MissTemple，throughallchanges，hadthusfarcontinuedsuperintendentoftheseminary:toherinstructionIowedthebestpartofmyacquirements;herfriendshipandsocietyhadbeenmycontinualsolace;shehadstoodmeinthesteadofmother，governess，and，latterly，companion。Atthisperiodshemarried，removedwithherhusband（aclergyman，anexcellentman，almostworthyofsuchawife）toadistantcounty，andconsequentlywaslosttome。
FromthedaysheleftIwasnolongerthesame:withherwasgoneeverysettledfeeling，everyassociationthathadmadeLowoodinsomedegreeahometome。Ihadimbibedfromhersomethingofhernatureandmuchofherhabits:moreharmoniousthoughts:whatseemedbetterregulatedfeelingshadbecometheinmatesofmymind。Ihadgiveninallegiancetodutyandorder;Iwasquiet;IbelievedIwascontent:totheeyesofothers，usuallyeventomyown，Iappearedadisciplinedandsubduedcharacter。
Butdestiny，intheshapeoftheRev。Mr。Nasmyth，camebetweenmeandMissTemple:Isawherinhertravellingdressstepintoapost—chaise，shortlyafterthemarriageceremony;Iwatchedthechaisemountthehillanddisappearbeyonditsbrow;andthenretiredtomyownroom，andtherespentinsolitudethegreatestpartofthehalf—holidaygrantedinhonouroftheoccasion。
Iwalkedaboutthechambermostofthetime。Iimaginedmyselfonlytoberegrettingmyloss，andthinkinghowtorepairit;butwhenmyreflectionswereconcluded，andIlookedupandfoundthattheafternoonwasgone，andeveningfaradvanced，anotherdiscoverydawnedonme，namely，thatintheintervalIhadundergoneatransformingprocess;thatmymindhadputoffallithadborrowedofMissTemple—orratherthatshehadtakenwithherthesereneatmosphereIhadbeenbreathinginhervicinity—andthatnowIwasleftinmynaturalelement，andbeginningtofeelthestirringofoldemotions。Itdidnotseemasifapropwerewithdrawn，butratherasifamotiveweregone:itwasnotthepowertobetranquilwhichhadfailedme，butthereasonfortranquillitywasnomore。MyworldhadforsomeyearsbeeninLowood:myexperiencehadbeenofitsrulesandsystems;nowIrememberedthattherealworldwaswide，andthatavariedfieldofhopesandfears，ofsensationsandexcitements，awaitedthosewhohadcouragetogoforthintoitsexpanse，toseekrealknowledgeoflifeamidstitsperils。
Iwenttomywindow，openedit，andlookedout。Therewerethetwowingsofthebuilding;therewasthegarden;thereweretheskirtsofLowood;therewasthehillyhorizon。Myeyepassedallotherobjectstorestonthosemostremote，thebluepeaks;itwasthoseIlongedtosurmount;allwithintheirboundaryofrockandheathseemedprison—ground，exilelimits。Itracedthewhiteroadwindingroundthebaseofonemountain，andvanishinginagorgebetweentwo;howIlongedtofollowitfarther！IrecalledthetimewhenIhadtravelledthatveryroadinacoach;Iremembereddescendingthathillattwilight;anageseemedtohaveelapsedsincethedaywhichbroughtmefirsttoLowood，andIhadneverquitteditsince。Myvacationshadallbeenspentatschool:Mrs。ReedhadneversentformetoGateshead;neithershenoranyofherfamilyhadeverbeentovisitme。Ihadhadnocommunicationbyletterormessagewiththeouterworld:school—rules，school—duties，school—habitsandnotions，andvoices，andfaces，andphrases，andcostumes，andpreferences，andantipathies—suchwaswhatIknewofexistence。AndnowIfeltthatitwasnotenough;Itiredoftheroutineofeightyearsinoneafternoon。Idesiredliberty;forlibertyIgasped;forlibertyIutteredaprayer;itseemedscatteredonthewindthenfaintlyblowing。Iabandoneditandframedahumblersupplication;forchange，stimulus:thatpetition，too，seemedsweptoffintovaguespace:“Then，”Icried，halfdesperate，“grantmeatleastanewservitude！”
