noon
An idler was piping somewhere in the fields , the rooks were cawing , the leaves on the boughs just winked in the breeze , the Hall door lay open as usual . I did not see a soul about , and I walked in without summoning anyone . I opened the parlour door ; the place smelt of May and myrtle , and there were fresh roses in the jars , but there was no one there . No one in the kitchen , dairy , still-room ; the maids were abroad this glorious noon . I went upstairs , looking for a face in vain till I came to our school-room . There was Jane alone , sitting at the table over some books , her head between her hands , her hair thrust back from her face , looking older and paler and thinner since I had seen her ; a stern , sad-looking young student , with her back to the sun that burned upon the lattice . Her face turned scarlet when she saw me , and then became paler than before .