Thereshesat，staidandtaciturn—looking，asusual，inherbrownstuffgown，hercheckapron，Whitehandkerchief，andcap。Shewasintentonherwork，inwhichherwholethoughtsseemedabsorbed:onherhardforehead，andinhercommonplacefeatures，wasnothingeitherofthepalenessordesperationonewouldhaveexpectedtoseemarkingthecountenanceofawomanwhohadattemptedmurder，andwhoseintendedvictimhadfollowedherlastnighttoherlair，and（asI
believed），chargedherwiththecrimeshewishedtoperpetrate。I
wasamazed—confounded。Shelookedup，whileIstillgazedather:nostart，noincreaseorfailureofcolourbetrayedemotion，consciousnessofguilt，orfearofdetection。Shesaid\'Goodmorning，Miss，\'inherusualphlegmaticandbriefmanner;andtakingupanotherringandmoretape，wentonwithhersewing。
\'Iwillputhertosometest，\'thoughtI:\'suchabsoluteimpenetrabilityispastcomprehension。\'
\'Goodmorning，Grace，\'Isaid。\'Hasanythinghappenedhere？
I
thoughtIheardtheservantsalltalkingtogetherawhileago。\'
\'Onlymasterhadbeenreadinginhisbedlastnight;hefellasleepwithhiscandlelit，andthecurtainsgotonfire;but，fortunately，heawokebeforethebedclothesorthewoodworkcaught，andcontrivedtoquenchtheflameswiththewaterintheewer。\'
\'Astrangeaffair！\'Isaid，inalowvoice:then，lookingatherfixedly—\'DidMr。Rochesterwakenobody？Didnoonehearhimmove？\'
Sheagainraisedhereyestome，andthistimetherewassomethingofconsciousnessintheirexpression。Sheseemedtoexaminemewarily;thensheanswered—
\'Theservantssleepsofaroff，youknow，Miss，theywouldnotbelikelytohear。Mrs。Fairfax\'sroomandyoursarethenearesttomaster\'s;butMrs。Fairfaxsaidsheheardnothing:whenpeoplegetelderly，theyoftensleepheavy。\'Shepaused，andthenadded，withasortofassumedindifference，butstillinamarkedandsignificanttone—\'Butyouareyoung，Miss;andIshouldsayalightsleeper:
perhapsyoumayhaveheardanoise？\'
\'Idid，\'saidI，droppingmyvoice，sothatLeah，whowasstillpolishingthepanes，couldnothearme，\'andatfirstIthoughtitwasPilot:butPilotcannotlaugh;andIamcertainIheardalaugh，andastrangeone。\'
Shetookanewneedlefulofthread，waxeditcarefully，threadedherneedlewithasteadyhand，andthenobserved，withperfectcomposure—
\'Itishardlylikelymasterwouldlaugh，Ishouldthink，Miss，whenhewasinsuchdanger:youmusthavebeendreaming。\'
\'Iwasnotdreaming，\'Isaid，withsomewarmth，forherbrazencoolnessprovokedme。Againshelookedatme;andwiththesamescrutinisingandconsciouseye。
\'Haveyoutoldmasterthatyouheardalaugh？\'sheinquired。
\'Ihavenothadtheopportunityofspeakingtohimthismorning。\'
\'Youdidnotthinkofopeningyourdoorandlookingoutintothegallery？\'shefurtherasked。
Sheappearedtobecross—questioningme，attemptingtodrawfrommeinformationunawares。TheideastruckmethatifshediscoveredIkneworsuspectedherguilt，shewouldbeplayingoffsomeofhermalignantpranksonme;Ithoughtitadvisabletobeonmyguard。
\'Onthecontrary，\'saidI，\'Iboltedmydoor。\'
\'Thenyouarenotinthehabitofboltingyourdooreverynightbeforeyougetintobed？\'
