“Hewillsacrificealltohislong—framedresolves，”shesaid:“naturalaffectionandfeelingsmorepotentstill。St。Johnlooksquiet，Jane;buthehidesafeverinhisvitals。Youwouldthinkhimgentle，yetinsomethingsheisinexorableasdeath;andtheworstofitis，myconsciencewillhardlypermitmetodissuadehimfromhisseveredecision:certainly，Icannotforamomentblamehimforit。Itisright，noble，Christian:yetitbreaksmyheart！”Andthetearsgushedtoherfineeyes。Marybentherheadlowoverherwork。
　　“Wearenowwithoutfather:weshallsoonbewithouthomeandbrother，”shemurmured，
　　Atthatmomentalittleaccidentsupervened，whichseemeddecreedbyfatepurposelytoprovethetruthoftheadage，that“misfortunesnevercomesingly，”andtoaddtotheirdistressesthevexingoneoftheslipbetweenthecupandthelip。St。Johnpassedthewindowreadingaletter。Heentered。
　　“OuruncleJohnisdead，”saidhe。
　　Boththesistersseemedstruck:notshockedorappalled;thetidingsappearedintheireyesrathermomentousthanafflicting。
　　“Dead？”repeatedDiana。
　　“Yes。”
　　Sherivetedasearchinggazeonherbrother’sface。“Andwhatthen？”shedemanded，inalowvoice。
　　“Whatthen，Die？”hereplied，maintainingamarbleimmobilityoffeature。“Whatthen？Why—nothing。Read。”
　　Hethrewtheletterintoherlap。Sheglancedoverit，andhandedittoMary。Maryperuseditinsilence，andreturnedittoherbrother。Allthreelookedateachother，andallthreesmiled—adreary，pensivesmileenough。
　　“Amen！Wecanyetlive，”saidDianaatlast。
　　“Atanyrate，itmakesusnoworseoffthanwewerebefore，”remarkedMary。
　　“Onlyitforcesratherstronglyonthemindthepictureofwhatmighthavebeen，”saidMr。Rivers，“andcontrastsitsomewhattoovividlywithwhatIS。”
　　Hefoldedtheletter，lockeditinhisdesk，andagainwentout。
　　Forsomeminutesnoonespoke。Dianathenturnedtome。
　　“Jane，youwillwonderatusandourmysteries，”shesaid，“andthinkushard—heartedbeingsnottobemoremovedatthedeathofsoneararelationasanuncle;butwehaveneverseenhimorknownhim。Hewasmymother’sbrother。Myfatherandhequarrelledlongago。Itwasbyhisadvicethatmyfatherriskedmostofhispropertyinthespeculationthatruinedhim。Mutualrecriminationpassedbetweenthem:theypartedinanger，andwereneverreconciled。Myuncleengagedafterwardsinmoreprosperousundertakings:itappearsherealisedafortuneoftwentythousandpounds。Hewasnevermarried，andhadnonearkindredbutourselvesandoneotherperson，notmorecloselyrelatedthanwe。Myfatheralwayscherishedtheideathathewouldatoneforhiserrorbyleavinghispossessionstous;thatletterinformsusthathehasbequeathedeverypennytotheotherrelation，withtheexceptionofthirtyguineas，tobedividedbetweenSt。John，Diana，andMaryRivers，forthepurchaseofthreemourningrings。Hehadaright，ofcourse，todoashepleased:andyetamomentarydampiscastonthespiritsbythereceiptofsuchnews。MaryandIwouldhaveesteemedourselvesrichwithathousandpoundseach;andtoSt。Johnsuchasumwouldhavebeenvaluable，forthegooditwouldhaveenabledhimtodo。”
　　Thisexplanationgiven，thesubjectwasdropped，andnofurtherreferencemadetoitbyeitherMr。Riversorhissisters。ThenextdayIleftMarshEndforMorton。Thedayafter，DianaandMaryquitteditfordistantB—。Inaweek，Mr。RiversandHannahrepairedtotheparsonage:andsotheoldgrangewasabandoned。
　　Chapter31
　　Myhome，then，whenIatlastfindahome，—isacottage;alittleroomwithwhitewashedwallsandasandedfloor，containingfourpaintedchairsandatable，aclock，acupboard，withtwoorthreeplatesanddishes，andasetoftea—thingsindelf。Above，achamberofthesamedimensionsasthekitchen，withadealbedsteadandchestofdrawers;small，yettoolargetobefilledwithmyscantywardrobe:thoughthekindnessofmygentleandgenerousfriendshasincreasedthat，byamodeststockofsuchthingsasarenecessary。
