"Aprosework，byEllisandActon，willsoonappear:itshouldhavebeenout，indeed，longsince；forthefirstproof-sheetswerealreadyinthepressatthecommencementoflastAugust，beforeCurrerBellhadplacedtheMS。of"JaneEyre"inyourhands。Mr——，however，doesnotdobusinesslikeMessrs。SmithandElder；adifferentspiritseemstopresideat——Street，tothatwhichguidesthehelmat65，Cornhill……Myrelationshavesufferedfromexhaustingdelayandprocrastination，whileI
　　havetoacknowledgethebenefitsofamanagementatoncebusiness-likeandgentleman-like，energeticandconsiderate。
　　"IshouldliketoknowifMr——oftenactsashehasdonetomyrelations，orwhetherthisisanexceptionalinstanceofhismethod。Doyouknow，andcanyoutellmeanythingabouthim？Youmustexcusemeforgoingtothepointatonce，whenIwanttolearnanything:ifmyquestionsareimportunate，youare，ofcourse，atlibertytodeclineansweringthem——Iam，yoursrespectfully，C。BELL。"
　　ToG。H。LEWES，ESQ。
　　"Nov。22nd，1847。
　　"DearSir，——Ihavenowread’Ranthorpe。’Icouldnotgetittilladayortwoago；butIhavegotitandreaditatlast；andinreading’Ranthorpe，’Ihavereadanewbook，——notareprint——notareflectionofanyotherbook，butaNEWBOOK。
　　"Ididnotknowsuchbookswerewrittennow。Itisverydifferenttoanyofthepopularworksoffiction:itfillsthemindwithfreshknowledge。Yourexperienceandyourconvictionsaremadethereader’s；andtoanauthor，atleast，theyhaveavalueandaninterestquiteunusual。Iawaityourcriticismon’JaneEyre’
　　nowwithothersentimentsthanIentertainedbeforetheperusalof’Ranthorpe。’
　　"Youwereastrangertome。Ididnotparticularlyrespectyou。I
　　didnotfeelthatyourpraiseorblamewouldhaveanyspecialweight。Iknewlittleofyourrighttocondemnorapprove。NOWI
　　aminformedonthesepoints。
　　"Youwillbesevere；yourlastlettertaughtmeasmuch。Well！I
　　shalltrytoextractgoodoutofyourseverity:andbesides，thoughIamnowsureyouareajust，discriminatingman，yet，beingmortal，youmustbefallible；andifanypartofyourcensuregallsmetookeenlytothequick——givesmedeadlypain——I
　　shallforthepresentdisbelieveit，andputitquiteaside，tillsuchtimeasIfeelabletoreceiveitwithouttorture——Iam，dearSir，yoursveryrespectfully，C。BELL。"
　　InDecember，1847，"WutheringHeights"and"AgnesGrey"appeared。
　　Thefirst-namedofthesestorieshasrevoltedmanyreadersbythepowerwithwhichwickedandexceptionalcharactersaredepicted。
　　Others，again，havefelttheattractionofremarkablegenius，evenwhendisplayedongrimandterriblecriminals。MissBronteherselfsays，withregardtothistale，"Wheredelineationofhumancharacterisconcerned，thecaseisdifferent。Iamboundtoavowthatshehadscarcelymorepracticalknowledgeofthepeasantryamongstwhomshelived，thananunhasofthecountry-peoplethatpassherconventgates。Mysister’sdispositionwasnotnaturallygregarious:circumstancesfavouredandfosteredhertendencytoseclusion；excepttogotochurch，ortakeawalkonthehills，sherarelycrossedthethresholdofhome。Thoughthefeelingforthepeoplearoundherwasbenevolent，intercoursewiththemsheneversought，nor，withveryfewexceptions，everexperiencedandyetsheknewthem，knewtheirways，theirlanguage，andtheirfamilyhistories；shecouldhearofthemwithinterest，andtalkofthemwithdetailminute，graphic，andaccurate；butWITHthemsherarelyexchangedaword。
　　Henceitensued，thatwhathermindhasgatheredoftherealconcerningthem，wastooexclusivelyconfinedtothosetragicandterribletraits，ofwhich，inlisteningtothesecretannalsofeveryrudevicinage，thememoryissometimescompelledtoreceivetheimpress。Herimagination，whichwasaspiritmoresombrethansunny——morepowerfulthansportive——foundinsuchtraitsmaterialwhenceitwroughtcreationslikeHeathcliff，likeEarnshaw，likeCatherine。Havingformedthesebeings，shedidnotknowwhatshehaddone。Iftheauditorofherwork，whenreadinmanuscript，shudderedunderthegrindinginfluenceofnaturessorelentlessandimplacable——ofspiritssolostandfallen；ifitwascomplainedthatthemerehearingofcertainvividandfearfulscenesbanishedsleepbynight，anddisturbedmentalpeacebyday，EllisBellwouldwonderwhatwasmeant，andsuspectthecomplainantofaffectation。Hadshebutlived，hermindwouldofitselfhavegrownlikeastrongtree——loftier，straighter，wider-spreading——anditsmaturedfruitswouldhaveattainedamellowerripenessandsunnierbloom；butonthatmindtimeandexperiencealonecouldwork；totheinfluenceofotherintellectsshewasnotamenable。"
　　Whetherjustlyorunjustly，theproductionsofthetwoyoungerMissBronteswerenotreceivedwithmuchfavouratthetimeoftheirpublication。"Criticsfailedtodothemjustice。Theimmature，butveryreal，powersrevealedin’WutheringHeights，’
　　werescarcelyrecognised；itsimportandnatureweremisunderstood；theidentityofitsauthorwasmisrepresented:itwassaidthatthiswasanearlierandruderattemptofthesamepenwhichhadproduced’JaneEyre。’"……"Unjustandgrievouserror！Welaughedatitatfirst，butIdeeplylamentitnow。"
　　HenceforwardCharlotteBronte’sexistencebecomesdividedintotwoparallelcurrents——herlifeasCurrerBell，theauthor；herlifeasCharlotteBronte，thewoman。Therewereseparatedutiesbelongingtoeachcharacter——notopposingeachother；notimpossible，butdifficulttobereconciled。Whenamanbecomesanauthor，itisprobablymerelyachangeofemploymenttohim。Hetakesaportionofthattimewhichhashithertobeendevotedtosomeotherstudyorpursuit；hegivesupsomethingofthelegalormedicalprofession，inwhichhehashithertoendeavouredtoserveothers，orrelinquishespartofthetradeorbusinessbywhichhehasbeenstrivingtogainalivelihood；andanothermerchantorlawyer，ordoctor，stepsintohisvacantplace，andprobablydoesaswellashe。Butnoothercantakeupthequiet，regulardutiesofthedaughter，thewife，orthemother，aswellasshewhomGodhasappointedtofillthatparticularplace:awoman’sprincipalworkinlifeishardlylefttoherownchoice；
　　norcanshedropthedomesticchargesdevolvingonherasanindividual，fortheexerciseofthemostsplendidtalentsthatwereeverbestowed。Andyetshemustnotshrinkfromtheextraresponsibilityimpliedbytheveryfactofherpossessingsuchtalents。Shemustnothidehergiftinanapkin；itwasmeantfortheuseandserviceofothers。Inanhumbleandfaithfulspiritmustshelabourtodowhatisnotimpossible，orGodwouldnothavesethertodoit。
　　IputintowordswhatCharlotteBronteputintoactions。
　　Theyear1848openedwithsaddomesticdistress。Itisnecessary，howeverpainful，toremindthereaderconstantlyofwhatwasalwayspresenttotheheartsoffatherandsistersatthistime。
