ShewrotethustoEmily:-
"Dec。1st，1843。
"ThisisSundaymorning。Theyareattheiridolatrous’messe，’
andIamhere，thatisintheRefectoire。Ishouldlikeuncommonlytobeinthedining-roomathome，orinthekitchen，orinthebackkitchen。Ishouldlikeeventobecuttingupthehash，withtheclerkandsomeregisterpeopleattheothertable，andyoustandingby，watchingthatIputenoughflour，nottoomuchpepper，and，aboveall，thatIsavethebestpiecesofthelegofmuttonforTigerandKeeper，thefirstofwhichpersonageswouldbejumpingaboutthedishandcarving-knife，andthelatterstandinglikeadevouringflameonthekitchen-floor。Tocompletethepicture，Tabbyblowingthefire，inordertoboilthepotatoestoasortofvegetableglue！Howdivinearetheserecollectionstomeatthismoment！YetIhavenothoughtofcominghomejustnow。Ilackarealpretextfordoingso；itistruethisplaceisdismaltome，butIcannotgohomewithoutafixedprospectwhenI
getthere；andthisprospectmustnotbeasituation；thatwouldbejumpingoutofthefrying-panintothefire。YOUcallyourselfidle！absurd，absurd！……Ispapawell？Areyouwell？andTabby？YouaskaboutQueenVictoria’svisittoBrussels。IsawherforaninstantflashingthroughtheRueRoyaleinacarriageandsix，surroundedbysoldiers。Shewaslaughingandtalkingverygaily。Shelookedalittlestout，vivaciouslady，veryplainlydressed，notmuchdignityorpretensionabouther。TheBelgianslikedherverywellonthewhole。TheysaidsheenlivenedthesombrecourtofKingLeopold，whichisusuallyasgloomyasaconventicle。Writetomeagainsoon。Tellmewhetherpapareallywantsmeverymuchtocomehome，andwhetheryoudolikewise。IhaveanideathatIshouldbeofnousethere——asortofagedpersonupontheparish。Ipray，withheartandsoul，thatallmaycontinuewellatHaworth；aboveallinourgreyhalf-
inhabitedhouse。Godblessthewallsthereof！Safety，health，happiness，andprosperitytoyou，papa，andTabby。Amen。
"C。B。"
Towardstheendofthisyear1843variousreasonsconspiredwiththecausesofanxietywhichhavebeenmentioned，tomakeherfeelthatherpresencewasabsolutelyandimperativelyrequiredathome，whileshehadacquiredallthatsheproposedtoherselfincomingtoBrusselsthesecondtime；andwas，moreover，nolongerregardedwiththeformerkindlinessoffeelingbyMadameHeger。
Inconsequenceofthisstateofthings，workingdownwithsharpedgeintoasensitivemind，shesuddenlyannouncedtothatladyherimmediateintentionofreturningtoEngland。BothM。andMadameHegeragreedthatitwouldbeforthebest，whentheylearntonlythatpartofthecasewhichshecouldrevealtothem——
namely，Mr。Bronte’sincreasingblindness。Butastheinevitablemomentofseparationfrompeopleandplaces，amongwhichshehadspentsomanyhappyhours，drewnear，herspiritsgaveway；shehadthenaturalpresentimentthatshesawthemallforthelasttime，andshereceivedbutadeadkindofcomfortfrombeingremindedbyherfriendsthatBrusselsandHaworthwerenotsoveryfarapart；thataccessfromoneplacetotheotherwasnotsodifficultorimpracticableashertearswouldseemtopredicate；
nay，therewassometalkofoneofMadameHeger’sdaughtersbeingsenttoherasapupil，ifshefulfilledherintentionoftryingtobeginaschool。Tofacilitatehersuccessinthisplan，shouldsheeverengageinit，M。Hegergaveherakindofdiploma，datedfrom，andsealedwiththesealoftheAtheneeRoyaldeBruxelles，certifyingthatshewasperfectlycapableofteachingtheFrenchlanguage，havingwellstudiedthegrammarandcompositionthereof，and，moreover，havingpreparedherselfforteachingbystudyingandpractisingthebestmethodsofinstruction。ThiscertificateisdatedDecember29th1843，andonthe2ndofJanuary，1844，shearrivedatHaworth。
Onthe23rdofthemonthshewritesasfollows:-
"EveryoneasksmewhatIamgoingtodo，nowthatIamreturnedhome；andeveryoneseemstoexpectthatIshouldimmediatelycommenceaschool。Intruth，itiswhatIshouldwishtodo。I
desireitaboveallthings。Ihavesufficientmoneyfortheundertaking，andIhopenowsufficientqualificationstogivemeafairchanceofsuccess；yetIcannotyetpermitmyselftoenteruponlife——totouchtheobjectwhichseemsnowwithinmyreach，andwhichIhavebeensolongstrainingtoattain。Youwillaskmewhy？Itisonpapa’saccount；heisnow，asyouknow，gettingold，anditgrievesmetotellyouthatheislosinghissight。I
havefeltforsomemonthsthatIoughtnottobeawayfromhim；
andIfeelnowthatitwouldbetooselfishtoleavehimatleast，aslongasBranwellandAnneareabsent，inordertopursueselfishinterestsofmyown。WiththehelpofGod，Iwilltrytodenymyselfinthismatter，andtowait。
"IsufferedmuchbeforeIleftBrussels。Ithink，howeverlongI
live，IshallnotforgetwhatthepartingwithM。Hegercostme。
Itgrievedmesomuchtogrievehimwhohasbeensotrue，kind，anddisinterestedafriend。Atpartinghegavemeakindofdiplomacertifyingmyabilitiesasateacher，sealedwiththesealoftheAtheneeRoyal，ofwhichheisprofessor。IwassurprisedalsoatthedegreeofregretexpressedbymyBelgianpupils，whentheyknewIwasgoingtoleave。Ididnotthinkithadbeenintheirphlegmaticnature……IdonotknowwhetheryoufeelasI
do，buttherearetimesnowwhenitappearstomeasifallmyideasandfeelings，exceptafewfriendshipsandaffections，arechangedfromwhattheyusedtobe；somethinginme，whichusedtobeenthusiasm，istameddownandbroken。Ihavefewerillusions；
whatIwishfornowisactiveexertion——astakeinlife。Haworthseemssuchalonely，quietspot，buriedawayfromtheworld。Inolongerregardmyselfasyoung——indeed，Ishallsoonbetwenty-
eight；anditseemsasifIoughttobeworkingandbravingtheroughrealitiesoftheworld，asotherpeopledo。Itis，however，mydutytorestrainthisfeelingatpresent，andIwillendeavourtodoso。"
Ofcourseherabsentsisterandbrotherobtainedaholidaytowelcomeherreturnhome，andinafewweeksshewassparedtopayavisittoherfriendatB。Butshewasfarfromwellorstrong，andtheshortjourneyoffourteenmilesseemstohavefatiguedhergreatly。
SoonaftershecamebacktoHaworth，inalettertooneofthehouseholdinwhichshehadbeenstaying，thereoccursthispassage:-"Ourpoorlittlecathasbeenilltwodays，andisjustdead。Itispiteoustoseeevenananimallyinglifeless。Emilyissorry。"Thesefewwordsrelatetopointsinthecharactersofthetwosisters，whichImustdwelluponalittle。Charlottewasmorethancommonlytenderinhertreatmentofalldumbcreatures，andthey，withthatfineinstinctsooftennoticed，wereinvariablyattractedtowardsher。Thedeepandexaggeratedconsciousnessofherpersonaldefects——theconstitutionalabsenceofhope，whichmadeherslowtotrustinhumanaffection，and，consequently，slowtorespondtoanymanifestationofit——madehermannershyandconstrainedtomenandwomen，andeventochildren。
Wehaveseensomethingofthistremblingdistrustofherowncapabilityofinspiringaffection，inthegratefulsurprisesheexpressesattheregretfeltbyherBelgianpupilsatherdeparture。Butnotmerelywereheractionskind，herwordsandtoneswereevergentleandcaressing，towardsanimals:andshequicklynoticedtheleastwantofcareortendernessonthepartofotherstowardsanypoorbrutecreature。Thereadersof"Shirley"mayrememberthatitisoneofthetestswhichtheheroineappliestoherlover。
"DoyouknowwhatsoothsayersIwouldconsult？"……"ThelittleIrishbeggarthatcomesbarefoottomydoor；themousethatstealsoutofthecrannyinmywainscot；thebirdinfrostandsnowthatpecksatmywindowforacrumb；thedogthatlicksmyhandandsitsbesidemyknee。Iknowsomebodytowhosekneetheblackcatlovestoclimb，againstwhoseshoulderandcheekitlikestopurr。
Theolddogalwayscomesoutofhiskennelandwagshistail，andwhinesaffectionatelywhensomebodypasses。"[For"somebody"and"he，"read"CharlotteBronte"and"she。"]"Hequietlystrokesthecat，andletshersitwhileheconvenientlycan；andwhenhemustdisturbherbyrising，heputshersoftlydown，andneverflingsherfromhimroughly:healwayswhistlestothedog，andgiveshimacaress。"
