t love me I would rather die than live—I cannot bear to be solitary and hated; Helen。 Look here; to gain some real affection from you; or Miss Temple; or any other whom I truly love; I would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken; or to let a bull toss me; or to stand behind a kicking horse; and let it dash its hoof at my chest—”
“Hush; Jane! you think too much of the love of human beings; you are too impulsive; too vehement; the sovereign hand that created your frame; and put life into it; has provided you with other resources than your feeble self; or than creatures feeble as you。 Besides this earth; and besides the race of men; there is an invisible world and a kingdom of spirits: that world is round us; for it is everywhere; and those spirits watch us; for they are missioned to guard us; and if we were dying in pain and shame; if scorn smote us on all sides; and hatred crushed us; angels see our tortures; recognise our innocence (if innocent we be: as I know you are of this charge which Mr。 Brocklehurst has weakly and pompously repeated at second…hand from Mrs。 Reed; for I read a sincere nature in your ardent eyes and on your clear front); and God waits only the separation of spirit from flesh to crown us with a full reward。 Why; then; should we ever sink overwhelmed with distress; when life is so soon over; and death is so certain an entrance to happiness— to glory?”
I was silent; Helen had calmed me; but in the tranquillity she imparted there w