ossthedoor-stohehouse,exceptatnight,whenhewalkedjustlikeaghostaboutthegroundsandintheorchardasifhehadlosthissenses—whichitismyopinionhehad;foramorespirited,bolder,keelemanthanhewasbeforethatmidgeofagovernesscrossedhim,youneversaw,ma’am.Hewasnotamaowine,orcards,orrag,assomeare,andhewasnotsoveryhandsome;buthehadaceandawillofhisown,ifevermanhad.Iknewhimfromaboy,yousee:andformypart,IhaveoftenwishedthatMissEyrehadbeensunkintheseabeforeshecametoThornfieldHall.”

    “ThenMr.Rochesterwasathomewhenthefirebrokeout?”

    “Yes,indeedwashe;auptotheatticswhenallwasburningaboveandbelow,andgottheservantsoutoftheirbedsandhelpedthemdownhimself,abacktogethismadwifeoutofhercell.Aheycalledouttohimthatshewasontheroof,whereshewasstanding,wavingherarms,abovethebattlements,andshoutingouttilltheycouldhearheramileoff:Isawherandheardherwithmyowneyes.Shewasabigwoman,andhadlongblackhair:wecouldseeitstreamingagainsttheflamesasshestood.Iwitnessed,andseveralmorewitnessed,Mr.Rochesterasdthroughthesky-lightontotheroof;weheardhimcall‘Bertha!’Wesaroachher;andthen,ma’am,sheyelledandgaveaspring,aminuteshelaysmashedonthepavement.”

    “Dead?”

    “Dead!Ay,deadasthestonesonwhichherbrainsandbloodwerescattered.”

    “GoodGod!”

    “Youmaywellsayso,ma’am:itwasfrightful!”

    Heshuddered.

    “Andafterwards?”Iurged.

    “Well,ma’am,afterwardsthehousewasburnttotheground:thereareonlysomebitsofwallsstandingnow.”

    “Wereanyotherliveslost?”

    “No—perhapsitwouldhavebeeeriftherehad.”