Thefeeling，whichinCharlottepartookofsomethingofthenatureofanaffection，was，withEmily，moreofapassion。Someonespeakingofhertome，inacarelesskindofstrengthofexpression，said，"shenevershowedregardtoanyhumancreature；
allherlovewasreservedforanimals。"ThehelplessnessofananimalwasitspassporttoCharlotte’sheart；thefierce，wild，intractabilityofitsnaturewaswhatoftenrecommendedittoEmily。Speakingofherdeadsister，theformertoldmethatfromhermanytraitsinShirley’scharacterweretaken；herwayofsittingontherugreading，withherarmroundherroughbull-
dog’sneck；hercallingtoastrangedog，runningpast，withhangingheadandlollingtongue，togiveitamercifuldraughtofwater，itsmaddenedsnapather，hernoblysternpresenceofmind，goingrightintothekitchen，andtakinguponeofTabby’sred-hotItalianironstosearthebittenplace，andtellingnoone，tillthedangerwaswell-nighover，forfearoftheterrorsthatmightbesettheirweakerminds。Allthis，lookeduponasawell-
inventedfictionin"Shirley，"waswrittendownbyCharlottewithstreamingeyes；itwastheliteraltrueaccountofwhatEmilyhaddone。Thesametawnybull-dogwithhis"strangledwhistle"，called"Tartar"in"Shirley，"was"Keeper"inHaworthparsonage；agifttoEmily。Withthegiftcameawarning。Keeperwasfaithfultothedepthsofhisnatureaslongashewaswithfriends；buthewhostruckhimwithastickorwhip，rousedtherelentlessnatureofthebrute，whoflewathisthroatforthwith，andheldhimtheretilloneortheotherwasatthepointofdeath。NowKeeper’shouseholdfaultwasthis。Helovedtostealupstairs，andstretchhissquare，tawnylimbs，onthecomfortablebeds，coveredoverwithdelicatewhitecounterpanes。Butthecleanlinessoftheparsonagearrangementswasperfect；andthishabitofKeeper’swassoobjectionable，thatEmily，inreplytoTabby’sremonstrances，declaredthat，ifhewasfoundagaintransgressing，sheherself，indefianceofwarningandhiswell-knownferocityofnature，wouldbeathimsoseverelythathewouldneveroffendagain。Inthegatheringduskofanautumnevening，Tabbycame，half-
triumphantly，half-tremblingly，butingreatwrath，totellEmilythatKeeperwaslyingonthebestbed，indrowsyvoluptuousness。
CharlottesawEmily’swhiteningface，andsetmouth，butdarednotspeaktointerfere；noonedaredwhenEmily’seyesglowedinthatmanneroutofthepalenessofherface，andwhenherlipsweresocompressedintostone。Shewentupstairs，andTabbyandCharlottestoodinthegloomypassagebelow，fullofthedarkshadowsofcomingnight。Down-stairscameEmily，draggingafterhertheunwillingKeeper，hishindlegssetinaheavyattitudeofresistance，heldbythe"scuftofhisneck，"butgrowlinglowandsavagelyallthetime。Thewatcherswouldfainhavespoken，butdurstnot，forfearoftakingoffEmily’sattention，andcausinghertoavertherheadforamomentfromtheenragedbrute。Shelethimgo，plantedinadarkcorneratthebottomofthestairs；
notimewastheretofetchstickorrod，forfearofthestranglingclutchatherthroat——herbareclenchedfiststruckagainsthisredfierceeyes，beforehehadtimetomakehisspring，and，inthelanguageoftheturf，she"punishedhim"tillhiseyeswereswelledup，andthehalf-blind，stupifiedbeastwasledtohisaccustomedlair，tohavehisswollenheadfomentedandcaredforbytheveryEmilyherself。Thegenerousdogowedhernogrudge；helovedherdearlyeverafter；hewalkedfirstamongthemournerstoherfuneral；hesleptmoaningfornightsatthedoorofheremptyroom，andnever，sotospeak，rejoiced，dogfashion，afterherdeath。He，inhisturn，wasmournedoverbythesurvivingsister。Letussomehowhope，inhalfRedIndiancreed，thathefollowsEmilynow；and，whenherests，sleepsonsomesoftwhitebedofdreams，unpunishedwhenheawakenstothelifeofthelandofshadows。
Nowwecanunderstandtheforceofthewords，"Ourpoorlittlecatisdead。Emilyissorry。"
CHAPTERXIII
Themoorswereagreatresourcethisspring；EmilyandCharlottewalkedoutonthemperpetually，"tothegreatdamageofourshoes，butIhope，tothebenefitofourhealth。"Theoldplanofschool-keepingwasoftendiscussedintheserambles；butin-doorstheysetwithvigourtoshirt-makingfortheabsentBranwell，andponderedinsilenceovertheirpastandfuturelife。Atlasttheycametoadetermination。
"Ihaveseriouslyenteredintotheenterpriseofkeepingaschool——
orrather，takingalimitednumberofpupilsathome。Thatis，I
havebeguningoodearnesttoseekforpupils。IwrotetoMrs——"
theladywithwhomshehadlivedasgoverness，justbeforegoingtoBrussels，"notaskingherforherdaughter——Icannotdothat——
butinformingherofmyintention。IreceivedananswerfromMr——
expressiveof，Ibelieve，sincereregretthatIhadnotinformedthemamonthsooner，inwhichcase，hesaid，theywouldgladlyhavesentmetheirowndaughter，andalsoColonelS。’s，butthatnowbothwerepromisedtoMissC。Iwaspartlydisappointedbythisanswer，andpartlygratified；indeed，IderivedquiteanimpulseofencouragementfromthewarmassurancethatifIhadbutappliedalittlesoonertheywouldcertainlyhavesentmetheirdaughter。IownIhadmisgivingsthatnobodywouldbewillingtosendachildforeducationtoHaworth。Thesemisgivingsarepartlydoneawaywith。IhavewrittenalsotoMrs。B。，andhaveenclosedthediplomawhichM。HegergavemebeforeIleftBrussels。Ihavenotyetreceivedheranswer，butIwaitforitwithsomeanxiety。Idonotexpectthatshewillsendmeanyofherchildren，butifshewould，Idaresayshecouldrecommendmeotherpupils。Unfortunately，sheknowsusonlyveryslightly。AssoonasIcangetanassuranceofonlyONEpupil，Iwillhavecardsoftermsprinted，andwillcommencetherepairsnecessaryinthehouse。Iwishallthattobedonebeforewinter。IthinkoffixingtheboardandEnglisheducationat25L。perannum。"
Again，atalaterdate，July24th，inthesameyear，shewrites:-
"IamdrivingonwithmysmallmatteraswellasIcan。IhavewrittentoallthefriendsonwhomIhavetheslightestclaim，andtosomeonwhomIhavenoclaim；Mrs。B。，forexample。Onher，also，Ihaveactuallymadeboldtocall。Shewasexceedinglypolite；regrettedthatherchildrenwerealreadyatschoolatLiverpool；thoughttheundertakingamostpraiseworthyone，butfearedIshouldhavesomedifficultyinmakingitsucceedonaccountoftheSITUATION。SuchistheanswerIreceivefromalmosteveryone。ItellthemtheRETIREDSITUATIONis，insomepointsofview，anadvantage；thatwereitinthemidstofalargetownIcouldnotpretendtotakepupilsontermssomoderateMrs。
B。remarkedthatshethoughtthetermsverymoderate，butthat，asitis，nothavinghouse-renttopay，wecanofferthesameprivilegesofeducationthataretobehadinexpensiveseminaries，atlittlemorethanhalftheirprice；andasournumbermustbelimited，wecandevotealargeshareoftimeandpainstoeachpupil。Thankyoufortheveryprettylittlepurseyouhavesentme。Imaketoyouacuriousreturnintheshapeofhalfadozencardsofterms。Makesuchuseofthemasyourjudgmentshalldictate。YouwillseethatIhavefixedthesumat35L。，whichIthinkisthejustmedium，consideringadvantagesanddisadvantages。"
ThiswaswritteninJuly；August，September，andOctoberpassedaway，andnopupilsweretobeheardof。Dayafterday，therewasalittlehopefeltbythesistersuntilthepostcamein。ButHaworthvillagewaswildandlonely，andtheBrontesbutlittleknown，owingtotheirwantofconnections。Charlottewritesonthesubject，intheearlywintermonths，tothiseffect-
"I，Emily，andAnne，aretrulyobligedtoyoufortheeffortsyouhavemadeinourbehalf；andifyouhavenotbeensuccessful，youareonlylikeourselves。Everyonewishesuswell；buttherearenopupilstobehad。Wehavenopresentintention，however，ofbreakingourheartsonthesubject，stilllessoffeelingmortifiedatdefeat。Theeffortmustbebeneficial，whatevertheresultmaybe，becauseitteachesusexperience，andanadditionalknowledgeofthisworld。Isendyoutwomorecirculars。"
Amonthlater，shesays:-
