Page:Jane Eyre (1st edition), Volume 3.djvu/228

, sometimes amidst savage tribes—and unwed?"

"Very well," I said shortly; "under the circumstances; quite as well as if I were either your real sister; or a man and a clergyman, like yourself."

"It is known that you are not my sister; I cannot introduce you as such: to attempt it would be to fasten injurious suspicions on us both. And for the rest, though you have a man's vigorous brain, you have a woman's heart, and—it would not do."

"It would do," I affirmed, with some disdain, "perfectly well. I have a woman's heart; but not where you are concerned: for you I have only a comrade's constancy; a fellow-soldier's frankness, fidelity, fraternity, if you like; a neophyte's respect and submission to his hierophant: nothing more—don't fear."

"It is what I want," he said, speaking to himself; "it is just what I want. And there are obstacles in the way: they must be hewn down. Jane, you would not repent marrying me; be certain of that: we must be married. I repeat it: there is no other way; and undoubtedly enough of love would follow upon marriage to render the union right even in your eyes."