Thus we see that, while her imagination received vivid
impressions, her excellent understanding had full power to rectify them
before her fancies became realities. On a scrap of paper, she has
written down the following relation:--
"June 22, 1830, 6 o'clock p.m.
"Haworth, near Bradford.
"The following strange occurrence happened on the 22nd of June,
1830:--At the time Papa was very ill, confined to his bed, and so weak
that he could not rise without assistance. Tabby and I were alone in
the kitchen, about half-past nine ante-meridian. Suddenly we heard a
knock at the door; Tabby rose and opened it. An old man appeared,
standing without, who accosted her thus:--
"_Old Man_.--'Does the parson live here?'
"_Tabby_.--'Yes.'
"_Old Man_.--'I wish to see him.'
"_Tabby_.--'He is poorly in bed.'
"_Old Man_.--'I have a message for him.'
"_Tabby_.--'Who from?'
"_Old Man_.--'From the Lord.'
"_Tabby_.--'Who?'
"_Old Man_.--'The Lord. He desires me to say that the Bridegroom is
coming, and that we must prepare to meet him; that the cords are about
to be loosed, and the golden bowl broken; the pitcher broken at the
fountain.'
"Here he concluded his discourse, and abruptly went his way. As Tabby
closed the door, I asked her if she knew him.
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