"Wehavemadenoalterationsyetinourhouse。Itwouldbefollytodoso，whilethereissolittlelikelihoodofourevergettingpupils。Ifearyouaregivingyourselftoomuchtroubleonouraccount。Dependuponit，ifyouweretopersuadeamammatobringherchildtoHaworth，theaspectoftheplacewouldfrightenher，andshewouldprobablytakethedeargirlbackwithher，instanter。Wearegladthatwehavemadetheattempt，andwewillnotbecastdownbecauseithasnotsucceeded。"
Therewere，probably，growingupineachsister’sheart，secretunacknowledgedfeelingsofrelief，thattheirplanhadnotsucceeded。Yes！adullsenseofreliefthattheircherishedprojecthadbeentriedandhadfailed。Forthathouse，whichwastoberegardedasanoccasionalhomefortheirbrother，couldhardlybeafittingresidenceforthechildrenofstrangers。Theyhad，inalllikelihood，becomesilentlyawarethathishabitsweresuchastorenderhissocietyattimesmostundesirable。
Possibly，too，theyhad，bythistime，hearddistressingrumoursconcerningthecauseofthatremorseandagonyofmind，whichattimesmadehimrestlessandunnaturallymerry，attimesrenderedhimmoodyandirritable。
InJanuary，1845，Charlottesays:-"Branwellhasbeenquieterandlessirritable，onthewhole，thistimethanhewasinsummer。
Anneis，asusual，alwaysgood，mild，andpatient。"Thedeep-
seatedpainwhichhewastooccasiontohisrelationshadnowtakenadecidedform，andpressedheavilyonCharlotte’shealthandspirits。Earlyinthisyear，shewenttoH。tobidgood-byetoherdearfriend"Mary，"whowasleavingEnglandforAustralia。
Branwell，Ihavementioned，hadobtainedthesituationofaprivatetutor。Annewasalsoengagedasgovernessinthesamefamily，andwasthusamiserablewitnesstoherbrother’sdeteriorationofcharacteratthisperiod。OfthecausesofthisdeteriorationIcannotspeak；buttheconsequenceswerethese。Hewenthomeforhisholidaysreluctantly，stayedthereasshortatimeaspossible，perplexinganddistressingthemallbyhisextraordinaryconduct——atonetimeinthehighestspirits，atanother，inthedeepestdepression——accusinghimselfofblackestguiltandtreachery，withoutspecifyingwhattheywere；andaltogetherevincinganirritabilityofdispositionborderingoninsanity。
CharlotteandEmilysufferedacutelyfromhismysteriousbehaviour。Heexpressedhimselfmorethansatisfiedwithhissituation；hewasremaininginitforalongertimethanhehadeverdoneinanykindofemploymentbefore；sothatforsometimetheycouldnotconjecturethatanythingtheremadehimsowilful，andrestless，andfullofbothlevityandmisery。Butasenseofsomethingwrongconnectedwithhim，sickenedandoppressedthem。
Theybegantoloseallhopeinhisfuturecareer。Hewasnolongerthefamilypride；anindistinctdread，causedpartlybyhisownconduct，partlybyexpressionsofagonisingsuspicioninAnne’slettershome，wascreepingovertheirmindsthathemightturnouttheirdeepdisgrace。But，Ibelieve，theyshrankfromanyattempttodefinetheirfears，andspokeofhimtoeachotheraslittleaspossible。Theycouldnothelpbutthink，andmourn，andwonder。
"Feb。20th，1845。
"IspentaweekatH。，notverypleasantly；headache，sickliness，andflatnessofspirits，mademeapoorcompanion，asaddragonthevivaciousandloquaciousgaietyofalltheotherinmatesofthehouse。Ineverwasfortunateenoughtobeabletorally，forasmuchasasinglehour，whileIwasthere。Iamsureall，withtheexceptionperhapsofMary，wereverygladwhenItookmydeparture。IbegintoperceivethatIhavetoolittlelifeinme，now-a-days，tobefitcompanyforanyexceptveryquietpeople。
Isitage，orwhatelse，thatchangesmeso？"
Alas！shehardlyneededtohaveaskedthisquestion。Howcouldshebeotherwisethan"flat-spirited，""apoorcompanion，"anda"saddrag"onthegaietyofthosewhowerelight-heartedandhappy！Herhonestplanforearningherownlivelihoodhadfallenaway，crumbledtoashes；afterallherpreparations，notapupilhadofferedherself；and，insteadofbeingsorrythatthiswishofmanyyearscouldnotberealised，shehadreasontobeglad。Herpoorfather，nearlysightless，dependeduponhercaresinhisblindhelplessness；butthiswasasacredpiouscharge，thedutiesofwhichshewasblessedinfulfilling。Theblackgloomhungoverwhathadoncebeenthebrightesthopeofthefamily——overBranwell，andthemysteryinwhichhiswaywardconductwasenveloped。Somehowandsometime，hewouldhavetoturntohishomeasahidingplaceforshame；suchwasthesadforebodingofhissisters。Thenhowcouldshebecheerful，whenshewaslosingherdearandnoble"Mary，"forsuchalengthoftimeanddistanceofspacethatherheartmightwellprophesythatitwas"forever"？Longbefore，shehadwrittenofMaryT。，thatshe"wasfulloffeelingsnoble，warm，generous，devoted，andprofound。
Godblessher！Ineverhopetoseeinthisworldacharactermoretrulynoble。Shewoulddiewillinglyforonesheloved。Herintellectandattainmentsareoftheveryhigheststandard。"Andthiswasthefriendwhomshewastolose！Hearthatfriend’saccountoftheirfinalinterview:-
"WhenIlastsawCharlotteJan。1845，shetoldmeshehadquitedecidedtostayathome。Sheownedshedidnotlikeit。Herhealthwasweak。Shesaidsheshouldlikeanychangeatfirst，asshehadlikedBrusselsatfirst，andshethoughtthattheremustbesomepossibilityforsomepeopleofhavingalifeofmorevarietyandmorecommunionwithhumankind，butshesawnoneforher。Itoldherverywarmly，thatsheoughtnottostayathome；
thattospendthenextfiveyearsathome，insolitudeandweakhealth，wouldruinher；thatshewouldneverrecoverit。SuchadarkshadowcameoverherfacewhenIsaid，’Thinkofwhatyou’llbefiveyearshence！’thatIstopped，andsaid，’Don’tcry，Charlotte！’Shedidnotcry，butwentonwalkingupanddowntheroom，andsaidinalittlewhile，’ButIintendtostay，Polly。’"
AfewweeksaftershepartedfromMary，shegivesthisaccountofherdaysatHaworth。
"March24th，1845。
"IcanhardlytellyouhowtimegetsonatHaworth。Thereisnoeventwhatevertomarkitsprogress。Onedayresemblesanother；
andallhaveheavy，lifelessphysiognomies。Sunday，baking-day，andSaturday，aretheonlyonesthathaveanydistinctivemark。
Meantime，lifewearsaway。Ishallsoonbethirty；andIhavedonenothingyet。SometimesIgetmelancholyattheprospectbeforeandbehindme。Yetitiswrongandfoolishtorepine。
Undoubtedly，mydutydirectsmetostayathomeforthepresent。
TherewasatimewhenHaworthwasaverypleasantplacetome；itisnotsonow。Ifeelasifwewereallburiedhere。Ilongtotravel；towork；tolivealifeofaction。Excuseme，dear，fortroublingyouwithmyfruitlesswishes。Iwillputbytherest，andnottroubleyouwiththem。Youmustwritetome。Ifyouknewhowwelcomeyourlettersare，youwouldwriteveryoften。Yourletters，andtheFrenchnewspapers，aretheonlymessengersthatcometomefromtheouterworldbeyondourmoors；andverywelcomemessengerstheyare。"
Oneofherdailyemploymentswastoreadtoherfather，anditrequiredalittlegentlediplomacyonherparttoeffectthisduty；forthereweretimeswhentheofferofanothertodowhathehadbeensolongaccustomedtodoforhimself，onlyremindedhimtoopainfullyofthedeprivationunderwhichhewassuffering。
And，insecret，she，too，dreadedasimilarlossforherself。
Long-continuedillhealth，aderangedconditionoftheliver，hercloseapplicationtominutedrawingandwritinginheryoungerdays，hernowhabitualsleeplessnessatnights，themanybitternoiselesstearsshehadshedoverBranwell’smysteriousanddistressingconduct——allthesecausesweretellingonherpooreyes；andaboutthistimeshethuswritestoM。Heger:-
