英语听力材料

英语听力材料 31.。。PART THREE - A YOUNG WOMAN AT THORNFIELD CHAPTER EIGHT Life with Mr. Rochester Later that evening I had tea with Mrs. Fairfax in the kitchen. "Mrs. Fairfax, you told me that Mr. Rochester was a little strange," I said. "Well, what do you think, dear?" "I think he is a very strange man. I am not sure what I think of him!" "He may seem strange to you. But I know him very well, so I understand him a little. He has had family problems, you know." "What do you mean?"I asked. "Well, he had an older brother, who died nine years ago." "Nine years is a long time to be upset. Is he still unhappy because of this death?" "Well, you see, there were a lot of bad feelings and anger in this house. Just before their father died, he gave the older brother the house and almost all the money. Mr. Edward(that's Mr. Rochester) was angry and left his family. He travelled around the world. But when his older brother died, he got Thornfield. But he doesn't come and live here very often, and I am not surprised." "Why should he stay away?" I asked. Mrs. Fairfax said nothing for a moment. She looked as if she was remembering the past. "Well, dear, perhaps he believes Thronfield Hall is a sad place." It was clear that Mrs. Fairfax did not want to tell me anything more. 2.。A few days later Mr. Rochester asked to talk to me after dinner. We were in the library, and Adele was talking with Mrs. Fairfax. Rochester called me over. He whispered to me, "Adele and Mrs. Fairfax are busy, so now I can entertain myself." Tonight he did not look so firm or angry, and there was a softness and humor in his fine, dark eyes. He saw me looking at him. "Do you think I'm handsome, Miss Eyre?" he asked. If this had been another person, I think I would have taken time to think, and then said something polite. But somehow, I knew that Mr. Rochester would know I was not telling the truth. So I answered at once, "No, sir." "Ah, you really are interesting! You are a quiet, serious person, but you are not afraid to say what you really think!" "Sir, I'm sorry." I said. "No, don't be sorry! All right, tell me. What is wrong with my appearance?" "Oh, Mr. Rochester, I didn't want to say unkind things about you." "Well, now you can," he said cheerfully. "Now, look at my head. Do you think I am intelligent?" "I think you are extremely intelligent, sir. Would it be rude to ask, are you also good?" "A knife in be back! Well, Miss Eyre, I wanted to be good when I was younger, but life has been hard, so I've become as hard and tough as an old tree. I only have a little goodness left inside." He was looking at me very carefully, and I wondered if he was drunk. "Miss Eyre, you look as if you do not know what to say. I want conversation tonight. It's your turn to speak." He was right--I did not know what to say! 3"I'm sorry if I'm rude, Miss Eyre. But I'm twenty years older, and more experienced, than you. Don't you think I can tell you when to speak?" "Well, no, sir, not just because you're older than me. But if you had learned from your experiences and were very wise, maybe you could command me then." I said. "Well, Miss Eyre, I haven't learned anything, so I don't agree with you! But will you obey my orders anyway?" "Sir, not many masters ask if their servants want to obey them," I said, smiling. "Of course! I'd forgotten that I pay you money! So will you agree because of the money?" "No, sir, not because of that, I will agree because I see that you care whether a servant of yours is comfortable or not." "You are honest, and have feeling. There are not many girls like you.But perhaps I go too fast. Perhaps you have awful faults inside your head!" "And perhaps you have too," I thought. He seemed to know what I was thinking, because he said quickly, "Yes, you're right. I have plenty of faults. When I was young I made terrible mistakes, and I have never made everything right again. I could have been a very different person. I might have been as good as you. I am not a bad man, but I have done wrong. Why am I telling you all this? Because you're the kind of person people can really talk to. You listen and can give them hope." "Do you think so, sir?" "I do. You see, when my life was difficult, I became desperate, and did some terrible things. Now all I can do is regret the past." "Asking forgiveness might help you, sir." "How do you know this, a young girl like you? You have never been out in the world, you have no experience in life. But you are right. I will try to lead a better life." I stood up. The conversation was becoming very serious, and hard to understand. "I must put Adele to bed now, sir," I said. "Don't be afraid of me, Miss Eyre. I have already said that you are a very serious person. You don't laugh very much, perhaps because of your hard life at the Lowood School. But I know you have a strong mind, and in time you will learn to laugh and talk freely. You are like a bird in a cage. When you get out of the cage, you'll fly very high. Good night!" 