nd　where　an　array　of　mighty　old　thorn　trees；　strong；　knotty；　and　broad　as　oaks；　at　once　explained　the　etymology　of　the　mansion’s　designation。　Farther　off　were　hills：　not　so　lofty　as　those　round　Lowood；　nor　so　craggy；　nor　so　like　barriers　of　separation　from　the　living　world；　but　yet　quiet　and　lonely　hills　enough；　and　seeming　to　embrace　Thornfield　with　a　seclusion　I　had　not　expected　to　find　existent　so　near　the　stirring　locality　of　Millcote。　A　little　hamlet；　whose　roofs　were　blent　with　trees；　straggled　up　the　side　of　one　of　these　hills；　the　church　of　the　district　stood　nearer　Thornfield：　its　old　tower…top　looked　over　a　knoll　between　the　house　and　gates。

I　was　yet　enjoying　the　calm　prospect　and　pleasant　fresh　air；　yet　listening　with　delight　to　the　cawing　of　the　rooks；　yet　surveying　the　wide；　hoary　front　of　the　hall；　and　thinking　what　a　great　place　it　was　for　one　lonely　little　dame　like　Mrs。　Fairfax　to　inhabit；　when　that　lady　appeared　at　the　door。

“What！　out　already？”　said　she。　“I　see　you　are　an　early　riser。”　I　went　up　to　her；　and　was　received　with　an　affable　kiss　and　shake　of　the　hand。

“How　do　you　like　Thornfield？”　she　asked。　I　told　her　I　liked　it　very　much。

“Yes；”　she　said；　“it　is　a　pretty　place；　but　I　fear　it　will　be　getting　out　of　order；　unless　Mr。　Rochester　should　take　it　into　his　head　to　e　and　reside　here　permanently；　or；　at　least；　visit　it　rather　oftener：　great　houses　and　fine　grounds　require　the　presence　of　the　proprietor。”

“Mr。　Rochester！”　I　exclaimed。　“Who　is　he？”

“The　owner　of　Thornfield；”　she　responded　quietly。　“Did　you　not　know　he　was　called　Rochester？”

Of　course　I　did　not—I　had　never　heard　of　him　before；　but　the　old　lady　seemed　to　regard　his　existence　as　a　universally　understood　fact；　with　which　everybody　must　b