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it is my particular wish; and if she resists; say I shall e 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 e 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 acpany 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 menced 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 y 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 prendrie une seule de ces fleurs magnifiques; mademoiselle? Seulement pour pleter 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: naive; 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 b