ForseveralsubsequentdaysIsawlittleofMr.Rochester.Inthemsheseemedmugagedwithbusiness,and,iernoolemenfromMillcoteortheneighbourhoodcalled,andsometimesstayedtodihhim.Whenhissprainwaswellenoughtoadmitofhorseexercise,herodeoutagooddeal;probablytoreturnthesevisits,ashegenerallydidnotebacktilllateatnight.

    Duringthisinterval,evenAdèlewasseldomsentfortohispresendallmyacquaintahhimwasfioanoccasionalrentreinthehall,oairs,orinthegallery,whenhewouldsometimespassmehaughtilyandcoldly,justaowledgingmypresencebyadistantnodoracoolglandsometimesbowandsmilewithgentlemanlikeaffability.Hisgesofmooddidnotoffendme,becauseIsawthatIhadnothingtodowiththeiralternation;theebbandflowdependedoncausesquitedisectedwithme.

    Onedayhehadhadpanytodinner,andhadsentformyportfolio;inorder,doubtless,toexhibititstents:thegentlemeawayearly,toattendapublicmeetingatMillcote,asMrs.Fairfaxinformedme;butthenightbeiandi,Mr.Rochesterdidnotapanythem.Sooheyweregoneherangthebell:amessagecamethatIandAdèleweretogodownstairs.IbrushedAdèle’shairandmadeher,andhavingascertaihatIwasmyselfinmyusualQuakertrim,wheretherewasnothingtoretouch—allbeingtoocloseandplain,braidedlocluded,toadmitofdisarra—wedesded,Adèlewwhetherthepetitcoffrewasatlengthe;for,owingtosomemistake,itsarrivalhadhithertobeendelayed.Shewasgratified:thereitstood,alittlecarton,oablewheeredthedining-room.Sheappearedtoknowitbyinstinct.

    “Maboite!maboite!”exclaimedshe,runningtowardsit.

    “Yes,thereisyour‘boite’atlast:takeitintoaer,yougenuinedaughte