\'Fiend！shewantstoknowmyhabits，thatshemaylayherplansaccordingly！\'Indignationagainprevailedoverprudence:Irepliedsharply，\'HithertoIhaveoftenomittedtofastenthebolt:Ididnotthinkitnecessary。IwasnotawareanydangerorannoyancewastobedreadedatThornfieldHall:butinfuture\'（andIlaidmarkedstressonthewords）\'IshalltakegoodcaretomakeallsecurebeforeIventuretoliedown。\'
\'Itwillbewisesotodo，\'washeranswer:\'thisneighbourhoodisasquietasanyIknow，andIneverheardofthehallbeingattemptedbyrobberssinceitwasahouse;thoughtherearehundredsofpounds\'worthofplateintheplate—closet，asiswellknown。Andyousee，forsuchalargehouse，thereareveryfewservants，becausemasterhasneverlivedheremuch;andwhenhedoescome，beingabachelor，heneedslittlewaitingon:butIalwaysthinkitbesttoerronthesafeside;adoorissoonfastened，anditisaswelltohaveadrawnboltbetweenoneandanymischiefthatmaybeabout。A
dealofpeople，Miss，arefortrustingalltoProvidence;butIsayProvidencewillnotdispensewiththemeans，thoughHeoftenblessesthemwhentheyareuseddiscreetly。\'Andheresheclosedherharangue:
alongoneforher，andutteredwiththedemurenessofaQuakeress。
Istillstoodabsolutelydumfounderedatwhatappearedtomehermiraculousself—possession，andmostinscrutablehypocrisy，whenthecookentered。
\'Mrs。Poole，\'saidshe，addressingGrace，\'theservants\'
dinnerwillsoonbeready:willyoucomedown？\'
\'No;justputmypintofporterandbitofpuddingonatray，andI\'llcarryitupstairs。\'
\'You\'llhavesomemeat？\'
\'Justamorsel，andatasteofcheese，that\'sall。\'
\'Andthesago？\'
\'Neverminditatpresent:Ishallbecomingdownbeforetea—time:I\'llmakeitmyself。\'
Thecookhereturnedtome，sayingthatMrs。Fairfaxwaswaitingforme:soIdeparted。
IhardlyheardMrs。Fairfax\'saccountofthecurtainconflagrationduringdinner，somuchwasIoccupiedinpuzzlingmybrainsovertheenigmaticalcharacterofGracePoole，andstillmoreinponderingtheproblemofherpositionatThornfieldandquestioningwhyshehadnotbeengivenintocustodythatmorning，or，attheveryleast，dismissedfromhermaster\'sservice。Hehadalmostasmuchasdeclaredhisconvictionofhercriminalitylastnight:whatmysteriouscausewithheldhimfromaccusingher？Whyhadheenjoinedme，too，tosecrecy？Itwasstrange:abold，vindictive，andhaughtygentlemanseemedsomehowinthepowerofoneofthemeanestofhisdependants;somuchinherpower，thatevenwhensheliftedherhandagainsthislife，hedarednotopenlychargeherwiththeattempt，muchlesspunishherforit。
HadGracebeenyoungandhandsome，IshouldhavebeentemptedtothinkthattendererfeelingsthanprudenceorfearinfluencedMr。
Rochesterinherbehalf;but，hard—favouredandmatronlyasshewas，theideacouldnotbeadmitted。\'Yet，\'Ireflected，\'shehasbeenyoungonce;heryouthwouldbecontemporarywithhermaster\'s:Mrs。
Fairfaxtoldmeonce，shehadlivedheremanyyears。Idon\'tthinkshecaneverhavebeenpretty;but，foraughtIknow，shemaypossessoriginalityandstrengthofcharactertocompensateforthewantofpersonaladvantages。Mr。Rochesterisanamateurofthedecidedandeccentric:Graceiseccentricatleast。Whatifaformercaprice（afreakverypossibletoanaturesosuddenandheadstrongashis）hasdeliveredhimintoherpower，andshenowexercisesoverhisactionsasecretinfluence，theresultofhisownindiscretion，whichhecannotshakeoff，anddarenotdisregard？\'But，havingreachedthispointofconjecture，Mrs。Poole\'ssquare，flatfigure，anduncomely，dry，evencoarseface，recurredsodistinctlytomymind\'seye，thatI
