I had to deceive a fine ear: for aught I knew it might now be listening. I would have got past Mr. Rochester's chamber without a pause; but my heart momentarily stopping its beat at that threshold, my foot was forced to stop also.
Avrei voluto passare davanti alla camera del signor Rochester senza fermarmi, ma quando mi trovai accanto alla porta, il mio cuore cessò momentaneamente di battere, e i piedi si fermarono.