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nearer I came The return to Thornfield was yet to be tried

My journey seeht spent at an inn; fifty ht of Mrs Reed in her last ured and discoloured face, and heard her strangely altered

voice I mused on the funeral day, the coffin, the hearse, the

black train of tenants and servants--feas the nu vault, the silent church, the soleiana; I beheld one the cynosure of

a ball-room, the other the inmate of a convent cell; and I dwelt on

and analysed their separate peculiarities of person and character

The evening arrival at the great town of--scattered these thoughts;

night gave them quite another turn: laid down on my traveller's

bed, I left re back to Thornfield: but how long was I to stay there?

Not long; of that I was sure I had heard from Mrs Fairfax in the

interim of my absence: the party at the hall was dispersed; Mr

Rochester had left for London three weeks ago, but he was then

expected to return in a fortnight Mrs Fairfax sur, as he had talked of

purchasing a new carriage: she said the idea of his e to her; but from what everybody said,

and froer doubt that

the event would shortly take place "You would be strangely

incredulous if you did doubt it," was my mental comment "I don't

doubt it"