em。 Nor do I particularly affect simple…minded old ladies。 By… the…bye； I must have mine in mind； it won’t do to neglect her； she is a Fairfax； or wed to one； and blood is said to be thicker than water。”
He rang； and despatched an invitation to Mrs。 Fairfax； who soon arrived； knitting…basket in hand。
“Good evening； madam； I sent to you for a charitable purpose。 I have forbidden Adèle to talk to me about her presents； and she is bursting with repletion： have the goodness to serve her as auditress and interlocutrice； it will be one of the most benevolent acts you ever performed。”
Adèle； indeed； no sooner saw Mrs。 Fairfax； than she summoned her to her sofa； and there quickly filled her lap with the porcelain； the ivory； the waxen contents of her “boite；” pouring out； meantime； explanations and raptures in such broken English as she was mistress of。
“Now I have performed the part of a good host；” pursued Mr。 Rochester； “put my guests into the way of amusing each other； I ought to be at liberty to attend to my own pleasure。 Miss Eyre； draw your chair still a little farther forward： you are yet too far back； I cannot see you without disturbing my position in this fortable chair； which I have no mind to do。”
I did as I was bid； though I would much rather have remained somewhat in the shade； but Mr。 Rochester had such a direct way of giving orders； it seemed a matter of course to obey him promptly。
We were； as I have said； in the dining…room： the lustre； which had been lit for dinner； filled the room with a festal breadth of light； the large fire was all red and clear； the purple curtains hung rich and ample before the lofty window and loftier arch； everything was still； save the subdued chat of Adèle （she dared not speak loud）； and； fi