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 ."