Ithankedherforherconsideratechoice，andasIreallyfeltfatiguedwithmylongjourney，expressedmyreadinesstoretire。Shetookhercandle，andIfollowedherfromtheroom。Firstshewenttoseeifthehall—doorwasfastened;havingtakenthekeyfromthelock，sheledthewayupstairs。Thestepsandbanisterswereofoak;thestaircasewindowwashighandlatticed;bothitandthelonggalleryintowhichthebedroomdoorsopenedlookedasiftheybelongedtoachurchratherthanahouse。Averychillandvault—likeairpervadedthestairsandgallery，suggestingcheerlessideasofspaceandsolitude;andIwasglad，whenfinallyusheredintomychamber，tofinditofsmalldimensions，andfurnishedinordinary，modernstyle。
　　WhenMrs。Fairfaxhadbiddenmeakindgood—night，andIhadfastenedmydoor，gazedleisurelyround，andinsomemeasureeffacedtheeerieimpressionmadebythatwidehall，thatdarkandspaciousstaircase，andthatlong，coldgallery，bythelivelieraspectofmylittleroom，Irememberedthat，afteradayofbodilyfatigueandmentalanxiety，Iwasnowatlastinsafehaven。Theimpulseofgratitudeswelledmyheart，andIkneltdownatthebedside，andofferedupthankswherethanksweredue;notforgetting，ereIrose，toimploreaidonmyfurtherpath，andthepowerofmeritingthekindnesswhichseemedsofranklyofferedmebeforeitwasearned。Mycouchhadnothornsinitthatnight;mysolitaryroomnofears。Atoncewearyandcontent，Isleptsoonandsoundly:whenIawokeitwasbroadday。
　　Thechamberlookedsuchabrightlittleplacetomeasthesunshoneinbetweenthegaybluechintzwindowcurtains，showingpaperedwallsandacarpetedfloor，sounlikethebareplanksandstainedplasterofLowood，thatmyspiritsroseattheview。Externalshaveagreateffectontheyoung:Ithoughtthatafairereraoflifewasbeginningforme，onethatwastohaveitsflowersandpleasures，aswellasitsthornsandtoils。Myfaculties，rousedbythechangeofscene，thenewfieldofferedtohope，seemedallastir。Icannotpreciselydefinewhattheyexpected，butitwassomethingpleasant:notperhapsthatdayorthatmonth，butatanindefinitefutureperiod。
　　Irose;Idressedmyselfwithcare:obligedtobeplain—forIhadnoarticleofattirethatwasnotmadewithextremesimplicity—Iwasstillbynaturesolicitoustobeneat。ItwasnotmyhabittobedisregardfulofappearanceorcarelessoftheimpressionImade:onthecontrary，IeverwishedtolookaswellasIcould，andtopleaseasmuchasmywantofbeautywouldpermit。IsometimesregrettedthatIwasnothandsomer;Isometimeswishedtohaverosycheeks，astraightnose，andsmallcherrymouth;Idesiredtobetall，stately，andfinelydevelopedinfigure;IfeltitamisfortunethatIwassolittle，sopale，andhadfeaturessoirregularandsomarked。AndwhyhadItheseaspirationsandtheseregrets？Itwouldbedifficulttosay:Icouldnotthendistinctlysayittomyself;yetIhadareason，andalogical，naturalreasontoo。However，whenIhadbrushedmyhairverysmooth，andputonmyblackfrock—which，Quakerlikeasitwas，atleasthadthemeritoffittingtoanicety—andadjustedmycleanwhitetucker，IthoughtIshoulddorespectablyenoughtoappearbeforeMrs。Fairfax，andthatmynewpupilwouldnotatleastrecoilfrommewithantipathy。Havingopenedmychamberwindow，andseenthatIleftallthingsstraightandneatonthetoilettable，Iventuredforth。