　　Itiswellthatthethoughtlesscritics，whospokeofthesadandgloomyviewsoflifepresentedbytheBrontesintheirtales，shouldknowhowsuchwordswerewrungoutofthembythelivingrecollectionofthelongagonytheysuffered。Itiswell，too，thattheywhohaveobjectedtotherepresentationofcoarsenessandshrankfromitwithrepugnance，asifsuchconceptionsaroseoutofthewriters，shouldlearn，that，notfromtheimagination——notfrominternalconception——butfromthehardcruelfacts，presseddown，byexternallife，upontheirverysenses，forlongmonthsandyearstogether，didtheywriteoutwhattheysaw，obeyingthesterndictatesoftheirconsciences。
　　Theymightbemistaken。Theymighterrinwritingatall，whentheiraffectionsweresogreatthattheycouldnotwriteotherwisethantheydidoflife。Itispossiblethatitwouldhavebeenbettertohavedescribedonlygoodandpleasantpeople，doingonlygoodandpleasantthingsinwhichcasetheycouldhardlyhavewrittenatanytime:allIsayis，thatnever，I
　　believe，didwomen，possessedofsuchwonderfulgifts，exercisethemwithafullerfeelingofresponsibilityfortheiruse。Astomistakes，standnow——asauthorsaswellaswomen——beforethejudgment-seatofGod。
　　"Jan。11th，1848。
　　"Wehavenotbeenverycomfortablehereathomelately。Branwellhas，bysomemeans，contrivedtogetmoremoneyfromtheoldquarter，andhasledusasadlife……Papaisharasseddayandnight；wehavelittlepeace，heisalwayssick；hastwoorthreetimesfallendowninfits；whatwillbetheultimateend，Godknows。Butwhoiswithouttheirdrawback，theirscourge，theirskeletonbehindthecurtain？Itremainsonlytodoone’sbest，andendurewithpatiencewhatGodsends。"
　　IsupposethatshehadreadMr。Lewes’reviewon"RecentNovels，"
　　whenitappearedintheDecemberofthelastyear，butIfindnoallusiontoittillshewritestohimonJanuary12th，1848。
　　"DearSir，——Ithankyouthensincerelyforyourgenerousreview；
　　anditiswiththesenseofdoublecontentIexpressmygratitude，becauseIamnowsurethetributeisnotsuperfluousorobtrusive。Youwerenotsevereon’JaneEyre；’youwereverylenient。Iamgladyoutoldmemyfaultsplainlyinprivate，forinyourpublicnoticeyoutouchonthemsolightly，Ishouldperhapshavepassedthemoverthusindicated，withtoolittlereflection。
　　"ImeantoobserveyourwarningaboutbeingcarefulhowI
　　undertakenewworks；mystockofmaterialsisnotabundant，butveryslender；and，besides，neithermyexperience，myacquirements，normypowers，aresufficientlyvariedtojustifymyeverbecomingafrequentwriter。Itellyouthis，becauseyourarticleinFrazerleftinmeanuneasyimpressionthatyouweredisposedtothinkbetteroftheauthorof’JaneEyre’thanthatindividualdeserved；andIwouldratheryouhadacorrectthanaflatteringopinionofme，eventhoughIshouldneverseeyou。
　　"IfIeverDOwriteanotherbook，IthinkIwillhavenothingofwhatyoucall’melodrama；’Ithinkso，butIamnotsure。I
　　THINK，too，IwillendeavourtofollowthecounselwhichshinesoutofMissAusten’s’mildeyes，’’tofinishmoreandbemoresubdued；’butneitheramIsureofthat。Whenauthorswritebest，or，atleast，whentheywritemostfluently，aninfluenceseemstowakeninthem，whichbecomestheirmaster——whichwillhaveitsownway——puttingoutofviewallbehestsbutitsown，dictatingcertainwords，andinsistingontheirbeingused，whethervehementormeasuredintheirnature；new-mouldingcharacters，givingunthoughtofturnstoincidents，rejectingcarefully-elaboratedoldideas，andsuddenlycreatingandadoptingnewones。
　　"Isitnotso？Andshouldwetrytocounteractthisinfluence？
　　Canweindeedcounteractit？
　　"Iamgladthatanotherworkofyourswillsoonappear；mostcuriousshallIbetoseewhetheryouwillwriteuptoyourownprinciples，andworkoutyourowntheories。Youdidnotdoitaltogetherin’Ranthorpe’——atleastnotinthelatterpart；butthefirstportionwas，Ithink，nearlywithoutfault；thenithadapith，truth，significanceinit，whichgavethebooksterlingvalue；buttowriteso，onemusthaveseenandknownagreatdeal，andIhaveseenandknownverylittle。
　　"WhydoyoulikeMissAustensoverymuch？Iampuzzledonthatpoint。Whatinducedyoutosaythatyouwouldhaveratherwritten"PrideandPrejudice，’or’TomJones，’thananyofthe’WaverleyNovels’？
　　"Ihadnotseen’PrideandPrejudice’tillIreadthatsentenceofyours，andthenIgotthebook。AndwhatdidIfind？Anaccurate，daguerreotypedportraitofacommonplaceface；acarefully-fenced，highly-cultivatedgarden，withneatbordersanddelicateflowers；butnoglanceofabright，vividphysiognomy，noopencountry，nofreshair，nobluehill，nobonnybeck。I
　　shouldhardlyliketolivewithherladiesandgentlemen，intheirelegantbutconfinedhouses。Theseobservationswillprobablyirritateyou，butIshallruntherisk。
　　"NowIcanunderstandadmirationofGeorgeSand；forthoughI
　　neversawanyofherworkswhichIadmiredthroughouteven’Consuelo，’whichisthebest，orthebestthatIhaveread，appearstometocouplestrangeextravagancewithwondrousexcellence，yetshehasagraspofmind，which，ifIcannotfullycomprehend，Icanverydeeplyrespect；sheissagaciousandprofound；——MissAustenisonlyshrewdandobservant。
　　"AmIwrong——or，wereyouhastyinwhatyousaid？Ifyouhavetime，Ishouldbegladtohearfurtheronthissubject；ifnot，orifyouthinkthequestionsfrivolous，donottroubleyourselftoreply——Iam，yoursrespectfully，C。BELL。"
　　ToG。H。LEWES，ESQ。
　　"Jan。18th，1848。
　　"DearSir，——Imustwriteonemorenote，thoughIhadnotintendedtotroubleyouagainsosoon。Ihavetoagreewithyou，andtodifferfromyou。
　　"Youcorrectmycruderemarksonthesubjectofthe’influence’；
　　well，Iacceptyourdefinitionofwhattheeffectsofthatinfluenceshouldbe；Irecognisethewisdomofyourrulesforitsregulation……
　　"Whatastrangelecturecomesnextinyourletter！YousayI
　　mustfamiliarisemymindwiththefact，that’MissAustenisnotapoetess，hasno"sentiment"youscornfullyenclosethewordininvertedcommas，noeloquence，noneoftheravishingenthusiasmofpoetry，’——andthenyouadd，IMUST’learntoacknowledgeherasONEOFTHEGREATESTARTISTS，OFTHEGREATEST
　　PAINTERSOFHUMANCHARACTER，andoneofthewriterswiththenicestsenseofmeanstoanendthateverlived。’
　　"ThelastpointonlywillIeveracknowledge。
　　"Cantherebeagreatartistwithoutpoetry？
　　"WhatIcall——whatIwillbendto，asagreatartistthen——cannotbedestituteofthedivinegift。ButbyPOETRY，Iamsure，youunderstandsomethingdifferenttowhatIdo，asyoudoby’sentiment。’ItisPOETRY，asIcomprehendtheword，whichelevatesthatmasculineGeorgeSand，andmakesoutofsomethingcoarse，somethingGodlike。Itis’sentiment，’inmysenseoftheterm——sentimentjealouslyhidden，butgenuine，whichextractsthevenomfromthatformidableThackeray，andconvertswhatmightbecorrosivepoisonintopurifyingelixir。
