distractionsandconsequentneglectofdutyonthepartoftheattached—mutualallianceandreliance;confidencethenceresulting—
insolenceaccompanying—mutinyandgeneralblowup。AmIright，BaronessIngram，ofIngramPark？\'
\'Mylily—flower，youarerightnow，asalways。\'
\'Thennomoreneedbesaid:changethesubject。\'
AmyEshton，nothearingornotheedingthisdictum，joinedinwithhersoft，infantinetone:\'LouisaandIusedtoquizourgovernesstoo;butshewassuchagoodcreature，shewouldbearanything:nothingputherout。Shewasnevercrosswithus;wasshe，Louisa？\'
\'No，never:wemightdowhatwepleased;ransackherdeskandherworkbox，andturnherdrawersinsideout;andshewassogood—natured，shewouldgiveusanythingweaskedfor。\'
\'Isuppose，now，\'saidMissIngram，curlingherlipsarcastically，\'weshallhaveanabstractofthememoirsofallthegovernessesextant:inordertoavertsuchavisitation，Iagainmovetheintroductionofanewtopic。Mr。Rochester，doyousecondmymotion？\'
\'Madam，Isupportyouonthispoint，asoneveryother。\'
\'Thenonmebetheonusofbringingitforward。SigniorEduardo，areyouinvoiceto—night？\'
\'DonnaBianca，ifyoucommandit，Iwillbe。\'
\'Then，signior，Ilayonyoumysovereignbehesttofurbishupyourlungsandothervocalorgans，astheywillbewantedonmyroyalservice。\'
\'WhowouldnotbetheRizzioofsodivineaMary？\'
\'AfigforRizzio！\'criedshe，tossingherheadwithallitscurls，asshemovedtothepiano。\'ItismyopinionthefiddlerDavidmusthavebeenaninsipidsortoffellow;IlikeblackBothwellbetter:
tomymindamanisnothingwithoutaspiceofthedevilinhim;andhistorymaysaywhatitwillofJamesHepburn，butIhaveanotion，hewasjustthesortofwild，fierce，banditherowhomIcouldhaveconsentedtogiftwithmyhand。\'
\'Gentlemen，youhear！NowwhichofyoumostresemblesBothwell？\'
criedMr。Rochester。
\'Ishouldsaythepreferencelieswithyou，\'respondedColonelDent。
\'Onmyhonour，Iammuchobligedtoyou，\'wasthereply。
MissIngram，whohadnowseatedherselfwithproudgraceatthepiano，spreadingouthersnowyrobesinqueenlyamplitude，commencedabrilliantprelude;talkingmeantime。Sheappearedtobeonherhighhorseto—night;bothherwordsandherairseemedintendedtoexcitenotonlytheadmiration，buttheamazementofherauditors:shewasevidentlybentonstrikingthemassomethingverydashinganddaringindeed。
\'Oh，Iamsosickoftheyoungmenofthepresentday！\'
exclaimedshe，rattlingawayattheinstrument。\'Poor，punythings，notfittostirastepbeyondpapa\'sparkgates:nortogoevensofarwithoutmama\'spermissionandguardianship！Creaturessoabsorbedincareabouttheirprettyfaces，andtheirwhitehands，andtheirsmallfeet;
asifamanhadanythingtodowithbeauty！Asiflovelinesswerenotthespecialprerogativeofwoman—herlegitimateappanageandheritage！Igrantanuglywomanisablotonthefairfaceofcreation;butastothegentlemen，letthembesolicitoustopossessonlystrengthandvalour:lettheirmottobe:—Hunt，shoot，andfight:
therestisnotworthafillip。Suchshouldbemydevice，wereIaman。\'
\'WheneverImarry，\'shecontinuedafterapausewhichnoneinterrupted，\'Iamresolvedmyhusbandshallnotbearival，butafoiltome。Iwillsuffernocompetitornearthethrone;Ishallexactanundividedhomage:hisdevotionsshallnotbesharedbetweenmeandtheshapeheseesinhismirror。Mr。Rochester，nowsing，andI
