A week passed, and no news arrived of Mr. Rochester: ten days, andstill he did not come. Mrs. Fairfax said she should not besurprised if he were to go straight from the Leas to London, andthence to the Continent, and not show his face again at Thornfieldfor a year to come; he had not unfrequently quitted it in a mannerquite as abrupt and unexpected. When I heard this, I was beginningto feel a strange chill and failing at the heart. I was actuallypermitting myself to experience a sickening sense of disappointment;but rallying my wits, and recollecting my principles, I at oncecalled my sensations to order; and it was wonderful how I got overthe temporary blunder--how I cleared up the mistake of supposing Mr.Rochester's movements a matter in which I had any cause to take avital interest. Not that I humbled myself by a slavish notion ofinferiority: on the contrary, I just said -

"You have nothing to do with the master of Thornfield, further thanto receive the salary he gives you for teaching his protegee, and tobe grateful for such respectful and kind treatment as, if you doyour duty, you have a right to expect at his hands. Be sure that isthe only tie he seriously acknowledges between you and him; so don'tmake him the object of your fine feelings, your raptures, agonies,and so forth. He is not of your order: keep to your caste, and betoo self-respecting to lavish the love of the whole heart, soul, andstrength, where such a gift is not wanted and would be despised."

I went on with my day's business tranquilly; but ever and anon vaguesuggestions kept wandering across my brain of reasons why I shouldquit Thornfield; and I kept involuntarily framing advertisements andpondering conjectures about new situations: these thoughts I didnot think check; they might germinate and bear fruit if they could.

Mr. Rochester had been absent upwards of a fortnight, when the postbrought Mrs. Fairfax a letter.

"It is from the master," said she, as she looked at the direction."Now I suppose we shall know whether we are to expect his return ornot."

And while she broke the seal and perused the document, I went ontaking my coffee (we were at breakfast): it was hot, and Iattributed to that circumstance a fiery glow which suddenly rose tomy face. Why my hand shook, and why I involuntarily spilt half thecontents of my cup into my saucer, I did not choose to consider.

"Well, I sometimes think we are too quiet; but we run a chance ofbeing busy enough now: for a little while at least," said Mrs.Fairfax, still holding the note before her spectacles.

Ere I permitted myself to request an explanation, I tied the stringof Adele's pinafore, which happened to be loose: having helped heralso to another bun and refilled her mug with milk, I said,nonchalantly -

"Mr. Rochester is not likely to return soon, I suppose?"

"Indeed he is--in three days, he says: that will be next Thursday;and not alone either. I don't know how many of the fine people atthe Leas are coming with him: he sends directions for all the bestbedrooms to be prepared; and the library and drawing-rooms are to becleaned out; I am to get more kitchen hands from the George Inn, atMillcote, and from wherever else I can; and the ladies will bringtheir maids and the gentlemen their valets: so we shall have a fullhouse of it." And Mrs. Fairfax swallowed her breakfast and hastenedaway to commence operations.

The three days were, as she had foretold, busy enough. I hadthought all the rooms at Thornfield beautifully clean and wellarranged; but it appears I was mistaken. Three women were got tohelp; and such scrubbing, such brushing, such washing of paint andbeating of carpets, such taking down and putting up of pictures,such polishing of mirrors and lustres, such lighting of fires inbedrooms, such airing of sheets and feather-beds on hearths, I neverbeheld, either before or since. Adele ran quite wild in the midstof it: the preparations for company and the prospect of theirarrival, seemed to throw her into ecstasies. She would have Sophieto look over all her "toilettes," as she called frocks; to furbishup any that were "passees," and to air and arrange the new. Forherself, she did nothing but caper about in the front chambers, jumpon and off the bedsteads, and lie on the mattresses and piled-upbolsters and pillows before the enormous fires roaring in thechimneys. From school duties she was exonerated: Mrs. Fairfax hadpressed me into her service, and I was all day in the storeroom,helping (or hindering) her and the cook; learning to make custardsand cheese-cakes and French pastry, to truss game and garnishdesert-dishes.

The party were expected to arrive on Thursday afternoon, in time fordinner at six. During the intervening period I had no time to nursechimeras; and I believe I was as active and gay as anybody--Adeleexcepted. Still, now and then, I received a damping check to mycheerfulness; and was, in spite of myself, thrown back on the regionof doubts and portents, and dark conjectures. This was when Ichanced to see the third-storey staircase door (which of late hadalways been kept locked) open slowly, and give passage to the formof Grace Poole, in prim cap, white apron, and handkerchief; when Iwatched her glide along the gallery, her quiet tread muffled in alist slipper; when I saw her look into the bustling, topsy-turvybedrooms,--just say a word, perhaps, to the charwoman about theproper way to polish a grate, or clean a marble mantelpiece, or takestains from papered walls, and then pass on. She would thus descendto the kitchen once a day, eat her dinner, smoke a moderate pipe onthe hearth, and go back, carrying her pot of porter with her, forher private solace, in her own gloomy, upper haunt. Only one hourin the twenty-four did she pass with her fellow-servants below; allthe rest of her time was spent in some low-ceiled, oaken chamber ofthe second storey: there she sat and sewed--and probably laugheddrearily to herself,--as companionless as a prisoner in his dungeon.

