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. Adele, 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."




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024