willplayforyou。\'
\'Iamallobedience，\'wastheresponse。
\'HerethenisaCorsair—song。KnowthatIdoatonCorsairs;
andforthatreason，singitconspirito。\'
\'CommandsfromMissIngram\'slipswouldputspiritintoamugofmilkandwater。\'
\'Takecare，then:ifyoudon\'tpleaseme，Iwillshameyoubyshowinghowsuchthingsshouldbedone。\'
\'Thatisofferingapremiumonincapacity:Ishallnowendeavourtofail。\'
\'Gardez—vousenbien！Ifyouerrwilfully，Ishalldeviseaproportionatepunishment。\'
\'MissIngramoughttobeclement，forshehasitinherpowertoinflictachastisementbeyondmortalendurance。\'
\'Ha！explain！\'commandedthelady。
\'Pardonme，madam:noneedofexplanation;yourownfinesensemustinformyouthatoneofyourfrownswouldbeasufficientsubstituteforcapitalpunishment。\'
\'Sing！\'saidshe，andagaintouchingthepiano，shecommencedanaccompanimentinspiritedstyle。
\'Nowismytimetoslipaway，\'thoughtI:butthetonesthatthenseveredtheairarrestedme。Mrs。FairfaxhadsaidMr。Rochesterpossessedafinevoice:hedid—amellow，powerfulbass，intowhichhethrewhisownfeeling，hisownforce:findingawaythroughtheeartotheheart，andtherewakingsensationstrangely。Iwaitedtillthelastdeepandfullvibrationhadexpired—tillthetideoftalk，checkedaninstant，hadresumeditsflow;Ithenquittedmyshelteredcornerandmademyexitbytheside—door，whichwasfortunatelynear。Thenceanarrowpassageledintothehall:incrossingit，Iperceivedmysandalwasloose;Istoppedtotieit，kneelingdownforthatpurposeonthematatthefootofthestaircase。Iheardthedining—roomdoorunclose;agentlemancameout;
risinghastily，Istoodfacetofacewithhim:itwasMr。Rochester。
\'Howdoyoudo？\'heasked。
\'Iamverywell，sir。\'
\'Whydidyounotcomeandspeaktomeintheroom？\'
IthoughtImighthaveretortedthequestiononhimwhoputit:butIwouldnottakethatfreedom。Ianswered—
\'Ididnotwishtodisturbyou，asyouseemedengaged，sir。\'
\'Whathaveyoubeendoingduringmyabsence？\'
\'Nothingparticular;teachingAdeleasusual。\'
\'Andgettingagooddealpalerthanyouwere—asIsawatfirstsight。Whatisthematter？\'
\'Nothingatall，sir。\'
\'Didyoutakeanycoldthatnightyouhalfdrownedme？\'
\'Nottheleast。\'
\'Returntothedrawing—room:youaredesertingtooearly。\'
\'Iamtired，sir。\'
Helookedatmeforaminute。
\'Andalittledepressed，\'hesaid。\'Whatabout？Tellme。\'
\'Nothing—nothing，sir。Iamnotdepressed。\'
\'ButIaffirmthatyouare:somuchdepressedthatafewmorewordswouldbringtearstoyoureyes—indeed，theyaretherenow，shiningandswimming;andabeadhasslippedfromthelashandfallenontotheflag。IfIhadtime，andwasnotinmortaldreadofsomepratingprigofaservantpassing，Iwouldknowwhatallthismeans。Well，to—nightIexcuseyou;butunderstandthatsolongasmyvisitorsstay，Iexpectyoutoappearinthedrawing—roomeveryevening;itismywish;don\'tneglectit。Nowgo，andsendSophieforAdele。
Good—night，my—\'Hestopped，bithislip，andabruptlyleftme。
chapter18
CHAPTERXVIII
MERRYdaysweretheseatThornfieldHall;andbusydaystoo:howdifferentfromthefirstthreemonthsofstillness，monotony，andsolitudeIhadpassedbeneathitsroof！Allsadfeelingsseemednowdrivenfromthehouse，allgloomyassociationsforgotten:therewaslifeeverywhere，movementalldaylong。Youcouldnotnowtraversethegallery，oncesohushed，norenterthefrontchambers，oncesotenantless，withoutencounteringasmartlady\'s—maidoradandyvalet。
