CHAPTER XI 118
" Thornfield? I don ' t know, ma ' am; I ' ll inquire at the bar." He vanished, but reappeared instantly-
" Is your name Eyre, Miss?" " Yes." " Person here waiting for you."
I jumped up, took my muff and umbrella, and hastened into the innpassage: a man was standing by the open door, and in the lamp-lit street I dimly saw a one-horse conveyance.
" This will be your luggage, I suppose?" said the man rather abruptly when he saw me, pointing to my trunk in the passage.
" Yes." He hoisted it on to the vehicle, which was a sort of car, and then I got in; before he shut me up, I asked him how far it was to Thornfield.
" A matter of six miles." " How long shall we be before we get there?" " Happen an hour and a half."
He fastened the car door, climbed to his own seat outside, and we set off. Our progress was leisurely, and gave me ample time to reflect; I was content to be at length so near the end of my journey; and as I leaned back in the comfortable though not elegant conveyance, I meditated much at my ease.
" I suppose," thought I, " judging from the plainness of the servant and carriage, Mrs. Fairfax is not a very dashing person: so much the better; I never lived amongst fine people but once, and I was very miserable with them. I wonder if she lives alone except this little girl; if so, and if she is in any degree amiable, I shall surely be able to get on with her; I will do my