oint about an hour ago which made her look wondrous grave： the corners of her mouth fell half an inch。 I would advise her blackaviced suitor to look out： if another es； with a longer or clearer rent…roll；—he’s dished—”
“But； mother； I did not e to hear Mr。 Rochester’s fortune： I came to hear my own； and you have told me nothing of it。”
“Your fortune is yet doubtful： when I examined your face； one trait contradicted another。 Chance has meted you a measure of happiness： that I know。 I knew it before I came here this evening。 She has laid it carefully on one side for you。 I saw her do it。 It depends on yourself to stretch out your hand； and take it up： but whether you will do so； is the problem I study。 Kneel again on the rug。”
“Don’t keep me long； the fire scorches me。”
I knelt。 She did not stoop towards me； but only gazed； leaning back in her chair。 She began muttering；—
“The flame flickers in the eye； the eye shines like dew； it looks soft and full of feeling； it smiles at my jargon： it is susceptible； impression follows impression through its clear sphere； where it ceases to smile； it is sad； an unconscious lassitude weighs on the lid： that signifies melancholy resulting from loneliness。 It turns from me； it will not suffer further scrutiny； it seems to deny； by a mocking glance； the truth of the discoveries I have already made；—to disown the charge both of sensibility and chagrin： its pride and reserve only confirm me in my opinion。 The eye is favourable。
“As to the mouth； it delights at times in laughter； it is disposed to impart all that the brain conceives； though I daresay it would be silent on much the heart experiences。 Mobile and flexible； it was never intended to be pressed in the eternal silence of solitude： it is a m