“Afterwards, take a piece of smooth ivory—you have one prepared in your drawing-box:take your palette, mix your freshest, finest, clearest tints;choose your most delicate camel-hair pencils;delineate carefully the loveliest face you can imagine;paint it in your softest shades and sweetest lines, according to the description given by Mrs.Fairfax of Blanche Ingram; remember the raven ringlets, the oriental eye;—What!you revert to Mr. Rochester as a model!Order!No snivel!—no sentiment!—no regret!I will endure only sense and resolution. Recall the august yet harmonious lineaments,the Grecian neck and bust; let the round and dazzling arm be visible, and the delicate hand;omit neither diamond ring nor gold bracelet; portray faithfully the attire,aërial lace and glistening satin, graceful scarf and golden rose; call it ‘Blanche, an accomplished lady of rank.’
“Whenever, in future, you should chance to fancy Mr. Rochester thinks well of you,take out these two pictures and compare them: say, ‘Mr.Rochester might probably win that noble lady’s love, if he chose to strive for it;is it likely he would waste a serious thought on this indigent and insignificant plebeian?’”
“I’ll do it,” I resolved: and having framed this determination, I grew calm, and fell asleep.
I kept my word. An hour or two sufficed to sketch my own portrait in crayons;and in less than a fortnight I had completed an ivory miniature of an imaginary Blanche Ingram.It looked a lovely face enough, and when compared with the real head in chalk,the contrast was as great as self-control could desire. I derived benefit from the task:it had kept my head and hands employed,and had given force and fixedness to the new impressions I wished to stamp indelibly on my heart.
Ere long, I had reason to congratulate myself on the course of wholesome discipline to which I had thus forced my feelings to submit.Thanks to it, I was able to meet subsequent occurrences with a decent calm, which,had they found me unprepared, I should probably have been unequal to maintain, even externally.
CHAPTER XVII
A week passed, and no news arrived of Mr. Rochester: ten days, and still he did not come. Mrs.Fairfax said she should not be surprised if he were to go straight from the Leas to London,and thence to the Continent, and not show his face again at Thornfield for a year to come;he had not unfrequently quitted it in a manner quite as abrupt and unexpected. When I heard this,I was beginning to feel a strange chill and failing at the heart.I was actually permitting myself to experience a sickening sense of disappointment;but rallying my wits, and recollecting my principles, I at once called my sensations to order;and it was wonderful how I got over the temporary blunder—how I cleared up the mistake of supposing Mr.Rochester’s movements a matter in which I had any cause to take a vital interest.Not that I humbled myself by a slavish notion of inferiority: on the contrary, I just said—
“You have nothing to do with the master of Thornfield,further than to receive the salary he gives you for teaching his protégée,and to be grateful for such respectful and kind treatment as, if you do your duty,you have a right to expect at his hands.Be sure that is the only tie he seriously acknowledges between you and him;so don’t make him the object of your fine feelings, your raptures, agonies, and so forth.He is not of your order: keep to your caste,and be too self-respecting to lavish the love of the whole heart, soul, and strength,where such a gift is not wanted and would be despised.”
I went on with my day’s business tranquilly;but ever and anon vague suggestions kept wandering across my brain of reasons why I should quit Thornfield;and I kept involuntarily framing advertisements and pondering conjectures about new situations:these thoughts I did not think to check; they might germinate and bear fruit if they could.
Mr. Rochester had been absent upwards of a fortnight, when the post brought Mrs. Fairfax a letter.
“It is from the master,” said she, as she looked at the direction.“Now I suppose we shall know whether we are to expect his return or not.”
And while she broke the seal and perused the document,I went on taking my coffee (we were at breakfast): it was hot,and I attributed to that circumstance a fiery glow which suddenly rose to my face.Why my hand shook, and why I involuntarily spilt half the contents of my cup into my saucer, I did not choose to consider.
“Well, I sometimes think we are too quiet; but we run a chance of being busy enough now:for a little while at least,” said Mrs. Fairfax, still holding the note before her spectacles.
Ere I permitted myself to request an explanation, I tied the string of Adèle’s pinafore,which happened to be loose: having helped her also to another bun and refilled her mug with milk, I said, nonchalantly—
“Mr. Rochester is not likely to return soon, I suppose?”