　　Itisevening。Ihavedismissed，withthefeeofanorange，thelittleorphanwhoservesmeasahandmaid。Iamsittingaloneonthehearth。Thismorning，thevillageschoolopened。Ihadtwentyscholars。Butthreeofthenumbercanread:nonewriteorcipher。Severalknit，andafewsewalittle。Theyspeakwiththebroadestaccentofthedistrict。Atpresent，theyandIhaveadifficultyinunderstandingeachother’slanguage。Someofthemareunmannered，rough，intractable，aswellasignorant;butothersaredocile，haveawishtolearn，andevinceadispositionthatpleasesme。Imustnotforgetthatthesecoarsely—cladlittlepeasantsareoffleshandbloodasgoodasthescionsofgentlestgenealogy;andthatthegermsofnativeexcellence，refinement，intelligence，kindfeeling，areaslikelytoexistintheirheartsasinthoseofthebest—born。Mydutywillbetodevelopthesegerms:surelyIshallfindsomehappinessindischargingthatoffice。MuchenjoymentIdonotexpectinthelifeopeningbeforeme:yetitwill，doubtless，ifIregulatemymind，andexertmypowersasIought，yieldmeenoughtoliveonfromdaytoday。
　　WasIverygleeful，settled，content，duringthehoursIpassedinyonderbare，humbleschoolroomthismorningandafternoon？Nottodeceivemyself，Imustreply—No:Ifeltdesolatetoadegree。Ifelt—yes，idiotthatIam—Ifeltdegraded。IdoubtedIhadtakenastepwhichsankinsteadofraisingmeinthescaleofsocialexistence。Iwasweaklydismayedattheignorance，thepoverty，thecoarsenessofallIheardandsawroundme。Butletmenothateanddespisemyselftoomuchforthesefeelings;Iknowthemtobewrong—thatisagreatstepgained;Ishallstrivetoovercomethem。To—morrow，Itrust，Ishallgetthebetterofthempartially;andinafewweeks，perhaps，theywillbequitesubdued。Inafewmonths，itispossible，thehappinessofseeingprogress，andachangeforthebetterinmyscholarsmaysubstitutegratificationfordisgust。
　　Meantime，letmeaskmyselfonequestion—Whichisbetter？—Tohavesurrenderedtotemptation;listenedtopassion;madenopainfuleffort—nostruggle;—buttohavesunkdowninthesilkensnare;fallenasleepontheflowerscoveringit;wakenedinasouthernclime，amongsttheluxuriesofapleasurevilla:tohavebeennowlivinginFrance，Mr。Rochester’smistress;deliriouswithhislovehalfmytime—forhewould—oh，yes，hewouldhavelovedmewellforawhile。Hedidloveme—noonewilleverlovemesoagain。Ishallnevermoreknowthesweethomagegiventobeauty，youth，andgrace—fornevertoanyoneelseshallIseemtopossessthesecharms。Hewasfondandproudofme—itiswhatnomanbesideswilleverbe。—ButwhereamIwandering，andwhatamIsaying，andaboveall，feeling？Whetherisitbetter，Iask，tobeaslaveinafool’sparadiseatMarseilles—feveredwithdelusiveblissonehour—suffocatingwiththebitteresttearsofremorseandshamethenext—ortobeavillage—schoolmistress，freeandhonest，inabreezymountainnookinthehealthyheartofEngland？
　　Yes;IfeelnowthatIwasrightwhenIadheredtoprincipleandlaw，andscornedandcrushedtheinsanepromptingsofafrenziedmoment。Goddirectedmetoacorrectchoice:IthankHisprovidencefortheguidance！
　　Havingbroughtmyeventidemusingstothispoint，Irose，wenttomydoor，andlookedatthesunsetoftheharvest—day，andatthequietfieldsbeforemycottage，which，withtheschool，wasdistanthalfamilefromthevillage。Thebirdsweresingingtheirlaststrains—
　　“Theairwasmild，thedewwasbalm。”
