it。”

But　what　had　befallen　the　night？　The　moon　was　not　yet　set；　and　we　were　all　in　shadow：　I　could　scarcely　see　my　master’s　face；　near　as　I　was。　And　what　ailed　the　chestnut　tree？　it　writhed　and　groaned；　while　wind　roared　in　the　laurel　walk；　and　came　sweeping　over　us。

“We　must　go　in；”　said　Mr。　Rochester：　“the　weather　changes。　I　could　have　sat　with　thee　till　morning；　Jane。”

“And　so；”　thought　I；　“could　I　with　you。”　I　should　have　said　so；　perhaps；　but　a　livid；　vivid　spark　leapt　out　of　a　cloud　at　which　I　was　looking；　and　there　was　a　crack；　a　crash；　and　a　close　rattling　peal；　and　I　thought　only　of　hiding　my　dazzled　eyes　against　Mr。　Rochester’s　shoulder。

The　rain　rushed　down。　He　hurried　me　up　the　walk；　through　the　grounds；　and　into　the　house；　but　we　were　quite　wet　before　we　could　pass　the　threshold。　He　was　taking　off　my　shawl　in　the　hall；　and　shaking　the　water　out　of　my　loosened　hair；　when　Mrs。　Fairfax　emerged　from　her　room。　I　did　not　observe　her　at　first；　nor　did　Mr。　Rochester。　The　lamp　was　lit。　The　clock　was　on　the　stroke　of　twelve。

“Hasten　to　take　off　your　wet　things；”　said　he；　“and　before　you　go；　good…night—good…night；　my　darling！”

He　kissed　me　repeatedly。　When　I　looked　up；　on　leaving　his　arms；　there　stood　the　widow；　pale；　grave；　and　amazed。　I　only　smiled　at　her；　and　ran　upstairs。　“Explanation　will　do　for　another　time；”　thought　I。　Still；　when　I　reached　my　chamber；　I　felt　a　pang　at　the　idea　she　should　even　temporarily　misconstrue　what　she　had　seen。　But　joy　soon　effaced　every　other　feeling；　and　loud　as　the　wind　blew；　near　and　deep　as　the　thunder　crashed；　fierce　and　frequent　as　the　lightning　gleamed；　cataract…like　as　the　rain　fell　during　a　storm　of　two　hours’　duration；　I　experienced　no　fear　and　little　awe。　Mr。　Rochester　came　thrice　t