llywatchedAdèle(Ihavemyownreasonsforthinkingheracuriousstudy,—reasonsthatImay,nay,thatIshall,imparttoyousomeday).Shepulledoutofherbox,abouttenminutesago,alittlepinksilkfrock;rapturelitherfaceassheunfoldedit;coquetryrunsinherblood,blendswithherbrains,andseasonsthemarrowofherbones.‘Ilfautquejel’essaie!’criedshe,‘etàl’instantmême!’andsherushedoutoftheroom.SheisnowwithSophie,undergoingarobingprocess:inafewminutesshewillre-enter;andIknowwhatIshallsee,—aminiatureofeVarens,assheusedtoappearontheboardsattherisingof—Butnevermindthat.However,mytefeelingsareabouttoreceiveashock:suchismyprese;staynow,toseewhetheritwillberealised.”

    Erelong,Adèle’slittlefootwasheardtrippingacrossthehall.Sheeransformedasherguardianhadpredicted.Adressofrose-colouredsatin,veryshort,andasfullintheskirtasitcouldbegathered,replacedthebrownfrockshehadpreviouslyworn;awreathofrosebudscircledherforehead;herfeetweredressedinsilkstogsandsmallwhitesatinsandals.

    “Est-cequemarobevabien?”criedshe,boundingforwards;“etmessouliers?etmesbas?Tenez,jecroisquejevaisdanser!”

    Andspreadingoutherdress,shechasséedacrosstheroomtill,havingreachedMr.Rochester,shewheeledlightlyroundbeforehimontip-toe,thendroppedonohisfeet,exclaiming—

    “Monsieur,jevousremerciemillefoisdevotrebonté;”thenrising,sheadded,“C’estecelaquemamanfaisait,-cepas,monsieur?”

    “Pre-cise-ly!”wastheanswer;“and,‘ecela,’shecharmedmyEnglishgoldoutofmyBritishbreeches’pocket.Ihavebeeoo,MissEyre,—ay,grassgreen:notamorevernaltintfreshensyounowth