　　WhileIlooked，Ithoughtmyselfhappy，andwassurprisedtofindmyselferelongweeping—andwhy？Forthedoomwhichhadreftmefromadhesiontomymaster:forhimIwasnomoretosee;forthedesperategriefandfatalfury—consequencesofmydeparture—whichmightnow，perhaps，bedragginghimfromthepathofright，toofartoleavehopeofultimaterestorationthither。Atthisthought，IturnedmyfaceasidefromthelovelyskyofeveandlonelyvaleofMorton—Isaylonely，forinthatbendofitvisibletometherewasnobuildingapparentsavethechurchandtheparsonage，half—hidintrees，and，quiteattheextremity，theroofofValeHall，wheretherichMr。Oliverandhisdaughterlived。Ihidmyeyes，andleantmyheadagainstthestoneframeofmydoor;butsoonaslightnoisenearthewicketwhichshutinmytinygardenfromthemeadowbeyonditmademelookup。Adog—oldCarlo，Mr。Rivers’pointer，asIsawinamoment—waspushingthegatewithhisnose，andSt。Johnhimselfleantuponitwithfoldedarms;hisbrowknit，hisgaze，gravealmosttodispleasure，fixedonme。Iaskedhimtocomein。
　　“No，Icannotstay;Ihaveonlybroughtyoualittleparcelmysistersleftforyou。Ithinkitcontainsacolour—box，pencils，andpaper。”
　　Iapproachedtotakeit:awelcomegiftitwas。Heexaminedmyface，Ithought，withausterity，asIcamenear:thetracesoftearsweredoubtlessveryvisibleuponit。
　　“Haveyoufoundyourfirstday’sworkharderthanyouexpected？”heasked。
　　“Oh，no！Onthecontrary，IthinkintimeIshallgetonwithmyscholarsverywell。”
　　“Butperhapsyouraccommodations—yourcottage—yourfurniture—havedisappointedyourexpectations？Theyare，intruth，scantyenough;but—”Iinterrupted—
　　“Mycottageiscleanandweather—proof;myfurnituresufficientandcommodious。AllIseehasmademethankful，notdespondent。Iamnotabsolutelysuchafoolandsensualistastoregrettheabsenceofacarpet，asofa，andsilverplate;besides，fiveweeksagoIhadnothing—Iwasanoutcast，abeggar，avagrant;nowIhaveacquaintance，ahome，abusiness。IwonderatthegoodnessofGod;thegenerosityofmyfriends;thebountyofmylot。Idonotrepine。”
　　“Butyoufeelsolitudeanoppression？Thelittlehousetherebehindyouisdarkandempty。”
　　“Ihavehardlyhadtimeyettoenjoyasenseoftranquillity，muchlesstogrowimpatientunderoneofloneliness。”
　　“Verywell;Ihopeyoufeelthecontentyouexpress:atanyrate，yourgoodsensewilltellyouthatitistoosoonyettoyieldtothevacillatingfearsofLot’swife。WhatyouhadleftbeforeIsawyou，ofcourseIdonotknow;butIcounselyoutoresistfirmlyeverytemptationwhichwouldinclineyoutolookback:pursueyourpresentcareersteadily，forsomemonthsatleast。”
　　“ItiswhatImeantodo，”Ianswered。St。Johncontinued—
　　“Itishardworktocontroltheworkingsofinclinationandturnthebentofnature;butthatitmaybedone，Iknowfromexperience。Godhasgivenus，inameasure，thepowertomakeourownfate;andwhenourenergiesseemtodemandasustenancetheycannotget—whenourwillstrainsafterapathwemaynotfollow—weneedneitherstarvefrominanition，norstandstillindespair:wehavebuttoseekanothernourishmentforthemind，asstrongastheforbiddenfooditlongedtotaste—andperhapspurer;andtohewoutfortheadventurousfootaroadasdirectandbroadastheoneFortunehasblockedupagainstus，ifrougherthanit。
　　“AyearagoIwasmyselfintenselymiserable，becauseIthoughtIhadmadeamistakeinenteringtheministry:itsuniformdutiesweariedmetodeath。Iburntforthemoreactivelifeoftheworld—forthemoreexcitingtoilsofaliterarycareer—forthedestinyofanartist，author，orator;anythingratherthanthatofapriest:yes，theheartofapolitician，ofasoldier，ofavotaryofglory，aloverofrenown，alusterafterpower，beatundermycurate’ssurplice。Iconsidered;mylifewassowretched，itmustbechanged，orImustdie。Afteraseasonofdarknessandstruggling，lightbrokeandrelieffell:mycrampedexistenceallatoncespreadouttoaplainwithoutbounds—mypowersheardacallfromheaventorise，gathertheirfullstrength，spreadtheirwings，andmountbeyondken。Godhadanerrandforme;tobearwhichafar，todeliveritwell，skillandstrength，courageandeloquence，thebestqualificationsofsoldier，statesman，andorator，wereallneeded:fortheseallcentreinthegoodmissionary。
