As we returned to the house, he said to me, "Jane, were you frightened when I left you when there with Mason?"
"I wasn't afraid of Mason, sir. I was afraid of Grace Poole."
"But I locked her in that room so no one would be hurt. I would never leave you in danger."
"Will she continue to live here, sir?" I asked.
"Yes, but don't think about her. She can't hurt you."
"Sir, I'm sure your life is in danger while she's at Thornfield."
"Don't worry, Jane. Mason is more dangerous to me. He could hurt me very badly."
"How, sir?" I asked.
"[-----1-----] Sit down with me in the garden, Jane. I want to ask you something."
The sky was blue and the birds were singing. "Now, Jane, what if there was a man who made a terrible mistake, years ago in a foreign county. For many years he must live with his mistake. It seems he will always be unhappy and alone. Suddenly, he meets someone fresh, good and pure. Now, can he forget the terrible past, and live the rest of his life with her in peace?"
It was a difficult question to answer. In the end I said,
"[-----2-----]"
"But I think I've found the woman who can make me happy forever! It's..." He paused. I thought my heart would stop. I was waiting for him to say...
"Blanche Ingram," Mr. Rochester said in a hard-sounding voice. [-----3-----] He would not look at me as he spoke. "You know that I love her, don't you, Jane? Don't you think she'll make me happy?" |