esdames”(tothedowagers),“youwilltakecoldtoadeadcertainty,ifyoustayinthischillgalleryanylonger.”

    Andso,bydintofalternatecoaxingandandirivedtogetthemalloncemoreenclosedintheirseparatedormitories.Ididnotwaittobeorderedbairetreatedunnoticed,asunnoticedIhadleftit.

    Not,however,togotobed:orary,Ibegananddressedmyselfcarefully.ThesoundsIhadheardafterthescream,andthewordsthathadbeenuttered,hadprobablybeenheardonlybyme;fortheyhadproceededfromtheroomabovemitheyassuredmethatitwasnotaservant’sdreamwhichhadthusstruckhorrhthehouse;andthattheexplanationMr.Rochesterhadgivenwasmerelyaionframedtopacifyhisguests.Idressed,then,tobereadyforemergencies.Whendressed,IsatalongtimebythewindowlookingoutoverthesilentgroundsandsilveredfieldsandwaitingforIkwhat.Itseemedtomethatsomeeventmustfollowthestrangecry,struggle,andcall.

    No:stillnessreturned:eachmurmurandmovementceasedgradually,andinaboutanhourThornfieldHallwasagainashushedasadesert.Itseemedthatsleepandnighthadresumedtheirempire.Meahemoondeed:shewasabouttoset.Notlikingtositinthecoldanddarkness,IthoughtIwouldliedownonmybed,dressedasIwas.Ileftthewindow,andmovedwithlittlenoiseacrossthecarpet;asIstoopedtotakeoffmyshoes,acautioushandtappedlowatthedoor.

    “AmIwanted?”Iasked.

    “Areyouup?”askedthevoiceIexpectedtohear,viz.,mymaster’s.

    “Yes,sir.”

    “Anddressed?”

    “Yes.”

    “eout,then,quietly.”

    Iobeyed.Mr.Rochesterstoodinthegalleryholdingalight.

    “Iwantyou,”hesaid:“ethisway:takeyourtime,andmakeno