DOC《CHAPTER XVIII》

she was complimenting him on his acting. '

Do you know,'

said she, '

that, of the three characters, I liked you in the last best? Oh, had you but lived a few years earlier, what a gallant gentleman-highwayman you would have made!'

'

Is all the soot washed from my face?'

he asked, turning it towards her. '

Alas! yes: the more'

s the pity! Nothing could be more becoming to your complexion than that ruffian'

s rouge.'

'

You would like a hero of the road then?'

'

An English hero of the road would be the next best thing to an Italian bandit;

and that could only be surpassed by a Levantine pirate.'

'

Well, whatever I am, remember you are my wife;

we were married an hour since, in the presence of all these witnesses.'

She giggled, and her colour rose. '

Now, Dent,'

continued Mr. Rochester, '

it is your turn.'

And as the other party withdrew, he and his band took the vacated seats. Miss Ingram placed herself at her leader'

s right hand;

the other diviners filled the chairs on each side of him and her. I did not now watch the actors;

I no longer waited with interest for the curtain to rise;

my attention was absorbed by the spectators;

my eyes, erewhile fixed on the arch, were now irresistibly attracted to the semicircle of chairs........