"You are no ruin，sir- no lightning-struck tree: you are green and vigorous. plants will grow about your roots，whether you ask them or not，because they take delight in your bountiful shadow; and as they grow they will lean towards you，and wind round you，because your strength offers them so safe a prop."

Again he smiled: I gave him fort.

"You speak of friends，Jane?" he asked.

"Yes，of friends," I answered rather hesitatingly: for I knew I meant more than friends，but could not tell what other word to employ.

He helped me.

"Ah! Jane. But I want a wife."

"Do you，sir?"

"Yes: is it news to you?"

"Of course: you said nothing about it before."

"Is it unwele news?"

"That depends on circumstances，sir- on your choice."

"Which you shall make for me，Jane. I will abide by your decision."

"Choose then，sir- her who loves you best."

"I will at least choose- her I love best. Jane，will you marry me?"

"Yes，sir."

"A poor blind man，whom you will have to lead about by the hand?"

"Yes，sir."

"A crippled man，twenty years older than you，whom you will have to

wait on?"

"Yes，sir."

"Truly，Jane?"

"Most truly，sir."

"Oh! my darling! God bless you and reward you!"

"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. To be your wife is，for me，to be as happy as I can be on earth."

"Because you delight in sacrifice."