Thekitchen，thebutler\'spantry，theservants\'hall，theentrancehall，wereequallyalive;andthesaloonswereonlyleftvoidandstillwhentheblueskyandhalcyonsunshineofthegenialspringweathercalledtheiroccupantsoutintothegrounds。Evenwhenthatweatherwasbroken，andcontinuousrainsetinforsomedays，nodampseemedcastoverenjoyment:indooramusementsonlybecamemorelivelyandvaried，inconsequenceofthestopputtooutdoorgaiety。
Iwonderedwhattheyweregoingtodothefirsteveningachangeofentertainmentwasproposed:theyspokeof\'playingcharades，\'butinmyignoranceIdidnotunderstandtheterm。Theservantswerecalledin，thedining—roomtableswheeledaway，thelightsotherwisedisposed，thechairsplacedinasemicircleoppositethearch。WhileMr。Rochesterandtheothergentlemendirectedthesealterations，theladieswererunningupanddownstairsringingfortheirmaids。
Mrs。Fairfaxwassummonedtogiveinformationrespectingtheresourcesofthehouseinshawls，dresses，draperiesofanykind;andcertainwardrobesofthethirdstoreywereransacked，andtheircontents，intheshapeofbrocadedandhoopedpetticoats，satinsacques，blackmodes，lacelappets，etc。，werebroughtdowninarmfulsbytheabigails;thenaselectionwasmade，andsuchthingsaswerechosenwerecarriedtotheboudoirwithinthedrawing—room。
Meantime，Mr。Rochesterhadagainsummonedtheladiesroundhim，andwasselectingcertainoftheirnumbertobeofhisparty。\'MissIngramismine，ofcourse，\'saidhe:afterwardshenamedthetwoMissesEshton，andMrs。Dent。Helookedatme:Ihappenedtobenearhim，asIhadbeenfasteningtheclaspofMrs。Dent\'sbracelet，whichhadgotloose。
\'Willyouplay？\'heasked。Ishookmyhead。Hedidnotinsist，whichIratherfearedhewouldhavedone;heallowedmetoreturnquietlytomyusualseat。
Heandhisaidsnowwithdrewbehindthecurtain:theotherparty，whichwasheadedbyColonelDent，satdownonthecrescentofchairs。Oneofthegentlemen，Mr。Eshton，observingme，seemedtoproposethatIshouldbeaskedtojointhem;butLadyIngraminstantlynegativedthenotion。
\'No，\'Iheardhersay:\'shelookstoostupidforanygameofthesort。\'
Erelongabelltinkled，andthecurtaindrewup。Withinthearch，thebulkyfigureofSirGeorgeLynn，whomMr。Rochesterhadlikewisechosen，wasseenenvelopedinawhitesheet:beforehim，onatable，layopenalargebook;andathissidestoodAmyEshton，drapedinMr。Rochester\'scloak，andholdingabookinherhand。Somebody，unseen，rangthebellmerrily;thenAdele（whohadinsistedonbeingoneofherguardian\'sparty），boundedforward，scatteringroundherthecontentsofabasketofflowersshecarriedonherarm。ThenappearedthemagnificentfigureofMissIngram，cladinwhite，alongveilonherhead，andawreathofrosesroundherbrow;byhersidewalkedMr。Rochester，andtogethertheydrewnearthetable。Theyknelt;whileMrs。DentandLouisaEshton，dressedalsoinwhite，tookuptheirstationsbehindthem。Aceremonyfollowed，indumbshow，inwhichitwaseasytorecognisethepantomimeofamarriage。Atitstermination，ColonelDent，andhispartyconsultedinwhispersfortwominutes，thentheColonelcalledout—
