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.