　　Traversingthelongandmattedgallery，Idescendedtheslipperystepsofoak;thenIgainedthehall:Ihaltedthereaminute;Ilookedatsomepicturesonthewalls（one，Iremember，representedagrimmaninacuirass，andonealadywithpowderedhairandapearlnecklace），atabronzelamppendentfromtheceiling，atagreatclockwhosecasewasofoakcuriouslycarved，andebonblackwithtimeandrubbing。Everythingappearedverystatelyandimposingtome;butthenIwassolittleaccustomedtograndeur。Thehall—door，whichwashalfofglass，stoodopen;Isteppedoverthethreshold。Itwasafineautumnmorning;theearlysunshoneserenelyonembrownedgrovesandstillgreenfields;advancingontothelawn，Ilookedupandsurveyedthefrontofthemansion。Itwasthreestoreyshigh，ofproportionsnotvast，thoughconsiderable:agentleman’smanor—house，notanobleman’sseat:battlementsroundthetopgaveitapicturesquelook。Itsgreyfrontstoodoutwellfromthebackgroundofarookery，whosecawingtenantswerenowonthewing:theyflewoverthelawnandgroundstoalightinagreatmeadow，fromwhichthesewereseparatedbyasunkfence，andwhereanarrayofmightyoldthorntrees，strong，knotty，andbroadasoaks，atonceexplainedtheetymologyofthemansion’sdesignation。Fartheroffwerehills:notsoloftyasthoseroundLowood，norsocraggy，norsolikebarriersofseparationfromthelivingworld;butyetquietandlonelyhillsenough，andseemingtoembraceThornfieldwithaseclusionIhadnotexpectedtofindexistentsonearthestirringlocalityofMillcote。Alittlehamlet，whoseroofswereblentwithtrees，straggledupthesideofoneofthesehills;thechurchofthedistrictstoodnearerThornfield:itsoldtower—toplookedoveraknollbetweenthehouseandgates。
　　Iwasyetenjoyingthecalmprospectandpleasantfreshair，yetlisteningwithdelighttothecawingoftherooks，yetsurveyingthewide，hoaryfrontofthehall，andthinkingwhatagreatplaceitwasforonelonelylittledamelikeMrs。Fairfaxtoinhabit，whenthatladyappearedatthedoor。
　　“What！outalready？”saidshe。“Iseeyouareanearlyriser。”Iwentuptoher，andwasreceivedwithanaffablekissandshakeofthehand。
　　“HowdoyoulikeThornfield？”sheasked。ItoldherIlikeditverymuch。
　　“Yes，”shesaid，“itisaprettyplace;butIfearitwillbegettingoutoforder，unlessMr。Rochestershouldtakeitintohisheadtocomeandresideherepermanently;or，atleast，visititratheroftener:greathousesandfinegroundsrequirethepresenceoftheproprietor。”
　　“Mr。Rochester！”Iexclaimed。“Whoishe？”
　　“TheownerofThornfield，”sherespondedquietly。“DidyounotknowhewascalledRochester？”
　　OfcourseIdidnot—Ihadneverheardofhimbefore;buttheoldladyseemedtoregardhisexistenceasauniversallyunderstoodfact，withwhicheverybodymustbeacquaintedbyinstinct。
　　“Ithought，”Icontinued，“Thornfieldbelongedtoyou。”
　　“Tome？Blessyou，child;whatanidea！Tome！Iamonlythehousekeeper—themanager。TobesureIamdistantlyrelatedtotheRochestersbythemother’sside，oratleastmyhusbandwas;hewasaclergyman，incumbentofHay—thatlittlevillageyonderonthehill—andthatchurchnearthegateswashis。ThepresentMr。Rochester’smotherwasaFairfax，andsecondcousintomyhusband:butIneverpresumeontheconnection—infact，itisnothingtome;Iconsidermyselfquiteinthelightofanordinaryhousekeeper:myemployerisalwayscivil，andIexpectnothingmore。”
　　“Andthelittlegirl—mypupil！”
　　“SheisMr。Rochester’sward;hecommissionedmetofindagovernessforher。Heintendedtohaveherbroughtupin—shire，Ibelieve。Hereshecomes，withher‘bonne，’asshecallshernurse。”Theenigmathenwasexplained:thisaffableandkindlittlewidowwasnogreatdame;butadependantlikemyself。Ididnotlikehertheworseforthat;onthecontrary，Ifeltbetterpleasedthanever。Theequalitybetweenherandmewasreal;notthemereresultofcondescensiononherpart:somuchthebetter—mypositionwasallthefreer。
　　AsIwasmeditatingonthisdiscovery，alittlegirl，followedbyherattendant，camerunningupthelawn。Ilookedatmypupil，whodidnotatfirstappeartonoticeme:shewasquiteachild，perhapssevenoreightyearsold，slightlybuilt，withapale，small—featuredface，andaredundancyofhairfallingincurlstoherwaist。
　　“Goodmorning，MissAdela，”saidMrs。Fairfax。“Comeandspeaktotheladywhoistoteachyou，andtomakeyouacleverwomansomeday。”Sheapproached。
