Page 118 (1/2)

"Is Miss Eyre there?" now de from his

seat to look round to the door, near which I still stood

"Ah! well, come forward; be seated here" He drew a chair near his

own "I am not fond of the prattle of children," he continued;

"for, old bachelor as I am, I have no pleasant associations

connected with their lisp It would be intolerable totete-e-tete with a brat Don't draw that chair

farther off, Miss Eyre; sit down exactly where I placed it--if you

please, that is Confound these civilities! I continually forget

them Nor do I particularly affect simple-minded old ladies By-

the-bye, I lect her; she

is a Fairfax, or wed to one; and blood is said to be thicker than

water"

He rang, and despatched an invitation to Mrs Fairfax, who soon

arrived, knitting-basket in hand

"Good evening, madam; I sent to you for a charitable purpose I

have forbidden Adele to talk towith repletion: have the goodness to serve her as