Шарлотта Бронте – Jane Eyre. An Autobiography / Джейн Эйр. Автобиография (страница 10)
“And Mrs. Reed?”
“I think she’s not quite easy in her mind: Mr. John’s conduct does not please her – he spends a deal of money.”
“Did she send you here, Bessie?”
“No, indeed: but I have long wanted to see you, and when I heard that there had been a letter from you, and that you were going to another part of the country, I thought I’d just go, and get a look at you before you went away.
“Oh, 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, one day, nearly seven years ago, a Mr. Eyre[30] 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 —”
“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. My Robert believes he was a wine-merchant.”
Bessie and I talked about old times an hour longer. We parted finally and each went her separate way; she went back to Gateshead, I took the coach which was to carry me to new duties and a new life in Millcote.
Chapter XI
I thought when the coach stopped here, there would be some one to meet me; I looked anxiously round expecting to hear my name, and to see a carriage waiting to take me to Thornfield. Finally, I found a man waiting for me.
“This will be your luggage, I suppose?” said the man when he saw me, pointing to my trunk. I asked him how far it was to Thornfield.
“A matter of six miles.”
He closed the car door, climbed to his own seat outside, and we set off. Our progress was slow, and gave me time to reflect; I was happy to be at last so near the end of my journey.
“I suppose,” thought I, “Mrs. Fairfax is not a very rich person. I wonder if she lives alone except this little girl; and if she is amiable, I shall surely get on with her; I will do my best. 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[31], 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 was much larger than Lowton. There were houses scattered all over the district; I felt we were in a different region to Lowood, more populous, less picturesque and romantic.
About ten minutes after, the driver got down and opened a pair of gates: we passed through. The car stopped at the front door; it was opened by a maidservant; I alighted and went in.
“Will you walk this way, ma’am?” said the girl; and I followed her to a small room; a round table by a cheerful fire; an arm-chair high-backed and old-fashioned, where sat the little elderly lady, in widow’s cap, black silk gown, and snowy muslin apron; exactly like what I had fancied Mrs. Fairfax. She was occupied in knitting; a large cat sat at her feet. As I entered, the old lady got up and came forward to meet me.
“How do you do, my dear? I am afraid you have had a tiring ride; John drives so slowly; you must be cold, come to the fire.”
“Mrs. Fairfax, I suppose?” said I.
“Yes, you are right: do sit down.
“Now, then,[32] draw nearer to the fire,” she continued. “You’ve brought your luggage with you, haven’t you, my dear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“She treats me like a visitor,” thought I. “I didn’t expect such a reception; I anticipated only coldness and stiffness.”
“Shall I have the pleasure of seeing Miss Fairfax to-night?” I asked.
“Miss Fairfax? Oh, you mean Miss Varens! Varens is the name of your future pupil.”
“Then she is not your daughter?”
“No, – I have no family.”
“I am so glad,” she continued, as she took the cat on her knee; “I am so glad you have come; it will be pleasant living here now with a companion. Thornfield is a fine old house, rather neglected of late years perhaps, but still it is a respectable place. I really felt lonely before little Adela Varens came and her nurse: a child makes a house alive all at once; and now you are here I shall be quite gay.”
My heart really warmed to the lady as I heard her talk.
“But I’ll not keep you sitting up late to-night,” said she; “and you have been travelling all day: you must feel tired. I’ll show you your bedroom.”
When Mrs. Fairfax had wished me a kind goodnight, I felt at last in safe haven. At once tired and happy, I slept soon and soundly[33]: when I awoke it was broad day.
The room looked such a bright little place to me that my spirits rose[34] at the view. I rose; I dressed myself with care: I sometimes regretted that I was not handsomer; I sometimes wished to have rosy cheeks, a straight nose, and small mouth; I desired to be tall, stately, and finely developed in figure; I felt it a misfortune that I was so little, so pale, and had irregular features. However, when I had brushed my hair very smooth, and put on my black frock with a clean white tucker, I thought I should produce a favourable impression on both Mrs. Fairfax and the pupil.
It was a fine autumn morning; crossing the lawn, I looked up at the front of the mansion. It was three storeys high. Farther off were hills; a little hamlet was on the side of one of them; the church of the district stood nearer Thornfield.
I was enjoying the pleasant fresh air, thinking what a great place it was for one lonely little dame like Mrs. Fairfax, when that lady appeared at the door.
“What! out already?” said she. “I see you are an early riser.” I went up to her, and she gave me an affable kiss and shake of the hand.
“How do you like Thornfield?” she asked. I told her I liked it very much.
“Yes,” she said, “it is a pretty place; but I fear it will be getting out of order, unless Mr. Rochester should decide to come and live here permanently: great houses and fine grounds require the presence of the proprietor.”
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