Eliza still spoke little: she had evidently no time to talk. I never saw a busier person than she seemed to be; yet it was difficult to say what she did: or rather, to discover any result of her diligence. She had an alarm to call her up early. I know not how she occupied […]
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‘It appears I come at an inopportune time, madam,’ said he, ‘when my friend, Mr. Rochester, is from home; but I arrive from a very long journey, and I think I may presume so far on old and intimate acquaintance as to instal myself here till he returns.’ His manner was polite; his accent, in […]
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‘It has struck nine, sir.’‘Never mind,—wait a minute: Adele is not ready to go to bed yet. My position, Miss Eyre, with my back to the fire, and my face to the room, favours observation. While talking to you, I have also occasionally watched Adele (I have my own reasons for thinking her a curious […]
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‘Justly thought; rightly said, Miss Eyre; and, at this moment, I am paving hell with energy.’ ‘Sir?’ ‘I am laying down good intentions, which I believe durable as flint. Certainly, my associates and pursuits shall be other than they have been.’ ‘And better?’ ‘And better—so much better as pure ore is than foul dross. You […]
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‘Repentance is said to be its cure, sir.’‘It is not its cure. Reformation may be its cure; and I could reform—I have strength yet for that—if—but where is the use of thinking of it, hampered, burdened, cursed as I am? Besides, since happiness is irrevocably denied me, I have a right to get pleasure out […]
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‘And so may you,’ I thought. My eye met his as the idea crossed my mind: he seemed to read the glance, answering as if its import had been spoken as well as imagined— ‘Yes, yes, you are right,’ said he; ‘I have plenty of faults of my own: I know it, and I don’t […]
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I did not feel insensible to his condescension, and would not seem so. ‘I am willing to amuse you, if I can, sir—quite willing; but I cannot introduce a topic, because how do I know what will interest you? Ask me questions, and I will do my best to answer them.’ ‘Then, in the first […]
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