“Indeed he is—in three days, he says: that will be next Thursday; and not alone either.I don’t know how many of the fine people at the Leas are coming with him:he sends directions for all the best bedrooms to be prepared;and the library and drawing-rooms are to be cleaned out;I am to get more kitchen hands from the George Inn, at Millcote, and from wherever else I can;and the ladies will bring their maids and the gentlemen their valets:so we shall have a full house of it.” And Mrs.Fairfax swallowed her breakfast and hastened away to commence operations.
The three days were, as she had foretold, busy enough.I had thought all the rooms at Thornfield beautifully clean and well arranged;but it appears I was mistaken. Three women were got to help; and such scrubbing, such brushing,such washing of paint and beating of carpets, such taking down and putting up of pictures,such polishing of mirrors and lustres, such lighting of fires in bedrooms,such airing of sheets and feather-beds on hearths, I never beheld, either before or since.Adèle ran quite wild in the midst of it:the preparations for company and the prospect of their arrival, seemed to throw her into ecstasies.She would have Sophie to look over all her “toilettes,” as she called frocks;to furbish up any that were “_passées_,” and to air and arrange the new. For herself,she did nothing but caper about in the front chambers, jump on and off the bedsteads,and lie on the mattresses and piled-up bolsters and pillows before the enormous fires roaring in the chimneys.From school duties she was exonerated: Mrs. Fairfax had pressed me into her service,and I was all day in the storeroom, helping (or hindering) her and the cook;learning to make custards and cheese-cakes and French pastry,to truss game and garnish desert-dishes.
The party were expected to arrive on Thursday afternoon, in time for dinner at six.During the intervening period I had no time to nurse chimeras;and I believe I was as active and gay as anybody—Adèle excepted. Still, now and then,I received a damping check to my cheerfulness; and was, in spite of myself,thrown back on the region of doubts and portents, and dark conjectures.This was when I chanced to see the third-storey staircase door (which of late had always been kept locked) open slowly,and give passage to the form of Grace Poole, in prim cap, white apron, and handkerchief;when I watched her glide along the gallery, her quiet tread muffled in a list slipper;when I saw her look into the bustling, topsy-turvy bedrooms,—just say a word, perhaps,to the charwoman about the proper way to polish a grate, or clean a marble mantelpiece,or take stains from papered walls, and then pass on.She would thus descend to the kitchen once a day, eat her dinner,smoke a moderate pipe on the hearth, and go back, carrying her pot of porter with her,for her private solace, in her own gloomy, upper haunt.Only one hour in the twenty-four did she pass with her fellow-servants below;all the rest of her time was spent in some low-ceiled, oaken chamber of the second storey:there she sat and sewed—and probably laughed drearily to herself,—as companionless as a prisoner in his dungeon.
The strangest thing of all was, that not a soul in the house, except me, noticed her habits,or seemed to marvel at them: no one discussed her position or employment;no one pitied her solitude or isolation. I once, indeed,overheard part of a dialogue between Leah and one of the charwomen,of which Grace formed the subject. Leah had been saying something I had not caught, and the charwoman remarked—
“She gets good wages, I guess?”
“Yes,” said Leah; “I wish I had as good; not that mine are to complain of,—there’s no stinginess at Thornfield; but they’re not one fifth of the sum Mrs. Poole receives.And she is laying by: she goes every quarter to the bank at Millcote.I should not wonder but she has saved enough to keep her independent if she liked to leave;but I suppose she’s got used to the place; and then she’s not forty yet,and strong and able for anything. It is too soon for her to give up business.”
“She is a good hand, I daresay,” said the charwoman.
“Ah!—she understands what she has to do,—nobody better,” rejoined Leah significantly;“and it is not every one could fill her shoes—not for all the money she gets.”
“That it is not!” was the reply. “I wonder whether the master—”
The charwoman was going on; but here Leah turned and perceived me,and she instantly gave her companion a nudge.
“Doesn’t she know?” I heard the woman whisper.
Leah shook her head, and the conversation was of course dropped.All I had gathered from it amounted to this,—that there was a mystery at Thornfield;and that from participation in that mystery I was purposely excluded.
