ItwasthefifteenthofJanuary，aboutnineo’clockinthemorning:Bessiewasgonedowntobreakfast;mycousinshadnotyetbeensummonedtotheirmama;Elizawasputtingonherbonnetandwarmgarden—coattogoandfeedherpoultry，anoccupationofwhichshewasfond:andnotlesssoofsellingtheeggstothehousekeeperandhoardingupthemoneyshethusobtained。Shehadaturnfortraffic，andamarkedpropensityforsaving;shownnotonlyinthevendingofeggsandchickens，butalsoindrivinghardbargainswiththegardeneraboutflower—roots，seeds，andslipsofplants;thatfunctionaryhavingordersfromMrs。Reedtobuyofhisyoungladyalltheproductsofherparterreshewishedtosell:andElizawouldhavesoldthehairoffherheadifshecouldhavemadeahandsomeprofitthereby。Astohermoney，shefirstsecreteditinoddcorners，wrappedinaragoranoldcurl—paper;butsomeofthesehoardshavingbeendiscoveredbythehousemaid，Eliza，fearfulofonedaylosinghervaluedtreasure，consentedtointrustittohermother，atausuriousrateofinterest—fiftyorsixtypercent。;whichinterestsheexactedeveryquarter，keepingheraccountsinalittlebookwithanxiousaccuracy。
　　Georgianasatonahighstool，dressingherhairattheglass，andinterweavinghercurlswithartificialflowersandfadedfeathers，ofwhichshehadfoundastoreinadrawerintheattic。Iwasmakingmybed，havingreceivedstrictordersfromBessietogetitarrangedbeforeshereturned（forBessienowfrequentlyemployedmeasasortofunder—nurserymaid，totidytheroom，dustthechairs，&c。）。Havingspreadthequiltandfoldedmynight—dress，Iwenttothewindow—seattoputinordersomepicture—booksanddoll’shousefurniturescatteredthere;anabruptcommandfromGeorgianatoletherplaythingsalone（forthetinychairsandmirrors，thefairyplatesandcups，wereherproperty）stoppedmyproceedings;andthen，forlackofotheroccupation，Ifelltobreathingonthefrost—flowerswithwhichthewindowwasfretted，andthusclearingaspaceintheglassthroughwhichImightlookoutonthegrounds，whereallwasstillandpetrifiedundertheinfluenceofahardfrost。
　　Fromthiswindowwerevisibletheporter’slodgeandthecarriage—road，andjustasIhaddissolvedsomuchofthesilver—whitefoliageveilingthepanesasleftroomtolookout，Isawthegatesthrownopenandacarriagerollthrough。Iwatcheditascendingthedrivewithindifference;carriagesoftencametoGateshead，butnoneeverbroughtvisitorsinwhomIwasinterested;itstoppedinfrontofthehouse，thedoor—bellrangloudly，thenew—comerwasadmitted。Allthisbeingnothingtome，myvacantattentionsoonfoundlivelierattractioninthespectacleofalittlehungryrobin，whichcameandchirrupedonthetwigsoftheleaflesscherry—treenailedagainstthewallnearthecasement。Theremainsofmybreakfastofbreadandmilkstoodonthetable，andhavingcrumbledamorselofroll，Iwastuggingatthesashtoputoutthecrumbsonthewindow—sill，whenBessiecamerunningupstairsintothenursery。
　　“MissJane，takeoffyourpinafore;whatareyoudoingthere？Haveyouwashedyourhandsandfacethismorning？”IgaveanothertugbeforeIanswered，forIwantedthebirdtobesecureofitsbread:thesashyielded;Iscatteredthecrumbs，someonthestonesill，someonthecherry—treebough，then，closingthewindow，Ireplied—
　　“No，Bessie;Ihaveonlyjustfinisheddusting。”
　　“Troublesome，carelesschild！andwhatareyoudoingnow？Youlookquitered，asifyouhadbeenaboutsomemischief:whatwereyouopeningthewindowfor？”
