noon darkens in an eclipse； which you feel will not leave it till the time of setting。 Bitter and base associations have bee the sole food of your memory： you wander here and there； seeking rest in exile： happiness in pleasure—I mean in heartless； sensual pleasure—such as dulls intellect and blights feeling。 Heart…weary and soul…withered； you e home after years of voluntary banishment： you make a new acquaintance—how or where no matter： you find in this stranger much of the good and bright qualities which you have sought for twenty years； and never before encountered； and they are all fresh； healthy； without soil and without taint。 Such society revives； regenerates： you feel better days e back—higher wishes； purer feelings； you desire to remence your life； and to spend what remains to you of days in a way more worthy of an immortal being。 To attain this end； are you justified in overleaping an obstacle of custom—a mere conventional impediment which neither your conscience sanctifies nor your judgment approves？”
He paused for an answer： and what was I to say？ Oh； for some good spirit to suggest a judicious and satisfactory response！ Vain aspiration！ The west wind whispered in the ivy round me； but no gentle Ariel borrowed its breath as a medium of speech： the birds sang in the tree…tops； but their song； however sweet； was inarticulate。
Again Mr。 Rochester propounded his query：
“Is the wandering and sinful； but now rest…seeking and repentant； man justified in daring the world’s opinion； in order to attach to him for ever this gentle； gracious； genial stranger； thereby securing his own peace of mind and regeneration of life？”
“Sir；” I answered； “a wanderer’s repose or a sinner’s reformation should never depend on a fellow…creature。 Men and women