andtheMissesBrocklehurst，andconductedtoseatsofhonouratthetopoftheroom。Itseemstheyhadcomeinthecarriagewiththeirreverendrelative，andhadbeenconductingarummagingscrutinyoftheroomupstairs，whilehetransactedbusinesswiththehousekeeper，questionedthelaundress，andlecturedthesuperintendent。TheynowproceededtoaddressdiversremarksandreproofstoMissSmith，whowaschargedwiththecareofthelinenandtheinspectionofthedormitories:butIhadnotimetolistentowhattheysaid;othermatterscalledoffandenchainedmyattention。
Hitherto，whilegatheringupthediscourseofMr。BrocklehurstandMissTemple，Ihadnot，atthesametime，neglectedprecautionstosecuremypersonalsafety;whichIthoughtwouldbeeffected，ifI
couldonlyeludeobservation。Tothisend，Ihadsatwellbackontheform，andwhileseemingtobebusywithmysum，hadheldmyslateinsuchamannerastoconcealmyface:Imighthaveescapednotice，hadnotmytreacherousslatesomehowhappenedtoslipfrommyhand，andfallingwithanobtrusivecrash，directlydrawneveryeyeuponme;Iknewitwasallovernow，and，asIstoopedtopickupthetwofragmentsofslate，Iralliedmyforcesfortheworst。Itcame。
\'Acarelessgirl！\'saidMr。Brocklehurst，andimmediatelyafter—
\'Itisthenewpupil，Iperceive。\'AndbeforeIcoulddrawbreath，\'ImustnotforgetIhaveawordtosayrespectingher。\'Thenaloud:
howlouditseemedtome！\'Letthechildwhobrokeherslatecomeforward！\'
OfmyownaccordIcouldnothavestirred;Iwasparalysed:
butthetwogreatgirlswhosatoneachsideofme，setmeonmylegsandpushedmetowardsthedreadjudge，andthenMissTemplegentlyassistedmetohisveryfeet，andIcaughtherwhisperedcounsel—
\'Don\'tbeafraid，Jane，Isawitwasanaccident;youshallnotbepunished。\'
Thekindwhisperwenttomyheartlikeadagger。
\'Anotherminute，andshewilldespisemeforahypocrite，\'
thoughtI;andanimpulseoffuryagainstReed，Brocklehurst，andCo。boundedinmypulsesattheconviction。IwasnoHelenBurns。
\'Fetchthatstool，\'saidMr。Brocklehurst，pointingtoaveryhighonefromwhichamonitorhadjustrisen:itwasbrought。
\'Placethechilduponit。\'
AndIwasplacedthere，bywhomIdon\'tknow:Iwasinnoconditiontonoteparticulars;IwasonlyawarethattheyhadhoistedmeuptotheheightofMr。Brocklehurst\'snose，thathewaswithinayardofme，andthataspreadofshotorangeandpurplesilkpelissesandacloudofsilveryplumageextendedandwavedbelowme。
Mr。Brocklehursthemmed。
\'Ladies，\'saidhe，turningtohisfamily，\'MissTemple，teachers，andchildren，youallseethisgirl？\'
Ofcoursetheydid;forIfelttheireyesdirectedlikeburning—glassesagainstmyscorchedskin。
\'Youseesheisyetyoung;youobserveshepossessestheordinaryformofchildhood;GodhasgraciouslygivenhertheshapethatHehasgiventoallofus;nosignaldeformitypointsheroutasamarkedcharacter。WhowouldthinkthattheEvilOnehadalreadyfoundaservantandagentinher？Yetsuch，Igrievetosay，isthecase。\'
Apause—inwhichIbegantosteadythepalsyofmynerves，andtofeelthattheRubiconwaspassed;andthatthetrial，nolongertobeshirked，mustbefirmlysustained。
