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having been able to fall asleep; and deeming; from the perfect silence 
of the dormitory; that my companions were all wrapt in profound 
repose… rose softly; put on my frock over my night…dress; and; without 
shoes; crept from the apartment; and set off in quest of Miss Temple's 
room。 It was quite at the other end of the house; but I knew my way; 
and the light of the unclouded summer moon; entering here and there at 
passage windows; enabled me to find it without difficulty。 An odour of 
camphor and burnt vinegar warned me when I came near the fever room: 
and I passed its door quickly; fearful lest the nurse who sat up all 
night should hear me。 I dreaded being discovered and sent back; for 
I must see Helen;… I must embrace her before she died;… I must give 
her one last kiss; exchange with her one last word。 
   Having descended a staircase; traversed a portion of the house 
below; and succeeded in opening and shutting; without noise; two 
doors; I reached another flight of steps; these I mounted; and then 
just opposite to me was Miss Temple's room。 A light shone through 
the keyhole and from under the door; a profound stillness pervaded the 
vicinity。 Coming near; I found the door slightly ajar; probably to 
admit some fresh air into the close abode of sickness。 Indisposed to 
hesitate; and full of impatient impulses… soul and senses quivering 
with keen throes… I put it back and looked in。 My eye sought Helen; 
and feared to find death。 
   Close by Miss Temple's bed; and half covered with its white 
curtains; there stood a little crib。 I saw the outline of a form under 
the clothes; but the face was hid by the hangings: the nurse I had 
spoken to in the garden sat in an easy…chair asleep; an unsnuffed 
candle burnt dimly on the table。 Miss Temple was not to be seen: I 
knew afterwards that she had been called to a delirious patient in the 
fever…room。 I advanced; then paused by the crib side: my hand was on 
the curtain; but I preferred speaking before I withdrew it。 I still 
recoiled at the dread of seeing a corpse。 
   'Helen!' I whispered softly; 'are you awake?' 
   She stirred herself; put back the curtain; and I saw her face; 
pale; wasted; but quite composed: she looked so little changed that my 
fear was instantly dissipated。 
   'Can it be you; Jane?' she asked; in her own gentle voice。 
   'Oh!' I thought; 'she is not going to die; they are mistaken: she 
could not speak and look so calmly if she were。' 
   I got on to her crib and kissed her: her forehead was cold; and her 
cheek both cold and thin; and so were her hand and wrist; but she 
smiled as of old。 
   'Why are you come here; Jane? It is past eleven o'clock: I heard it 
strike some minutes since。' 
   'I came to see you; Helen: I heard you were very ill; and I could 
not sleep till I had spoken to you。' 
   'You came to bid me good…bye; then: you are just in time probably。' 
   'Are you going somewhere; Helen? Are you going home?' 
   'Yes; to my long home… my last home。' 
   'No; no; Helen!' I stopped; distressed。 While I tried to devour 
my tears; a fit of coughing seized Helen; it did not; however; wake 
the nurse; when it was over; she lay some minutes exhausted; then 
she whispered… 
   'Jane; your little feet are bare; lie down and cover yourself 
with my quilt。' 
   I did so: she put her arm over me; and I nestled close to her。 
After a long silence; she resumed; still whispering… 
   'I am very happy; Jane; and when you hear that I am dead; you 
must be sure and not grieve: there is nothing to grieve about。 We 
all must die one day; and the illness which is removing me is not 
painful; it is gentle and gradual: my mind is at rest。 I leave no 
one to regret me much: I have only a father; and he is lately married; 
and will not miss me。 By dying young; I shall escape great sufferings。 
I had not qualities or talents to make my way very well in the 
world: I should have been continually at fault。' 
   'But where are you going to; Helen? Can you see? Do you know?' 
   'I believe; I have faith: I am going to God。' 
   'Where is God? What is God?' 
   'My Maker and yours; who will never destroy what He created。 I rely 
implicitly on His power; and confide wholly in His goodness: I count 
the hours till that eventful one arrives which shall restore me to 
Him; reveal Him to me。' 
   'You are sure; then; Helen; that there is such a place as heaven; 
and that our souls can get to it when we die?' 
   'I am sure there is a future state; I believe God is good; I can 
resign my immortal part to Him without any misgiving。 God is my 
father; God is my friend: I love Him; I believe He loves me。' 
   'And shall I see you again; Helen; when I die?' 
   'You will come to the same region of happiness: be received by 
the same mighty; universal Parent; no doubt; dear Jane。' 
   Again I questioned; but this time only in thought。 'Where is that 
region? Does it exist?' And I clasped my arms closer around Helen; she 
seemed dearer to me than ever; I felt as if I could not let her go; 
I lay with my face hidden on her neck。 Presently she said; in the 
sweetest tone… 
   'How comfortable I am! That last fit of coughing has tired me a 
little; I feel as if I could sleep: but don't leave me; Jane; I like 
to have you near me。' 
   'I'll stay with you; dear Helen: no one shall take me away。' 
   'Are you warm; darling?' 
   'Yes。' 
   'Good…night; Jane。' 
   'Good…night; Helen。' 
   She kissed me; and I her; and we both soon slumbered。 
   When I awoke it was day: an unusual movement roused me; I looked 
up; I was in somebody's arms; the nurse held me; she was carrying me 
through the passage back to the dormitory。 I was not reprimanded for 
leaving my bed; people had something else to think about; no 
explanation was afforded then to my many questions; but a day or two 
afterwards I learned that Miss Temple; on returning to her own room at 
dawn; had found me laid in the little crib; my face against Helen 
Burns's shoulder; my arms round her neck。 I was asleep; and Helen was… 
dead。 
   Her grave is in Brocklebridge churchyard: for fifteen years after 
her death it was only covered by a grassy mound; but now a grey marble 
tablet marks the spot; inscribed with her name; and the word 
'Resurgam。' 


