I allowed Adele to sit up much later than usual; for she declared she could not possibly go to sleep while the doors kept opening and shutting below, and people bustling about.

Besides, she added, a message might possibly come from Mr.Rochester when she was undressed; "et alors quel dommage!" I told her stories as long as she would listen to them; and then for a change I took her out into the gallery.

The hall lamp was now lit, and it amused her to look over the balustrade and watch the servants passing backwards and forwards.

When the evening was far advanced, a sound of music issued from the drawing-room, whither the piano had been removed; Adele and I sat down on the top step of the stairs to listen.

Presently a voice blent with the rich tones of the instrument; it was a lady who sang, and very sweet her notes were.