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Chapter XII

I hastened to Mrs. Fairfax’s room; there was a fire there too, but no candle, and no Mrs. Fairfax.

Instead, all alone, sitting upright on the rug, and gazing with gravity at the blaze, I beheld a great black and white long-haired dog, just like the Gytrash of the lane.

It was so like it that I went forward and said⁠—“Pilot” and the thing got up and came to me and snuffed me.

I caressed him, and he wagged his great tail; but he looked an eerie creature to be alone with, and I could not tell whence he had come.

I rang the bell, for I wanted a candle; and I wanted, too, to get an account of this visitant.

Leah entered.

“What dog is this?”

“He came with master.”

“With whom?”

“With master⁠— Mr. Rochester⁠—he is just arrived.”

“Indeed! and is Mrs. Fairfax with him?”

“Yes, and Miss Adèle; they are in the dining-room, and John is gone for a surgeon; for master has had an accident; his horse fell and his ankle is sprained.”

“Did the horse fall in Hay Lane?”

“Yes, coming downhill; it slipped on some ice.”

“Ah! Bring me a candle will you Leah?”

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