Jane Eyre

Charlotte Brontë
James Hepburn, but I have a notion, he was just the sort of their white hands, and their small feet; as if a man had anything
to do with beauty! As if loveliness were not the special
wild, fierce, bandit hero whom I could have consented to gift
with my hand.”
prerogative of woman—her legitimate appanage and heritage!
“Gentlemen, you hear! Now which of you most resembles I grant an ugly woman is a blot on the fair face of creation;
Bothwell?” cried Mr. Rochester.
but as to the gentlemen, let them be solicitous to possess only
“I should say the preference lies with you,” responded Colonel
Dent.
fight: the rest is not worth a fillip. Such should be my device,
strength and valour: let their motto be:- Hunt, shoot, and
“On my honour, I am much obliged to you,” was the reply. were I a man.”
Miss Ingram, who had now seated herself with proud grace “Whenever I marry,” she continued after a pause which none
at the piano, spreading out her snowy robes in queenly amplitude,
commenced a brilliant prelude; talking meantime. but a foil to me. I will suffer no competitor near the throne;
interrupted, “I am resolved my husband shall not be a rival,
She appeared to be on her high horse to-night; both her words I shall exact an undivided homage: his devotions shall not be
and her air seemed intended to excite not only the admiration,
but the amazement of her auditors: she was evidently Rochester, now sing, and I will play for you.”
shared between me and the shape he sees in his mirror. Mr.
bent on striking them as something very dashing and daring “I am all obedience,” was the response.
indeed.
“Here then is a Corsair-song. Know that I doat on Corsairs;
“Oh, I am so sick of the young men of the present day!” and for that reason, sing it con spirito.”
exclaimed she, rattling away at the instrument. “Poor, puny “Commands from Miss Ingram’s lips would put spirit into
things, not fit to stir a step beyond papa’s park gates: nor to a mug of milk and water.”
go even so far without mama’s permission and guardianship! “Take care, then: if you don’t please me, I will shame you
Creatures so absorbed in care about their pretty faces, and by showing how such things should be done.”
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