thought，\'No;impossible！mysuppositioncannotbecorrect。Yet，\'
suggestedthesecretvoicewhichtalkstousinourownhearts，\'youarenotbeautifuleither，andperhapsMr。Rochesterapprovesyou:atanyrate，youhaveoftenfeltasifhedid;andlastnight—rememberhiswords;rememberhislook;rememberhisvoice！\'
Iwellrememberedall;language，glance，andtoneseemedatthemomentvividlyrenewed。Iwasnowintheschoolroom;Adelewasdrawing;Ibentoverheranddirectedherpencil。Shelookedupwithasortofstart。
\'Qu\'avez—vous，mademoiselle？\'saidshe。\'Vosdoigtstremblentcommelafeuille，etvosjouessontrouges:mais，rougescommedescerises！\'
\'Iamhot，Adele，withstooping！\'Shewentonsketching;
Iwentonthinking。
IhastenedtodrivefrommymindthehatefulnotionIhadbeenconceivingrespectingGracePoole;itdisgustedme。Icomparedmyselfwithher，andfoundweweredifferent。BessieLeavenhadsaidI
wasquitealady;andshespoketruth—Iwasalady。AndnowI
lookedmuchbetterthanIdidwhenBessiesawme;Ihadmorecolourandmoreflesh，morelife，morevivacity，becauseIhadbrighterhopesandkeenerenjoyments。
\'Eveningapproaches，\'saidI，asIlookedtowardsthewindow。
\'I
haveneverheardMr。Rochester\'svoiceorstepinthehouseto—day;
butsurelyIshallseehimbeforenight:Ifearedthemeetinginthemorning;nowIdesireit，becauseexpectationhasbeensolongbaffledthatitisgrownimpatient。\'
Whenduskactuallyclosed，andwhenAdeleleftmetogoandplayinthenurserywithSophie，Ididmostkeenlydesireit。Ilistenedforthebelltoringbelow;IlistenedforLeahcomingupwithamessage;IfanciedsometimesIheardMr。Rochester\'sowntread，andIturnedtothedoor，expectingittoopenandadmithim。Thedoorremainedshut;darknessonlycameinthroughthewindow。Stillitwasnotlate;heoftensentformeatsevenandeighto\'clock，anditwasyetbutsix。SurelyIshouldnotbewhollydisappointedto—night，whenIhadsomanythingstosaytohim！IwantedagaintointroducethesubjectofGracePoole，andtohearwhathewouldanswer;Iwantedtoaskhimplainlyifhereallybelieveditwasshewhohadmadelastnight\'shideousattempt;andifso，whyhekeptherwickednessasecret。Itlittlematteredwhethermycuriosityirritatedhim;Iknewthepleasureofvexingandsoothinghimbyturns;itwasoneIchieflydelightedin，andasureinstinctalwayspreventedmefromgoingtoofar;beyondthevergeofprovocationI
neverventured;ontheextremebrinkIlikedwelltotrymyskill。
Retainingeveryminuteformofrespect，everyproprietyofmystation，Icouldstillmeethiminargumentwithoutfearoruneasyrestraint;
thissuitedbothhimandme。
Atreadcreakedonthestairsatlast。Leahmadeherappearance;
butitwasonlytointimatethatteawasreadyinMrs。Fairfax\'sroom。
ThitherIrepaired，gladatleasttogodownstairs;forthatbroughtme，Iimagined，nearertoMr。Rochester\'spresence。
\'Youmustwantyourtea，\'saidthegoodlady，asIjoinedher;\'youatesolittleatdinner。Iamafraid，\'shecontinued，\'youarenotwellto—day:youlookflushedandfeverish。\'
\'Oh，quitewell！Ineverfeltbetter。\'