　　"IfThackeraydidnotcherishinhislargeheartdeepfeelingforhiskind，hewoulddelighttoexterminate；asitis，Ibelieve，hewishesonlytoreform。MissAustenbeing，asyousay，without’sentiment，’withoutPoetry，maybeISsensible，realmoreREAL
　　thanTRUE，butshecannotbegreat。
　　"Isubmittoyouranger，whichIhavenowexcitedforhaveInotquestionedtheperfectionofyourdarling？；thestormmaypassoverme。Nevertheless，Iwill，whenIcanIdonotknowwhenthatwillbe，asIhavenoaccesstoacirculatinglibrary，diligentlyperuseallMissAusten’sworks，asyourecommend……Youmustforgivemefornotalwaysbeingabletothinkasyoudo，andstillbelieveme，yoursgratefully，C。BELL。"
　　Ihavehesitatedalittle，beforeinsertingthefollowingextractfromalettertoMr。Williams，butitisstrikinglycharacteristic；andthecriticismcontainedinitis，fromthatcircumstance，sointerestingwhetherweagreewithitornot，thatIhavedeterminedtodoso，thoughItherebydisplacethechronologicalorderoftheletters，inordertocompletethisportionofacorrespondencewhichisveryvaluable，asshowingthepurelyintellectualsideofhercharacter。
　　ToW。S。WILLIAMS，BSQ。
　　"April26th，1848。
　　"MydearSir，——Ihavenowread’Rose，Blanche，andViolet，’andI
　　willtellyou，aswellasIcan，whatIthinkofit。Whetheritisanimprovementon’Ranthorpe’Idonotknow，forIliked’Ranthorpe’much；but，atanyrate，itcontainsmoreofagoodthing。Ifindinitthesamepower，butmorefullydeveloped。
　　"Theauthor’scharacterisseenineverypage，whichmakesthebookinteresting——farmoreinterestingthananystorycoulddo；
　　butitiswhatthewriterhimselfsaysthatattractsfarmorethanwhatheputsintothemouthsofhischaracters。G。H。Lewesis，tomyperception，decidedlythemostoriginalcharacterinthebook……Thedidacticpassagesseemtomethebest——farthebest——inthework；veryacute，veryprofound，aresomeoftheviewstheregiven，andveryclearlytheyareofferedtothereader。Heisajustthinker；heisasagaciousobserver；thereiswisdominhistheory，and，Idoubtnot，energyinhispractice。Butwhy，then，areyouoftenprovokedwithhimwhileyouread？Howdoeshemanage，whileteaching，tomakehishearerfeelasifhisbusinesswas，notquietlytoreceivethedoctrinespropounded，buttocombatthem？Youacknowledgethatheoffersyougemsofpuretruth；whydoyoukeepperpetuallyscrutinisingthemforflaws？
　　"Mr。Lewes，Idivine，withallhistalentsandhonesty，musthavesomefaultsofmanner；theremustbeatouchtoomuchofdogmatism；adashextraofconfidenceinhim，sometimes。Thisyouthinkwhileyouarereadingthebook；butwhenyouhavecloseditandlaiditdown，andsatafewminutescollectingyourthoughts，andsettlingyourimpressions，youfindtheideaorfeelingpredominantinyourmindtobepleasureatthefulleracquaintanceyouhavemadewithafinemindandatrueheart，withhighabilitiesandmanlyprinciples。Ihopehewillnotbelongerehepublishesanotherbook。Hisemotionalscenesaresomewhattoouniformlyvehement:wouldnotamoresubduedstyleoftreatmentoftenhaveproducedamoremasterlyeffect？NowandthenMr。LewestakesaFrenchpenintohishand，whereinhediffersfromMr。Thackeray，whoalwaysusesanEnglishquill。
　　However，theFrenchpendoesnotfarmisleadMr。Lewes；hewieldsitwithBritishmuscles。Allhonourtohimfortheexcellentgeneraltendencyofhisbook！
　　"HegivesnocharmingpictureofLondonliterarysociety，andespeciallythefemalepartofit；butallcoteries，whethertheybeliterary，scientific，political，orreligious，must，itseemstome，haveatendencytochangetruthintoaffectation。Whenpeoplebelongtoaclique，theymust，Isuppose，insomemeasure，write，talk，think，andliveforthatclique；aharassingandnarrowingnecessity。Itrust，thepressandthepublicshowthemselvesdisposedtogivethebookthereceptionitmerits，andthatisaverycordialone，farbeyondanythingduetoaBulwerorD’Israeliproduction。"
　　LetusreturnfromCurrerBelltoCharlotteBronte。ThewinterinHaworthhadbeenasicklyseason。Influenzahadprevailedamongstthevillagers，andwheretherewasarealneedforthepresenceoftheclergyman’sdaughters，theywereneverfoundwanting，althoughtheywereshyofbestowingmeresocialvisitsontheparishioners。Theyhadthemselvessufferedfromtheepidemic；
　　Anneseverely，asinhercaseithadbeenattendedwithcoughandfeverenoughtomakehereldersistersveryanxiousabouther。
　　Thereisnodoubtthattheproximityofthecrowdedchurch-yardrenderedtheParsonageunhealthy，andoccasionedmuchillnesstoitsinmates。Mr。BronterepresentedtheunsanitarystateatHaworthprettyforciblytotheBoardofHealth；and，aftertherequisitevisitsfromtheirofficers，obtainedarecommendationthatallfutureintermentsinthechurchyardshouldbeforbidden，anewgraveyardopenedonthehill-side，andmeanssetonfootforobtainingawater-supplytoeachhouse，insteadoftheweary，hard-workedhousewiveshavingtocarryeverybucketful，fromadistanceofseveralhundredyards，upasteepstreet。Buthewasbaffledbytherate-payers；as，inmanyasimilarinstance，quantitycarrieditagainstquality，numbersagainstintelligence。AndthuswefindthatillnessoftenassumedalowtyphoidforminHaworth，andfeversofvariouskindsvisitedtheplacewithsadfrequency。
　　InFebruary，1848，LouisPhilippewasdethroned。ThequicksuccessionofeventsatthattimecalledforththefollowingexpressionofMissBronte’sthoughtsonthesubject，inaletteraddressedtoMissWooler，anddatedMarch31st。
　　"Irememberwellwishingmylothadbeencastinthetroubledtimesofthelatewar，andseeinginitsexcitingincidentsakindofstimulatingcharm，whichitmademypulsesbeatfasttothinkofIremembereven，Ithink；beingalittleimpatient，thatyouwouldnotfullysympathisewithmyfeelingsonthosesubjects；thatyouheardmyaspirationsandspeculationsverytranquilly，andbynomeansseemedtothinktheflamingswordscouldbeanypleasantadditiontoParadise。Ihavenowout-livedyouth；and，thoughIdarenotsaythatIhaveoutlivedallitsillusions——thattheromanceisquitegonefromlife——theveilfallenfromtruth，andthatIseebothinnakedreality——yet，certainly，manythingsarenotwhattheyweretenyearsago:and，amongsttherest，thepompandcircumstanceofwarhavequitelostinmyeyestheirfictitiousglitter。Ihavestillnodoubtthattheshockofmoralearthquakeswakensavividsenseoflife，bothinnationsandindividuals；thatthefearofdangersonabroadnationalscale，divertsmen’smindsmomentarilyfrombroodingoversmallprivateperils，andforthetimegivesthemsomethinglikelargenessofviews；but，aslittledoubthaveI，thatconvulsiverevolutionsputbacktheworldinallthatisgood，checkcivilisation，bringthedregsofsocietytoitssurface；inshort，itappearstomethatinsurrectionsandbattlesaretheacutediseasesofnations，andthattheirtendencyistoexhaust，bytheirviolence，thevitalenergiesofthecountrieswheretheyoccur。ThatEnglandmaybesparedthespasms，cramps，andfrenzy-fitsnowcontortingtheContinent，andthreateningIreland，Iearnestlypray。WiththeFrenchandIrishIhavenosympathy。WiththeGermansandItaliansIthinkthecaseisdifferent；asdifferentastheloveoffreedomisfromthelustforlicense。"
