[00:00.47]Chapter 26.
[00:02.23]The wedding.
[00:05.41]Sophie helped me to dress, and made such a work of it that I hardly recognized myself.
[00:13.00]And Mr. Rochester was calling for me before I was ready.
[00:18.64]I remember wondering, as he hurried me to church, what made him so silent and grim.
[00:26.41]He strode forward so quickly, I could hardly keep up.
[00:32.82]There were two strangers at the back of the church, but he did not appear to see them.
[00:40.59]We took our places at the rail.
[00:43.52]The Vicar began the service and reached the part where the bride and groom are asked if there is any reason why they should not marry.
[00:53.67]We were ready to make our vows, when a loud and clear voice cut into the solemn moment.
[01:02.86]The marriage cannot go on.
[01:07.53]There is an impediment.
[01:14.95]Mr. Rochester swayed just a little, then recovered his footing.
[01:20.80]Proceed, he ordered the vicar.
[01:26.63]I cannot proceed until I have heard all, the vicar replied.
[01:34.52]Mr. Rochester's only response was to take my hand.
[01:39.61]How strong his grip was.
[01:42.67]His eyes were wild and watchful.
[01:47.81]The speaker came forward.
[01:50.57]He spoke clearly, calmly, steadily.
[01:58.74]Mr. Rochester is already married.
[02:06.52]My nerves tingled and jarred.
[02:10.03]I stood firm and looked into Mr. Rochester's face, which was set hard.
[02:18.42]He put his arm round me and held me close against his side.
[02:26.01]My name is Briggs.
[02:29.03]I am a solicitor, said the stranger.
[02:35.90]Mr. Rochester, you were married 15 years ago to Bertha Mason of Jamaica.
[02:45.70]I have copies of the marriage certificate.
[02:53.78]If that proves that I was married, said Mr. Rochester, it does not prove that my wife is alive.
[03:06.39]She was living three months ago, said another voice, and the speaker stepped forward.
[03:14.31]It was Mr. Mason.
[03:18.37]Mr. Rochester shuddered, and his face darkened.
[03:23.88]Mr. Mason turned pale.
[03:27.85]Mrs. Rochester is my sister, said Mr. Mason.
[03:34.39]She lives at Thornfield.
[03:39.80]There was a long, long silence from Mr. Rochester.
[03:45.59]Finally, he spoke.
[03:49.90]Enough.
[03:52.73]There will be no wedding today.
[03:58.17]Yes, I have a wife living.
[04:03.98]When Mason's family tricked me into marrying her, they knew she was gradually turning mad.
[04:13.44]Her mother was a mad woman and a drunkard, already in an asylum, and the daughter was becoming like her.
[04:23.33]They hid all this from me.
[04:27.39]The scenes I have endured with her.
[04:32.63]Do I not have the right to break this ridiculous bond and seek a real marriage?
[04:41.64]Jane is innocent.
[04:44.47]She knows nothing of all this.
[04:48.26]Come with me.
[04:52.47]He led us all back to Thornfield, and waved away the astonished servants who had been waiting to greet us.
[05:02.52]Holding my hand, he took us to the third floor and unlocked Grace Poole's door.
[05:11.92]Grace sat by the fire.
[05:15.42]In a corner, something on all fours scurried about.
[05:21.70]It snarled from beneath a wild mane of hair.
[05:28.78]How is she today, Grace? asked Mr. Rochester.
[05:34.64]Snappy, but not outrageous, thank you, sir, said Grace.
[05:42.11]But the creature reared up, screamed, and sprang at Mr. Rochester as he flung me to safety behind him.
[05:51.31]The other men retreated as he struggled with a great, powerful mad woman.
[05:59.63]With terrible strength, she fought to throttle and bite him.
[06:05.53]He could have struck her, but he would not.
[06:10.65]He pinioned her arms and at last, with Grace's help, tied her to a chair.
[06:22.74]My wife, gentlemen, he said with a bitter smile, and he laid a hand on my shoulder.
[06:32.67]Can you blame me for seeking happiness with Jane?
[06:39.89]The solicitor turned to me.
[06:44.18]I will inform your uncle, he said.
[06:49.33]My uncle?
[06:52.61]What has he to do with this?
[06:56.91]Your uncle, John Air knows Mr. Mason.
[07:02.90]When you wrote to tell him you were to be married to a Mr. Rochester, he told Mr. Mason.
[07:12.21]I went to my room, locked myself in, and changed into my plain dress.
[07:22.99]Sitting with my head on my arms, I was too stunned to cry.
[07:29.90]Misery overwhelmed all else.