Hereabell，ringingthehourofsupper，calledmedownstairs。
Iwasnotfreetoresumetheinterruptedchainofmyreflectionstillbedtime:eventhenateacherwhooccupiedthesameroomwithmekeptmefromthesubjecttowhichIlongedtorecur，byaprolongedeffusionofsmalltalk。HowIwishedsleepwouldsilenceher。Itseemedasif，couldIbutgobacktotheideawhichhadlastenteredmymindasIstoodatthewindow，someinventivesuggestionwouldriseformyrelief。
MissGrycesnoredatlast;shewasaheavyWelshwoman，andtillnowherhabitualnasalstrainshadneverbeenregardedbymeinanyotherlightthanasanuisance;to—nightIhailedthefirstdeepnoteswithsatisfaction;Iwasdebarrassedofinterruption;myhalf—effacedthoughtinstantlyrevived。
“Anewservitude！Thereissomethinginthat，”Isoliloquised（mentally，beitunderstood;Ididnottalkaloud），“Iknowthereis，becauseitdoesnotsoundtoosweet;itisnotlikesuchwordsasLiberty，Excitement，Enjoyment:delightfulsoundstruly;butnomorethansoundsforme;andsohollowandfleetingthatitismerewasteoftimetolistentothem。ButServitude！Thatmustbematteroffact。Anyonemayserve:Ihaveservedhereeightyears;nowallIwantistoserveelsewhere。CanInotgetsomuchofmyownwill？Isnotthethingfeasible？Yes—yes—theendisnotsodifficult;ifIhadonlyabrainactiveenoughtoferretoutthemeansofattainingit。”
Isatupinbedbywayofarousingthissaidbrain:itwasachillynight;Icoveredmyshoulderswithashawl，andthenIproceededTOthinkagainwithallmymight。
“WhatdoIwant？Anewplace，inanewhouse，amongstnewfaces，undernewcircumstances:Iwantthisbecauseitisofnousewantinganythingbetter。Howdopeopledotogetanewplace？Theyapplytofriends，Isuppose:Ihavenofriends。Therearemanyotherswhohavenofriends，whomustlookaboutforthemselvesandbetheirownhelpers;andwhatistheirresource？”
Icouldnottell:nothingansweredme;Ithenorderedmybraintofindaresponse，andquickly。Itworkedandworkedfaster:Ifeltthepulsesthrobinmyheadandtemples;butfornearlyanhouritworkedinchaos;andnoresultcameofitsefforts。Feverishwithvainlabour，Igotupandtookaturnintheroom;undrewthecurtain，notedastarortwo，shiveredwithcold，andagaincrepttobed。
Akindfairy，inmyabsence，hadsurelydroppedtherequiredsuggestiononmypillow;forasIlaydown，itcamequietlyandnaturallytomymind。—“Thosewhowantsituationsadvertise;youmustadvertiseinthe—shireHerald。”
“How？Iknownothingaboutadvertising。”
Repliesrosesmoothandpromptnow:—
“YoumustenclosetheadvertisementandthemoneytopayforitunderacoverdirectedtotheeditoroftheHerald;youmustputit，thefirstopportunityyouhave，intothepostatLowton;answersmustbeaddressedtoJ。E。，atthepost—officethere;youcangoandinquireinaboutaweekafteryousendyourletter，ifanyarecome，andactaccordingly。”
ThisschemeIwentovertwice，thrice;itwasthendigestedinmymind;Ihaditinaclearpracticalform:Ifeltsatisfied，andfellasleep。
Withearliestday，Iwasup:Ihadmyadvertisementwritten，enclosed，anddirectedbeforethebellrangtorousetheschool;itranthus:—
“Ayoungladyaccustomedtotuition”（hadInotbeenateachertwoyears？）“isdesirousofmeetingwithasituationinaprivatefamilywherethechildrenareunderfourteen（IthoughtthatasIwasbarelyeighteen，itwouldnotdotoundertaketheguidanceofpupilsnearermyownage）。SheisqualifiedtoteachtheusualbranchesofagoodEnglisheducation，togetherwithFrench，Drawing，andMusic”（inthosedays，reader，thisnownarrowcatalogueofaccomplishments，wouldhavebeenheldtolerablycomprehensive）。“Address，J。E。，Post—office，Lowton，—shire。”
