CHAPTER XIX 256
" Jane , you offered me your shoulder once before ; let me have it now ."
" Yes , sir , yes ; and my arm ."
He sat down , and made me sit beside him . Holding my hand in both his own , he chafed it ; gazing on me , at the same time , with the most troubled and dreary look .
" My little friend !" said he , " I wish I were in a quiet island with only you ; and trouble , and danger , and hideous recollections removed from me ."
" Can I help you , sir ? -- I ' d give my life to serve you ." " Jane , if aid is wanted , I ' ll seek it at your hands ; I promise you that ." " Thank you , sir . Tell me what to do , -- I ' ll try , at least , to do it ."
" Fetch me now , Jane , a glass of wine from the dining-room : they will be at supper there ; and tell me if Mason is with them , and what he is doing ."
I went . I found all the party in the dining-room at supper , as Mr . Rochester had said ; they were not seated at table , -- the supper was arranged on the sideboard ; each had taken what he chose , and they stood about here and there in groups , their plates and glasses in their hands . Every one seemed in high glee ; laughter and conversation were general and animated . Mr . Mason stood near the fire , talking to Colonel and Mrs . Dent , and appeared as merry as any of them . I filled a wine-glass ( I saw Miss Ingram watch me frowningly as I did so : she thought I was taking a liberty , I daresay ), and I returned to the library .
Mr . Rochester ' s extreme pallor had disappeared , and he looked once more firm and stern . He took the glass from my hand .
" Here is to your health , ministrant spirit !" he said . He swallowed the contents and returned it to me . " What are they doing , Jane ?"