CHAPTER XVII 220
by-the-bye , I have forgotten to describe , -- a very big , and very fresh-looking country gentleman , stands before their sofa , coffee-cup in hand , and occasionally puts in a word . Mr . Frederick Lynn has taken a seat beside Mary Ingram , and is showing her the engravings of a splendid volume : she looks , smiles now and then , but apparently says little . The tall and phlegmatic Lord Ingram leans with folded arms on the chair-back of the little and lively Amy Eshton ; she glances up at him , and chatters like a wren : she likes him better than she does Mr . Rochester . Henry Lynn has taken possession of an ottoman at the feet of Louisa : Adele shares it with him : he is trying to talk French with her , and Louisa laughs at his blunders . With whom will Blanche Ingram pair ? She is standing alone at the table , bending gracefully over an album . She seems waiting to be sought ; but she will not wait too long : she herself selects a mate .
Mr . Rochester , having quitted the Eshtons , stands on the hearth as solitary as she stands by the table : she confronts him , taking her station on the opposite side of the mantelpiece .
" Mr . Rochester , I thought you were not fond of children ?" " Nor am I ."
" Then , what induced you to take charge of such a little doll as that ?" ( pointing to Adele ). " Where did you pick her up ?"
" I did not pick her up ; she was left on my hands ." " You should have sent her to school ." " I could not afford it : schools are so dear ."
" Why , I suppose you have a governess for her : I saw a person with her just now -- is she gone ? Oh , no ! there she is still , behind the window-curtain . You pay her , of course ; I should think it quite as expensive , -- more so ; for you have them both to keep in addition ."