\'Mydearchildren，\'pursuedtheblackmarbleclergyman，withpathos，\'thisisasad，amelancholyoccasion;foritbecomesmydutytowarnyou，thatthisgirl，whomightbeoneofGod\'sownlambs，isalittlecastaway:notamemberofthetrueflock，butevidentlyaninterloperandanalien。Youmustbeonyourguardagainsther;youmustshunherexample;ifnecessary，avoidhercompany，excludeherfromyoursports，andshutheroutfromyourconverse。Teachers，youmustwatchher:keepyoureyesonhermovements，weighwellherwords，scrutiniseheractions，punishherbodytosavehersoul:if，indeed，suchsalvationbepossible，for（mytonguefalterswhileI
tellit）thisgirl，thischild，thenativeofaChristianland，worsethanmanyalittleheathenwhosaysitsprayerstoBrahmaandkneelsbeforeJuggernaut—thisgirlis—aliar！\'
Nowcameapauseoftenminutes，duringwhichI，bythistimeinperfectpossessionofmywits，observedallthefemaleBrocklehurstsproducetheirpocket—handkerchiefsandapplythemtotheiroptics，whiletheelderlyladyswayedherselftoandfro，andthetwoyoungeroneswhispered，\'Howshocking！\'
Mr。Brocklehurstresumed。
\'ThisIlearnedfromherbenefactress;fromthepiousandcharitableladywhoadoptedherinherorphanstate，rearedherasherowndaughter，andwhosekindness，whosegenerositytheunhappygirlrepaidbyaningratitudesobad，sodreadful，thatatlastherexcellentpatronesswasobligedtoseparateherfromherownyoungones，fearfullestherviciousexampleshouldcontaminatetheirpurity:shehassentherheretobehealed，evenastheJewsofoldsenttheirdiseasedtothetroubledpoolofBethesda;and，teachers，superintendent，Ibegofyounottoallowthewaterstostagnateroundher。\'
Withthissublimeconclusion，Mr。Brocklehurstadjustedthetopbuttonofhissurtout，mutteredsomethingtohisfamily，whorose，bowedtoMissTemple，andthenallthegreatpeoplesailedinstatefromtheroom。Turningatthedoor，myjudgesaid—
\'Letherstandhalfanhourlongeronthatstool，andletnoonespeaktoherduringtheremainderoftheday。\'
TherewasI，then，mountedaloft;I，whohadsaidIcouldnotbeartheshameofstandingonmynaturalfeetinthemiddleoftheroom，wasnowexposedtogeneralviewonapedestalofinfamy。Whatmysensationswere，nolanguagecandescribe;butjustastheyallrose，stiflingmybreathandconstrictingmythroat，agirlcameupandpassedme:inpassing，sheliftedhereyes。Whatastrangelightinspiredthem！Whatanextraordinarysensationthatraysentthroughme！Howthenewfeelingboremeup！Itwasasifamartyr，ahero，hadpassedaslaveorvictim，andimpartedstrengthinthetransit。I
masteredtherisinghysteria，liftedupmyhead，andtookafirmstandonthestool。HelenBurnsaskedsomeslightquestionsaboutherworkofMissSmith，waschiddenforthetrivialityoftheinquiry，returnedtoherplace，andsmiledatmeassheagainwentby。Whatasmile！I
rememberitnow，andIknowthatitwastheeffluenceoffineintellect，oftruecourage;itlituphermarkedlineaments，herthinface，hersunkengreyeye，likeareflectionfromtheaspectofanangel。YetatthatmomentHelenBurnsworeonherarm\'theuntidybadge;\'scarcelyanhouragoIhadheardhercondemnedbyMissScatcherdtoadinnerofbreadandwateronthemorrowbecauseshehadblottedanexerciseincopyingitout。Suchistheimperfectnatureofman！suchspotsarethereonthediscoftheclearestplanet;andeyeslikeMissScatcherd\'scanonlyseethoseminutedefects，andareblindtothefullbrightnessoftheorb。
chapter08
CHAPTERVIII
