a law, unalterable as that of the Medes and Persians, that
both are right.«
    »They cannot be, sir, if they require a new statute to legalize them.«
    »They are, Miss Eyre, though they absolutely require a new statute:
unheard-of combinations of circumstances demand unheard-of rules.«
    »That sounds a dangerous maxim, sir; because one can see at once that it is
liable to abuse.«
    »Sententious sage! so it is: but I swear by my household gods not to abuse
it.«
    »You are human and fallible.«
    »I am: so are you - what then?«
    »The human and fallible should not arrogate a power with which the divine
and perfect alone can be safely entrusted.«
    »What power?«
    »That of saying of any strange, unsanctioned line of action, - Let it be
right.«
    »Let it be right - the very words: you have pronounced them.«
    »May it be right then,« I said, as I rose; deeming it useless to continue a
discourse which was all darkness to me; and, besides, sensible that the
character of my interlocutor was beyond my penetration: at least, beyond its
present reach; and feeling the uncertainty, the vague sense of insecurity, which
accompanies a conviction of ignorance.
    »Where are you going?«
    »To put Adèle to bed: it is past her bedtime.«
    »You are afraid of me, because I talk like a Sphynx.«
    »Your language is enigmatical, sir: but though I am bewildered, I am
certainly not afraid.«
    »You are afraid - your self-love dreads a blunder.«
    »In that sense I do feel apprehensive - I have no wish to talk nonsense.«
    »If you did, it would be in such a grave, quiet manner, I should mistake it
for sense. Do you never laugh, Miss Eyre? Don't trouble yourself to answer - I
see, you laugh rarely; but you can laugh very merrily; believe me, you are not
naturally austere, any more than I am naturally vicious. The Lowood constraint
still clings to you somewhat; controlling your features, muffling your voice,
and restricting your limbs; and you fear in the presence of a man and a brother
- or father, or master, or what you will - to smile too gaily, speak too freely,
or move too quickly: but in time, I think you will learn to be natural with me,
as I find