　　“AmissionaryIresolvedtobe。Fromthatmomentmystateofmindchanged;thefettersdissolvedanddroppedfromeveryfaculty，leavingnothingofbondagebutitsgallingsoreness—whichtimeonlycanheal。Myfather，indeed，imposedthedetermination，butsincehisdeath，Ihavenotalegitimateobstacletocontendwith;someaffairssettled，asuccessorforMortonprovided，anentanglementortwoofthefeelingsbrokenthroughorcutasunder—alastconflictwithhumanweakness，inwhichIknowIshallovercome，becauseIhavevowedthatIwillovercome—andIleaveEuropefortheEast。”
　　Hesaidthis，inhispeculiar，subdued，yetemphaticvoice;looking，whenhehadceasedspeaking，notatme，butatthesettingsun，atwhichIlookedtoo。BothheandIhadourbackstowardsthepathleadingupthefieldtothewicket。Wehadheardnosteponthatgrass—growntrack;thewaterrunninginthevalewastheonelullingsoundofthehourandscene;wemightwellthenstartwhenagayvoice，sweetasasilverbell，exclaimed—
　　“Goodevening，Mr。Rivers。Andgoodevening，oldCarlo。Yourdogisquickertorecognisehisfriendsthanyouare，sir;heprickedhisearsandwaggedhistailwhenIwasatthebottomofthefield，andyouhaveyourbacktowardsmenow。”
　　Itwastrue。ThoughMr。Rivershadstartedatthefirstofthosemusicalaccents，asifathunderbolthadsplitacloudoverhishead，hestoodyet，atthecloseofthesentence，inthesameattitudeinwhichthespeakerhadsurprisedhim—hisarmrestingonthegate，hisfacedirectedtowardsthewest。Heturnedatlast，withmeasureddeliberation。Avision，asitseemedtome，hadrisenathisside。Thereappeared，withinthreefeetofhim，aformcladinpurewhite—ayouthful，gracefulform:full，yetfineincontour;andwhen，afterbendingtocaressCarlo，itliftedupitshead，andthrewbackalongveil，therebloomedunderhisglanceafaceofperfectbeauty。Perfectbeautyisastrongexpression;butIdonotretraceorqualifyit:assweetfeaturesaseverthetemperateclimeofAlbionmoulded;aspurehuesofroseandlilyaseverherhumidgalesandvapouryskiesgeneratedandscreened，justified，inthisinstance，theterm。Nocharmwaswanting，nodefectwasperceptible;theyounggirlhadregularanddelicatelineaments;eyesshapedandcolouredasweseetheminlovelypictures，large，anddark，andfull;thelongandshadowyeyelashwhichencirclesafineeyewithsosoftafascination;thepencilledbrowwhichgivessuchclearness;thewhitesmoothforehead，whichaddssuchreposetothelivelierbeautiesoftintandray;thecheekoval，fresh，andsmooth;thelips，freshtoo，ruddy，healthy，sweetlyformed;theevenandgleamingteethwithoutflaw;thesmalldimpledchin;theornamentofrich，plenteoustresses—alladvantages，inshort，which，combined，realisetheidealofbeauty，werefullyhers。Iwondered，asIlookedatthisfaircreature:Iadmiredherwithmywholeheart。Naturehadsurelyformedherinapartialmood;and，forgettingherusualstintedstep—motherdoleofgifts，hadendowedthis，herdarling，withagrand—dame’sbounty。
　　WhatdidSt。JohnRiversthinkofthisearthlyangel？InaturallyaskedmyselfthatquestionasIsawhimturntoherandlookather;and，asnaturally，Isoughttheanswertotheinquiryinhiscountenance。HehadalreadywithdrawnhiseyefromthePeri，andwaslookingatahumbletuftofdaisieswhichgrewbythewicket。
　　“Alovelyevening，butlateforyoutobeoutalone，”hesaid，ashecrushedthesnowyheadsoftheclosedflowerswithhisfoot。
　　“Oh，IonlycamehomefromS—”（shementionedthenameofalargetownsometwentymilesdistant）“thisafternoon。Papatoldmeyouhadopenedyourschool，andthatthenewmistresswascome;andsoIputonmybonnetaftertea，andranupthevalleytoseeher:thisisshe？”pointingtome。