\'Thenyoumustproveitbyevincingagoodappetite;willyoufilltheteapotwhileIknitoffthisneedle？\'Havingcompletedhertask，sherosetodrawdowntheblind，whichshehadhithertokeptup，byway，Isuppose，ofmakingthemostofdaylight，thoughduskwasnowfastdeepeningintototalobscurity。
\'Itisfairto—night，\'saidshe，asshelookedthroughthepanes，\'thoughnotstarlight;Mr。Rochesterhas，onthewhole，hadafavourabledayforhisjourney。\'
\'Journey！—IsMr。Rochestergoneanywhere？Ididnotknowhewasout。\'
\'Oh，hesetoffthemomenthehadbreakfast！HeisgonetotheLeas，Mr。Eshton\'splace，tenmilesontheothersideMillcote。I
believethereisquiteapartyassembledthere;LordIngram，SirGeorgeLynn，ColonelDent，andothers。\'
\'Doyouexpecthimbackto—night？\'
\'No—norto—morroweither;Ishouldthinkheisverylikelytostayaweekormore:whenthesefine，fashionablepeoplegettogether，theyaresosurroundedbyeleganceandgaiety，sowellprovidedwithallthatcanpleaseandentertain，theyareinnohurrytoseparate。
Gentlemenespeciallyareofteninrequestonsuchoccasions;andMr。
Rochesterissotalentedandsolivelyinsociety，thatIbelieveheisageneralfavourite:theladiesareveryfondofhim;thoughyouwouldnotthinkhisappearancecalculatedtorecommendhimparticularlyintheireyes:butIsupposehisacquirementsandabilities，perhapshiswealthandgoodblood，makeamendsforanylittlefaultoflook。\'
\'ArethereladiesattheLeas？\'
\'ThereareMrs。Eshtonandherthreedaughters—veryelegantyoungladiesindeed;andtherearetheHonourableBlancheandMaryIngram，mostbeautifulwomen，Isuppose:indeedIhaveseenBlanche，sixorsevenyearssince，whenshewasagirlofeighteen。ShecameheretoaChristmasballandpartyMr。Rochestergave。Youshouldhaveseenthedining—roomthatday—howrichlyitwasdecorated，howbrilliantlylitup！Ishouldthinktherewerefiftyladiesandgentlemenpresent—allofthefirstcountyfamilies;andMissIngramwasconsideredthebelleoftheevening。\'
\'Yousawher，yousay，Mrs。Fairfax:whatwasshelike？\'
\'Yes，Isawher。Thedining—roomdoorswerethrownopen;
and，asitwasChristmas—time，theservantswereallowedtoassembleinthehall，tohearsomeoftheladiessingandplay。Mr。Rochesterwouldhavemetocomein，andIsatdowninaquietcornerandwatchedthem。I
neversawamoresplendidscene:theladiesweremagnificentlydressed;mostofthem—atleastmostoftheyoungerones—lookedhandsome;butMissIngramwascertainlythequeen。\'
\'Andwhatwasshelike？\'
\'Tall，finebust，slopingshoulders;long，gracefulneck:
olivecomplexion，darkandclear;noblefeatures;eyesratherlikeMr。
Rochester\'s:largeandblack，andasbrilliantasherjewels。Andthenshehadsuchafineheadofhair;raven—blackandsobecominglyarranged:acrownofthickplaitsbehind，andinfrontthelongest，theglossiestcurlsIeversaw。Shewasdressedinpurewhite;anamber—colouredscarfwaspassedoverhershoulderandacrossherbreast，tiedattheside，anddescendinginlong，fringedendsbelowherknee。Sheworeanamber—colouredflower，too，inherhair:itcontrastedwellwiththejettymassofhercurls。\'
\'Shewasgreatlyadmired，ofcourse？\'
\'Yes，indeed:andnotonlyforherbeauty，butforheraccomplishments。Shewasoneoftheladieswhosang:agentlemanaccompaniedheronthepiano。SheandMr。Rochestersangaduet。\'
\'Mr。Rochester？Iwasnotawarehecouldsing。\'
\'Oh！hehasafinebassvoice，andanexcellenttasteformusic。\'
\'AndMissIngram:whatsortofavoicehadshe？\'
