“If　all　these　people　came　in　a　body　and　spat　at　me；　what　would　you　do；　Jane？”

“Turn　them　out　of　the　room；　sir；　if　I　could。”

He　half　smiled。　“But　if　I　were　to　go　to　them；　and　they　only　looked　at　me　coldly；　and　whispered　sneeringly　amongst　each　other；　and　then　dropped　off　and　left　me　one　by　one；　what　then？　Would　you　go　with　them？”

“I　rather　think　not；　sir：　I　should　have　more　pleasure　in　staying　with　you。”

“To　fort　me？”

“Yes；　sir；　to　fort　you；　as　well　as　I　could。”

“And　if　they　laid　you　under　a　ban　for　adhering　to　me？”

“I；　probably；　should　know　nothing　about　their　ban；　and　if　I　did；　I　should　care　nothing　about　it。”

“Then；　you　could　dare　censure　for　my　sake？”

“I　could　dare　it　for　the　sake　of　any　friend　who　deserved　my　adherence；　as　you；　I　am　sure；　do。”

“Go　back　now　into　the　room；　step　quietly　up　to　Mason；　and　whisper　in　his　ear　that　Mr。　Rochester　is　e　and　wishes　to　see　him：　show　him　in　here　and　then　leave　me。”

“Yes；　sir。”

I　did　his　behest。　The　pany　all　stared　at　me　as　I　passed　straight　among　them。　I　sought　Mr。　Mason；　delivered　the　message；　and　preceded　him　from　the　room：　I　ushered　him　into　the　library；　and　then　I　went　upstairs。

At　a　late　hour；　after　I　had　been　in　bed　some　time；　I　heard　the　visitors　repair　to　their　chambers：　I　distinguished　Mr。　Rochester’s　voice；　and　heard　him　say；　“This　way；　Mason；　this　is　your　room。”

He　spoke　cheerfully：　the　gay　tones　set　my　heart　at　ease。　I　was