earwaswhollyionanalysingthemingledsounds,andtryingtodiscriminateamidstthefusionofatsthoseofMr.Rochester;acaughtthem,whichitsoondid,itfoundafurthertaskinframiones,renderedbydistanarticulate,intowords.

    Theclockstruckeleven.IlookedatAdèle,whoseheadleantagainstmyshoulder;hereyeswerewaxingheavy,soItookherupinmyarmsandcarriedherofftobed.Itwasnearonebeforethegentlemenandladiessoughttheirchambers.

    Thedaywasasfispredecessor:itwasdevotedbythepartytoanexcursiontosomesiteintheneighbourhood.Theysetoutearlyintheforenoon,someonhorseback,therestincarriages;Iwiththedepartureaurn.MissIngram,asbefore,wastheonlyladyequestrian;and,asbefore,Mr.Rochestergallopedatherside;thetworodealittleapartfromtherest.IpoithiscircumstaoMrs.Fairfax,whowasstandingatthewindowwithme—

    “Yousaiditwasnotlikelytheyshouldthinkofbeingmarried,”saidI,“butyouseeMr.Rochesterevidentlyprefershertoanyoftheotherladies.”

    “Yes,Idaresay:nodoubtheadmiresher.”

    “Andshehim,”Iadded;“lookhowsheleansherheadtowardshimasifshewereversingfidentially;IwishIcouldseeherface;Ihaveneverhadaglimpseofityet.”

    “Youwillseeherthisevening,”answeredMrs.Fairfax.“IhappeoremarktoMr.RochesterhowmuchAdèlewishedtobeintroducedtotheladies,andhesaid:‘Oh!lethereintothedrawing-roomafterdinner;andrequestMissEyretoapanyher.’”

    “Yes;hesaidthatfrommerepoliteness:Igo,Iamsure,”Ianswered.

    “Well,Iobservedtohimthatasyouwereuopany,Ididnotthinkyouwouldlikeappearingbefayaparty—allstrangers;andhereplied,inhisquickway—‘Nonsense