EREthehalf—hourended，fiveo\'clockstruck;schoolwasdismissed，andallweregoneintotherefectorytotea。Inowventuredtodescend:itwasdeepdusk;Iretiredintoacornerandsatdownonthefloor。ThespellbywhichIhadbeensofarsupportedbegantodissolve;reactiontookplace，andsoon，sooverwhelmingwasthegriefthatseizedme，Isankprostratewithmyfacetotheground。NowI
wept:HelenBurnswasnothere;nothingsustainedme;lefttomyselfI
abandonedmyself，andmytearswateredtheboards。Ihadmeanttobesogood，andtodosomuchatLowood:tomakesomanyfriends，toearnrespectandwinaffection。AlreadyIhadmadevisibleprogress;thatverymorningIhadreachedtheheadofmyclass;MissMillerhadpraisedmewarmly;MissTemplehadsmiledapprobation;shehadpromisedtoteachmedrawing，andtoletmelearnFrench，ifI
continuedtomakesimilarimprovementtwomonthslonger:andthenI
waswellreceivedbymyfellow—pupils;treatedasanequalbythoseofmyownage，andnotmolestedbyany;now，hereIlayagaincrushedandtroddenon;andcouldIeverrisemore？
\'Never，\'Ithought;andardentlyIwishedtodie。Whilesobbingoutthiswishinbrokenaccents，someoneapproached:Istartedup—
againHelenBurnswasnearme;thefadingfiresjustshowedhercomingupthelong，vacantroom;shebroughtmycoffeeandbread。
\'Come，eatsomething，\'shesaid;butIputbothawayfromme，feelingasifadroporacrumbwouldhavechokedmeinmypresentcondition。Helenregardedme，probablywithsurprise:Icouldnotnowabatemyagitation，thoughItriedhard;Icontinuedtoweepaloud。Shesatdownonthegroundnearme，embracedherkneeswithherarms，andrestedherheaduponthem;inthatattitudesheremainedsilentasanIndian。Iwasthefirstwhospoke—
\'Helen，whydoyoustaywithagirlwhomeverybodybelievestobealiar？\'
\'Everybody，Jane？Why，thereareonlyeightypeoplewhohaveheardyoucalledso，andtheworldcontainshundredsofmillions。\'
\'ButwhathaveItodowithmillions？Theeighty，Iknow，despiseme。\'
\'Jane，youaremistaken:probablynotoneintheschooleitherdespisesordislikesyou:many，Iamsure，pityyoumuch。\'
\'HowcantheypitymeafterwhatMr。Brocklehursthassaid？\'
\'Mr。Brocklehurstisnotagod:norisheevenagreatandadmiredman;heislittlelikedhere;henevertookstepstomakehimselfliked。Hadhetreatedyouasanespecialfavourite，youwouldhavefoundenemies，declaredorcovert，allaroundyou;asitis，thegreaternumberwouldofferyousympathyiftheydared。
Teachersandpupilsmaylookcoldlyonyouforadayortwo，butfriendlyfeelingsareconcealedintheirhearts;andifyoupersevereindoingwell，thesefeelingswillerelongappearsomuchthemoreevidentlyfortheirtemporarysuppression。Besides，Jane\'—
shepaused。
\'Well，Helen？\'saidI，puttingmyhandintohers:shechafedmyfingersgentlytowarmthem，andwenton—
\'Ifalltheworldhatedyou，andbelievedyouwicked，whileyourownconscienceapprovedyou，andabsolvedyoufromguilt，youwouldnotbewithoutfriends。\'
\'No;IknowIshouldthinkwellofmyself;butthatisnotenough:ifothersdon\'tlovemeIwouldratherdiethanlive—Icannotbeartobesolitaryandhated，Helen。Lookhere;togainsomerealaffectionfromyou，orMissTemple，oranyotherwhomItrulylove，Iwouldwillinglysubmittohavetheboneofmyarmbroken，ortoletabulltossme，ortostandbehindakickinghorse，andletitdashitshoofatmychest—\'
\'Hush，Jane！youthinktoomuchoftheloveofhumanbeings;
