" And so ended the first, last,
and only difference Charlotte ever had with good, kind Miss W ---.
Still her heart had received a shock in the perception of Anne's
delicacy; and all these holidays she watched over her with the longing,
fond anxiety, which is so full of sudden pangs of fear.
Emily had given up her situation in the Halifax school, at the expiration
of six months of arduous trial, on account of her health, which could
only be re-established by the bracing moorland air and free life of home.
Tabby's illness had preyed on the family resources. I doubt whether
Branwell was maintaining himself at this time. For some unexplained
reason, he had given up the idea of becoming a student of painting at the
Royal Academy, and his prospects in life were uncertain, and had yet to
be settled. So Charlotte had quietly to take up her burden of teaching
again, and return to her previous monotonous life.
Brave heart, ready to die in harness! She went back to her work, and
made no complaint, hoping to subdue the weakness that was gaining ground
upon her. About this time, she would turn sick and trembling at any
sudden noise, and could hardly repress her screams when startled. This
showed a fearful degree of physical weakness in one who was generally so
self-controlled; and the medical man, whom at length, through Miss W---'s
entreaty, she was led to consult, insisted on her return to the
parsonage.
Pages:
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216