　　“C’estlemagouverante！”saidshe，pointingtome，andaddressinghernurse;whoanswered—
　　“Maisoui，certainement。”
　　“Aretheyforeigners？”Iinquired，amazedathearingtheFrenchlanguage。
　　“Thenurseisaforeigner，andAdelawasbornontheContinent;and，Ibelieve，neverleftittillwithinsixmonthsago。WhenshefirstcamehereshecouldspeaknoEnglish;nowshecanmakeshifttotalkitalittle:Idon’tunderstandher，shemixesitsowithFrench;butyouwillmakeouthermeaningverywell，Idaresay。”
　　FortunatelyIhadhadtheadvantageofbeingtaughtFrenchbyaFrenchlady;andasIhadalwaysmadeapointofconversingwithMadamePierrotasoftenasIcould，andhadbesides，duringthelastsevenyears，learntaportionofFrenchbyheartdaily—applyingmyselftotakepainswithmyaccent，andimitatingascloselyaspossiblethepronunciationofmyteacher，Ihadacquiredacertaindegreeofreadinessandcorrectnessinthelanguage，andwasnotlikelytobemuchatalosswithMademoiselleAdela。ShecameandshookhandwithmewhensheheardthatIwashergoverness;andasIledherintobreakfast，Iaddressedsomephrasestoherinherowntongue:sherepliedbrieflyatfirst，butafterwewereseatedatthetable，andshehadexaminedmesometenminuteswithherlargehazeleyes，shesuddenlycommencedchatteringfluently。
　　“Ah！”criedshe，inFrench，“youspeakmylanguageaswellasMr。Rochesterdoes:IcantalktoyouasIcantohim，andsocanSophie。Shewillbeglad:nobodyhereunderstandsher:MadameFairfaxisallEnglish。Sophieismynurse;shecamewithmeovertheseainagreatshipwithachimneythatsmoked—howitdidsmoke！—andIwassick，andsowasSophie，andsowasMr。Rochester。Mr。Rochesterlaydownonasofainaprettyroomcalledthesalon，andSophieandIhadlittlebedsinanotherplace。Inearlyfelloutofmine;itwaslikeashelf。AndMademoiselle—whatisyourname？”
　　“Eyre—JaneEyre。”
　　“Aire？Bah！Icannotsayit。Well，ourshipstoppedinthemorning，beforeitwasquitedaylight，atagreatcity—ahugecity，withverydarkhousesandallsmoky;notatallliketheprettycleantownIcamefrom;andMr。Rochestercarriedmeinhisarmsoveraplanktotheland，andSophiecameafter，andweallgotintoacoach，whichtookustoabeautifullargehouse，largerthanthisandfiner，calledanhotel。Westayedtherenearlyaweek:IandSophieusedtowalkeverydayinagreatgreenplacefulloftrees，calledthePark;andthereweremanychildrentherebesidesme，andapondwithbeautifulbirdsinit，thatIfedwithcrumbs。”
　　“Canyouunderstandherwhensherunsonsofast？”askedMrs。Fairfax。
　　Iunderstoodherverywell，forIhadbeenaccustomedtothefluenttongueofMadamePierrot。
　　“Iwish，”continuedthegoodlady，“youwouldaskheraquestionortwoaboutherparents:Iwonderifsheremembersthem？”
　　“Adèle，”Iinquired，“withwhomdidyoulivewhenyouwereinthatprettycleantownyouspokeof？”
　　“Ilivedlongagowithmama;butsheisgonetotheHolyVirgin。Mamausedtoteachmetodanceandsing，andtosayverses。Agreatmanygentlemenandladiescametoseemama，andIusedtodancebeforethem，ortositontheirkneesandsingtothem:Ilikedit。ShallIletyouhearmesingnow？”
　　Shehadfinishedherbreakfast，soIpermittedhertogiveaspecimenofheraccomplishments。Descendingfromherchair，shecameandplacedherselfonmyknee;then，foldingherlittlehandsdemurelybeforeher，shakingbackhercurlsandliftinghereyestotheceiling，shecommencedsingingasongfromsomeopera。Itwasthestrainofaforsakenlady，who，afterbewailingtheperfidyofherlover，callspridetoheraid;desiresherattendanttodeckherinherbrightestjewelsandrichestrobes，andresolvestomeetthefalseonethatnightataball，andprovetohim，bythegaietyofherdemeanour，howlittlehisdesertionhasaffectedher。
　　Thesubjectseemedstrangelychosenforaninfantsinger;butIsupposethepointoftheexhibitionlayinhearingthenotesofloveandjealousywarbledwiththelispofchildhood;andinverybadtastethatpointwas:atleastIthoughtso。
