"How came you here?
How came you up that staircase ?" "How came I up that staircase!" he replied, greatly surprised.

"Because it is my nearest way from the stable-yard to my own chamber; and why should I not come up it ?" Catherine recollected herself, blushed deeply, and could say no more.

He seemed to be looking in her countenance for that explanation which her lips did not afford.

She moved on towards the gallery.

"And may I not, in my turn," said he, as he pushed back the folding doors, "ask how you came here?
This passage is at least as extraordinary a road from the breakfast-parlour to your apartment, as that staircase can be from the stables to mine." "I have been," said Catherine, looking down, "to see your mother's room." "My mother's room! Is there anything extraordinary to be seen there ?" "No, nothing at all.