"Iln’yarienquejecrainscommeledesoeuvrement，l’inertie，lalethargiedesfacultes。Quandlecorpsestparesseuxl’espritsouffrecruellement；jeneconnaitraispascettelethargie，sijepouvaisecrire。Autrefoisjepassaisdesjournees，dessemaines，desmoisentierseecrire，etpastout-e-faitsansfruit，puisqueSoutheyetColeridge，deuxdenosmeilleursauteurs，equij’aienvoyecertainsmanuscrits，enontbienvoulutemoignerleurapprobation；maisepresent，j’ailavuetropfaible；sij’ecrivaisbeaueoupjedeviendraisaveugle。Cettefaiblessedevueestpourmoiuneterribleprivation；sanscela，savez-vouscequejeferais，Monsieur？J’ecriraisunlivreetjelededieraisemonmaitredelitterature，auseulmaitrequej’aiejamaiseu——evous，Monsieur！Jevousaiditsouventenfrancaiscombienjevousrespecte，combienjesuisredevableevotrebonte，evosconseils。Jevoudraisledireunefoisenanglais。Celanesepeutpas；ilnefautpasypenser。Lacarrieredeslettresm’estfermee……N’oubliezpasdemedirecommentvousvousportez，commentMadameetlesenfantsseportent。Jecomptebientotavoirdevosnouvelles；cetteideemesouris，carlesouvenirdevosbontesnes’effacerajamaisdemamemoire，ettantquecesouvenirdurera，lerespectquevousm’avezinspiredureraaussi。Agreez，Monsieur，"&c。
Itisprobable，thatevenhersistersandmostintimatefriendsdidnotknowofthisdreadofultimateblindnesswhichbesetheratthisperiod。Whateyesightshehadtospareshereservedfortheuseofherfather。Shedidbutlittleplain-sewing；notmorewritingthancouldbeavoided，andemployedherselfprincipallyinknitting。
"April2nd，1845。
"Iseeplainlyitisprovedtousthatthereisscarcelyadraughtofunmingledhappinesstobehadinthisworld-’sillnesscomeswith-’smarriage。MaryT。findsherselffree，andonthatpathtoadventureandexertiontowhichshehassolongbeenseekingadmission。Sickness，hardship，dangerareherfellowtravellers——
herinseparablecompanions。ShemayhavebeenoutofthereachoftheseS。W。N。W。gales，beforetheybegantoblow，ortheymayhavespenttheirfuryonland，andnotruffledtheseamuch。Ifithasbeenotherwise，shehasbeensorelytossed，whilewehavebeensleepinginourbeds，orlyingawakethinkingabouther。Yetthesereal，materialdangers，whenoncepast，leaveinthemindthesatisfactionofhavingstruggledwithdifficulty，andovercomeit。Strength，courage，andexperiencearetheirinvariableresults；whereas，Idoubtwhethersufferingpurelymentalhasanygoodresult，unlessitbetomakeusbycomparisonlesssensitivetophysicalsuffering……Tenyearsago，Ishouldhavelaughedatyouraccountoftheblunderyoumadeinmistakingthebachelordoctorforamarriedman。Ishouldhavecertainlythoughtyouscrupulousover-much，andwonderedhowyoucouldpossiblyregretbeingciviltoadecentindividual，merelybecausehehappenedtobesingle，insteadofdouble。Now，however，Icanperceivethatyourscruplesarefoundedoncommonsense。Iknowthatifwomenwishtoescapethestigmaofhusband-seeking，theymustactandlooklikemarbleorclay——cold，expressionless，bloodless；foreveryappearanceoffeeling，ofjoy，sorrow，friendliness，antipathy，admiration，disgust，arealikeconstruedbytheworldintotheattempttohookahusband。Nevermind！well-meaningwomenhavetheirownconsciencestocomfortthemafterall。Donot，therefore，betoomuchafraidofshowingyourselfasyouare，affectionateandgood-hearted；donottooharshlyrepresssentimentsandfeelingsexcellentinthemselves，becauseyoufearthatsomepuppymayfancythatyouarelettingthemcomeouttofascinatehim；donotcondemnyourselftoliveonlybyhalves，becauseifyoushowedtoomuchanimationsomepragmaticalthinginbreechesmighttakeitintohispatetoimaginethatyoudesignedtodedicateyourlifetohisinanity。Still，acomposed，decent，equabledeportmentisacapitaltreasuretoawoman，andthatyoupossess。Writeagainsoon，forIfeelratherfierce，andwantstrokingdown。"
"June13th，1845。
"AstotheMrs-，who，yousay，islikeme，Isomehowfeelnoleaningtoheratall。Ineverdotopeoplewhoaresaidtobelikeme，becauseIhavealwaysanotionthattheyareonlylikemeinthedisagreeable，outside，first-acquaintancepartofmycharacter；inthosepointswhichareobvioustotheordinaryrunofpeople，andwhichIknowarenotpleasing。Yousaysheis’clever’——’acleverperson。’HowIdisliketheterm！Itmeansratherashrewd，veryugly，meddling，talkingwoman……Ifeelreluctanttoleavepapaforasingleday。Hissightdiminishesweekly；andcanitbewonderedatthat，asheseesthemostpreciousofhisfacultiesleavinghim，hisspiritssometimessink？
Itissohardtofeelthathisfewandscantypleasuresmustallsoongo。Hehasnowthegreatestdifficultyineitherreadingorwriting；andthenhedreadsthestateofdependencetowhichblindnesswillinevitablyreducehim。Hefearsthathewillbenothinginhisparish。Itrytocheerhim；sometimesIsucceedtemporarily，butnoconsolationcanrestorehissight，oratoneforthewantofit。Stillheisneverpeevish；neverimpatient；
onlyanxiousanddejected。"
Forthereasonjustgiven，Charlottedeclinedaninvitationtotheonlyhousetowhichshewasnoweveraskedtocome。Inanswertohercorrespondent’sreplytothisletter，shesays:-
"YouthoughtIrefusedyoucoldly，didyou？Itwasaqueersortofcoldness，whenIwouldhavegivenmyearstosayYes，andwasobligedtosayNo。Matters，however，arenowalittlechanged。
Anneiscomehome，andherpresencecertainlymakesmefeelmoreatliberty。Then，ifallbewell，Iwillcomeandseeyou。TellmeonlywhenImustcome。Mentiontheweekandtheday。Havethekindnessalsotoanswerthefollowingqueries，ifyoucan。HowfarisitfromLeedstoSheffield？Canyougivemeanotionofthecost？Ofcourse，whenIcome，youwillletmeenjoyyourowncompanyinpeace，andnotdragmeoutavisiting。Ihavenodesireatalltoseeyourcurate。IthinkhemustbelikealltheothercuratesIhaveseen；andtheyseemtomeaself-seeking，vain，emptyrace。Atthisblessedmoment，wehavenolessthanthreeoftheminHaworthparish——andthereisnotonetomendanother。Theotherday，theyallthree，accompaniedbyMr。S。，dropped，orratherrushed，inunexpectedlytotea。ItwasMondaybakingday，andIwashotandtired；still，iftheyhadbehavedquietlyanddecently，Iwouldhaveservedthemouttheirteainpeace；buttheybeganglorifyingthemselves，andabusingDissentersinsuchamanner，thatmytemperlostitsbalance，andIpronouncedafewsentencessharplyandrapidly，whichstruckthemalldumb。Papawasgreatlyhorrifiedalso，butIdon’tregretit。"
Onherreturnfromthisshortvisittoherfriend，shetravelledwithagentlemanintherailwaycarriage，whosefeaturesandbearingbetrayedhim，inamoment，tobeaFrenchman。Sheventuredtoaskhimifsuchwasnotthecase；and，onhisadmittingit，shefurtherinquiredifhehadnotpassedaconsiderabletimeinGermany，andwasansweredthathehad；herquickeardetectedsomethingofthethickgutturalpronunciation，which，Frenchmensay，theyareabletodiscovereveninthegrandchildrenoftheircountrymenwhohavelivedanytimebeyondtheRhine。CharlottehadretainedherskillinthelanguagebythehabitofwhichshethusspeakstoM。Heger:-
"Jecrainsbeaucoupd’oublierlefrancais——j’apprendstouslesjoursunedemiepagedefrancaisparcoeur，etj’aigrandplaisireapprendrecettelecon，VeuillezpresentereMadamel’assurancedemonestime；jecrainsqueMaria-LouiseetClairenem’aientdejeoubliees；maisjevousreverraiunjour；aussitotquej’auraisgagneassezd’argentpouraltereBruxelles，j’yirai。"
AndsoherjourneybacktoHaworth，aftertherarepleasureofthisvisittoherfriend，waspleasantlybeguiledbyconversationwiththeFrenchgentleman；andshearrivedathomerefreshedandhappy。Whattofindthere？
Itwasteno’clockwhenshereachedtheparsonage。Branwellwasthere，unexpectedly，veryill。Hehadcomehomeadayortwobefore，apparentlyforaholiday；inreality，Iimagine，becausesomediscoveryhadbeenmadewhichrenderedhisabsenceimperativelydesirable。ThedayofCharlotte’sreturn，hehadreceivedaletterfromMr-，sternlydismissinghim，intimatingthathisproceedingswerediscovered，characterisingthemasbadbeyondexpression，andcharginghim，onpainofexposure，tobreakoffimmediately，andforever，allcommunicationwitheverymemberofthefamily。
WhatevermayhavebeenthenatureanddepthofBranwell’ssins，——