　　Iwassparedthetroubleofanswering，forBessieseemedintoogreatahurrytolistentoexplanations;shehauledmetothewashstand，inflictedamerciless，buthappilybriefscrubonmyfaceandhandswithsoap，water，andacoarsetowel;disciplinedmyheadwithabristlybrush，denudedmeofmypinafore，andthenhurryingmetothetopofthestairs，bidmegodowndirectly，asIwaswantedinthebreakfast—room。
　　Iwouldhaveaskedwhowantedme:IwouldhavedemandedifMrs。Reedwasthere;butBessiewasalreadygone，andhadclosedthenursery—dooruponme。Islowlydescended。Fornearlythreemonths，IhadneverbeencalledtoMrs。Reed’spresence;restrictedsolongtothenursery，thebreakfast，dining，anddrawing—roomswerebecomeformeawfulregions，onwhichitdismayedmetointrude。
　　Inowstoodintheemptyhall;beforemewasthebreakfast—roomdoor，andIstopped，intimidatedandtrembling。Whatamiserablelittlepoltroonhadfear，engenderedofunjustpunishment，madeofmeinthosedays！Ifearedtoreturntothenursery，andfearedtogoforwardtotheparlour;tenminutesIstoodinagitatedhesitation;thevehementringingofthebreakfast—roombelldecidedme;Imustenter。
　　“Whocouldwantme？”Iaskedinwardly，aswithbothhandsIturnedthestiffdoor—handle，which，forasecondortwo，resistedmyefforts。“WhatshouldIseebesidesAuntReedintheapartment？—amanorawoman？”Thehandleturned，thedoorunclosed，andpassingthroughandcurtseyinglow，Ilookedupat—ablackpillar！—such，atleast，appearedtome，atfirstsight，thestraight，narrow，sable—cladshapestandingerectontherug:thegrimfaceatthetopwaslikeacarvedmask，placedabovetheshaftbywayofcapital。
　　Mrs。Reedoccupiedherusualseatbythefireside;shemadeasignaltometoapproach;Ididso，andsheintroducedmetothestonystrangerwiththewords:“ThisisthelittlegirlrespectingwhomIappliedtoyou。”
　　HE，foritwasaman，turnedhisheadslowlytowardswhereIstood，andhavingexaminedmewiththetwoinquisitive—lookinggreyeyeswhichtwinkledunderapairofbushybrows，saidsolemnly，andinabassvoice，“Hersizeissmall:whatisherage？”
　　“Tenyears。”
　　“Somuch？”wasthedoubtfulanswer;andheprolongedhisscrutinyforsomeminutes。Presentlyheaddressedme—“Yourname，littlegirl？”
　　“JaneEyre，sir。”
　　InutteringthesewordsIlookedup:heseemedtomeatallgentleman;butthenIwasverylittle;hisfeatureswerelarge，andtheyandallthelinesofhisframewereequallyharshandprim。
　　“Well，JaneEyre，andareyouagoodchild？”
　　Impossibletoreplytothisintheaffirmative:mylittleworldheldacontraryopinion:Iwassilent。Mrs。Reedansweredformebyanexpressiveshakeofthehead，addingsoon，“Perhapsthelesssaidonthatsubjectthebetter，Mr。Brocklehurst。”
　　“Sorryindeedtohearit！sheandImusthavesometalk;”andbendingfromtheperpendicular，heinstalledhispersoninthearm—chairoppositeMrs。Reed’s。“Comehere，”hesaid。
　　Isteppedacrosstherug;heplacedmesquareandstraightbeforehim。Whatafacehehad，nowthatitwasalmostonalevelwithmine！whatagreatnose！andwhatamouth！andwhatlargeprominentteeth！
　　“Nosightsosadasthatofanaughtychild，”hebegan，“especiallyanaughtylittlegirl。Doyouknowwherethewickedgoafterdeath？”
　　“Theygotohell，”wasmyreadyandorthodoxanswer。
　　“Andwhatishell？Canyoutellmethat？”
　　“Apitfulloffire。”
　　“Andshouldyouliketofallintothatpit，andtobeburningthereforever？”
　　“No，sir。”
　　“Whatmustyoudotoavoidit？”
　　Ideliberatedamoment;myanswer，whenitdidcome，wasobjectionable:“Imustkeepingoodhealth，andnotdie。”
