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 ."