Thisdocumentremainedlockedinmydrawerallday:aftertea，IaskedleaveofthenewsuperintendenttogotoLowton，inordertoperformsomesmallcommissionsformyselfandoneortwoofmyfellow—teachers;permissionwasreadilygranted;Iwent。Itwasawalkoftwomiles，andtheeveningwaswet，butthedayswerestilllong;Ivisitedashoportwo，slippedtheletterintothepost—office，andcamebackthroughheavyrain，withstreaminggarments，butwitharelievedheart。
Thesucceedingweekseemedlong:itcametoanendatlast，however，likeallsublunarythings，andoncemore，towardsthecloseofapleasantautumnday，IfoundmyselfafootontheroadtoLowton。Apicturesquetrackitwas，bytheway;lyingalongthesideofthebeckandthroughthesweetestcurvesofthedale:butthatdayIthoughtmoreoftheletters，thatmightormightnotbeawaitingmeatthelittleburghwhitherIwasbound，thanofthecharmsofleaandwater。
Myostensibleerrandonthisoccasionwastogetmeasuredforapairofshoes;soIdischargedthatbusinessfirst，andwhenitwasdone，Isteppedacrossthecleanandquietlittlestreetfromtheshoemaker’stothepost—office:itwaskeptbyanolddame，whoworehornspectaclesonhernose，andblackmittensonherhands。
“ArethereanylettersforJ。E。？”Iasked。
Shepeeredatmeoverherspectacles，andthensheopenedadrawerandfumbledamongitscontentsforalongtime，solongthatmyhopesbegantofalter。Atlast，havingheldadocumentbeforeherglassesfornearlyfiveminutes，shepresenteditacrossthecounter，accompanyingtheactbyanotherinquisitiveandmistrustfulglance—itwasforJ。E。
“Isthereonlyone？”Idemanded。
“Therearenomore，”saidshe;andIputitinmypocketandturnedmyfacehomeward:Icouldnotopenitthen;rulesobligedmetobebackbyeight，anditwasalreadyhalf—pastseven。
Variousdutiesawaitedmeonmyarrival。Ihadtositwiththegirlsduringtheirhourofstudy;thenitwasmyturntoreadprayers;toseethemtobed:afterwardsIsuppedwiththeotherteachers。Evenwhenwefinallyretiredforthenight，theinevitableMissGrycewasstillmycompanion:wehadonlyashortendofcandleinourcandlestick，andIdreadedlestsheshouldtalktillitwasallburntout;fortunately，however，theheavysuppershehadeatenproducedasoporificeffect:shewasalreadysnoringbeforeIhadfinishedundressing。Therestillremainedaninchofcandle:Inowtookoutmyletter;thesealwasaninitialF。;Ibrokeit;thecontentswerebrief。
“IfJ。E。，whoadvertisedinthe—shireHeraldoflastThursday，possessestheacquirementsmentioned，andifsheisinapositiontogivesatisfactoryreferencesastocharacterandcompetency，asituationcanbeofferedherwherethereisbutonepupil，alittlegirl，undertenyearsofage;andwherethesalaryisthirtypoundsperannum。J。E。isrequestedtosendreferences，name，address，andallparticularstothedirection:—
“Mrs。Fairfax，Thornfield，nearMillcote，—shire。”
Iexaminedthedocumentlong:thewritingwasold—fashionedandratheruncertain，likethatofinelderlylady。Thiscircumstancewassatisfactory:aprivatefearhadhauntedme，thatinthusactingformyself，andbymyownguidance，Irantheriskofgettingintosomescrape;and，aboveallthings，Iwishedtheresultofmyendeavourstoberespectable，proper，enrègle。InowfeltthatanelderlyladywasnobadingredientinthebusinessIhadonhand。Mrs。Fairfax！Isawherinablackgownandwidow’scap;frigid，perhaps，butnotuncivil:amodelofelderlyEnglishrespectability。Thornfield！that，doubtless，wasthenameofherhouse:aneatorderlyspot，Iwassure;thoughIfailedinmyeffortstoconceiveacorrectplanofthepremises。Millcote，—shire;IbrushedupmyrecollectionsofthemapofEngland，yes，Isawit;boththeshireandthetown。—shirewasseventymilesnearerLondonthantheremotecountywhereInowresided:thatwasarecommendationtome。Ilongedtogowheretherewaslifeandmovement:MillcotewasalargemanufacturingtownonthebanksoftheA—;abusyplaceenough，doubtless:somuchthebetter;itwouldbeacompletechangeatleast。Notthatmyfancywasmuchcaptivatedbytheideaoflongchimneysandcloudsofsmoke—“but，”Iargued，“Thornfieldwill，probably，beagoodwayfromthetown。”
