I had too rashly over-leaped conventionalities; and he, like St. John, saw impropriety in my inconsiderateness.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82210.50The instruments of transfer were drawn out: St. John, Diana, Mary, and I, each became possessed of a competency.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68990.46He had been a bit ailing like the day before, but naught to signify; and when Mr. St. John asked if he would like either o' ye to be sent for, he fair laughed at him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_98100.44Diana and Mary Rivers are both married: alternately, once every year, they come to see us, and we go to see them.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69030.44She wor the pictur' o' ye, Mary: Diana is more like your father."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_98210.43St. John is unmarried: he never will marry now.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86750.43"St. John, I am unhappy because you are still angry with me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70490.43Diana and Mary appeared in the chamber once or twice a day.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73400.42As to Mr. St John, the intimacy which had arisen so naturally and rapidly between me and his sisters did not extend to him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88980.40asked St. John.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7940.40-- St. Matt.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75900.40"It is," said St. John.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72460.40Diana laughed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69820.40"St. John, who is it?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69620.40"Is it you, Mr. St.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20970.40"I have no brothers or sisters."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13640.40But this is not to be a regular autobiography.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86470.40"I see you and St. John have been quarrelling, Jane," said Diana, "during your walk on the moor.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85540.40"St. John," I returned, "I regard you as a brother -- you, me as a sister: so let us continue."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95090.38"St. John is an accomplished and profound scholar."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_93790.38"I thought you would be revolted, Jane, when you saw my arm, and my cicatrised visage."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_89250.38I broke from St. John, who had followed, and would have detained me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88400.38Henceforward, I knew what fate St. John feared for me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88240.38"And yet St. John is a good man," said Diana.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81030.38-- that I was christened St. John Eyre Rivers?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71370.38"The name, then, of that gentleman, is Mr. St. John Rivers?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69080.36"Ye'll want your supper, I am sure," observed Hannah; "and so will Mr. St. John when he comes in."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73060.36"She has already said that she is willing to do anything honest she can do," answered Diana for me; "and you know, St. John, she has no choice of helpers: she is forced to put up with such crusty people as you."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71710.36Still, she allowed, "the owd maister was like other folk -- naught mich out o' t' common way: stark mad o' shooting, and farming, and sich like."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95140.34"St. John dresses well.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_92870.34"Pilot knows me, and John and Mary know I am here.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88830.34ejaculated St. John.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87040.34St. John, I will not marry you.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86910.34"Must we part in this way, St. John?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86780.34"No, St. John, we are not friends as we were.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84640.34demanded St. John.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84370.34"I will call Diana and Mary."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82860.34St. John arrived first.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81390.34St. John smiled.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54560.65He was kept, to be sure, rather cross and crusty; but on the whole I could see he was excellently entertained, and that a lamb-like submission and turtle-dove sensibility, while fostering his despotism more, would have pleased his judgment, satisfied his common-sense, and even suited his taste less.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37170.63I know how soon youth would fade and bloom perish, if, in the cup of bliss offered, but one dreg of shame, or one flavour of remorse were detected; and I do not want sacrifice, sorrow, dissolution -- such is not my taste.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7430.56Ravenous, and now very faint, I devoured a spoonful or two of my portion without thinking of its taste; but the first edge of hunger blunted, I perceived I had got in hand a nauseous mess; burnt porridge is almost as bad as rotten potatoes; famine itself soon sickens over it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70770.54I had eaten with relish: the food was good -- void of the feverish flavour which had hitherto poisoned what I had swallowed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5870.53Something of vengeance I had tasted for the first time; as aromatic wine it seemed, on swallowing, warm and racy: its after-flavour, metallic and corroding, gave me a sensation as if I had been poisoned.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30730.50She sighed a sigh of ineffable satisfaction, as if her cup of happiness were now full.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78310.50The pillow was burning: there is an asp in the garland: the wine has a bitter taste: her promises are hollow -- her offers false: I see and know all this."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53530.50Glad was I to get him out of the silk warehouse, and then out of a jewellers shop: the more he bought me, the more my cheek burned with a sense of annoyance and degradation.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46070.46Feeling without judgment is a washy draught indeed; but judgment untempered by feeling is too bitter and husky a morsel for human deglutition.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66210.44My hunger, sharp before, was, if not satisfied, appeased by this hermit's meal.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8770.41Breakfast-time came at last, and this morning the porridge was not burnt; the quality was eatable, the quantity small.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31420.41I looked, and had an acute pleasure in looking, -- a precious yet poignant pleasure; pure gold, with a steely point of agony: a pleasure like what the thirst-perishing man might feel who knows the well to which he has crept is poisoned, yet stoops and drinks divine draughts nevertheless.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56980.41I rose, bathed my head and face in water, drank a long draught; felt that though enfeebled I was not ill, and determined that to none but you would I impart this vision.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75280.40Whether is it better, I ask, to be a slave in a fool's paradise at Marseilles -- fevered with delusive bliss one hour -- suffocating with the bitterest tears of remorse and shame the next -- or to be a village-schoolmistress, free and honest, in a breezy mountain nook in the healthy heart of England?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69950.40"Is she ill, or only famished?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60280.40Nothing bitter -- nothing poignant?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35160.40"By Jove, she has taste!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31060.40It was not, however, so saturnine a pride!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2310.40"Would you like to drink, or could you eat anything?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60440.40He put wine to my lips; I tasted it and revived; then I ate something he offered me, and was soon myself.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_93210.40But I always woke and found it an empty mockery; and I was desolate and abandoned -- my life dark, lonely, hopeless -- my soul athirst and forbidden to drink -- my heart famished and never to be fed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7170.39When it came to my turn, I drank, for I was thirsty, but did not touch the food, excitement and fatigue rendering me incapable of eating: I now saw, however, that it was a thin oaten cake shaved into fragments.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97450.37"I thank my Maker, that, in the midst of judgment, he has remembered mercy.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84740.37I appealed to one who, in the discharge of what he believed his duty, knew neither mercy nor remorse.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8310.37Mr. Brocklehurst buys all our food and all our clothes."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27410.37There were exclamations of "What a mercy master was not burnt in his bed!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87980.36Think of the task you undertook -- one of incessant fatigue, where fatigue kills even the strong, and you are weak.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63170.36Clara was honest and quiet; but heavy, mindless, and unimpressible: not one whit to my taste.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60320.36If the man who had but one little ewe lamb that was dear to him as a daughter, that ate of his bread and drank of his cup, and lay in his bosom, had by some mistake slaughtered it at the shambles, he would not have rued his bloody blunder more than I now rue mine.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87220.33I knew the steely ire I had whetted.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33610.33Nothing could be more becoming to your complexion than that ruffian's rouge."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97050.33I began to experience remorse, repentance; the wish for reconcilement to my Maker.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66670.33I felt it would be degrading to faint with hunger on the causeway of a hamlet.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27750.33She appeared to be cross-questioning me, attempting to draw from me information unawares.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23960.33Dread remorse when you are tempted to err, Miss Eyre; remorse is the poison of life."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8990.31The play-hour in the evening I thought the pleasantest fraction of the day at Lowood: the bit of bread, the draught of coffee swallowed at five o'clock had revived vitality, if it had not satisfied hunger: the long restraint of the day was slackened; the schoolroom felt warmer than in the morning -- its fires being allowed to burn a little more brightly, to supply, in some measure, the place of candles, not yet introduced: the ruddy gloaming, the licensed uproar, the confusion of many voices gave one a welcome sense of liberty.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7440.30The spoons were moved slowly: I saw each girl taste her food and try to swallow it; but in most cases the effort was soon relinquished.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_67940.30But it will be very dreadful, with this feeling of hunger, faintness, chill, and this sense of desolation -- this total prostration of hope.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60080.30I perceived that I was sickening from excitement and inanition; neither meat nor drink had passed my lips that day, for I had taken no breakfast.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49370.30and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96690.28Famine for food, expectation for content.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85860.28The veil fell from his hardness and despotism.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85730.28Do you think God will be satisfied with half an oblation?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4830.27"I hope that sigh is from the heart, and that you repent of ever having been the occasion of discomfort to your excellent benefactress."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24080.27"You have no right to preach to me, you neophyte, that have not passed the porch of life, and are absolutely unacquainted with its mysteries."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32040.25"But my curiosity will be past its appetite; it craves food now."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12030.25We feasted that evening as on nectar and ambrosia; and not the least delight of the entertainment was the smile of gratification with which our hostess regarded us, as we satisfied our famished appetites on the delicate fare she liberally supplied.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28900.22Arraigned at my own bar, Memory having given her evidence of the hopes, wishes, sentiments I had been cherishing since last night -- of the general state of mind in which I had indulged for nearly a fortnight past; Reason having come forward and told, in her own quiet way a plain, unvarnished tale, showing how I had rejected the real, and rabidly devoured the ideal; -- I pronounced judgment to this effect:- That a greater fool than Jane Eyre had never breathed the breath of life; that a more fantastic idiot had never surfeited herself on sweet lies, and swallowed poison as if it were nectar.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_91690.20What agony was this!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_90200.20I wonder what they thought.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23600.76"I was thinking, sir, that very few masters would trouble themselves to inquire whether or not their paid subordinates were piqued and hurt by their orders."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42480.69It was only yesterday morning, however, that Bessie understood she was pronouncing your name; and at last she made out the words, 'Bring Jane -- fetch Jane Eyre: I want to speak to her.'
