dead certainty； if you stay in this chill gallery any longer。”
And so； by dint of alternate coaxing and manding； he contrived to get them all once more enclosed in their separate dormitories。 I did not wait to be ordered back to mine； but retreated unnoticed； as unnoticed I had left it。
Not； however； to go to bed： on the contrary； I began and dressed myself carefully。 The sounds I had heard after the scream； and the words that had been uttered； had probably been heard only by me； for they had proceeded from the room above mine： but they assured me that it was not a servant’s dream which had thus struck horror through the house； and that the explanation Mr。 Rochester had given was merely an invention framed to pacify his guests。 I dressed； then； to be ready for emergencies。 When dressed； I sat a long time by the window looking out over the silent grounds and silvered fields and waiting for I knew not what。 It seemed to me that some event must follow the strange cry； struggle； and call。
No： stillness returned： each murmur and movement ceased gradually； and in about an hour Thornfield Hall was again as hushed as a desert。 It seemed that sleep and night had resumed their empire。 Meantime the moon declined： she was about to set。 Not liking to sit in the cold and darkness； I thought I would lie down on my bed； dressed as I was。 I left the window； and moved with little noise across the carpet； as I stooped to take off my shoes； a cautious hand tapped low at the door。
“Am I wanted？” I asked。
“Are you up？” asked the voice I expected to hear； viz。； my master’s。
“Yes； sir。”
“And dressed？”
“Yes。”
“e out； then； quietly。”
I obeyed。 Mr。 Rochester stood in the gallery holding a light。
“I want you；” he said： “