The strangest thing of all was, that not a soul in the house, exceptme, noticed her habits, or seemed to marvel at them: no onediscussed her position or employment; no one pitied her solitude orisolation. I once, indeed, overheard part of a dialogue betweenLeah and one of the charwomen, of which Grace formed the subject.Leah had been saying something I had not caught, and the charwomanremarked -

"She gets good wages, I guess?"

"Yes," said Leah; "I wish I had as good; not that mine are tocomplain of,--there's no stinginess at Thornfield; but they're notone fifth of the sum Mrs. Poole receives. And she is laying by:she goes every quarter to the bank at Millcote. I should not wonderbut she has saved enough to keep her independent if she liked toleave; but I suppose she's got used to the place; and then she's notforty yet, and strong and able for anything. It is too soon for herto give up business."

"She is a good hand, I daresay," said the charwoman.

"Ah!--she understands what she has to do,--nobody better," rejoinedLeah significantly; "and it is not every one could fill her shoes--not for all the money she gets."

"That it is not!" was the reply. "I wonder whether the master--"

The charwoman was going on; but here Leah turned and perceived me,and she instantly gave her companion a nudge.

"Doesn't she know?" I heard the woman whisper.

Leah shook her head, and the conversation was of course dropped.All I had gathered from it amounted to this,--that there was amystery at Thornfield; and that from participation in that mystery Iwas purposely excluded.

Thursday came: all work had been completed the previous evening;carpets were laid down, bed-hangings festooned, radiant whitecounterpanes spread, toilet tables arranged, furniture rubbed,flowers piled in vases: both chambers and saloons looked as freshand bright as hands could make them. The hall, too, was scoured;and the great carved clock, as well as the steps and banisters ofthe staircase, were polished to the brightness of glass; in thedining-room, the sideboard flashed resplendent with plate; in thedrawing-room and boudoir, vases of exotics bloomed on all sides.

Afternoon arrived: Mrs. Fairfax assumed her best black satin gown,her gloves, and her gold watch; for it was her part to receive thecompany,--to conduct the ladies to their rooms, &c. Adele, too,would be dressed: though I thought she had little chance of beingintroduced to the party that day at least. However, to please her,I allowed Sophie to apparel her in one of her short, full muslinfrocks. For myself, I had no need to make any change; I should notbe called upon to quit my sanctum of the schoolroom; for a sanctumit was now become to me,--"a very pleasant refuge in time oftrouble."

It had been a mild, serene spring day--one of those days which,towards the end of March or the beginning of April, rise shiningover the earth as heralds of summer. It was drawing to an end now;but the evening was even warm, and I sat at work in the schoolroomwith the window open.

"It gets late," said Mrs. Fairfax, entering in rustling state. "Iam glad I ordered dinner an hour after the time Mr. Rochestermentioned; for it is past six now. I have sent John down to thegates to see if there is anything on the road: one can see a longway from thence in the direction of Millcote." She went to thewindow. "Here he is!" said she. "Well, John" (leaning out), "anynews?"

"They're coming, ma'am," was the answer. "They'll be here in tenminutes."

Adele flew to the window. I followed, taking care to stand on oneside, so that, screened by the curtain, I could see without beingseen.

The ten minutes John had given seemed very long, but at last wheelswere heard; four equestrians galloped up the drive, and after themcame two open carriages. Fluttering veils and waving plumes filledthe vehicles; two of the cavaliers were young, dashing-lookinggentlemen; the third was Mr. Rochester, on his black horse, Mesrour,Pilot bounding before him; at his side rode a lady, and he and shewere the first of the party. Her purple riding-habit almost sweptthe ground, her veil streamed long on the breeze; mingling with itstransparent folds, and gleaming through them, shone rich ravenringlets.

"Miss Ingram!" exclaimed Mrs. Fairfax, and away she hurried to herpost below.

The cavalcade, following the sweep of the drive, quickly turned theangle of the house, and I lost sight of it. Adele now petitioned togo down; but I took her on my knee, and gave her to understand thatshe must not on any account think of venturing in sight of theladies, either now or at any other time, unless expressly sent for:that Mr. Rochester would be very angry, &c. "Some natural tears sheshed" on being told this; but as I began to look very grave, sheconsented at last to wipe them.

A joyous stir was now audible in the hall: gentlemen's deep tonesand ladies' silvery accents blent harmoniously together, anddistinguishable above all, though not loud, was the sonorous voiceof the master of Thornfield Hall, welcoming his fair and gallantguests under its roof. Then light steps ascended the stairs; andthere was a tripping through the gallery, and soft cheerful laughs,and opening and closing doors, and, for a time, a hush.