　　“Itis，”saidSt。John。
　　“DoyouthinkyoushalllikeMorton？”sheaskedofme，withadirectandnaivesimplicityoftoneandmanner，pleasing，ifchild—like。
　　“IhopeIshall。Ihavemanyinducementstodoso。”
　　“Didyoufindyourscholarsasattentiveasyouexpected？”
　　“Quite。”
　　“Doyoulikeyourhouse？”
　　“Verymuch。”
　　“HaveIfurnisheditnicely？”
　　“Verynicely，indeed。”
　　“AndmadeagoodchoiceofanattendantforyouinAliceWood？”
　　“Youhaveindeed。Sheisteachableandhandy。”（Thisthen，Ithought，isMissOliver，theheiress;favoured，itseems，inthegiftsoffortune，aswellasinthoseofnature！Whathappycombinationoftheplanetspresidedoverherbirth，Iwonder？）
　　“Ishallcomeupandhelpyoutoteachsometimes，”sheadded。“Itwillbeachangeformetovisityounowandthen;andIlikeachange。Mr。Rivers，IhavebeenSOgayduringmystayatS—。night，orratherthismorning，Iwasdancingtilltwoo’clock。The—thregimentarestationedtheresincetheriots;andtheofficersarethemostagreeablemenintheworld:theyputallouryoungknife—grindersandscissormerchantstoshame。”
　　ItseemedtomethatMr。St。John’sunderlipprotruded，andhisupperlipcurledamoment。Hismouthcertainlylookedagooddealcompressed，andthelowerpartofhisfaceunusuallysternandsquare，asthelaughinggirlgavehimthisinformation。Heliftedhisgaze，too，fromthedaisies，andturneditonher。Anunsmiling，asearching，ameaninggazeitwas。Sheanswereditwithasecondlaugh，andlaughterwellbecameheryouth，herroses，herdimples，herbrighteyes。
　　Ashestood，muteandgrave，sheagainfelltocaressingCarlo。“PoorCarlolovesme，”saidshe。“Heisnotsternanddistanttohisfriends;andifhecouldspeak，hewouldnotbesilent。”
　　Asshepattedthedog’shead，bendingwithnativegracebeforehisyoungandausteremaster，Isawaglowrisetothatmaster’sface。Isawhissolemneyemeltwithsuddenfire，andflickerwithresistlessemotion。Flushedandkindledthus，helookednearlyasbeautifulforamanassheforawoman。Hischestheavedonce，asifhislargeheart，wearyofdespoticconstriction，hadexpanded，despitethewill，andmadeavigorousboundfortheattainmentofliberty。Buthecurbedit，Ithink，asaresoluteriderwouldcurbarearingsteed。Herespondedneitherbywordnormovementtothegentleadvancesmadehim。
　　“Papasaysyounevercometoseeusnow，”continuedMissOliver，lookingup。“YouarequiteastrangeratValeHall。Heisalonethisevening，andnotverywell:willyoureturnwithmeandvisithim？”
　　“ItisnotaseasonablehourtointrudeonMr。Oliver，”answeredSt。John。
　　“Notaseasonablehour！ButIdeclareitis。Itisjustthehourwhenpapamostwantscompany:whentheworksareclosedandhehasnobusinesstooccupyhim。Now，Mr。Rivers，docome。Whyareyousoveryshy，andsoverysombre？”Shefilledupthehiatushissilenceleftbyareplyofherown。
　　“Iforgot！”sheexclaimed，shakingherbeautifulcurledhead，asifshockedatherself。“Iamsogiddyandthoughtless！Doexcuseme。Ithadslippedmymemorythatyouhavegoodreasonstobeindisposedforjoininginmychatter。DianaandMaryhaveleftyou，andMoorHouseisshutup，andyouaresolonely。IamsureIpityyou。Docomeandseepapa。”
　　“Notto—night，MissRosamond，notto—night。”
　　Mr。St。Johnspokealmostlikeanautomaton:himselfonlyknewtheeffortitcosthimthustorefuse。
　　“Well，ifyouaresoobstinate，Iwillleaveyou;forIdarenotstayanylonger:thedewbeginstofall。Goodevening！”
　　Sheheldoutherhand。Hejusttouchedit。“Goodevening！”herepeated，inavoicelowandhollowasanecho。Sheturned，butinamomentreturned。
　　“Areyouwell？”sheasked。Wellmightsheputthequestion:hisfacewasblanchedashergown。
