CHAPTER XIV 163
CHAPTER XIV
For several subsequent days I saw little of Mr . Rochester . In the mornings he seemed much engaged with business , and , in the afternoon , gentlemen from Millcote or the neighbourhood called , and sometimes stayed to dine with him . When his sprain was well enough to admit of horse exercise , he rode out a good deal ; probably to return these visits , as he generally did not come back till late at night .
During this interval , even Adele was seldom sent for to his presence , and all my acquaintance with him was confined to an occasional rencontre in the hall , on the stairs , or in the gallery , when he would sometimes pass me haughtily and coldly , just acknowledging my presence by a distant nod or a cool glance , and sometimes bow and smile with gentlemanlike affability . His changes of mood did not offend me , because I saw that I had nothing to do with their alternation ; the ebb and flow depended on causes quite disconnected with me .
One day he had had company to dinner , and had sent for my portfolio ; in order , doubtless , to exhibit its contents : the gentlemen went away early , to attend a public meeting at Millcote , as Mrs . Fairfax informed me ; but the night being wet and inclement , Mr . Rochester did not accompany them . Soon after they were gone he rang the bell : a message came that I and Adele were to go downstairs . I brushed Adele ' s hair and made her neat , and having ascertained that I was myself in my usual Quaker trim , where there was nothing to retouch -- all being too close and plain , braided locks included , to admit of disarrangement -- we descended , Adele wondering whether the petit coffre was at length come ; for , owing to some mistake , its arrival had hitherto been delayed . She was gratified : there it stood , a little carton , on the table when we entered the dining-room . She appeared to know it by instinct .
" Ma boite ! ma boite !" exclaimed she , running towards it .
" Yes , there is your ' boite ' at last : take it into a corner , you genuine daughter of Paris , and amuse yourself with disembowelling it ," said the deep and