CHAPTER XX 271
fastened; I opened it with as little noise as possible: all the yard was quiet; but the gates stood wide open, and there was a post-chaise, with horses ready harnessed, and driver seated on the box, stationed outside. I approached him, and said the gentlemen were coming; he nodded: then I looked carefully round and listened. The stillness of early morning slumbered everywhere; the curtains were yet drawn over the servants ' chamber windows; little birds were just twittering in the blossom-blanched orchard trees, whose boughs drooped like white garlands over the wall enclosing one side of the yard; the carriage horses stamped from time to time in their closed stables: all else was still.
The gentlemen now appeared. Mason, supported by Mr. Rochester and the surgeon, seemed to walk with tolerable ease: they assisted him into the chaise; Carter followed.
" Take care of him," said Mr. Rochester to the latter, " and keep him at your house till he is quite well: I shall ride over in a day or two to see how he gets on. Richard, how is it with you?"
" The fresh air revives me, Fairfax."
" Leave the window open on his side, Carter; there is no wind-- good- bye, Dick."
" Fairfax-- " " Well what is it?"
" Let her be taken care of; let her be treated as tenderly as may be: let her-- " he stopped and burst into tears.
" I do my best; and have done it, and will do it," was the answer: he shut up the chaise door, and the vehicle drove away.
" Yet would to God there was an end of all this!" added Mr. Rochester, as he closed and barred the heavy yard-gates.