　　“Quitewell，”heenunciated;and，withabow，heleftthegate。Shewentoneway;heanother。Sheturnedtwicetogazeafterhimasshetrippedfairy—likedownthefield;he，ashestrodefirmlyacross，neverturnedatall。
　　Thisspectacleofanother’ssufferingandsacrificeraptmythoughtsfromexclusivemeditationonmyown。DianaRivershaddesignatedherbrother“inexorableasdeath。”Shehadnotexaggerated。
　　Chapter32
　　Icontinuedthelaboursofthevillage—schoolasactivelyandfaithfullyasIcould。Itwastrulyhardworkatfirst。Sometimeelapsedbefore，withallmyefforts，Icouldcomprehendmyscholarsandtheirnature。Whollyuntaught，withfacultiesquitetorpid，theyseemedtomehopelesslydull;and，atfirstsight，alldullalike:butIsoonfoundIwasmistaken。Therewasadifferenceamongstthemasamongsttheeducated;andwhenIgottoknowthem，andtheyme，thisdifferencerapidlydevelopeditself。Theiramazementatme，mylanguage，myrules，andways，oncesubsided，Ifoundsomeoftheseheavy—looking，gapingrusticswakeupintosharp—wittedgirlsenough。Manyshowedthemselvesobliging，andamiabletoo;andIdiscoveredamongstthemnotafewexamplesofnaturalpoliteness，andinnateself—respect，aswellasofexcellentcapacity，thatwonbothmygoodwillandmyadmiration。Thesesoontookapleasureindoingtheirworkwell，inkeepingtheirpersonsneat，inlearningtheirtasksregularly，inacquiringquietandorderlymanners。Therapidityoftheirprogress，insomeinstances，wasevensurprising;andanhonestandhappyprideItookinit:besides，Ibeganpersonallytolikesomeofthebestgirls;andtheylikedme。Ihadamongstmyscholarsseveralfarmers’daughters:youngwomengrown，almost。Thesecouldalreadyread，write，andsew;andtothemItaughttheelementsofgrammar，geography，history，andthefinerkindsofneedlework。Ifoundestimablecharactersamongstthem—charactersdesirousofinformationanddisposedforimprovement—withwhomIpassedmanyapleasanteveninghourintheirownhomes。Theirparentsthen（thefarmerandhiswife）loadedmewithattentions。Therewasanenjoymentinacceptingtheirsimplekindness，andinrepayingitbyaconsideration—ascrupulousregardtotheirfeelings—towhichtheywerenot，perhaps，atalltimesaccustomed，andwhichbothcharmedandbenefitedthem;because，whileitelevatedthemintheirowneyes，itmadethememuloustomeritthedeferentialtreatmenttheyreceived。
　　IfeltIbecameafavouriteintheneighbourhood。WheneverIwentout，Iheardonallsidescordialsalutations，andwaswelcomedwithfriendlysmiles。Toliveamidstgeneralregard，thoughitbebuttheregardofworkingpeople，islike“sittinginsunshine，calmandsweet;”sereneinwardfeelingsbudandbloomundertheray。Atthisperiodofmylife，myheartfaroftenerswelledwiththankfulnessthansankwithdejection:andyet，reader，totellyouall，inthemidstofthiscalm，thisusefulexistence—afteradaypassedinhonourableexertionamongstmyscholars，aneveningspentindrawingorreadingcontentedlyalone—Iusedtorushintostrangedreamsatnight:dreamsmany—coloured，agitated，fulloftheideal，thestirring，thestormy—dreamswhere，amidstunusualscenes，chargedwithadventure，withagitatingriskandromanticchance，IstillagainandagainmetMr。Rochester，alwaysatsomeexcitingcrisis;andthenthesenseofbeinginhisarms，hearinghisvoice，meetinghiseye，touchinghishandandcheek，lovinghim，beinglovedbyhim—thehopeofpassingalifetimeathisside，wouldberenewed，withallitsfirstforceandfire。ThenIawoke。ThenIrecalledwhereIwas，andhowsituated。ThenIroseuponmycurtainlessbed，tremblingandquivering;andthenthestill，darknightwitnessedtheconvulsionofdespair，andheardtheburstofpassion。Bynineo’clockthenextmorningIwaspunctuallyopeningtheschool;tranquil，settled，preparedforthesteadydutiesoftheday。
