then,whileIremovedmyboandshawl,IquestionedMaryastowhetherIcouldbeaodatedattheManorHouseforthenight;andfindingthatarraothateffect,thoughdifficult,wouldnotbeimpossible,IinformedherIshouldstay.Justatthismomenttheparlour-bellrang.

    “Whenyougoin,”saidI,“tellyourmasterthatapersonwishestospeaktohim,butdonotgivemyname.”

    “Idon’tthinkhewillseeyou,”sheanswered;“herefuseseverybody.”

    Wheurned,Iinquiredwhathehadsaid.“Youaretosendinyournameandyourbusiness,”shereplied.Shethenproceededtofillaglasswithwater,andplaceitonatray,togetherwithdles.

    “Isthatwhatherangfor?”Iasked.

    “Yes:healwayshasdlesbroughtinatdark,thoughheisblind.”

    “Givethetraytome;Iwillcarryitin.”

    Itookitfromherhand:shepointedmeouttheparlourdoor.ThetrayshookasIheldit;thewaterspiltfromtheglass;myheartstruckmyribsloudandfast.Maryopehedoorforme,andshutitbehindme.

    Thisparlourlookedgloomy:aedhandfuloffireburntlowie;and,leani,withhisheadsupportedagainstthehigh,old-fashionedmantelpiece,appearedtheblioftheroom.Hisolddog,Pilot,layononeside,removedoutoftheway,andcoiledupasifafraidofbeingientlytroddenupon.PilotprickeduphisearswhenIcamein:thenhejumpedupandawhine,andbouowardsme:healmostkhetrayfrommyhands.Isetitoable;thenpattedhim,andsaidsoftly,“Liedown!”Mr.Rochesterturnedmeicallytoseewhattheotionwas:butashesawnothiurnedandsighed.

    “Givemethewater,Mary,”hesaid.

    Iapproachedhimwiththenowonlyhalf-filledglass;Pilotfollowedme,stillexcited.

    “Whatisthematter?”heinquired.

    “