hadleftonmeanimpressionofhigh-bornelegance,suchasIhadneverbeforereceived.

    IfoundAdèlepeepingthroughtheschoolroomdoor,whichsheheldajar.“Whatbeautifulladies!”criedsheinEnglish.“Oh,IwishImightgotothem!DoyouthinkMr.Rochesterwillsendforusby-and-bye,afterdinner?”

    “No,indeed,Idon’t;Mr.Rochesterhassomethiothinkabout.Nevermindtheladiesto-night;perhapsyouwillseethemto-morrow:hereisyourdinner.”

    Shewasreallyhungry,sothechiandtartsservedtodivertherattentionforatime.ItwaswellIsecuredthisfe,orbothshe,I,andSophie,towhomIveyedashareofourrepast,wouldhaverunaceofgettingnodiall:everyonedownstairswastoomugagedtothinkofus.Thedessertwasnotcarriedouttillafternineandattenfootmeillrunningtoandfrowithtraysandcoffee-cups.IallowedAdèletositupmuchlaterthanusual;forshedeclaredshecouldnotpossiblygotosleepwhilethedoorskeptopeningandshuttingbeloeoplebustlingabout.Besides,sheadded,amessagemightpossiblyefromMr.Rochesterwhenshewasundressed;“etalorsqueldommage!”

    Itoldherstoriesaslongasshewouldlistentothem;andthenforageItookheroutintothegallery.Thehalllampwasnowlit,anditamusedhertolookoverthebalustradeandwatchtheservantspassingbackwardsandforwards.Whentheeveningwasfaradvanced,asoundofmusicissuedfromthedrawing-room,whitherthepianohadbeenremoved;AdèleandIsatdownoopstepofthestairstolistelyavoiceblentwiththeriesoftheinstrument;itwasaladywhosang,andverysweethernoteswere.Thesoloover,aduetfollowed,andthenaglee:ajoyousversationalmurmurfilleduptheintervals.Ilistenedlong:suddenlyIdiscoveredthatmy