CHAPTER SEVEN

Mr. Rochester

One day in January I had a free afternoon, and I decided to take a fast walk. I wanted to get some exercise and see more of the area. It was a sunny winter day, and I was enjoying the fresh air and blue sky. I stopped on the road and watched the sun go down in the trees behind the house. Suddenly I heard a horse coming. As I watched, it [-----1-----] and fell on the icy ground, and the rider fell off. I ran to try and help the man, who was talking to himself angrily as he tried to stand up.

"Are you hurt, sir? Can I help you?" I asked.

"No," he said. Clearly his leg hurt him, and he sat down quickly.

"If you need help, sir, I can get someone from Thornfield Hall," I said.

"Thank you , but I don't need anyone. I haven't broken any [-----2-----]," he replied. He was tall and stong looking. He had a dark face and dark eyes, and was about thirty-five. Although he was strange and [-----3-----], somehow I wanted to help him.

"Sir, I won't leave you alone on this road, until I see that you can get on your horse again," I said.

When I said this the man looked at me for the first time. He studied my face for a moment.

"I think you should be at home yourself!" he said. "Do you live near here?"

"Yes, sir. I live that house over there," I said.

"You live at Thornfield Hall?" he asked, surprised. He pointed to the house. It was now evening, and all the lights in the windows were on.