Herethesocketofthecandledropped，andthewickwentout。
Nextdaynewstepsweretobetaken;myplanscouldnolongerbeconfinedtomyownbreast;Imustimparttheminordertoachievetheirsuccess。Havingsoughtandobtainedanaudienceofthesuperintendentduringthenoontiderecreation，ItoldherIhadaprospectofgettinganewsituationwherethesalarywouldbedoublewhatInowreceived（foratLowoodIonlygot￡15perannum）;andrequestedshewouldbreakthematterformetoMr。Brocklehurst，orsomeofthecommittee，andascertainwhethertheywouldpermitmetomentionthemasreferences。Sheobliginglyconsentedtoactasmediatrixinthematter。ThenextdayshelaidtheaffairbeforeMr。Brocklehurst，whosaidthatMrs。Reedmustbewrittento，asshewasmynaturalguardian。Anotewasaccordinglyaddressedtothatlady，whoreturnedforanswer，that“ImightdoasIpleased:shehadlongrelinquishedallinterferenceinmyaffairs。”Thisnotewenttheroundofthecommittee，andatlast，afterwhatappearedtomemosttediousdelay，formalleavewasgivenmetobettermyconditionifIcould;andanassuranceadded，thatasIhadalwaysconductedmyselfwell，bothasteacherandpupil，atLowood，atestimonialofcharacterandcapacity，signedbytheinspectorsofthatinstitution，shouldforthwithbefurnishedme。
ThistestimonialIaccordinglyreceivedinaboutamonth，forwardedacopyofittoMrs。Fairfax，andgotthatlady’sreply，statingthatshewassatisfied，andfixingthatdayfortnightastheperiodformyassumingthepostofgovernessinherhouse。
Inowbusiedmyselfinpreparations:thefortnightpassedrapidly。Ihadnotaverylargewardrobe，thoughitwasadequatetomywants;andthelastdaysufficedtopackmytrunk，—thesameIhadbroughtwithmeeightyearsagofromGateshead。
Theboxwascorded，thecardnailedon。Inhalf—an—hourthecarrierwastocallforittotakeittoLowton，whetherImyselfwastorepairatanearlyhourthenextmorningtomeetthecoach。Ihadbrushedmyblackstufftravelling—dress，preparedmybonnet，gloves，andmuff;soughtinallmydrawerstoseethatnoarticlewasleftbehind;andnowhavingnothingmoretodo，Isatdownandtriedtorest。Icouldnot;thoughIhadbeenonfootallday，Icouldnotnowreposeaninstant;Iwastoomuchexcited。Aphaseofmylifewasclosingto—night，anewoneopeningto—morrow:impossibletoslumberintheinterval;Imustwatchfeverishlywhilethechangewasbeingaccomplished。
“Miss，”saidaservantwhometmeinthelobby，whereIwaswanderinglikeatroubledspirit，“apersonbelowwishestoseeyou。”
“Thecarrier，nodoubt，”Ithought，andrandownstairswithoutinquiry。Iwaspassingtheback—parlourorteachers’sitting—room，thedoorofwhichwashalfopen，togotothekitchen，whensomeoneranout—
“It’sher，Iamsure！—Icouldhavetoldheranywhere！”criedtheindividualwhostoppedmyprogressandtookmyhand。
Ilooked:Isawawomanattiredlikeawell—dressedservant，matronly，yetstillyoung;verygood—looking，withblackhairandeyes，andlivelycomplexion。
“Well，whoisit？”sheasked，inavoiceandwithasmileIhalfrecognised;“you’venotquiteforgottenme，Ithink，MissJane？”
InanothersecondIwasembracingandkissingherrapturously:“Bessie！Bessie！Bessie！”thatwasallIsaid;whereatshehalflaughed，halfcried，andwebothwentintotheparlour。Bythefirestoodalittlefellowofthreeyearsold，inplaidfrockandtrousers。