"Elles changent de toilettes," said Adele; who, listeningattentively, had followed every movement; and she sighed.

"Chez maman," said she, "quand il y avait du monde, je le suivaispartout, au salon et e leurs chambres; souvent je regardais lesfemmes de chambre coiffer et habiller les dames, et c'etait siamusant: comme cela on apprend."

"Don't you feel hungry, Adele?"

"Mais oui, mademoiselle: voile cinq ou six heures que nous n'avonspas mange."

"Well now, while the ladies are in their rooms, I will venture downand get you something to eat."

And issuing from my asylum with precaution, I sought a back-stairswhich conducted directly to the kitchen. All in that region wasfire and commotion; the soup and fish were in the last stage ofprojection, and the cook hung over her crucibles in a frame of mindand body threatening spontaneous combustion. In the servants' halltwo coachmen and three gentlemen's gentlemen stood or sat round thefire; the abigails, I suppose, were upstairs with their mistresses;the new servants, that had been hired from Millcote, were bustlingabout everywhere. Threading this chaos, I at last reached thelarder; there I took possession of a cold chicken, a roll of bread,some tarts, a plate or two and a knife and fork: with this booty Imade a hasty retreat. I had regained the gallery, and was justshutting the back-door behind me, when an accelerated hum warned methat the ladies were about to issue from their chambers. I couldnot proceed to the schoolroom without passing some of their doors,and running the risk of being surprised with my cargo of victualage;so I stood still at this end, which, being windowless, was dark:quite dark now, for the sun was set and twilight gathering.

Presently the chambers gave up their fair tenants one after another:each came out gaily and airily, with dress that gleamed lustrousthrough the dusk. For a moment they stood grouped together at theother extremity of the gallery, conversing in a key of sweet subduedvivacity: they then descended the staircase almost as noiselesslyas a bright mist rolls down a hill. Their collective appearance hadleft on me an impression of high-born elegance, such as I had neverbefore received.

I found Adele peeping through the schoolroom door, which she heldajar. "What beautiful ladies!" cried she in English. "Oh, I wish Imight go to them! Do you think Mr. Rochester will send for us by-and-bye, after dinner?"

"No, indeed, I don't; Mr. Rochester has something else to thinkabout. Never mind the ladies to-night; perhaps you will see themto-morrow: here is your dinner."

She was really hungry, so the chicken and tarts served to divert herattention for a time. It was well I secured this forage, or bothshe, I, and Sophie, to whom I conveyed a share of our repast, wouldhave run a chance of getting no dinner at all: every one downstairswas too much engaged to think of us. The dessert was not carriedout till after nine and at ten footmen were still running to and frowith trays and coffee-cups. I allowed Adele to sit up much laterthan usual; for she declared she could not possibly go to sleepwhile the doors kept opening and shutting below, and people bustlingabout. Besides, she added, a message might possibly come from Mr.Rochester when she was undressed; "et alors quel dommage!"

I told her stories as long as she would listen to them; and then fora change I took her out into the gallery. The hall lamp was nowlit, and it amused her to look over the balustrade and watch theservants passing backwards and forwards. When the evening was faradvanced, a sound of music issued from the drawing-room, whither thepiano had been removed; Adele and I sat down on the top step of thestairs to listen. Presently a voice blent with the rich tones ofthe instrument; it was a lady who sang, and very sweet her noteswere. The solo over, a duet followed, and then a glee: a joyousconversational murmur filled up the intervals. I listened long:suddenly I discovered that my ear was wholly intent on analysing themingled sounds, and trying to discriminate amidst the confusion ofaccents those of Mr. Rochester; and when it caught them, which itsoon did, it found a further task in framing the tones, rendered bydistance inarticulate, into words.

The clock struck eleven. I looked at Adele, whose head leantagainst my shoulder; her eyes were waxing heavy, so I took her up inmy arms and carried her off to bed. It was near one before thegentlemen and ladies sought their chambers.

The next day was as fine as its predecessor: it was devoted by theparty to an excursion to some site in the neighbourhood. They setout early in the forenoon, some on horseback, the rest in carriages;I witnessed both the departure and the return. Miss Ingram, asbefore, was the only lady equestrian; and, as before, Mr. Rochestergalloped at her side; the two rode a little apart from the rest. Ipointed out this circumstance to Mrs. Fairfax, who was standing atthe window with me -

"You said it was not likely they should think of being married,"said I, "but you see Mr. Rochester evidently prefers her to any ofthe other ladies."

"Yes, I daresay: no doubt he admires her."

"And she him," I added; "look how she leans her head towards him asif she were conversing confidentially; I wish I could see her face;I have never had a glimpse of it yet."

"You will see her this evening," answered Mrs. Fairfax. "I happenedto remark to Mr. Rochester how much Adele wished to be introduced tothe ladies, and he said: 'Oh! let her come into the drawing-roomafter dinner; and request Miss Eyre to accompany her.'"

"Yes; he said that from mere politeness: I need not go, I am sure,"I answered.

