CHAPTER XXI 284
" How long will you stay?"
" As short a time as possible, sir." " Promise me only to stay a week-- " " I had better not pass my word: I might be obliged to break it."
" At all events you WILL come back: you will not be induced under any pretext to take up a permanent residence with her?"
" Oh, no! I shall certainly return if all be well." " And who goes with you? You don ' t travel a hundred miles alone." " No, sir, she has sent her coachman." " A person to be trusted?" " Yes, sir, he has lived ten years in the family." Mr. Rochester meditated. " When do you wish to go?" " Early to-morrow morning, sir."
" Well, you must have some money; you can ' t travel without money, and I daresay you have not much: I have given you no salary yet. How much have you in the world, Jane?" he asked, smiling.
I drew out my purse; a meagre thing it was. " Five shillings, sir." He took the purse, poured the hoard into his palm, and chuckled over it as if its scantiness amused him. Soon he produced his pocket- book: " Here," said he, offering me a note; it was fifty pounds, and he owed me but fifteen. I told him I had no change.
" I don ' t want change; you know that. Take your wages."