\'Bride！\'Mr。Rochesterbowed，andthecurtainfell。
Aconsiderableintervalelapsedbeforeitagainrose。Itssecondrisingdisplayedamoreelaboratelypreparedscenethanthelast。
Thedrawing—room，asIhavebeforeobserved，wasraisedtwostepsabovethedining—room，andonthetopoftheupperstep，placedayardortwobackwithintheroom，appearedalargemarblebasin，whichI
recognisedasanornamentoftheconservatory—whereitusuallystood，surroundedbyexotics，andtenantedbygoldfish—andwhenceitmusthavebeentransportedwithsometrouble，onaccountofitssizeandweight。
Seatedonthecarpet，bythesideofthisbasin，wasseenMr。
Rochester，costumedinshawls，withaturbanonhishead。HisdarkeyesandswarthyskinandPaynimfeaturessuitedthecostumeexactly:helookedtheverymodelofanEasternemir，anagentoravictimofthebowstring。PresentlyadvancedintoviewMissIngram。
She，too，wasattiredinorientalfashion:acrimsonscarftiedsash—likeroundthewaist;anembroideredhandkerchiefknottedabouthertemples;herbeautifullymouldedarmsbare，oneofthemupraisedintheactofsupportingapitcher，poisedgracefullyonherhead。
Bothhercastofformandfeature，hercomplexionandhergeneralair，suggestedtheideaofsomeIsraelitishprincessofthepatriarchaldays;andsuchwasdoubtlessthecharactersheintendedtorepresent。
Sheapproachedthebasin，andbentoveritasiftofillherpitcher;sheagainliftedittoherhead。Thepersonageonthewell—brinknowseemedtoaccosther;tomakesomerequest:—\'Shehasted，letdownherpitcheronherhand，andgavehimtodrink。\'Fromthebosomofhisrobehethenproducedacasket，openeditandshowedmagnificentbraceletsandearrings;sheactedastonishmentandadmiration;kneeling，helaidthetreasureatherfeet;
incredulityanddelightwereexpressedbyherlooksandgestures;
thestrangerfastenedthebraceletsonherarmsandtheringsinherears。ItwasEliezerandRebecca:thecamelsonlywerewanting。
Thediviningpartyagainlaidtheirheadstogether:apparentlytheycouldnotagreeaboutthewordorsyllablethesceneillustrated。
ColonelDent，theirspokesman，demanded\'thetableauofthewhole\';
whereuponthecurtainagaindescended。
Onitsthirdrisingonlyaportionofthedrawing—roomwasdisclosed;therestbeingconcealedbyascreen，hungwithsomesortofdarkandcoarsedrapery。Themarblebasinwasremoved;initsplacestoodadealtableandakitchenchair:theseobjectswerevisiblebyaverydimlightproceedingfromahornlantern，thewaxcandlesbeingallextinguished。
Amidstthissordidscene，satamanwithhisclenchedhandsrestingonhisknees，andhiseyesbentontheground。IknewMr。Rochester;
thoughthebegrimedface，thedisordereddress（hiscoathangingloosefromonearm，asifithadbeenalmosttornfromhisbackinascuffle），thedesperateandscowlingcountenancetherough，bristlinghairmightwellhavedisguisedhim。Ashemoved，achainclanked;tohiswristswereattachedfetters。
\'Bridewell！\'exclaimedColonelDent，andthecharadewassolved。
Asufficientintervalhavingelapsedfortheperformerstoresumetheirordinarycostume，theyre—enteredthedining—room。Mr。RochesterledinMissIngram;shewascomplimentinghimonhisacting。
\'Doyouknow，\'saidshe，\'that，ofthethreecharacters，Ilikedyouinthelastbest？Oh，hadyoubutlivedafewyearsearlier，whatagallantgentleman—highwaymanyouwouldhavemade！\'
