thoutbeingseen.

    ThetenminutesJohnhadgivenseemedverylong,butatlastwheelswereheard;fourequestriansgallopedupthedrive,andafterthemcametwoopencarriages.Flutteringveilsandwavingplumesfilledthevehicles;twoofthecavalierswereyoung,dashing-lookilemehirdwasMr.Rochester,onhisblackhorse,Mesrour,Pilotboundingbeforehim;athissiderodealady,andheandshewerethefirstoftheparty.Herpurpleriding-habitalmostswepttheground,herveilstreamedlongonthebreeze;minglingwithitstransparentfolds,andgleamingthroughthem,shonerichravenris.

    “MissIngram!”exclaimedMrs.Fairfax,andawayshehurriedtoherpostbelow.

    Thecavalcade,followingthesweepofthedrive,quicklyturheahehouse,andIlostsightofit.Adèleioogodown;butItookheronmyknee,andgavehertouandthatshemustnotonanyatthinkofventuringinsightoftheladies,eithernoworatanyothertime,unlessexpresslysentfor:thatMr.Rochesterwouldbeveryangry,&enaturaltearssheshed”ooldthis;butasIbegantolorave,sheselasttowipethem.

    Ajoyousstirwasnowaudibleinthehall:gentlemeonesandladies’silveryatsblentharmoniouslytogether,anddistinguishableaboveall,thoughnotloud,wasthesonorousvoiceofthemasterofThornfieldHall,welinghisfairandgallasusroof.Thenlightstepsasdedthestairs;andtherepingthroughthegallery,andsoftcheerfullaughs,andopeningandclosingdoors,and,foratime,ahush.

    “Ellesgeoilettes,”saidAdèle;who,listeningattentively,hadfollowedeverymovement;andshesighed.

    “Chezmaman,”saidshe,“quandilyavaitdumonde,jelesuivaispartout,ausaloàleurschambres;souventjeregardaislesfemmesde