Page 264 (2/2)

been married, and the woman to whom I was married lives! You say

you never heard of a Mrs Rochester at the house up yonder, Wood;

but I daresay you have ossip about

the mysterious lunatic kept there under watch and ward Some have

whispered to you that she is my bastard half-sister: some, my cast-

off mistress I now inforo,--Bertha Mason by nae, who is noith his quivering li you what a stout heart men may bear Cheer up, Dick!--never

fear me!--I'd almost as soon strike a woman as you Bertha Mason is

h three

generations? Her mother, the Creole, was both a madwohter: for they

were silent on family secrets before Bertha, like a dutiful child,

copied her parent in both points I had a char partner--pure,

wise, h rich

scenes! Oh! my experience has been heavenly, if you only knew it!

But I owe you no further explanation Briggs, Wood, Mason, I invite

you all to come up to the house and visit Mrs Poole's patient, and

MY WIFE! You shall see what sort of a being I was cheated into

espousing, and judge whether or not I had a right to break the

co at least hu atsecret: she thought all was fair and legal and never

dreaned union with a

defrauded wretch, already bound to a bad, mad, and embruted partner!

Come all of you--follow!"