。 I heard the dining…room door unclose； a gentleman came out； rising hastily； I stood face to face with him： it was Mr。 Rochester。
“How do you do？” he asked。
“I am very well； sir。”
“Why did you not e and speak to me in the room？”
I thought I might have retorted the question on him who put it： but I would not take that freedom。 I answered—
“I did not wish to disturb you； as you seemed engaged； sir。”
“What have you been doing during my absence？”
“Nothing particular； teaching Adèle as usual。”
“And getting a good deal paler than you were—as I saw at first sight。 What is the matter？”
“Nothing at all； sir。”
“Did you take any cold that night you half drowned me？”
“Not she least。”
“Return to the drawing…room： you are deserting too early。”
“I am tired； sir。”
He looked at me for a minute。
“And a little depressed；” he said。 “What about？ Tell me。”
“Nothing—nothing； sir。 I am not depressed。”
“But I affirm that you are： so much depressed that a few more words would bring tears to your eyes—indeed； they are there now； shining and swimming； and a bead has slipped from the lash and fallen on to the flag。 If I had time； and was not in mortal dread of some prating prig of a servant passing； I would know what all this means。 Well； to…night I excuse you； but understand that so long as my visitors stay； I expect you to appear in the drawing…room every evening； it is my wish； don’t neglect it。 Now go； and send Sophie for Adèle。 Good…night； my—” He stopped； bit his lip； and abruptly left me。
Chapter 18
Merry days were these at Thornfield Hall； and busy days too： how different from the first three months of stillness； monotony； and solitude I had passed beneath it