\'Averyrichandpowerfulone:shesangdelightfully;itwasatreattolistentoher;—andsheplayedafterwards。Iamnojudgeofmusic，butMr。Rochesteris;andIheardhimsayherexecutionwasremarkablygood。\'
\'Andthisbeautifulandaccomplishedlady，sheisnotyetmarried。\'
\'Itappearsnot:Ifancyneithershenorhersisterhaveverylargefortunes。OldLordIngram\'sestateswerechieflyentailed，andtheeldestsoncameinforeverythingalmost。\'
\'ButIwondernowealthynoblemanorgentlemanhastakenafancytoher:Mr。Rochester，forinstance。Heisrich，ishenot？\'
\'Oh！yes。Butyouseethereisaconsiderabledifferenceinage:
Mr。Rochesterisnearlyforty;sheisbuttwenty—five。\'
\'Whatofthat？Moreunequalmatchesaremadeeveryday。\'
\'True:yetIshouldscarcelyfancyMr。Rochesterwouldentertainanideaofthesort。Butyoueatnothing:youhavescarcelytastedsinceyoubegantea。\'
\'No:Iamtoothirstytoeat。Willyouletmehaveanothercup？\'
IwasaboutagaintoreverttotheprobabilityofaunionbetweenMr。RochesterandthebeautifulBlanche;butAdelecamein，andtheconversationwasturnedintoanotherchannel。
Whenoncemorealone，IreviewedtheinformationIhadgot;
lookedintomyheart，examineditsthoughtsandfeelings，andendeavouredtobringbackwithastricthandsuchashadbeenstrayingthroughimagination\'sboundlessandtracklesswaste，intothesafefoldofcommonsense。
Arraignedatmyownbar，Memoryhavinggivenherevidenceofthehopes，wishes，sentimentsIhadbeencherishingsincelastnight—ofthegeneralstateofmindinwhichIhadindulgedfornearlyafortnightpast;Reasonhavingcomeforwardandtold，inherownquietway，aplain，unvarnishedtale，showinghowIhadrejectedthereal，andrabidlydevouredtheideal;—Ipronouncedjudgmenttothiseffect:—
ThatagreaterfoolthanJaneEyrehadneverbreathedthebreathoflife;thatamorefantasticidiothadneversurfeitedherselfonsweetlies，andswallowedpoisonasifitwerenectar。
\'You，\'Isaid，\'afavouritewithMr。Rochester？Yougiftedwiththepowerofpleasinghim？Youofimportancetohiminanyway？Go！yourfollysickensme。Andyouhavederivedpleasurefromoccasionaltokensofpreference—equivocaltokensshownbyagentlemanoffamilyandamanoftheworldtoadependantandanovice。Howdaredyou？Poorstupiddupe！—Couldnotevenself—interestmakeyouwiser？Yourepeatedtoyourselfthismorningthebriefsceneoflastnight？—
Coveryourfaceandbeashamed！Hesaidsomethinginpraiseofyoureyes，didhe？Blindpuppy！Opentheirblearedlidsandlookonyourownaccursedsenselessness！Itdoesgoodtonowomantobeflatteredbyhersuperior，whocannotpossiblyintendtomarryher;anditismadnessinallwomentoletasecretlovekindlewithinthem，which，ifunreturnedandunknown，mustdevourthelifethatfeedsit;and，ifdiscoveredandrespondedto，mustlead，ignis—fatuus—like，intomirywildswhencethereisnoextrication。
\'Listen，then，JaneEyre，toyoursentence:to—morrow，placetheglassbeforeyou，anddrawinchalkyourownpicture，faithfully，withoutsofteningonedefect;omitnoharshline，smoothawaynodispleasingirregularity;writeunderit，\"PortraitofaGoverness，disconnected，poor，andplain。\"
\'Afterwards，takeapieceofsmoothivory—youhaveonepreparedinyourdrawing—box:takeyourpalette，mixyourfreshest，finest，clearesttints;chooseyourmostdelicatecamel—hairpencils;