"Well, I observed to him that as you were unused to company, I didnot think you would like appearing before so gay a party--allstrangers; and he replied, in his quick way--'Nonsense! If sheobjects, tell her it is my particular wish; and if she resists, sayI shall come and fetch her in case of contumacy.'"

"I will not give him that trouble," I answered. "I will go, if nobetter may be; but I don't like it. Shall you be there, Mrs.Fairfax?"

"No; I pleaded off, and he admitted my plea. I'll tell you how tomanage so as to avoid the embarrassment of making a formal entrance,which is the most disagreeable part of the business. You must gointo the drawing-room while it is empty, before the ladies leave thedinner-table; choose your seat in any quiet nook you like; you neednot stay long after the gentlemen come in, unless you please: justlet Mr. Rochester see you are there and then slip away--nobody willnotice you."

"Will these people remain long, do you think?"

"Perhaps two or three weeks, certainly not more. After the Easterrecess, Sir George Lynn, who was lately elected member for Millcote,will have to go up to town and take his seat; I daresay Mr.Rochester will accompany him: it surprises me that he has alreadymade so protracted a stay at Thornfield."

It was with some trepidation that I perceived the hour approach whenI was to repair with my charge to the drawing-room. Adele had beenin a state of ecstasy all day, after hearing she was to be presentedto the ladies in the evening; and it was not till Sophie commencedthe operation of dressing her that she sobered down. Then theimportance of the process quickly steadied her, and by the time shehad her curls arranged in well-smoothed, drooping clusters, her pinksatin frock put on, her long sash tied, and her lace mittensadjusted, she looked as grave as any judge. No need to warn her notto disarrange her attire: when she was dressed, she sat demurelydown in her little chair, taking care previously to lift up thesatin skirt for fear she should crease it, and assured me she wouldnot stir thence till I was ready. This I quickly was: my bestdress (the silver-grey one, purchased for Miss Temple's wedding, andnever worn since) was soon put on; my hair was soon smoothed; mysole ornament, the pearl brooch, soon assumed. We descended.

Fortunately there was another entrance to the drawing-room than thatthrough the saloon where they were all seated at dinner. We foundthe apartment vacant; a large fire burning silently on the marblehearth, and wax candles shining in bright solitude, amid theexquisite flowers with which the tables were adorned. The crimsoncurtain hung before the arch: slight as was the separation thisdrapery formed from the party in the adjoining saloon, they spoke inso low a key that nothing of their conversation could bedistinguished beyond a soothing murmur.

Adele, who appeared to be still under the influence of a mostsolemnising impression, sat down, without a word, on the footstool Ipointed out to her. I retired to a window-seat, and taking a bookfrom a table near, endeavoured to read. Adele brought her stool tomy feet; ere long she touched my knee.

"What is it, Adele?"

"Est-ce que je ne puis pas prendrie une seule de ces fleursmagnifiques, mademoiselle? Seulement pour completer ma toilette."

"You think too much of your 'toilette,' Adele: but you may have aflower." And I took a rose from a vase and fastened it in her sash.She sighed a sigh of ineffable satisfaction, as if her cup ofhappiness were now full. I turned my face away to conceal a smile Icould not suppress: there was something ludicrous as well aspainful in the little Parisienne's earnest and innate devotion tomatters of dress.

A soft sound of rising now became audible; the curtain was sweptback from the arch; through it appeared the dining-room, with itslit lustre pouring down light on the silver and glass of amagnificent dessert-service covering a long table; a band of ladiesstood in the opening; they entered, and the curtain fell behindthem.

There were but eight; yet, somehow, as they flocked in, they gavethe impression of a much larger number. Some of them were verytall; many were dressed in white; and all had a sweeping amplitudeof array that seemed to magnify their persons as a mist magnifiesthe moon. I rose and curtseyed to them: one or two bent theirheads in return, the others only stared at me.

They dispersed about the room, reminding me, by the lightness andbuoyancy of their movements, of a flock of white plumy birds. Someof them threw themselves in half-reclining positions on the sofasand ottomans: some bent over the tables and examined the flowersand books: the rest gathered in a group round the fire: all talkedin a low but clear tone which seemed habitual to them. I knew theirnames afterwards, and may as well mention them now.

First, there was Mrs. Eshton and two of her daughters. She hadevidently been a handsome woman, and was well preserved still. Ofher daughters, the eldest, Amy, was rather little: naive, andchild-like in face and manner, and piquant in form; her white muslindress and blue sash became her well. The second, Louisa, was tallerand more elegant in figure; with a very pretty face, of that orderthe French term minois chiffone: both sisters were fair as lilies.

Lady Lynn was a large and stout personage of about forty, veryerect, very haughty-looking, richly dressed in a satin robe ofchangeful sheen: her dark hair shone glossily under the shade of anazure plume, and within the circlet of a band of gems.

