CHAPTER XXVII 394
" On a frosty winter afternoon , I rode in sight of Thornfield Hall . Abhorred spot ! I expected no peace -- no pleasure there . On a stile in Hay Lane I saw a quiet little figure sitting by itself . I passed it as negligently as I did the pollard willow opposite to it : I had no presentiment of what it would be to me ; no inward warning that the arbitress of my life -- my genius for good or evil -- waited there in humble guise . I did not know it , even when , on the occasion of Mesrour ' s accident , it came up and gravely offered me help . Childish and slender creature ! It seemed as if a linnet had hopped to my foot and proposed to bear me on its tiny wing . I was surly ; but the thing would not go : it stood by me with strange perseverance , and looked and spoke with a sort of authority . I must be aided , and by that hand : and aided I was .
" When once I had pressed the frail shoulder , something new -- a fresh sap and sense -- stole into my frame . It was well I had learnt that this elf must return to me -- that it belonged to my house down below -- or I could not have felt it pass away from under my hand , and seen it vanish behind the dim hedge , without singular regret . I heard you come home that night , Jane , though probably you were not aware that I thought of you or watched for you . The next day I observed you -- myself unseen -- for half-an-hour , while you played with Adele in the gallery . It was a snowy day , I recollect , and you could not go out of doors . I was in my room ; the door was ajar : I could both listen and watch . Adele claimed your outward attention for a while ; yet I fancied your thoughts were elsewhere : but you were very patient with her , my little Jane ; you talked to her and amused her a long time . When at last she left you , you lapsed at once into deep reverie : you betook yourself slowly to pace the gallery . Now and then , in passing a casement , you glanced out at the thick-falling snow ; you listened to the sobbing wind , and again you paced gently on and dreamed . I think those day visions were not dark : there was a pleasurable illumination in your eye occasionally , a soft excitement in your aspect , which told of no bitter , bilious , hypochondriac brooding : your look revealed rather the sweet musings of youth when its spirit follows on willing wings the flight of Hope up and on to an ideal heaven . The voice of Mrs . Fairfax , speaking to a servant in the hall , wakened you : and how curiously you smiled to and at yourself , Janet ! There was much sense in your smile : it was very shrewd ,