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regard; did in no shape denote admiration。 
   'No; Miss Jane; not exactly: you are genteel enough; you look 
like a lady; and it is as much as ever I expected of you: you were 
no beauty as a child。' 
   I smiled at Bessie's frank answer: I felt that it was correct; 
but I confess I was not quite indifferent to its import: at eighteen 
most people wish to please; and the conviction that they have not an 
exterior likely to second that desire brings anything but 
gratification。 
   'I daresay you are clever; though;' continued Bessie; by way of 
solace。 'What can you do? Can you play on the piano?' 
   'A little。' 
   There was one in the room; Bessie went and opened it; and then 
asked me to sit down and give her a tune: I played a waltz or two; and 
she was charmed。 
   'The Miss Reeds could not play as well!' said she exultingly。 'I 
always said you would surpass them in learning: and can you draw?' 
   'That is one of my paintings over the chimney…piece。' It was a 
landscape in water colours; of which I had made a present to the 
superintendent; in acknowledgment of her obliging mediation with the 
committee on my behalf; and which she had framed and glazed。 
   'Well; that is beautiful; Miss Jane! It is as fine a picture as any 
Miss Reed's drawing…master could paint; let alone the young ladies 
themselves; who could not come near it: and have you learnt French?' 
   'Yes; Bessie; I can both read it and speak it。' 
   'And you can work on muslin and canvas?' 
   'I can。' 
   'Oh; you are quite a lady; Miss Jane! I knew you would be: you will 
get on whether your relations notice you or not。 There was something I 
wanted to ask you。 Have you ever heard anything from your father's 
kinsfolk; the Eyres?' 
   'Never in my life。' 
   'Well; you know; Missis always said they were poor and quite 
despicable: and they may be poor; but I believe they are as much 
gentry as the Reeds are; for one day; nearly seven years ago; a Mr。 
Eyre came to Gateshead and wanted to see you; Missis said you were 
at school fifty miles off; he seemed so much disappointed; for he 
could not stay: he was going on a voyage to a foreign country; and the 
ship was to sail from London in a day or two。 He looked quite a 
gentleman; and I believe he was your father's brother。' 
   'What foreign country was he going to; Bessie?' 
   'An island thousands of miles off; where they make wine… the butler 
did tell me…' 
   'Madeira?' I suggested。 
   'Yes; that is it… that is the very word。' 
   'So he went?' 
   'Yes; he did not stay many minutes in the house: Missis was very 
high with him; she called him afterwards a 〃sneaking tradesman。〃 My 
Robert believes he was a wine…merchant。' 
   'Very likely;' I returned; 'or perhaps clerk or agent to a 
wine…merchant。' 
   Bessie and I conversed about old times an hour longer; and then she 
was obliged to leave me: I saw her again for a few minutes the next 
morning at Lowton; while I was waiting for the coach。 We parted 
finally at the door of the Brocklehurst Arms there; each went her 
separate way; she set off for the brow of Lowood Fell to meet the 
conveyance which was to take her back to Gateshead; I mounted the 
vehicle which was to bear me to new duties and a new life in the 
unknown environs of Millcote。 