Thursday came: all work had been completed the previous evening; carpets were laid down,bed-hangings festooned, radiant white counterpanes spread, toilet tables arranged,furniture rubbed, flowers piled in vases:both chambers and saloons looked as fresh and bright as hands could make them. The hall, too,was scoured; and the great carved clock, as well as the steps and banisters of the staircase,were polished to the brightness of glass; in the dining-room,the sideboard flashed resplendent with plate; in the drawing-room and boudoir, vases of exotics bloomed on all sides.
Afternoon arrived: Mrs. Fairfax assumed her best black satin gown, her gloves, and her gold watch;for it was her part to receive the company,—to conduct the ladies to their rooms, &c. Adèle, too,would be dressed: though I thought she had little chance of being introduced to the party that day at least.However, to please her, I allowed Sophie to apparel her in one of her short, full muslin frocks.For myself, I had no need to make any change;I should not be called upon to quit my sanctum of the schoolroom;for a sanctum it was now become to me,—“a very pleasant refuge in time of trouble.”
It had been a mild, serene spring day—one of those days which,towards the end of March or the beginning of April,rise shining over the earth as heralds of summer. It was drawing to an end now;but the evening was even warm, and I sat at work in the schoolroom with the window open.
“It gets late,” said Mrs. Fairfax, entering in rustling state.“I am glad I ordered dinner an hour after the time Mr. Rochester mentioned; for it is past six now.I have sent John down to the gates to see if there is anything on the road:one can see a long way from thence in the direction of Millcote.” She went to the window. “Here he is!” said she. “Well, John” (leaning out), “any news?”
“They’re coming, ma’am,” was the answer. “They’ll be here in ten minutes.”
Adèle flew to the window. I followed, taking care to stand on one side, so that,screened by the curtain, I could see without being seen.
The ten minutes John had given seemed very long, but at last wheels were heard;four equestrians galloped up the drive, and after them came two open carriages.Fluttering veils and waving plumes filled the vehicles; two of the cavaliers were young,dashing-looking gentlemen; the third was Mr. Rochester, on his black horse, Mesrour,Pilot bounding before him; at his side rode a lady, and he and she were the first of the party.Her purple riding-habit almost swept the ground, her veil streamed long on the breeze;mingling with its transparent folds, and gleaming through them, shone rich raven ringlets.
“Miss Ingram!” exclaimed Mrs. Fairfax, and away she hurried to her post below.
The cavalcade, following the sweep of the drive, quickly turned the angle of the house,and I lost sight of it. Adèle now petitioned to go down; but I took her on my knee,and gave her to understand that she must not on any account think of venturing in sight of the ladies,either now or at any other time, unless expressly sent for: that Mr. Rochester would be very angry,&c. “Some natural tears she shed” on being told this; but as I began to look very grave, she consented at last to wipe them.
A joyous stir was now audible in the hall:gentlemen’s deep tones and ladies’ silvery accents blent harmoniously together,and distinguishable above all, though not loud,was the sonorous voice of the master of Thornfield Hall,welcoming his fair and gallant guests under its roof. Then light steps ascended the stairs;and there was a tripping through the gallery, and soft cheerful laughs,and opening and closing doors, and, for a time, a hush.
“Elles changent de toilettes,” said Adèle; who, listening attentively, had followed every movement; and she sighed.
“Chez maman,” said she, “quand il y avait du monde, je le suivais partout,au salon et à leurs chambres; souvent je regardais les femmes de chambre coiffer et habiller les dames,et c’était si amusant: comme cela on apprend.”
“Don’t you feel hungry, Adèle?”
“Mais oui, mademoiselle: voilà cinq ou six heures que nous n’avons pas mangé.”
“Well now, while the ladies are in their rooms, I will venture down and get you something to eat.”
And issuing from my asylum with precaution,I sought a back-stairs which conducted directly to the kitchen.All in that region was fire and commotion; the soup and fish were in the last stage of projection,and the cook hung over her crucibles in a frame of mind and body threatening spontaneous combustion.In the servants’ hall two coachmen and three gentlemen’s gentlemen stood or sat round the fire;the abigails, I suppose, were upstairs with their mistresses; the new servants,that had been hired from Millcote, were bustling about everywhere. Threading this chaos,I at last reached the larder; there I took possession of a cold chicken, a roll of bread,some tarts, a plate or two and a knife and fork: with this booty I made a hasty retreat.I had regained the gallery, and was just shutting the back-door behind me,when an accelerated hum warned me that the ladies were about to issue from their chambers.I could not proceed to the schoolroom without passing some of their doors,and running the risk of being surprised with my cargo of victualage; so I stood still at this end,which, being windowless, was dark: quite dark now, for the sun was set and twilight gathering.