                          CHAPTER X 

   HITHERTO I have recorded in detail the events of my insignificant 
existence: to the first ten years of my life I have given almost as 
many chapters。 But this is not to be a regular autobiography: I am 
only bound to invoke Memory where I know her responses will possess 
some degree of interest; therefore I now pass a space of eight years 
almost in silence: a few lines only are necessary to keep up the links 
of connection。 
   When the typhus fever had fulfilled its mission of devastation at 
Lowood; it gradually disappeared from thence; but not till its 
virulence and the number of its victims had drawn public attention 
on the school。 Inquiry was made into the origin of the scourge; and by 
degrees various facts came out which excited public indignation in a 
high degree。 The unhealthy nature of the site; the quantity and 
quality of the children's food; the brackish; fetid water used in 
its preparation; the pupils' wretched clothing and accommodations… all 
these things were discovered; and the discovery produced a result 
mortifying to Mr。 Brocklehurst; but beneficial to the institution。 
   Several wealthy and benevolent individuals in the county subscribed 
largely for the erection of a more convenient building in a better 
situation; new regulations were made; improvements in diet and 
clothing introduced; the funds of the school were intrusted to the 
management of a committee。 Mr。 Brocklehurst; who; from his wealth 
and family connections; could not be overlooked; still retained the 
post of treasurer; but he was aided in the discharge of his duties 
by gentlemen of rather more enlarged and sympathising minds: his 
office of inspector; too; was shared by those who knew how to 
combine reason with strictness; comfort with economy; compassion 
with uprightness。 The school; thus improved; became in time a truly 
useful and noble institution。 I remained an inmate of its walls; after 
its regeneration; for eight years: six as pupil; and two as teacher; 
and in both capacities I bear my testimony to its value and 
importance。 
   During these eight years my life was uniform: but not unhappy; 
because it was not inactive。 I had the means of an excellent education 
placed within my reach; a fondness for some of my studies; and a 
desire to excel in all; together with a great delight in pleasing my 
teachers; especially such as I loved; urged me on: I availed myself 
fully of the advantages offered me。 In time I rose to be the first 
girl of the first class; then I was invested with the office of 
teacher; which I discharged with zeal for two years: but at the end of 
that time I altered。 
   Miss Temple; through all changes; had thus far continued 
superintendent of the seminary: to her instruction I owed the best 
part of my acquirements; her friendship and society had been my 
continual

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