the mistake of supposing Mr. Rochester's movements a
matter in which I had any cause to take a vital interest.
Not that I humbled myself by a slavish notion of inferiority:
on the contrary, I just said—

"You have nothing to do with the master of Thornfield,
further than to receive the salary he gives you for teaching
his protegée, and to be grateful for such respectful and kind
treatment as, if you do your duty, you have a right to expect
at his hands. Be sure that is the only tie he seriously acknow-
ledges between you and him: so don't make him the object
of your fine feelings, your raptures, agonies, and so forth.
He is not of your order: keep to your caste; and be too self-
respecting to lavish the love of the whole heart, soul, and
strength, where such a gift is not wanted and would be
despised."

I went on with my day's business tranquilly; but ever
and anon vague suggestions kept wandering across my
brain of reasons why I should quit Thornfield; and I kept
involuntarily framing advertisements and pondering con-
jectures about new situations: these thoughts I did not think
it necessary to check; they might germinate and bear fruit
if they could.

Mr. Rochester had been absent upwards of a fortnight,
when the post brought Mrs. Fairfax a letter.

"It is from the master," said she, as she looked at the
direction. "Now I suppose we shall know whether we are
to expect his return or not."

And while she broke the seal and perused the document, I
went on taking my coffee (we were at breakfast): it was
hot, and I attributed to that circumstance a fiery glow which
suddenly rose to my face. Why my hand shook, and why I
involuntarily spilt half the contents of my cup into my
saucer, I did not choose to consider.

"Well—I sometimes think we are too quiet; but we run
a chance of being busy enough now: for a little while at
least," said Mrs. Fairfax, still holding the note before her
spectacles.

Ere I permitted myself to request an explanation, I
tied the string of Adèle's pinafore, which happened to be
loose: having helped her also to another bun and refilled
her mug with milk, I said, nonchalantly:—

"Mr. Rochester is not likely to return soon, I suppose?"

"Indeed, he is—in three days, he says; that will be next

-158-