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71030.61After a pause she said, "I dunnut understand that: you've like no house, nor no brass, I guess?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51490.61"Ask me something now, Jane, -- the least thing: I desire to be entreated -- " "Indeed I will, sir; I have my petition all ready."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20530.59"I should be obliged to take time, sir, before I could give you an answer worthy of your acceptance: a present has many faces to it, has it not?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85440.59"Your answer requires a commentary," he said; "it is not clear."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22980.59"Sir, I was too plain; I beg your pardon.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96390.57"Yes, of friends," I answered rather hesitatingly: for I knew I meant more than friends, but could not tell what other word to employ.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87460.57I replied - "There is no dishonour, no breach of promise, no desertion in the case.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60630.57I will spare you the trouble of much talking; I will answer for you -- Because I have a wife already, you would reply.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_55340.57"Rather: but I'll tell you all about it by-and-bye, sir; and I daresay you will only laugh at me for my pains."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73070.56"I will be a dressmaker; I will be a plain-workwoman; I will be a servant, a nurse-girl, if I can be no better," I answered.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23190.56"Decidedly he has had too much wine," I thought; and I did not know what answer to make to his queer question: how could I tell whether he was capable of being re-transformed?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96370.53"You speak of friends, Jane?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_90960.53"They guessed, ma'am: they guessed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87940.53"I have refused to marry him -- " "And have consequently displeased him?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87840.53And you will marry him, Jane, won't you?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80150.53I dared not answer the question.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_55570.53"Sir, have you finished supper?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53990.53"Indeed, begging your pardon, sir, I shall not.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53260.53"She has consented: she has pledged her word."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48890.53We have been good friends, Jane; have we not?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43690.53I'll pledge my word on it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43530.53"I could not spare the money on any account."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32460.53"On my honour, I am much obliged to you," was the reply.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3240.53How much I wished to reply fully to this question!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30460.53"I will not give him that trouble," I answered.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96820.52"We must become one flesh without any delay, Jane: there is but the licence to get -- then we marry."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_90830.52I asked, knowing, of course, what the answer would be, but yet desirous of deferring the direct question as to where he really was.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70230.52Diana took the word - "Do you mean," she asked, "that we have now given you what aid you require?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_40650.52"Now, I've another errand for you," said my untiring master; "you must away to my room again.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_90490.51Dreadful question: there was no one here to answer it -- not even dumb sign, mute token.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43160.51"Well, you must have some money; you can't travel without money, and I daresay you have not much: I have given you no salary yet.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71590.51"But I do think hardly of you," I said; "and I'll tell you why -- not so much because you refused to give me shelter, or regarded me as an impostor, as because you just now made it a species of reproach that I had no 'brass' and no house.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17800.51"I don't know -- it is not easy to describe -- nothing striking, but you feel it when he speaks to you; you cannot be always sure whether he is in jest or earnest, whether he is pleased or the contrary; you don't thoroughly understand him, in short -- at least, I don't: but it is of no consequence, he is a very good master."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_22990.47I ought to have replied that it was not easy to give an impromptu answer to a question about appearances; that tastes mostly differ; and that beauty is of little consequence, or something of that sort."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23560.47Leaving superiority out of the question, then, you must still agree to receive my orders now and then, without being piqued or hurt by the tone of command.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51890.47"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.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8870.47The lesson had comprised part of the reign of Charles I., and there were sundry questions about tonnage and poundage and ship-money, which most of them appeared unable to answer; still, every little difficulty was solved instantly when it reached Burns: her memory seemed to have retained the substance of the whole lesson, and she was ready with answers on every point.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_91030.46But a queer thing happened a year since -- a very queer thing."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85870.46Having felt in him the presence of these qualities, I felt his imperfection and took courage.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82950.46I inquired whether this was the case: no doubt in a somewhat crest-fallen tone.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79480.46"Well," I reflected, "if you won't talk, you may be still; I'll let you alone now, and return to my book."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62270.46Jane, you don't like my narrative; you look almost sick -- shall I defer the rest to another day?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53060.46"Let her come to me," I entreated: "she will, perhaps, trouble you, sir: there is plenty of room on this side."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51570.46"Well then, sir, have the goodness to gratify my curiosity, which is much piqued on one point."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_43370.46"In that case, sir, Adele ought to go to school: I am sure you will perceive the necessity of it."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37870.46"Jane, I've got a blow; I've got a blow, Jane!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31940.46"My dearest, don't mention governesses; the word makes me nervous.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_98270.45His own words are a pledge of this - "My Master," he says, "has forewarned me.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85040.68In the tractability with which, at my wish, you forsook a study in which you were interested, and adopted another because it interested me; in the untiring assiduity with which you have since persevered in it -- in the unflagging energy and unshaken temper with which you have met its difficulties -- I acknowledge the complement of the qualities I seek.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81640.55you quite put me out of patience: I am rational enough; it is you who misunderstand, or rather who affect to misunderstand."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_19180.54I had a theoretical reverence and homage for beauty, elegance, gallantry, fascination; but had I met those qualities incarnate in masculine shape, I should have known instinctively that they neither had nor could have sympathy with anything in me, and should have shunned them as one would fire, lightning, or anything else that is bright but antipathetic.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51090.54"I will make the world acknowledge you a beauty, too," he went on, while I really became uneasy at the strain he had adopted, because I felt he was either deluding himself or trying to delude me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35070.50"Cease that chatter, blockhead!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87390.50You are not really shocked: for, with your superior mind, you cannot be either so dull or so conceited as to misunderstand my meaning.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5520.50I will never come to see you when I am grown up; and if any one asks me how I liked you, and how you treated me, I will say the very thought of you makes me sick, and that you treated me with miserable cruelty."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76640.50Wholly untaught, with faculties quite torpid, they seemed to me hopelessly dull; and, at first sight, all dull alike: but I soon found I was mistaken.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24900.45He thought himself her idol, ugly as he was: he believed, as he said, that she preferred his "taille d'athlete" to the elegance of the Apollo Belvidere.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46560.45I could not forget your conduct to me, Jane -- the fury with which you once turned on me; the tone in which you declared you abhorred me the worst of anybody in the world; the unchildlike look and voice with which you affirmed that the very thought of me made you sick, and asserted that I had treated you with miserable cruelty.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17250.44It was the strain of a forsaken lady, who, after bewailing the perfidy of her lover, calls pride to her aid; desires her attendant to deck her in her brightest jewels and richest robes, and resolves to meet the false one that night at a ball, and prove to him, by the gaiety of her demeanour, how little his desertion has affected her.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31090.44I cannot tell whether Miss Ingram was a genius, but she was self-conscious -- remarkably self- conscious indeed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63410.44I passed it as negligently as I did the pollard willow opposite to it: I had no presentiment of what it would be to me; no inward warning that the arbitress of my life -- my genius for good or evil -- waited there in humble guise.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_55160.40Away with evil presentiment!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31080.40Genius is said to be self-conscious.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_60990.40"You spoke of a retirement, sir; and retirement and solitude are dull: too dull for you."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25090.40"I like this day; I like that sky of steel; I like the sternness and stillness of the world under this frost.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75610.40"A year ago I was myself intensely miserable, because I thought I had made a mistake in entering the ministry: its uniform duties wearied me to death.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70690.38We may, perhaps, succeed in restoring her to them, if she is not obstinate: but I trace lines of force in her face which make me sceptical of her tractability."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23230.37I am sure most people would have thought him an ugly man; yet there was so much unconscious pride in his port; so much ease in his demeanour; such a look of complete indifference to his own external appearance; so haughty a reliance on the power of other qualities, intrinsic or adventitious, to atone for the lack of mere personal attractiveness, that, in looking at him, one inevitably shared the indifference, and, even in a blind, imperfect sense, put faith in the confidence.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79430.36This was said with a careless, abstracted indifference, which showed that my solicitude was, at least in his opinion, wholly superfluous.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25740.33His deportment had now for some weeks been more uniform towards me than at the first.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62420.31Mosquitoes came buzzing in and hummed sullenly round the room; the sea, which I could hear from thence, rumbled dull like an earthquake -- black clouds were casting up over it; the moon was setting in the waves, broad and red, like a hot cannon-ball -- she threw her last bloody glance over a world quivering with the ferment of tempest.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45660.30Her mind seemed wholly taken up with reminiscences of past gaiety, and aspirations after dissipations to come.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24690.30However, my tenderest feelings are about to receive a shock: such is my presentiment; stay now, to see whether it will be realised."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8800.29In the course of the day I was enrolled a member of the fourth class, and regular tasks and occupations were assigned me: hitherto, I had only been a spectator of the proceedings at Lowood; I was now to become an actor therein.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48440.29I followed with lagging step, and thoughts busily bent on discovering a 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.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95850.28"That is a fiction -- an impudent invention to vex me."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_55020.28He may be coming now, and to meet him will save some minutes of suspense."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85090.28My work, which had appeared so vague, so hopelessly diffuse, condensed itself as he proceeded, and assumed a definite form under his shaping hand.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79030.28He took it up with a snatch; he looked at the edge; then shot a glance at me, inexpressibly peculiar, and quite incomprehensible: a glance that seemed to take and make note of every point in my shape, face, and dress; for it traversed all, quick, keen as lightning.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84130.26Of late it had been easy enough for me to look sad: a cankering evil sat at my heart and drained my happiness at its source -- the evil of suspense.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95280.25"The picture you have just drawn is suggestive of a rather too overwhelming contrast.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_50290.25For the world's judgment -- I wash my hands thereof.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47820.25I wish, Jane, I were a trifle better adapted to match with her externally.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76100.23The -th regiment are stationed there since the riots; and the officers are the most agreeable men in the world: they put all our young knife-grinders and scissor merchants to shame."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64810.22The look was far worse to resist than the frantic strain: only an idiot, however, would have succumbed now.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85930.20"What does this signify?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_52860.20"I told her no.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42850.20How do you know her?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24050.20"How do you know?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23060.20"Just so: I think so: and you shall be answerable for it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16570.20"What!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_89580.20I recalled the voice I had heard; again I questioned whence it came, as vainly as before: it seemed in ME -- not in the external world.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39240.80He glided up the gallery and up the stairs, and stopped in the dark, low corridor of the fateful third storey: I had followed and stood at his side.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18030.76I followed still, up a very narrow staircase to the attics, and thence by a ladder and through a trap-door to the roof of the hall.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_92100.75The house presented two pointed gables in its front; the windows were latticed and narrow: the front door was narrow too, one step led up to it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59010.75We mounted the first staircase, passed up the gallery, proceeded to the third storey: the low, black door, opened by Mr. Rochester's master-key, admitted us to the tapestried room, with its great bed and its pictorial cabinet.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18090.72I lingered in the long passage to which this led, separating the front and back rooms of the third storey: narrow, low, and dim, with only one little window at the far end, and looking, with its two rows of small black doors all shut, like a corridor in some Bluebeard's castle.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13000.72Having descended a staircase, traversed a portion of the house below, and succeeded in opening and shutting, without noise, two doors, I reached another flight of steps; these I mounted, and then just opposite to me was Miss Temple's room.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_92410.68He groped his way back to the house, and, re-entering it, closed the door.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5430.68I got up, I went to the door; I came back again; I walked to the window, across the room, then close up to her.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_38580.68A chamber-door opened: some one ran, or rushed, along the gallery.