4After a little time at Thornfield, I knew that Mr. Rochester and I were becoming friends. He was beginning to trust and like me. Many times, when we walked in the garden or sat by a fire in the evening, he told me strange stories of his life and adventures. One day he said to me, "Jane, it is strange that I tell you my secrets, but I know you will never tell anyone else. I know, also, that my stories can't have a bad effect on you. Your mind and heart are too strong and good for that." I felt proud and happy that Mr. Rochester trusted and liked me so much. I thought about him a lot of the time. I was aware of his faults, but I also saw his kindness and goodness to me. From then on, my happiest times at Thornfield Hall were when I was with him. I could not imagine a more wonderful friend. One night I woke up and heard a soft noise. I thought that someone was standing outside my bedroom. I got out of bed and said, "who is there?" Suddenly I heard a strange cry.It sounded like an animal.Then I heard a door close loudly on the top floor, where Grace Poole stayed. "Did she make the noise?" I wondered. I opened the door and saw that the hall was full of smoke! The door of Mr. Rochester's room was open, and I saw the smoke was coming from there! Immediately, I forgot my own danger and ran into his room. He was sleeping in his bed, with fire and smoke all around him. Even the bed was on fire! 5Mr. Rochester! Wake up! Wake up!" I screamed, throwing water on the bed to put out the fire. Not until the fire was almost out did he wake up. He was surprised to see that he was wet. "Jane, what is going on? Is there a flood in this house?"he said. "No, sir,"I answered, "there's been a fire!" "Jane Eyre, is it you and your magic?"he asked. "Did you put a spell on me again? Did you want to drown me this time?" I did not answer this. "Sir, please get up. Someone has tried to kill you!" I told him about the strange sounds I had heard outside my room and about the fire. He turned very pale, and thought for a few moments. "Do you want to talk to Mrs. Fairfax, or the other servants, sir?" I asked. "No, we shouldn't wake them. Wait here for a moment. I'm going up to the top floor. I'll be back soon." I waited in his room for what seemed like a very long time. When he came back, he looked worried. "Jane, did you see anything when you opened your bedroom door?" he asked, looking carefully at me. "No sir." "But you heard a strange laugh?" "Yes, I've heard it before. It was like a strange laugh I heard once. I think it is Grace Poole, she laughs like that." "Well, perhaps it was Grace Poole who started this fire. I must think about what to do. I'm glad you're the only person who knows about this. Don't tell anyone! Now, go back to your room." "Good night then,sir."I said,walking towards the door. 6"What! Are you leaving me already!"he said. He looked surprised, although he had just told me to go. "You said I should go to my room, sir." "But not without a kind word or two first! Why, you've saved my life, Jane. I don't like to owe anyone anything, but with you it's different. I'm happy to owe you my life." Suddenly he took both my hands in his. "When I first saw you, Jane, I knew that you would be good for me. I saw it in your eyes when I met you. I was right to like your smile and your face."He spoke softly, and there was a strange light in his eyes. "I'm glad I was awake, sir," I said. I was trembling, and I knew I could not control my feelings much longer. I needed time to think. But he still held on to my hands, looking at me. Then I thought of a way to leave. "Sir, I think I hear the servants moving."I said. "Well, leave me then,"he said, and let go of my hands. I could not sleep for the rest of the night. My mind was full of strange ideas and deep emotions. I felt that I was falling in love with Mr. Rochester, even though he was mysterious sometimes. 7PART THREE - A YOUNG WOMAN AT THORNFIELD CHAPTER TEN A Conversation with Grace Poole In the morning I wanted to see Mr. Rochester but I could not find him. At first, I thought he had told his servants that the fire was an accident. When I passed his bedroom, I saw Grace Poole sitting in a chair and cleaning something. She did not look like someone who could kill another person. But I decided to talk to her. "Good morning, Grace," I said, coming into the room. "Tell me, what happened last night? Why was there a fire? All the servants are talking about it." "Good morning, Miss Eyre," She said. "Well, Master Edward was reading in bed and fell asleep. The candle must have fallen over. The candle put the sheets on fire, but he was able to put the fire out quickly with some water." "How strange!" I said quietly. "Didn't anybody wake up, and hear what was happening?" When I said this, Grace seemed to look at me more carefully. I noticed a strange look on her face, like fear. "Well, Mrs. Fairfax and you have rooms near Master Edward's. Mrs. Fairfax is a heavy sleeper, like most old people, and she didn't hear anything.But you're young, Miss Eyre. Did you hear a noise?" "Yes," I said. "I'm sure I heard a strange laugh." Grace did not look upset by my words. Instead she went on cleaning the room calmly. 