Jane Eyre. Charlotte Bronte

of the servants, very likely,” she answered: “perhaps Grace Poole.”

      “Did you hear it?” I again inquired.

      “Yes, plainly: I often hear her: she sews in one of these rooms. Sometimes Leah is with her; they are frequently noisy together.”

      The laugh was repeated in its low, syllabic tone, and terminated in an odd murmur.

      “Grace!” exclaimed Mrs. Fairfax.

      I really did not expect any Grace to answer; for the laugh was as tragic, as preternatural a laugh as any I ever heard; and, but that it was high noon, and that no circumstance of ghostliness accompanied the curious cachinnation; but that neither scene nor season favoured fear, I should have been superstitiously afraid. However, the event showed me I was a fool for entertaining a sense even of surprise.

      The door nearest me opened, and a servant came out,—a woman of between thirty and 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-bye, 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.