by　him；　roused　from　the　nightmare　of　parting—called　to　the　paradise　of　union—I　thought　only　of　the　bliss　given　me　to　drink　in　so　abundant　a　flow。　Again　and　again　he　said；　“Are　you　happy；　Jane？”　And　again　and　again　I　answered；　“Yes。”　After　which　he　murmured；　“It　will　atone—it　will　atone。　Have　I　not　found　her　friendless；　and　cold；　and　fortless？　Will　I　not　guard；　and　cherish；　and　solace　her？　Is　there　not　love　in　my　heart；　and　constancy　in　my　resolves？　It　will　expiate　at　God’s　tribunal。　I　know　my　Maker　sanctions　what　I　do。　For　the　world’s　judgment—I　wash　my　hands　thereof。　For　man’s　opinion—I　defy　it。”

But　what　had　befallen　the　night？　The　moon　was　not　yet　set；　and　we　were　all　in　shadow：　I　could　scarcely　see　my　master’s　face；　near　as　I　was。　And　what　ailed　the　chestnut　tree？　it　writhed　and　groaned；　while　wind　roared　in　the　laurel　walk；　and　came　sweeping　over　us。

“We　must　go　in；”　said　Mr。　Rochester：　“the　weather　changes。　I　could　have　sat　with　thee　till　morning；　Jane。”

“And　so；”　thought　I；　“could　I　with　you。”　I　should　have　said　so；　perhaps；　but　a　livid；　vivid　spark　leapt　out　of　a　cloud　at　which　I　was　looking；　and　there　was　a　crack；　a　crash；　and　a　close　rattling　peal；　and　I　thought　only　of　hiding　my　dazzled　eyes　against　Mr。　Rochester’s　shoulder。

The　rain　rushed　down。　He　hurried　me　up　the　walk；　through　the　grounds；　and　into　the　house；　but　we　were　quite　wet　before　we　could　pass　the　threshold。　He　was　taking　off　my　shawl　in　the　hall；　and　shaking　the　water　out　o