d,asIuheboltandpassedout.Istumbledoveranobstacle:myheadwasstilldizzy,mysightwasdim,andmylimbswerefeeble.Icouldnotsoonreyself.Ifell,butnotontotheground:anoutstretchedarmcaughtme.Ilookedup—IportedbyMr.Rochester,whosatinachairaychamberthreshold.

    “Youeoutatlast,”hesaid.“Well,Ihavebeenwaitingforyoulong,andlistenionemovementhaveIheard,noronesob:fiveminutesmoreofthatdeath-likehush,andIshouldhaveforcedthelocklikeaburglar.Soyoushunme?—youshutyourselfupandgrievealone!Iwouldratheryouhadeandupbraidedmewithvehemence.Youarepassionate.Iexpectedasekind.Ireparedforthehotrainoftears;onlyIwahemtobeshedonmybreast:nowasenselessfloorhasreceivedthem,oryourdrenchedhandkerchief.ButIerr:youhaveall!Iseeawhitecheekandafadedeye,butnotraceoftears.Isuppose,then,yourhearthasbeenweepingblood?”

    “Well,Jaawordofreproaothingbitter—nothingpoignant?Nothingtocutafeelingorstingapassion?YousitquietlywhereIhaveplacedyou,andregardmewithaassivelook.”

    “Jane,Inevermeanttowoundyouthus.Ifthemanwhohadbutoleewelambthatwasdeartohimasadaughter,thatateofhisbreadanddrankofhiscup,andlayinhisbosom,hadbysomemistakeslaughtereditattheshambles,hewouldnothaveruedhisbloodyblundermorethanInowruemine.Willyoueverfiveme?”

    Reader,Ifavehimatthemomentando.Therewassuchdeepremorseinhiseye,suchtruepityinhistone,sulyenergyinhismanner;andbesides,therewassugedloveinhiswholelookandmien—Ifavehimall:yetnotinwords,notoutwardly;onlyatmyheart’score.

    “YouknowIamasdrel,Jane?”erelongheinquiredwistfully—w,Isuppose,atmytinueds