whatevermayhavebeenhistemptation，whateverhisguilt，——thereisnodoubtofthesufferingwhichhisconductentaileduponhispoorfatherandhisinnocentsisters。Thehopesandplanstheyhadcherishedlong，andlabouredhardtofulfil，werecruellyfrustrated；henceforwardtheirdayswereembitteredandthenaturalrestoftheirnightsdestroyedbyhisparoxysmsofremorse。LetusreadofthemiserycausedtohispoorsistersinCharlotte’sownaffectingwords:-
"WehavehadsadworkwithBranwell。Hethoughtofnothingbutstunningordrowninghisagonyofmind。Nooneinthishousecouldhaverest；and，atlast，wehavebeenobligedtosendhimfromhomeforaweek，withsomeonetolookafterhim。Hehaswrittentomethismorning，expressingsomesenseofcontrition……butaslongasheremainsathome，Iscarcedarehopeforpeaceinthehouse。Wemustall，Ifear，prepareforaseasonofdistressanddisquietude。WhenIleftyou，IwasstronglyimpressedwiththefeelingthatIwasgoingbacktosorrow。"
"August，1845。
"Thingshereathomearemuchasusual；notverybrightasitregardsBranwell，thoughhishealth，andconsequentlyhistemper，havebeensomewhatbetterthislastdayortwo，becauseheisnowFORCEDTOabstain。"
"August18th，1845。
"Ihavedelayedwriting，becauseIhavenogoodnewstocommunicate。MyhopesebblowindeedaboutBranwell。Isometimesfearhewillneverbefitformuch。Thelateblowtohisprospectsandfeelingshasquitemadehimreckless。Itisonlyabsolutewantofmeansthatactsasanychecktohim。Oneought，indeed，tohopetotheverylast；andItrytodoso，butoccasionallyhopeinhiscaseseemssofallacious。"
"Nov。4th，1845。
"IhopedtobeabletoaskyoutocometoHaworth。ItalmostseemedasifBranwellhadachanceofgettingemployment，andI
waitedtoknowtheresultofhiseffortsinordertosay，dear-，comeandseeus。Buttheplaceasecretaryshiptoarailwaycommitteeisgiventoanotherperson。Branwellstillremainsathome；andwhileHEishere，YOUshallnotcome。IammoreconfirmedinthatresolutionthemoreIseeofhim。IwishI
couldsayonewordtoyouinhisfavour，butIcannot。Iwillholdmytongue。WeareallobligedtoyouforyourkindsuggestionaboutLeeds；butIthinkourschoolschemesare，forthepresent，atrest。"
"Dec。31st，1845。
"Yousaywell，inspeakingof-，thatnosufferingsaresoawfulasthosebroughtonbydissipation；alas！Iseethetruthofthisobservationdailyproved——and——musthaveaswearyandburdensomealifeofitinwaitingupontheirunhappybrother。Itseemsgrievous，indeed，thatthosewhohavenotsinnedshouldsuffersolargely。"
Infact，alltheirlatterdaysblightedwiththepresenceofcruel，shamefulsuffering，——theprematuredeathsoftwoatleastofthesisters，——allthegreatpossibilitiesoftheirearthlylivessnappedshort，——maybedatedfromMidsummer1845。
ForthelastthreeyearsofBranwell’slife，hetookopiumhabitually，bywayofstunningconscience；hedrankmoreover，wheneverhecouldgettheopportunity。ThereadermaysaythatI
havementionedhistendencytointemperancelongbefore。Itistrue；butitdidnotbecomehabitual，asfarasIcanlearn，untilafterhewasdismissedfromhistutorship。Hetookopium，becauseitmadehimforgetforatimemoreeffectuallythandrink；and，besides，itwasmoreportable。Inprocuringitheshowedallthecunningoftheopium-eater。Hewouldstealoutwhilethefamilywereatchurch——towhichhehadprofessedhimselftooilltogo——
andmanagetocajolethevillagedruggistoutofalump；or，itmightbe，thecarrierhadunsuspiciouslybroughthimsomeinapacketfromadistance。Forsometimebeforehisdeathhehadattacksofdeliriumtremensofthemostfrightfulcharacter；hesleptinhisfather’sroom，andhewouldsometimesdeclarethateitherheorhisfathershouldbedeadbeforethemorning。Thetremblingsisters，sickwithfright，wouldimploretheirfathernottoexposehimselftothisdanger；butMr。Bronteisnotimidman，andperhapshefeltthathecouldpossiblyinfluencehissontosomeself-restraint，morebyshowingtrustinhimthanbyshowingfear。Thesistersoftenlistenedforthereportofapistolinthedeadofthenight，tillwatchfuleyeandhearkeningeargrewheavyanddullwiththeperpetualstrainupontheirnerves。InthemorningsyoungBrontewouldsaunterout，saying，withadrunkard’sincontinenceofspeech，"ThepooroldmanandI
havehadaterriblenightofit；hedoeshisbest——thepooroldman！butit’salloverwithme。"
CHAPTERXIV
Inthecourseofthissadautumnof1845，anewinterestcameup；
faint，indeed，andoftenlostsightofinthevividpainandconstantpressureofanxietyrespectingtheirbrother。Inthebiographicalnoticeofhersisters，whichCharlotteprefixedtotheeditionof"WutheringHeights"and"AgnesGrey，"publishedin1850——apieceofwritingunique，asfarasIknow，initspathosanditspower——shesays:-
"Onedayintheautumnof1845，IaccidentallylightedonaMS。
volumeofverse，inmysisterEmily’shand-writing。Ofcourse，I
wasnotsurprised，knowingthatshecouldanddidwriteverse:I
lookeditover，andsomethingmorethansurpriseseizedme——adeepconvictionthatthesewerenotcommoneffusions，noratalllikethepoetrywomengenerallywrite。Ithoughtthemcondensedandterse，vigorousandgenuine。Tomyeartheyhadalsoapeculiarmusic，wild，melancholy，andelevating。MysisterEmilywasnotapersonofdemonstrativecharacter，noroneontherecessesofwhosemindandfeelingseventhosenearestanddearesttohercould，withimpunity，intrudeunlicensed:ittookhourstoreconcilehertothediscoveryIhadmade，anddaystopersuadeherthatsuchpoemsmeritedpublication……Meantime，myyoungersisterquietlyproducedsomeofherowncompositions，intimatingthatsinceEmily’shadgivenmepleasure，Imightliketolookathers。Icouldnotbutbeapartialjudge，yetIthoughtthattheseversestoohadasweetsincerepathosoftheirown。Wehadveryearlycherishedthedreamofonedaybeingauthors。Weagreedtoarrangeasmallselectionofourpoems，and，ifpossible，getthemprinted。Aversetopersonalpublicity，weveiledourownnamesunderthoseofCurrer，Ellis，andActonBell；
theambiguouschoicebeingdictatedbyasortofconscientiousscrupleatassumingChristiannames，positivelymasculine，whilewedidnotliketodeclareourselveswomen，because——withoutatthetimesuspectingthatourmodeofwritingandthinkingwasnotwhatiscalled’feminine，’wehadavagueimpressionthatauthoressesareliabletobelookedonwithprejudice；wenoticedhowcriticssometimesusefortheirchastisementtheweaponofpersonality，andfortheirreward，aflattery，whichisnottruepraise。Thebringingoutofourlittlebookwashardwork。Aswastobeexpected，neitherwenorourpoemswereatallwanted；
butforthiswehadbeenpreparedattheoutset；thoughinexperiencedourselves，wehadreadtheexperienceofothers。
Thegreatpuzzlelayinthedifficultyofgettinganswersofanykindfromthepublisherstowhomweapplied。Beinggreatlyharassedbythisobstacle，IventuredtoapplytotheMessrs。
Chambers，ofEdinburgh，forawordofadvice；THEYmayhaveforgottenthecircumstance，butIhavenot，forfromthemI
receivedabriefandbusiness-like，butcivilandsensiblereply，onwhichweacted，andatlastmadeway。"
IinquiredfromMr。RobertChambers，andfound，asMissBronteconjectured，thathehadentirelyforgottentheapplicationwhichhadbeenmadetohimandhisbrotherforadvice；norhadtheyanycopyormemorandumofthecorrespondence。
ThereisanintelligentmanlivinginHaworth，whohasgivenmesomeinterestingparticularsrelatingtothesistersaboutthisperiod。Hesays:-
"IhaveknownMissBronte，asMissBronte，alongtime；indeed，eversincetheycametoHaworthin1819。ButIhadnotmuchacquaintancewiththefamilytillabout1843，whenIbegantodoalittleinthestationeryline。NothingofthatkindcouldbehadnearerthanKeighleybeforeIbegan。Theyusedtobuyagreatdealofwritingpaper，andIusedtowonderwhatevertheydidwithsomuch。IsometimesthoughttheycontributedtotheMagazines。
WhenIwasoutofstock，Iwasalwaysafraidoftheircoming；theyseemedsodistressedaboutit，ifIhadnone。IhavewalkedtoHalifaxadistanceoftenmilesmanyatime，forhalfareamofpaper，forfearofbeingwithoutitwhentheycame。Icouldnotbuymoreatatimeforwantofcapital。Iwasalwaysshortofthat。IdidsolikethemtocomewhenIhadanythingforthem；