　　Adèlesangthecanzonettetunefullyenough，andwiththena？vetéofherage。Thisachieved，shejumpedfrommykneeandsaid，“Now，Mademoiselle，Iwillrepeatyousomepoetry。”
　　Assuminganattitude，shebegan，“LaLiguedesRats:fabledeLaFontaine。”Shethendeclaimedthelittlepiecewithanattentiontopunctuationandemphasis，aflexibilityofvoiceandanappropriatenessofgesture，veryunusualindeedatherage，andwhichprovedshehadbeencarefullytrained。
　　“Wasityourmamawhotaughtyouthatpiece？”Iasked。
　　“Yes，andshejustusedtosayitinthisway:‘Qu’avezvousdonc？luiditundecesrats;parlez！’Shemademeliftmyhand—so—toremindmetoraisemyvoiceatthequestion。NowshallIdanceforyou？”
　　“No，thatwilldo:butafteryourmamawenttotheHolyVirgin，asyousay，withwhomdidyoulivethen？”
　　“WithMadameFrédéricandherhusband:shetookcareofme，butsheisnothingrelatedtome。Ithinksheispoor，forshehadnotsofineahouseasmama。Iwasnotlongthere。Mr。RochesteraskedmeifIwouldliketogoandlivewithhiminEngland，andIsaidyes;forIknewMr。RochesterbeforeIknewMadameFrédéric，andhewasalwayskindtomeandgavemeprettydressesandtoys:butyouseehehasnotkepthisword，forhehasbroughtmetoEngland，andnowheisgonebackagainhimself，andIneverseehim。”
　　Afterbreakfast，AdèleandIwithdrewtothelibrary，whichroom，itappears，Mr。Rochesterhaddirectedshouldbeusedastheschoolroom。Mostofthebookswerelockedupbehindglassdoors;buttherewasonebookcaseleftopencontainingeverythingthatcouldbeneededinthewayofelementaryworks，andseveralvolumesoflightliterature，poetry，biography，travels，afewromances，&c。Isupposehehadconsideredthatthesewereallthegovernesswouldrequireforherprivateperusal;and，indeed，theycontentedmeamplyforthepresent;comparedwiththescantypickingsIhadnowandthenbeenabletogleanatLowood，theyseemedtoofferanabundantharvestofentertainmentandinformation。Inthisroom，too，therewasacabinetpiano，quitenewandofsuperiortone;alsoaneaselforpaintingandapairofglobes。
　　Ifoundmypupilsufficientlydocile，thoughdisinclinedtoapply:shehadnotbeenusedtoregularoccupationofanykind。Ifeltitwouldbeinjudicioustoconfinehertoomuchatfirst;so，whenIhadtalkedtoheragreatdeal，andgothertolearnalittle，andwhenthemorninghadadvancedtonoon，Iallowedhertoreturntohernurse。Ithenproposedtooccupymyselftilldinner—timeindrawingsomelittlesketchesforheruse。
　　AsIwasgoingupstairstofetchmyportfolioandpencils，Mrs。Fairfaxcalledtome:“Yourmorningschool—hoursareovernow，Isuppose，”saidshe。Shewasinaroomthefolding—doorsofwhichstoodopen:Iwentinwhensheaddressedme。Itwasalarge，statelyapartment，withpurplechairsandcurtains，aTurkeycarpet，walnut—panelledwalls，onevastwindowrichinslantedglass，andaloftyceiling，noblymoulded。Mrs。Fairfaxwasdustingsomevasesoffinepurplespar，whichstoodonasideboard。
　　“Whatabeautifulroom！”Iexclaimed，asIlookedround;forIhadneverbeforeseenanyhalfsoimposing。
　　“Yes;thisisthedining—room。Ihavejustopenedthewindow，toletinalittleairandsunshine;foreverythinggetssodampinapartmentsthatareseldominhabited;thedrawing—roomyonderfeelslikeavault。”
　　Shepointedtoawidearchcorrespondingtothewindow，andhunglikeitwithaTyrian—dyedcurtain，nowloopedup。Mountingtoitbytwobroadsteps，andlookingthrough，IthoughtIcaughtaglimpseofafairyplace，sobrighttomynovice—eyesappearedtheviewbeyond。Yetitwasmerelyaveryprettydrawing—room，andwithinitaboudoir，bothspreadwithwhitecarpets，onwhichseemedlaidbrilliantgarlandsofflowers;bothceiledwithsnowymouldingsofwhitegrapesandvine—leaves，beneathwhichglowedinrichcontrastcrimsoncouchesandottomans;whiletheornamentsonthepalePariainmantelpiecewereofsparklingBohemianglass，rubyred;andbetweenthewindowslargemirrorsrepeatedthegeneralblendingofsnowandfire。