\'Isallthesootwashedfrommyface？\'heasked，turningittowardsher。
\'Alas！yes:themore\'sthepity！Nothingcouldbemorebecomingtoyourcomplexionthanthatruffian\'srouge。\'
\'Youwouldlikeaherooftheroadthen？\'
\'AnEnglishherooftheroadwouldbethenextbestthingtoanItalianbandit;andthatcouldonlybesurpassedbyaLevantinepirate。\'
\'Well，whateverIam，rememberyouaremywife;weweremarriedanhoursince，inthepresenceofallthesewitnesses。\'Shegiggled，andhercolourrose。
\'Now，Dent，\'continuedMr。Rochester，\'itisyourturn。\'
Andastheotherpartywithdrew，heandhisbandtookthevacatedseats。MissIngramplacedherselfatherleader\'srighthand;theotherdivinersfilledthechairsoneachsideofhimandher。Ididnotnowwatchtheactors;Inolongerwaitedwithinterestforthecurtaintorise;myattentionwasabsorbedbythespectators;myeyes，erewhilefixedonthearch，werenowirresistiblyattractedtothesemicircleofchairs。
WhatcharadeColonelDentandhispartyplayed，whatwordtheychose，howtheyacquittedthemselves，Inolongerremember;butI
stillseetheconsultationwhichfollowedeachscene:IseeMr。
RochesterturntoMissIngram，andMissIngramtohim;Iseeherinclineherheadtowardshim，tillthejettycurlsalmosttouchhisshoulderandwaveagainsthischeek;Iheartheirmutualwhisperings;Irecalltheirinterchangedglances;andsomethingevenofthefeelingrousedbythespectaclereturnsinmemoryatthismoment。
Ihavetoldyou，reader，thatIhadlearnttoloveMr。
Rochester:I
couldnotunlovehimnow，merelybecauseIfoundthathehadceasedtonoticeme—becauseImightpasshoursinhispresence，andhewouldneveronceturnhiseyesinmydirection—becauseIsawallhisattentionsappropriatedbyagreatlady，whoscornedtotouchmewiththehemofherrobesasshepassed;who，ifeverherdarkandimperiouseyefellonmebychance，wouldwithdrawitinstantlyasfromanobjecttoomeantomeritobservation。Icouldnotunlovehim，becauseIfeltsurehewouldsoonmarrythisverylady—becauseI
readdailyinheraproudsecurityinhisintentionsrespectingher—
becauseIwitnessedhourlyinhimastyleofcourtshipwhich，ifcarelessandchoosingrathertobesoughtthantoseek，wasyet，initsverycarelessness，captivating，andinitsverypride，irresistible。
Therewasnothingtocoolorbanishloveinthesecircumstances，thoughmuchtocreatedespair。Muchtoo，youwillthink，reader，toengenderjealousy:ifawoman，inmyposition，couldpresumetobejealousofawomaninMissIngram\'s。ButIwasnotjealous:orveryrarely;—thenatureofthepainIsufferedcouldnotbeexplainedbythatword。MissIngramwasamarkbeneathjealousy:shewastooinferiortoexcitethefeeling。Pardontheseemingparadox;ImeanwhatIsay。Shewasveryshowy，butshewasnotgenuine:shehadafineperson，manybrilliantattainments;buthermindwaspoor，herheartbarrenbynature:nothingbloomedspontaneouslyonthatsoil;
nounforcednaturalfruitdelightedbyitsfreshness。Shewasnotgood;
shewasnotoriginal:sheusedtorepeatsoundingphrasesfrombooks:sheneveroffered，norhad，anopinionofherown。Sheadvocatedahightoneofsentiment;butshedidnotknowthesensationsofsympathyandpity;tendernessandtruthwerenotinher。
Toooftenshebetrayedthis，bytheundueventshegavetoaspitefulantipathyshehadconceivedagainstlittleAdele:pushingherawaywithsomecontumeliousepithetifshehappenedtoapproachher;