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68900.67The woman rose: she opened a door, through which I dimly saw a passage: soon I heard her stir a fire in an inner room; she presently came back.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16310.67The steps and banisters were of oak; the staircase window was high and latticed; both it and the long gallery into which the bedroom doors opened looked as if they belonged to a church rather than a house.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18080.65Mrs. Fairfax stayed behind a moment to fasten the trap-door; I, by drift of groping, found the outlet from the attic, and proceeded to descend the narrow garret staircase.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_26170.65Ere long, steps retreated up the gallery towards the third-storey staircase: a door had lately been made to shut in that staircase; I heard it open and close, and all was still.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_38800.65And the door at the end of the gallery opened, and Mr. Rochester advanced with a candle: he had just descended from the upper storey.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_67370.64I reached the house, and knocked at the kitchen-door.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65500.64I opened the door, passed out, shut it softly.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_26750.62He passed up the gallery very softly, unclosed the staircase door with as little noise as possible, shut it after him, and the last ray vanished.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87700.61On re-entering the parlour, I found Diana standing at the window, looking very thoughtful.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76850.61She would canter up to the door on her pony, followed by a mounted livery servant.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_50400.61He hurried me up the walk, through the grounds, and into the house; but we were quite wet before we could pass the threshold.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16300.61First she went to see if the hall-door was fastened; having taken the key from the lock, she led the way upstairs.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25190.59she said, lifting her finger; and then she wrote in the air a memento, which ran in lurid hieroglyphics all along the house-front, between the upper and lower row of windows, 'Like it if you can!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65020.59I had already gained the door; but, reader, I walked back -- walked back as determinedly as I had retreated.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41080.59This done, he moved with slow step and abstracted air towards a door in the wall bordering the orchard.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97640.58Without waiting to hear more, I left the kitchen.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70420.58I knew I was in a small room and in a narrow bed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_50720.58"In there," pointing to the apartment she had left; and I went in, and there he stood.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4340.58You look quite red, as if you had been about some mischief: what were you opening the window for?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_26230.58There was a candle burning just outside, and on the matting in the gallery.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25130.58We were ascending the avenue when he thus paused; the hall was before us.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30080.58I had regained the gallery, and was just shutting the back-door behind me, when an accelerated hum warned me that the ladies were about to issue from their chambers.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68440.57In seeking the door, I turned an angle: there shot out the friendly gleam again, from the lozenged panes of a very small latticed window, within a foot of the ground, made still smaller by the growth of ivy or some other creeping plant, whose leaves clustered thick over the portion of the house wall in which it was set.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_15830.57We now slowly ascended a drive, and came upon the long front of a house: candlelight gleamed from one curtained bow-window; all the rest were dark.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_94520.56Entering the room very softly, I had a view of him before he discovered my presence.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_89070.56for it did not seem in the room -- nor in the house -- nor in the garden; it did not come out of the air -- nor from under the earth -- nor from overhead.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_15700.56He fastened the car door, climbed to his own seat outside, and we set off.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_6940.56Rain, wind, and darkness filled the air; nevertheless, I dimly discerned a wall before me and a door open in it; through this door I passed with my new guide: she shut and locked it behind her.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32770.56Thence a narrow passage led into the hall: in crossing it, I perceived my sandal was loose; I stopped to tie it, kneeling down for that purpose on the mat at the foot of the staircase.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83200.55The vehicle had stopped at the wicket; the driver opened the door: first one well-known form, then another, stepped out.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65870.55He further gave me leave to get into the inside, as the vehicle was empty: I entered, was shut in, and it rolled on its way.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16500.55The hall-door, which was half of glass, stood open; I stepped over the threshold.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_15840.55The car stopped at the front door; it was opened by a maid-servant; I alighted and went in.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30260.54The hall lamp was now lit, and it amused her to look over the balustrade and watch the servants passing backwards and forwards.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_90410.54The front was, as I had once seen it in a dream, but a well-like wall, very high and very fragile-looking, perforated with paneless windows: no roof, no battlements, no chimneys -- all had crashed in.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_38610.54The sleepers were all aroused: ejaculations, terrified murmurs sounded in every room; door after door unclosed; one looked out and another looked out; the gallery filled.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29980.53Then light steps ascended the stairs; and there was a tripping through the gallery, and soft cheerful laughs, and opening and closing doors, and, for a time, a hush.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_19740.53The hall was not dark, nor yet was it lit, only by the high-hung bronze lamp; a warm glow suffused both it and the lower steps of the oak staircase.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_89510.52Looking through the window, I saw him traverse the garden.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81150.52Again he was going, but I set my back against the door.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71830.52"You should have waited for my leave to descend," she said.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73150.75There was a reviving pleasure in this intercourse, of a kind now tasted by me for the first time -- the pleasure arising from perfect congeniality of tastes, sentiments, and principles.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76740.71There was an enjoyment in accepting their simple kindness, and in repaying it by a consideration -- a scrupulous regard to their feelings -- to which they were not, perhaps, at all times accustomed, and which both charmed and benefited them; because, while it elevated them in their own eyes, it made them emulous to merit the deferential treatment they received.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83020.70The humanities and amenities of life had no attraction for him -- its peaceful enjoyments no charm.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8040.65I hardly know where I found the hardihood thus to open a conversation with a stranger; the step was contrary to my nature and habits: but I think her occupation touched a chord of sympathy somewhere; for I too liked reading, though of a frivolous and childish kind; I could not digest or comprehend the serious or substantial.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5890.63I would fain exercise some better faculty than that of fierce speaking; fain find nourishment for some less fiendish feeling than that of sombre indignation.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82310.60"Does not the consciousness of having done some real good in your day and generation give pleasure?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73350.60Our natures dovetailed: mutual affection -- of the strongest kind -- was the result.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28010.59I don't think she can ever have been pretty; but, for aught I know, she may possess originality and strength of character to compensate for the want of personal advantages.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69520.58Alas, this isolation -- this banishment from my kind!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97830.55By her grateful attention to me and mine, she has long since well repaid any little kindness I ever had it in my power to offer her.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31610.55For when I say that I am of his kind, I do not mean that I have his force to influence, and his spell to attract; I mean only that I have certain tastes and feelings in common with him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78900.54From the wild stringy root of human uprightness, she has reared a due sense of the Divine justice.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85970.51You will see what impetus would be given to your efforts and mine by our physical and mental union in marriage: the only union that gives a character of permanent conformity to the destinies and designs of human beings; and, passing over all minor caprices -- all trivial difficulties and delicacies of feeling -- all scruple about the degree, kind, strength or tenderness of mere personal inclination -- you will hasten to enter into that union at once."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78780.51Natural affection only, of all the sentiments, has permanent power over me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73200.51I could comprehend the feeling, and share both its strength and truth.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48090.51Never had he called me more frequently to his presence; never been kinder to me when there -- and, alas!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42100.51And signs, for aught we know, may be but the sympathies of Nature with man.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47860.50He seemed to think it too good for common purposes: it was the real sunshine of feeling -- he shed it over me now.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25730.50The confidence he had thought fit to repose in me seemed a tribute to my discretion: I regarded and accepted it as such.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47970.50This was very pleasant; there is no happiness like that of being loved by your fellow-creatures, and feeling that your presence is an addition to their comfort.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82620.48"Jane, I excuse you for the present: two months' grace I allow you for the full enjoyment of your new position, and for pleasing yourself with this late-found charm of relationship; but THEN, I hope you will begin to look beyond Moor House and Morton, and sisterly society, and the selfish calm and sensual comfort of civilised affluence.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82090.47You too have principle and mind: your tastes and habits resemble Diana's and Mary's; your presence is always agreeable to me; in your conversation I have already for some time found a salutary solace.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59790.46I looked on my cherished wishes, yesterday so blooming and glowing; they lay stark, chill, livid corpses that could never revive.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20330.46A reception of finished politeness would probably have confused me: I could not have returned or repaid it by answering grace and elegance on my part; but harsh caprice laid me under no obligation; on the contrary, a decent quiescence, under the freak of manner, gave me the advantage.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18450.46I felt a conscientious solicitude for Adele's welfare and progress, and a quiet liking for her little self: just as I cherished towards Mrs. Fairfax a thankfulness for her kindness, and a pleasure in her society proportionate to the tranquil regard she had for me, and the moderation of her mind and character.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76630.45Some time elapsed before, with all my efforts, I could comprehend my scholars and their nature.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53850.45"Your regard; and if I give you mine in return, that debt will be quit."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81330.44-- a mine of pure, genial affections.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75950.44"Did you find your scholars as attentive as you expected?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45730.44I asked her once what was the great attraction of that volume, and she said, "the Rubric."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73930.43"I believe you will accept the post I offer you," said he, "and hold it for a while: not permanently, though: any more than I could permanently keep the narrow and narrowing -- the tranquil, hidden office of English country incumbent; for in your nature is an alloy as detrimental to repose as that in mine, though of a different kind."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45960.42The day will close almost before you are aware it has begun; and you are indebted to no one for helping you to get rid of one vacant moment: you have had to seek no one's company, conversation, sympathy, forbearance; you have lived, in short, as an independent being ought to do.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83090.42Well may he eschew the calm of domestic life; it is not his element: there his faculties stagnate -- they cannot develop or appear to advantage.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81520.42Now the wealth did not weigh on me: now it was not a mere bequest of coin, -- it was a legacy of life, hope, enjoyment.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72660.42This benefit conferred gives you an unlimited claim on my gratitude, and a claim, to a certain extent, on my confidence.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13790.42I had imbibed from her something of her nature and much of her habits: more harmonious thoughts: what seemed better regulated feelings had become the inmates of my mind.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95100.41"His manners, I think, you said are not to your taste?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77080.41She had taken an amiable caprice to me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63750.41I wondered what you thought of me, or if you ever thought of me, and resolved to find this out.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16080.41I asked, when I had partaken of what she offered me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44410.41A certain superciliousness of look, coolness of manner, nonchalance of tone, express fully their sentiments on the point, without committing them by any positive rudeness in word or deed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29280.41Not that I humbled myself by a slavish notion of inferiority: on the contrary, I just said - "You have nothing to do with the master of Thornfield, further than to receive the salary he gives you for teaching his protegee, and to be grateful for such respectful and kind treatment as, if you do your duty, you have a right to expect at his hands.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17650.40"Not particularly so; but he has a gentleman's tastes and habits, and he expects to have things managed in conformity to them."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84400.40I know no medium: I never in my life have known any medium in my dealings with positive, hard characters, antagonistic to my own, between absolute submission and determined revolt.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54530.40I like you more than I can say; but I'll not sink into a bathos of sentiment: and with this needle of repartee I'll keep you from the edge of the gulf too; and, moreover, maintain by its pungent aid that distance between you and myself most conducive to our real mutual advantage."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33830.40Yes; the future bridegroom, Mr. Rochester himself, exercised over his intended a ceaseless surveillance; and it was from this sagacity -- this guardedness of his -- this perfect, clear consciousness of his fair one's defects -- this obvious absence of passion in his sentiments towards her, that my ever-torturing pain arose.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16340.39The impulse of gratitude swelled my heart, and I knelt down at the bedside, and offered up thanks where thanks were due; not forgetting, ere I rose, to implore aid on my further path, and the power of meriting the kindness which seemed so frankly offered me before it was earned.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97920.39All my confidence is bestowed on him, all his confidence is devoted to me; we are precisely suited in character -- perfect concord is the result.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37110.39I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or offered only at a price I cannot afford to give.'