8PART THREE - A YOUNG WOMAN AT THORNFIELD CHAPTER TEN A Conversation with Grace Poole "I don't think Master Edward would have laughed, when his life was in danger, Miss Eyre. You must have been dreaming," she said. "No, I wasn't dreaming, Grace. And I know what Mr. Edward's laugh sounds like. It was someone else," I said very firmly. "Did you open the door? Did you see anyone in the hall?" she said. She looked angry and frightened, like a trapped animal. Suddenly I realized that if Grace thought that I knew what she had done, she might try to hurt me. "No, I didn't open my door. I locked it," I answered, "and I will lock it every night from now on." "That's very wise, Miss Eyre. There might be a criminal around, you never know!" I was amazed by her calmness, and I could not understand why Mr. Rochester had not taken her to the police, or made her leave the house. Why had he asked me to keep the fire a secret? Mr. Rochester was strong and proud. Why did he not punish a servant for trying to hurt him? Perhaps Grace Poole knew a terrible secret from his past, and had promised to tell everyone if he tried to hurt her. Was he in love with her? "No," I thought, "that's impossible. He could never love anyone as plain and strange as she is. But then, I'm not beautiful either, and sometimes I think he loves me. The things he said to me last night! The look on his face!" And my cheeks were red as I thought of those moments. 9Now I was even more impatient to see Mr. Rochester, but he did not appear. When I was having tea with Mrs. Fairfax that afternoon, she said, "It's a good day for the master's journey." "Journey!" I cried. "Where did he go?" "He left after breakfast, to visit a family in a big house about sixteen miles away. This family has asked many people to stay there for a party that will last for a week. The ladies at these parties always like Mr. Rochester very much, so he may not come back for a while." "Who are the ladies that will be at this party?" I asked. "There are three sisters, who are very pretty young ladies, and their friends, Blanche and Mary Ingram. But Blanche is the most beautiful of them all. I saw her once when she came to a Christmas party at Thornfield, six or seven years ago." "What does she look like?" "She was eighteen then, a lovely girl, with beautiful white and pink skin, long curling black hair, and large eyes which shone like black jewels! She looked like a queen. All the men loved her, because of her beauty and her lovely voice. Mr. Rochester has a good voice also, did you know? When she and Mr. Rochester sang together, it is wonderful to listen to." 10"I didn't know he could sing,"I said. I felt very strange inside as I listened to Mrs. Fairfax speak. "Oh yes, it's true. Blanche can also paly the piano. The Master Edward said she played extremely well." "And this beautiful lady isn't married yet?" "No, because I don't think the Ingram family has much money." "But don't you think some rich gentleman hasn't fallen in love with her? Mr. Rochester, for example...he has money, doesn't he?" "Oh yes, he has money. But you see, Mr. Rochester is almost forty, and she's only twenty-five." "Well, women marry men older than they are every day. And forty isn't old at all,"I said. Suddenlty Adele ran into the room, so we talked of other things. That night in my room I said some hard words to myself. "Jane Eyre," I said to myself, "you are a fool! Why would a fine, wealthy gentleman like Mr. Rochester love you, a poor, plain governess? Just look at yourself in the mirror!" I decided that I would draw an honest picture of myself. Then I would draw one of Blanche Ingram, painting the most beautiful young woman I could imagine. Then, whenever I thought about Mr. Rochester, I could look at the two pictures and see the great difference between us. In this way, I would destroy my foolish dreams. Certainly Mr. Rochester would want to marry a woman like Blanche Ingram. 11PART THREE - A YOUNG WOMAN AT THORNFIELD CHAPTER ELEVEN A Great Party at Thornfield "Does she know?" Mildred whispered. "No, and she isn't going to find out! Do you understand? Don't tell her anything!" It was then that I knew there was a secret at Thornfield. At last the day of the party came. Everything was ready for Mr. Rochester and his guests. As the people arrived Adele and I watched from an upstairs window. We saw Mr. Rochester on his black horse, and with him rode a beautiful lady, her black curls flying in the wind. "That must be Blanche Ingram!" I thought. Soon many ladies and gentlemen were walking through the house, talking and laughing. Adele loved parties and hoped that Mr. Rochester would ask her to meet the guests, but she and I both went to bed early. Mr. Rochester asked for me to bring Adele down the next evening. The next night, Adele and I were in the sitting room when the ladies came in after dinner. We were dressed in our best clothes. All the women were beautiful, but I was especially interested in Blanche Ingram. After the gentlemen had had their wine, they came into the sitting room and coffee and tea were served. Everyone was paying attention to Miss Ingram. She played the piano excellently and sang sweetly. Her shining eyes, black hair, and fine figure made every man in the room look at her. But I was looking at someone else. The last time I had seen him was on the night of the strange fire. That night, he had held my hands, told me I had saved his life, and looked at me with love. But now, he entered the room without even looking at me, and took a seat with the ladies. I had tried hard to forget about Mr. Rochester, but now that I saw him again, I could not hide my feelings from myself. I felt that there was something in our minds and hearts that connected us. 12PART THREE - A YOUNG WOMAN AT THORNFIELD CHAPTER ELEVEN A Great Party at Thornfield Just then I heard Blanche Ingram say to him, "Oh Edward, you should have sent Adele away to school instead of getting her a teacher. I saw that young woman with her. She's