"Generally thought? But what do YOU think?"

"I should be obliged to take time, sir, before I could give you an

answer worthy of your acceptance: a present has many faces to it,

has it not? and one should consider all, before pronouncing an

opinion as to its nature."

"Miss Eyre, you are not so unsophisticated as Adele: she demands a

'cadeau,' clamorously, the moment she sees me: you beat about the

bush."

"Because I have less confidence in my deserts than Adele has: she

can prefer the claim of old acquaintance, and the right too of

custom; for she says you have always been in the habit of giving her

playthings; but if I had to make out a case I should be puzzled,

since I am a stranger, and have done nothing to entitle me to an

acknowledgment."

"Oh, don't fall back on over-modesty! I have examined Adele, and

find you have taken great pains with her: she is not bright, she

has no talents; yet in a short time she has made much improvement."

"Sir, you have now given me my 'cadeau;' I am obliged to you: it is

the meed teachers most covet--praise of their pupils' progress."

"Humph!" said Mr. Rochester, and he took his tea in silence.

"Come to the fire," said the master, when the tray was taken away,

and Mrs. Fairfax had settled into a corner with her knitting; while

Adele was leading me by the hand round the room, showing me the

beautiful books and ornaments on the consoles and chiffonnieres. We

obeyed, as in duty bound; Adele wanted to take a seat on my knee,

but she was ordered to amuse herself with Pilot.

"You have been resident in my house three months?"

"Yes, sir."

"And you came from--?"

"From Lowood school, in -shire."

"Ah! a charitable concern. How long were you there?"

"Eight years."

"Eight years! you must be tenacious of life. I thought half the

time in such a place would have done up any constitution! No wonder

you have rather the look of another world. I marvelled where you

had got that sort of face. When you came on me in Hay Lane last

night, I thought unaccountably of fairy tales, and had half a mind

to demand whether you had bewitched my horse: I am not sure yet.

Who are your parents?"

"I have none."

"Nor ever had, I suppose: do you remember them?"




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