Джейн Эйр / Jane Eyre

I really did not expect any Grace to answer; for the laugh was as tragic, as preternatural a laugh as any I ever heard; and, but that it was high noon, and that no circumstance of ghostliness accompanied the curious cachinnation; but that neither scene nor season favoured fear, I should have been superstitiously afraid. However, the event showed me I was a fool for entertaining a sense even of surprise.

The door nearest me opened, and a servant came out, – a woman of between thirty and forty; a set, square-made figure, red-haired, and with a hard, plain face; any apparition less romantic or less ghostly could scarcely be conceived.

�Too much noise, Grace,’ said Mrs. Fairfax. �Remember directions!’ Grace curtseyed silently and went in.

�She is a person we have to sew and assist Leah in her housemaid’s work,’ continued the widow; �not altogether unobjectionable in some points, but she does well enough. By-the-bye, how have you got on with your new pupil this morning?’

The conversation, thus turned on AdГЁle, continued till we reached the light and cheerful region below.

AdГЁle came running to meet us in the hall, exclaiming:

�Mesdames, vous êtes servies!’ adding, �J’ai bien faim, moi!’[33 - Дамы, обед подан! Что касается меня, я ужасно голодна! (фр.)]

We found dinner ready, and waiting for us in Mrs.

Fairfax’s room.

Chapter XII

The promise of a smooth career, which my first calm introduction to Thornfield Hall seemed to pledge, was not belied on a longer acquaintance with the place and its inmates. Mrs. Fairfax turned out to be what she appeared, a placid-tempered, kind-natured woman, of competent education and average intelligence. My pupil was a lively child, who had been spoilt and indulged, and therefore was sometimes wayward; but as she was committed entirely to my care, and no injudicious interference from any quarter ever thwarted my plans for her improvement, she soon forgot her little freaks, and became obedient and teachable.

She had no great talents, no marked traits of character, no peculiar development of feeling or taste which raised her one inch above the ordinary level of childhood; but neither had she any deficiency or vice which sunk her below it.