　　RosamondOliverkeptherwordincomingtovisitme。Hercallattheschoolwasgenerallymadeinthecourseofhermorningride。Shewouldcanteruptothedooronherpony，followedbyamountedliveryservant。Anythingmoreexquisitethanherappearance，inherpurplehabit，withherAmazon’scapofblackvelvetplacedgracefullyabovethelongcurlsthatkissedhercheekandfloatedtohershoulders，canscarcelybeimagined:anditwasthusshewouldentertherusticbuilding，andglidethroughthedazzledranksofthevillagechildren。ShegenerallycameatthehourwhenMr。Riverswasengagedingivinghisdailycatechisinglesson。Keenly，Ifear，didtheeyeofthevisitresspiercetheyoungpastor’sheart。Asortofinstinctseemedtowarnhimofherentrance，evenwhenhedidnotseeit;andwhenhewaslookingquiteawayfromthedoor，ifsheappearedatit，hischeekwouldglow，andhismarble—seemingfeatures，thoughtheyrefusedtorelax，changedindescribably，andintheirveryquiescencebecameexpressiveofarepressedfervour，strongerthanworkingmuscleordartingglancecouldindicate。
　　Ofcourse，sheknewherpower:indeed，hedidnot，becausehecouldnot，concealitfromher。InspiteofhisChristianstoicism，whenshewentupandaddressedhim，andsmiledgaily，encouragingly，evenfondlyinhisface，hishandwouldtrembleandhiseyeburn。Heseemedtosay，withhissadandresolutelook，ifhedidnotsayitwithhislips，“Iloveyou，andIknowyoupreferme。Itisnotdespairofsuccessthatkeepsmedumb。IfIofferedmyheart，Ibelieveyouwouldacceptit。Butthatheartisalreadylaidonasacredaltar:thefireisarrangedroundit。Itwillsoonbenomorethanasacrificeconsumed。”
　　Andthenshewouldpoutlikeadisappointedchild;apensivecloudwouldsoftenherradiantvivacity;shewouldwithdrawherhandhastilyfromhis，andturnintransientpetulancefromhisaspect，atoncesoheroicandsomartyr—like。St。John，nodoubt，wouldhavegiventheworldtofollow，recall，retainher，whenshethuslefthim;buthewouldnotgiveonechanceofheaven，norrelinquish，fortheelysiumofherlove，onehopeofthetrue，eternalParadise。Besides，hecouldnotbindallthathehadinhisnature—therover，theaspirant，thepoet，thepriest—inthelimitsofasinglepassion。Hecouldnot—hewouldnot—renouncehiswildfieldofmissionwarfarefortheparloursandthepeaceofValeHall。IlearntsomuchfromhimselfinaninroadIonce，despitehisreserve，hadthedaringtomakeonhisconfidence。
　　MissOliveralreadyhonouredmewithfrequentvisitstomycottage。Ihadlearntherwholecharacter，whichwaswithoutmysteryordisguise:shewascoquettishbutnotheartless;exacting，butnotworthlesslyselfish。Shehadbeenindulgedfromherbirth，butwasnotabsolutelyspoilt。Shewashasty，butgood—humoured;vain（shecouldnothelpit，wheneveryglanceintheglassshowedhersuchaflushofloveliness），butnotaffected;liberal—handed;innocentoftheprideofwealth;ingenuous;sufficientlyintelligent;gay，lively，andunthinking:shewasverycharming，inshort，eventoacoolobserverofherownsexlikeme;butshewasnotprofoundlyinterestingorthoroughlyimpressive。Averydifferentsortofmindwashersfromthat，forinstance，ofthesistersofSt。John。Still，IlikedheralmostasIlikedmypupilAdèle;exceptthat，forachildwhomwehavewatchedoverandtaught，acloseraffectionisengenderedthanwecangiveanequallyattractiveadultacquaintance。
　　Shehadtakenanamiablecapricetome。ShesaidIwaslikeMr。Rivers，only，certainly，sheallowed，“notone—tenthsohandsome，thoughIwasaniceneatlittlesoulenough，buthewasanangel。”Iwas，however，good，clever，composed，andfirm，likehim。Iwasalususnaturae，sheaffirmed，asavillageschoolmistress:shewassuremyprevioushistory，ifknown，wouldmakeadelightfulromance。