“Thatismylittleboy，”saidBessiedirectly。
“Thenyouaremarried，Bessie？”
“Yes;nearlyfiveyearssincetoRobertLeaven，thecoachman;andI’vealittlegirlbesidesBobbythere，thatI’vechristenedJane。”
“Andyoudon’tliveatGateshead？”
“Iliveatthelodge:theoldporterhasleft。”
“Well，andhowdotheyallgeton？Tellmeeverythingaboutthem，Bessie:butsitdownfirst;and，Bobby，comeandsitonmyknee，willyou？”butBobbypreferredsidlingovertohismother。
“You’renotgrownsoverytall，MissJane，norsoverystout，”continuedMrs。Leaven。“Idaresaythey’venotkeptyoutoowellatschool:MissReedistheheadandshoulderstallerthanyouare;andMissGeorgianawouldmaketwoofyouinbreadth。”
“Georgianaishandsome，Isuppose，Bessie？”
“Very。ShewentuptoLondonlastwinterwithhermama，andthereeverybodyadmiredher，andayounglordfellinlovewithher:buthisrelationswereagainstthematch;and—whatdoyouthink？—heandMissGeorgianamadeituptorunaway;buttheywerefoundoutandstopped。ItwasMissReedthatfoundthemout:Ibelieveshewasenvious;andnowsheandhersisterleadacatanddoglifetogether;theyarealwaysquarrelling—”
“Well，andwhatofJohnReed？”
“Oh，heisnotdoingsowellashismamacouldwish。Hewenttocollege，andhegot—plucked，Ithinktheycallit:andthenhisuncleswantedhimtobeabarrister，andstudythelaw:butheissuchadissipatedyoungman，theywillnevermakemuchofhim，Ithink。”
“Whatdoeshelooklike？”
“Heisverytall:somepeoplecallhimafine—lookingyoungman;buthehassuchthicklips。”
“AndMrs。Reed？”
“Missislooksstoutandwellenoughintheface，butIthinkshe’snotquiteeasyinhermind:Mr。John’sconductdoesnotpleaseher—hespendsadealofmoney。”
“Didshesendyouhere，Bessie？”
“No，indeed:butIhavelongwantedtoseeyou，andwhenIheardthattherehadbeenaletterfromyou，andthatyouweregoingtoanotherpartofthecountry，IthoughtI’djustsetof，andgetalookatyoubeforeyouwerequiteoutofmyreach。”
“Iamafraidyouaredisappointedinme，Bessie。”Isaidthislaughing:IperceivedthatBessie’sglance，thoughitexpressedregard，didinnoshapedenoteadmiration。
“No，MissJane，notexactly:youaregenteelenough;youlooklikealady，anditisasmuchaseverIexpectedofyou:youwerenobeautyasachild。”
IsmiledatBessie’sfrankanswer:Ifeltthatitwascorrect，butIconfessIwasnotquiteindifferenttoitsimport:ateighteenmostpeoplewishtoplease，andtheconvictionthattheyhavenotanexteriorlikelytosecondthatdesirebringsanythingbutgratification。
“Idaresayyouareclever，though，”continuedBessie，bywayofsolace。“Whatcanyoudo？Canyouplayonthepiano？”
“Alittle。”
Therewasoneintheroom;Bessiewentandopenedit，andthenaskedmetositdownandgiveheratune:Iplayedawaltzortwo，andshewascharmed。
“TheMissReedscouldnotplayaswell！”saidsheexultingly。“Ialwayssaidyouwouldsurpasstheminlearning:andcanyoudraw？”
“Thatisoneofmypaintingsoverthechimney—piece。”Itwasalandscapeinwatercolours，ofwhichIhadmadeapresenttothesuperintendent，inacknowledgmentofherobligingmediationwiththecommitteeonmybehalf，andwhichshehadframedandglazed。
“Well，thatisbeautiful，MissJane！ItisasfineapictureasanyMissReed’sdrawing—mastercouldpaint，letalonetheyoungladiesthemselves，whocouldnotcomenearit:andhaveyoulearntFrench？”
“Yes，Bessie，Icanbothreaditandspeakit。”
“Andyoucanworkonmuslinandcanvas？”
“Ican。”
“Oh，youarequitealady，MissJane！Iknewyouwouldbe:youwillgetonwhetheryourrelationsnoticeyouornot。TherewassomethingIwantedtoaskyou。Haveyoueverheardanythingfromyourfather’skinsfolk，theEyres？”
