CHAPTER XXIII 317
armful : but that ' s not to the point -- one can ' t have too much of such a very excellent thing as my beautiful Blanche ): well , as I was saying -- listen to me , Jane ! You ' re not turning your head to look after more moths , are you ? That was only a lady-clock , child , ' flying away home .' I wish to remind you that it was you who first said to me , with that discretion I respect in you -- with that foresight , prudence , and humility which befit your responsible and dependent position -- that in case I married Miss Ingram , both you and little Adele had better trot forthwith . I pass over the sort of slur conveyed in this suggestion on the character of my beloved ; indeed , when you are far away , Janet , I ' ll try to forget it : I shall notice only its wisdom ; which is such that I have made it my law of action . Adele must go to school ; and you , Miss Eyre , must get a new situation ."
" Yes , sir , I will advertise immediately : and meantime , I suppose -- " I was going to say , " I suppose I may stay here , till I find another shelter to betake myself to :" but I stopped , feeling it would not do to risk a long sentence , for my voice was not quite under command .
" In about a month I hope to be a bridegroom ," continued Mr . Rochester ; " and in the interim , I shall myself look out for employment and an asylum for you ."
" Thank you , sir ; I am sorry to give -- "
" Oh , no need to apologise ! I consider that when a dependent does her duty as well as you have done yours , she has a sort of claim upon her employer for any little assistance he can conveniently render her ; indeed I have already , through my future mother-in-law , heard of a place that I think will suit : it is to undertake the education of the five daughters of Mrs . Dionysius O ' Gall of Bitternutt Lodge , Connaught , Ireland . You ' ll like Ireland , I think : they ' re such warm-hearted people there , they say ."
" It is a long way off , sir ."
" No matter -- a girl of your sense will not object to the voyage or the distance ."