thedire.“NowIsupposeweshallknowwhetherwearetoexpecthisreturnornot.”

    Andwhileshebrokethesealandperusedthedot,Iwentontakingmycoffee(wewereatbreakfast):itwashot,andIattributedtothatcircumstanceafieryglowwhichsuddenlyrosetomyface.Whymyhandshook,andwhyIinvoluntarilyspilthalfthetentsofmytomysaucer,Ididnotchoosetosider.

    “Well,Isometimesthiooquiet;butwerunaceofbeingbusyenoughnow:foralittlewhileatleast,”saidMrs.Fairfax,stillholdiebeforeherspectacles.

    EreIpermittedmyselftorequestanexplanation,ItiedthestringofAdèle’spinafore,whichhappeobeloose:havinghelpedheralsotoanotherbunandrefilledhermugwithmilk,Isaid,nonchalantly—

    “Mr.Rochesterisnotlikelytoreturnsoon,Isuppose?”

    “Indeedheis—inthreedays,hesays:thatwillbehursday;andnotaloher.Idon’tknowhowmanyofthefinepeopleattheLeasareingwithhim:hesendsdiresforallthebestbedroomstobeprepared;andthelibraryanddrawing-roomsaretobeedout;IamtogetmorekithandsfromtheGeeInn,atMillcote,andfromwhereverelseI;andtheladieswillbringtheirmaidsalementheirvalets:soweshallhaveafullhouseofit.”AndMrs.Fairfaxswallowedherbreakfastandhastenedawaytoenceoperations.

    Thethreedayswere,asshehadforetold,busyenough.IhadthoughtalltheroomsatThornfieldbeautifullyandwellarranged;butitappearsIwasmistaken.Threewomeohelp;andsuchscrubbing,suchbrushing,suchwashingofpaintaingofcarpets,suchtakingdouttingupofpictures,suchpolishingofmirrorsandlustres,suchlightingoffiresinbedrooms,suchairingofsheetsaher-bedsohs,Ineverbeheld,eitherbeforeorsince.Adèleranqui