theyweresomuchdifferenttoanybodyelse；sogentleandkind，andsoveryquiet。Theynevertalkedmuch。Charlottesometimeswouldsitandinquireaboutourcircumstancessokindlyandfeelingly！……ThoughIamapoorworkingmanwhichIhaveneverfelttobeanydegradation，Icouldtalkwithherwiththegreatestfreedom。Ialwaysfeltquiteathomewithher。ThoughI
neverhadanyschooleducation，Ineverfeltthewantofitinhercompany。"
Thepublisherstowhomshefinallymadeasuccessfulapplicationfortheproductionof"Currer，Ellis，andActonBell’spoems，"
wereMessrs。AylottandJones，PaternosterRow。Mr。Aylotthaskindlyplacedtheletterswhichshewrotetothemonthesubjectatmydisposal。ThefirstisdatedJanuary28th，1846，andinitsheinquiresiftheywillpublishonevolumeoctavoofpoems；ifnotattheirownrisk，ontheauthor’saccount。Itissigned"C。
Bronte。"Theymusthaverepliedprettyspeedily，foronJanuary31stshewritesagain:-
"GENTLEMEN，"SinceyouagreetoundertakethepublicationoftheworkrespectingwhichIappliedtoyou，Ishouldwishnowtoknow，assoonaspossible，thecostofpaperandprinting。Iwillthensendthenecessaryremittance，togetherwiththemanuscript。I
shouldlikeittobeprintedinoneoctavovolume，ofthesamequalityofpaperandsizeoftypeasMoxon’slasteditionofWordsworth。Thepoemswilloccupy，Ishouldthink，from200to250pages。Theyarenottheproductionofaclergyman，noraretheyexclusivelyofareligiouscharacter；butIpresumethesecircumstanceswillbeimmaterial。Itwill，perhaps，benecessarythatyoushouldseethemanuscript，inordertocalculateaccuratelytheexpenseofpublication；inthatcaseIwillsenditimmediately。Ishouldlike，however，previously，tohavesomeideaoftheprobablecost；andif，fromwhatIhavesaid，youcanmakearoughcalculationonthesubject，Ishouldbegreatlyobligedtoyou。"
Inhernextletter，February6th，shesays:-
"Youwillperceivethatthepoemsaretheworkofthreepersons，relatives——theirseparatepiecesaredistinguishedbytheirrespectivesignatures。"
ShewritesagainonFebruary15th；andonthe16thshesays:-
"TheMS。willcertainlyformathinnervolumethanIhadanticipated。IcannotnameanothermodelwhichIshouldlikeitpreciselytoresemble，yet，Ithink，aduodecimoform，andasomewhatreduced，thoughstillCLEARtype，wouldbepreferable。I
onlystipulateforCLEARtype，nottoosmall，andgoodpaper。"
OnFebruary21stsheselectsthe"longprimertype"forthepoems，andwillremit31L。10S。inafewdays。
Minuteasthedetailsconveyedinthesenotesare，theyarenottrivial，becausetheyaffordsuchstrongindicationsofcharacter。
Ifthevolumewastobepublishedattheirownrisk，itwasnecessarythatthesisterconductingthenegotiationshouldmakeherselfacquaintedwiththedifferentkindsoftype，andthevarioussizesofbooks。Accordinglysheboughtasmallvolume，fromwhichtolearnallshecouldonthesubjectofpreparationforthepress。Nohalf-knowledge——notrustingtootherpeoplefordecisionswhichshecouldmakeforherself；andyetagenerousandfullconfidence，notmisplaced，inthethoroughprobityofMessrs。
AylottandJones。Thecautioninascertainingtheriskbeforeembarkingintheenterprise，andthepromptpaymentofthemoneyrequired，evenbeforeitcouldbesaidtohaveassumedtheshapeofadebt，werebothpartsofaself-reliantandindependentcharacter。Self-containedalsowasshe。Duringthewholetimethatthevolumeofpoemswasinthecourseofpreparationandpublication，nowordwaswrittentellinganyone，outofthehouseholdcircle，whatwasinprogress。
Ihavehadsomeofthelettersplacedinmyhands，whichsheaddressedtoheroldschool-mistress，MissW。Theybeginalittlebeforethistime。Actingontheconviction，whichIhaveallalongentertained，thatwhereCharlotteBronte’sownwordscouldbeused，noothersoughttotaketheirplace，Ishallmakeextractsfromthisseries，accordingtotheirdates。
"Jan。30th，1846。
"MYDEARMISSW-，"Ihavenotyetpaidmyvisitto-；itis，indeed，morethanayearsinceIwasthere，butIfrequentlyhearfromE。，andshedidnotfailtotellmethatyouweregoneintoWorcestershire；shewasunable，however，togivemeyourexactaddress。HadIknownit，Ishouldhavewrittentoyoulongsince。Ithoughtyouwouldwonderhowweweregettingon，whenyouheardoftherailwaypanic；andyoumaybesurethatIamverygladtobeabletoansweryourkindinquiriesbytheassurancethatoursmallcapitalisasyetundiminished。TheYorkandMidlandis，asyousay，averygoodline，yet，Iconfesstoyou，Ishouldwish，formyownpart，tobewiseintime。Icannotthinkthateventheverybestlineswillcontinueformanyyearsattheirpresentpremiums；andIhavebeenmostanxiousforustoselloursharesereitbetoolate，andtosecuretheproceedsinsomesafer，if，forthepresent，lessprofitableinvestment。Icannot，however，persuademysisterstoregardtheaffairpreciselyfrommypointofview；
andIfeelasifIwouldratherruntheriskoflossthanhurtEmily’sfeelingsbyactingindirectoppositiontoheropinion。
Shemanagedinamosthandsomeandablemannerforme，whenIwasinBrussels，andpreventedbydistancefromlookingaftermyowninterests；therefore，Iwilllethermanagestill，andtaketheconsequences。Disinterestedandenergeticshecertainlyis；andifshebenotquitesotractableoropentoconvictionasIcouldwish，Imustrememberperfectionisnotthelotofhumanity；andaslongaswecanregardthosewelove，andtowhomwearecloselyallied，withprofoundandnever-shakenesteem，itisasmallthingthattheyshouldvexusoccasionallybywhatappeartousunreasonableandheadstrongnotions。
"You，mydearMissW-，know，fullaswellasIdo，thevalueofsisters’affectiontoeachother；thereisnothinglikeitinthisworld，Ibelieve，whentheyarenearlyequalinage，andsimilarineducation，tastes，andsentiments。YouaskaboutBranwell；heneverthinksofseekingemployment，andIbegintofearthathehasrenderedhimselfincapableoffillinganyrespectablestationinlife；besides，ifmoneywereathisdisposal，hewoulduseitonlytohisowninjury；thefacultyofself-governmentis，Ifear，almostdestroyedinhim。YouaskmeifIdonotthinkthatmenarestrangebeings？Ido，indeed。Ihaveoftenthoughtso；andI
think，too，thatthemodeofbringingthemupisstrange:theyarenotsufficientlyguardedfromtemptation。Girlsareprotectedasiftheyweresomethingveryfrailorsillyindeed，whileboysareturnedlooseontheworld，asifthey，ofallbeingsinexistence，werethewisestandleastliabletobeledastray。I
amgladyoulikeBroomsgrove，though，Idaresay，therearefewplacesyouwouldNOTlike，withMrs。M。foracompanion。IalwaysfeelapeculiarsatisfactionwhenIhearofyourenjoyingyourself，becauseitprovesthattherereallyissuchathingasretributivejusticeeveninthisworld。Youworkedhard；youdeniedyourselfallpleasure，almostallrelaxation，inyouryouth，andintheprimeoflife；nowyouarefree，andthatwhileyouhavestill，Ihope，manyyearsofvigourandhealthinwhichyoucanenjoyfreedom。Besides，Ihaveanotherandveryegotisticalmotiveforbeingpleased；itseemsthateven’alonewoman’canbehappy，aswellascherishedwivesandproudmothers。
Iamgladofthat。Ispeculatemuchontheexistenceofunmarriedandnever-to-be-marriedwomennow-a-days；andIhavealreadygottothepointofconsideringthatthereisnomorerespectablecharacteronthisearththananunmarriedwoman，whomakesherownwaythroughlifequietly，perseveringly，withoutsupportofhusbandorbrother；andwho，havingattainedtheageofforty-fiveorupwards，retainsinherpossessionawell-regulatedmind，adispositiontoenjoysimplepleasures，andfortitudetosupportinevitablypains，sympathywiththesufferingsofothers，andwillingnesstorelievewantasfarashermeansextend。"
DuringthetimethatthenegotiationwithMessrs。AylottandCo。