youaretooimpulsive，toovehement;thesovereignhandthatcreatedyourframe，andputlifeintoit，hasprovidedyouwithotherresourcesthanyourfeebleself，orthancreaturesfeebleasyou。
Besidesthisearth，andbesidestheraceofmen，thereisaninvisibleworldandakingdomofspirits:thatworldisroundus，foritiseverywhere;andthosespiritswatchus，fortheyarecommissionedtoguardus;andifweweredyinginpainandshame，ifscornsmoteusonallsides，andhatredcrushedus，angelsseeourtortures，recogniseourinnocence（ifinnocentwebe:asIknowyouareofthischargewhichMr。BrocklehursthasweaklyandpompouslyrepeatedatsecondhandfromMrs。Reed;forIreadasincerenatureinyourardenteyesandonyourclearfront），andGodwaitsonlytheseparationofspiritfromfleshtocrownuswithafullreward。Why，then，shouldweeversinkoverwhelmedwithdistress，whenlifeissosoonover，anddeathissocertainanentrancetohappiness—toglory？\'
Iwassilent;Helenhadcalmedme;butinthetranquillitysheimpartedtherewasanalloyofinexpressiblesadness。Ifelttheimpressionofwoeasshespoke，butIcouldnottellwhenceitcame;
andwhen，havingdonespeaking，shebreathedalittlefastandcoughedashortcough，Imomentarilyforgotmyownsorrowstoyieldtoavagueconcernforher。
RestingmyheadonHelen\'sshoulder，Iputmyarmsroundherwaist;
shedrewmetoher，andwereposedinsilence。Wehadnotsatlongthus，whenanotherpersoncamein。Someheavyclouds，sweptfromtheskybyarisingwind，hadleftthemoonbare;andherlight，streaminginthroughawindownear，shonefullbothonusandontheapproachingfigure，whichweatoncerecognisedasMissTemple。
\'Icameonpurposetofindyou，JaneEyre，\'saidshe;\'I
wantyouinmyroom;andasHelenBurnsiswithyou，shemaycometoo。\'
Wewent;followingthesuperintendent\'sguidance，wehadtothreadsomeintricatepassages，andmountastaircasebeforewereachedherapartment;itcontainedagoodfire，andlookedcheerful。MissTempletoldHelenBurnstobeseatedinalowarm—chairononesideofthehearth，andherselftakinganother，shecalledmetoherside。
\'Isitallover？\'sheasked，lookingdownatmyface。\'Haveyoucriedyourgriefaway？\'
\'IamafraidInevershalldothat。\'
\'Why？\'
\'BecauseIhavebeenwronglyaccused;andyou，ma\'am，andeverybodyelse，willnowthinkmewicked。\'
\'Weshallthinkyouwhatyouproveyourselftobe，mychild。
Continuetoactasagoodgirl，andyouwillsatisfyus。\'
\'ShallI，MissTemple？\'
\'Youwill，\'saidshe，passingherarmroundme。\'AndnowtellmewhoistheladywhomMr。Brocklehurstcalledyourbenefactress？\'
\'Mrs。Reed，myuncle\'swife。Myuncleisdead，andheleftmetohercare。\'
\'Didshenot，then，adoptyouofherownaccord？\'
\'No，ma\'am;shewassorrytohavetodoit:butmyuncle，asIhaveoftenheardtheservantssay，gothertopromisebeforehediedthatshewouldalwayskeepme。\'
\'Wellnow，Jane，youknow，oratleastIwilltellyou，thatwhenacriminalisaccused，heisalwaysallowedtospeakinhisowndefence。
Youhavebeenchargedwithfalsehood;defendyourselftomeaswellasyoucan。Saywhateveryourmemorysuggestsastrue;butaddnothingandexaggeratenothing。\'
Iresolved，inthedepthofmyheart，thatIwouldbemostmoderate—mostcorrect;and，havingreflectedafewminutesinordertoarrangecoherentlywhatIhadtosay，Itoldherallthestoryofmysadchildhood。Exhaustedbyemotion，mylanguagewasmoresubduedthanitgenerallywaswhenitdevelopedthatsadtheme;andmindfulofHelen\'swarningsagainsttheindulgenceofresentment，Iinfusedintothenarrativefarlessofgallandwormwoodthanordinary。Thusrestrainedandsimplified，itsoundedmorecredible:IfeltasI
