CHAPTER XXIV 337
" That I will , Adele ;" and I hastened away with her , glad to quit my gloomy monitress . The carriage was ready : they were bringing it round to the front , and my master was on the pavement , Pilot following him backwards and forwards .
" Adele may accompany us , may she not , sir ?" " I told her no . I ' ll have no brats ! -- I ' ll have only you ." " Do let her go , Mr . Rochester , if you please : it would be better ." " Not it : she will be a restraint ."
He was quite peremptory , both in look and voice . The chill of Mrs . Fairfax ' s warnings , and the damp of her doubts were upon me : something of unsubstantiality and uncertainty had beset my hopes . I half lost the sense of power over him . I was about mechanically to obey him , without further remonstrance ; but as he helped me into the carriage , he looked at my face .
" What is the matter ?" he asked ; " all the sunshine is gone . Do you really wish the bairn to go ? Will it annoy you if she is left behind ?"
" I would far rather she went , sir ."
" Then off for your bonnet , and back like a flash of lightning !" cried he to Adele .
She obeyed him with what speed she might .
" After all , a single morning ' s interruption will not matter much ," said he , " when I mean shortly to claim you -- your thoughts , conversation , and company -- for life ."
Adele , when lifted in , commenced kissing me , by way of expressing her gratitude for my intercession : she was instantly stowed away into a corner on the other side of him . She then peeped round to where I sat ; so stern a