　　Herbirthdaycameround。Shewrotetothefriendwhosebirthdaywaswithinaweekofhers；wrotetheaccustomedletter；but，readingitwithourknowledgeofwhatshehaddone，weperceivethedifferencebetweenherthoughtsandwhattheywereayearortwoago，whenshesaid"Ihavedonenothing。"Theremusthavebeenamodestconsciousnessofhaving"donesomething"presentinhermind，asshewrotethisyear:——
　　"Iamnowthirty-two。Youthisgone——gone，——andwillnevercomeback:can’thelpit……Itseemstome，thatsorrowmustcomesometimetoeverybody，andthosewhoscarcelytasteitintheiryouth，oftenhaveamorebrimmingandbittercuptodraininafterlife；whereas，thosewhoexhaustthedregsearly，whodrinktheleesbeforethewine，mayreasonablyhopeformorepalatabledraughtstosucceed。"
　　Theauthorshipof"JaneEyre"wasasyetaclosesecretintheBrontefamily；noteventhisfriend，whowasallbutasisterknewmoreaboutitthantherestoftheworld。Shemightconjecture，itistrue，bothfromherknowledgeofprevioushabits，andfromthesuspiciousfactoftheproofshavingbeencorrectedatB——，thatsomeliteraryprojectwasafoot；butsheknewnothing，andwiselysaidnothing，untilsheheardareportfromothers，thatCharlotteBrontewasanauthor——hadpublishedanovel！Thenshewrotetoher；andreceivedthetwofollowingletters；confirmatoryenough，asitseemstomenow，intheirveryvehemenceandagitationofintendeddenial，ofthetruthofthereport。
　　"April28th，1848。
　　"Writeanotherletter，andexplainthatlastnoteofyoursdistinctly。Ifyourallusionsaretomyself，whichIsupposetheyare，understandthis，——Ihavegivennoonearighttogossipaboutme，andamnottobejudgedbyfrivolousconjectures，emanatingfromanyquarterwhatever。Letmeknowwhatyouheard，andfromwhomyouheardit。"
　　"May3rd，1848。
　　"AllIcansaytoyouaboutacertainmatteristhis:thereport——ifreporttherebe——andifthelady，whoseemstohavebeenrathermystified，hadnotdreamtwhatshefanciedhadbeentoldtoher——musthavehaditsorigininsomeabsurdmisunderstanding。IhavegivenNOONEarighteithertoaffirm，ortohint，inthemostdistantmanner，thatIwas’publishing’——humbug！Whoeverhassaidit——ifanyonehas，whichIdoubt——isnofriendofmine。Thoughtwentybookswereascribedtome，Ishouldownnone。Iscouttheideautterly。
　　Whoever，afterIhavedistinctlyrejectedthecharge，urgesituponme，willdoanunkindandanill-bredthing。Themostprofoundobscurityisinfinitelypreferabletovulgarnotoriety；
　　andthatnotorietyIneitherseeknorwillhave。IfthenanyB——an，orG——an，shouldpresumetoboreyouonthesubject，——toaskyouwhat’novel’MissBrontehasbeen’publishing，’youcanjustsay，withthedistinctfirmnessofwhichyouareperfectmistresswhenyouchoose，thatyouareauthorisedbyMissBrontetosay，thatsherepelsanddisownseveryaccusationofthekind。
　　Youmayadd，ifyouplease，thatifanyonehasherconfidence，youbelieveyouhave，andshehasmadenodrivellingconfessionstoyouonthesubject。Iamatalosstoconjecturefromwhatsourcethisrumourhascome；and，Ifear，ithasfarfromafriendlyorigin。Iamnotcertain，however，andIshouldbeverygladifIcouldgaincertainty。Shouldyouhearanythingmore，pleaseletmeknow。Yourofferof’Simeon’sLife’isaverykindone，andIthankyouforit。IdaresayPapawouldliketoseetheworkverymuch，asheknewMr。Simeon。LaughorscoldA——
　　outofthepublishingnotion；andbelieveme，throughallchancesandchanges，whethercalumniatedorletalone，——Yoursfaithfully，C。BRONTE。"
　　ThereasonwhyMissBrontewassoanxioustopreservehersecret，was，Iamtold，thatshehadpledgedherwordtohersistersthatitshouldnotberevealedthroughher。
　　Thedilemmasattendantonthepublicationofthesisters’novels，underassumednames，wereincreasinguponthem。Manycriticsinsistedonbelieving，thatallthefictionspublishedasbythreeBellsweretheworksofoneauthor，butwrittenatdifferentperiodsofhisdevelopmentandmaturity。Nodoubt，thissuspicionaffectedthereceptionofthebooks。EversincethecompletionofAnneBronte’staleof"AgnesGrey"，shehadbeenlabouringatasecond，"TheTenantofWildfellHall。"Itislittleknown；thesubject——thedeteriorationofacharacter，whoseprofligacyandruintooktheirriseinhabitsofintemperance，soslightastobeonlyconsidered"goodfellowship"——waspainfullydiscordanttoonewhowouldfainhaveshelteredherselffromallbutpeacefulandreligiousideas。"Shehad"sayshersisterofthatgentle"littleone"，"inthecourseofherlife，beencalledontocontemplatenearathand，andforalongtime，theterribleeffectsoftalentsmisusedandfacultiesabused；herswasnaturallyasensitive，reserved，anddejectednature；whatshesawsunkverydeeplyintohermind；itdidherharm。Shebroodedoverittillshebelievedittobeadutytoreproduceeverydetailofcourse，withfictitiouscharacters，incidents，andsituations，asawarningtoothers。
　　Shehatedherwork，butwouldpursueit。Whenreasonedwithonthesubject，sheregardedsuchreasoningsasatemptationtoself-indulgence。Shemustbehonest；shemustnotvarnish，soften，orconceal。Thiswell-meantresolutionbroughtonhermisconstruction，andsomeabuse，whichshebore，asitwashercustomtobearwhateverwasunpleasantwithmildsteadypatience。
　　ShewasaverysincereandpracticalChristian，butthetingeofreligiousmelancholycommunicatedasadshadetoherbriefblamelesslife。"
　　IntheJuneofthisyear，’TheTenantofWildfellHall’wassufficientlynearitscompletiontobesubmittedtothepersonwhohadpreviouslypublishedforEllisandActonBell。
　　Inconsequenceofhismodeofdoingbusiness，considerableannoyancewasoccasionedbothtoMissBronteandtothem。Thecircumstances，asdetailedinaletterofherstoafriendinNewZealand，werethese:——Onemorning，atthebeginningofJuly，acommunicationwasreceivedattheParsonagefromMessrs。SmithandElder，whichdisturbeditsquietinmatesnotalittle，as，thoughthematterbroughtundertheirnoticewasmerelyreferredtoasonewhichaffectedtheirliteraryreputation，theyconceivedittohaveabearinglikewiseupontheircharacter。
　　"JaneEyre"hadhadagreatruninAmerica，andapublishertherehadconsequentlybidhighforearlysheetsofthenextworkby"CurrerBell。"TheseMessrs。SmithandElderhadpromisedtolethimhave。Hewasthereforegreatlyastonished，andnotwellpleased，tolearnthatasimilaragreementhadbeenenteredintowithanotherAmericanhouse，andthatthenewtalewasveryshortlytoappear。Itturnedout，uponinquiry，thatthemistakehadoriginatedinActonandEllisBell’spublisherhavingassuredthisAmericanhousethat，tothebestofhisbelief，"JaneEyre"，"WutheringHeights"，and"TheTenantofWildfellHall"whichhepronouncedsuperiortoeitheroftheothertwowereallwrittenbythesameauthor。