wasgoingon，Charlottewenttovisitheroldschool-friend，withwhomshewasinsuchhabitsofconfidentialintimacy；butneitherthennorafterwards，didsheeverspeaktoherofthepublicationofthepoems；nevertheless，thisyoungladysuspectedthatthesisterswroteforMagazines；andinthisideashewasconfirmedwhen，ononeofhervisitstoHaworth，shesawAnnewithanumberof"Chambers’sJournal，"andagentlesmileofpleasurestealingoverherplacidfaceassheread。
"Whatisthematter？"askedthefriend。"Whydoyousmile？"
"OnlybecauseIseetheyhaveinsertedoneofmypoems，"wasthequietreply；andnotawordmorewassaidonthesubject。
TothisfriendCharlotteaddressedthefollowingletters:-
"March3rd，1846。
"Ireachedhomealittleaftertwoo’clock，allsafeandrightyesterday；Ifoundpapaverywell；hissightmuchthesame。EmilyandAnneweregoingtoKeighleytomeetme；unfortunately，Ihadreturnedbytheoldroad，whiletheyweregonebythenew，andwemissedeachother。Theydidnotgethometillhalf-pastfour，andwerecaughtintheheavyshowerofrainwhichfellintheafternoon。IamsorrytosayAnnehastakenalittlecoldinconsequence，butIhopeshewillsoonbewell。PapawasmuchcheeredbymyreportofMr。C。’sopinion，andofoldMrs。E。’sexperience；butIcouldperceivehecaughtgladlyattheideaofdeferringtheoperationafewmonthslonger。IwentintotheroomwhereBranwellwas，tospeaktohim，aboutanhourafterIgothome:itwasveryforcedworktoaddresshim。Imighthavesparedmyselfthetrouble，ashetooknonotice，andmadenoreply；hewasstupified。Myfearswerenotinvain。IhearthathegotasovereignwhileIhavebeenaway，underpretenceofpayingapressingdebt；hewentimmediatelyandchangeditatapublic-house，andhasemployeditaswastobeexpected——
concludedheraccountbysayinghewasa’hopelessbeing；’itistootrue。Inhispresentstateitisscarcelypossibletostayintheroomwhereheis。WhatthefuturehasinstoreIdonotknow。"
"March31st，1846。
"OurpooroldservantTabbyhadasortoffit，afortnightsince，butisnearlyrecoverednow。Martha"thegirltheyhadtoassistpooroldTabby，andwhoremainsstillthefaithfulservantattheparsonage，"isillwithaswellinginherknee，andobligedtogohome。Ifearitwillbelongbeforesheisinworkingconditionagain。Ireceivedthenumberofthe’Record’yousent……I
readD’Aubigne’sletter。Itisclever，andinwhathesaysaboutCatholicismverygood。TheEvangelicalAlliancepartisnotverypracticable，yetcertainlyitismoreinaccordancewiththespiritoftheGospeltopreachunityamongChristiansthantoinculcatemutualintoleranceandhatred。IamverygladIwentto——whenIdid，forthechangedweatherhassomewhatchangedmyhealthandstrengthsince。Howdoyougeton？Ilongformildsouthandwestwinds。Iamthankfulpapacontinuesprettywell，thoughoftenmadeverymiserablebyBranwell’swretchedconduct。
THERE——thereisnochangebutfortheworse。"
Meanwhiletheprintingofthevolumeofpoemswasquietlyproceeding。Aftersomeconsultationanddeliberation，thesistershaddeterminedtocorrecttheproofsthemselves，UptoMarch28ththepublishershadaddressedtheircorrespondentasC。Bronte，Esq。；butatthistimesome"littlemistakeoccurred，"andshedesiredMessrs。AylottandCo。infuturetodirecttoherrealaddress，"MISSBronte，"&c。Shehad，however，evidentlyleftittobeimpliedthatshewasnotactingonherownbehalf，butasagentfortherealauthors，sinceinanotedatedApril6th，shemakesaproposalonbehalfof"C。，E。，andA。Bell，"whichistothefollowingeffect，thattheyarepreparingforthepressaworkoffiction，consistingofthreedistinctandunconnectedtales，whichmaybepublishedeithertogether，asaworkofthreevolumes，oftheordinarynovelsize，orseparately，assinglevolumes，asmaybedeemedmostadvisable。Shestates，inaddition，thatitisnottheirintentiontopublishthesetalesontheirownaccount；butthattheauthorsdirecthertoaskMessrs。
AylottandCo。whethertheywouldbedisposedtoundertakethework，afterhaving，ofcourse，bydueinspectionoftheMS。，ascertainedthatitscontentsaresuchastowarrantanexpectationofsuccess。Tothisletterofinquirythepublishersrepliedspeedily，andthetenoroftheiranswermaybegatheredfromCharlotte’s，datedApril11th。
"Ibegtothankyou，inthenameofC。，E。，andA。Bell，foryourobligingofferofadvice。Iwillavailmyselfofit，torequestinformationontwoorthreepoints。Itisevidentthatunknownauthorshavegreatdifficultiestocontendwith，beforetheycansucceedinbringingtheirworksbeforethepublic。Canyougivemeanyhintastothewayinwhichthesedifficultiesarebestmet？Forinstance，inthepresentcase，whereaworkoffictionisinquestion，inwhatformwouldapublisherbemostlikelytoaccepttheMS。？Whetherofferedasaworkofthreevols。，orastaleswhichmightbepublishedinnumbers，orascontributionstoaperiodical？
"Whatpublisherswouldbemostlikelytoreceivefavourablyaproposalofthisnature？
"WoulditsufficetoWRITEtoapublisheronthesubject，orwoulditbenecessarytohaverecoursetoapersonalinterview？
"Youropinionandadviceonthesethreepoints，oronanyotherwhichyourexperiencemaysuggestasimportant，wouldbeesteemedbyusasafavour。"
Itisevidentfromthewholetenorofthiscorrespondence，thatthetruthfulnessandprobityofthefirmofpublisherswithwhomshehadtodealinthisherfirstliteraryventure，werestronglyimpresseduponhermind，andwasfollowedbytheinevitableconsequenceofrelianceontheirsuggestions。Andtheprogressofthepoemswasnotunreasonablylengthyorlongdrawnout。OnApril20thshewritestodesirethatthreecopiesmaybesenttoher，andthatMessrs。Aylottwilladviseherastothereviewerstowhomcopiesoughttobesent。
Igivethenextletterasillustratingtheideasofthesegirlsastowhatperiodicalreviewsornoticesledpublicopinion。
"Thepoemstobeneatlydoneupincloth。Havethegoodnesstosendcopiesandadvertisements，ASEARLYASPOSSIBLE，toeachoftheundermentionedperiodicals。
"’Colburn’sNewMonthlyMagazine。’
"’Bentley’sMagazine。’
"’Hood’sMagazine。’
"’Jerrold’sShillingMagazine。’
"’Blackwood’sMagazine。’
"’TheEdinburghReview。’
"’Tait’sEdinburghMagazine。’
"’TheDublinUniversityMagazine。’
"Alsotothe’DailyNews’andtothe’Britannia’papers。
"Ifthereareanyotherperiodicalstowhichyouhavebeeninthehabitofsendingcopiesofworks，letthembesuppliedalsowithcopies。IthinkthoseIhavementionedwillsufficeforadvertising。"
Incompliancewiththislatterrequest，Messrs。Aylottsuggestthatcopiesandadvertisementsoftheworkshouldbesenttothe"Athenaeum，""LiteraryGazette，""Critic，"and"Times；"butinherreplyMissBrontesays，thatshethinkstheperiodicalsshefirstmentionedwillbesufficientforadvertisinginatpresent，astheauthorsdonotwishtolayoutalargersumthantwopoundsinadvertising，esteemingthesuccessofaworkdependentmoreonthenoticeitreceivesfromperiodicalsthanonthequantityofadvertisements。Incaseofanynoticeofthepoemsappearing，whetherfavourableorotherwise，Messrs。AylottandCo。arerequestedtosendherthenameandnumberofthoseperiodicalsinwhichsuchnoticesappear；asotherwise，sinceshehasnottheopportunityofseeingperiodicalsregularly，shemaymissreadingthecritique。"Shouldthepoemsberemarkeduponfavourably，itismyintentiontoappropriateafurthersumforadvertisements。
If，ontheotherhand，theyshouldpassunnoticedorbecondemned，Iconsideritwouldbequiteuselesstoadvertise，asthereisnothing，eitherinthetitleofthework，orthenamesoftheauthors，toattractattentionfromasingleindividual。"
IsupposethelittlevolumeofpoemswaspublishedsometimeabouttheendofMay，1846。Itstoleintolife；someweekspassedover，withoutthemightymurmuringpublicdiscoveringthatthreemorevoiceswereutteringtheirspeech。And，meanwhile，thecourseofexistencemoveddrearilyalongfromdaytodaywiththeanxioussisters，whomusthaveforgottentheirsenseofauthorshipinthevitalcaregnawingattheirhearts。OnJune17th，Charlottewrites:-
