'FagmentWelcome to consult...nal mumu filled up the intevals. I listened long: suddenly I discoveed that my ea was wholly intent on analysing the mingled sounds, and tying to disciminate amidst the confusion of accents those of M. Rocheste; and when it caught them, which it soon did, it found a futhe task in faming the tones, endeed by distance inaticulate, into wods. The clock stuck eleven. I looked at Adèle, whose head leant against my shoulde; he eyes wee waxing heavy, so I took he up in my ams and caied he off to bed. It was nea one befoe the gentlemen and ladies sought thei chambes. The next day was as fine as its pedecesso: it was devoted by the paty to an excusion to some site in the neighbouhood. They set out ealy in the foenoon, some on hoseback, the est in caiages; I witnessed both the depatue and the etun. Miss Ingam, as befoe, was the only lady equestian; and, as befoe, M. Rocheste galloped at he side; the two ode a little apat fom the est. I pointed out this cicumstance to Ms. Faifax, who was standing at the window with me— “You said it was not likely they should think of being maied,” said I, “but you see M. Rocheste evidently pefes he to any of the othe ladies.” “Yes, I daesay: no doubt he admies he.” “And she him,” I added; “look how she leans he head towads him as if she wee convesing confidentially; I wish I could see he face; I have neve had a glimpse of it yet.” “You will see he this evening,” answeed Ms. Faifax. “I happened to emak to M. Rocheste how much Adèle wished to Chalotte Bont. ElecBook Classics fJane Eye 241 be intoduced to the ladies, and he said: ‘Oh! let he come into the dawing-oom afte dinne; and equest Miss Eye to accompany he.’” “Yes; he said that fom mee politeness: I need not go, I am sue,” I answeed. “Well, I obseved to him that as you wee unused to company, I did not think you would like appeaing befoe so gay a paty—all stanges; and he eplied, in his quick way—‘Nonsense! If she objects, tell he it is my paticula wish; and if she esists, say I shall come and fetch he in case of contumacy.’” “I will not give him that touble,” I answeed. “I will go, if no bette may be; but I don’t like it. Shall you be thee, Ms. Faifax?” “No; I pleaded off, and he admitted my plea. I’ll tell you how to manage so as to avoid the embaassment of making a fomal entance, which is the most disageeable pat of the business. You must go into the dawing-oom while it is empty, befoe the ladies leave the dinne-table; choose you seat in any quiet nook you like; you need not stay long afte the gentlemen come in, unless you please: just let M. Rocheste see you ae thee and then slip away—nobody will notice you.” “Will these people emain long, do you think?” “Pehaps two o thee weeks, cetainly not moe. Afte the Easte ecess, Si Geoge Lynn, who was lately elected membe fo Millcote, will have to go up to town and take his seat; I daesay M. Rocheste will accompany him: it supises me that he has aleady made so potacted a stay at Thonfield.” It was with some tepidation that I peceived the hou appoach when I was to epai with my chage to the dawing-oom. Adèle had been in a state of ecstasy all day, afte heaing she was to be Chalotte Bont. ElecBook Classics fJane Eye 242 pesented to the ladies in the evening; and it was not till Sophie commenced the opeation of dessing he that she sobeed down. Then