　　“Howcanyoukeepingoodhealth？Childrenyoungerthanyoudiedaily。Iburiedalittlechildoffiveyearsoldonlyadayortwosince，—agoodlittlechild，whosesoulisnowinheaven。Itistobefearedthesamecouldnotbesaidofyouwereyoutobecalledhence。”
　　Notbeinginaconditiontoremovehisdoubt，Ionlycastmyeyesdownonthetwolargefeetplantedontherug，andsighed，wishingmyselffarenoughaway。
　　“Ihopethatsighisfromtheheart，andthatyourepentofeverhavingbeentheoccasionofdiscomforttoyourexcellentbenefactress。”
　　“Benefactress！benefactress！”saidIinwardly:“theyallcallMrs。Reedmybenefactress;ifso，abenefactressisadisagreeablething。”
　　“Doyousayyourprayersnightandmorning？”continuedmyinterrogator。
　　“Yes，sir。”
　　“DoyoureadyourBible？”
　　“Sometimes。”
　　“Withpleasure？Areyoufondofit？”
　　“IlikeRevelations，andthebookofDaniel，andGenesisandSamuel，andalittlebitofExodus，andsomepartsofKingsandChronicles，andJobandJonah。”
　　“AndthePsalms？Ihopeyoulikethem？”
　　“No，sir。”
　　“No？oh，shocking！Ihavealittleboy，youngerthanyou，whoknowssixPsalmsbyheart:andwhenyouaskhimwhichhewouldratherhave，agingerbread—nuttoeatoraverseofaPsalmtolearn，hesays:‘Oh！theverseofaPsalm！angelssingPsalms;’sayshe，‘Iwishtobealittleangelherebelow;’hethengetstwonutsinrecompenseforhisinfantpiety。”
　　“Psalmsarenotinteresting，”Iremarked。
　　“Thatprovesyouhaveawickedheart;andyoumustpraytoGodtochangeit:togiveyouanewandcleanone:totakeawayyourheartofstoneandgiveyouaheartofflesh。”
　　Iwasabouttopropoundaquestion，touchingthemannerinwhichthatoperationofchangingmyheartwastobeperformed，whenMrs。Reedinterposed，tellingmetositdown;shethenproceededtocarryontheconversationherself。
　　“Mr。Brocklehurst，IbelieveIintimatedintheletterwhichIwrotetoyouthreeweeksago，thatthislittlegirlhasnotquitethecharacteranddispositionIcouldwish:shouldyouadmitherintoLowoodschool，Ishouldbegladifthesuperintendentandteacherswererequestedtokeepastricteyeonher，and，aboveall，toguardagainstherworstfault，atendencytodeceit。Imentionthisinyourhearing，Jane，thatyoumaynotattempttoimposeonMr。Brocklehurst。”
　　WellmightIdread，wellmightIdislikeMrs。Reed;foritwashernaturetowoundmecruelly;neverwasIhappyinherpresence;howevercarefullyIobeyed，howeverstrenuouslyIstrovetopleaseher，myeffortswerestillrepulsedandrepaidbysuchsentencesastheabove。Now，utteredbeforeastranger，theaccusationcutmetotheheart;Idimlyperceivedthatshewasalreadyobliteratinghopefromthenewphaseofexistencewhichshedestinedmetoenter;Ifelt，thoughIcouldnothaveexpressedthefeeling，thatshewassowingaversionandunkindnessalongmyfuturepath;IsawmyselftransformedunderMr。Brocklehurst’seyeintoanartful，noxiouschild，andwhatcouldIdotoremedytheinjury？
　　“Nothing，indeed，”thoughtI，asIstruggledtorepressasob，andhastilywipedawaysometears，theimpotentevidencesofmyanguish。
　　“Deceitis，indeed，asadfaultinachild，”saidMr。Brocklehurst;“itisakintofalsehood，andallliarswillhavetheirportioninthelakeburningwithfireandbrimstone;sheshall，however，bewatched，Mrs。Reed。IwillspeaktoMissTempleandtheteachers。”
　　“Ishouldwishhertobebroughtupinamannersuitingherprospects，”continuedmybenefactress;“tobemadeuseful，tobekepthumble:asforthevacations，shewill，withyourpermission，spendthemalwaysatLowood。”
