CHAPTER XXV 358
" Now , Jane , that is all ."
" All the preface , sir ; the tale is yet to come . On waking , a gleam dazzled my eyes ; I thought -- Oh , it is daylight ! But I was mistaken ; it was only candlelight . Sophie , I supposed , had come in . There was a light in the dressing-table , and the door of the closet , where , before going to bed , I had hung my wedding-dress and veil , stood open ; I heard a rustling there . I asked , ' Sophie , what are you doing ?' No one answered ; but a form emerged from the closet ; it took the light , held it aloft , and surveyed the garments pendent from the portmanteau . ' Sophie ! Sophie !' I again cried : and still it was silent . I had risen up in bed , I bent forward : first surprise , then bewilderment , came over me ; and then my blood crept cold through my veins . Mr . Rochester , this was not Sophie , it was not Leah , it was not Mrs . Fairfax : it was not -- no , I was sure of it , and am still -- it was not even that strange woman , Grace Poole ."
" It must have been one of them ," interrupted my master .
" No , sir , I solemnly assure you to the contrary . The shape standing before me had never crossed my eyes within the precincts of Thornfield Hall before ; the height , the contour were new to me ."
" Describe it , Jane ."
" It seemed , sir , a woman , tall and large , with thick and dark hair hanging long down her back . I know not what dress she had on : it was white and straight ; but whether gown , sheet , or shroud , I cannot tell ."
" Did you see her face ?"
" Not at first . But presently she took my veil from its place ; she held it up , gazed at it long , and then she threw it over her own head , and turned to the mirror . At that moment I saw the reflection of the visage and features quite distinctly in the dark oblong glass ."
" And how were they ?"