And with that answer, he left me. I would much rather he had knocked me down.

No severe or prolonged bodily illness followed this incident of the red-room: it only gave my nerves a shock, of which I feel the reverberation to this day.

The negation of severe suffering was the nearest approach to happiness I expected to know. Besides, I seemed to hold two lives - the life of thought, and that of reality.

It is not violence that best overcomes hate -- nor vengeance that most certainly heals injury.

For I too liked reading, thought of a frivolous and childish kind; I could not digest or comprehend the serious or substantial.

Love me, then, or hate me, as you will," I said at last, "you have my full and free forgiveness: ask now for God's, and be at peace.

I both wished and feared to see Mr. Rochester on the day which followed this sleepless night. I wanted to hear his voice again, yet feared to meet his eye.