“Well, you can leave me, ma’am: but before you go” (and he retained me by a firmer grasp than ever), “you will be pleased just to answer me a question or two.” He paused.

“What questions, Mr. Rochester?”

Then followed this cross-examination.

“ St. John made you schoolmistress of Morton before he knew you were his cousin?”

“Yes.”

“You would often see him? He would visit the school sometimes?”

“Daily.”