CHAPTER XVII 209
" Miss Ingram !" exclaimed Mrs . Fairfax , and away she hurried to her post below .
The cavalcade , following the sweep of the drive , quickly turned the angle of the house , and I lost sight of it . Adele now petitioned to go down ; but I took her on my knee , and gave her to understand that she must not on any account think of venturing in sight of the ladies , either now or at any other time , unless expressly sent for : that Mr . Rochester would be very angry , & c . " Some natural tears she shed " on being told this ; but as I began to look very grave , she consented at last to wipe them .
A joyous stir was now audible in the hall : gentlemen ' s deep tones and ladies ' silvery accents blent harmoniously together , and distinguishable above all , though not loud , was the sonorous voice of the master of Thornfield Hall , welcoming his fair and gallant guests under its roof . Then light steps ascended the stairs ; and there was a tripping through the gallery , and soft cheerful laughs , and opening and closing doors , and , for a time , a hush .
" Elles changent de toilettes ," said Adele ; who , listening attentively , had followed every movement ; and she sighed .
" Chez maman ," said she , " quand il y avait du monde , je le suivais partout , au salon et e leurs chambres ; souvent je regardais les femmes de chambre coiffer et habiller les dames , et c ' etait si amusant : comme cela on apprend ."
" Don ' t you feel hungry , Adele ?"
" Mais oui , mademoiselle : voile cinq ou six heures que nous n ' avons pas mange ."
" Well now , while the ladies are in their rooms , I will venture down and get you something to eat ."
And issuing from my asylum with precaution , I sought a back-stairs which conducted directly to the kitchen . All in that region was fire and