not very pretty, is she! Adele should have a pretty teacher. It's silly, you know! These girls never teach children anything. Oh, but what a boring thing to talk about! Edward, will you sing with me?" "Certainly," he answered. I did not want to hear any more. I left the room quietly and was in the hall when Mr. Rochester appeared. "Come back, Jane, you're leaving too early," he said to me. "I'm sorry, sir. I'm very tired." He looked at me for a minute. "Something is wrong. What is it? Tell me." "Nothing--it's nothing,sir." "But I see you're almost crying. I don't have time now to find out why. Well, tonight you may leave early, but I want to see you every evening. Good night, my--" He stopped, looked away from me and walked away quickly. I stood there, thinking. Why did Mr. Rochester want me to be at the party? The old house had never seen so much life and activity during the days of the party. Everyday Mr. Rochester and his guests rode horses, and walked in the beautiful gardens. He and Miss Ingram were together every day. I watched them closely. The way they acted made me believe that Mr. Rochester would soon marry her. But I did not feel jealous, because I knew he did not love her. She had tried to make him love her, but he had not given her his heart. I saw Miss Ingram's faults very clearly. She was intelligent, but had no thoughts of her own. She was beautiful, but unkind. She could never be a loving wife and mother. Mr. Rochester knew all of these things, but he would marry her anyway. But I did not know why. One day when Mr. Rochester was away, a stranger came to the house. His name was Mason, and he told us that he was an old friend of Mr. Rochester's. He had just returned from the islands of the West Indies, where Mr. Rochester had once lived. 13PART THREE - A YOUNG WOMAN AT THORNFIELD CHAPTER TWELVE The Gypsy Soon after Mr. Mason had met the other guests, a servant came into the sitting room and told them that an old gypsy woman had also come. She was supposed to be a fortune-teller. All the ladies were very excited and wanted to ask her their fortunes. Miss Ingram was first, and spent fifteen minutes with the old gypsy woman in the library. She came back looking angry. "This is ridiculous ! How can you people believe in that sort of thing?" I wondered if the fortune teller had told her something she did not like. Next, three young ladies went in together, and came back amazed. "She's ugly, dirty, and old," they cried, "but she knows everything about us, everything!" Suddenly the servant entered the room again. "Excuse me, Miss Eyre," he said to me. "The gypsy woman knows you are here. She will not leave the house until she sees you." "All right," I said. I was curious to see the gypsy. She was sitting in the library, reading a little black book. Her black scarf covered most of her face, but when she lifted her head, I saw her dark eyes. "So, young lady! You are here to learn your future!" she said. "Well, I must warn you, I don't believe in your skill." I said. "I thought so! But I'm very powerful, you know! Why don't you tremble?" "I'm not cold." "Why don't you turn pale?" "I'm not afraid." "Why don't you ask me to tell your fortune?" "I'm not a fool." The old woman laughed and started smoking a short black pipe. 14The Gypsy "I can prove that you're cold, and afraid, and a fool," she said. "Listen. You're cold, because you're alone. You're afraid, because you lack love. And you're a fool, because love is standing right in front of you, and you won't even try to fight for it!" I said nothing, only waited. "If you really want it, happiness is waiting for you. Tell me, do you know the master of the house, Edward Rochester? What do you think of his relationship with Miss Blanche Ingram?" "They seem to like one another." "Like one another?! I'd say more than that. I think they'll get married. Clearly, they will be a very happy couple, but I did tell Miss Ingram something about the Rochester property that made her look a little angry! If Miss Ingram meets a richer man, I think Mr. Rochester might lose his beautiful bride..." "Madam, I came to hear about my future, not Mr. Rochester's!" I snapped. "All right then. Let me see your face. I see that feelings are important to you, but than common sense is your main guide in life. You will never do anything wrong or dishonest to hurt people. I like that about you... well, I must stop pretending now." Was I dreaming? The old woman's voice had changed, and become so familiar! "Well, Jane, do you know me?" asked the familiar voice. Mr. Rochester stepped out of his disguise. My face turned red. "Sir... you've been talking nonsense, to make me talk nonsense! It's not very fair." "Do you forgive me, Jane?" "I shall try to,sir.But you should not have done it."I said,but I smiled a little. "Where are my guest,Jane?" "I am sure they are discussing the fortune teller. Oh, another man has come to see you today." "A stranger! I wasn't expecting anyone. Who can it be?" "His name's Mason, sir, and he comes from the West Indies." 