　　“Inwhatorderyoukeeptheserooms，Mrs。Fairfax！”saidI。“Nodust，nocanvascoverings:exceptthattheairfeelschilly，onewouldthinktheywereinhabiteddaily。”
　　“Why，MissEyre，thoughMr。Rochester’svisitsherearerare，theyarealwayssuddenandunexpected;andasIobservedthatitputhimouttofindeverythingswathedup，andtohaveabustleofarrangementonhisarrival，Ithoughtitbesttokeeptheroomsinreadiness。”
　　“IsMr。Rochesteranexacting，fastidioussortofman？”
　　“Notparticularlyso;buthehasagentleman’stastesandhabits，andheexpectstohavethingsmanagedinconformitytothem。”
　　“Doyoulikehim？Ishegenerallyliked？”
　　“Oh，yes;thefamilyhavealwaysbeenrespectedhere。Almostallthelandinthisneighbourhood，asfarasyoucansee，hasbelongedtotheRochesterstimeoutofmind。”
　　“Well，but，leavinghislandoutofthequestion，doyoulikehim？Ishelikedforhimself？”
　　“Ihavenocausetodootherwisethanlikehim;andIbelieveheisconsideredajustandliberallandlordbyhistenants:buthehasneverlivedmuchamongstthem。”
　　“Buthashenopeculiarities？What，inshort，ishischaracter？”
　　“Oh！hischaracterisunimpeachable，Isuppose。Heisratherpeculiar，perhaps:hehastravelledagreatdeal，andseenagreatdealoftheworld，Ishouldthink。Idaresayheisclever，butIneverhadmuchconversationwithhim。”
　　“Inwhatwayishepeculiar？”
　　“Idon’tknow—itisnoteasytodescribe—nothingstriking，butyoufeelitwhenhespeakstoyou;youcannotbealwayssurewhetherheisinjestorearnest，whetherheispleasedorthecontrary;youdon’tthoroughlyunderstandhim，inshort—atleast，Idon’t:butitisofnoconsequence，heisaverygoodmaster。”
　　ThiswasalltheaccountIgotfromMrs。Fairfaxofheremployerandmine。Therearepeoplewhoseemtohavenonotionofsketchingacharacter，orobservinganddescribingsalientpoints，eitherinpersonsorthings:thegoodladyevidentlybelongedtothisclass;myqueriespuzzled，butdidnotdrawherout。Mr。RochesterwasMr。Rochesterinhereyes;agentleman，alandedproprietor—nothingmore:sheinquiredandsearchednofurther，andevidentlywonderedatmywishtogainamoredefinitenotionofhisidentity。
　　Whenweleftthedining—room，sheproposedtoshowmeovertherestofthehouse;andIfollowedherupstairsanddownstairs，admiringasIwent;forallwaswellarrangedandhandsome。ThelargefrontchambersIthoughtespeciallygrand:andsomeofthethird—storeyrooms，thoughdarkandlow，wereinterestingfromtheirairofantiquity。Thefurnitureonceappropriatedtothelowerapartmentshadfromtimetotimebeenremovedhere，asfashionschanged:andtheimperfectlightenteringbytheirnarrowcasementshowedbedsteadsofahundredyearsold;chestsinoakorwalnut，looking，withtheirstrangecarvingsofpalmbranchesandcherubs’heads，liketypesoftheHebrewark;rowsofvenerablechairs，high—backedandnarrow;stoolsstillmoreantiquated，onwhosecushionedtopswereyetapparenttracesofhalf—effacedembroideries，wroughtbyfingersthatfortwogenerationshadbeencoffin—dust。AlltheserelicsgavetothethirdstoreyofThornfieldHalltheaspectofahomeofthepast:ashrineofmemory。Ilikedthehush，thegloom，thequaintnessoftheseretreatsintheday;butIbynomeanscovetedanight’sreposeononeofthosewideandheavybeds:shutin，someofthem，withdoorsofoak;shaded，others，withwroughtoldEnglishhangingscrustedwiththickwork，portrayingeffigiesofstrangeflowers，andstrangerbirds，andstrangesthumanbeings，—allwhichwouldhavelookedstrange，indeed，bythepallidgleamofmoonlight。
　　“Dotheservantssleepintheserooms？”Iasked。
　　“No;theyoccupyarangeofsmallerapartmentstotheback;nooneeversleepshere:onewouldalmostsaythat，iftherewereaghostatThornfieldHall，thiswouldbeitshaunt。”