　　ThoughMessrs。SmithandElderdistinctlystatedintheirletterthattheydidnotshareinsuch"belief，"thesisterswereimpatienttilltheyhadshownitsuttergroundlessness，andsetthemselvesperfectlystraight。Withrapiddecision，theyresolvedthatCharlotteandAnneshouldstart，forLondon，thatveryday，inordertoprovetheirseparateidentitytoMessrs。SmithandElder，anddemandfromthecredulouspublisherhisreasonsfora"belief"sodirectlyatvariancewithanassurancewhichhadseveraltimesbeengiventohim。Havingarrivedatthisdetermination，theymadetheirpreparations。withresolutepromptness。Thereweremanyhouseholddutiestobeperformedthatday；buttheywereallgotthrough。Thetwosisterseachpackedupachangeofdressinasmallbox，whichtheysentdowntoKeighleybyanopportunecart；andafterearlyteatheysetofftowalkthither——nodoubtinsomeexcitement；for，independentlyofthecauseoftheirgoingtoLondon，itwasAnne’sfirstvisitthere。Agreatthunderstormovertookthemontheirwaythatsummereveningtothestation；buttheyhadnotimetoseekshelter。TheyonlyjustcaughtthetrainatKeighley，arrivedatLeeds，andwerewhirledupbythenighttraintoLondon。
　　Abouteighto’clockontheSaturdaymorning，theyarrivedattheChapterCoffee-house，PaternosterRow——astrangeplace，buttheydidnotwellknowwhereelsetogo。Theyrefreshedthemselvesbywashing，andhadsomebreakfast。Thentheysatstillforafewminutes，toconsiderwhatnextshouldbedone。
　　WhentheyhadbeendiscussingtheirprojectinthequietofHaworthParsonagethedaybefore，andplanningthemodeofsettingaboutthebusinessonwhichtheyweregoingtoLondon，theyhadresolvedtotakeacab，iftheyshouldfinditdesirable，fromtheirinntoCornhill；butthat，amidstthebustleand"queerstateofinwardexcitement"inwhichtheyfoundthemselves，astheysatandconsideredtheirpositionontheSaturdaymorning，theyquiteforgoteventhepossibilityofhiringaconveyance；andwhentheysetforth，theybecamesodismayedbythecrowdedstreets，andtheimpededcrossings，thattheystoodstillrepeatedly，incompletedespairofmakingprogress，andwerenearlyanhourinwalkingthehalf-miletheyhadtogo。NeitherMr。SmithnorMr。Williamsknewthattheywerecoming；theywereentirelyunknowntothepublishersof"JaneEyre"，whowerenot，infact，awarewhetherthe"Bells"weremenorwomen，buthadalwayswrittentothemastomen。
　　OnreachingMr。Smith’s，Charlotteputhisownletterintohishands；thesameletterwhichhadexcitedsomuchdisturbanceatHaworthParsonageonlytwenty-fourhoursbefore。"Wheredidyougetthis？"saidhe，——asifhecouldnotbelievethatthetwoyoungladiesdressedinblack，ofslightfiguresanddiminutivestature，lookingpleasedyetagitated，couldbetheembodiedCurrerandActonBell，forwhomcuriosityhadbeenhuntingsoeagerlyinvain。Anexplanationensued，andMr。SmithatoncebegantoformplansfortheiramusementandpleasureduringtheirstayinLondon。Heurgedthemtomeetafewliteraryfriendsathishouse；andthiswasastrongtemptationtoCharlotte，asamongstthemwereoneortwoofthewriterswhomsheparticularlywishedtosee；butherresolutiontoremainunknowninducedherfirmlytoputitaside。
　　ThesisterswereequallyperseveringindecliningMr。Smith’sinvitationstostayathishouse。Theyrefusedtoleavetheirquarters，sayingtheywerenotpreparedforalongstay。
　　Whentheyreturnedbacktotheirinn，poorCharlottepaidfortheexcitementoftheinterview，whichhadwounduptheagitationandhurryofthelasttwenty-fourhours，byarackingheadacheandharassingsickness。Towardsevening，assheratherexpectedsomeoftheladiesofMr。Smith’sfamilytocall，shepreparedherselfforthechance，bytakingastrongdoseofsal-volatile，whichrousedheralittle，butstill，asshesays，shewas"ingrievousbodilycase，"whentheirvisitorswereannounced，infulleveningcostume。ThesistershadnotunderstoodthatithadbeensettledthattheyweretogototheOpera，andthereforewerenotready。
　　Moreover，theyhadnofineelegantdresseseitherwiththem，orintheworld。ButMissBronteresolvedtoraisenoobjectionsintheacceptanceofkindness。So，inspiteofheadacheandweariness，theymadehastetodressthemselvesintheirplainhigh-madecountrygarments。
　　Charlottesays，inanaccountwhichshegivestoherfriendofthisvisittoLondon，describingtheentranceofherpartyintotheOpera-house:——
　　"Fineladiesandgentlemenglancedatus，aswestoodbythebox-
　　door，whichwasnotyetopened，withaslight，gracefulsuperciliousness，quitewarrantedbythecircumstances。StillI
　　feltpleasurablyexcitedinspiteofheadache，sickness，andconsciousclownishness；andIsawAnnewascalmandgentle，whichshealwaysis。TheperformancewasRossini’s’BarberofSeville，’——verybrilliant，thoughIfancytherearethingsI
　　shouldlikebetter。Wegothomeafteroneo’clock。Wehadneverbeeninbedthenightbefore；hadbeeninconstantexcitementfortwenty-fourhours；youmayimagineweweretired。Thenextday，Sunday，Mr。Williamscameearlytotakeustochurch；andintheafternoonMr。Smithandhismotherfetchedusinacarriage，andtookustohishousetodine。
　　"OnMondaywewenttotheExhibitionoftheRoyalAcademy，theNationalGallery，dinedagainatMr。Smith’s，andthenwenthometoteawithMr。Williamsathishouse。
　　"OnTuesdaymorning，weleftLondon，ladenwithbooksMr。Smithhadgivenus，andgotsafelyhome。AmorejadedwretchthanI
　　looked，itwouldbedifficulttoconceive。IwasthinwhenI
　　went，butIwasmeagreindeedwhenIreturned，myfacelookinggreyandveryold，withstrangedeeplinesploughedinit——myeyesstaredunnaturally。Iwasweakandyetrestless。Inawhile，however，thesebadeffectsofexcitementwentoff，andIregainedmynormalcondition。"
　　TheimpressionMissBrontemadeuponthosewithwhomshefirstbecameacquaintedduringthisvisittoLondon，wasofapersonwithclearjudgmentandfinesense；andthoughreserved，possessingunconsciouslythepowerofdrawingoutothersinconversation。Sheneverexpressedanopinionwithoutassigningareasonforit；sheneverputaquestionwithoutadefinitepurpose；andyetpeoplefeltattheireaseintalkingwithher。
　　Allconversationwithherwasgenuineandstimulating；andwhenshelaunchedforthinpraiseorreprobationofbooks，ordeeds，orworksofart，hereloquencewasindeedburning。Shewasthoroughinallthatshesaidordid；yetsoopenandfairindealingwithasubject，orcontendingwithanopponent，thatinsteadofrousingresentment，shemerelyconvincedherhearersofherearnestzealforthetruthandright。