wentonthatMissTemplefullybelievedme。
InthecourseofthetaleIhadmentionedMr。Lloydashavingcometoseemeafterthefit:forIneverforgotthe，tome，frightfulepisodeofthered—room:indetailingwhich，myexcitementwassure，insomedegree，tobreakbounds;fornothingcouldsofteninmyrecollectionthespasmofagonywhichclutchedmyheartwhenMrs。Reedspurnedmywildsupplicationforpardon，andlockedmeasecondtimeinthedarkandhauntedchamber。
Ihadfinished:MissTempleregardedmeafewminutesinsilence;
shethensaid—
\'IknowsomethingofMr。Lloyd;Ishallwritetohim;ifhisreplyagreeswithyourstatement，youshallbepubliclyclearedfromeveryimputation;tome，Jane，youareclearnow。\'
Shekissedme，andstillkeepingmeatherside（whereIwaswellcontentedtostandforIderivedachild\'spleasurefromthecontemplationofherface，herdress，heroneortwoornaments，herwhiteforehead，herclusteredandshiningcurls，andbeamingdarkeyes），sheproceededtoaddressHelenBurns。
\'Howareyouto—night，Helen？Haveyoucoughedmuchto—day？\'
\'Notquitesomuch，Ithink，ma\'am。\'
\'Andthepaininyourchest？\'
\'Itisalittlebetter。\'
MissTemplegotup，tookherhandandexaminedherpulse;
thenshereturnedtoherownseat:assheresumedit，Iheardhersighlow。
Shewaspensiveafewminutes，thenrousingherself，shesaidcheerfully—
\'Butyoutwoaremyvisitorsto—night;Imusttreatyouassuch。\'
Sherangherbell。
\'Barbara，\'shesaidtotheservantwhoansweredit，\'I
havenotyethadtea;bringthetrayandplacecupsforthesetwoyoungladies。\'
Andatraywassoonbrought。Howpretty，tomyeyes，didthechinacupsandbrightteapotlook，placedonthelittleroundtablenearthefire！Howfragrantwasthesteamofthebeverage，andthescentofthetoast！ofwhich，however，I，tomydismay（forIwasbeginningtobehungry），discernedonlyaverysmallportion:MissTemplediscernedittoo。
\'Barbara，\'saidshe，\'canyounotbringalittlemorebreadandbutter？Thereisnotenoughforthree。\'
Barbarawentout:shereturnedsoon—
\'Madam，Mrs。Hardensaysshehassentuptheusualquantity。\'
Mrs。Harden，beitobserved，wasthehousekeeper:awomanafterMr。
Brocklehurst\'sownheart，madeupofequalpartsofwhaleboneandiron。
\'Oh，verywell！\'returnedMissTemple;\'wemustmakeitdo，Barbara，Isuppose。\'Andasthegirlwithdrewsheadded，smiling，\'Fortunately，Ihaveitinmypowertosupplydeficienciesforthisonce。\'
HavinginvitedHelenandmetoapproachthetable，andplacedbeforeeachofusacupofteawithonedeliciousbutthinmorseloftoast，shegotup，unlockedadrawer，andtakingfromitaparcelwrappedinpaper，disclosedpresentlytooureyesagood—sizedseed—cake。
\'Imeanttogiveeachofyousomeofthistotakewithyou，\'saidshe，\'butasthereissolittletoast，youmusthaveitnow，\'andsheproceededtocutsliceswithageneroushand。
Wefeastedthateveningasonnectarandambrosia;andnottheleastdelightoftheentertainmentwasthesmileofgratificationwithwhichourhostessregardedus，aswesatisfiedourfamishedappetitesonthedelicatefaresheliberallysupplied。
Teaoverandthetrayremoved，sheagainsummonedustothefire;
