adhebeenahandsome,heroic-lookingyouleman,Ishouldnothavedaredtostandthusquestioninghimagainsthiswill,andmyserviasked.Ihadhardlyeverseenahandsomeyouth;neverinmylifespokentoone.Ihadatheoreticalreverendhomageforbeauty,elegance,gallantry,fasation;buthadImetthosequalitiesinateinmaseshape,Ishouldhaveknowninstinctivelythattheyherhadnorcouldhavesympathywithanythinginme,andshouldhaveshuhemasonewouldfire,lightning,oranythihatisbrightbutantipathetic.

    Ifeventhisstrangerhadsmiledandbeengood-humouredtomewhenIaddressedhim;ifhehadputoffmyofferofassistancegailyandwiththanks,Ishouldhavegoneonmywayandanyvocationtorenewinquiries:butthefrown,theroughnessofthetraveller,setmeatmyease:Iretainedmystationwhenhewavedtometogo,andannounced—

    “Iotthinkofleavingyou,sir,atsolateanhour,inthissolitarylaillIseeyouarefittomountyourhorse.”

    HelookedatmewhenIsaidthis;hehadhardlyturnedhiseyesinmydirebefore.

    “Ishouldthinkyououghttobeathomeyourself,”saidhe,“ifyouhaveahomeinthisneighbourhood:wheredoyouefrom?”

    “Fromjustbelow;andIamnotatallafraidofbeingoutlatewhenitismoonlight:IwillruoHayforyouwithpleasure,ifyouwishit:indeed,Iamgoiopostaletter.”

    “Youlivejustbelow—doyoumeanatthathousewiththebattlements?”pointingtoThornfieldHall,onwhichthemooncastahleam,bringingitoutdistindpalefromthewoodsthat,bytrastwiththewesternsky,nowseemedonemassofshadow.

    “Yes,sir.”

    “Whosehouseisit?”

    “Mr.Rochester’s.”

    “DoyouknowMr.Rochester?”

    “No,Ihaveneverseenhim.”

    “He