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74410.38I mean, that human affections and sympathies have a most powerful hold on you.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76700.67I had amongst my scholars several farmers' daughters: young women grown, almost.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73850.60He resumed - "And since I am myself poor and obscure, I can offer you but a service of poverty and obscurity.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74090.59"It is a village school: your scholars will be only poor girls -- cottagers' children -- at the best, farmers' daughters.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5420.56My look or something else must have struck her as offensive, for she spoke with extreme though suppressed irritation.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28170.56Bessie Leaven had said I was quite a lady; and she spoke truth -- I was a lady.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_19160.54Had he been a handsome, heroic-looking young gentleman, I should not have dared to stand thus questioning him against his will, and offering my services unasked.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3510.52I shook my head: I could not see how poor people had the means of being kind; and then to learn to speak like them, to adopt their manners, to be uneducated, to grow up like one of the poor women I saw sometimes nursing their children or washing their clothes at the cottage doors of the village of Gateshead: no, I was not heroic enough to purchase liberty at the price of caste.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72350.51I speak particularly of the young ladies.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59310.51The three gentlemen retreated simultaneously.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42260.51"And are the family well at the house, Robert?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32120.51But poor Madame Joubert!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_15370.51"What foreign country was he going to, Bessie?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49380.51Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44400.51Young ladies have a remarkable way of letting you know that they think you a "quiz" without actually saying the words.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31290.50The collective appearance of the gentlemen, like that of the ladies, is very imposing: they are all costumed in black; most of them are tall, some young.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70540.50"She is not an uneducated person, I should think, by her manner of speaking; her accent was quite pure; and the clothes she took off, though splashed and wet, were little worn and fine."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42110.50When I was a little girl, only six years old, I one night heard Bessie Leaven say to Martha Abbot that she had been dreaming about a little child; and that to dream of children was a sure sign of trouble, either to one's self or one's kin.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28490.50"There are Mrs. Eshton and her three daughters -- very elegant young ladies indeed; and there are the Honourable Blanche and Mary Ingram, most beautiful women, I suppose: indeed I have seen Blanche, six or seven years since, when she was a girl of eighteen.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23200.47"You looked very much puzzled, Miss Eyre; and though you are not pretty any more than I am handsome, yet a puzzled air becomes you; besides, it is convenient, for it keeps those searching eyes of yours away from my physiognomy, and busies them with the worsted flowers of the rug; so puzzle on.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_67660.46And as to the woman who would not take my handkerchief in exchange for her bread, why, she was right, if the offer appeared to her sinister or the exchange unprofitable.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23210.45Young lady, I am disposed to be gregarious and communicative to-night."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17160.45I understood her very well, for I had been accustomed to the fluent tongue of Madame Pierrot.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23140.44No, young lady, I am not a general philanthropist; but I bear a conscience;" and he pointed to the prominences which are said to indicate that faculty, and which, fortunately for him, were sufficiently conspicuous; giving, indeed, a marked breadth to the upper part of his head: "and, besides, I once had a kind of rude tenderness of heart.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83850.44"I want you to give up German and learn Hindostanee."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73330.44Diana offered to teach me German.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71440.44"The mistress has been dead this mony a year."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4790.44Children younger than you die daily.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28740.44"And this beautiful and accomplished lady, she is not yet married?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16490.44Everything appeared very stately and imposing to me; but then I was so little accustomed to grandeur.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14970.44"Georgiana is handsome, I suppose, Bessie?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63010.43I sought my ideal of a woman amongst English ladies, French countesses, Italian signoras, and German grafinnen.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3480.43Poverty looks grim to grown people; still more so to children: they have not much idea of industrious, working, respectable poverty; they think of the word only as connected with ragged clothes, scanty food, fireless grates, rude manners, and debasing vices: poverty for me was synonymous with degradation.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16980.43Fortunately I had had the advantage of being taught French by a French lady; and as I had always made a point of conversing with Madame Pierrot as often as I could, and had besides, during the last seven years, learnt a portion of French by heart daily -- applying myself to take pains with my accent, and imitating as closely as possible the pronunciation of my teacher, I had acquired a certain degree of readiness and correctness in the language, and was not likely to be much at a loss with Mademoiselle Adela.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_950.42"What shocking conduct, Miss Eyre, to strike a young gentleman, your benefactress's son!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8240.42"The lady who built the new part of this house as that tablet records, and whose son overlooks and directs everything here."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3740.42"Yes," responded Abbot; "if she were a nice, pretty child, one might compassionate her forlornness; but one really cannot care for such a little toad as that."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34390.42His manner was polite; his accent, in speaking, struck me as being somewhat unusual, -- not precisely foreign, but still not altogether English: his age might be about Mr. Rochester's, -- between thirty and forty; his complexion was singularly sallow: otherwise he was a fine-looking man, at first sight especially.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95620.41"I learnt German, at first."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8420.41"Do you like the little black one, and the Madame -?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83840.41"Learning German."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77150.41Did I know French and German?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71860.41-- poor girl!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_71850.41Poor child!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69740.41I have a word to say to the woman.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_69280.41"Do let me speak to your mistresses."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56610.41Sophie, I supposed, had come in.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3660.41"Is that your mistress, nurse?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31760.41"Nor am I."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30140.41"What beautiful ladies!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24390.41"Sententious sage!

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_46650.74You were born, I think, to be my torment: my last hour is racked by the recollection of a deed which, but for you, I should never have been tempted to commit."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64010.72Not a human being that ever lived could wish to be loved better than I was loved; and him who thus loved me I absolutely worshipped: and I must renounce love and idol.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_11440.71"No; I know I should think well of myself; but that is not enough: if others don't love me I would rather die than live -- I cannot bear to be solitary and hated, Helen.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54650.68My future husband was becoming to me my whole world; and more than the world: almost my hope of heaven.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9300.67"Yet it would be your duty to bear it, if you could not avoid it: it is weak and silly to say you CANNOT BEAR what it is your fate to be required to bear."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96640.67"Mr. Rochester, if ever I did a good deed in my life -- if ever I thought a good thought -- if ever I prayed a sincere and blameless prayer -- if ever I wished a righteous wish, -- I am rewarded now.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13430.65"I am sure there is a future state; I believe God is good; I can resign my immortal part to Him without any misgiving.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95000.64Great and exalted deeds are what he lives to perform."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80430.59And then there are other chances in life far more thrilling and rapture-giving: THIS is solid, an affair of the actual world, nothing ideal about it: all its associations are solid and sober, and its manifestations are the same.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75190.59But let me not hate and despise myself too much for these feelings; I know them to be wrong -- that is a great step gained; I shall strive to overcome them.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97060.59I began sometimes to pray: very brief prayers they were, but very sincere.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75630.59I considered; my life was so wretched, it must be changed, or I must die.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74550.59It is right, noble, Christian: yet it breaks my heart!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66590.59Human life and human labour were near.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_1630.59All said I was wicked, and perhaps I might be so; what thought had I been but just conceiving of starving myself to death?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_57500.58She seemed the emblem of my past life; and he I was now to array myself to meet, the dread, but adored, type of my unknown future day.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39060.57It seemed to me that some event must follow the strange cry, struggle, and call.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73470.56Zealous in his ministerial labours, blameless in his life and habits, he yet did not appear to enjoy that mental serenity, that inward content, which should be the reward of every sincere Christian and practical philanthropist.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62470.55The sufferings of this mortal state will leave me with the heavy flesh that now cumbers my soul.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54320.55"My love has sworn, with sealing kiss, With me to live -- to die; I have at last my nameless bliss.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24430.55"The human and fallible should not arrogate a power with which the divine and perfect alone can be safely intrusted."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_1680.54Mrs. Reed probably considered she had kept this promise; and so she had, I dare say, as well as her nature would permit her; but how could she really like an interloper not of her race, and unconnected with her, after her husband's death, by any tie?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77900.53And now, sir, to reward you for the accurate guess, I will promise to paint you a careful and faithful duplicate of this very picture, provided you admit that the gift would be acceptable to you.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27980.53It was strange: a bold, vindictive, and haughty gentleman seemed somehow in the power of one of the meanest of his dependants; so much in her power, that even when she lifted her hand against his life, he dared not openly charge her with the attempt, much less punish her for it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97860.52I know what it is to live entirely for and with what I love best on earth.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97380.52I kept these things then, and pondered them in my heart.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96630.52God bless you and reward you!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85780.52I will give my heart to God," I said.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65560.52Not one thought was to be given either to the past or the future.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64990.52my hope -- my love -- my life!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51080.52For God's sake don't be ironical!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_40460.52"It is not impossible: have some energy, man.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39590.52Don't be so overcome, man: bear up!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31990.52said her Ladyship, "I hope it may do her good!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16750.52Bless you, child; what an idea!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78630.51He had not imagined that a woman would dare to speak so to a man.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_55770.51I wish this present hour would never end: who knows with what fate the next may come charged?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_13420.51"You are sure, then, Helen, that there is such a place as heaven, and that our souls can get to it when we die?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9760.51"Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you and despitefully use you."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97030.51You know I was proud of my strength: but what is it now, when I must give it over to foreign guidance, as a child does its weakness?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70530.51"Strange hardships, I imagine -- poor, emaciated, pallid wanderer?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66510.51The burden must be carried; the want provided for; the suffering endured; the responsibility fulfilled.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47000.51There is some difference between living with such an one as you and with Georgiana: you perform your own part in life and burden no one.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77610.51No; they not only live, but reign and redeem: and without their divine influence spread everywhere, you would be in hell -- the hell of your own meanness.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62480.51Of the fanatic's burning eternity I have no fear: there is not a future state worse than this present one -- let me break away, and go home to God!'
