CHAPTER XVII 212
" You said it was not likely they should think of being married," said I, " but you see Mr. Rochester evidently prefers her to any of the other ladies."
" Yes, I daresay: no doubt he admires her."
" And she him," I added; " look how she leans her head towards him as if she were conversing confidentially; I wish I could see her face; I have never had a glimpse of it yet."
" You will see her this evening," answered Mrs. Fairfax. " I happened to remark to Mr. Rochester how much Adele wished to be introduced to the ladies, and he said: ' Oh! let her come into the drawing-room after dinner; and request Miss Eyre to accompany her.'"
" Yes; he said that from mere politeness: I need not go, I am sure," I answered.
" Well, I observed to him that as you were unused to company, I did not think you would like appearing before so gay a party-- all strangers; and he replied, in his quick way-- ' Nonsense! If she objects, tell her it is my particular wish; and if she resists, say I shall come and fetch her in case of contumacy.'"
" I will not give him that trouble," I answered. " I will go, if no better may be; but I don ' t like it. Shall you be there, Mrs. Fairfax?"
" No; I pleaded off, and he admitted my plea. I ' ll tell you how to manage so as to avoid the embarrassment of making a formal entrance, which is the most disagreeable part of the business. You must go into the drawing-room while it is empty, before the ladies leave the dinner-table; choose your seat in any quiet nook you like; you need not stay long after the gentlemen come in, unless you please: just let Mr. Rochester see you are there and then slip away-- nobody will notice you."
" Will these people remain long, do you think?"