ow-ceiled,oakenchamberofthesedstorey:thereshesatandserobablylaugheddrearilytoherself,—aspanionlessasaprisonerinhisdungeon.

    Thestrahingofallwas,thatnotasoulinthehouse,exceptme,noticedherhabits,orseemedtomarvelatthem:noonediscussedherpositionoremployment;iedhersolitudeorisolation.Iondeed,overheardpartofadialoguebetweenLeahahecharwomen,ofwhichGraedthesubject.LeahhadbeensayingsomethingIhadnotcaught,andthecharwomanremarked—

    “Shegetsgoodwages,Iguess?”

    “Yes,”saidLeah;“IwishIhadasgood;notthatmioplainof,—there’snostiThornfield;butthey’renotohofthesumMrs.Poolereceives.Andsheislayingby:shegoeseveryquartertothebankatMillcote.Ishouldnotwoshehassavedenoughtokeepherindepeifshelikedtoleave;butIsupposeshe’sgotusedtothepladthenshe’snotfortyyet,andstrongandableforanything.Itistoosoonfiveupbusiness.”

    “Sheisagoodhand,Idaresay,”saidthecharwoman.

    “Ah!—sheuandswhatshehastodo,—nobodybetter,”rejoinedLeahsignifitly;“anditisnoteveryonecouldfillhershoes—notforallthemoneyshegets.”

    “Thatitisnot!”wasthereply.“Iwonderwhetherthemaster—”

    Thecharwomanwasgoingon;buthereLeahturnedandperceivedme,aantlygaveherpanionanudge.

    “Doesn’tsheknow?”Iheardthewomanwhisper.

    Leahshookherhead,andtheversationwasofcoursedropped.AllIhadgatheredfromitamouhis,—thattherewasamysteryatThornfield;andthatfromparticipationinthatmysteryIurposelyexcluded.

    Thursdaycame:allworkhadbeenpletedthepreviousevening;carpetswerelaiddown,bed-hangiooned,radiantwhiteterpanesspread,toile