t after him； and the last ray vanished。 I was left in total darkness。 I listened for some noise； but heard nothing。 A very long time elapsed。 I grew weary： it was cold； in spite of the cloak； and then I did not see the use of staying； as I was not to rouse the house。 I was on the point of risking Mr。 Rochester’s displeasure by disobeying his orders； when the light once more gleamed dimly on the gallery wall； and I heard his unshod feet tread the matting。 “I hope it is he；” thought I； “and not something worse。”
He re…entered； pale and very gloomy。 “I have found it all out；” said he； setting his candle down on the washstand； “it is as I thought。”
“How； sir？”
He made no reply； but stood with his arms folded； looking on the ground。 At the end of a few minutes he inquired in rather a peculiar tone—
“I forget whether you said you saw anything when you opened your chamber door。”
“No； sir； only the candlestick on the ground。”
“But you heard an odd laugh？ You have heard that laugh before； I should think； or something like it？”
“Yes； sir： there is a woman who sews here； called Grace Poole；—she laughs in that way。 She is a singular person。”
“Just so。 Grace Poole—you have guessed it。 She is； as you say； singular—very。 Well； I shall reflect on the subject。 Meantime； I am glad that you are the only person； besides myself； acquainted with the precise details of to…night’s incident。 You are no talking fool： say nothing about it。 I will account for this state of affairs” （pointing to the bed）： “and now return to your own room。 I shall do very well on the sofa in the library for the rest of the night。 It is near four：… in two hours the servants will be up。”
“Good…night； then； sir；” said I； departing。
He seemed surp