　　Oneevening，while，withherusualchild—likeactivity，andthoughtlessyetnotoffensiveinquisitiveness，shewasrummagingthecupboardandthetable—drawerofmylittlekitchen，shediscoveredfirsttwoFrenchbooks，avolumeofSchiller，aGermangrammaranddictionary，andthenmydrawing—materialsandsomesketches，includingapencil—headofaprettylittlecherub—likegirl，oneofmyscholars，andsundryviewsfromnature，takenintheValeofMortonandonthesurroundingmoors。Shewasfirsttransfixedwithsurprise，andthenelectrifiedwithdelight。
　　“HadIdonethesepictures？DidIknowFrenchandGerman？Whatalove—whatamiracleIwas！IdrewbetterthanhermasterinthefirstschoolinS—。WouldIsketchaportraitofher，toshowtopapa？”
　　“Withpleasure，”Ireplied;andIfeltathrillofartist—delightattheideaofcopyingfromsoperfectandradiantamodel。Shehadthenonadark—bluesilkdress;herarmsandherneckwerebare;heronlyornamentwasherchestnuttresses，whichwavedoverhershoulderswithallthewildgraceofnaturalcurls。Itookasheetoffinecard—board，anddrewacarefuloutline。Ipromisedmyselfthepleasureofcolouringit;and，asitwasgettinglatethen，Itoldhershemustcomeandsitanotherday。
　　Shemadesuchareportofmetoherfather，thatMr。Oliverhimselfaccompaniedhernextevening—atall，massive—featured，middle—aged，andgrey—headedman，atwhosesidehislovelydaughterlookedlikeabrightflowernearahoaryturret。Heappearedataciturn，andperhapsaproudpersonage;buthewasverykindtome。ThesketchofRosamond’sportraitpleasedhimhighly:hesaidImustmakeafinishedpictureofit。Heinsisted，too，onmycomingthenextdaytospendtheeveningatValeHall。
　　Iwent。Ifounditalarge，handsomeresidence，showingabundantevidencesofwealthintheproprietor。RosamondwasfullofgleeandpleasureallthetimeIstayed。Herfatherwasaffable;andwhenheenteredintoconversationwithmeaftertea，heexpressedinstrongtermshisapprobationofwhatIhaddoneinMortonschool，andsaidheonlyfeared，fromwhathesawandheard，Iwastoogoodfortheplace，andwouldsoonquititforonemoresuitable。
　　“Indeed，”criedRosamond，“sheiscleverenoughtobeagovernessinahighfamily，papa。”
　　IthoughtIwouldfarratherbewhereIamthaninanyhighfamilyintheland。Mr。OliverspokeofMr。Rivers—oftheRiversfamily—withgreatrespect。Hesaiditwasaveryoldnameinthatneighbourhood;thattheancestorsofthehousewerewealthy;thatallMortonhadoncebelongedtothem;thatevennowheconsideredtherepresentativeofthathousemight，ifheliked，makeanalliancewiththebest。Heaccounteditapitythatsofineandtalentedayoungmanshouldhaveformedthedesignofgoingoutasamissionary;itwasquitethrowingavaluablelifeaway。Itappeared，then，thatherfatherwouldthrownoobstacleinthewayofRosamond’sunionwithSt。John。Mr。Oliverevidentlyregardedtheyoungclergyman’sgoodbirth，oldname，andsacredprofessionassufficientcompensationforthewantoffortune。
　　Itwasthe5thofNovember，andaholiday。Mylittleservant，afterhelpingmetocleanmyhouse，wasgone，wellsatisfiedwiththefeeofapennyforheraid。Allaboutmewasspotlessandbright—scouredfloor，polishedgrate，andwell—rubbedchairs。Ihadalsomademyselfneat，andhadnowtheafternoonbeforemetospendasIwould。
　　ThetranslationofafewpagesofGermanoccupiedanhour;thenIgotmypaletteandpencils，andfelltothemoresoothing，becauseeasieroccupation，ofcompletingRosamondOliver’sminiature。Theheadwasfinishedalready:therewasbutthebackgroundtotintandthedraperytoshadeoff;atouchofcarmine，too，toaddtotheripelips—asoftcurlhereandtheretothetresses—adeepertingetotheshadowofthelashundertheazuredeyelid。Iwasabsorbedintheexecutionofthesenicedetails，when，afteronerapidtap，mydoorunclosed，admittingSt。JohnRivers。