wife is still living?”
“Courage,” urged the lawyer, — “speak out.”
“She is now living at Thornfield Hall,” said Mason, in more articulate tones: “I saw her there last April. I am her brother.”
“At Thornfield Hall!” ejaculated the clergyman.
“Impossible! I am an old resident in this neighbourhood, sir, and I never heard of a Mrs. Rochester at Thornfield Hall.”
I saw a grim smile contort Mr. Rochester’s lips, and he muttered —
“No, by God! I took care that none should hear of it — or of her under that name.” He mused — for ten minutes he held counsel with himself: he formed his resolve, and announced it —