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high up against the wall filled with musical instruments。 Here I 
walked about for a long time; feeling very strange; and mortally 
apprehensive of some one coming in and kidnapping me; for I believed 
in kidnappers; their exploits having frequently figured in Bessie's 
fireside chronicles。 At last the guard returned; once more I was 
stowed away in the coach; my protector mounted his own seat; sounded 
   The afternoon came on wet and somewhat misty: as it waned into 
dusk; I began to feel that we were getting very far indeed from 
Gateshead: we ceased to pass through towns; the country changed; great 
grey hills heaved up round the horizon: as twilight deepened; we 
descended a valley; dark with wood; and long after night had 
overclouded the prospect; I heard a wild wind rushing amongst trees。 
   Lulled by the sound; I at last dropped asleep; I had not long 
slumbered when the sudden cessation of motion awoke me; the coach…door 
was open; and a person like a servant was standing at it: I saw her 
face and dress by the light of the lamps。 
   'Is there a little girl called Jane Eyre here?' she asked。 I 
answered 'Yes'; and was then lifted out; my trunk was handed down; and 
the coach instantly drove away。 
   I was stiff with long sitting; and bewildered with the noise and 
motion of the coach: gathering my faculties; I looked about me。 
Rain; wind; and darkness filled the air; nevertheless; I dimly 
discerned a wall before me and a door open in it; through this door 
I passed with my new guide: she shut and locked it behind her。 There 
was now visible a house or houses… for the building spread far… with 
many windows; and lights burning in some; we went up a broad pebbly 
path; splashing wet; and were admitted at a door; then the servant led 
me through a passage into a room with a fire; where she left me alone。 
   I stood and warmed my numbed fingers over the blaze; then I 
looked round; there was no candle; but the uncertain light from the 
hearth showed; by intervals; papered walls; carpet; curtains; 
shining mahogany furniture: it was a parlour; not so spacious or 
splendid as the drawing…room at Gateshead; but comfortable enough。 I 
was puzzling to make out the subject of a picture on the wall; when 
the door opened; and an individual carrying a light entered; another 
followed close behind。 
   The first was a tall lady with dark hair; dark eyes; and a pale and 
large forehead; her figure was partly enveloped in a shawl; her 
countenance was grave; her bearing erect。 
   'The child is very young to be sent alone;' said she; putting her 
candle down on the table。 She considered me attentively for a minute 
or two; then further added… 
   'She had better be put to bed soon; she looks tired: are you 
tired?' she asked; placing her hand on my shoulder。 
   'A little; ma'am。' 
   'And hungry too; no doubt: let her have some supper before she goes 
to bed; Miss Miller。 Is this the first time you have left your parents 
to come to school; my little girl?' 
   I explained to her that I had no parents。 She inquired how long 
they had been dead: then how old I was; what was my name; whether I 
could read; write; and sew a little: then she touched my cheek 
gently with her forefinger; and saying; 'She hoped I should be a 
good child;' dismissed me along with Miss Miller。 
   The lady I had left might be about twenty…nine; the one who went 
with me appeared some years younger: the first impressed me by her 
voice; look; and air。 Miss Miller was more ordinary; ruddy in 
complexion; though of a careworn countenance; hurried in gait and 
action; like one who had always a multiplicity of tasks on hand: she 
looked; indeed; what I afterwards found she really was; an 
under…teacher。 Led by her; I passed from compartment to compartment; 
from passage to passage; of a large and irregular building; till; 
emerging from the total and somewhat dreary silence pervading that 
portion of the house we had traversed; we came upon the hum of many 
voices; and presently entered a wide; long room; with great deal 
tables; two at each end; on each of which burnt a pair of candles; and 
seated all round on benches; a congregation of girls of every age; 
from nine or ten to twenty。 Seen by the dim light of the dips; their 
number to me appeared countless; though not in reality exceeding 
eighty; they were uniformly dressed in brown stuff frocks of quaint 
fashion; and long holland pinafores。 It was the hour of study; they 
were engaged in conning over their to…morrow's task; and the hum I had 
heard was the combined result of their whispered repetitions。 
   Miss Miller signed to me to sit on a bench near the door; then 
walking up to the top of the long room she cried out… 
   'Monitors; collect the lesson…books and put them away!' 