Presently the chambers gave up their fair tenants one after another: each came out gaily and airily,with dress that gleamed lustrous through the dusk.For a moment they stood grouped together at the other extremity of the gallery,conversing in a key of sweet subdued vivacity:they then descended the staircase almost as noiselessly as a bright mist rolls down a hill.Their collective appearance had left on me an impression of high-born elegance, such as I had never before received.
I found Adèle peeping through the schoolroom door, which she held ajar. “What beautiful ladies!” cried she in English. “Oh, I wish I might go to them!Do you think Mr. Rochester will send for us by-and-by, after dinner?”
“No, indeed, I don’t; Mr. Rochester has something else to think about.Never mind the ladies to-night; perhaps you will see them to-morrow: here is your dinner.”
She was really hungry, so the chicken and tarts served to divert her attention for a time.It was well I secured this forage, or both she, I, and Sophie,to whom I conveyed a share of our repast, would have run a chance of getting no dinner at all:every one downstairs was too much engaged to think of us.The dessert was not carried out till after nine;and at ten footmen were still running to and fro with trays and coffee-cups.I allowed Adèle to sit up much later than usual;for she declared she could not possibly go to sleep while the doors kept opening and shutting below,and people bustling about. Besides, she added, a message might possibly come from Mr.Rochester when she was undressed; “et alors quel dommage!”
I told her stories as long as she would listen to them;and then for a change I took her out into the gallery. The hall lamp was now lit,and it amused her to look over the balustrade and watch the servants passing backwards and forwards.When the evening was far advanced, a sound of music issued from the drawing-room,whither the piano had been removed; Adèle and I sat down on the top step of the stairs to listen.Presently a voice blent with the rich tones of the instrument; it was a lady who sang,and very sweet her notes were. The solo over, a duet followed, and then a glee:a joyous conversational murmur filled up the intervals. I listened long:suddenly I discovered that my ear was wholly intent on analysing the mingled sounds,and trying to discriminate amidst the confusion of accents those of Mr. Rochester;and when it caught them, which it soon did, it found a further task in framing the tones,rendered by distance inarticulate, into words.
The clock struck eleven. I looked at Adèle, whose head leant against my shoulder;her eyes were waxing heavy, so I took her up in my arms and carried her off to bed.It was near one before the gentlemen and ladies sought their chambers.
The next day was as fine as its predecessor:it was devoted by the party to an excursion to some site in the neighbourhood.They set out early in the forenoon, some on horseback, the rest in carriages;I witnessed both the departure and the return. Miss Ingram, as before,was the only lady equestrian; and, as before, Mr. Rochester galloped at her side;the two rode a little apart from the rest. I pointed out this circumstance to Mrs. Fairfax, who was standing at the window with me—
“You said it was not likely they should think of being married,” said I, “but you see Mr.Rochester evidently prefers her to any of the other ladies.”
“Yes, I daresay: no doubt he admires her.”
“And she him,” I added; “look how she leans her head towards him as if she were conversing confidentially;I wish I could see her face; I have never had a glimpse of it yet.”
“You will see her this evening,” answered Mrs. Fairfax. “I happened to remark to Mr.Rochester how much Adèle wished to be introduced to the ladies, and he said: ‘Oh!let her come into the drawing-room after dinner; and request Miss Eyre to accompany her.’”
“Yes; he said that from mere politeness: I need not go, I am sure,” I answered.
“Well, I observed to him that as you were unused to company,I did not think you would like appearing before so gay a party—all strangers; and he replied, in his quick way—‘Nonsense!If she objects, tell her it is my particular wish; and if she resists,say I shall come and fetch her in case of contumacy.’”
“I will not give him that trouble,” I answered. “I will go, if no better may be;but I don’t like it. Shall you be there, Mrs. Fairfax?”