　　“SoIthink:youhavenoghost，then？”
　　“NonethatIeverheardof，”returnedMrs。Fairfax，smiling。
　　“Noranytraditionsofone？nolegendsorghoststories？”
　　“Ibelievenot。AndyetitissaidtheRochestershavebeenratheraviolentthanaquietraceintheirtime:perhaps，though，thatisthereasontheyresttranquillyintheirgravesnow。”
　　“Yes—‘afterlife’sfitfulfevertheysleepwell，’”Imuttered。“Whereareyougoingnow，Mrs。Fairfax？”forshewasmovingaway。
　　“Ontotheleads;willyoucomeandseetheviewfromthence？”Ifollowedstill，upaverynarrowstaircasetotheattics，andthencebyaladderandthroughatrap—doortotheroofofthehall。Iwasnowonalevelwiththecrowcolony，andcouldseeintotheirnests。Leaningoverthebattlementsandlookingfardown，Isurveyedthegroundslaidoutlikeamap:thebrightandvelvetlawncloselygirdlingthegreybaseofthemansion;thefield，wideasapark，dottedwithitsancienttimber;thewood，dunandsere，dividedbyapathvisiblyovergrown，greenerwithmossthanthetreeswerewithfoliage;thechurchatthegates，theroad，thetranquilhills，allreposingintheautumnday’ssun;thehorizonboundedbyapropitioussky，azure，marbledwithpearlywhite。Nofeatureinthescenewasextraordinary，butallwaspleasing。WhenIturnedfromitandrepassedthetrap—door，Icouldscarcelyseemywaydowntheladder;theatticseemedblackasavaultcomparedwiththatarchofblueairtowhichIhadbeenlookingup，andtothatsunlitsceneofgrove，pasture，andgreenhill，ofwhichthehallwasthecentre，andoverwhichIhadbeengazingwithdelight。
　　Mrs。Fairfaxstayedbehindamomenttofastenthetrap—door;I，bydriftofgroping，foundtheoutletfromtheattic，andproceededtodescendthenarrowgarretstaircase。Ilingeredinthelongpassagetowhichthisled，separatingthefrontandbackroomsofthethirdstorey:narrow，low，anddim，withonlyonelittlewindowatthefarend，andlooking，withitstworowsofsmallblackdoorsallshut，likeacorridorinsomeBluebeard’scastle。
　　WhileIpacedsoftlyon，thelastsoundIexpectedtohearinsostillaregion，alaugh，struckmyear。Itwasacuriouslaugh;distinct，formal，mirthless。Istopped:thesoundceased，onlyforaninstant;itbeganagain，louder:foratfirst，thoughdistinct，itwasverylow。Itpassedoffinaclamorouspealthatseemedtowakeanechoineverylonelychamber;thoughitoriginatedbutinone，andIcouldhavepointedoutthedoorwhencetheaccentsissued。
　　“Mrs。Fairfax！”Icalledout:forInowheardherdescendingthegreatstairs。“Didyouhearthatloudlaugh？Whoisit？”
　　“Someoftheservants，verylikely，”sheanswered:“perhapsGracePoole。”
　　“Didyouhearit？”Iagaininquired。
　　“Yes，plainly:Ioftenhearher:shesewsinoneoftheserooms。SometimesLeahiswithher;theyarefrequentlynoisytogether。”
　　Thelaughwasrepeatedinitslow，syllabictone，andterminatedinanoddmurmur。
　　“Grace！”exclaimedMrs。Fairfax。
　　IreallydidnotexpectanyGracetoanswer;forthelaughwasastragic，aspreternaturalalaughasanyIeverheard;and，butthatitwashighnoon，andthatnocircumstanceofghostlinessaccompaniedthecuriouscachinnation;butthatneitherscenenorseasonfavouredfear，Ishouldhavebeensuperstitiouslyafraid。However，theeventshowedmeIwasafoolforentertainingasenseevenofsurprise。
　　Thedoornearestmeopened，andaservantcameout，—awomanofbetweenthirtyandforty;aset，square—madefigure，red—haired，andwithahard，plainface:anyapparitionlessromanticorlessghostlycouldscarcelybeconceived。
　　“Toomuchnoise，Grace，”saidMrs。Fairfax。“Rememberdirections！”Gracecurtseyedsilentlyandwentin。
　　“SheisapersonwehavetosewandassistLeahinherhousemaid’swork，”continuedthewidow;“notaltogetherunobjectionableinsomepoints，butshedoeswellenough。By—the—bye，howhaveyougotonwithyournewpupilthismorning？”