wesatoneoneachsideofher，andnowaconversationfollowedbetweenherandHelen，whichitwasindeedaprivilegetobeadmittedtohear。
MissTemplehadalwayssomethingofserenityinherair，ofstateinhermien，ofrefinedproprietyinherlanguage，whichprecludeddeviationintotheardent，theexcited，theeager:somethingwhichchastenedthepleasureofthosewholookedonherandlistenedtoher，byacontrollingsenseofawe;andsuchwasmyfeelingnow:butastoHelenBurns，Iwasstruckwithwonder。
Therefreshingmeal，thebrilliantfire，thepresenceandkindnessofherbelovedinstructress，or，perhaps，morethanallthese，somethinginherownuniquemind，hadrousedherpowerswithinher。Theywoke，theykindled:first，theyglowedinthebrighttintofhercheek，whichtillthishourIhadneverseenbutpaleandbloodless;thentheyshoneintheliquidlustreofhereyes，whichhadsuddenlyacquiredabeautymoresingularthanthatofMissTemple\'s—abeautyneitheroffinecolournorlongeyelash，norpencilledbrow，butofmeaning，ofmovement，ofradiance。Thenhersoulsatonherlips，andlanguageflowed，fromwhatsourceIcannottell。Hasagirloffourteenaheartlargeenough，vigorousenough，toholdtheswellingspringofpure，full，fervideloquence？SuchwasthecharacteristicofHelen\'sdiscourseonthat，tome，memorableevening;
herspiritseemedhasteningtolivewithinaverybriefspanasmuchasmanyliveduringaprotractedexistence。
TheyconversedofthingsIhadneverheardof;ofnationsandtimespast;ofcountriesfaraway;ofsecretsofnaturediscoveredorguessedat:theyspokeofbooks:howmanytheyhadread！Whatstoresofknowledgetheypossessed！ThentheyseemedsofamiliarwithFrenchnamesandFrenchauthors:butmyamazementreacheditsclimaxwhenMissTempleaskedHelenifshesometimessnatchedamomenttorecalltheLatinherfatherhadtaughther，andtakingabookfromashelf，badeherreadandconstrueapageofVirgil;andHelenobeyed，myorganofvenerationexpandingateverysoundingline。Shehadscarcelyfinishederethebellannouncedbedtime！nodelaycouldbeadmitted;MissTempleembracedusboth，saying，asshedrewustoherheart—
\'Godblessyou，mychildren！\'
Helensheheldalittlelongerthanme:shelethergomorereluctantly;itwasHelenhereyefollowedtothedoor;itwasforhersheasecondtimebreathedasadsigh;forhershewipedatearfromhercheek。
Onreachingthebedroom，weheardthevoiceofMissScatcherd:
shewasexaminingdrawers;shehadjustpulledoutHelenBurns\'s，andwhenweenteredHelenwasgreetedwithasharpreprimand，andtoldthatto—morrowsheshouldhavehalfadozenofuntidilyfoldedarticlespinnedtohershoulder。
\'Mythingswereindeedinshamefuldisorder，\'murmuredHelentome，inalowvoice:\'Iintendedtohavearrangedthem，butIforgot。\'
Nextmorning，MissScatcherdwroteinconspicuouscharactersonapieceofpasteboardtheword\'Slattern，\'andbounditlikeaphylacteryroundHelen\'slarge，mild，intelligent，andbenign—lookingforehead。Sheworeittillevening，patient，unresentful，regardingitasadeservedpunishment。ThemomentMissScatcherdwithdrewafterafternoonschool，IrantoHelen，toreitoff，andthrustitintothefire:thefuryofwhichshewasincapablehadbeenburninginmysoulallday，andtears，hotandlarge，hadcontinuallybeenscaldingmycheek;forthespectacleofhersadresignationgavemeanintolerablepainattheheart。
