it。　I　sought　the　Continent；　and　went　devious　through　all　its　lands。　My　fixed　desire　was　to　seek　and　find　a　good　and　intelligent　woman；　whom　I　could　love：　a　contrast　to　the　fury　I　left　at　Thornfield—”

“But　you　could　not　marry；　sir。”

“I　had　determined　and　was　convinced　that　I　could　and　ought。　It　was　not　my　original　intention　to　deceive；　as　I　have　deceived　you。　I　meant　to　tell　my　tale　plainly；　and　make　my　proposals　openly：　and　it　appeared　to　me　so　absolutely　rational　that　I　should　be　considered　free　to　love　and　be　loved；　I　never　doubted　some　woman　might　be　found　willing　and　able　to　understand　my　case　and　accept　me；　in　spite　of　the　curse　with　which　I　was　burdened。”

“Well；　sir？”

“When　you　are　inquisitive；　Jane；　you　always　make　me　smile。　You　open　your　eyes　like　an　eager　bird；　and　make　every　now　and　then　a　restless　movement；　as　if　answers　in　speech　did　not　flow　fast　enough　for　you；　and　you　wanted　to　read　the　tablet　of　one’s　heart。　But　before　I　go　on；　tell　me　what　you　mean　by　your　‘Well；　sir？’　It　is　a　small　phrase　very　frequent　with　you；　and　which　many　a　time　has　drawn　me　on　and　on　through　interminable　talk：　I　don’t　very　well　know　why。”

“I　mean；—What　next？　How　did　you　proceed？　What　came　of　such　an　event？”

“Precisely！　and　what　do　you　wish　to　know　now？”

“Whether　you　found　any　one　you　liked：　whether　you　asked　her　to　marry　you；　and　what　she　said。”

“I　can　tell　you　whether　I　found　any　one　I　liked；　and　whether　I　asked　her　to　marry　me：