　　Theconversation，thusturnedonAdèle，continuedtillwereachedthelightandcheerfulregionbelow。Adèlecamerunningtomeetusinthehall，exclaiming—
　　“Mesdames，vousetesservies！”adding，“J’aibienfaim，moi！”
　　Wefounddinnerready，andwaitingforusinMrs。Fairfax’sroom。
　　Chapter12
　　Thepromiseofasmoothcareer，whichmyfirstcalmintroductiontoThornfieldHallseemedtopledge，wasnotbeliedonalongeracquaintancewiththeplaceanditsinmates。Mrs。Fairfaxturnedouttobewhatsheappeared，aplacid—tempered，kind—naturedwoman，ofcompetenteducationandaverageintelligence。Mypupilwasalivelychild，whohadbeenspoiltandindulged，andthereforewassometimeswayward;butasshewascommittedentirelytomycare，andnoinjudiciousinterferencefromanyquartereverthwartedmyplansforherimprovement，shesoonforgotherlittlefreaks，andbecameobedientandteachable。Shehadnogreattalents，nomarkedtraitsofcharacter，nopeculiardevelopmentoffeelingortastewhichraisedheroneinchabovetheordinarylevelofchildhood;butneitherhadsheanydeficiencyorvicewhichsunkherbelowit。Shemadereasonableprogress，entertainedformeavivacious，thoughperhapsnotveryprofound，affection;andbyhersimplicity，gayprattle，andeffortstoplease，inspiredme，inreturn，withadegreeofattachmentsufficienttomakeusbothcontentineachother’ssociety。
　　This，parparenthèse，willbethoughtcoollanguagebypersonswhoentertainsolemndoctrinesabouttheangelicnatureofchildren，andthedutyofthosechargedwiththeireducationtoconceiveforthemanidolatrousdevotion:butIamnotwritingtoflatterparentalegotism，toechocant，orpropuphumbug;Iammerelytellingthetruth。IfeltaconscientioussolicitudeforAdèle’swelfareandprogress，andaquietlikingforherlittleself:justasIcherishedtowardsMrs。Fairfaxathankfulnessforherkindness，andapleasureinhersocietyproportionatetothetranquilregardshehadforme，andthemoderationofhermindandcharacter。
　　Anybodymayblamemewholikes，whenIaddfurther，that，nowandthen，whenItookawalkbymyselfinthegrounds;whenIwentdowntothegatesandlookedthroughthemalongtheroad;orwhen，whileAdèleplayedwithhernurse，andMrs。Fairfaxmadejelliesinthestoreroom，Iclimbedthethreestaircases，raisedthetrap—dooroftheattic，andhavingreachedtheleads，lookedoutafaroversequesteredfieldandhill，andalongdimsky—line—thatthenIlongedforapowerofvisionwhichmightoverpassthatlimit;whichmightreachthebusyworld，towns，regionsfulloflifeIhadheardofbutneverseen—thatthenIdesiredmoreofpracticalexperiencethanIpossessed;moreofintercoursewithmykind，ofacquaintancewithvarietyofcharacter，thanwasherewithinmyreach。IvaluedwhatwasgoodinMrs。Fairfax，andwhatwasgoodinAdèle;butIbelievedintheexistenceofotherandmorevividkindsofgoodness，andwhatIbelievedinIwishedtobehold。
　　Whoblamesme？Many，nodoubt;andIshallbecalleddiscontented。Icouldnothelpit:therestlessnesswasinmynature;itagitatedmetopainsometimes。Thenmysolereliefwastowalkalongthecorridorofthethirdstorey，backwardsandforwards，safeinthesilenceandsolitudeofthespot，andallowmymind’seyetodwellonwhateverbrightvisionsrosebeforeit—and，certainly，theyweremanyandglowing;toletmyheartbeheavedbytheexultantmovement，which，whileitswelleditintrouble，expandeditwithlife;and，bestofall，toopenmyinwardeartoatalethatwasneverended—atalemyimaginationcreated，andnarratedcontinuously;quickenedwithallofincident，life，fire，feeling，thatIdesiredandhadnotinmyactualexistence。