　　Nottheleastsingularpartoftheirproceedingswastheplaceatwhichthesistershadchosentostay。
　　PaternosterRowwasformanyyearssacredtopublishers。Itisanarrowflaggedstreet，lyingundertheshadowofSt。Paul’s；ateachendtherearepostsplaced，soastopreventthepassageofcarriages，andthuspreserveasolemnsilenceforthedeliberationsofthe"FathersoftheRow。"Thedullwarehousesoneachsidearemostlyoccupiedatpresentbywholesalestationers；
　　iftheybepublishers’shops，theyshownoattractivefronttothedarkandnarrowstreet。Half-wayup，ontheleft-handside，istheChapterCoffee-house。IvisiteditlastJune。Itwasthenunoccupied。Ithadtheappearanceofadwelling-house，twohundredyearsoldorso，suchasonesometimesseesinancientcountrytowns；theceilingsofthesmallroomswerelow，andhadheavybeamsrunningacrossthem；thewallswerewainscottedbreasthigh；thestaircasewasshallow，broad，anddark，takingupmuchspaceinthecentreofthehouse。ThisthenwastheChapterCoffee-house，which，acenturyago，wastheresortofallthebooksellersandpublishers；andwheretheliteraryhacks，thecritics，andeventhewits，usedtogoinsearchofideasoremployment。ThiswastheplaceaboutwhichChattertonwrote，inthosedelusivelettershesenttohismotheratBristol，whilehewasstarvinginLondon。"IamquitefamiliarattheChapterCoffee-house，andknowallthegeniusesthere。"Hereheheardofchancesofemployment；herehislettersweretobeleft。
　　Yearslater，itbecamethetavernfrequentedbyuniversitymenandcountryclergymen，whowereupinLondonforafewdays，and，havingnoprivatefriendsoraccessintosociety，weregladtolearnwhatwasgoingonintheworldofletters，fromtheconversationwhichtheyweresuretohearintheCoffee-room。InMr。Bronte’sfewandbriefvisitstotown，duringhisresidenceatCambridge，andtheperiodofhiscuracyinEssex，hehadstayedatthishouse；hitherhehadbroughthisdaughters，whenhewasconvoyingthemtoBrussels；andheretheycamenow，fromveryignorancewhereelsetogo。Itwasaplacesolelyfrequentedbymen；Ibelievetherewasbutonefemaleservantinthehouse。
　　Fewpeoplesleptthere；someofthestatedmeetingsoftheTradewereheldinit，astheyhadbeenformorethanacentury；and，occasionallycountrybooksellers，withnowandthenaclergyman，resortedtoit；butitwasastrangedesolateplacefortheMissBrontestohavegoneto，fromitspurelybusinessandmasculineaspect。Theold"grey-hairedelderlyman，"whoofficiatedaswaiterseemstohavebeentouchedfromtheveryfirstwiththequietsimplicityofthetwoladies，andhetriedtomakethemfeelcomfortableandathomeinthelong，low，dingyroomup-stairs，wherethemeetingsoftheTradewereheld。ThehighnarrowwindowslookedintothegloomyRow；thesisters，clingingtogetheronthemostremotewindow-seat，asMr。Smithtellsmehefoundthem，whenhecame，thatSaturdayevening，totakethemtotheOpera，couldseenothingofmotion，orofchange，inthegrim，darkhousesopposite，sonearandclose，althoughthewholebreadthoftheRowwasbetween。ThemightyroarofLondonwasroundthem，likethesoundofanunseenocean，yeteveryfootfallonthepavementbelowmightbehearddistinctly，inthatunfrequentedstreet。Suchasitwas，theypreferredremainingattheChapterCoffee-house，toacceptingtheinvitationwhichMr。
　　Smithandhismotherurgeduponthem，and，inafteryears，Charlottesays:——
　　"Sincethosedays，IhaveseentheWestEnd，theparks，thefinesquares；butIlovetheCityfarbetter。TheCityseemssomuchmoreinearnest；itsbusiness，itsrush，itsroar，aresuchseriousthings，sights，sounds。TheCityisgettingitsliving——theWestEndbutenjoyingitspleasure。AttheWestEndyoumaybeamused；butintheCityyouaredeeplyexcited。"
　　Villette，vol。i。p。89。
　　TheirwishhadbeentohearDr。CrolyontheSundaymorning，andMr。WilliamsescortedthemtoSt。Stephen’s，Walbrook；buttheyweredisappointed，asDr。Crolydidnotpreach。Mr。WilliamsalsotookthemasMissBrontehasmentionedtodrinkteaathishouse。Onthewaythither，theyhadtopassthroughKensingtonGardens，andMissBrontewasmuch"struckwiththebeautyofthescene，thefreshverdureoftheturf，andthesoftrichmassesoffoliage。"FromremarksonthedifferentcharacterofthelandscapeintheSouthtowhatitwasintheNorth，shewasledtospeakofthesoftnessandvariedintonationofthevoicesofthosewithwhomsheconversedinLondon，whichseemtohavemadeastrongimpressiononbothsisters。Allthistimethosewhocameincontactwiththe"MissBrowns"anotherpseudonym，alsobeginningwithB，seemonlytohaveregardedthemasshyandreservedlittlecountry-women，withnotmuchtosay。Mr。WilliamstellsmethatonthenightwhenheaccompaniedthepartytotheOpera，asCharlotteascendedtheflightofstairsleadingfromthegrandentranceuptothelobbyofthefirsttierofboxes，shewassomuchstruckwiththearchitecturaleffectofthesplendiddecorationsofthatvestibuleandsaloon，thatinvoluntarilysheslightlypressedhisarm，andwhispered，"YouknowIamnotaccustomedtothissortofthing。"Indeed，itmusthaveformedavividcontrasttowhattheyweredoingandseeinganhourortwoearlierthenightbefore，whentheyweretrudgingalong，withbeatingheartsandhigh-strungcourage，ontheroadbetweenHaworthandKeighley，hardlythinkingofthethunder-stormthatbeatabouttheirheads，forthethoughtswhichfilledthemofhowtheywouldgostraightawaytoLondon，andprovethattheywerereallytwopeople，andnotoneimposter。ItwasnowonderthattheyreturnedtoHaworthutterlyfaggedandwornout，afterthefatigueandexcitementofthisvisit。
　　ThenextnoticeIfindofCharlotte’slifeatthistimeisofadifferentcharactertoanythingtellingofenjoyment。
　　"July28th。
　　"Branwellisthesameinconductasever。Hisconstitutionseemsmuchshattered。Papa，andsometimesallofus，havesadnightswithhim。Hesleepsmostoftheday，andconsequentlywilllieawakeatnight。Buthasnoteveryhouseitstrial？"
　　Whilehermostintimatefriendswereyetinignoranceofthefactofherauthorshipof"JaneEyre，"shereceivedaletterfromoneofthem，makinginquiriesaboutCastertonSchool。Itisbutrighttogiveheranswer，writtenonAugust28th，1848。
　　"Sinceyouwishtohearfrommewhileyouarefromhome，Iwillwritewithoutfurtherdelay。Itoftenhappensthatwhenwelingeratfirstinansweringafriend’sletter，obstaclesoccurtoretardustoaninexcusablylateperiod。Inmylast，Iforgottoansweraquestionwhichyouaskedme，andwassorryafterwardsfortheomission。Iwillbegin，therefore，byreplyingtoit，thoughIfearwhatinformationIcangivewillcomealittlelate。YousaidMrs——hadsomethoughtsofsending——toschool，andwishedtoknowwhethertheClergyDaughters’SchoolatCastertonwasaneligibleplace。Mypersonalknowledgeofthatinstitutionisverymuchoutofdate，beingderivedfromtheexperienceoftwentyyearsago。Theestablishmentwasatthattimeinitsinfancy，andasadricketyinfancyitwas。Typhusfeverdecimatedtheschoolperiodically；andconsumptionandscrofula，ineveryvarietyofformbadairandwater，badandinsufficientdietcangenerate，preyedontheill-fatedpupils。
