Mr. Rochester, on hearing the name, set his teeth:  he experienced, too, a sort of strong convulsive quiver; near to him as I was, I felt the spasmodic movement of fury or despair run through his frame.

The second stranger, who had hitherto lingered in the background, now drew near; a pale face looked over the solicitor’s shoulder—­yes, it was Mason himself.  Mr. Rochester turned and glared at him.  His eye, as I have often said, was a black eye—­it had now a tawny, nay, a bloody light in its gloom; and his face flushed—­olive cheek and hueless forehead received a glow, as from spreading, ascending heart-fire; and he stirred, lifted his strong arm; he could have struck Mason—­dashed him on the church floor—­shocked by ruthless blow the breath from his body; but Mason shrank away, and cried faintly, “Good God!” Contempt fell cool on Mr. Rochester—­his passion died as if a blight had shriveled it up; he only asked, “What have you to say?”

An inaudible reply escaped Mason’s white lips.

“The devil is in it if you cannot answer distinctly.  I again demand, what have you to say?”

“Sir—­sir,” interrupted the clergyman, “do not forget you are in a sacred place.”  Then addressing Mason, he inquired gently, “Are you aware, sir, whether or not this gentleman’s wife is still living?”

“Courage,” urged the lawyer; “speak out.”

“She is now living at Thornfield Hall,” said Mason, in more articulate tones.  “I saw her there last April.  I am her brother.”

“At Thornfield Hall!” ejaculated the clergyman.  “Impossible!  I am an old resident in this neighborhood, sir, and I never heard of a Mrs. Rochester at Thornfield Hall.”

I saw a grim smile contort Mr. Rochester’s lip, and he muttered, “No, by God!  I took care that none should hear of it, or of her under that name.”  He mused; for ten minutes he held counsel with himself:  he formed his resolve, and announced it:—­“Enough; all shall bolt out at once, like a bullet from the barrel.  Wood, close your book and take off your surplice; John Green” (to the clerk) “leave the church:  there will be no wedding to-day.”  The man obeyed.

Mr. Rochester continued hardily and recklessly:—­“Bigamy is an ugly word!  I meant, however, to be a bigamist; but fate has out-manoeuvred me, or Providence has checked me—­perhaps the last.  I am little better than a devil at this moment; and as my pastor there would tell me, deserve no doubt the sternest judgments of God, even to the quenchless fire and deathless worm.

“Gentlemen, my plan is broken up! what this lawyer and his client say is true:  I have been married, and the woman to whom I was married lives!  You say you never heard of a Mrs. Rochester at the house up yonder, Wood; but I dare say you have many a time inclined your ear to gossip about the mysterious lunatic kept there under watch and ward.  Some have whispered to you that she is my bastard half-sister;