CHAPTER XVI 194
She took a new needleful of thread, waxed it carefully, threaded her needle with a steady hand, and then observed, with perfect composure-
" It is hardly likely master would laugh, I should think, Miss, when he was in such danger: You must have been dreaming."
" I was not dreaming," I said, with some warmth, for her brazen coolness provoked me. Again she looked at me; and with the same scrutinising and conscious eye.
" Have you told master that you heard a laugh?" she inquired. " I have not had the opportunity of speaking to him this morning."
" You did not think of opening your door and looking out into the gallery?" she further asked.
She appeared to be cross-questioning me, attempting to draw from me information unawares. The idea struck me that if she discovered I knew or suspected her guilt, she would be playing of some of her malignant pranks on me; I thought it advisable to be on my guard.
" On the contrary," said I, " I bolted my door."
" Then you are not in the habit of bolting your door every night before you get into bed?"
" Fiend! she wants to know my habits, that she may lay her plans accordingly!" Indignation again prevailed over prudence: I replied sharply, " Hitherto I have often omitted to fasten the bolt: I did not think it necessary. I was not aware any danger or annoyance was to be dreaded at Thornfield Hall: but in future "( and I laid marked stress on the words) " I shall take good care to make all secure before I venture to lie down."
" It will be wise so to do," was her answer: " this neighbourhood is as quiet as any I know, and I never heard of the hall being attempted by robbers