sometimesorderingherfromtheroom，andalwaystreatingherwithcoldnessandacrimony。Othereyesbesidesminewatchedthesemanifestationsofcharacter—watchedthemclosely，keenly，shrewdly。
Yes;thefuturebridegroom，Mr。Rochesterhimself，exercisedoverhisintendedaceaselesssurveillance;anditwasfromthissagacity—thisguardednessofhis—thisperfect，clearconsciousnessofhisfairone\'sdefects—thisobviousabsenceofpassioninhissentimentstowardsher，thatmyever—torturingpainarose。
Isawhewasgoingtomarryher，forfamily，perhapspoliticalreasons，becauseherrankandconnectionssuitedhim;Ifelthehadnotgivenherhislove，andthatherqualificationswereilladaptedtowinfromhimthattreasure。Thiswasthepoint—thiswaswherethenervewastouchedandteased—thiswaswherethefeverwassustainedandfed:shecouldnotcharmhim。
Ifshehadmanagedthevictoryatonce，andhehadyieldedandsincerelylaidhisheartatherfeet，Ishouldhavecoveredmyface，turnedtothewall，and（figuratively）havediedtothem。IfMissIngramhadbeenagoodandnoblewoman，endowedwithforce，fervour，kindness，sense，Ishouldhavehadonevitalstrugglewithtwotigers—
jealousyanddespair:then，myhearttornoutanddevoured，Ishouldhaveadmiredher—acknowledgedherexcellence，andbeenquietfortherestofmydays:andthemoreabsolutehersuperiority，thedeeperwouldhavebeenmyadmiration—themoretrulytranquilmyquiescence。Butasmattersreallystood，towatchMissIngram\'seffortsatfascinatingMr。Rochester，towitnesstheirrepeatedfailure—herselfunconsciousthattheydidfail;vainlyfancyingthateachshaftlaunchedhitthemark，andinfatuatedlyplumingherselfonsuccess，whenherprideandself—complacencyrepelledfurtherandfurtherwhatshewishedtoallure—towitnessthis，wastobeatonceunderceaselessexcitationandruthlessrestraint。
Because，whenshefailed，Isawhowshemighthavesucceeded。
ArrowsthatcontinuallyglancedofffromMr。Rochester\'sbreastandfellharmlessathisfeet，might，Iknew，ifshotbyasurerhand，havequiveredkeeninhisproudheart—havecalledloveintohissterneye，andsoftnessintohissardonicface;or，betterstill，withoutweaponsasilentconquestmighthavebeenwon。
\'Whycanshenotinfluencehimmore，whensheisprivilegedtodrawsoneartohim？\'Iaskedmyself。\'Surelyshecannottrulylikehim，ornotlikehimwithtrueaffection！Ifshedid，sheneednotcoinhersmilessolavishly，flashherglancessounremittingly，manufactureairssoelaborate，gracessomultitudinous。Itseemstomethatshemight，bymerelysittingquietlyathisside，sayinglittleandlookingless，getnigherhisheart。Ihaveseeninhisfaceafardifferentexpressionfromthatwhichhardensitnowwhilesheissovivaciouslyaccostinghim;butthenitcameofitself:itwasnotelicitedbymeretriciousartsandcalculatedmanoeuvres;andonehadbuttoacceptit—toanswerwhatheaskedwithoutpretension，toaddresshimwhenneedfulwithoutgrimace—anditincreasedandgrewkinderandmoregenial，andwarmedonelikeafosteringsunbeam。Howwillshemanagetopleasehimwhentheyaremarried？Idonotthinkshewillmanageit;andyetitmightbemanaged;andhiswifemight，I
verilybelieve，betheveryhappiestwomanthesunshineson。\'