　　“Yourdecisionsareperfectlyjudicious，madam，”returnedMr。Brocklehurst。“HumilityisaChristiangrace，andonepeculiarlyappropriatetothepupilsofLowood;I，therefore，directthatespecialcareshallbebestowedonitscultivationamongstthem。Ihavestudiedhowbesttomortifyinthemtheworldlysentimentofpride;and，onlytheotherday，Ihadapleasingproofofmysuccess。Myseconddaughter，Augusta，wentwithhermamatovisittheschool，andonherreturnsheexclaimed:‘Oh，dearpapa，howquietandplainallthegirlsatLowoodlook，withtheirhaircombedbehindtheirears，andtheirlongpinafores，andthoselittlehollandpocketsoutsidetheirfrocks—theyarealmostlikepoorpeople’schildren！and，’saidshe，‘theylookedatmydressandmama’s，asiftheyhadneverseenasilkgownbefore。’”
　　“ThisisthestateofthingsIquiteapprove，”returnedMrs。Reed;“hadIsoughtallEnglandover，IcouldscarcelyhavefoundasystemmoreexactlyfittingachildlikeJaneEyre。Consistency，mydearMr。Brocklehurst;Iadvocateconsistencyinallthings。”
　　“Consistency，madam，isthefirstofChristianduties;andithasbeenobservedineveryarrangementconnectedwiththeestablishmentofLowood:plainfare，simpleattire，unsophisticatedaccommodations，hardyandactivehabits;suchistheorderofthedayinthehouseanditsinhabitants。”
　　“Quiteright，sir。ImaythendependuponthischildbeingreceivedasapupilatLowood，andtherebeingtrainedinconformitytoherpositionandprospects？”
　　“Madam，youmay:sheshallbeplacedinthatnurseryofchosenplants，andItrustshewillshowherselfgratefulfortheinestimableprivilegeofherelection。”
　　“Iwillsendher，then，assoonaspossible，Mr。Brocklehurst;for，Iassureyou，Ifeelanxioustoberelievedofaresponsibilitythatwasbecomingtooirksome。”
　　“Nodoubt，nodoubt，madam;andnowIwishyougoodmorning。IshallreturntoBrocklehurstHallinthecourseofaweekortwo:mygoodfriend，theArchdeacon，willnotpermitmetoleavehimsooner。IshallsendMissTemplenoticethatsheistoexpectanewgirl，sothattherewillhenodifficultyaboutreceivingher。Good—bye。”
　　“Good—bye，Mr。Brocklehurst;remembermetoMrs。andMissBrocklehurst，andtoAugustaandTheodore，andMasterBroughtonBrocklehurst。”
　　“Iwill，madam。Littlegirl，hereisabookentitledtheChild’sGuide;readitwithprayer，especiallythatpartcontaining‘AnaccountoftheawfullysuddendeathofMarthaG—，anaughtychildaddictedtofalsehoodanddeceit。’”
　　WiththesewordsMr。Brocklehurstputintomyhandathinpamphletsewninacover，andhavingrungforhiscarriage，hedeparted。
　　Mrs。ReedandIwereleftalone:someminutespassedinsilence;shewassewing，Iwaswatchingher。Mrs。Reedmightbeatthattimesomesixorsevenandthirty;shewasawomanofrobustframe，square—shoulderedandstrong—limbed，nottall，and，thoughstout，notobese:shehadasomewhatlargeface，theunderjawbeingmuchdevelopedandverysolid;herbrowwaslow，herchinlargeandprominent，mouthandnosesufficientlyregular;underherlighteyebrowsglimmeredaneyedevoidofruth;herskinwasdarkandopaque，herhairnearlyflaxen;herconstitutionwassoundasabell—illnessnevercamenearher;shewasanexact，clevermanager;herhouseholdandtenantrywerethoroughlyunderhercontrol;herchildrenonlyattimesdefiedherauthorityandlaughedittoscorn;shedressedwell，andhadapresenceandportcalculatedtosetoffhandsomeattire。