Mrs. Colonel Dent was less showy; but, I thought, more lady-like.She had a slight figure, a pale, gentle face, and fair hair. Herblack satin dress, her scarf of rich foreign lace, and her pearlornaments, pleased me better than the rainbow radiance of the titleddame.

But the three most distinguished--partly, perhaps, because thetallest figures of the band--were the Dowager Lady Ingram and herdaughters, Blanche and Mary. They were all three of the loftieststature of women. The Dowager might be between forty and fifty:her shape was still fine; her hair (by candle-light at least) stillblack; her teeth, too, were still apparently perfect. Most peoplewould have termed her a splendid woman of her age: and so she was,no doubt, physically speaking; but then there was an expression ofalmost insupportable haughtiness in her bearing and countenance.She had Roman features and a double chin, disappearing into a throatlike a pillar: these features appeared to me not only inflated anddarkened, but even furrowed with pride; and the chin was sustainedby the same principle, in a position of almost preternaturalerectness. She had, likewise, a fierce and a hard eye: it remindedme of Mrs. Reed's; she mouthed her words in speaking; her voice wasdeep, its inflections very pompous, very dogmatical,--veryintolerable, in short. A crimson velvet robe, and a shawl turban ofsome gold-wrought Indian fabric, invested her (I suppose shethought) with a truly imperial dignity.

Blanche and Mary were of equal stature,--straight and tall aspoplars. Mary was too slim for her height, but Blanche was mouldedlike a Dian. I regarded her, of course, with special interest.First, I wished to see whether her appearance accorded with Mrs.Fairfax's description; secondly, whether it at all resembled thefancy miniature I had painted of her; and thirdly--it will out!--whether it were such as I should fancy likely to suit Mr.Rochester's taste.

As far as person went, she answered point for point, both to mypicture and Mrs. Fairfax's description. The noble bust, the slopingshoulders, the graceful neck, the dark eyes and black ringlets wereall there;--but her face? Her face was like her mother's; ayouthful unfurrowed likeness: the same low brow, the same highfeatures, the same pride. It was not, however, so saturnine apride! she laughed continually; her laugh was satirical, and so wasthe habitual expression of her arched and haughty lip.

Genius is said to be self-conscious. I cannot tell whether MissIngram was a genius, but she was self-conscious--remarkably self-conscious indeed. She entered into a discourse on botany with thegentle Mrs. Dent. It seemed Mrs. Dent had not studied that science:though, as she said, she liked flowers, "especially wild ones;" MissIngram had, and she ran over its vocabulary with an air. Ipresently perceived she was (what is vernacularly termed) TRAILINGMrs. Dent; that is, playing on her ignorance--her TRAIL might beclever, but it was decidedly not good-natured. She played: herexecution was brilliant; she sang: her voice was fine; she talkedFrench apart to her mamma; and she talked it well, with fluency andwith a good accent.

Mary had a milder and more open countenance than Blanche; softerfeatures too, and a skin some shades fairer (Miss Ingram was dark asa Spaniard)--but Mary was deficient in life: her face lackedexpression, her eye lustre; she had nothing to say, and having oncetaken her seat, remained fixed like a statue in its niche. Thesisters were both attired in spotless white.

And did I now think Miss Ingram such a choice as Mr. Rochester wouldbe likely to make? I could not tell--I did not know his taste infemale beauty. If he liked the majestic, she was the very type ofmajesty: then she was accomplished, sprightly. Most gentlemenwould admire her, I thought; and that he DID admire her, I alreadyseemed to have obtained proof: to remove the last shade of doubt,it remained but to see them together.

You are not to suppose, reader, that Adele has all this time beensitting motionless on the stool at my feet: no; when the ladiesentered, she rose, advanced to meet them, made a stately reverence,and said with gravity -

"Bon jour, mesdames."

And Miss Ingram had looked down at her with a mocking air, andexclaimed, "Oh, what a little puppet!"

Lady Lynn had remarked, "It is Mr. Rochester's ward, I suppose--thelittle French girl he was speaking of."

Mrs. Dent had kindly taken her hand, and given her a kiss.

Amy and Louisa Eshton had cried out simultaneously--"What a love ofa child!"

And then they had called her to a sofa, where she now sat, ensconcedbetween them, chattering alternately in French and broken English;absorbing not only the young ladies' attention, but that of Mrs.Eshton and Lady Lynn, and getting spoilt to her heart's content.

At last coffee is brought in, and the gentlemen are summoned. I sitin the shade--if any shade there be in this brilliantly-litapartment; the window-curtain half hides me. Again the arch yawns;they come. The collective appearance of the gentlemen, like that ofthe ladies, is very imposing: they are all costumed in black; mostof them are tall, some young. Henry and Frederick Lynn are verydashing sparks indeed; and Colonel Dent is a fine soldierly man.Mr. Eshton, the magistrate of the district, is gentleman-like: hishair is quite white, his eyebrows and whiskers still dark, whichgives him something of the appearance of a "pere noble de theatre."Lord Ingram, like his sisters, is very tall; like them, also, he ishandsome; but he shares Mary's apathetic and listless look: heseems to have more length of limb than vivacity of blood or vigourof brain.