IhavenotyetsaidanythingcondemnatoryofMr。Rochester\'sprojectofmarryingforinterestandconnections。ItsurprisedmewhenIfirstdiscoveredthatsuchwashisintention:Ihadthoughthimamanunlikelytobeinfluencedbymotivessocommonplaceinhischoiceofawife;butthelongerIconsideredtheposition，education，etc。，oftheparties，thelessIfeltjustifiedinjudgingandblamingeitherhimorMissIngramforactinginconformitytoideasandprinciplesinstilledintothem，doubtless，fromtheirchildhood。Alltheirclassheldtheseprinciples:Isupposed，then，theyhadreasonsforholdingthemsuchasIcouldnotfathom。Itseemedtomethat，wereIagentlemanlikehim，IwouldtaketomybosomonlysuchawifeasIcouldlove;buttheveryobviousnessoftheadvantagestothehusband\'sownhappinessofferedbythisplanconvincedmethattheremustbeargumentsagainstitsgeneraladoptionofwhichIwasquiteignorant:otherwiseIfeltsurealltheworldwouldactasIwishedtoact。
Butinotherpoints，aswellasthis，Iwasgrowingverylenienttomymaster:Iwasforgettingallhisfaults，forwhichIhadoncekeptasharplook—out。Ithadformerlybeenmyendeavourtostudyallsidesofhischaracter:totakethebadwiththegood;andfromthejustweighingofboth，toformanequitablejudgment。NowIsawnobad。Thesarcasmthathadrepelled，theharshnessthathadstartledmeonce，wereonlylikekeencondimentsinachoicedish:theirpresencewaspungent，buttheirabsencewouldbefeltascomparativelyinsipid。Andasforthevaguesomething—wasitasinisterorasorrowful，adesigningoradespondingexpression？—thatopeneduponacarefulobserver，nowandthen，inhiseye，andclosedagainbeforeonecouldfathomthestrangedepthpartiallydisclosed;thatsomethingwhichusedtomakemefearandshrink，asifIhadbeenwanderingamongstvolcanic—lookinghills，andhadsuddenlyfeltthegroundquiverandseenitgape:thatsomething，I，atintervals，beheldstill;andwiththrobbingheart，butnotwithpalsiednerves。
Insteadofwishingtoshun，Ilongedonlytodare—todivineit;andI
thoughtMissIngramhappy，becauseonedayshemightlookintotheabyssatherleisure，exploreitssecretsandanalysetheirnature。
Meantime，whileIthoughtonlyofmymasterandhisfuturebride—
sawonlythem，heardonlytheirdiscourse，andconsideredonlytheirmovementsofimportance—therestofthepartywereoccupiedwiththeirownseparateinterestsandpleasures。TheLadiesLynnandIngramcontinuedtoconsortinsolemnconferences，wheretheynoddedtheirtwoturbansateachother，andhelduptheirfourhandsinconfrontinggesturesofsurprise，ormystery，orhorror，accordingtothethemeonwhichtheirgossipran，likeapairofmagnifiedpuppets。MildMrs。
Denttalkedwithgood—naturedMrs。Eshton;andthetwosometimesbestowedacourteouswordorsmileonme。SirGeorgeLynn，ColonelDent，andMr。Eshtondiscussedpolitics，orcountyaffairs，orjusticebusiness。LordIngramflirtedwithAmyEshton;LouisaplayedandsangtoandwithoneoftheMessrs。Lynn;andMaryIngramlistenedlanguidlytothegallantspeechesoftheother。Sometimesall，aswithoneconsent，suspendedtheirby—playtoobserveandlistentotheprincipalactors:for，afterall，Mr。Rochesterand—becausecloselyconnectedwithhim—MissIngramwerethelifeandsouloftheparty。
Ifhewasabsentfromtheroomanhour，aperceptibledulnessseemedtostealoverthespiritsofhisguests;andhisre—entrancewassuretogiveafreshimpulsetothevivacityofconversation。