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66170.50Nature seemed to me benign and good; I thought she loved me, outcast as I was; and I, who from man could anticipate only mistrust, rejection, insult, clung to her with filial fondness.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5040.50"That proves you have a wicked heart; and you must pray to God to change it: to give you a new and clean one: to take away your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23770.50God wot I need not be too severe about others; I have a past existence, a series of deeds, a colour of life to contemplate within my own breast, which might well call my sneers and censures from my neighbours to myself.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88440.48He supplicated strength for the weak- hearted; guidance for wanderers from the fold: a return, even at the eleventh hour, for those whom the temptations of the world and the flesh were luring from the narrow path.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56010.48"All day yesterday I was very busy, and very happy in my ceaseless bustle; for I am not, as you seem to think, troubled by any haunting fears about the new sphere, et cetera: I think it a glorious thing to have the hope of living with you, because I love you.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34140.79Lord Ingram flirted with Amy Eshton; Louisa played and sang to and with one of the Messrs. Lynn; and Mary Ingram listened languidly to the gallant speeches of the other.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28440.66I believe there is quite a party assembled there; Lord Ingram, Sir George Lynn, Colonel Dent, and others."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34210.63Blanche Ingram, after having repelled, by supercilious taciturnity, some efforts of Mrs. Dent and Mrs. Eshton to draw her into conversation, had first murmured over some sentimental tunes and airs on the piano, and then, having fetched a novel from the library, had flung herself in haughty listlessness on a sofa, and prepared to beguile, by the spell of fiction, the tedious hours of absence.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31660.60The two proud dowagers, Lady Lynn and Lady Ingram, confabulate together.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34920.57cried all the juveniles, both ladies and gentlemen.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30880.57Colonel Dent was less showy; but, I thought, more lady-like.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32730.55said she, and again touching the piano, she commenced an accompaniment in spirited style.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35470.54Meantime, Mary Ingram, Amy and Louisa Eshton, declared they dared not go alone; and yet they all wished to go.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34710.54"Surely, colonel," cried Lady Ingram, "you would not encourage such a low impostor?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42030.50there's Dent and Lynn in the stables!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_38740.50cried Colonel Dent.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35390.50demanded the Misses Eshton.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35120.50"I think I had better just look in upon her before any of the ladies go," said Colonel Dent.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34810.50cried Frederick Lynn.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31520.50He was talking, at the moment, to Louisa and Amy Eshton.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28650.50She was one of the ladies who sang: a gentleman accompanied her on the piano.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17200.50Mama used to teach me to dance and sing, and to say verses.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33150.50"Miss Ingram is mine, of course," said he: afterwards he named the two Misses Eshton, and Mrs. Dent.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31640.50The ladies, since the gentlemen entered, have become lively as larks; conversation waxes brisk and merry.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33300.46At its termination, Colonel Dent and his party consulted in whispers for two minutes, then the Colonel called out - "Bride!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31300.46Henry and Frederick Lynn are very dashing sparks indeed; and Colonel Dent is a fine soldierly man.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31650.45Colonel Dent and Mr. Eshton argue on politics; their wives listen.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17210.45A great many gentlemen and ladies came to see mama, and I used to dance before them, or to sit on their knees and sing to them: I liked it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42580.45To the billiard-room I hastened: the click of balls and the hum of voices resounded thence; Mr. Rochester, Miss Ingram, the two Misses Eshton, and their admirers, were all busied in the game.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42570.44I asked Mrs. Fairfax if she had seen him; -- yes: she believed he was playing billiards with Miss Ingram.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35020.44"You see now, my queenly Blanche," began Lady Ingram, "she encroaches.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31100.44She entered into a discourse on botany with the gentle Mrs. Dent.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34130.43Sir George Lynn, Colonel Dent, and Mr. Eshton discussed politics, or county affairs, or justice business.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31700.43Henry Lynn has taken possession of an ottoman at the feet of Louisa: Adele shares it with him: he is trying to talk French with her, and Louisa laughs at his blunders.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32250.43Am I right, Baroness Ingram, of Ingram Park?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33220.43One of the gentlemen, Mr. Eshton, observing me, seemed to propose that I should be asked to join them; but Lady Ingram instantly negatived the notion.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31110.43It seemed Mrs. Dent had not studied that science: though, as she said, she liked flowers, "especially wild ones;" Miss Ingram had, and she ran over its vocabulary with an air.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32470.42Miss Ingram, who had now seated herself with proud grace at the piano, spreading out her snowy robes in queenly amplitude, commenced a brilliant prelude; talking meantime.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_38050.41Mr. Mason stood near the fire, talking to Colonel and Mrs. Dent, and appeared as merry as any of them.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34190.41Some of the gentlemen were gone to the stables: the younger ones, together with the younger ladies, were playing billiards in the billiard-room.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33100.41I wondered what they were going to do the first evening a change of entertainment was proposed: they spoke of "playing charades," but in my ignorance I did not understand the term.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32090.41What tricks Theodore and I used to play on our Miss Wilsons, and Mrs. Greys, and Madame Jouberts!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31120.41I presently perceived she was (what is vernacularly termed) TRAILING Mrs. Dent; that is, playing on her ignorance -- her TRAIL might be clever, but it was decidedly not good-natured.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59300.40cried Grace.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35330.40said Lord Ingram.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34750.40asked Mrs. Eshton.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_15170.40Can you play on the piano?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_94670.40But I would not be lachrymose: I dashed off the salt drops, and busied myself with preparing breakfast.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34370.40He bowed to Lady Ingram, as deeming her the eldest lady present.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31240.40Amy and Louisa Eshton had cried out simultaneously -- "What a love of a child!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28760.40Old Lord Ingram's estates were chiefly entailed, and the eldest son came in for everything almost."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28720.40"A very rich and powerful one: she sang delightfully; it was a treat to listen to her; -- and she played afterwards.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31680.40Mr. Frederick Lynn has taken a seat beside Mary Ingram, and is showing her the engravings of a splendid volume: she looks, smiles now and then, but apparently says little.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31690.38The tall and phlegmatic Lord Ingram leans with folded arms on the chair-back of the little and lively Amy Eshton; she glances up at him, and chatters like a wren: she likes him better than she does Mr. Rochester.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33520.37exclaimed Colonel Dent, and the charade was solved.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41150.70He strayed down a walk edged with box, with apple trees, pear trees, and cherry trees on one side, and a border on the other full of all sorts of old-fashioned flowers, stocks, sweet-williams, primroses, pansies, mingled with southernwood, sweet-briar, and various fragrant herbs.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48300.65But no -- eventide is as pleasant to him as to me, and this antique garden as attractive; and he strolls on, now lifting the gooseberry- tree branches to look at the fruit, large as plums, with which they are laden; now taking a ripe cherry from the wall; now stooping towards a knot of flowers, either to inhale their fragrance or to admire the dew-beads on their petals.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12530.61Its garden, too, glowed with flowers: hollyhocks had sprung up tall as trees, lilies had opened, tulips and roses were in bloom; the borders of the little beds were gay with pink thrift and crimson double daisies; the sweetbriars gave out, morning and evening, their scent of spice and apples; and these fragrant treasures were all useless for most of the inmates of Lowood, except to furnish now and then a handful of herbs and blossoms to put in a coffin.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48260.57I see trees laden with ripening fruit.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18040.57I was now on a level with the crow colony, and could see into their nests.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24820.57Not valuing now the root whence it sprang; having found that it was of a sort which nothing but gold dust could manure, I have but half a liking to the blossom, especially when it looks so artificial as just now.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12740.47She went into the house; I stayed behind a few minutes to plant in my garden a handful of roots I had dug up in the forest, and which I feared would wither if I left them till the morning.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48240.45Sweet-briar and southernwood, jasmine, pink, and rose have long been yielding their evening sacrifice of incense: this new scent is neither of shrub nor flower; it is -- I know it well -- it is Mr. Rochester's cigar.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65710.43Birds began singing in brake and copse: birds were faithful to their mates; birds were emblems of love.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_3810.40"So could I -- with a roast onion.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96330.40"And what right would that ruin have to bid a budding woodbine cover its decay with freshness?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66450.40I saw a lizard run over the crag; I saw a bee busy among the sweet bilberries.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12270.40That night, on going to bed, I forgot to prepare in imagination the Barmecide supper of hot roast potatoes, or white bread and new milk, with which I was wont to amuse my inward cravings: I feasted instead on the spectacle of ideal drawings, which I saw in the dark; all the work of my own hands: freely pencilled houses and trees, picturesque rocks and ruins, Cuyp-like groups of cattle, sweet paintings of butterflies hovering over unblown roses, of birds picking at ripe cherries, of wren's nests enclosing pearl-like eggs, wreathed about with young ivy sprays.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54920.39"I think, scathed as you look, and charred and scorched, there must be a little sense of life in you yet, rising out of that adhesion at the faithful, honest roots: you will never have green leaves more -- never more see birds making nests and singing idyls in your boughs; the time of pleasure and love is over with you: but you are not desolate: each of you has a comrade to sympathise with him in his decay."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31180.37If he liked the majestic, she was the very type of majesty: then she was accomplished, sprightly.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4270.36All this being nothing to me, my vacant attention soon found livelier attraction in the spectacle of a little hungry robin, which came and chirruped on the twigs of the leafless cherry-tree nailed against the wall near the casement.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63710.36I was an intellectual epicure, and wished to prolong the gratification of making this novel and piquant acquaintance: besides, I was for a while troubled with a haunting fear that if I handled the flower freely its bloom would fade -- the sweet charm of freshness would leave it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_91960.35Ferndean then remained uninhabited and unfurnished, with the exception of some two or three rooms fitted up for the accommodation of the squire when he went there in the season to shoot.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4220.35Georgiana sat on a high stool, dressing her hair at the glass, and interweaving her curls with artificial flowers and faded feathers, of which she had found a store in a drawer in the attic.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18870.34In those days I was young, and all sorts of fancies bright and dark tenanted my mind: the memories of nursery stories were there amongst other rubbish; and when they recurred, maturing youth added to them a vigour and vividness beyond what childhood could give.