was. "Five shillings, sir." He took the purse, poured the hoard into his palm and chuckled over it as if its scantiness pleased 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."
I declined accepting more than was my due. He scowled at first; then, as if recollecting something, he said:—
"Right, right! Better not give you all now: you would, perhaps, stay away three months if you had fifty pounds. There are ten: is it not plenty?"
"Yes, sir, but now you owe me five."
"Come back for it then: I am your banker for forty pounds."
"Mr. Rochester, I may as well mention another matter of business to you while I have the opportunity."
"Matter of business? I'm curious to hear it.
"You have as good as informed me, sir, that you are going shortly to be married?"
"Yes: what then?"
"In that case, sir, Adèle ought to go to