ThewantofhisanimatinginfluenceappearedtobepeculiarlyfeltonedaythathehadbeensummonedtoMillcoteonbusiness，andwasnotlikelytoreturntilllate。Theafternoonwaswet:awalkthepartyhadproposedtotaketoseeagipsycamp，latelypitchedonacommonbeyondHay，wasconsequentlydeferred。Someofthegentlemenweregonetothestables:theyoungerones，togetherwiththeyoungerladies，wereplayingbilliardsinthebilliard—room。ThedowagersIngramandLynnsoughtsolaceinaquietgameatcards。
BlancheIngram，afterhavingrepelled，bysupercilioustaciturnity，someeffortsofMrs。DentandMrs。Eshtontodrawherintoconversation，hadfirstmurmuredoversomesentimentaltunesandairsonthepiano，andthen，havingfetchedanovelfromthelibrary，hadflungherselfinhaughtylistlessnessonasofa，andpreparedtobeguile，bythespelloffiction，thetedioushoursofabsence。Theroomandthehouseweresilent:onlynowandthenthemerrimentofthebilliard—playerswasheardfromabove。
Itwasvergingondusk，andthedockhadalreadygivenwarningofthehourtodressfordinner，whenlittleAdele，whokneltbymeinthedrawing—roomwindow—seat，suddenlyexclaimed—
\'VoilaMonsieurRochester，quirevient！\'
Iturned，andMissIngramdartedforwardsfromhersofa:
theothers，too，lookedupfromtheirseveraloccupations;foratthesametimeacrunchingofwheelsandasplashingtrampofhorse—hoofsbecameaudibleonthewetgravel。Apost—chaisewasapproaching。
\'Whatcanpossesshimtocomehomeinthatstyle？\'saidMissIngram。\'HerodeMesrour（theblackhorse），didhenot，whenhewentout？andPilotwaswithhim:—whathashedonewiththeanimals？\'
Asshesaidthis，sheapproachedhertallpersonandamplegarmentssonearthewindow，thatIwasobligedtobendbackalmosttothebreakingofmyspine:inhereagernessshedidnotobservemeatfirst，butwhenshedid，shecurledherlipandmovedtoanothercasement。Thepost—chaisestopped;thedriverrangthedoor—bell，andagentlemanalightedattiredintravellinggarb;butitwasnotMr。Rochester;itwasatall，fashionable—lookingman，astranger。
\'Howprovoking！\'exclaimedMissIngram:\'youtiresomemonkey！\'
（apostrophisingAdele），\'whoperchedyouupinthewindowtogivefalseintelligence？\'andshecastonmeanangryglance，asifI
wereinfault。
Someparleyingwasaudibleinthehall，andsoonthenewcomerentered。HebowedtoLadyIngram，asdeeminghertheeldestladypresent。
\'ItappearsIcomeataninopportunetime，madam，\'saidhe，\'whenmyfriend，Mr。Rochester，isfromhome;butIarrivefromaverylongjourney，andIthinkImaypresumesofaronoldandintimateacquaintanceastoinstalmyselfheretillhereturns。\'
Hismannerwaspolite;hisaccent，inspeaking，struckmeasbeingsomewhatunusual，—notpreciselyforeign，butstillnotaltogetherEnglish:hisagemightbeaboutMr。Rochester\'s，—betweenthirtyandforty;hiscomplexionwassingularlysallow:otherwisehewasafine—lookingman，atfirstsightespecially。Oncloserexamination，youdetectedsomethinginhisfacethatdispleased，orratherthatfailedtoplease。Hisfeatureswereregular，buttoorelaxed:hiseyewaslargeandwellcut，butthelifelookingoutofitwasatame，vacantlife—atleastsoIthought。
Thesoundofthedressing—belldispersedtheparty。ItwasnottillafterdinnerthatIsawhimagain:hethenseemedquiteathisease。