‘The marriage cannot go on!’
The cup of happiness is dashed from Jane Eyre’s lips.
1847
Introduction
Mr Rochester has proposed to his astonished but delighted governess, Jane Eyre, and the happy couple are now in church, ready to exchange their marriage vows.
THE service began. The explanation of the intent of matrimony was gone through; and then the clergyman came a step further forward, and, bending slightly towards Mr. Rochester, went on.
“I require and charge you both (as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed), that if either of you know any impediment why ye may not lawfully be joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it.”*
He paused, as the custom is. When is the pause after that sentence ever broken by reply? Not, perhaps, once in a hundred years.
And the clergyman, who had not lifted his eyes from his book, and had held his breath but for a moment, was proceeding: his hand was already stretched towards Mr. Rochester, as his lips unclosed to ask, “Wilt thou have this woman for thy wedded wife?” — when a distinct and near voice said —
“The marriage cannot go on: I declare the existence of an impediment.”
From the Order for Holy Matrimony, in the Book of Common Prayer (1662).