And where is Mr. Rochester?

He comes in last: I am not looking at the arch, yet I see himenter. I try to concentrate my attention on those netting-needles,on the meshes of the purse I am forming--I wish to think only of thework I have in my hands, to see only the silver beads and silkthreads that lie in my lap; whereas, I distinctly behold his figure,and I inevitably recall the moment when I last saw it; just after Ihad rendered him, what he deemed, an essential service, and he,holding my hand, and looking down on my face, surveyed me with eyesthat revealed a heart full and eager to overflow; in whose emotionsI had a part. How near had I approached him at that moment! Whathad occurred since, calculated to change his and my relativepositions? Yet now, how distant, how far estranged we were! So farestranged, that I did not expect him to come and speak to me. I didnot wonder, when, without looking at me, he took a seat at the otherside of the room, and began conversing with some of the ladies.

No sooner did I see that his attention was riveted on them, and thatI might gaze without being observed, than my eyes were drawninvoluntarily to his face; I could not keep their lids undercontrol: they would rise, and the irids would fix on him. Ilooked, and had an acute pleasure in looking,--a precious yetpoignant pleasure; pure gold, with a steely point of agony: apleasure like what the thirst-perishing man might feel who knows thewell to which he has crept is poisoned, yet stoops and drinks divinedraughts nevertheless.

Most true is it that "beauty is in the eye of the gazer." Mymaster's colourless, olive face, square, massive brow, broad andjetty eyebrows, deep eyes, strong features, firm, grim mouth,--allenergy, decision, will,--were not beautiful, according to rule; butthey were more than beautiful to me; they were full of an interest,an influence that quite mastered me,--that took my feelings from myown power and fettered them in his. I had not intended to love him;the reader knows I had wrought hard to extirpate from my soul thegerms of love there detected; and now, at the first renewed view ofhim, they spontaneously arrived, green and strong! He made me lovehim without looking at me.

I compared him with his guests. What was the gallant grace of theLynns, the languid elegance of Lord Ingram,--even the militarydistinction of Colonel Dent, contrasted with his look of native pithand genuine power? I had no sympathy in their appearance, theirexpression: yet I could imagine that most observers would call themattractive, handsome, imposing; while they would pronounce Mr.Rochester at once harsh-featured and melancholy-looking. I saw themsmile, laugh--it was nothing; the light of the candles had as muchsoul in it as their smile; the tinkle of the bell as muchsignificance as their laugh. I saw Mr. Rochester smile:- his sternfeatures softened; his eye grew both brilliant and gentle, its rayboth searching and sweet. He was talking, at the moment, to Louisaand Amy Eshton. I wondered to see them receive with calm that lookwhich seemed to me so penetrating: I expected their eyes to fall,their colour to rise under it; yet I was glad when I found they werein no sense moved. "He is not to them what he is to me," I thought:"he is not of their kind. I believe he is of mine;--I am sure heis--I feel akin to him--I understand the language of his countenanceand movements: though rank and wealth sever us widely, I havesomething in my brain and heart, in my blood and nerves, thatassimilates me mentally to him. Did I say, a few days since, that Ihad nothing to do with him but to receive my salary at his hands?Did I forbid myself to think of him in any other light than as apaymaster? Blasphemy against nature! Every good, true, vigorousfeeling I have gathers impulsively round him. I know I must concealmy sentiments: I must smother hope; I must remember that he cannotcare much for me. For when I say that I am of his kind, I do notmean that I have his force to influence, and his spell to attract; Imean only that I have certain tastes and feelings in common withhim. I must, then, repeat continually that we are for eversundered:- and yet, while I breathe and think, I must love him."

Coffee is handed. The ladies, since the gentlemen entered, havebecome lively as larks; conversation waxes brisk and merry. ColonelDent and Mr. Eshton argue on politics; their wives listen. The twoproud dowagers, Lady Lynn and Lady Ingram, confabulate together.Sir George--whom, by-the-bye, I have forgotten to describe,--a verybig, and very fresh-looking country gentleman, stands before theirsofa, coffee-cup in hand, and occasionally puts in a word. Mr.Frederick Lynn has taken a seat beside Mary Ingram, and is showingher the engravings of a splendid volume: she looks, smiles now andthen, but apparently says little. The tall and phlegmatic LordIngram leans with folded arms on the chair-back of the little andlively Amy Eshton; she glances up at him, and chatters like a wren:she likes him better than she does Mr. Rochester. Henry Lynn hastaken possession of an ottoman at the feet of Louisa: Adele sharesit with him: he is trying to talk French with her, and Louisalaughs at his blunders. With whom will Blanche Ingram pair? She isstanding alone at the table, bending gracefully over an album. Sheseems waiting to be sought; but she will not wait too long: sheherself selects a mate.

Mr. Rochester, having quitted the Eshtons, stands on the hearth assolitary as she stands by the table: she confronts him, taking herstation on the opposite side of the mantelpiece.