“Neverinmylife。”
“Well，youknowMissisalwayssaidtheywerepoorandquitedespicable:andtheymaybepoor;butIbelievetheyareasmuchgentryastheReedsare;foroneday，nearlysevenyearsago，aMr。EyrecametoGatesheadandwantedtoseeyou;Mississaidyouwereitschoolfiftymilesoff;heseemedsomuchdisappointed，forhecouldnotstay:hewasgoingonavoyagetoaforeigncountry，andtheshipwastosailfromLondoninadayortwo。Helookedquiteagentleman，andIbelievehewasyourfather’sbrother。”
“Whatforeigncountrywashegoingto，Bessie？”
“Anislandthousandsofmilesoff，wheretheymakewine—thebutlerdidtellme—”
“Madeira？”Isuggested。
“Yes，thatisit—thatistheveryword。”
“Sohewent？”
“Yes;hedidnotstaymanyminutesinthehouse:Missiswasveryhighwithhim;shecalledhimafterwardsa‘sneakingtradesman。’MyRobertbelieveshewasawine—merchant。”
“Verylikely，”Ireturned;“orperhapsclerkoragenttoawine—merchant。”
BessieandIconversedaboutoldtimesanhourlonger，andthenshewasobligedtoleaveme:IsawheragainforafewminutesthenextmorningatLowton，whileIwaswaitingforthecoach。WepartedfinallyatthedooroftheBrocklehurstArmsthere:eachwentherseparateway;shesetoffforthebrowofLowoodFelltomeettheconveyancewhichwastotakeherbacktoGateshead，ImountedthevehiclewhichwastobearmetonewdutiesandanewlifeintheunknownenvironsofMillcote。
Chapter11
Anewchapterinanovelissomethinglikeanewsceneinaplay;andwhenIdrawupthecurtainthistime，reader，youmustfancyyouseearoomintheGeorgeInnatMillcote，withsuchlargefiguredpaperingonthewallsasinnroomshave;suchacarpet，suchfurniture，suchornamentsonthemantelpiece，suchprints，includingaportraitofGeorgetheThird，andanotherofthePrinceofWales，andarepresentationofthedeathofWolfe。Allthisisvisibletoyoubythelightofanoillamphangingfromtheceiling，andbythatofanexcellentfire，nearwhichIsitinmycloakandbonnet;mymuffandumbrellalieonthetable，andIamwarmingawaythenumbnessandchillcontractedbysixteenhours’exposuretotherawnessofanOctoberday:IleftLowtonatfouro’clocka。m。，andtheMillcotetownclockisnowjuststrikingeight。
Reader，thoughIlookcomfortablyaccommodated，Iamnotverytranquilinmymind。Ithoughtwhenthecoachstoppedheretherewouldbesomeonetomeetme;IlookedanxiouslyroundasIdescendedthewoodenstepsthe“boots”placedformyconvenience，expectingtohearmynamepronounced，andtoseesomedescriptionofcarriagewaitingtoconveymetoThornfield。Nothingofthesortwasvisible;andwhenIaskedawaiterifanyonehadbeentoinquireafteraMissEyre，Iwasansweredinthenegative:soIhadnoresourcebuttorequesttobeshownintoaprivateroom:andhereIamwaiting，whileallsortsofdoubtsandfearsaretroublingmythoughts。
Itisaverystrangesensationtoinexperiencedyouthtofeelitselfquitealoneintheworld，cutadriftfromeveryconnection，uncertainwhethertheporttowhichitisboundcanbereached，andpreventedbymanyimpedimentsfromreturningtothatithasquitted。Thecharmofadventuresweetensthatsensation，theglowofpridewarmsit;butthenthethroboffeardisturbsit;andfearwithmebecamepredominantwhenhalf—an—hourelapsedandstillIwasalone。Ibethoughtmyselftoringthebell。
“IsthereaplaceinthisneighbourhoodcalledThornfield？”Iaskedofthewaiterwhoansweredthesummons。
“Thornfield？Idon’tknow，ma’am;I’llinquireatthebar。”Hevanished，butreappearedinstantly—
“IsyournameEyre，Miss？”
“Yes。”
“Personherewaitingforyou。”
Ijumpedup，tookmymuffandumbrella，andhastenedintotheinn—passage:amanwasstandingbytheopendoor，andinthelamp—litstreetIdimlysawaone—horseconveyance。
