The next day, in full family conclave, the mother asked Miss Bronte what
occasioned the mark on her forehead. She simply replied, "An accident,
ma'am," and no further inquiry was made; but the children (both brothers
and sisters) had been present, and honoured her for not "telling tales."
From that time, she began to obtain influence over all, more or less,
according to their different characters; and as she insensibly gained
their affection, her own interest in them was increasing. But one day,
at the children's dinner, the small truant of the stable-yard, in a
little demonstrative gush, said, putting his hand in hers, "I love 'ou,
Miss Bronte." Whereupon, the mother exclaimed, before all the children,
"Love the _governess_, my dear!"
"The family into which she first entered was, I believe, that of a
wealthy Yorkshire manufacturer. The following extracts from her
correspondence at this time will show how painfully the restraint of her
new mode of life pressed upon her. The first is from a letter to Emily,
beginning with one of the tender expressions in which, in spite of
'humbug,' she indulged herself. 'Mine dear love,' 'Mine-bonnie love,'
are her terms of address to this beloved sister.
"June 8th, 1839.
"I have striven hard to be pleased with my new situation. The country,
the house and the grounds are, as I have said, divine; but, alack-a-day!
there is such a thing as seeing all beautiful around you--pleasant woods,
white paths, green lawns, and blue sunshiny sky--and not having a free
moment or a free thought left to enjoy them.
Pages:
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224