　　Sittingonalowstool，afewyardsfromherarm—chair，Iexaminedherfigure;Iperusedherfeatures。InmyhandIheldthetractcontainingthesuddendeathoftheLiar，towhichnarrativemyattentionhadbeenpointedastoanappropriatewarning。Whathadjustpassed;whatMrs。ReedhadsaidconcerningmetoMr。Brocklehurst;thewholetenoroftheirconversation，wasrecent，raw，andstinginginmymind;IhadfelteverywordasacutelyasIhadhearditplainly，andapassionofresentmentfomentednowwithinme。
　　Mrs。Reedlookedupfromherwork;hereyesettledonmine，herfingersatthesametimesuspendedtheirnimblemovements。
　　“Gooutoftheroom;returntothenursery，”washermandate。Mylookorsomethingelsemusthavestruckherasoffensive，forshespokewithextremethoughsuppressedirritation。Igotup，Iwenttothedoor;Icamebackagain;Iwalkedtothewindow，acrosstheroom，thencloseuptoher。
　　SpeakImust:Ihadbeentroddenonseverely，andmustturn:buthow？WhatstrengthhadItodartretaliationatmyantagonist？Igatheredmyenergiesandlaunchedtheminthisbluntsentence—
　　“Iamnotdeceitful:ifIwere，IshouldsayIlovedyou;butIdeclareIdonotloveyou:IdislikeyoutheworstofanybodyintheworldexceptJohnReed;andthisbookabouttheliar，youmaygivetoyourgirl，Georgiana，foritisshewhotellslies，andnotI。”
　　Mrs。Reed’shandsstilllayonherworkinactive:hereyeoficecontinuedtodwellfreezinglyonmine。
　　“Whatmorehaveyoutosay？”sheasked，ratherinthetoneinwhichapersonmightaddressanopponentofadultagethansuchasisordinarilyusedtoachild。
　　Thateyeofhers，thatvoicestirredeveryantipathyIhad。Shakingfromheadtofoot，thrilledwithungovernableexcitement，Icontinued—
　　“Iamgladyouarenorelationofmine:IwillnevercallyouauntagainaslongasIlive。IwillnevercometoseeyouwhenIamgrownup;andifanyoneasksmehowIlikedyou，andhowyoutreatedme，Iwillsaytheverythoughtofyoumakesmesick，andthatyoutreatedmewithmiserablecruelty。”
　　“Howdareyouaffirmthat，JaneEyre？”
　　“HowdareI，Mrs。Reed？HowdareI？Becauseitisthetruth。YouthinkIhavenofeelings，andthatIcandowithoutonebitofloveorkindness;butIcannotliveso:andyouhavenopity。Ishallrememberhowyouthrustmeback—roughlyandviolentlythrustmeback—intothered—room，andlockedmeupthere，tomydyingday;thoughIwasinagony;thoughIcriedout，whilesuffocatingwithdistress，‘Havemercy！Havemercy，AuntReed！’Andthatpunishmentyoumademesufferbecauseyourwickedboystruckme—knockedmedownfornothing。Iwilltellanybodywhoasksmequestions，thisexacttale。Peoplethinkyouagoodwoman，butyouarebad，hard—hearted。Youaredeceitful！”
　　EreIhadfinishedthisreply，mysoulbegantoexpand，toexult，withthestrangestsenseoffreedom，oftriumph，Ieverfelt。Itseemedasifaninvisiblebondhadburst，andthatIhadstruggledoutintounhoped—forliberty。Notwithoutcausewasthissentiment:Mrs。Reedlookedfrightened;herworkhadslippedfromherknee;shewasliftingupherhands，rockingherselftoandfro，andeventwistingherfaceasifshewouldcry。
　　“Jane，youareunderamistake:whatisthematterwithyou？Whydoyoutremblesoviolently？Wouldyouliketodrinksomewater？”
　　“No，Mrs。Reed。”
　　“Isthereanythingelseyouwishfor，Jane？Iassureyou，Idesiretobeyourfriend。”
　　“Notyou。YoutoldMr。BrocklehurstIhadabadcharacter，adeceitfuldisposition;andI’llleteverybodyatLowoodknowwhatyouare，andwhatyouhavedone。”
　　“Jane，youdon’tunderstandthesethings:childrenmustbecorrectedfortheirfaults。”
　　“Deceitisnotmyfault！”Icriedoutinasavage，highvoice。
　　“Butyouarepassionate，Jane，thatyoumustallow:andnowreturntothenursery—there’sadear—andliedownalittle。”