                          CHAPTER XI 

   A NEW chapter in a novel is something like a new scene in a play; 
and when I draw up the curtain this time; reader; you must fancy you 
see a room in the George Inn at Millcote; with such large figured 
papering on the walls as inn rooms have; such a carpet; such 
furniture; such ornaments on the mantel…piece; such prints; 
including a portrait of George the Third; and another of the Prince of 
Wales; and a representation of the death of Wolfe。 All this is visible 
to you by the light of an oil lamp hanging from the ceiling; and by 
that of an excellent fire; near which I sit in my cloak and bonnet; my 
muff and umbrella lie on the table; and I am warming away the numbness 
and chill contracted by sixteen hours' exposure to the rawness of an 
October day: I left Lowton at four o'clock A。M。; and the Millcote town 
clock is now just striking eight。 
   Reader; though I look comfortably accommodated; I am not very 
tranquil in my mind。 I thought when the coach stopped here there would 
be some one to meet me; I looked anxiously round as I descended the 
wooden steps the 'boots' placed for my convenience; expecting to 
hear my name pronounced; and to see some description of carriage 
waiting to convey me to Thornfield。 Nothing of the sort was visible; 
and when I asked a waiter if any one had been to inquire after a 
Miss Eyre; I was answered in the negative: so I had no resource but to 
request to be shown into a private room: and here I am waiting; 
while all sorts of doubts and fears are troubling my thoughts。 
   It is a very strange sensation to inexperienced youth to feel 
itself quite alone in the world; cut adrift from every connection; 
uncertain whether the port to which it is bound can be reached; and 
prevented by many impediments from returning to that it has quitted。 
The charm of adventure sweetens that sensation; the glow of pride 
warms it; but then the throb of fear disturbs it; and fear with me 
became predominant when half an hour elapsed and still I was alone。 
I bethought myself to ring the bell。 
   'Is there a place in this neighbourhood called Thornfield?' I asked 
of the waiter who answered the summons。 
   'Thornfield? I don't know; ma'am; I'll inquire at the bar。' He 
vanished; but reappeared instantly… 
   'Is your name Eyre; Miss?' 
   'Yes。' 
   'Person here waiting for you。' 
   I jumped up; took my muff and umbrella; and hastened into the 
inn…passage: a man was standing by the open door; and in the 
lamp…lit street I dimly saw a one…horse conveyance。 
   'This will be your luggage; I suppose?' said the man rather 
abruptly when he saw me; pointing to my trunk in the passage。 
   'Yes。' He hoisted it on to the vehicle; which was a sort of car; 
and then I got in; before he shut me up; I asked him how far it was to 
Thornfield。 
   'A matter of six miles。' 
   'How long shall we be before we get there?' 
   'Happen an hour and a half。' 
   He fastened the car door; climbed to his own seat outside; and we 
set off。 Our progress was leisurely; and gave me ample time to 
reflect; I was content to be at length so near the end of my 
journey; and as I leaned back in the comfortable though not elegant 
conveyance; I meditated much at my ease。 
   'I suppose;' thought I; 'judging from the plainness of the 
servant and carriage; Mrs。 Fairfax is not a very dashing person: so 
much the better; I never lived amongst fine people but once; and I was 
very miserable with them。 I wonder if she lives alone except this 
little girl; if so; and if she is in any degree amiable; I shall 
surely be able to get on with her; I will do my best; it is a pity 
that doing one's best does not always answer。 At Lowood; indeed; I 
took that resolution; kept it; and succeeded in pleasing; but with 
Mrs。 Reed; I remember my best was always spurned with scorn。 I pray 
God Mrs。 Fairfax may not turn out a second Mrs。 Reed; but if she does; 
I am not bound to stay with her! let the worst come to the worst; I 
can advertise again。 How far are we on our road now; I wonder?' 
   I let down the window and looked out; Millcote was behind us; 
judging by the number of its lights; it seemed a place of considerable 
magnitude; much larger than Lowton。 We were now; as far as I could 
see; on a sort of common; but there were houses scattered all over the 
district; I felt we were in a different region to Lowood; more 
populous; less picturesque; more stirring; less romantic。 
   The roads were heavy; the night misty; my conductor let his horse 
walk all the way; and the hour and a half extended; I verily 
believe; to two hours; at last he turned in his seat and said… 
   'You're noan so far fro' Thornfield now。' 
   Again I looked out: we were passing a church; I saw its low broad 
tower against the sky; and its bell was tolling a quarter; I saw a 
narrow galaxy of lights too; on a hillside; marking a village or 
hamlet。 About ten minutes after; the driver got down and opened a pair 
of gates: we passed through; and they clashed to behind us。 We now 
slowly ascended a drive; and came upon the long front of a house: 
candlelight gleamed from one curtained bow…window; all the rest were 
dark。 The car stopped at the front door; it was opened by a 
maid…servant; I alighted and went in。 
   'Will you walk this way; ma'am?' said the girl; and I followed 
her across a square hall with high doors all round: she ushered me 
into a room whose double illumination of fire and candle at first 
dazzled me; contrasting as it did with the darkness to which my eyes 
had been for two hours inured; when I could see; however; a cosy and 
agreeable picture presented itself to my view。 
   A snug small room; a round table by a cheerful fire; an arm…chair 
high…backed and old…fashioned; wherein sat the neatest imaginable 
little elderly lady; in widow's cap; bl

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