He bowed in return, low and respectful. "The honour is entirely mine, Miss Rochester. I hope you will forgive me calling upon you without notice, but I wished to speak to you on a most important matter." He said, although he forced himself not to sound as grave as he might normally have done when saying such a thing. Perhaps this proposal would be easier than he imagined it would be. But he could not help feel nervous in the presence of the young woman, and her maid as well. He could be tempted to believe that what he was about to do was indecent, and that the maid was there simply to prevent him doing what he had come to do.

He cleared his throat, aware that he had been quiet for a moment too long. "Is there a place we could talk?"