　　“Iamnotyourdear;Icannotliedown:sendmetoschoolsoon，Mrs。Reed，forIhatetolivehere。”
　　“Iwillindeedsendhertoschoolsoon，”murmuredMrs。Reedsottovoce;andgatheringupherwork，sheabruptlyquittedtheapartment。
　　Iwaslefttherealone—winnerofthefield。ItwasthehardestbattleIhadfought，andthefirstvictoryIhadgained:Istoodawhileontherug，whereMr。Brocklehursthadstood，andIenjoyedmyconqueror’ssolitude。First，Ismiledtomyselfandfeltelate;butthisfiercepleasuresubsidedinmeasfastasdidtheacceleratedthrobofmypulses。Achildcannotquarrelwithitselders，asIhaddone;cannotgiveitsfuriousfeelingsuncontrolledplay，asIhadgivenmine，withoutexperiencingafterwardsthepangofremorseandthechillofreaction。Aridgeoflightedheath，alive，glancing，devouring，wouldhavebeenameetemblemofmymindwhenIaccusedandmenacedMrs。Reed:thesameridge，blackandblastedaftertheflamesaredead，wouldhaverepresentedasmeetlymysubsequentcondition，whenhalf—an—hour’ssilenceandreflectionhadshownmethemadnessofmyconduct，andthedrearinessofmyhatedandhatingposition。
　　SomethingofvengeanceIhadtastedforthefirsttime;asaromaticwineitseemed，onswallowing，warmandracy:itsafter—flavour，metallicandcorroding，gavemeasensationasifIhadbeenpoisoned。WillinglywouldInowhavegoneandaskedMrs。Reed’spardon;butIknew，partlyfromexperienceandpartlyfrominstinct，thatwasthewaytomakeherrepulsemewithdoublescorn，therebyre—excitingeveryturbulentimpulseofmynature。
　　Iwouldfainexercisesomebetterfacultythanthatoffiercespeaking;fainfindnourishmentforsomelessfiendishfeelingthanthatofsombreindignation。Itookabook—someArabiantales;Isatdownandendeavouredtoread。Icouldmakenosenseofthesubject;myownthoughtsswamalwaysbetweenmeandthepageIhadusuallyfoundfascinating。Iopenedtheglass—doorinthebreakfast—room:theshrubberywasquitestill:theblackfrostreigned，unbrokenbysunorbreeze，throughthegrounds。Icoveredmyheadandarmswiththeskirtofmyfrock，andwentouttowalkinapartoftheplantationwhichwasquitesequestrated;butIfoundnopleasureinthesilenttrees，thefallingfir—cones，thecongealedrelicsofautumn，russetleaves，sweptbypastwindsinheaps，andnowstiffenedtogether。Ileanedagainstagate，andlookedintoanemptyfieldwherenosheepwerefeeding，wheretheshortgrasswasnippedandblanched。Itwasaverygreyday;amostopaquesky，“ondingonsnaw，”canopiedall;thenceflakesfeltitintervals，whichsettledonthehardpathandonthehoaryleawithoutmelting。Istood，awretchedchildenough，whisperingtomyselfoverandoveragain，“WhatshallIdo？—whatshallIdo？”
　　AllatonceIheardaclearvoicecall，“MissJane！whereareyou？Cometolunch！”
　　ItwasBessie，Iknewwellenough;butIdidnotstir;herlightstepcametrippingdownthepath。
　　“Younaughtylittlething！”shesaid。“Whydon’tyoucomewhenyouarecalled？”
　　Bessie’spresence，comparedwiththethoughtsoverwhichIhadbeenbrooding，seemedcheerful;eventhough，asusual，shewassomewhatcross。Thefactis，aftermyconflictwithandvictoryoverMrs。Reed，Iwasnotdisposedtocaremuchforthenursemaid’stransitoryanger;andIwasdisposedtobaskinheryouthfullightnessofheart。Ijustputmytwoarmsroundherandsaid，“Come，Bessie！don’tscold。”
　　TheactionwasmorefrankandfearlessthananyIwashabituatedtoindulgein:somehowitpleasedher。
　　“Youareastrangechild，MissJane，”shesaid，asshelookeddownatme;“alittleroving，solitarything:andyouaregoingtoschool，Isuppose？”