15Mr. Rochester's face went white. For a few minutes, he did not speak. Finally I asked, "are you ill, sir?" "Jane, help me," he said. I helped him to sit down, and then sat next to him. He held my hand tightly. "Jane, I wish you and I were far away from here, with none of these terrible troubles to make me suffer." "How can I help you, sir? Pleas tell me what is wrong!" "Jane, I promise I'll ask you if I need help, but I cannot tell you anything now. Get me a glass of wine, please." I did what he asked. He looked less pale, but very stern. After a while he spoke. "Jane, if all those fine ladies and gentlemen out there came and called me terrible names, what would you do?" he asked. "If I could, I'd make them leave the house." "Or, if they only looked at me, and then said terrible things about me when I could not hear, and then left me alone in the house?" "I wouldn't leave you. I'd stay with you and comfort you, sir." "And if it seemed like the whole world was against me, would you still stay with me?" "Sir, if you deserved my friendship I wouldn't care what other people thought." "Thank you, Jane. I would like to see Mr. Mason now." After I found Mr. Mason and left the two men talking in the library, I went to bed, wondering about Mr. Rochester's strange, serious questions. Some time later, I heard him walking with Mr. Mason to his bedroom, and I was glad that Mr. Rochester sounded happier. 16PART THREE - A YOUNG WOMAN AT THORNFIELD CHAPTER THIRTEEN Mr. Mason is Attacked I woke up in the middle of the night to hear someone shouting. I jumped out of bed. It came from the top floor! What was happening? Then I heard the sounds of two people fighting. "Help! Help! Help! Won't anyone help me?" yelled a man's voice. "Rochester! Rochester! For God's sake!" All the ladies and gentlemen woke up and opened their doors. "What's happening? Are there murderers in the house? Where's Rochester?" they cried. "Here I am!" said Rochester, coming down the stairs. "It's all right. Don't be afraid, ladies. A servant has had a bad dream, that's all, and started shouting. There's nothing to worry about. Please go back to sleep." These words seemed to calm everyone, so they went back to bed. But I knew that I had heard two people fighting. I dressed and waited in Mr. Rochester needed me. Soon Thornfield Hall was quiet my room, in case again. Then I heard someone outside my door. "Are you awake, Jane?" said Mr. Rochester. "Yes, sir, and dressed." "Good. I need your help. Bring a clean cloth with you." Quickly and quietly we went up to the top floor. Mr. Rochester opened one of the small black doors. "Does the sight of blood frighten you?" he asked. "I don't think so," I said.We walked into a large, dark room with curtains hung on the walls. On one of the walls a curtain was pushed back. I saw a secret door that led into another room. From inside the room, I heard angry sounding noises. They sounded like an animal's but also like a human's 17PART THREE - A YOUNG WOMAN AT THORNFIELD CHAPTER THIRTEEN Mr. Mason is Attacked "Wait here," said Mr. Rochester. Quickly he went into the secret room. I heard loud, frightening laughter, and Mr. Rochester speaking in a soft voice. Grace Poole was in there, I thought. She must truly be crazy! Then Mr. Rochester came out, closing the secret door behind him. Suddenly I noticed that Mr. Mason was sitting in a chair. He was covered in blood. Suddenly he opened his eyes and looked at us. "Am I going to die?" he asked. "No, of course not," answered Mr. Rochester. "Now Jane," he said, turning to me, "I'll have to leave you alone with Mason while I find the doctor. Please care for him while I'm gone, but do not speak to him." I nodded, and nervously watched him leave the room. He looked the door when he left. So here I was, locked in a room with a wounded man and a crazy, violent murderer, only on the other side of a small door! It was a long night. I had plenty of time to think about all the strange things that had happened. First, there was the fire in Mr. Rochester's room, and now another attack on a stranger. How was Mr. Mason involved? What was he doing on the top floor? Not many people at Thornfield went up there. Mr. Mason's bedroom was near mine. And, most of all, why was Mr. Rochester so frightened when I told him that Mr. Mason had come to Thornfield? 18Mr. Mason is Attacked At last, Rochester and the doctor arrived. "This is strange!" said the doctor. "The skin on the shoulder has been bitten, but also cut with a knife." "When Rochester took the knife from her, she bit me," Mason said weakly. "Well, Mason, I told you never to see her alone, or something like this might happen," said Rochester. "When you return to the West Indies, forget about her. She is not the same person you know.You must think of her as dead. Now, doctor, is Mason going to be all right? When you leave here, you can take hime home with you, and then in a few days he can leave England." It was now early in the morning,and the birds were beginning to sing.But the house was still quiet. No one saw Mr. Mason leave with the doctor. "Look after him, doctor." said Rochester. "Goodbye, Richard." I thought his voice sounded tired, and sad. "Edward, always take care of her, treat he well..." "I'll do my best, Richard. I always have." said Rochester. Then Mr. Mason left. "But I wish all this would be over!" he said to himeself, after he had gone. 19Mr. Mason is Attacked 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. "If he decided to talk about me,he could destroy my chance for happiness in life.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, "Sir,even if the woman was very good,another human can't give you peace.You must ask for God's help." "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. His face lookede much less happy than before.