CHAPTER XVII 210
commotion ; the soup and fish were in the last stage of projection , and the cook hung over her crucibles in a frame of mind and body threatening spontaneous combustion . In the servants ' hall two coachmen and three gentlemen ' s gentlemen stood or sat round the fire ; the abigails , I suppose , were upstairs with their mistresses ; the new servants , that had been hired from Millcote , were bustling about everywhere . Threading this chaos , I at last reached the larder ; there I took possession of a cold chicken , a roll of bread , some tarts , a plate or two and a knife and fork : with this booty I made a hasty retreat . I had regained the gallery , and was just shutting the back-door behind me , when an accelerated hum warned me that the ladies were about to issue from their chambers . I could not proceed to the schoolroom without passing some of their doors , and running the risk of being surprised with my cargo of victualage ; so I stood still at this end , which , being windowless , was dark : quite dark now , for the sun was set and twilight gathering .
Presently the chambers gave up their fair tenants one after another : each came out gaily and airily , with dress that gleamed lustrous through the dusk . For a moment they stood grouped together at the other extremity of the gallery , conversing in a key of sweet subdued vivacity : they then descended the staircase almost as noiselessly as a bright mist rolls down a hill . Their collective appearance had left on me an impression of high-born elegance , such as I had never before received .
I found Adele peeping through the schoolroom door , which she held ajar . " What beautiful ladies !" cried she in English . " Oh , I wish I might go to them ! Do you think Mr . Rochester will send for us by-and-bye , after dinner ?"
" No , indeed , I don ' t ; Mr . Rochester has something else to think about . Never mind the ladies to-night ; perhaps you will see them to-morrow : here is your dinner ."
She was really hungry , so the chicken and tarts served to divert her attention for a time . It was well I secured this forage , or both she , I , and Sophie , to whom I conveyed a share of our repast , would have run a chance