“No; I pleaded off, and he admitted my plea.I’ll tell you how to manage so as to avoid the embarrassment of making a formal entrance,which is the most disagreeable part of the business.You must go into the drawing-room while it is empty, before the ladies leave the dinner-table;choose your seat in any quiet nook you like; you need not stay long after the gentlemen come in,unless you please: just let Mr. Rochester see you are there and then slip away—nobody will notice you. ”
“Will these people remain long, do you think?”
“Perhaps two or three weeks, certainly not more. After the Easter recess, Sir George Lynn,who was lately elected member for Millcote, will have to go up to town and take his seat;I daresay Mr. Rochester will accompany him:it surprises me that he has already made so protracted a stay at Thornfield.”
It was with some trepidation that I perceived the hour approach when I was to repair with my charge to the drawing-room.Adèle had been in a state of ecstasy all day,after hearing she was to be presented to the ladies in the evening;and it was not till Sophie commenced the operation of dressing her that she sobered down.Then the importance of the process quickly steadied her,and by the time she had her curls arranged in well-smoothed, drooping clusters,her pink satin frock put on, her long sash tied, and her lace mittens adjusted,she looked as grave as any judge. No need to warn her not to disarrange her attire:when she was dressed, she sat demurely down in her little chair,taking care previously to lift up the satin skirt for fear she should crease it,and assured me she would not stir thence till I was ready. This I quickly was:my best dress (the silver-grey one, purchased for Miss Temple’s wedding,and never worn since) was soon put on; my hair was soon smoothed; my sole ornament,the pearl brooch, soon assumed. We descended.
Fortunately there was another entrance to the drawing-room than that through the saloon where they were all seated at dinner.We found the apartment vacant; a large fire burning silently on the marble hearth,and wax candles shining in bright solitude,amid the exquisite flowers with which the tables were adorned.The crimson curtain hung before the arch:slight as was the separation this drapery formed from the party in the adjoining saloon,they spoke in so low a key that nothing of their conversation could be distinguished beyond a soothing murmur.
Adèle, who appeared to be still under the influence of a most solemnising impression, sat down,without a word, on the footstool I pointed out to her. I retired to a window-seat,and taking a book from a table near, endeavoured to read. Adèle brought her stool to my feet; ere long she touched my knee.
“What is it, Adèle?”
“Est-ce que je ne puis pas prendre une seule de ces fleurs magnifiques, mademoiselle?Seulement pour completer ma toilette.”
“You think too much of your ‘toilette,’ Adèle: but you may have a flower.” And I took a rose from a vase and fastened it in her sash.She sighed a sigh of ineffable satisfaction, as if her cup of happiness were now full.I turned my face away to conceal a smile I could not suppress:there was something ludicrous as well as painful in the little Parisienne’s earnest and innate devotion to matters of dress.
A soft sound of rising now became audible; the curtain was swept back from the arch;through it appeared the dining-room, with its lit lustre pouring down light on the silver and glass of a magnificent dessert-service covering a long table;a band of ladies stood in the opening; they entered, and the curtain fell behind them.
There were but eight; yet, somehow, as they flocked in,they gave the impression of a much larger number. Some of them were very tall;many were dressed in white; and all had a sweeping amplitude of array that seemed to magnify their persons as a mist magnifies the moon.I rose and curtseyed to them: one or two bent their heads in return, the others only stared at me.
They dispersed about the room, reminding me, by the lightness and buoyancy of their movements,of a flock of white plumy birds. Some of them threw themselves in half-reclining positions on the sofas and ottomans:some bent over the tables and examined the flowers and books:the rest gathered in a group round the fire:all talked in a low but clear tone which seemed habitual to them. I knew their names afterwards, and may as well mention them now.
First, there was Mrs. Eshton and two of her daughters. She had evidently been a handsome woman,and was well preserved still. Of her daughters, the eldest, Amy, was rather little: naïve,and child-like in face and manner, and piquant in form;her white muslin dress and blue sash became her well. The second, Louisa,was taller and more elegant in figure; with a very pretty face,of that order the French term _minois chiffoné_: both sisters were fair as lilies.
Lady Lynn was a large and stout personage of about forty, very erect, very haughty-looking,richly dressed in a satin robe of changeful sheen:her dark hair shone glossily under the shade of an azure plume,and within the circlet of a band of gems.
