Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Chapter 32 Page 25

the young germs swamped — delicious poison cankering them: now I see myself stretched on an ottoman in the drawing-room at Vale Hall at my bride Rosamond Oliver’s feet: she is talking to me with her sweet voice — gazing down on me with those eyes your skilful hand has copied so well — smiling at me with these coral lips. She is mine — I am hers — this present life and passing world suffice to me. Hush! say nothing — my heart is full of delight — my senses are entranced — let the time I marked pass in peace.”

I humoured him: the watch ticked on: he breathed fast and low: I stood silent.

Amidst this hush the quartet sped; he replaced the watch, laid the picture down, rose, and stood on the hearth.