ing there to post a letter。”
“You live just below—do you mean at that house with the battlements?” pointing to Thornfield Hall; on which the moon cast a hoary gleam; bringing it out distinct and pale from the woods that; by contrast with the western sky; now seemed one mass of shadow。
“Yes; sir。”
“Whose house is it?”
“Mr。 Rochester’s。”
“Do you know Mr。 Rochester?”
“No; I have never seen him。”
“He is not resident; then?”
“No。”
“Can you tell me where he is?”
“I cannot。”
“You are not a servant at the hall; of course。 You are—” He stopped; ran his eye over my dress; ple: a black merino cloak; a black beaver bon; neither of them half fine enough for a lady’s…maid。 He seemed puzzled to decide what I was; I helped him。
“I am the governess。”
“Ah; the governess!” he repeated; “deuce take me; if I had not forgotten! The governess!” and again my raiment underwent scrutiny。 In two minutes he rose from the stile: his face expressed pain when he tried to move。
“I cannot mission you to fetch help;” he said; “but you may help me a little yourself; if you will be so kind。”
“Yes; sir。”
“You have not an umbrella that I can use as a stick?”
“No。”
“Try to get hold of my horse’s bridle and lead him to me: you are not afraid?”
I should have been afraid to touch a horse when alone; but when told to do it; I was disposed to obey。 I put down my muff on the stile; and wen