CHAPTER XXV 361
" Now, Janet, I ' ll explain to you all about it. It was half dream, half reality. A woman did, I doubt not, enter your room: and that woman was-- must have been-- Grace Poole. You call her a strange being yourself: from all you know, you have reason so to call her-- what did she do to me? what to Mason? In a state between sleeping and waking, you noticed her entrance and her actions; but feverish, almost delirious as you were, you ascribed to her a goblin appearance different from her own: the long dishevelled hair, the swelled black face, the exaggerated stature, were figments of imagination; results of nightmare: the spiteful tearing of the veil was real: and it is like her. I see you would ask why I keep such a woman in my house: when we have been married a year and a day, I will tell you; but not now. Are you satisfied, Jane? Do you accept my solution of the mystery?"
I reflected, and in truth it appeared to me the only possible one: satisfied I was not, but to please him I endeavoured to appear so-- relieved, I certainly did feel; so I answered him with a contented smile. And now, as it was long past one, I prepared to leave him.
" Does not Sophie sleep with Adele in the nursery?" he asked, as I lit my candle.
" Yes, sir."
" And there is room enough in Adele ' s little bed for you. You must share it with her to-night, Jane: it is no wonder that the incident you have related should make you nervous, and I would rather you did not sleep alone: promise me to go to the nursery."
" I shall be very glad to do so, sir."
" And fasten the door securely on the inside. Wake Sophie when you go upstairs, under pretence of requesting her to rouse you in good time to-morrow; for you must be dressed and have finished breakfast before eight. And now, no more sombre thoughts: chase dull care away, Janet. Don ' t you hear to what soft whispers the wind has fallen? and there is no more beating of rain against the window-panes: look here "( he lifted up the