　　Itisinvaintosayhumanbeingsoughttobesatisfiedwithtranquillity:theymusthaveaction;andtheywillmakeitiftheycannotfindit。Millionsarecondemnedtoastillerdoomthanmine，andmillionsareinsilentrevoltagainsttheirlot。Nobodyknowshowmanyrebellionsbesidespoliticalrebellionsfermentinthemassesoflifewhichpeopleearth。Womenaresupposedtobeverycalmgenerally:butwomenfeeljustasmenfeel;theyneedexercisefortheirfaculties，andafieldfortheirefforts，asmuchastheirbrothersdo;theysufferfromtoorigidarestraint，tooabsoluteastagnation，preciselyasmenwouldsuffer;anditisnarrow—mindedintheirmoreprivilegedfellow—creaturestosaythattheyoughttoconfinethemselvestomakingpuddingsandknittingstockings，toplayingonthepianoandembroideringbags。Itisthoughtlesstocondemnthem，orlaughatthem，iftheyseektodomoreorlearnmorethancustomhaspronouncednecessaryfortheirsex。
　　Whenthusalone，InotunfrequentlyheardGracePoole’slaugh:thesamepeal，thesamelow，slowha！ha！which，whenfirstheard，hadthrilledme:Iheard，too，hereccentricmurmurs;strangerthanherlaugh。Thereweredayswhenshewasquitesilent;buttherewereotherswhenIcouldnotaccountforthesoundsshemade。SometimesIsawher:shewouldcomeoutofherroomwithabasin，oraplate，oratrayinherhand，godowntothekitchenandshortlyreturn，generally（oh，romanticreader，forgivemefortellingtheplaintruth！）bearingapotofporter。Herappearancealwaysactedasadampertothecuriosityraisedbyheroraloddities:hard—featuredandstaid，shehadnopointtowhichinterestcouldattach。Imadesomeattemptstodrawherintoconversation，butsheseemedapersonoffewwords:amonosyllabicreplyusuallycutshorteveryeffortofthatsort。
　　Theothermembersofthehousehold，viz。，Johnandhiswife，Leahthehousemaid，andSophietheFrenchnurse，weredecentpeople;butinnorespectremarkable;withSophieIusedtotalkFrench，andsometimesIaskedherquestionsabouthernativecountry;butshewasnotofadescriptiveornarrativeturn，andgenerallygavesuchvapidandconfusedanswersaswerecalculatedrathertocheckthanencourageinquiry。
　　October，November，Decemberpassedaway。OneafternooninJanuary，Mrs。FairfaxhadbeggedaholidayforAdèle，becauseshehadacold;and，asAdèlesecondedtherequestwithanardourthatremindedmehowpreciousoccasionalholidayshadbeentomeinmyownchildhood，Iaccordedit，deemingthatIdidwellinshowingpliabilityonthepoint。Itwasafine，calmday，thoughverycold;Iwastiredofsittingstillinthelibrarythroughawholelongmorning:Mrs。Fairfaxhadjustwrittenaletterwhichwaswaitingtobeposted，soIputonmybonnetandcloakandvolunteeredtocarryittoHay;thedistance，twomiles，wouldbeapleasantwinterafternoonwalk。HavingseenAdèlecomfortablyseatedinherlittlechairbyMrs。Fairfax’sparlourfireside，andgivenherherbestwaxdoll（whichIusuallykeptenvelopedinsilverpaperinadrawer）toplaywith，andastory—bookforchangeofamusement;andhavingrepliedtoher“Revenezbient？t，mabonneamie，machèreMdlle。Jeannette，”withakissIsetout。
　　Thegroundwashard，theairwasstill，myroadwaslonely;IwalkedfasttillIgotwarm，andthenIwalkedslowlytoenjoyandanalysethespeciesofpleasurebroodingformeinthehourandsituation。Itwasthreeo’clock;thechurchbelltolledasIpassedunderthebelfry:thecharmofthehourlayinitsapproachingdimness，inthelow—glidingandpale—beamingsun。IwasamilefromThornfield，inalanenotedforwildrosesinsummer，fornutsandblackberriesinautumn，andevennowpossessingafewcoraltreasuresinhipsandhaws，butwhosebestwinterdelightlayinitsuttersolitudeandleaflessrepose。Ifabreathofairstirred，itmadenosoundhere;fortherewasnotaholly，notanevergreentorustle，andthestrippedhawthornandhazelbusheswereasstillasthewhite，wornstoneswhichcausewayedthemiddleofthepath。Farandwide，oneachside，therewereonlyfields，wherenocattlenowbrowsed;andthelittlebrownbirds，whichstirredoccasionallyinthehedge，lookedlikesinglerussetleavesthathadforgottentodrop。