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12410.34And now vegetation matured with vigour; Lowood shook loose its tresses; it became all green, all flowery; its great elm, ash, and oak skeletons were restored to majestic life; woodland plants sprang up profusely in its recesses; unnumbered varieties of moss filled its hollows, and it made a strange ground-sunshine out of the wealth of its wild primrose plants: I have seen their pale gold gleam in overshadowed spots like scatterings of the sweetest lustre.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84850.33I, for instance, am but dust and ashes.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_52650.33It is an old saying that 'all is not gold that glitters;' and in this case I do fear there will be something found to be different to what either you or I expect."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_93740.31You have a 'faux air' of Nebuchadnezzar in the fields about you, that is certain: your hair reminds me of eagles' feathers; whether your nails are grown like birds' claws or not, I have not yet noticed."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66200.30I saw ripe bilberries gleaming here and there, like jet beads in the heath: I gathered a handful and ate them with the bread.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41140.30Now HERE" (he pointed to the leafy enclosure we had entered) "all is real, sweet, and pure."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_4190.29She had a turn for traffic, and a marked propensity for saving; shown not only in the vending of eggs and chickens, but also in driving hard bargains with the gardener about flower-roots, seeds, and slips of plants; that functionary having orders from Mrs. Reed to buy of his young lady all the products of her parterre she wished to sell: and Eliza would have sold the hair off her head if she could have made a handsome profit thereby.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96120.28He sees nothing attractive in me; not even youth -- only a few useful mental points.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53520.28"It might pass for the present," he said; "but he would yet see me glittering like a parterre."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63560.28I think those day visions were not dark: there was a pleasurable illumination in your eye occasionally, a soft excitement in your aspect, which told of no bitter, bilious, hypochondriac brooding: your look revealed rather the sweet musings of youth when its spirit follows on willing wings the flight of Hope up and on to an ideal heaven.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_1460.28John no one thwarted, much less punished; though he twisted the necks of the pigeons, killed the little pea-chicks, set the dogs at the sheep, stripped the hothouse vines of their fruit, and broke the buds off the choicest plants in the conservatory: he called his mother "old girl," too; sometimes reviled her for her dark skin, similar to his own; bluntly disregarded her wishes; not unfrequently tore and spoiled her silk attire; and he was still "her own darling."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49530.27"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54950.27Here and there I strayed through the orchard, gathered up the apples with which the grass round the tree roots was thickly strewn; then I employed myself in dividing the ripe from the unripe; I carried them into the house and put them away in the store-room.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_40960.27The stillness of early morning slumbered everywhere; the curtains were yet drawn over the servants' chamber windows; little birds were just twittering in the blossom-blanched orchard trees, whose boughs drooped like white garlands over the wall enclosing one side of the yard; the carriage horses stamped from time to time in their closed stables: all else was still.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24960.26I was just beginning to stifle with the fumes of conservatory flowers and sprinkled essences, when I bethought myself to open the window and step out on to the balcony.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41620.25"Now, my little friend, while the sun drinks the dew -- while all the flowers in this old garden awake and expand, and the birds fetch their young ones' breakfast out of the Thornfield, and the early bees do their first spell of work -- I'll put a case to you, which you must endeavour to suppose your own: but first, look at me, and tell me you are at ease, and not fearing that I err in detaining you, or that you err in staying."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48230.24While such honey-dew fell, such silence reigned, such gloaming gathered, I felt as if I could haunt such shade for ever; but in threading the flower and fruit parterres at the upper part of the enclosure, enticed there by the light the now rising moon cast on this more open quarter, my step is stayed -- not by sound, not by sight, but once more by a warning fragrance.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_17860.21The furniture once appropriated to the lower apartments had from time to time been removed here, as fashions changed: and the imperfect light entering by their narrow casement showed bedsteads of a hundred years old; chests in oak or walnut, looking, with their strange carvings of palm branches and cherubs' heads, like types of the Hebrew ark; rows of venerable chairs, high-backed and narrow; stools still more antiquated, on whose cushioned tops were yet apparent traces of half-effaced embroideries, wrought by fingers that for two generations had been coffin-dust.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54150.20"Very much."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2920.20why, she is too old for such pettishness."

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81280.60It seemed I had found a brother: one I could be proud of, -- one I could love; and two sisters, whose qualities were such, that, when I knew them but as mere strangers, they had inspired me with genuine affection and admiration.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97980.57He loved me so truly, that he knew no reluctance in profiting by my attendance: he felt I loved him so fondly, that to yield that attendance was to indulge my sweetest wishes.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44970.55Such a burden to be left on my hands -- and so much annoyance as she caused me, daily and hourly, with her incomprehensible disposition, and her sudden starts of temper, and her continual, unnatural watchings of one's movements!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72840.53I know all your sisters have done for me since -- for I have not been insensible during my seeming torpor -- and I owe to their spontaneous, genuine, genial compassion as large a debt as to your evangelical charity."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_41830.50At last I looked up at the tardy speaker: he was looking eagerly at me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88940.50The feeling was not like an electric shock, but it was quite as sharp, as strange, as startling: it acted on my senses as if their utmost activity hitherto had been but torpor, from which they were now summoned and forced to wake.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72970.46"You would not like to be long dependent on our hospitality -- you would wish, I see, to dispense as soon as may be with my sisters' compassion, and, above all, with my CHARITY (I am quite sensible of the distinction drawn, nor do I resent it -- it is just): you desire to be independent of us?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9680.45It is as natural as that I should love those who show me affection, or submit to punishment when I feel it is deserved."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82080.45I know I have always loved my own sisters; and I know on what my affection for them is grounded, -- respect for their worth and admiration of their talents.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78920.45So much has religion done for me; turning the original materials to the best account; pruning and training nature.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_98290.44and hourly I more eagerly respond, -- 'Amen; even so come, Lord Jesus!'"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_61450.44"I DO love you," I said, "more than ever: but I must not show or indulge the feeling: and this is the last time I must express it."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25590.44I acknowledged no natural claim on Adele's part to be supported by me, nor do I now acknowledge any, for I am not her father; but hearing that she was quite destitute, I e'en took the poor thing out of the slime and mud of Paris, and transplanted it here, to grow up clean in the wholesome soil of an English country garden.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96220.43But if you wish me to love you, could you but see how much I DO love you, you would be proud and content.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87480.41With you I would have ventured much, because I admire, confide in, and, as a sister, I love you; but I am convinced that, go when and with whom I would, I should not live long in that climate."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86460.41I -- who, though I had no love, had much friendship for him -- was hurt by the marked omission: so much hurt that tears started to my eyes.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83050.41I understood, as by inspiration, the nature of his love for Miss Oliver; I agreed with him that it was but a love of the senses.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78890.41Won in youth to religion, she has cultivated my original qualities thus:- From the minute germ, natural affection, she has developed the overshadowing tree, philanthropy.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85910.40"Is she sarcastic, and sarcastic to ME!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74380.40"Well, if you are not ambitious, you are -- " He paused.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62080.40Oh, I have no respect for myself when I think of that act!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_75820.40Nature had surely formed her in a partial mood; and, forgetting her usual stinted step-mother dole of gifts, had endowed this, her darling, with a grand-dame's bounty.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84090.38As for me, I daily wished more to please him; but to do so, I felt daily more and more that I must disown half my nature, stifle half my faculties, wrest my tastes from their original bent, force myself to the adoption of pursuits for which I had no natural vocation.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59850.37Real affection, it seemed, he could not have for me; it had been only fitful passion: that was balked; he would want me no more.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51120.37I would as soon see you, Mr. Rochester, tricked out in stage-trappings, as myself clad in a court-lady's robe; and I don't call you handsome, sir, though I love you most dearly: far too dearly to flatter you.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62050.36I was dazzled, stimulated: my senses were excited; and being ignorant, raw, and inexperienced, I thought I loved her.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23680.36"I am sure, sir, I should never mistake informality for insolence: one I rather like, the other nothing free-born would submit to, even for a salary."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86720.35To his sisters, meantime, he was somewhat kinder than usual: as if afraid that mere coldness would not sufficiently convince me how completely I was banished and banned, he added the force of contrast; and this I am sure he did not by force, but on principle.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_89940.33The suggestion was sensible, and yet I could not force myself to act on it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_38900.33"It's a mere rehearsal of Much Ado about Nothing.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33930.33"Surely she cannot truly like him, or not like him with true affection!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25880.33I thought there were excellent materials in him; though for the present they hung together somewhat spoiled and tangled.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23730.33But I don't mean to flatter you: if you are cast in a different mould to the majority, it is no merit of yours: Nature did it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_83500.33They could always talk; and their discourse, witty, pithy, original, had such charms for me, that I preferred listening to, and sharing in it, to doing anything else.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_45930.33Then, too, existence for you must be a scene of continual change and excitement, or else the world is a dungeon: you must be admired, you must be courted, you must be flattered -- you must have music, dancing, and society -- or you languish, you die away.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12650.31Surely the Mary Ann Wilson I have mentioned was inferior to my first acquaintance: she could only tell me amusing stories, and reciprocate any racy and pungent gossip I chose to indulge in; while, if I have spoken truth of Helen, she was qualified to give those who enjoyed the privilege of her converse a taste of far higher things.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44100.31I was glad to accept her hospitality; and I submitted to be relieved of my travelling garb just as passively as I used to let her undress me when a child.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14990.31She went up to London last winter with her mama, and there everybody admired her, and a young lord fell in love with her: but his relations were against the match; and -- what do you think?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28960.29And you have derived pleasure from occasional tokens of preference -- equivocal tokens shown by a gentleman of family and a man of the world to a dependent and a novice.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_50750.29It seemed natural: it seemed genial to be so well loved, so caressed by him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29160.28Rochester might probably win that noble lady's love, if he chose to strive for it; is it likely he would waste a serious thought on this indigent and insignificant plebeian?'"