delineatecarefullytheloveliestfaceyoucanimagine;paintitinyoursoftestshadesandsweetesthues，accordingtothedescriptiongivenbyMrs。FairfaxofBlancheIngram;remembertheravenringlets，theorientaleye;—What！youreverttoMr。Rochesterasamodel！Order！Nosnivel！—nosentiment！—noregret！Iwillendureonlysenseandresolution。Recalltheaugustyetharmoniouslineaments，theGrecianneckandbust;lettheroundanddazzlingarmbevisible，andthedelicatehand;omitneitherdiamondringnorgoldbracelet;
portrayfaithfullytheattire，aeriallaceandglisteningsatin，gracefulscarfandgoldenrose;callit\"Blanche，anaccomplishedladyofrank。\"
\'Whenever，infuture，youshouldchancetofancyMr。Rochesterthinkswellofyou，takeoutthesetwopicturesandcomparethem:say，\"Mr。Rochestermightprobablywinthatnoblelady\'slove，ifhechosetostriveforit;isitlikelyhewouldwasteaseriousthoughtonthisindigentandinsignificantplebeian？\"\'
\'I\'lldoit，\'Iresolved:andhavingframedthisdetermination，I
grewcalm，andfellasleep。
Ikeptmyword。Anhourortwosufficedtosketchmyownportraitincrayons;andinlessthanafortnightIhadcompletedanivoryminiatureofanimaginaryBlancheIngram。Itlookedalovelyfaceenough，andwhencomparedwiththerealheadinchalk，thecontrastwasasgreatasself—controlcoulddesire。Iderivedbenefitfromthetask:ithadkeptmyheadandhandsemployed，andhadgivenforceandfixednesstothenewimpressionsIwishedtostampindeliblyonmyheart。
Erelong，IhadreasontocongratulatemyselfonthecourseofwholesomedisciplinetowhichIhadthusforcedmyfeelingstosubmit。
Thankstoit，Iwasabletomeetsubsequentoccurrenceswithadecentcalm，which，hadtheyfoundmeunprepared，Ishouldprobablyhavebeenunequaltomaintain，evenexternally。
chapter17CHAPTERXVII
AWEEKpassed，andnonewsarrivedofMr。Rochester:tendays，andstillhedidnotcome。Mrs。FairfaxsaidsheshouldnotbesurprisedifheweretogostraightfromtheLeastoLondon，andthencetotheContinent，andnotshowhisfaceagainatThornfieldforayeartocome;hehadnotunfrequentlyquitteditinamannerquiteasabruptandunexpected。WhenIheardthis，Iwasbeginningtofeelastrangechillandfailingattheheart。Iwasactuallypermittingmyselftoexperienceasickeningsenseofdisappointment;butrallyingmywits，andrecollectingmyprinciples，Iatoncecalledmysensationstoorder;anditwaswonderfulhowIgotoverthetemporaryblunder—howIclearedupthemistakeofsupposingMr。Rochester\'smovementsamatterinwhichIhadanycausetotakeavitalinterest。NotthatIhumbledmyselfbyaslavishnotionofinferiority:onthecontrary，Ijustsaid—
\'YouhavenothingtodowiththemasterofThornfield，furtherthantoreceivethesalaryhegivesyouforteachinghisprotegee，andtobegratefulforsuchrespectfulandkindtreatmentas，ifyoudoyourduty，youhavearighttoexpectathishands。Besurethatistheonlytieheseriouslyacknowledgesbetweenyouandhim;sodon\'tmakehimtheobjectofyourfinefeelings，yourraptures，agonies，andsoforth。Heisnotofyourorder:keeptoyourcaste，andbetooself—respectingtolavishtheloveofthewholeheart，soul，andstrength，wheresuchagiftisnotwantedandwouldbedespised。\'
Iwentonwithmyday\'sbusinesstranquilly;buteverandanonvaguesuggestionskeptwanderingacrossmybrainofreasonswhyI