Aboutaweeksubsequentlytotheincidentsabovenarrated，MissTemple，whohadwrittentoMr。Lloyd，receivedhisanswer:itappearedthatwhathesaidwenttocorroboratemyaccount。MissTemple，havingassembledthewholeschool，announcedthatinquiryhadbeenmadeintothechargesallegedagainstJaneEyre，andthatshewasmosthappytobeabletopronouncehercompletelyclearedfromeveryimputation。Theteachersthenshookhandswithmeandkissedme，andamurmurofpleasureranthroughtheranksofmycompanions。
Thusrelievedofagrievousload，Ifromthathoursettoworkafresh，resolvedtopioneermywaythrougheverydifficulty:I
toiledhard，andmysuccesswasproportionatetomyefforts;mymemory，notnaturallytenacious，improvedwithpractice;exercisesharpenedmywits;inafewweeksIwaspromotedtoahigherclass;
inlessthantwomonthsIwasallowedtocommenceFrenchanddrawing。I
learnedthefirsttwotensesoftheverbEtre，andsketchedmyfirstcottage（whosewalls，bythebye，outrivalledinslopethoseoftheleaningtowerofPisa），onthesameday。Thatnight，ongoingtobed，IforgottoprepareinimaginationtheBarmecidesupperofhotroastpotatoes，orwhitebreadandnewmilk，withwhichIwaswonttoamusemyinwardcravings:Ifeastedinsteadonthespectacleofidealdrawings，whichIsawinthedark;alltheworkofmyownhands:
freelypencilledhousesandtrees，picturesquerocksandruins，Cuyp—likegroupsofcattle，sweetpaintingsofbutterflieshoveringoverunblownroses，ofbirdspickingatripecherries，ofwrens\'nestsenclosingpearl—likeeggs，wreathedaboutwithyoungivysprays。I
examined，too，inthought，thepossibilityofmyeverbeingabletotranslatecurrentlyacertainlittleFrenchstorywhichMadamePierrothadthatdayshownme;norwasthatproblemsolvedtomysatisfactionereIfellsweetlyasleep。
WellhasSolomonsaid—\'Betterisadinnerofherbswhereloveis，thanastalledoxandhatredtherewith。\'
IwouldnotnowhaveexchangedLowoodwithallitsprivationsforGatesheadanditsdailyluxuries。
chapter09CHAPTERIX
BUTtheprivations，orratherthehardships，ofLowoodlessened。
Springdrewon:shewasindeedalreadycome;thefrostsofwinterhadceased;itssnowsweremelted，itscuttingwindsameliorated。Mywretchedfeet，flayedandswollentolamenessbythesharpairofJanuary，begantohealandsubsideunderthegentlerbreathingsofApril;thenightsandmorningsnolongerbytheirCanadiantemperaturefrozetheverybloodinourveins;wecouldnowenduretheplay—hourpassedinthegarden:sometimesonasunnydayitbeganeventobepleasantandgenial，andagreennessgrewoverthosebrownbeds，which，fresheningdaily，suggestedthethoughtthatHopetraversedthematnight，andlefteachmorningbrightertracesofhersteps。
Flowerspeepedoutamongsttheleaves;snowdrops，crocuses，purpleauriculas，andgolden—eyedpansies。OnThursdayafternoons（half—holidays）wenowtookwalks，andfoundstillsweeterflowersopeningbythewayside，underthehedges。
