CHAPTER XVII 225
" I am all obedience ," was the response .
" Here then is a Corsair-song . Know that I doat on Corsairs ; and for that reason , sing it con spirito ."
" Commands from Miss Ingram ' s lips would put spirit into a mug of milk and water ."
" Take care , then : if you don ' t please me , I will shame you by showing how such things SHOULD be done ."
" That is offering a premium on incapacity : I shall now endeavour to fail ."
" Gardez-vous en bien ! If you err wilfully , I shall devise a proportionate punishment ."
" Miss Ingram ought to be clement , for she has it in her power to inflict a chastisement beyond mortal endurance ."
" Ha ! explain !" commanded the lady .
" Pardon me , madam : no need of explanation ; your own fine sense must inform you that one of your frowns would be a sufficient substitute for capital punishment ."
" Sing !" said she , and again touching the piano , she commenced an accompaniment in spirited style .
" Now is my time to slip away ," thought I : but the tones that then severed the air arrested me . Mrs . Fairfax had said Mr . Rochester possessed a fine voice : he did -- a mellow , powerful bass , into which he threw his own feeling , his own force ; finding a way through the ear to the heart , and there waking sensation strangely . I waited till the last deep and full vibration had expired -- till the tide of talk , checked an instant , had resumed its flow ; I then quitted my sheltered corner and made my exit by the side-door , which was fortunately near . Thence a narrow passage led into the hall : in crossing