the house; and surely no one can wish to go to bed while
sunset is thus at meeting with moonrise."

It is one of my faults, that though my tongue is sometimes
prompt enough at an answer, there are times when it sadly
fails me in framing an excuse; and always the lapse occurs
at some crisis, when a facile word or plausible pretext is
specially wanted to get me out of painful embarrassment. I
did not like to walk at this hour alone with Mr. Rochester in
the shadowy orchard; but I could not find a reason to allege
for leaving him. I followed with lagging step, and thoughts
busily bent on discovering a means of extrication; but he
himself looked so composed and so grave also, I became
ashamed of feeling any confusion: the evil—if evil existent or
prospective there was—seemed to lie with me only; his mind
was unconscious and quiet.

"Jane," he recommenced, as we entered the laurel walk,
and slowly strayed down in the direction of the sunk fence
and the horse-chesnut, "Thornfield is a pleasant place in
summer, is it not?"

"Yes, sir."

"You must have become in some degree attached to the
house,—you, who have an eye for natural beauties, and a
good deal of the organ of Adhesiveness?"

"I am attached to it, indeed."

"And though I don't comprehend how it is, I perceive you
have acquired a degree of regard for that foolish little child
Adèle, too; and even for simple dame Fairfax?"

"Yes, sir; in different ways, I have an affection for
both."

"And would be sorry to part with them?"

"Yes."

"Pity!" he said, and sighed and paused. "It is always
the way of events in this life," he continued presently: "no
sooner have you got settled in a pleasant resting-place, than
a voice calls out to you to rise and move on, for the hour of
repose is expired."

"Must I move on, sir?" I asked. "Must I leave Thorn-
field?"

"I believe you must, Jane. I am sorry, Janet, but I
believe indeed you must."

This was a blow: but I did not let it prostrate me.

"Well, sir, I shall be ready when the order to march comes."

"It is come now—I must give it to-night."

-248-