   Four tall girls arose from different tables; and going round; 
gathered the books and removed them。 Miss Miller again gave the word 
of command… 
   'Monitors; fetch the supper…trays!' 
   The tall girls went out and returned presently; each bearing a 
tray; with portions of something; I knew not what; arranged thereon; 
and a pitcher of water and mug in the middle of each tray。 The 
portions were handed round; those who liked took a draught of the 
water; the mug being common to all。 When it came to my turn; I 
drank; for I was thirsty; but did not touch the food; excitement and 
fatigue rendering me incapable of eating; I now saw; however; that 
it was a thin oaten cake shared into fragments。 
   The meal over; prayers were read by Miss Miller; and the classes 
filed off; two and two; upstairs。 Overpowered by this time with 
weariness; I scarcely noticed what sort of a place the bedroom was; 
except that; like the schoolroom; I saw it was very long。 To…night I 
was to be Miss Miller's bed…fellow; she helped me to undress: when 
laid down I glanced at the long rows of beds; each of which was 
quickly filled with two occupants; in ten minutes the single light was 
extinguished; and amidst silence and complete darkness I fell asleep。 
   The night passed rapidly: I was too tired even to dream; I only 
once awoke to hear the wind rave in furious gusts; and the rain fall 
in torrents; and to be sensible that Miss Miller had taken her place 
by my side。 When I again unclosed my eyes; a loud bell was ringing; 
the girls were up and dressing; day had not yet begun to dawn; and a 
rushlight or two burned in the room。 I too rose reluctantly; it was 
bitter cold; and I dressed as well as I could for shivering; and 
washed when there was a basin at liberty; which did not occur soon; as 
there was but one basin to six girls; on the stands down the middle of 
the room。 Again the bell rang; all formed in file; two and two; and in 
that order descended the stairs and entered the cold and dimly lit 
schoolroom: here prayers were read by Miss Miller; afterwards she 
called out… 
   'Form classes!' 
   A great tumult succeeded for some minutes; during which Miss Miller 
repeatedly exclaimed; 'Silence!' and 'Order!' When it subsided; I 
saw them all drawn up in four semicircles; before four chairs; 
placed at the four tables; all held books in their hands; and a 
great book; like a Bible; lay on each table; before the vacant seat。 A 
pause of some seconds succeeded; filled up by the low; vague hum of 
numbers; Miss Miller walked from class to class; hushing this 
indefinite sound。 
   A distant bell tinkled: immediately three ladies entered the 
room; each walked to a table and took her seat; Miss Miller assumed 
the fourth vacant chair; which was that nearest the door; and around 
which the smallest of the children were assembled: to this inferior 
class I was called; and placed at the bottom of it。 
   Business now began: the day's Collect was repeated; then certain 
texts of Scripture were said; and to these succeeded a protracted 
reading of chapters in the Bible; which lasted an hour。 By the time 
that exercise was terminated; day had fully dawned。 The 
indefatigable bell now sounded for the fourth time: the classes were 
marshalled and marched into another room to breakfast: how glad I 
was to behold a prospect of getting something to eat! I was now nearly 
sick from inanition; having taken so little the day before。 
   The refectory was a great; low…ceiled; gloomy room; on two long 
tables smoked basins of something hot; which; however; to my dismay; 
sent forth an odour far from inviting。 I saw a universal manifestation 
of discontent when the fumes of the repast met the nostrils of those 
destined to swallow it; from the van of the procession; the tall girls 
of the first class; rose the whispered words… 
   'Disgusting! The porridge is burnt again!' 
   'Silence!' ejaculated a voice; not that of Miss Miller; but one 
of the upper teachers; a little and dark personage; smartly dressed; 
but of somewhat morose aspect; who installed herself at the top of one 
table; while a more buxom lady presided at the other。 I looked in vain 
for her I had first seen the night before; she was not visible: Miss 
Miller occupied the foot of the table where I sat; and a strange; 
foreign…looking; elderly lady; the 

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