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33720.28I could not unlove him, because I felt sure he would soon marry this very lady -- because I read daily in her a proud security in his intentions respecting her -- because I witnessed hourly in him a style of courtship which, if careless and choosing rather to be sought than to seek, was yet, in its very carelessness, captivating, and in its very pride, irresistible.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96740.27I love you better now, when I can really be useful to you, than I did in your state of proud independence, when you disdained every part but that of the giver and protector."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_74620.27Both the sisters seemed struck: not shocked or appalled; the tidings appeared in their eyes rather momentous than afflicting.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_73460.27But besides his frequent absences, there was another barrier to friendship with him: he seemed of a reserved, an abstracted, and even of a brooding nature.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25340.27"Strange that I should choose you for the confidant of all this, young lady; passing strange that you should listen to me quietly, as if it were the most usual thing in the world for a man like me to tell stories of his opera-mistresses to a quaint, inexperienced girl like you!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_12580.27The stone was just broad enough to accommodate, comfortably, another girl and me, at that time my chosen comrade -- one Mary Ann Wilson; a shrewd, observant personage, whose society I took pleasure in, partly because she was witty and original, and partly because she had a manner which set me at my ease.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37220.25I have acted as I inwardly swore I would act; but further might try me beyond my strength.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32450.25"I should say the preference lies with you," responded Colonel Dent.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_67980.25Because I know, or believe, Mr. Rochester is living: and then, to die of want and cold is a fate to which nature cannot submit passively.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9690.67"Heathens and savage tribes hold that doctrine, but Christians and civilised nations disown it."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_98150.57He entered on the path he had marked for himself; he pursues it still.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87570.57The interest you cherish is lawless and unconsecrated.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48870.56"It is, to be sure; and when you get to Bitternutt Lodge, Connaught, Ireland, I shall never see you again, Jane: that's morally certain.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85280.55By straining to satisfy St. John till my sinews ache, I SHALL satisfy him -- to the finest central point and farthest outward circle of his expectations.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5020.54angels sing Psalms;' says he, 'I wish to be a little angel here below;' he then gets two nuts in recompense for his infant piety."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72990.53Show me how to work, or how to seek work: that is all I now ask; then let me go, if it be but to the meanest cottage; but till then, allow me to stay here: I dread another essay of the horrors of homeless destitution."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88870.50"Show me, show me the path!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85310.50Yes, I can work as hard as he can, and with as little grudging.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66990.50"Nay; it was men's work."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88100.50And again she earnestly conjured me to give up all thoughts of going out with her brother.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_81400.50"Did I not say you neglected essential points to pursue trifles?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64380.44You fling me back on lust for a passion -- vice for an occupation?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54550.44The system thus entered on, I pursued during the whole season of probation; and with the best success.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85610.43You have but one end to keep in view -- how the work you have undertaken can best be done.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84500.43An austere patriot's passion for his fatherland!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_80940.43"And then," he pursued, "I am cold: no fervour infects me."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24710.43She entered, transformed as her guardian had predicted.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2710.43Men are hard-hearted, and kind angels only Watch o'er the steps of a poor orphan child.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_87080.40he asked.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62790.40I transformed myself into a will-o'-the-wisp.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_50780.40Is this my mustard-seed?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48760.40I consider that when a dependent 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.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88110.40"I must indeed," I said; "for when just now I repeated the offer of serving him for a deacon, he expressed himself shocked at my want of decency.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59360.40The operation was performed amidst the fiercest yells and the most convulsive plunges.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_82890.38Approaching the hearth, he asked, "If I was at last satisfied with housemaid's work?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_67140.38In what way could it possibly be the interest of the inhabitants of that dwelling to serve me?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66710.38I could hardly tell how men and women in extremities of destitution proceeded.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59860.38I should fear even to cross his path now: my view must be hateful to him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51970.38It was a burning shame and a scandalous disgrace to act in that way.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48770.38You'll like Ireland, I think: they're such warm-hearted people there, they say."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18630.37Her appearance always acted as a damper to the curiosity raised by her oral oddities: hard-featured and staid, she had no point to which interest could attach.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88590.37He had spoken earnestly, mildly: his look was not, indeed, that of a lover beholding his mistress, but it was that of a pastor recalling his wandering sheep -- or better, of a guardian angel watching the soul for which he is responsible.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7930.36"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77090.36She said I was like Mr. Rivers, only, certainly, she allowed, "not one-tenth so handsome, though I was a nice neat little soul enough, but he was an angel."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_52640.36"I am sorry to grieve you," pursued the widow; "but you are so young, and so little acquainted with men, I wished to put you on your guard.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35030.36Be advised, my angel girl -- and -- " "Show her into the library, of course," cut in the "angel girl."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78810.36I watch your career with interest, because I consider you a specimen of a diligent, orderly, energetic woman: not because I deeply compassionate what you have gone through, or what you still suffer."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59700.35And now I thought: till now I had only heard, seen, moved -- followed up and down where I was led or dragged -- watched event rush on event, disclosure open beyond disclosure: but NOW, I THOUGHT.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96950.34He pursued his own thoughts without heeding me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_62090.34-- an agony of inward contempt masters me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_55860.34"It is the idea farthest from my thoughts."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_50250.34Will I not guard, and cherish, and solace her?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49330.34I retorted, roused to something like passion.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_48880.34I never go over to Ireland, not having myself much of a fancy for the country.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47630.34Good angels be my guard!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_35230.34A comparative silence ensued.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_78870.33As His disciple I adopt His pure, His merciful, His benignant doctrines.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_23450.33He had deigned an explanation, almost an apology, and I did not feel insensible to his condescension, and would not seem so.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88320.33I had thought he would hardly speak to me, and I was certain he had given up the pursuit of his matrimonial scheme: the sequel showed I was mistaken on both points.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7810.77Each put on a coarse straw bonnet, with strings of coloured calico, and a cloak of grey frieze.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_50580.71I took a plain but clean and light summer dress from my drawer and put it on: it seemed no attire had ever so well become me, because none had I ever worn in so blissful a mood.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70870.67There were the means of washing in the room, and a comb and brush to smooth my hair.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54760.64It was enough that in yonder closet, opposite my dressing-table, garments said to be hers had already displaced my black stuff Lowood frock and straw bonnet: for not to me appertained that suit of wedding raiment; the pearl-coloured robe, the vapoury veil pendent from the usurped portmanteau.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_20170.63This additional ceremony seemed somewhat stately; however, I repaired to my room, and, with Mrs. Fairfax's aid, replaced my black stuff dress by one of black silk; the best and the only additional one I had, except one of light grey, which, in my Lowood notions of the toilette, I thought too fine to be worn, except on first-rate occasions.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_65280.62The other articles I made up in a parcel; my purse, containing twenty shillings (it was all I had), I put in my pocket: I tied on my straw bonnet, pinned my shawl, took the parcel and my slippers, which I would not put on yet, and stole from my room.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14710.61I had brushed my black stuff travelling-dress, prepared my bonnet, gloves, and muff; sought in all my drawers to see that no article was left behind; and now having nothing more to do, I sat down and tried to rest.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_66700.60I had a small silk handkerchief tied round my throat; I had my gloves.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27490.60There she sat, staid and taciturn-looking, as usual, in her brown stuff gown, her check apron, white handkerchief, and cap.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30900.59Her black satin dress, her scarf of rich foreign lace, and her pearl ornaments, pleased me better than the rainbow radiance of the titled dame.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_28620.58She wore an amber-coloured flower, too, in her hair: it contrasted well with the jetty mass of her curls."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_94220.57"Just to comb out this shaggy black mane.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51100.57"I will attire my Jane in satin and lace, and she shall have roses in her hair; and I will cover the head I love best with a priceless veil."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_24720.57A dress of rose-coloured satin, very short, and as full in the skirt as it could be gathered, replaced the brown frock she had previously worn; a wreath of rosebuds circled her forehead; her feet were dressed in silk stockings and small white satin sandals.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16460.56However, when I had brushed my hair very smooth, and put on my black frock -- which, Quakerlike as it was, at least had the merit of fitting to a nicety -- and adjusted my clean white tucker, I thought I should do respectably enough to appear before Mrs. Fairfax, and that my new pupil would not at least recoil from me with antipathy.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10730.56The two younger of the trio (fine girls of sixteen and seventeen) had grey beaver hats, then in fashion, shaded with ostrich plumes, and from under the brim of this graceful head-dress fell a profusion of light tresses, elaborately curled; the elder lady was enveloped in a costly velvet shawl, trimmed with ermine, and she wore a false front of French curls.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30970.56A crimson velvet robe, and a shawl turban of some gold-wrought Indian fabric, invested her (I suppose she thought) with a truly imperial dignity.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30580.56Then the importance of the process quickly steadied her, and by the time she had her curls arranged in well-smoothed, drooping clusters, her pink satin frock put on, her long sash tied, and her lace mittens adjusted, she looked as grave as any judge.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53600.55I'll be married in this lilac gingham: you may make a dressing-gown for yourself out of the pearl-grey silk, and an infinite series of waistcoats out of the black satin."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30600.55This I quickly was: my best dress (the silver-grey one, purchased for Miss Temple's wedding, and never worn since) was soon put on; my hair was soon smoothed; my sole ornament, the pearl brooch, soon assumed.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53500.54I told him in a new series of whispers, that he might as well buy me a gold gown and a silver bonnet at once: I should certainly never venture to wear his choice.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7100.52Seen by the dim light of the dips, their number to me appeared countless, though not in reality exceeding eighty; they were uniformly dressed in brown stuff frocks of quaint fashion, and long holland pinafores.