That letter is
consecrated; no one shall ever see it, but papa and my brother and
sisters. Again I thank you. This incident, I suppose, will be
renewed no more; if I live to be an old woman, I shall remember it
thirty years hence as a bright dream. The signature which you
suspected of being fictitious is my real name. Again, therefore, I
must sign myself,
"C. Bronte.
"P.S.--Pray, sir, excuse me for writing to you a second time; I could
not help writing, partly to tell you how thankful I am for your
kindness, and partly to let you know that your advice shall not be
wasted; however sorrowfully and reluctantly it may be at first
followed.
"C. B."
I cannot deny myself the gratification of inserting Southey's reply:--
"Keswick, March 22, 1837.
"Dear Madam,
"Your letter has given me great pleasure, and I should not forgive
myself if I did not tell you so. You have received admonition as
considerately and as kindly as it was given. Let me now request that,
if you ever should come to these Lakes while I am living here, you
will let me see you. You would then think of me afterwards with the
more good-will, because you would perceive that there is neither
severity nor moroseness in the state of mind to which years and
observation have brought me.
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