shouldquitThornfield;andIkeptinvoluntarilyframingadvertisementsandponderingconjecturesaboutnewsituations:thesethoughtsIdidnotthinkitnecessarytocheck;theymightgerminateandbearfruitiftheycould。
Mr。Rochesterhadbeenabsentupwardsofafortnight，whenthepostbroughtMrs。Fairfaxaletter。
\'Itisfromthemaster，\'saidshe，asshelookedatthedirection。\'NowIsupposeweshallknowwhetherwearetoexpecthisreturnornot。\'
Andwhileshebrokethesealandperusedthedocument，Iwentontakingmycoffee（wewereatbreakfast）:itwashot，andI
attributedtothatcircumstanceafieryglowwhichsuddenlyrosetomyface。Whymyhandshook，andwhyIinvoluntarilyspilthalfthecontentsofmycupintomysaucer，Ididnotchoosetoconsider。
\'Well，Isometimesthinkwearetooquiet;butwerunachanceofbeingbusyenoughnow:foralittlewhileatleast，\'saidMrs。
Fairfax，stillholdingthenotebeforeherspectacles。
EreIpermittedmyselftorequestanexplanation，ItiedthestringofAdele\'spinafore，whichhappenedtobeloose:havinghelpedheralsotoanotherbunandrefilledhermugwithmilk，Isaidnonchalantly—
\'Mr。Rochesterisnotlikelytoreturnsoon，Isuppose？\'
\'Indeedheis—inthreedays，hesays:thatwillbenextThursday;andnotaloneeither。Idon\'tknowhowmanyofthefinepeopleattheLeasarecomingwithhim:hesendsdirectionsforallthebestbedroomstobeprepared;andthelibraryanddrawing—roomsaretobecleanedout;andIamtogetmorekitchenhandsfromtheGeorgeInn，atMillcote，andfromwhereverelseIcan;andtheladieswillbringtheirmaidsandthegentlementheirvalets:soweshallhaveafullhouseofit。\'AndMrs。Fairfaxswallowedherbreakfastandhastenedawaytocommenceoperations。
Thethreedayswere，asshehadforetold，busyenough。
IhadthoughtalltheroomsatThornfieldbeautifullycleanandwellarranged;butitappearsIwasmistaken。Threewomenweregottohelp;
andsuchscrubbing，suchbrushing，suchwashingofpaintandbeatingofcarpets，suchtakingdownandputtingupofpictures，suchpolishingofmirrorsandlustres，suchlightingoffiresinbedrooms，suchairingofsheetsandfeather—bedsonhearths，Ineverbeheld，eitherbeforeorsince。Adeleranquitewildinthemidstofit:thepreparationsforcompanyandtheprospectoftheirarrival，seemedtothrowherintoecstasies。ShewouldhaveSophietolookoverallher\'toilettes，\'asshecalledfrocks;tofurbishupanythatwere\'passees，\'andtoairandarrangethenew。Forherself，shedidnothingbutcaperaboutinthefrontchambers，jumponandoffthebedsteads，andlieonthemattressesandpiled—upbolstersandpillowsbeforetheenormousfiresroaringinthechimneys。Fromschooldutiesshewasexonerated:Mrs。Fairfaxhadpressedmeintoherservice，andIwasalldayinthestoreroom，helping（orhindering）
herandthecook;learningtomakecustardsandcheese—cakesandFrenchpastry，totrussgameandgarnishdessert—dishes。
ThepartywereexpectedtoarriveonThursdayafternoon，intimefordinneratsix。DuringtheinterveningperiodIhadnotimetonursechimeras;andIbelieveIwasasactiveandgayasanybody—
Adeleexcepted。Still，nowandthen，Ireceivedadampingchecktomycheerfulness;andwas，inspiteofmyself，thrownbackontheregionofdoubtsandportents，anddarkconjectures。ThiswaswhenI
