CHAPTER XVI 200
shoulder and across her breast, tied at the side, and descending in long, fringed ends below her knee. She wore an amber-coloured flower, too, in her hair: it contrasted well with the jetty mass of her curls."
" She was greatly admired, of course?"
" Yes, indeed: and not only for her beauty, but for her accomplishments. She was one of the ladies who sang: a gentleman accompanied her on the piano. She and Mr. Rochester sang a duet."
" Mr. Rochester? I was not aware he could sing." " Oh! he has a fine bass voice, and an excellent taste for music." " And Miss Ingram: what sort of a voice had she?"
" A very rich and powerful one: she sang delightfully; it was a treat to listen to her;-- and she played afterwards. I am no judge of music, but Mr. Rochester is; and I heard him say her execution was remarkably good."
" And this beautiful and accomplished lady, she is not yet married?"
" It appears not: I fancy neither she nor her sister have very large fortunes. Old Lord Ingram ' s estates were chiefly entailed, and the eldest son came in for everything almost."
" But I wonder no wealthy nobleman or gentleman has taken a fancy to her: Mr. Rochester, for instance. He is rich, is he not?"
" Oh! yes. But you see there is a considerable difference in age: Mr. Rochester is nearly forty; she is but twenty-five."
" What of that? More unequal matches are made every day."
" True: yet I should scarcely fancy Mr. Rochester would entertain an idea of the sort. But you eat nothing: you have scarcely tasted since you began tea."