[00:00.07]Chapter 17, Blanche Ingram.
[00:04.70]He was away for two weeks.
[00:07.94]I tried not to think of him and failed.
[00:13.18]When a letter arrived for Mrs. Fairfax during breakfast, my hand shook so badly I could hardly hold my cup.
[00:24.52]He will be here in three days, she said, bringing all the fine company with him.
[00:29.87]I shall have to employ extra help to prepare the bedrooms.
[00:38.18]The entire household worked frantically for three days.
[00:43.45]Adele was delighted, bouncing on the beds and longing for the company to arrive.
[00:50.92]As we all worked together, I sometimes heard the servants discussing Grace Pool, and what good wages she earned.
[00:59.88]But they always stopped when they realized I was there.
[01:05.71]On Thursday evening, the horses and carriages began to rumble up the drive, with Mr. Rochester riding his black horse, Musraur.
[01:18.84]A lady rode beside him, dressed in purple, her rich black curls streaming behind her.
[01:27.80]Miss Ingram, said Mrs. Fairfax.
[01:33.24]Adele was longing to meet the fine company, but that night she had to be content with sitting on the stairs and peeping at the ladies in their silks and satins.
[01:48.50]The next evening, we were summoned to the drawing room.
[01:54.11]With Adele in her pink satin frock, we waited there until the doors opened and the ladies flocked in with a waft of white silk and feathers.
[02:07.23]Blanche Ingram, tall and dark, stood out amongst them.
[02:13.89]Adele stepped forward with a perfect curtsey.
[02:21.91]The ladies all fussed over her, and Miss Ingram called her a little puppet.
[02:29.84]But I did not like the way she looked at Adele.
[02:34.97]There was a mocking air about her.
[02:39.25]She was much more interested in flirting with Mr. Rochester.
[02:46.89]Keeping out of the way in a quiet corner, I heard her speaking to him.
[02:55.83]You employ a governess, she said.
[03:01.62]I can't think why, when you could send the child away to school.
[03:09.15]My sister and I had dozens of governesses and we teased them terribly.
[03:15.74]We usually managed to get them sent away.
[03:20.78]Shall we sing, Mr. Rochester?
[03:26.11]They sang together very beautifully.
[03:30.49]Her playing was excellent, and she enjoyed admiration, especially Mr. Rochester's.
[03:40.34]I could bear no more.
[03:42.49]I slipped out, sure that nobody would notice me.
[03:48.12]But, in the hall, I came face-to-face with Mr. Rochester.
[03:57.80]Why did you avoid me this evening?
[04:01.51]He asked.
[04:04.36]I did not wish to interrupt, sir.
[04:10.25]Are you well?
[04:11.61]You look pale.
[04:14.92]I am very well, sir.
[04:17.99]Come back to the drawing room, he said.
[04:22.73]You are deserting us too early.
[04:26.76]I am tired, sir.
[04:29.86]And depressed?
[04:31.94]No, sir.
[04:33.46]Yes, you are, he said.
[04:36.65]You are near to tears.
[04:43.27]It was true, and I could not stop a tear from falling as he spoke.
[04:49.41]You may go, but you must come to the drawing room every evening.
[04:55.07]I insist.
[04:59.68]Good night, my
[05:02.97]Then he stopped, bit his lip and left me.