It was by this time half-past five，and the sun was on the point of rising; but I found the kitchen still dark and silent. The side-passage door was fastened; I opened it with as little noise as possible: all the yard was quiet; but the gates stood wide open，and there was a post-chaise，with horses ready harnessed，and driver seated on the box，stationed outside. I approached him，and said the gentlemen were ing; he nodded: then I looked carefully round and listened. The stillness of early morning slumbered everywhere; the curtains were yet drawn over the servants" chamber windows; little birds were just twittering in the blossom-blanched orchard trees，whose boughs drooped like white garlands over the wall enclosing one side of the yard; the carriage horses stamped from time to time in their closed stables: all else was still.

The gentlemen now appeared. Mason，supported by Mr. Rochester and the surgeon，seemed to walk with tolerable ease: they assisted him into the chaise; Carter followed.

"Take care of him," said Mr. Rochester to the latter，"and keep him at your house till he is quite well: I shall ride over in a day or two to see how he gets on. Richard，how is it with you?"

"The fresh air revives me，Fairfax."

"Leave the window open on his side，Carter; there is no wind- good-bye，Dick."

"Fairfax-"