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?"