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