"Branwelldeclaresthatheneithercannorwilldoanythingforhimself；goodsituationshavebeenofferedhim，forwhich，byafortnight’swork，hemighthavequalifiedhimself，buthewilldonothingexceptdrinkandmakeusallwretched。"
Inthe"Athenaeum"ofJuly4th，undertheheadofpoetryforthemillion，cameashortreviewofthepoemsofC。，E。，andA。Bell。
ThereviewerassignstoEllisthehighestrankofthethree"brothers，"ashesupposesthemtobe；hecallsEllis"afine，quaintspirit；"andspeaksof"anevidentpowerofwingthatmayreachheightsnothereattempted。"Again，withsomedegreeofpenetration，thereviewersays，thatthepoemsofEllis"conveyanimpressionoforiginalitybeyondwhathiscontributionstothesevolumesembody。"CurrerisplacedmidwaybetweenEllisandActon。
Butthereislittleinthereviewtostrainout，atthisdistanceoftime，asworthpreserving。Still，wecanfancywithwhatinterestitwasreadatHaworthParsonage，andhowthesisterswouldendeavourtofindoutreasonsforopinions，orhintsforthefutureguidanceoftheirtalents。
IcallparticularattentiontothefollowingletterofCharlotte’s，datedJuly10th，1846。Towhomitwaswritten，mattersnot；butthewholesomesenseofdutyinit——thesenseofthesupremacyofthatdutywhichGod，inplacingusinfamilies，haslaidoutforus，seemstodeserveespecialregardinthesedays。
"Iseeyouareinadilemma，andoneofapeculiaranddifficultnature。Twopathsliebeforeyou；youconscientiouslywishtochoosetherightone，eventhoughitbethemoststeep，strait，andrugged；butyoudonotknowwhichistherightone；youcannotdecidewhetherdutyandreligioncommandyoutogooutintothecoldandfriendlessworld，andtheretoearnyourlivingbygovernessdrudgery，orwhethertheyenjoinyourcontinuedstaywithyouragedmother，neglecting，FORTHEPRESENT，everyprospectofindependencyforyourself，andputtingupwithdailyinconvenience，sometimesevenwithprivations。Icanwellimagine，thatitisnexttoimpossibleforyoutodecideforyourselfinthismatter，soIwilldecideitforyou。Atleast，I
willtellyouwhatismyearnestconvictiononthesubject；Iwillshowyoucandidlyhowthequestionstrikesme。Therightpathisthatwhichnecessitatesthegreatestsacrificeofself-interest——
whichimpliesthegreatestgoodtoothers；andthispath，steadilyfollowed，willlead，Ibelieve，intime，toprosperityandtohappiness，thoughitmayseem，attheoutset，totendquiteinacontrarydirection。Yourmotherisbotholdandinfirm；oldandinfirmpeoplehavebutfewsourcesofhappiness——feweralmostthanthecomparativelyyoungandhealthycanconceive；todeprivethemofoneoftheseiscruel。Ifyourmotherismorecomposedwhenyouarewithher，staywithher。Ifshewouldbeunhappyincaseyoulefther，staywithher。Itwillnotapparently，asfarasshort-sightedhumanitycansee，beforyouradvantagetoremainat-，norwillyoubepraisedandadmiredforremainingathometocomfortyourmother；yet，probably，yourownconsciencewillapprove，andifitdoes，staywithher。IrecommendyoutodowhatIamtryingtodomyself。"
Theremainderofthisletterisonlyinterestingtothereaderasitconveysaperemptorydisclaimerofthereportthatthewriterwasengagedtobemarriedtoherfather’scurate——theverysamegentlemantowhom，eightyearsafterwards，shewasunited；andwho，probably，evennow，althoughshewasunconsciousofthefact，hadbegunhisservicetoher，inthesametenderandfaithfulspiritasthatinwhichJacobservedforRachel。Othersmayhavenoticedthis，thoughshedidnot。
Afewmorenotesremainofhercorrespondence"onbehalfoftheMessrs。Bell"withMr。Aylott。OnJuly15thshesays，"Isuppose，asyouhavenotwritten，noothernoticeshaveyetappeared，norhasthedemandfortheworkincreased。WillyoufavourmewithalinestatingwhetherANY，orhowmanycopieshaveyetbeensold？"
Butfew，Ifear；for，threedayslater，shewrotethefollowing:-
"TheMessrs。Belldesiremetothankyouforyoursuggestionrespectingtheadvertisements。Theyagreewithyouthat，sincetheseasonisunfavourable，advertisinghadbetterbedeferred。
Theyareobligedtoyoufortheinformationrespectingthenumberofcopiessold。"
OnJuly23rdshewritestotheMessrs。Aylott:-
"TheMessrs。BellwouldbeobligedtoyoutoposttheenclosednoteinLondon。Itisananswertotheletteryouforwarded，whichcontainedanapplicationfortheirautographsfromapersonwhoprofessedtohavereadandadmiredtheirpoems。IthinkI
beforeintimated，thattheMessrs。Bellaredesirousforthepresentofremainingunknown，forwhichreasontheypreferhavingthenotepostedinLondontosendingitdirect，inordertoavoidgivinganycluetoresidence，oridentitybypost-mark，&c。"
Oncemore，inSeptember，shewrites，"Astheworkhasreceivednofurthernoticefromanyperiodical，Ipresumethedemandforithasnotgreatlyincreased。"
Inthebiographicalnoticeofhersisters，shethusspeaksofthefailureofthemodesthopesvestedinthispublication。"Thebookwasprinted；itisscarcelyknown，andallofitthatmeritstobeknownarethepoemsofEllisBell。
"ThefixedconvictionIheld，andhold，oftheworthofthesepoems，hasnot，indeed，receivedtheconfirmationofmuchfavourablecriticism；butImustretainitnotwithstanding。"
Footnotes:
{1}Areviewerpointedoutthediscrepancybetweentheagetwenty-sevenyearsassigned，onthemuraltablet，toAnneBronteatthetimeofherdeathin1849，andtheallegedfactthatshewasbornatThornton，fromwhichplaceMr。BronteremovedonFebruary25th，1820。Iwasawareofthediscrepancy，butIdidnotthinkitofsufficientconsequencetoberectifiedbyanexaminationoftheregisterofbirths。Mr。Bronte’sownwords，onwhichIgroundedmystatementastothetimeofAnneBronte’sbirth，areasfollows:-
"InThornton，Charlotte，PatrickBranwell，EmilyJane，andAnnewereborn。"AndsuchoftheinhabitantsofHaworthashavespokenonthesubjectsaythatallthechildrenofMr。andMrs。BrontewerebornbeforetheyremovedtoHaworth。Thereisprobablysomemistakeintheinscriptiononthetablet。
{2}InthemonthofApril1858，aneatmuraltabletwaserectedwithintheCommunionrailingoftheChurchatHaworth，tothememoryofthedeceasedmembersoftheBrontefamily。ThetabletisofwhiteCarraramarbleonagroundofdove-colouredmarble，withacornicesurmountedbyanornamentalpedimentofchastedesign。Betweenthebracketswhichsupportthetablet，isinscribedthesacredmonogramI。H。S。，inoldEnglishletters。
{3}Withregardtomyownopinionofthepresentschool，Icanonlygiveitasformedafterwhatwasmerelyacursoryandsuperficialinspection，asIdonotbelievethatIwasinthehouseabovehalfanhour；butitwasandisthis，——thatthehouseatCastertonseemedthoroughlyhealthyandwellkept，andissituatedinalovelyspot；thatthepupilslookedbright，happy，andwell，andthattheladysuperintendentwasamostprepossessinglookingperson，who，onmymakingsomeinquiryastotheaccomplishmentstaughttothepupils，saidthattheschemeofeducationwasmateriallychangedsincetheschoolhadbeenopened。
Iwouldhaveinsertedthistestimonyinthefirstedition，hadI
believedthatanyweightcouldbeattachedtoanopinionformedonsuchslightandsuperficialgrounds。
{4}"JaneEyre，"vol。I。，page20。
{5}Scottdescribesthesport，"ShootingatthePopinjay，""asanancientgameformerlypractisedwitharchery，butatthisperiod1679withfirearms。Thiswasthefigureofabirddeckedwithparti-colouredfeathers，soastoresembleapopinjayorparrot。
Itwassuspendedtoapole，andservedforamarkatwhichthecompetitorsdischargedtheirfuseesandcarbinesinrotation，atthedistanceofseventypaces。HewhoseballbroughtdownthemarkheldtheproudtitleofCaptainofthePopinjayfortheremainderoftheday，andwasusuallyescortedintriumphtothemostrespectablechange-houseintheneighbourhood，wheretheeveningwasclosedwithconviviality，conductedunderhisauspices，andifhewasabletomaintainit，athisexpense。"——OldMortality。
{6}InthisGutenbergeTextM。Heger’scommentsaregivenin{}
atapproximatelytheplacewheretheyoccur——DP。
EndTheLifeofCharlotteBronte-Volume2
byElizabethClaghornGaskellCONTENTSOFVOLUMETWO