ips froze： apparently a spasm caught his breath。
“Mason！—the West Indies！” he said； in the tone one might fancy a speaking automaton to enounce its single words； “Mason！—the West Indies！” he reiterated； and he went over the syllables three times； growing； in the intervals of speaking； whiter than ashes： he hardly seemed to know what he was doing。
“Do you feel ill； sir？” I inquired。
“Jane； I’ve got a blow； I’ve got a blow； Jane！” He staggered。
“Oh； lean on me； sir。”
“Jane； you offered me your shoulder once before； let me have it now。”
“Yes； sir； yes； and my arm。”
He sat down； and made me sit beside him。 Holding my hand in both his own； he chafed it； gazing on me； at the same time； with the most troubled and dreary look。
“My little friend！” said he； “I wish I were in a quiet island with only you； and trouble； and danger； and hideous recollections removed from me。”
“Can I help you； sir？—I’d give my life to serve you。”
“Jane； if aid is wanted； I’ll seek it at your hands； I promise you that。”
“Thank you； sir。 Tell me what to do；—I’ll try； at least； to do it。”
“Fetch me now； Jane； a glass of wine from the dining…room： they will be at supper there； and tell me if Mason is with them； and what he is doing。”
I went。 I found all the party in the dining…room at supper； as Mr。 Rochester had said； they were not seated at table；—the supper was arranged on the sideboard； each had taken what he chose； and they stood about here and there in groups； their plates and glasses in their hands。 Every one seemed in high glee； laughter and conversation were general and animated。 Mr。 Mason stood near the fire； talking to Colonel and Mrs。 Dent； and appeared as merry as any of them。 I filled a wine…glass （I s