"Mr. Rochester, I thought you were not fond of children?"

"Nor am I."

"Then, what induced you to take charge of such a little doll asthat?" (pointing to Adele). "Where did you pick her up?"

"I did not pick her up; she was left on my hands."

"You should have sent her to school."

"I could not afford it: schools are so dear."

"Why, I suppose you have a governess for her: I saw a person withher just now--is she gone? Oh, no! there she is still, behind thewindow-curtain. You pay her, of course; I should think it quite asexpensive,--more so; for you have them both to keep in addition."

I feared--or should I say, hoped?--the allusion to me would make Mr.Rochester glance my way; and I involuntarily shrank farther into theshade: but he never turned his eyes.

"I have not considered the subject," said he indifferently, lookingstraight before him.

"No, you men never do consider economy and common sense. You shouldhear mama on the chapter of governesses: Mary and I have had, Ishould think, a dozen at least in our day; half of them detestableand the rest ridiculous, and all incubi--were they not, mama?"

"Did you speak, my own?"

The young lady thus claimed as the dowager's special property,reiterated her question with an explanation.

"My dearest, don't mention governesses; the word makes me nervous.I have suffered a martyrdom from their incompetency and caprice. Ithank Heaven I have now done with them!"

Mrs. Dent here bent over to the pious lady and whispered somethingin her ear; I suppose, from the answer elicited, it was a reminderthat one of the anathematised race was present.

"Tant pis!" said her Ladyship, "I hope it may do her good!" Then,in a lower tone, but still loud enough for me to hear, "I noticedher; I am a judge of physiognomy, and in hers I see all the faultsof her class."

"What are they, madam?" inquired Mr. Rochester aloud.

"I will tell you in your private ear," replied she, wagging herturban three times with portentous significancy.

"But my curiosity will be past its appetite; it craves food now."

"Ask Blanche; she is nearer you than I."

"Oh, don't refer him to me, mama! I have just one word to say ofthe whole tribe; they are a nuisance. Not that I ever suffered muchfrom them; I took care to turn the tables. What tricks Theodore andI used to play on our Miss Wilsons, and Mrs. Greys, and MadameJouberts! Mary was always too sleepy to join in a plot with spirit.The best fun was with Madame Joubert: Miss Wilson was a poor sicklything, lachrymose and low-spirited, not worth the trouble ofvanquishing, in short; and Mrs. Grey was coarse and insensible; noblow took effect on her. But poor Madame Joubert! I see her yet inher raging passions, when we had driven her to extremities--spiltour tea, crumbled our bread and butter, tossed our books up to theceiling, and played a charivari with the ruler and desk, the fenderand fire-irons. Theodore, do you remember those merry days?"

"Yaas, to be sure I do," drawled Lord Ingram; "and the poor oldstick used to cry out 'Oh you villains childs!'--and then wesermonised her on the presumption of attempting to teach such cleverblades as we were, when she was herself so ignorant."

"We did; and, Tedo, you know, I helped you in prosecuting (orpersecuting) your tutor, whey-faced Mr. Vining--the parson in thepip, as we used to call him. He and Miss Wilson took the liberty offalling in love with each other--at least Tedo and I thought so; wesurprised sundry tender glances and sighs which we interpreted astokens of 'la belle passion,' and I promise you the public soon hadthe benefit of our discovery; we employed it as a sort of lever tohoist our dead-weights from the house. Dear mama, there, as soon asshe got an inkling of the business, found out that it was of animmoral tendency. Did you not, my lady-mother?"

"Certainly, my best. And I was quite right: depend on that: thereare a thousand reasons why liaisons between governesses and tutorsshould never be tolerated a moment in any well-regulated house;firstly--"

"Oh, gracious, mama! Spare us the enumeration! Au reste, we allknow them: danger of bad example to innocence of childhood;distractions and consequent neglect of duty on the part of theattached--mutual alliance and reliance; confidence thence resulting--insolence accompanying--mutiny and general blow-up. Am I right,Baroness Ingram, of Ingram Park?"

"My lily-flower, you are right now, as always."

"Then no more need be said: change the subject."

Amy Eshton, not hearing or not heeding this dictum, joined in withher soft, infantine tone: "Louisa and I used to quiz our governesstoo; but she was such a good creature, she would bear anything:nothing put her out. She was never cross with us; was she, Louisa?"

"No, never: we might do what we pleased; ransack her desk and herworkbox, and turn her drawers inside out; and she was so good-natured, she would give as anything we asked for."

"I suppose, now," said Miss Ingram, curling her lip sarcastically,"we shall have an abstract of the memoirs of all the governessesextant: in order to avert such a visitation, I again move theintroduction of a new topic. Mr. Rochester, do you second mymotion?"

"Madam, I support you on this point, as on every other."

"Then on me be the onus of bringing it forward. Signior Eduardo,are you in voice to-night?"

"Donna Bianca, if you command it, I will be."

