China oil paintings

brains over the enigmatical character of Grace Poole, and still more
in pondering the problem of her position at Thornfield and questioning
why she had not been given into custody that morning, or, at the
very least, dismissed from her master's service. He had almost as much
as declared his conviction of her criminality last night: what
mysterious cause withheld him from accusing her? Why had he enjoined
me, too, to secrecy? It was strange: a bold, vindictive, and haughty
gentleman seemed somehow in the power of one of the meanest of his
dependants; so much in her power, that even when she lifted her hand
against his life, he dared not openly charge her with the attempt,
much less punish her for it.
Had Grace been young and handsome, I should have been tempted to
think that tenderer feelings than prudence or fear influenced Mr.
Rochester in her behalf; but, hard-favoured and matronly as she was,
the idea could not be admitted. 'Yet,' I reflected, 'she has been
young once; her youth would be contemporary with her master's: Mrs.
Fairfax told me once, she had lived here many years. I don't think she
can ever have been pretty; but, for aught I know, she may possess
originality and strength of character to compensate for the want of