And when friends are on the eve of separation, they like to spend the little time that remains to them close to each other. Come! we’ll talk over the voyage and the parting quietly half-an-hour or so, while the stars enter into their shining life up in heaven yonder: here is the chestnut tree: here is the bench at its old roots. Come, we will sit there in peace to-night, though we should never more be destined to sit there together.
– Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre, Chapter 23. Mr. Rochester says this to Jane as they walk towards the horse chestnut tree in the orchard at Thornfield. He is telling her that he is to marry Miss Ingram and Jane must leave Thornfield. He has secured employment in Ireland for her and tells her that will never see each other again.