“Thiswillbeyourluggage，Isuppose？”saidthemanratherabruptlywhenhesawme，pointingtomytrunkinthepassage。
“Yes。”Hehoisteditontothevehicle，whichwasasortofcar，andthenIgotin;beforeheshutmeup，IaskedhimhowfaritwastoThornfield。
“Amatterofsixmiles。”
“Howlongshallwebebeforewegetthere？”
“Happenanhourandahalf。”
Hefastenedthecardoor，climbedtohisownseatoutside，andwesetoff。Ourprogresswasleisurely，andgavemeampletimetoreflect;Iwascontenttobeatlengthsoneartheendofmyjourney;andasIleanedbackinthecomfortablethoughnotelegantconveyance，Imeditatedmuchatmyease。
“Isuppose，”thoughtI，“judgingfromtheplainnessoftheservantandcarriage，Mrs。Fairfaxisnotaverydashingperson:somuchthebetter;Ineverlivedamongstfinepeoplebutonce，andIwasverymiserablewiththem。Iwonderifshelivesaloneexceptthislittlegirl;ifso，andifsheisinanydegreeamiable，Ishallsurelybeabletogetonwithher;Iwilldomybest;itisapitythatdoingone’sbestdoesnotalwaysanswer。AtLowood，indeed，Itookthatresolution，keptit，andsucceededinpleasing;butwithMrs。Reed，Iremembermybestwasalwaysspurnedwithscorn。IprayGodMrs。FairfaxmaynotturnoutasecondMrs。Reed;butifshedoes，Iamnotboundtostaywithher！lettheworstcometotheworst，Icanadvertiseagain。Howfarareweonourroadnow，Iwonder？”
Iletdownthewindowandlookedout;Millcotewasbehindus;judgingbythenumberofitslights，itseemedaplaceofconsiderablemagnitude，muchlargerthanLowton。Wewerenow，asfarasIcouldsee，onasortofcommon;buttherewerehousesscatteredalloverthedistrict;IfeltwewereinadifferentregiontoLowood，morepopulous，lesspicturesque;morestirring，lessromantic。
Theroadswereheavy，thenightmisty;myconductorlethishorsewalkalltheway，andthehourandahalfextended，Iverifybelieve，totwohours;atlastheturnedinhisseatandsaid—
“You’renoansofarfro’Thornfieldnow。”
AgainIlookedout:wewerepassingachurch;Isawitslowbroadtoweragainstthesky，anditsbellwastollingaquarter;Isawanarrowgalaxyoflightstoo，onahillside，markingavillageorhamlet。Abouttenminutesafter，thedrivergotdownandopenedapairofgates:wepassedthrough，andtheyclashedtobehindus。Wenowslowlyascendedadrive，andcameuponthelongfrontofahouse:candlelightgleamedfromonecurtainedbow—window;alltherestweredark。Thecarstoppedatthefrontdoor;itwasopenedbyamaid—servant;Ialightedandwentin。
“Willyouwalkthisway，ma’am？”saidthegirl;andIfollowedheracrossasquarehallwithhighdoorsallround:sheusheredmeintoaroomwhosedoubleilluminationoffireandcandleatfirstdazzledme，contrastingasitdidwiththedarknesstowhichmyeyeshadbeenfortwohoursinured;whenIcouldsee，however，acosyandagreeablepicturepresenteditselftomyview。
Asnugsmallroom;aroundtablebyacheerfulfire;anarm—chairhigh—backedandold—fashioned，whereinsattheneatestimaginablelittleelderlylady，inwidow’scap，blacksilkgown，andsnowymuslinapron;exactlylikewhatIhadfanciedMrs。Fairfax，onlylessstatelyandmilderlooking。Shewasoccupiedinknitting;alargecatsatdemurelyatherfeet;nothinginshortwaswantingtocompletethebeau—idealofdomesticcomfort。Amorereassuringintroductionforanewgovernesscouldscarcelybeconceived;therewasnograndeurtooverwhelm，nostatelinesstoembarrass;andthen，asIentered，theoldladygotupandpromptlyandkindlycameforwardtomeetme。
“Howdoyoudo，mydear？Iamafraidyouhavehadatediousride;Johndrivessoslowly;youmustbecold，cometothefire。”
“Mrs。Fairfax，Isuppose？”saidI。