Idiscovered，too，thatagreatpleasure，anenjoymentwhichthehorizononlybounded，layalloutsidethehighandspike—guardedwallsofourgarden:thispleasureconsistedinprospectofnoblesummitsgirdlingagreathill—hollow，richinverdureandshadow;inabrightbeck，fullofdarkstonesandsparklingeddies。HowdifferenthadthisscenelookedwhenIvieweditlaidoutbeneaththeironskyofwinter，stiffenedinfrost，shroudedwithsnow！—whenmistsaschillasdeathwanderedtotheimpulseofeastwindsalongthosepurplepeaks，androlleddown\'ing\'andholmtilltheyblendedwiththefrozenfogofthebeck！Thatbeckitselfwasthenatorrent，turbidandcurbless:ittoreasunderthewood，andsentaravingsoundthroughtheair，oftenthickenedwithwildrainorwhirlingsleet;andfortheforestonitsbanks，thatshowedonlyranksofskeletons。
ApriladvancedtoMay:abright，sereneMayitwas;daysofbluesky，placidsunshine，andsoftwesternorsoutherngalesfilledupitsduration。Andnowvegetationmaturedwithvigour;Lowoodshooklooseitstresses;itbecameallgreen，allflowery;itsgreatelm，ash，andoakskeletonswererestoredtomajesticlife;woodlandplantssprangupprofuselyinitsrecesses;unnumberedvarietiesofmossfilleditshollows，anditmadeastrangeground—sunshineoutofthewealthofitswildprimroseplants:Ihaveseentheirpalegoldgleaminovershadowedspotslikescatteringsofthesweetestlustre。AllthisI
enjoyedoftenandfully，free，unwatched，andalmostalone:forthisunwontedlibertyandpleasuretherewasacause，towhichitnowbecomesmytasktoadvert。
HaveInotdescribedapleasantsiteforadwelling，whenIspeakofitasbosomedinhillandwood，andrisingfromthevergeofastream？Assuredly，pleasantenough:butwhetherhealthyornotisanotherquestion。
Thatforest—dell，whereLowoodlay，wasthecradleoffogandfog—bredpestilence;which，quickeningwiththequickeningspring，creptintotheOrphanAsylum，breathedtyphusthroughitscrowdedschoolroomanddormitory，and，ereMayarrived，transformedtheseminaryintoanhospital。
Semi—starvationandneglectedcoldshadpredisposedmostofthepupilstoreceiveinfection:forty—fiveoutoftheeightygirlslayillatonetime。Classeswerebrokenup，rulesrelaxed。Thefewwhocontinuedwellwereallowedalmostunlimitedlicense;becausethemedicalattendantinsistedonthenecessityoffrequentexercisetokeeptheminhealth:andhaditbeenotherwise，noonehadleisuretowatchorrestrainthem。MissTemple\'swholeattentionwasabsorbedbythepatients:shelivedinthesick—room，neverquittingitexcepttosnatchafewhours\'restatnight。Theteacherswerefullyoccupiedwithpackingupandmakingothernecessarypreparationsforthedepartureofthosegirlswhowerefortunateenoughtohavefriendsandrelationsableandwillingtoremovethemfromtheseatofcontagion。Many，alreadysmitten，wenthomeonlytodie:somediedattheschool，andwereburiedquietlyandquickly，thenatureofthemaladyforbiddingdelay。
WhilediseasehadthusbecomeaninhabitantofLowood，anddeathitsfrequentvisitor;whiletherewasgloomandfearwithinitswalls;
whileitsroomsandpassagessteamedwithhospitalsmells，thedrugandthepastillestrivingvainlytoovercometheeffluviaofmortality，thatbrightMayshoneuncloudedovertheboldhillsandbeautifulwoodlandoutofdoors。Itsgarden，too，glowedwithflowers:
hollyhockshadsprunguptallastrees，lilieshadopened，tulipsandroseswereinbloom;thebordersofthelittlebedsweregaywithpinkthriftandcrimsondoubledaisies;thesweetbriarsgaveout，morningandevening，theirscentofspiceandapples;andthesefragranttreasureswerealluselessformostoftheinmatesofLowood，excepttofurnishnowandthenahandfulofherbsandblossomstoputinacoffin。