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?" 20PART THREE - A YOUNG WOMAN AT THORNFIELD CHAPTER FOURTEEN I return to Gateshead The next day I got a letter from Gateshead. There was much trouble and sadness there. My cousin, John Reed, had spent all his money and most of his mother's. He had been in prison most of his life. He owed many people money. A week before this, he had killed himself. When she heard this terrible news,Mrs. Reed became terribly ill,because John was still her favorite child.Although she could hardly speak, she told my cousins Eliza and Georgiana that she had to see me. Why, I did not know. Of course, I did not want to go there, but I could not refuse to see Mrs. Reed, when she might die. So I went to ask Mr. Rochester if I could travel to Gateshead for a short time. "What is it, Jane?" he asked when I saw him. We had left the guests and were sitting alone in the library. "Well, sir, I would like to visit my aunt, who is ill, for a week or two." "Jane, I thought you had no family!" "I have no family who loves or cares about me,sir.This woman is Mrs. Reed,my uncle's wife.She is dying,and wants to see me.I can't say no to a dying woman." "Well, Jane, I see you are determined to go. Where does she live, and how long will you stay?" "She lives at Gateshead, sir. It is one hundred miles away. I'll come back as soon as I can." "You must promise me to stay only a week," Mr. Rochester said. I wondered why he looked so worried. "I can't promise you that,sir.I might have to stay longer,but I'll come back soon." "But you can't travel a hundred miles all alone, can you?" "My cousins sent a carriage for me, sir, so I can leave tomorrow." Mr. Rochester did not say anything for a moment. 21I return to Gateshead "Well, if you're going to go, you'll need some money. I haven't paid you yet! How much money have you got, Jane?" he asked, smiling at me.I show him the few coins thay I had and he laughed.Then took out some money. "Here is 50 pounds," he said. "But sir, that's too much! You only owe me 15 pounds for my teaching!" I cried. "You're right. Give me that money back. If you had 50 pounds, you might stay away for months! Here's 10 pounds. Is that enough?" "But now you owe me five pounds, sir." "you'll have to come back and get it then," he said, laughing. "There's something else I want to talk about you,sir,"I said.This was not going to be easy for me to say."You have told me you're going to marry Miss Ingram soon, and that Adele should go away to school. So I must get ready to find another job somewhere. I will begin looking." "Don't do that!" he said. "Promise me,Jean,not to look for another job.I'll take care of everything." I didn't understand him at all, but he looked so worried that I said, "I promise, sir." "Good! And now I must go back to my guests. They are waiting for me." "Goodbye, Mr. Rochester," I said. 22The next day I traveled for many hours. As I traveled, I realized it had been nine years since I had left Gateshead. In that time, I had become a different, stronger person. Most importantly, I did not hate the Reed family any more. I was happy to see my old friend Bessie again. She had married Robert the coachman, and was always busy with her three young children. My cousins Eliza and Georgiana had disliked me almost as much as their brother John. They had not wanted me to come to Gateshead, so they pretended I was not there,and never spoke to me. I did not really care. I told the housekeeper that I would stay for only a few days, and then I went to Mrs. Reed's room. I remembered the room from my childhood. Mrs. Reed was lying in the bed. I went to her and took her hand. "How are you, dear aunt?" I said gently. Many years ago, I had told Mrs. Reed that I would never call her "aunt" again, but seeing her so sick and alone, I felt sorry for her. "Are you Jane Eyre?" she asked. Her face was pale as death,but still cold and hard."That girl was so bad and troublesome! I was happy to send her away. And my poor, darling John! He needs so much money! What will happen...?" I could see that her mind was ill, so I left her to sleep. 23During the next few days, Mrs. Reed got sicker. Every day I spent some time caring for her. The rest of the time I sat with Eliza and Georgiana, who had decided to speak to me.They wanted to tell me about theri plans for the future. It was quite clear to me that they did not love their mother, and wanted her to die so that they could leave Gateshead. One dark night I visited the dying woman. She lay in her bed, sleeping. For a while I stared out the window at the rain.I wondered about the great mystery of life and death.I remembered my firend Helen Burns, who had been dead for nine years now. She had been so sure she would go to heaven. I wondered, would Mrs. Reed go there too? "Who are you, girl?" I heard the sick woman saying. "I have to see Jane Eyre. I must tell her something... the truth..." "I am Jane Eyre, aunt," I told her gently. For a moment she looked into my eyes."I know I am ill and old," she said in a weak voice. "Before I die, you must know something about yourself. I must tell you what I have done. Jane Eyre, there is a letter on my desk. Take it and read it." I found the letter quickly. It said: Madeira Dear Mrs. Reed, Please tell me where I can find my niece, Miss Jane