“Yes，youareright:dositdown。”
Sheconductedmetoherownchair，andthenbegantoremovemyshawlanduntiemybonnet—strings;Ibeggedshewouldnotgiveherselfsomuchtrouble。
“Oh，itisnotrouble;Idaresayyourownhandsarealmostnumbedwithcold。Leah，makealittlehotnegusandcutasandwichortwo:herearethekeysofthestoreroom。”
Andsheproducedfromherpocketamosthousewifelybunchofkeys，anddeliveredthemtotheservant。
“Now，then，drawnearertothefire，”shecontinued。“You’vebroughtyourluggagewithyou，haven’tyou，mydear？”
“Yes，ma’am。”
“I’llseeitcarriedintoyourroom，”shesaid，andbustledout。
“Shetreatsmelikeavisitor，”thoughtI。“Ilittleexpectedsuchareception;Ianticipatedonlycoldnessandstiffness:thisisnotlikewhatIhaveheardofthetreatmentofgovernesses;butImustnotexulttoosoon。”
Shereturned;withherownhandsclearedherknittingapparatusandabookortwofromthetable，tomakeroomforthetraywhichLeahnowbrought，andthenherselfhandedmetherefreshments。IfeltratherconfusedatbeingtheobjectofmoreattentionthanIhadeverbeforereceived，and，thattoo，shownbymyemployerandsuperior;butasshedidnotherselfseemtoconsidershewasdoinganythingoutofherplace，Ithoughtitbettertotakehercivilitiesquietly。
“ShallIhavethepleasureofseeingMissFairfaxto—night？”Iasked，whenIhadpartakenofwhatsheofferedme。
“Whatdidyousay，mydear？Iamalittledeaf，”returnedthegoodlady，approachinghereartomymouth。
Irepeatedthequestionmoredistinctly。
“MissFairfax？Oh，youmeanMissVarens！Varensisthenameofyourfuturepupil。”
“Indeed！Thensheisnotyourdaughter？”
“No，—Ihavenofamily。”
Ishouldhavefollowedupmyfirstinquiry，byaskinginwhatwayMissVarenswasconnectedwithher;butIrecollecteditwasnotpolitetoasktoomanyquestions:besides，Iwassuretohearintime。
“Iamsoglad，”shecontinued，asshesatdownoppositetome，andtookthecatonherknee;“Iamsogladyouarecome;itwillbequitepleasantlivingherenowwithacompanion。Tobesureitispleasantatanytime;forThornfieldisafineoldhall，ratherneglectedoflateyearsperhaps，butstillitisarespectableplace;yetyouknowinwinter—timeonefeelsdrearyquitealoneinthebestquarters。Isayalone—Leahisanicegirltobesure，andJohnandhiswifeareverydecentpeople;butthenyouseetheyareonlyservants，andonecan’tconversewiththemontermsofequality:onemustkeepthematduedistance，forfearoflosingone’sauthority。I’msurelastwinter（itwasaverysevereone，ifyourecollect，andwhenitdidnotsnow，itrainedandblew），notacreaturebutthebutcherandpostmancametothehouse，fromNovembertillFebruary;andIreallygotquitemelancholywithsittingnightafternightalone;IhadLeahintoreadtomesometimes;butIdon’tthinkthepoorgirllikedthetaskmuch:shefeltitconfining。Inspringandsummeronegotonbetter:sunshineandlongdaysmakesuchadifference;andthen，justatthecommencementofthisautumn，littleAdelaVarenscameandhernurse:achildmakesahousealiveallatonce;andnowyouarehereIshallbequitegay。”
MyheartreallywarmedtotheworthyladyasIheardhertalk;andIdrewmychairalittlenearertoher，andexpressedmysincerewishthatshemightfindmycompanyasagreeableassheanticipated。
“ButI’llnotkeepyousittinguplateto—night，”saidshe;“itisonthestrokeoftwelvenow，andyouhavebeentravellingallday:youmustfeeltired。Ifyouhavegotyourfeetwellwarmed，I’llshowyouyourbedroom。I’vehadtheroomnexttominepreparedforyou;itisonlyasmallapartment，butIthoughtyouwouldlikeitbetterthanoneofthelargefrontchambers:tobesuretheyhavefinerfurniture，buttheyaresodrearyandsolitary，Ineversleepinthemmyself。”