edaholidayforAdèle,becauseshehadacold;and,asAdèlesededtherequestwithanardourthatremindedmehowpreciousoccasionalholidayshadbeentomeinmyownchildhood,Iaccordedit,deemingthatIdidwellinshowingpliabilityonthepoint.Itwasafine,calmday,thoughverycold;Iwastiredofsittingstillinthelibrarythroughawholelongm:Mrs.Fairfaxhadjustwritteerwhichwaswaitingtobeposted,soIputonmyboandcloakandvoluocarryittoHay;thedistawomiles,wouldbeapleasantwiernoonwalk.HavingseenAdèlefortablyseateditlechairbyMrs.Fairfax’sparlourfireside,andgivenherherbestwaxdoll(whichIusuallykeptenvelopedinsilverpaperinadrawer)toplaywith,andastory-bookforgeofamusement;andhavingrepliedtoher“Revenezbient?t,mabonneamie,machèreMdlle.Jeae,”withakissIsetout.

    Thegroundwashard,theairwasstill,myroadwaslonely;IwalkedfasttillIgotwarm,andthenIwalkedslowlytoenjoyandanalysethespeciesofpleasurebroodingformeinthehourandsituation.Itwasthreeo’clock;thechurchbelltolledasIpasseduhebelfry:thecharmofthehourlayinitsapproagdimness,inthelow-glidingandpale-beamingsun.IwasamilefromThornfield,inalaedforwildrosesinsummer,fornutsandblackberriesinautumn,andevennowpossessingafewcoraltreasuresinhipsandhaws,butwhosebestwinterdelightlayinitsuttersolitudeandleaflessrepose.Ifabreathofairstirred,itmadenosoundhere;fortherewasnotaholly,notanevergreentorustle,arippedhawthornandhazelbusheswereasstillasthewhite,wornstoneswhichcausewayedthemiddleofthepath.Farandwide,oneachside,therewereonlyfields,wherenocattlenowbrowsed;alebrownbirds,whichstirredoccasionallyinthehedge