　　Inodded。
　　“Andwon’tyoubesorrytoleavepoorBessie？”
　　“WhatdoesBessiecareforme？Sheisalwaysscoldingme。”
　　“Becauseyou’resuchaqueer，frightened，shylittlething。Youshouldbebolder。”
　　“What！togetmoreknocks？”
　　“Nonsense！Butyouareratherputupon，that’scertain。Mymothersaid，whenshecametoseemelastweek，thatshewouldnotlikealittleoneofherowntobeinyourplace。—Now，comein，andI’vesomegoodnewsforyou。”
　　“Idon’tthinkyouhave，Bessie。”
　　“Child！whatdoyoumean？Whatsorrowfuleyesyoufixonme！Well，butMissisandtheyoungladiesandMasterJohnaregoingouttoteathisafternoon，andyoushallhaveteawithme。I’llaskcooktobakeyoualittlecake，andthenyoushallhelpmetolookoveryourdrawers;forIamsoontopackyourtrunk。MissisintendsyoutoleaveGatesheadinadayortwo，andyoushallchoosewhattoysyouliketotakewithyou。”
　　“Bessie，youmustpromisenottoscoldmeanymoretillIgo。”
　　“Well，Iwill;butmindyouareaverygoodgirl，anddon’tbeafraidofme。Don’tstartwhenIchancetospeakrathersharply;it’ssoprovoking。”
　　“Idon’tthinkIshalleverbeafraidofyouagain，Bessie，becauseIhavegotusedtoyou，andIshallsoonhaveanothersetofpeopletodread。”
　　“Ifyoudreadthemthey’lldislikeyou。”
　　“Asyoudo，Bessie？”
　　“Idon’tdislikeyou，Miss;IbelieveIamfonderofyouthanofalltheothers。”
　　“Youdon’tshowit。”
　　“Youlittlesharpthing！you’vegotquiteanewwayoftalking。Whatmakesyousoventuresomeandhardy？”
　　“Why，Ishallsoonbeawayfromyou，andbesides”—IwasgoingtosaysomethingaboutwhathadpassedbetweenmeandMrs。Reed，butonsecondthoughtsIconsidereditbettertoremainsilentonthathead。
　　“Andsoyou’regladtoleaveme？”
　　“Notatall，Bessie;indeed，justnowI’mrathersorry。”
　　“Justnow！andrather！Howcoollymylittleladysaysit！IdaresaynowifIweretoaskyouforakissyouwouldn’tgiveitme:you’dsayyou’drathernot。”
　　“I’llkissyouandwelcome:bendyourheaddown。”Bessiestooped;wemutuallyembraced，andIfollowedherintothehousequitecomforted。Thatafternoonlapsedinpeaceandharmony;andintheeveningBessietoldmesomeofhermostenchainingstories，andsangmesomeofhersweetestsongs。Evenformelifehaditsgleamsofsunshine。
　　Chapter5
　　Fiveo’clockhadhardlystruckonthemorningofthe19thofJanuary，whenBessiebroughtacandleintomyclosetandfoundmealreadyupandnearlydressed。Ihadrisenhalf—an—hourbeforeherentrance，andhadwashedmyface，andputonmyclothesbythelightofahalf—moonjustsetting，whoseraysstreamedthroughthenarrowwindownearmycrib。IwastoleaveGatesheadthatdaybyacoachwhichpassedthelodgegatesatsixa。m。Bessiewastheonlypersonyetrisen;shehadlitafireinthenursery，whereshenowproceededtomakemybreakfast。Fewchildrencaneatwhenexcitedwiththethoughtsofajourney;norcouldI。Bessie，havingpressedmeinvaintotakeafewspoonfulsoftheboiledmilkandbreadshehadpreparedforme，wrappedupsomebiscuitsinapaperandputthemintomybag;thenshehelpedmeonwithmypelisseandbonnet，andwrappingherselfinashawl，sheandIleftthenursery。AswepassedMrs。Reed’sbedroom，shesaid，“WillyougoinandbidMissisgood—bye？”
　　“No，Bessie:shecametomycriblastnightwhenyouweregonedowntosupper，andsaidIneednotdisturbherinthemorning，ormycousinseither;andshetoldmetorememberthatshehadalwaysbeenmybestfriend，andtospeakofherandbegratefultoheraccordingly。”
　　“Whatdidyousay，Miss？”