Eyre. I am not married and have no children, so Jane will receive all my money and property when I die. I would like her to come to see me in Madeira, and perhaps live here. John Eyre 24I was so amazed that I could not speak for a few minutes. I had been poor all my life. Now, someone wanted to give me money and property! "Aunt, I never knew of this letter. Why?" Mrs. Reed tried to sit up in bed, looking at me angrily. "I wrote to your uncle and told him you had died, died of fever at the Lowood School!" She laughed in a hard way."That was my revenge on you, child. My family always hated your father, for taking my sister away--and I always disliked you! YOu were always so angry and violent, such a bad child... but now I am dying... I thought you should know the truth," she said. "I was not as bad a child as you think, aunt," I said gently. "It is true I was angry at you, but I would have loved you, if you had let me. Forget it all, and kiss me now, dear aunt." But she had disliked me for too many years, or she was ashamed at what she had done. She turned away from me.After a moment I left the room. She died that night, and no one at Gateshead missed her. 25PART THREE - A YOUNG WOMAN AT THORNFIELD CHAPTER FIFTEEN The New Mrs. Rochester And so I began to travel back to Thornfield Hall.While I was at GAteshead, Mrs. FAirfax had written to me. She told me that all the ladies and gentlemen had left, and that Mr. Rochester had gone to London to prepare for his wedding to Blanche Ingram. It was clear to me that he would be getting married very soon. After a long day of traveling, I decided to get out of the carriage at a little town near Thornfield and walk the rest of the way. It was a warm June evening, and I was glad to be out in the fresh air, on my way home. Of course, I had to tell myself that Thornfield was not really my home. The person I most wanted to see loved another, and soon I must leave. And then, suddenly, I saw him. He was sitting near the gate ahead of me, writing in a notebook. He looked up and saw me. "Hello!" he cried, smiling. I was trembling at the sight of him,I, and I knew if I tried to speak I would cry, or say something ridiculous. So I only nodded my head and smiled. "So it's Jane Eyre!" he continued. "It's just like you to walk outside in the fresh air,instead of riding in a carriage! Tell me everything that you have been doing." "You know that I've been visiting my aunt, sir, who has just died." "Jane, I think you must be a dream! You've been gone for a whole month! I was sure you had forgotten about me." Even though I knew I would soon lose him, His words made me so happy that I couldn't walk away. 26The New Mrs. Rochester "Did Mrs. FAirfax tell you I've been to London?" he asked. "Oh yes, sir, she did." "And she probably told you why I went there. Well, you must see the carriage I've bought her, Jane. My future wife will be riding in it. I wish I was more handsome,because she is so beautiful." I said nothing, but thought, "To someone who loves you, you are handsome enough." Mr. Rochester knew what I was thinking, Sometimes it seemed to me that but this time he only smiled at me, and opened the gate. "Come in, Jane, my dear friend," he said, "and welcome home!" I walked pass him. I was almost crying from his great kindness and friendship, but also because I knew I loved him. Something made me turn and say quickly, before I could stop myself, "Thank you, sir, for your kind words. I'm glad to come back to you, and... wherever I am, I will always feel that where you are is my home,my only home," I ran across the field and into the house before he could answer me. Two weeks passed, but I heard nothing more about the wedding. Blanche Ingram lived close to Thornfield, but I never saw her. I wondered when Mr. Rochester would marry her. It was the middle of summer, and every day the sun shone on the golden fields and the cool, green, dark forest. One evening, after Adele had gone to sleep, I went into the garden. I wanted to be alone, but then I saw that Mr. Rochester was already in the garden. I hoped that he would not see me as I walked quietly back to the house, but he turned around. 27The New Mrs. Rochester "Hello! No, don't run back into the house, Jane, on such a lovely night. Come and walk with me." I could not say no,so I went to join him. "Jane," he began, "you like living at Thornfield, don't you? You like little Adele and Mrs. Fairfax, and I know they love you." "I do like it here, sir, I really don't want to leave them." "I am sorry!" he said. "These things happen in life. When you begin to like living in one place, then you have to leave it." "Do I have to leave, sir? Leave Thornfield?" "I'm afraid you must, Jane." "Then you are going to be married, sir?" "Yes, Jane. And as you have told me, when Miss Ingram becomes my wife, you and Adele must leave the house. I am looking for a new job for you, don't worry." "I don't want to cause you trouble, sir," I said quietly. "Oh, it isn't any trouble at all! In fact, I know about a very good job, that is just right for you. you'll teach the five daughters of an Irish family. I think you'll like Ireland, it's a beautiful place," he said happily. "Sir, thank you for wanting to help me... but it's so far away," I said. I was trying not to cry. My heart felt as if it had been cut into pieces. "Far away from what, Jane?" "From England, and from Thornfield and..." "Well?" "From you, sir." I could not hide my feelings any more, and began to cry. "Yes, Ireland is very far away," he said calmly. "Let's sit on this bench, Jane. You know, I sometimes feel as if you and I were connected. Our hearts and minds are the same in some wonderful way." "I wish... I wish I'd never been born!" I cried. "I wish I'd never come here!" I said what was in my heart. "Oh, I can't bear to leave! For the first time in my life, I've been so happy... and I've met you, Mr. Rochester, and I can't bear never to see you again. Now I have to leave. I feel as if I'm dying." 