As I rose and dressed, I thought over what had happened,
and wondered if it were a dream. I could not be certain of
the reality till I had seen Mr. Rochester again, and heard
him renew his words of love and promise.

While arranging my hair, I looked at my face in the glass,
and felt it was no longer plain: there was hope in its aspect,
and life in its colour: and my eyes seemed as if they had
beheld the fount of fruition, and borrowed beams from the
lustrous ripple. I had often been unwilling to look at my
master, because I feared he could not be pleased at my
look; but I was sure I might lift my face to his now, and
not cool his affection by its expression. I took a plain but
clean and light summer dress from my drawer and put it on:
it seemed no attire had ever so well become me; because
none had I ever worn in so blissful a mood.

I was not surprised, when I ran down into the hall, to see
that a brilliant June morning had succeeded to the tempest
of the night; and to feel, through the open glass door, the
breathing of a fresh and fragrant breeze. Nature must be
gladsome when I was so happy. A beggar-woman and her
little boy—pale, ragged objects both—were coming up the
walk, and I ran down and gave them all the money I happened
to have in my purse—some three or four shillings: good or
bad, they must partake of my jubilee. The rooks cawed,
and blither birds sang; but nothing was so merry or so
musical as my own rejoicing heart.

Mrs. Fairfax surprised me by looking out of the window
with a sad countenance, and saying gravely:—"Miss Eyre,
will you come to breakfast?" During the meal she was
quiet and cool: but I could not undeceive her then. I must
wait for my master to give explanations; and so must she.
I ate what I could, and then I hastened upstairs. I met
Adèle leaving the school-room.

"Where are you going? It is time for lessons."

"Mr. Rochester has sent me away to the nursery."

"Where is he?"

"In there," pointing to the apartment she had left; and
I went in, and there he stood.

"Come and bid me good-morning," said
he. I gladly

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