 forty; a set, square-made figure, red-haired, and with a hard, plain
face: any apparition less romantic or less ghostly could scarcely be conceived.
    »Too much noise, Grace,« said Mrs. Fairfax. »Remember directions!« Grace
curtseyed silently and went in.
    »She is a person we have to sew and assist Leah in her housemaid's work,«
continued the widow; »not altogether unobjectionable in some points, but she
does well enough. By-the-by, how have you got on with your new pupil this
morning?«
    The conversation, thus turned on Adèle, continued till we reached the light
and cheerful region below. Adèle came running to meet us in the hall,
exclaiming: -
    »Mesdames, vous êtes servies!« adding »J'ai bien faim, moi!«
    We found dinner ready, and waiting for us in Mrs. Fairfax's room.
 

                                  Chapter XII

The promise of a smooth career, which my first calm introduction to
Thornfield-Hall seemed to pledge, was not belied on a longer acquaintance with
the place and its inmates. Mrs. Fairfax turned out to be what she appeared, a
placid-tempered, kind-natured woman, of competent education and average
intelligence. My pupil was a lively child, who had been spoilt and indulged, and
therefore was sometimes wayward; but as she was committed entirely to my care,
and no injudicious interference from any quarter ever thwarted my plans for her
improvement, she soon forgot her little freaks, and became obedient and
teachable. She had no great talents, no marked traits of character, no peculiar
development of feeling or taste which raised her one inch above the ordinary
level of childhood; but neither had she any deficiency or vice which sunk her
below it. She made reasonable progress, entertained for me a vivacious, though
perhaps not very profound affection, and by her simplicity, gay prattle, and
efforts to please, inspired me, in return, with a degree of attachment
sufficient to make us both content in each other's society.
    This, par parenthèse, will be thought cool language by persons who entertain
solemn doctrines about the angelic nature of children, and the duty of those
charged with their education to conceive for them an idolatrous devotion: but I
am not writing to flatter parental egotism, to echo cant, or prop up humbug; I
am merely telling the truth. I felt a conscientious solicitude for Adèle's
welfare and progress, and a quiet liking to her little self; just as I cherished
towards Mrs