28"Why do you have to leave, Jane?" he asked innocently. "Why? What do you mean, why?" I cried, amazed. "Because you're marrying Miss Ingram. She wouldn't want me here. She's your bride." "My bride! I have no bride!" he answered. "But I will have one, and you must stay!" "I won't stay here, I won't!" I shouted angrily, standing up. "Do you think I can watch you marry another woman? Do you think I am a machine, with no feelings? Do you think, sir, that because I'm small and poor and not pretty, that I have no soul and no heart? Well, you're wrong! I have as much soul and heart as you, or more! And I know my heart speaks to yours. We are equal!" "We are!" said Mr. Rochester, taking me in his arms and kissing me. "Don't struggle,Jane,like a wild bird!" "Let me go, Mr. Rochester! I am not a bird--I'm a free woman!" Finally he let me go. "Yes, Jane, you must make your own decision. I ask you to spend your life with me, to be with me always." I could barely speak; I was both angry and terribly sad. "Mr. Rochester, you're laughing at me! You've already chosen your companion for life." Mr. Rochester looked gently and seriously at me while I cried. "Jane," he said, "I ask you to be my wife. You are my equal, Jane. I love you. Will you marry me? Don't you believe me?" "No, I do not, sir!" I answered. "I'll promise you! I don't love Blanche Ingram, and she doesn't love me. She only wanted to marry me for my money. But when she found out that I had only a little money, she forgot about me quickly. I love you, you, you strange magical person! You, small and poor and plain, I ask you to marry me!" 29"You want to marry me?" I cried. "But I have no money, no family, and no friends in the world!" "I don't care, Jane! Say yes, quickly! It's cruel to make me suffer like this! Give me your hand and say, 'Edward, I'll marry you'!" he cried. His face was pale in the moonlight. "Mr. Rochester, are you serious? Do you really love me? Do you honestly want me to be your wife?" I asked seriously, looking at him. "I swear it." "Then, Edward, I will marry you." "My darling Jane!" He held me in his arms for a long time. I felt as if I was inside a dream. Once he whispered, "No family! That's good. No family to worry about!" and then, "I don't care what people think!" and again and again, "Are you happy, Jane?" I could not speak, I was so happy at the thought of being with him forever. The weather had changed while we had been talking. The sky grew dark, and the rain came down suddenly. We ran back to the house, holding hands and laughing. We were very wet when we arrived at Thornfield. We did not notice Mrs. Fairfax standing in a corner of the room, watching us. "Good night, my darling!" Mr. Rochester said, kissing me many times. As I ran upstairs, I suddenly saw the old lady. She looked shocked. "Tomorrow I'll explain everything to her," I thought. At that moment, I was too happy to think about anything except my happiness. Mr. Rochester loved me! Outside, there was a terrible storm that lasted all night. In the morning we saw that a large old tree in the garden,which had stood for hundreds of years,had been hit by lightning and torn in half. 30The Wedding Before I saw Mr. Rochester the next morning I felt a little nervous. Was I really going to marry him, or was it all a dream? But I knew the answer when he came to meet me and kissed me. "Jane, you look well and smiling and pretty," he said. "You will be Jane Rochester in four weeks' time, not one day more! I don't want to wait any longer. I'll send for my family's jewels, which are kept in a London bank. Theses jewels are for the woman who will be my wife, whether she is a great lady or a poor teacher." "For me, sir?" I cried. "I'm too plain to wear jewels! I'm sure I wouldn't look very good wearing them!" Mr. Rochester laughted. "I insist, Jane! Today I'm taking you to town to buy some beautiful clothes. In one month, we will have a small wedding at the church near Thornfield, and after a few days in London, we'll travel through all the countries of Europe." "Well, sir, you seem very happy to please me, but I wonder if you will do something else for me." "Ask me anything, Jane, anything!" "Well, sir, I ask you not to give me jewels and fine clothes." "If that's really what you want, then I agree. But can't you think of anything I can give you?" "Well, I'd like you to answer a question for me." I said softly. He looked worried, and truned away from me for a moment. He said in a strange,quite voice,"You may ask me something I cannot answer, Jane. What is it?" "How stern you look! You will probably look that way when we're married! This is what I want to know. Why did you make me think you wanted to marry Miss Ingram?" Immediately he stopped looking worried, and smiled at me, and smiled down at me.