简爱(英文版)-第29章

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“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　ing；　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；　weling　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：　me　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　motion；　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　bustion。　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…bye；　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　e　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　e　into　the　drawing…room　after　dinner；　and　request　Miss　Eyre　to　acpany　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　pany；　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　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　l