"Then, signior, I lay on you my sovereign behest to furbish up yourlungs and other vocal organs, as they will be wanted on my royalservice."

"Who would not be the Rizzio of so divine a Mary?"

"A fig for Rizzio!" cried she, tossing her head with all its curls,as she moved to the piano. "It is my opinion the fiddler David musthave been an insipid sort of fellow; I like black Bothwell better:to my mind a man is nothing without a spice of the devil in him; andhistory may say what it will of James Hepburn, but I have a notion,he was just the sort of wild, fierce, bandit hero whom I could haveconsented to gift with my hand."

"Gentlemen, you hear! Now which of you most resembles Bothwell?"cried Mr. Rochester.

"I should say the preference lies with you," responded Colonel Dent.

"On my honour, I am much obliged to you," was the reply.

Miss Ingram, who had now seated herself with proud grace at thepiano, spreading out her snowy robes in queenly amplitude, commenceda brilliant prelude; talking meantime. She appeared to be on herhigh horse to-night; both her words and her air seemed intended toexcite not only the admiration, but the amazement of her auditors:she was evidently bent on striking them as something very dashingand daring indeed.

"Oh, I am so sick of the young men of the present day!" exclaimedshe, rattling away at the instrument. "Poor, puny things, not fitto stir a step beyond papa's park gates: nor to go even so farwithout mama's permission and guardianship! Creatures so absorbedin care about their pretty faces, and their white hands, and theirsmall feet; as if a man had anything to do with beauty! As ifloveliness were not the special prerogative of woman--her legitimateappanage and heritage! I grant an ugly WOMAN is a blot on the fairface of creation; but as to the GENTLEMEN, let them be solicitous topossess only strength and valour: let their motto be:- Hunt, shoot,and fight: the rest is not worth a fillip. Such should be mydevice, were I a man."

"Whenever I marry," she continued after a pause which noneinterrupted, "I am resolved my husband shall not be a rival, but afoil to me. I will suffer no competitor near the throne; I shallexact an undivided homage: his devotions shall not be sharedbetween me and the shape he sees in his mirror. Mr. Rochester, nowsing, and I will play for you."

"I am all obedience," was the response.

"Here then is a Corsair-song. Know that I doat on Corsairs; and forthat reason, sing it con spirito."

"Commands from Miss Ingram's lips would put spirit into a mug ofmilk and water."

"Take care, then: if you don't please me, I will shame you byshowing how such things SHOULD be done."

"That is offering a premium on incapacity: I shall now endeavour tofail."

"Gardez-vous en bien! If you err wilfully, I shall devise aproportionate punishment."

"Miss Ingram ought to be clement, for she has it in her power toinflict a chastisement beyond mortal endurance."

"Ha! explain!" commanded the lady.

"Pardon me, madam: no need of explanation; your own fine sense mustinform you that one of your frowns would be a sufficient substitutefor capital punishment."

"Sing!" said she, and again touching the piano, she commenced anaccompaniment in spirited style.

"Now is my time to slip away," thought I: but the tones that thensevered the air arrested me. Mrs. Fairfax had said Mr. Rochesterpossessed a fine voice: he did--a mellow, powerful bass, into whichhe threw his own feeling, his own force; finding a way through theear to the heart, and there waking sensation strangely. I waitedtill the last deep and full vibration had expired--till the tide oftalk, checked an instant, had resumed its flow; I then quitted mysheltered corner and made my exit by the side-door, which wasfortunately near. Thence a narrow passage led into the hall: incrossing it, I perceived my sandal was loose; I stopped to tie it,kneeling down for that purpose on the mat at the foot of thestaircase. I heard the dining-room door unclose; a gentleman cameout; rising hastily, I stood face to face with him: it was Mr.Rochester.

"How do you do?" he asked.

"I am very well, sir."

"Why did you not come and speak to me in the room?"

I thought I might have retorted the question on him who put it: butI would not take that freedom. I answered -

"I did not wish to disturb you, as you seemed engaged, sir."

"What have you been doing during my absence?"

"Nothing particular; teaching Adele as usual."

"And getting a good deal paler than you were--as I saw at firstsight. What is the matter?"

"Nothing at all, sir."

"Did you take any cold that night you half drowned me?"

"Not she least."

"Return to the drawing-room: you are deserting too early."

"I am tired, sir."

He looked at me for a minute.

"And a little depressed," he said. "What about? Tell me."

"Nothing--nothing, sir. I am not depressed."

"But I affirm that you are: so much depressed that a few more wordswould bring tears to your eyes--indeed, they are there now, shiningand swimming; and a bead has slipped from the lash and fallen on tothe flag. If I had time, and was not in mortal dread of someprating prig of a servant passing, I would know what all this means.Well, to-night I excuse you; but understand that so long as myvisitors stay, I expect you to appear in the drawing-room everyevening; it is my wish; don't neglect it. Now go, and send Sophiefor Adele. Good-night, my--" He stopped, bit his lip, and abruptlyleft me.