"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 comfort me ?" "Yes, sir, to comfort 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 come and wishes to see him: show him in here and then leave me." "Yes, sir." I did his behest.

The company 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 soon asleep..