　　ItwouldnotTHENhavebeenafitplaceforanyofMrs——’schildren；butIunderstanditisverymuchalteredforthebettersincethosedays。TheschoolisremovedfromCowanBridgeasituationasunhealthyasitwaspicturesque——low，damp，beautifulwithwoodandwatertoCasterton。Theaccommodations，thediet，thediscipline，thesystemoftuition——allare，I
　　believe，entirelyalteredandgreatlyimproved。Iwastoldthatsuchpupilsasbehavedwell，andremainedattheschooltilltheireducationwasfinished，wereprovidedwithsituationsasgovernesses，iftheywishedtoadoptthevocationandmuchcarewasexercisedintheselection，itwasadded，thattheywerealsofurnishedwithanexcellentwardrobeonleavingCasterton……TheoldestfamilyinHaworthfailedlately，andhavequittedtheneighbourhoodwheretheirfathersresidedbeforethemfor，itissaid，thirteengenerations……Papa，Iammostthankfultosay，continuesinverygoodhealth，consideringhisage；hissight，too，rather，Ithink，improvesthandeteriorates。Mysisterslikewiseareprettywell。"
　　Butthedarkcloudwashangingoverthatdoomedhousehold，andgatheringblacknesseveryhour。
　　OnOctoberthe9th，shethuswrites:——
　　"Thepastthreeweekshavebeenadarkintervalinourhumblehome。Branwell’sconstitutionhadbeenfailingfastallthesummer；butstill，neitherthedoctorsnorhimselfthoughthimsonearhisendashewas。Hewasentirelyconfinedtohisbedbutforonesingleday，andwasinthevillagetwodaysbeforehisdeath。Hedied，aftertwentyminutes’struggle，onSundaymorning，September24th。Hewasperfectlyconscioustillthelastagonycameon。Hismindhadundergonethepeculiarchangewhichfrequentlyprecedesdeath，twodayspreviously；thecalmofbetterfeelingsfilledit；areturnofnaturalaffectionmarkedhislastmoments。HeisinGod’shandsnow；andtheAll-PowerfulislikewisetheAll-Merciful。Adeepconvictionthatherestsatlast——restswell，afterhisbrief，erring，suffering，feverishlife——fillsandquietsmymindnow。Thefinalseparation，thespectacleofhispalecorpse，gavememoreacutebitterpainthanIcouldhaveimagined。Tillthelasthourcomes，weneverhowknowmuchwecanforgive，pity，regretanearrelative。Allhisviceswereandarenothingnow。Werememberonlyhiswoes。Papawasacutelydistressedatfirst，but，onthewhole，hasbornetheeventwell。EmilyandAnneareprettywell，thoughAnneisalwaysdelicate，andEmilyhasacoldandcoughatpresent。Itwasmyfatetosinkatthecrisis，whenIshouldhavecollectedmystrength。HeadacheandsicknesscameonfirstontheSunday；I
　　couldnotregainmyappetite。Theninternalpainattackedme。I
　　becameatoncemuchreduced。Itwasimpossibletotouchamorsel。
　　Atlast，biliousfeverdeclareditself。Iwasconfinedtobedaweek，——adrearyweek。But，thankGod！healthseemsnowreturning。
　　Icansitupallday，andtakemoderatenourishment。Thedoctorsaidatfirst，Ishouldbeveryslowinrecovering，butIseemtogetonfasterthanheanticipated。IamtrulyMUCHBETTER。"
　　Ihaveheard，fromonewhoattendedBranwellinhislastillness，thatheresolvedonstandinguptodie。Hehadrepeatedlysaid，thataslongastherewaslifetherewasstrengthofwilltodowhatitchose；andwhenthelastagonycameon，heinsistedonassumingthepositionjustmentioned。Ihavepreviouslystated，thatwhenhisfatalattackcameon，hispocketswerefoundfilledwitholdlettersfromthewomantowhomhewasattached。Hedied！
　　shelivesstill，——inMayFair。TheEumenides，Isuppose，wentoutofexistenceatthetimewhenthewailwasheard，"GreatPanisdead。"IthinkwecouldbetterhavesparedhimthanthoseawfulSisterswhostingdeadconscienceintolife。
　　Iturnfromherforever。LetuslookoncemoreintotheParsonageatHaworth。
　　"Oct。29th，1848。
　　"IthinkIhavenownearlygotovertheeffectsofmylateillness，andamalmostrestoredtomynormalconditionofhealth。
　　Isometimeswishthatitwasalittlehigher，butweoughttobecontentwithsuchblessingsaswehave，andnotpineafterthosethatareoutofourreach。Ifeelmuchmoreuneasyaboutmysisterthanmyselfjustnow。Emily’scoldandcoughareveryobstinate。Ifearshehaspaininherchest，andIsometimescatchashortnessinherbreathing，whenshehasmovedatallquickly。Shelooksverythinandpale。Herreservednatureoccasionsmegreatuneasinessofmind。Itisuselesstoquestionher；yougetnoanswers。Itisstillmoreuselesstorecommendremedies；theyareneveradopted。NorcanIshutmyeyestoAnne’sgreatdelicacyofconstitution。Thelatesadeventhas，I
　　feel，madememoreapprehensivethancommon。Icannothelpfeelingmuchdepressedsometimes。ItrytoleaveallinGod’shands；totrustinHisgoodness；butfaithandresignationaredifficulttopractiseundersomecircumstances。Theweatherhasbeenmostunfavourableforinvalidsoflate；suddenchangesoftemperature，andcoldpenetratingwindshavebeenfrequenthere。
　　Shouldtheatmospherebecomemoresettled，perhapsafavourableeffectmightbeproducedonthegeneralhealth，andtheseharassingcoldsandcoughsberemoved。Papahasnotquiteescaped，buthehassofarstooditbetterthananyofus。Youmustnotmentionmygoingto——thiswinter。Icouldnot，andwouldnot，leavehomeonanyaccount。Miss——hasbeenforsomeyearsoutofhealthnow。ThesethingsmakeoneFEEL，aswellasKNOW，thatthisworldisnotourabiding-place。Weshouldnotknithumantiestooclose，orclasphumanaffectionstoofondly。
　　Theymustleaveus，orwemustleavethem，oneday。Godrestorehealthandstrengthtoallwhoneedit！"
　　Igoonnowwithherownaffectingwordsinthebiographicalnoticeofhersisters。
　　"Butagreatchangeapproached。Afflictioncameinthatshapewhichtoanticipateisdread；tolookbackongrief。Intheveryheatandburdenoftheday，thelabourersfailedovertheirwork。
　　MysisterEmilyfirstdeclined……Neverinallherlifehadshelingeredoveranytaskthatlaybeforeher，andshedidnotlingernow。Shesankrapidly。Shemadehastetoleaveus……
　　Daybyday，whenI，sawwithwhatafrontshemetsuffering，I
　　lookedonherwithananguishofwonderandlove:Ihaveseennothinglikeit；but，indeed，Ihaveneverseenherparallelinanything。Strongerthanaman，simplerthanachild，hernaturestoodalone。Theawfulpointwasthat，whilefullofruthforothers，onherselfshehadnopity；thespiritwasinexorabletotheflesh；fromthetremblinghands，theunnervedlimbs，thefadingeyes，thesameservicewasexactedastheyhadrenderedinhealth。Tostandbyandwitnessthis，andnotdaretoremonstrate，wasapainnowordscanrender。"