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_33380.51She, too, was attired in oriental fashion: a crimson scarf tied sash-like round the waist: an embroidered handkerchief knotted about her temples; her beautifully-moulded arms bare, one of them upraised in the act of supporting a pitcher, poised gracefully on her head.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70840.50My black silk frock hung against the wall.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10540.50Red hair, ma'am, curled -- curled all over?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84080.50He never omitted the ceremony afterwards, and the gravity and quiescence with which I underwent it, seemed to invest it for him with a certain charm.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56620.47There was a light in the dressing-table, and the door of the closet, where, before going to bed, I had hung my wedding-dress and veil, stood open; I heard a rustling there.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7590.46Ranged on benches down the sides of the room, the eighty girls sat motionless and erect; a quaint assemblage they appeared, all with plain locks combed from their faces, not a curl visible; in brown dresses, made high and surrounded by a narrow tucker about the throat, with little pockets of holland (shaped something like a Highlander's purse) tied in front of their frocks, and destined to serve the purpose of a work-bag: all, too, wearing woollen stockings and country-made shoes, fastened with brass buckles.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_70850.45The traces of the bog were removed from it; the creases left by the wet smoothed out: it was quite decent.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44340.45The hue of her dress was black too; but its fashion was so different from her sister's -- so much more flowing and becoming -- it looked as stylish as the other's looked puritanical.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56750.44I know not what dress she had on: it was white and straight; but whether gown, sheet, or shroud, I cannot tell."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29430.44I had thought all the rooms at Thornfield beautifully clean and well arranged; but it appears I was mistaken.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_51520.43"Not at all, sir; I ask only this: don't send for the jewels, and don't crown me with roses: you might as well put a border of gold lace round that plain pocket handkerchief you have there."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_16410.43I rose; I dressed myself with care: obliged to be plain -- for I had no article of attire that was not made with extreme simplicity -- I was still by nature solicitous to be neat.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_96850.43"Fasten it into your girdle, Janet, and keep it henceforward: I have no use for it."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_5190.43and,' said she, 'they looked at my dress and mama's, as if they had never seen a silk gown before.'"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30720.43And I took a rose from a vase and fastened it in her sash.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10720.41They ought to have come a little sooner to have heard his lecture on dress, for they were splendidly attired in velvet, silk, and furs.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53160.40And her clothes, they will wear out: how can she get new ones?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_10580.40And why has she, or any other, curled hair?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_8980.39Burns obeyed: I looked at her narrowly as she emerged from the book-closet; she was just putting back her handkerchief into her pocket, and the trace of a tear glistened on her thin cheek.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_7700.38Seen now, in broad daylight, she looked tall, fair, and shapely; brown eyes with a benignant light in their iris, and a fine pencilling of long lashes round, relieved the whiteness of her large front; on each of her temples her hair, of a very dark brown, was clustered in round curls, according to the fashion of those times, when neither smooth bands nor long ringlets were in vogue; her dress, also in the mode of the day, was of purple cloth, relieved by a sort of Spanish trimming of black velvet; a gold watch (watches were not so common then as now) shone at her girdle.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37360.37"Only take off the red cloak, sir, and then -- " "But the string is in a knot -- help me."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_54050.36"Yes, bonny wee thing, I'll wear you in my bosom, lest my jewel I should tyne."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_59670.36The house cleared, I shut myself in, fastened the bolt that none might intrude, and proceeded -- not to weep, not to mourn, I was yet too calm for that, but -- mechanically to take off the wedding dress, and replace it by the stuff gown I had worn yesterday, as I thought, for the last time.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_2630.36Bessie had now finished dusting and tidying the room, and having washed her hands, she opened a certain little drawer, full of splendid shreds of silk and satin, and began making a new bonnet for Georgiana's doll.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_53510.35With infinite difficulty, for he was stubborn as a stone, I persuaded him to make an exchange in favour of a sober black satin and pearl-grey silk.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_29740.34Afternoon arrived: Mrs. Fairfax assumed her best black satin gown, her gloves, and her gold watch; for it was her part to receive the company, -- to conduct the ladies to their rooms, &c. Adele, too, would be dressed: though I thought she had little chance of being introduced to the party that day at least.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_94200.33"Have you a pocket-comb about you, sir?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63460.33I must be aided, and by that hand: and aided I was.

Bronte_Jane_Eyre_52300.82Seeing me, she roused herself: she made a sort of effort to smile, and framed a few words of congratulation; but the smile expired, and the sentence was abandoned unfinished.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18120.65I stopped: the sound ceased, only for an instant; it began again, louder: for at first, though distinct, it was very low.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64480.64They spoke almost as loud as Feeling: and that clamoured wildly.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49030.64"Jane, do you hear that nightingale singing in the wood?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25760.64I, indeed, talked comparatively little, but I heard him talk with relish.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_39450.62He made some sort of arrangement without speaking, though I heard a low voice address him: he came out and closed the door behind him.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_26120.62A dream had scarcely approached my ear, when it fled affrighted, scared by a marrow-freezing incident enough.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_25980.61I hardly know whether I had slept or not after this musing; at any rate, I started wide awake on hearing a vague murmur, peculiar and lugubrious, which sounded, I thought, just above me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_88990.59I saw nothing, but I heard a voice somewhere cry - "Jane!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_32610.57Know that I doat on Corsairs; and for that reason, sing it con spirito."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_63030.57Sometimes, for a fleeting moment, I thought I caught a glance, heard a tone, beheld a form, which announced the realisation of my dream: but I was presently undeserved.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14030.57There is something in that," I soliloquised (mentally, be it understood; I did not talk aloud), "I know there is, because it does not sound too sweet; it is not like such words as Liberty, Excitement, Enjoyment: delightful sounds truly; but no more than sounds for me; and so hollow and fleeting that it is mere waste of time to listen to them.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_30280.55Presently a voice blent with the rich tones of the instrument; it was a lady who sang, and very sweet her notes were.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_84950.52Nothing speaks or stirs in me while you talk.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_79830.52You start -- did you hear a noise?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_77530.52I will not pause either to accuse or repine.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_47690.52he added, when he had paused an instant.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_34550.52"And what a sweet-tempered forehead he has!"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_26770.52I listened for some noise, but heard nothing.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_19410.52he repeated; "deuce take me, if I had not forgotten!
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18170.52"Did you hear that loud laugh?
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_76500.52he repeated, in a voice low and hollow as an echo.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_68590.52When, therefore, a voice broke the strange stillness at last, it was audible enough to me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97300.51seemed spoken amongst mountains; for I heard a hill-sent echo repeat the words.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_95980.51"Jane, I ever like your tone of voice: it still renews hope, it sounds so truthful.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86280.51"I scarcely expected to hear that expression from you," he said: "I think I have done and uttered nothing to deserve scorn."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_72870.51I gave an involuntary half start at hearing the alias: I had forgotten my new name.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_61100.51"Now for the hitch in Jane's character," he said at last, speaking more calmly than from his look I had expected him to speak.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_56340.51"Well," he said, after some minutes' silence, "it is strange; but that sentence has penetrated my breast painfully.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_97260.51a voice -- I cannot tell whence the voice came, but I know whose voice it was -- replied, 'I am coming: wait for me;' and a moment after, went whispering on the wind the words -- 'Where are you?'
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_85800.51I will not swear, reader, that there was not something of repressed sarcasm both in the tone in which I uttered this sentence, and in the feeling that accompanied it.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_36680.51I said this rather to myself than to the gipsy, whose strange talk, voice, manner, had by this time wrapped me in a kind of dream.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_31070.51she laughed continually; her laugh was satirical, and so was the habitual expression of her arched and haughty lip.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86630.51I saw by his look, when he turned to me, that they were always written on the air between me and him; whenever I spoke, they sounded in my voice to his ear, and their echo toned every answer he gave me.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9460.48Now, mine continually rove away; when I should be listening to Miss Scatcherd, and collecting all she says with assiduity, often I lose the very sound of her voice; I fall into a sort of dream.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_89090.48And it was the voice of a human being -- a known, loved, well-remembered voice -- that of Edward Fairfax Rochester; and it spoke in pain and woe, wildly, eerily, urgently.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37790.47As I spoke he gave my wrist a convulsive grip; the smile on his lips froze: apparently a spasm caught his breath.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_27660.47"I did," said I, dropping my voice, so that Leah, who was still polishing the panes, could not hear me, "and at first I thought it was Pilot: but Pilot cannot laugh; and I am certain I heard a laugh, and a strange one."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_37280.47The old woman's voice had changed: her accent, her gesture, and all were familiar to me as my own face in a glass -- as the speech of my own tongue.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_89200.46The wind sighed low in the firs: all was moorland loneliness and midnight hush.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_86040.46I should still have my unblighted self to turn to: my natural unenslaved feelings with which to communicate in moments of loneliness.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_44980.46I declare she talked to me once like something mad, or like a fiend -- no child ever spoke or looked as she did; I was glad to get her away from the house.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_42610.46and when I said, in a low voice, "Mr. Rochester," she made a movement as if tempted to order me away.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_18240.46The laugh was repeated in its low, syllabic tone, and terminated in an odd murmur.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_14810.46she asked, in a voice and with a smile I half recognised; "you've not quite forgotten me, I think, Miss Jane?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_64890.46My deep love, my wild woe, my frantic prayer, are all nothing to you?"
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_58040.46-- when a distinct and near voice said - "The marriage cannot go on: I declare the existence of an impediment."
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_49610.46The nightingale's song was then the only voice of the hour: in listening to it, I again wept.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_19020.46I think he was swearing, but am not certain; however, he was pronouncing some formula which prevented him from replying to me directly.
Bronte_Jane_Eyre_9470.46Sometimes I think I am in Northumberland, and that the noises I hear round me are the bubbling of a little brook which runs through Deepden, near our house; -- then, when it comes to my turn to reply, I have to be awakened; and having heard nothing of what was read for listening to the visionary brook, I have no answer ready."