Rubies

*-These characters are not mine, only belong to Miss Bronte.

 *-The first text in italics is the original text from Jane Eyre. The second is called Eshet Chayil or A Woman Of Valor. It’s a Hebrew prayer men sing to their wives on the Sabbath.

 *-Please review

 Rubies

“But I affirm that you are: so much depressed that a few more words would bring tears to your eyes — indeed, they are there now, shining and swimming; and a bead has slipped from the lash and fallen on to the flag. If I had time, and was not in mortal dread of some prating prig of a servant passing, I would know what all this means. Well, to-night I excuse you; but understand that so long as my visitors stay, I expect you to appear in the drawing-room every evening; it is my wish; don’t neglect it. Now go, and send Sophie for Adèle. Good-night, my” —- He stopped, bit his lip, and abruptly left me.

I watched her shadow disappear up the stairs and I knew that my plan was working.

I did not intend to hurt my Janet, only ensure that the love I had for her, she had for me.

They called her plain and poor; they mocked her openly. My Janet did not reveal the wounds they created, but I knew better. 

My Janet was worth more to me than any of them. Blanche Ingram could have had the dowry of the princess royal and I would prefer to remain a bachelor than be chained in matrimony to her.

All I wanted, all I saw was my Janet. I wanted to cover her in lace and silk, see her wearing the jewels that had been left to me by my mother.

On our wedding night, she would remove the pins that kept her hair up. I would kiss her tenderly; show her the true affection between husband and wife.

But she was unattainable to me, the one woman I wanted to call wife. The woman they would call my wife was a lunatic and I was her keeper.

I would find a way to marry my Janet, even if it meant deceiving the one woman I loved most in this world.

 “A woman of valor, who can find? Her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and nothing shall he lack. She renders him good and not evil all the days of her life. She opens her hand to the needy, and extends her hand to the poor. She is robed in strength and dignity, and cheerfully faces whatever may come. She opens her mouth with wisdom. Her tongue is guided by kindness. She tends to the affairs of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness. Her children come forward and bless her. Her husband too, and he praises her. Many women have done superbly, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a God-fearing woman is much to be praised. Place before her the fruit of her hands. Wherever people gather, her deeds speak her praise.”

Advertisement