CHAPTER XX 274
" Tell him to be cautious , sir : let him know what you fear , and show him how to avert the danger ."
He laughed sardonically , hastily took my hand , and as hastily threw it from him .
" If I could do that , simpleton , where would the danger be ? Annihilated in a moment . Ever since I have known Mason , I have only had to say to him ' Do that ,' and the thing has been done . But I cannot give him orders in this case : I cannot say ' Beware of harming me , Richard ;' for it is imperative that I should keep him ignorant that harm to me is possible . Now you look puzzled ; and I will puzzle you further . You are my little friend , are you not ?"
" I like to serve you , sir , and to obey you in all that is right ."
" Precisely : I see you do . I see genuine contentment in your gait and mien , your eye and face , when you are helping me and pleasing me -- working for me , and with me , in , as you characteristically say , ' ALL THAT IS RIGHT :' for if I bid you do what you thought wrong , there would be no light-footed running , no neat-handed alacrity , no lively glance and animated complexion . My friend would then turn to me , quiet and pale , and would say , ' No , sir ; that is impossible : I cannot do it , because it is wrong ;' and would become immutable as a fixed star . Well , you too have power over me , and may injure me : yet I dare not show you where I am vulnerable , lest , faithful and friendly as you are , you should transfix me at once ."
" If you have no more to fear from Mr . Mason than you have from me , sir , you are very safe ."
" God grant it may be so ! Here , Jane , is an arbour ; sit down ."
The arbour was an arch in the wall , lined with ivy ; it contained a rustic seat . Mr . Rochester took it , leaving room , however , for me : but I stood before him .