第30部分(第6/8 頁)

x。　I　hurried　on　my　frock　and　a　shawl；　I　withdrew　the　bolt　and　opened　the　door　with　a　trembling　hand。　There　was　a　candle　burning　just　outside；　and　on　the　matting　in　the　gallery。　I　was　surprised　at　this　circumstance：　but　still　more　was　I　amazed　to　perceive　the　air　quite　dim；　as　if　filled　with　smoke；　and；　while　looking　to　the　right　hand　and　left；　to　find　whence　these　blue　wreaths　issued；　I　became　further　aware　of　a　strong　smell　of　burning。

Something　creaked：　it　was　a　door　ajar；　and　that　door　was　Mr。　Rochester’s；　and　the　smoke　rushed　in　a　cloud　from　thence。　I　thought　no　more　of　Mrs。　Fairfax；　I　thought　no　more　of　Grace　Poole；　or　the　laugh：　in　an　instant；　I　was　within　the　chamber。　Tongues　of　flame　darted　round　the　bed：　the　curtains　were　on　fire。　In　the　midst　of　blaze　and　vapour；　Mr。　Rochester　lay　stretched　motionless；　in　deep　sleep。

“Wake！　wake！”　I　cried。　I　shook　him；　but　he　only　murmured　and　turned：　the　smoke　had　stupefied　him。　Not　a　moment　could　be　lost：　the　very　sheets　were　kindling；　I　rushed　to　his　basin　and　ewer；　fortunately；　one　was　wide　and　the　other　deep；　and　both　were　filled　with　water。　I　heaved　them　up；　deluged　the　bed　and　its　occupant；　flew　back　to　my　own　room；　brought　my　own　water…jug；　baptized　the　couch　afresh；　and；　by　God’s　aid；　succeeded　in　extinguishing　the　flames　which　were　devouring　it。

The　hiss　of　the　quenched　element；　the　breakage　of　a　pitcher　which　I　flung　from　my　hand　when　I　had　emptied　it；　and；　above　all；　the　splash　of　the　shower…bath　I　h