otions shall not be shared between me and the shape he sees in his mirror。 Mr。 Rochester; now sing; and I will play for you。”
“I am all obedience;” was the response。
“Here then is a Corsair…song。 Know that I doat on Corsairs; and for that reason; sing it con spirito。”
“mands from Miss Ingram’s lips would put spirit into a mug of milk and water。”
“Take care; then: if you don’t please me; I will shame you by showing how such things should be done。”
“That is offering a premium on incapacity: I shall now endeavour to fail。”
“Gardez…vous en bien! If you err wilfully; I shall devise a proportionate punishment。”
“Miss Ingram ought to be clement; for she has it in her power to inflict a chastisement beyond mortal endurance。”
“Ha! explain!” manded the lady。
“Pardon me; madam: no need of explanation; your own fine sense must inform you that one of your frowns would be a sufficient substitute for capital punishment。”
“Sing!” said she; and again touching the piano; she menced an acpaniment in spirited style。
“Now is my time to slip away;” thought I: but the tones that then severed the air arrested me。 Mrs。 Fairfax had said Mr。 Rochester possessed a fine voice: he did—a mellow; powerful bass; into which he threw his own feeling; his own force; finding a way through the ear to the heart; and there waking sensation strangely。 I waited till the last deep and full vibration had expired—till the tide of talk; chec