"Of my final re-transformation from India-rubber back to flesh?"

"Decidedly he has had too much wine," I thought; and I did not know what answer to make to his queer question: how could I tell whether he was capable of being re-transformed?

"You looked very much puzzled，Miss Eyre; and though you are not pretty any more than I am handsome，yet a puzzled air bees you; besides，it is convenient，for it keeps those searching eyes of yours away from my physiognomy，and busies them with the worsted flowers of the rug; so puzzle on. Young lady，I am disposed to be gregarious and municative tonight."

With this announcement he rose from his chair，and stood，leaning his arm on the marble mantelpiece: in that attitude his shape was seen plainly as well as his face; his unusual breadth of chest，disproportionate almost to his length of limb. I am sure most people would have thought him an ugly man; yet there was so much unconscious pride in his port; so much ease in his demeanour; such a look of plete indifference to his own external appearance; so haughty a reliance on the power of other qualities，intrinsic or adventitious，to atone for the lack of mere personal attractiveness，that，in looking at him，one inevitably shared the indifference，and，even in a blind，imperfect sense，put faith in the confidence.

"I am disposed to be gregarious and municative tonight," he repeated，"and that is why I sent for you: the fire and the chandelier were not sufficient pany for me; nor would pilot have been，for none of these can talk. Adele is a degree better，but still far below the mark; Mrs. Fairfax ditto; you，I am persuaded，can suit me if you will: you puzzled me the first evening I invited you down here.

I have almost forgotten you since: other ideas have driven yours from my head; but to-night I am resolved to be at ease; to dismiss what importunes，and recall what pleases. It would please me now to draw you out- to learn more of you- therefore speak."