　　Infact，EmilyneverwentoutofdoorsaftertheSundaysucceedingBranwell’sdeath。Shemadenocomplaint；shewouldnotendurequestioning；sherejectedsympathyandhelp。ManyatimedidCharlotteandAnnedroptheirsewing，orceasefromtheirwriting，tolistenwithwrungheartstothefailingstep，thelabouredbreathing，thefrequentpauses，withwhichtheirsisterclimbedtheshortstaircase；yettheydarednotnoticewhattheyobserved，withpangsofsufferingevendeeperthanhers。Theydarednotnoticeitinwords，farlessbythecaressingassistanceofahelpingarmorhand。Theysat，stillandsilent。
　　"Nov。23rd，1848。
　　"ItoldyouEmilywasill，inmylastletter。Shehasnotralliedyet。SheisVERYill。Ibelieve，ifyouweretoseeher，yourimpressionwouldbethatthereisnohope。Amorehollow，wasted，pallidaspectIhavenotbeheld。Thedeeptightcoughcontinues；
　　thebreathingaftertheleastexertionisarapidpant；andthesesymptomsareaccompaniedbypainsinthechestandside。Herpulse，theonlytimeshealloweditbetofelt，wasfoundtobeat115perminute。Inthisstatesheresolutelyrefusestoseeadoctor；shewillgivenoexplanationofherfeelings，shewillscarcelyallowherfeelingstobealludedto。Ourpositionis，andhasbeenforsomeweeks，exquisitelypainful。Godonlyknowshowallthisistoterminate。Morethanonce，Ihavebeenforcedboldlytoregardtheterribleeventofherlossaspossible，andevenprobable。Butnatureshrinksfromsuchthoughts。IthinkEmilyseemsthenearestthingtomyheartintheworld。"
　　Whenadoctorhadbeensentfor，andwasintheveryhouse，Emilyrefusedtoseehim。Hersisterscouldonlydescribetohimwhatsymptomstheyhadobserved；andthemedicineswhichhesentshewouldnottake，denyingthatshewasill。
　　"Dec。10th，1848。
　　"Ihardlyknowwhattosaytoyouaboutthesubjectwhichnowinterestsmethemostkeenlyofanythinginthisworld，for，intruth，Ihardlyknowwhattothinkmyself。Hopeandfearfluctuatedaily。Thepaininhersideandchestisbetter；thecough，theshortnessofbreath，theextremeemaciationcontinue。
　　Ihaveendured，however，suchtorturesofuncertaintyonthissubjectthat，atlength，Icouldendureitnolonger；andasherrepugnancetoseeingamedicalmancontinuesimmutable，——asshedeclares’nopoisoningdoctor’shallcomenearher，——Ihavewrittenunknowntoher，toaneminentphysicianinLondon，givingasminuteastatementofhercaseandsymptomsasIcoulddrawup，andrequestinganopinion。Iexpectananswerinadayortwo。Iamthankfultosay，thatmyownhealthatpresentisverytolerable。Itiswellsuchisthecase；forAnne，withthebestwillintheworldtobeuseful，isreallytoodelicatetodoorbearmuch。She，too，atpresent，hasfrequentpainsintheside。
　　Papaisalsoprettywell，thoughEmily’sstaterendershimveryanxious。
　　"The——sAnneBronte’sformerpupilswerehereaboutaweekago。Theyareattractiveandstylish-lookinggirls。TheyseemedoverjoyedtoseeAnne:whenIwentintotheroom，theywereclingingroundherliketwochildren——she，meantime，lookingperfectlyquietandpassive……I。andH。tookitintotheirheadstocomehere。Ithinkitprobableoffencewastakenonthatoccasion，——fromwhatcause，Iknownot；andas，ifsuchbethecase，thegrudgemustrestuponpurelyimaginarygrounds，——andsince，besides，Ihaveotherthingstothinkabout，mymindrarelydwellsuponthesubject。IfEmilywerebutwell，IfeelasifIshouldnotcarewhoneglected，misunderstood，orabusedme。
　　Iwouldratheryouwerenotofthenumbereither。Thecrab-cheesearrivedsafely。Emilyhasjustremindedmetothankyouforit:
　　itlooksverynice。Iwishshewerewellenoughtoeatit。"
　　ButEmilywasgrowingrapidlyworse。IrememberMissBronte’sshiveratrecallingthepangshefeltwhen，afterhavingsearchedinthelittlehollowsandshelteredcrevicesofthemoorsforalingeringsprayofheather——justonespray，howeverwithered——totakeintoEmily，shesawthattheflowerwasnotrecognisedbythedimandindifferenteyes。Yet，tothelast，Emilyadheredtenaciouslytoherhabitsofindependence。Shewouldsuffernoonetoassisther。Anyefforttodosorousedtheoldsternspirit。OneTuesdaymorning，inDecember，shearoseanddressedherselfasusual，makingmanyapause，butdoingeverythingforherself，andevenendeavouringtotakeupheremploymentofsewing:theservantslookedon，andknewwhatthecatching，rattlingbreath，andtheglazingoftheeyetoosurelyforetold；
　　butshekeptatherwork；andCharlotteandAnne，thoughfullofunspeakabledread，hadstillthefaintestsparkofhope。OnthatmorningCharlottewrotethus——probablyintheverypresenceofherdyingsister:——
　　"Tuesday。
　　"Ishouldhavewrittentoyoubefore，ifIhadhadonewordofhopetosay；butIhavenot。Shegrowsdailyweaker。Thephysician’sopinionwasexpressedtooobscurelytobeofuse。Hesentsomemedicine，whichshewouldnottake。MomentssodarkastheseIhaveneverknown。IprayforGod’ssupporttousall。
　　HithertoHehasgrantedit。"
　　Themorningdrewontonoon。Emilywasworse:shecouldonlywhisperingasps。Now，whenitwastoolate，shesaidtoCharlotte，"Ifyouwillsendforadoctor，Iwillseehimnow。"
　　Abouttwoo’clockshedied。
　　"Dec。21st，1848。
　　"Emilysuffersnomorefrompainorweaknessnow。Sheneverwillsuffermoreinthisworld。Sheisgone，afterahardshortconflict。ShediedonTUESDAY，theverydayIwrotetoyou。I
　　thoughtitverypossibleshemightbewithusstillforweeks；
　　andafewhoursafterwards，shewasineternity。Yes；thereisnoEmilyintimeoronearthnow。Yesterdayweputherpoor，wasted，mortalframequietlyunderthechurchpavement。Weareverycalmatpresent。Whyshouldwebeotherwise？Theanguishofseeinghersufferisover；thespectacleofthepainsofdeathisgoneby；
　　thefuneraldayispast。Wefeelsheisatpeace。Noneednowtotrembleforthehardfrostandthekeenwind。Emilydoesnotfeelthem。Shediedinatimeofpromise。Wesawhertakenfromlifeinitsprime。ButitisGod’swill，andtheplacewheresheisgoneisbetterthanthatshehasleft。
　　"Godhassustainedme，inawaythatImarvelat，throughsuchagonyasIhadnotconceived。InowlookatAnne，andwishshewerewellandstrong；butsheisneither；norispapa。Couldyounowcometousforafewdays？Iwouldnotaskyoutostaylong。
　　Writeandtellmeifyoucouldcomenextweek，andbywhattrain。
　　IwouldtrytosendagigforyoutoKeighley。Youwill，Itrust，findustranquil。Trytocome。Ineversomuchneededtheconsolationofafriend’spresence。Pleasure，ofcourse，therewouldbenoneforyouinthevisit，exceptwhatyourkindheartwouldteachyoutofindindoinggoodtoothers。"
　　Astheold，bereavedfatherandhistwosurvivingchildrenfollowedthecoffintothegrave，theywerejoinedbyKeeper，Emily’sfierce，faithfulbull-dog。Hewalkedalongsideofthemourners，andintothechurch，andstayedquietlythereallthetimethattheburialservicewasbeingread。Whenhecamehome，helaydownatEmily’schamberdoor，andhowledpitifullyformanydays。AnneBrontedroopedandsickenedmorerapidlyfromthattime；andsoendedtheyear1848。