iskingMr.Rochester’sdispleasurebydisobeyinghisorders,whenthelightoncemleameddimlyonthegallerywall,andIheardhisunshodfeettreadthematting.“Ihopeitishe,”thoughtI,“andnotsomethingworse.”

    Here-entered,paleandverygloomy.“Ihavefounditallout,”saidhe,settinghisdledownonthewashstand;“itisasIthought.”

    “How,sir?”

    Hemadenoreply,butstoodwithhisarmsfolded,lookingontheground.Attheendofafewminutesheinquiredinratherapeculiartone—

    “Ifetwhetheryousaidyousawanythingwhenyouopenedyourchamberdoor.”

    “No,sir,onlythedlestitheground.”

    “Butyouheardanoddlaugh?Youhaveheardthatlaughbefore,Ishouldthink,orsomethinglikeit?”

    “Yes,sir:thereisawomanwhosewshere,calledGracePoole,—shelaughsinthatway.Sheisasingularperson.”

    “Justso.GracePoole—youhaveguessedit.Sheis,asyousay,singular—very.Well,Ishallreflethesubject.Meantime,Iamgladthatyouaretheonlyperson,besidesmyself,acquaihtheprecisedetailsofto-night’si.Youarenotalkingfool:saynothingaboutit.Iwillatforthisstateofaffairs”(pointingtothebed):“andurntoyourownroom.Ishalldoverywellonthesofainthelibraryfortherestofthenight.Itisnearfour:-intwohourstheservantswillbeup.”

    “Good-night,then,sir,”saidI,departing.

    Heseemedsurprised—veryinsistentlyso,ashehadjusttoldmetogo.

    “What!”heexclaimed,“areyouquittingmealready,andinthatway?”

    “YousaidImightgo,sir.”

    “Butnotwithouttakingleave;notwithoutawordortwoofaowledgmentandgood-will:not,inshort,inthatbrief,dryfashion.Why,youhavesavedmylife!—snatchedmefr