"Yes," said Leah; "I wish I had as good; not that mine are to plain of,- there"s no stinginess at Thornfield; but they"re not one fifth of the sum Mrs. poole receives. And she is laying by: she goes every quarter to the bank at Millcote. I should not wonder but she has saved enough to keep her independent if she liked to leave; but I suppose she"s got used to the place; and then she"s not forty yet，and strong and able for anything. It is too soon for her to give up business."

"She is a good hand，I daresay," said the charwoman.

"Ah!- she understands what she has to do,- nobody better," rejoined Leah significantly; "and it is not every one could fill her shoes- not for all the money she gets."

"That it is not!" was the reply. "I wonder whether the master-"

The charwoman was going on; but here Leah turned and perceived me，and she instantly gave her panion a nudge.

"Doesn"t she know?" I heard the woman whisper.

Leah shook her head，and the conversation was of course dropped.

All I had gathered from it amounted to this,- that there was a mystery at Thornfield; and that from participation in that mystery I was purposely excluded.

Thursday came: all work had been pleted the previous evening; carpets were laid down，bed-hangings festooned，radiant white counterpanes spread，toilet tables arranged，furniture rubbed，flowers piled in vases: both chambers and saloons looked as fresh and bright as hands could make them. The hall，too，was scoured; and the great carved clock，as well as the steps and banisters of the staircase，were polished to the brightness of glass; in the dining-room，the sideboard flashed resplendent with plate; in the drawing-room and boudoir，vases of exotics bloomed on all sides.

Afternoon arrived: Mrs. Fairfax assumed her best black satin gown，her gloves，and her gold watch; for it was her part to receive the pany,- to conduct the ladies to their rooms，etc. Adele，too，would be dressed: though I thought she had little chance of being introduced to the party that day at least. However，to please her，I allowed Sophie to apparel her in one of her short，full muslin frocks.