Mrs. Colonel Dent was less showy; but, I thought, more lady-like. She had a slight figure, a pale,gentle face, and fair hair. Her black satin dress, her scarf of rich foreign lace,and her pearl ornaments, pleased me better than the rainbow radiance of the titled dame.
But the three most distinguished—partly, perhaps,because the tallest figures of the band—were the Dowager Lady Ingram and her daughters,Blanche and Mary. They were all three of the loftiest stature of women.The Dowager might be between forty and fifty: her shape was still fine;her hair (by candle-light at least) still black; her teeth, too, were still apparently perfect.Most people would have termed her a splendid woman of her age: and so she was, no doubt,physically speaking; but then there was an expression of almost insupportable haughtiness in her bearing and countenance.She had Roman features and a double chin, disappearing into a throat like a pillar:these features appeared to me not only inflated and darkened, but even furrowed with pride;and the chin was sustained by the same principle, in a position of almost preternatural erectness.She had, likewise, a fierce and a hard eye: it reminded me of Mrs. Reed’s;she mouthed her words in speaking; her voice was deep, its inflections very pompous,very dogmatical,—very intolerable, in short. A crimson velvet robe,and a shawl turban of some gold-wrought Indian fabric,invested her (I suppose she thought) with a truly imperial dignity.
Blanche and Mary were of equal stature,—straight and tall as poplars.Mary was too slim for her height, but Blanche was moulded like a Dian. I regarded her, of course,with special interest. First, I wished to see whether her appearance accorded with Mrs.Fairfax’s description; secondly, whether it at all resembled the fancy miniature I had painted of her; and thirdly—it will out!—whether it were such as I should fancy likely to suit Mr. Rochester’s taste.
As far as person went, she answered point for point, both to my picture and Mrs.Fairfax’s description. The noble bust, the sloping shoulders, the graceful neck,the dark eyes and black ringlets were all there;—but her face?Her face was like her mother’s; a youthful unfurrowed likeness: the same low brow,the same high features, the same pride. It was not, however, so saturnine a pride!she laughed continually; her laugh was satirical,and so was the habitual expression of her arched and haughty lip.
Genius is said to be self-conscious. I cannot tell whether Miss Ingram was a genius,but she was self-conscious—remarkably self-conscious indeed.She entered into a discourse on botany with the gentle Mrs. Dent. It seemed Mrs.Dent had not studied that science: though, as she said, she liked flowers, “especially wild ones;” Miss Ingram had, and she ran over its vocabulary with an air.I presently perceived she was (what is vernacularly termed) _trailing_ Mrs. Dent; that is,playing on her ignorance; her _trail_ might be clever, but it was decidedly not good-natured.She played: her execution was brilliant; she sang: her voice was fine;she talked French apart to her mamma; and she talked it well, with fluency and with a good accent.
Mary had a milder and more open countenance than Blanche; softer features too,and a skin some shades fairer (Miss Ingram was dark as a Spaniard)—but Mary was deficient in life:her face lacked expression, her eye lustre; she had nothing to say, and having once taken her seat,remained fixed like a statue in its niche. The sisters were both attired in spotless white.
And did I now think Miss Ingram such a choice as Mr. Rochester would be likely to make?I could not tell—I did not know his taste in female beauty. If he liked the majestic,she was the very type of majesty: then she was accomplished, sprightly.Most gentlemen would admire her, I thought; and that he _did_ admire her,I already seemed to have obtained proof: to remove the last shade of doubt, it remained but to see them together.
You are not to suppose, reader, that Adèle has all this time been sitting motionless on the stool at my feet:no; when the ladies entered, she rose, advanced to meet them, made a stately reverence, and said with gravity—
“Bon jour, mesdames.”
And Miss Ingram had looked down at her with a mocking air, and exclaimed, “Oh, what a little puppet!”
Lady Lynn had remarked, “It is Mr. Rochester’s ward,I suppose—the little French girl he was speaking of.”
Mrs. Dent had kindly taken her hand, and given her a kiss.Amy and Louisa Eshton had cried out simultaneously—
“What a love of a child!”
And then they had called her to a sofa, where she now sat, ensconced between them,chattering alternately in French and broken English;absorbing not only the young ladies’ attention, but that of Mrs. Eshton and Lady Lynn,and getting spoilt to her heart’s content.