chancedtoseethethird—storeystaircasedoor（whichoflatehadalwaysbeenkeptlocked）openslowly，andgivepassagetotheformofGracePoole，inprimcap，whiteapron，andhandkerchief;whenI
watchedherglidealongthegallery，herquiettreadmuffledinalistslipper;whenIsawherlookintothebustling，topsy—turvybedrooms，—
justsayaword，perhaps，tothecharwomanabouttheproperwaytopolishagrate，orcleanamarblemantelpiece，ortakestainsfrompaperedwalls，andthenpasson。Shewouldthusdescendtothekitchenonceaday，eatherdinner，smokeamoderatepipeonthehearth，andgoback，carryingherpotofporterwithher，forherprivatesolace，inherowngloomy，upperhaunt。Onlyonehourinthetwenty—fourdidshepasswithherfellow—servantsbelow;alltherestofhertimewasspentinsomelow—ceiled，oakenchamberofthesecondstorey:thereshesatandsewed—andprobablylaugheddrearilytoherself，—ascompanionlessasaprisonerinhisdungeon。
Thestrangestthingofallwas，thatnotasoulinthehouse，exceptme，noticedherhabits，orseemedtomarvelatthem:noonediscussedherpositionoremployment;noonepitiedhersolitudeorisolation。Ionce，indeed，overheardpartofadialoguebetweenLeahandoneofthecharwomen，ofwhichGraceformedthesubject。LeahhadbeensayingsomethingIhadnotcaught，andthecharwomanremarked—
\'Shegetsgoodwages，Iguess？\'
\'Yes，\'saidLeah;\'IwishIhadasgood;notthatminearetocomplainof，—there\'snostinginessatThornfield;butthey\'renotonefifthofthesumMrs。Poolereceives。Andsheislayingby:shegoeseveryquartertothebankatMillcote。Ishouldnotwonderbutshehassavedenoughtokeepherindependentifshelikedtoleave;butI
supposeshe\'sgotusedtotheplace;andthenshe\'snotfortyyet，andstrongandableforanything。Itistoosoonforhertogiveupbusiness。\'
\'Sheisagoodhand，Idaresay，\'saidthecharwoman。
\'Ah！—sheunderstandswhatshehastodo，—nobodybetter，\'
rejoinedLeahsignificantly;\'anditisnoteveryonecouldfillhershoes—notforallthemoneyshegets。\'
\'Thatitisnot！\'wasthereply。\'Iwonderwhetherthemaster—\'
Thecharwomanwasgoingon;buthereLeahturnedandperceivedme，andsheinstantlygavehercompanionanudge。
\'Doesn\'tsheknow？\'Iheardthewomanwhisper。
Leahshookherhead，andtheconversationwasofcoursedropped。
AllIhadgatheredfromitamountedtothis，—thattherewasamysteryatThornfield;andthatfromparticipationinthatmysteryIwaspurposelyexcluded。
Thursdaycame:allworkhadbeencompletedthepreviousevening;
carpetswerelaiddown，bed—hangingsfestooned，radiantwhitecounterpanesspread，toilettablesarranged，furniturerubbed，flowerspiledinvases:bothchambersandsaloonslookedasfreshandbrightashandscouldmakethem。Thehall，too，wasscoured;andthegreatcarvedclock，aswellasthestepsandbanistersofthestaircase，werepolishedtothebrightnessofglass;inthedining—room，thesideboardflashedresplendentwithplate;inthedrawing—roomandboudoir，vasesofexoticsbloomedonallsides。
Afternoonarrived:Mrs。Fairfaxassumedherbestblacksatingown，hergloves，andhergoldwatch;foritwasherparttoreceivethecompany，—toconducttheladiestotheirrooms，etc。Adele，too，wouldbedressed:thoughIthoughtshehadlittlechanceofbeingintroducedtothepartythatdayatleast。However，topleaseher，I
allowedSophietoapparelherinoneofhershort，fullmuslinfrocks。