"No, indeed, Mrs. Fairfax!" exclaimed I, nettled; "he is nothing

like my father! No one, who saw us together, would suppose it for

an instant. Mr. Rochester looks as young, and is as young, as some

men at five-and-twenty."

"Is it really for love he is going to marry you?" she asked.

I was so hurt by her coldness and scepticism, that the tears rose to

my eyes.

"I am sorry to grieve you," pursued the widow; "but you are so

young, and so little acquainted with men, I wished to put you on

your guard. It is an old saying that 'all is not gold that

glitters;' and in this case I do fear there will be something found

to be different to what either you or I expect."

"Why?--am I a monster?" I said: "is it impossible that Mr.

Rochester should have a sincere affection for me?"

"No: you are very well; and much improved of late; and Mr.

Rochester, I daresay, is fond of you. I have always noticed that

you were a sort of pet of his. There are times when, for your sake,

I have been a little uneasy at his marked preference, and have

wished to put you on your guard: but I did not like to suggest even

the possibility of wrong. I knew such an idea would shock, perhaps

offend you; and you were so discreet, and so thoroughly modest and

sensible, I hoped you might be trusted to protect yourself. Last

night I cannot tell you what I suffered when I sought all over the

house, and could find you nowhere, nor the master either; and then,

at twelve o'clock, saw you come in with him."

"Well, never mind that now," I interrupted impatiently; "it is

enough that all was right."

"I hope all will be right in the end," she said: "but believe me,

you cannot be too careful. Try and keep Mr. Rochester at a

distance: distrust yourself as well as him. Gentlemen in his

station are not accustomed to marry their governesses."

I was growing truly irritated: happily, Adele ran in.

"Let me go,--let me go to Millcote too!" she cried. "Mr. Rochester

won't: though there is so much room in the new carriage. Beg him

to let me go mademoiselle."

"That I will, Adele;" and I hastened away with her, glad to quit my

gloomy monitress. The carriage was ready: they were bringing it

round to the front, and my master was the pavement, Pilot following

him backwards and forwards.




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