　　“Nothing:Icoveredmyfacewiththebedclothes，andturnedfromhertothewall。”
　　“Thatwaswrong，MissJane。”
　　“Itwasquiteright，Bessie。YourMissishasnotbeenmyfriend:shehasbeenmyfoe。”
　　“OMissJane！don’tsayso！”
　　“Good—byetoGateshead！”criedI，aswepassedthroughthehallandwentoutatthefrontdoor。
　　Themoonwasset，anditwasverydark;Bessiecarriedalantern，whoselightglancedonwetstepsandgravelroadsoddenbyarecentthaw。Rawandchillwasthewintermorning:myteethchatteredasIhasteneddownthedrive。Therewasalightintheporter’slodge:whenwereachedit，wefoundtheporter’swifejustkindlingherfire:mytrunk，whichhadbeencarrieddowntheeveningbefore，stoodcordedatthedoor。Itwantedbutafewminutesofsix，andshortlyafterthathourhadstruck，thedistantrollofwheelsannouncedthecomingcoach;Iwenttothedoorandwatcheditslampsapproachrapidlythroughthegloom。
　　“Isshegoingbyherself？”askedtheporter’swife。
　　“Yes。”
　　“Andhowfarisit？”
　　“Fiftymiles。”
　　“Whatalongway！IwonderMrs。Reedisnotafraidtotrusthersofaralone。”
　　Thecoachdrewup;thereitwasatthegateswithitsfourhorsesanditstopladenwithpassengers:theguardandcoachmanloudlyurgedhaste;mytrunkwashoistedup;IwastakenfromBessie’sneck，towhichIclungwithkisses。
　　“Besureandtakegoodcareofher，”criedshetotheguard，asheliftedmeintotheinside。
　　“Ay，ay！”wastheanswer:thedoorwasslappedto，avoiceexclaimed“Allright，”andonwedrove。ThuswasIseveredfromBessieandGateshead;thuswhirledawaytounknown，and，asIthendeemed，remoteandmysteriousregions。
　　Irememberbutlittleofthejourney;Ionlyknowthatthedayseemedtomeofapreternaturallength，andthatweappearedtotraveloverhundredsofmilesofroad。Wepassedthroughseveraltowns，andinone，averylargeone，thecoachstopped;thehorsesweretakenout，andthepassengersalightedtodine。Iwascarriedintoaninn，wheretheguardwantedmetohavesomedinner;but，asIhadnoappetite，heleftmeinanimmenseroomwithafireplaceateachend，achandelierpendentfromtheceiling，andalittleredgalleryhighupagainstthewallfilledwithmusicalinstruments。HereIwalkedaboutforalongtime，feelingverystrange，andmortallyapprehensiveofsomeonecominginandkidnappingme;forIbelievedinkidnappers，theirexploitshavingfrequentlyfiguredinBessie’sfiresidechronicles。Atlasttheguardreturned;oncemoreIwasstowedawayinthecoach，myprotectormountedhisownseat，soundedhishollowhorn，andawaywerattledoverthe“stonystreet”ofL—。
　　Theafternooncameonwetandsomewhatmisty:asitwanedintodusk，IbegantofeelthatweweregettingveryfarindeedfromGateshead:weceasedtopassthroughtowns;thecountrychanged;greatgreyhillsheaveduproundthehorizon:astwilightdeepened，wedescendedavalley，darkwithwood，andlongafternighthadovercloudedtheprospect，Iheardawildwindrushingamongsttrees。
　　Lulledbythesound，Iatlastdroppedasleep;Ihadnotlongslumberedwhenthesuddencessationofmotionawokeme;thecoach—doorwasopen，andapersonlikeaservantwasstandingatit:Isawherfaceanddressbythelightofthelamps。
　　“IstherealittlegirlcalledJaneEyrehere？”sheasked。Ianswered“Yes，”andwasthenliftedout;mytrunkwashandeddown，andthecoachinstantlydroveaway。
　　Iwasstiffwithlongsitting，andbewilderedwiththenoiseandmotionofthecoach:Gatheringmyfaculties，Ilookedaboutme。Rain，wind，anddarknessfilledtheair;nevertheless，Idimlydiscernedawallbeforemeandadooropeninit;throughthisdoorIpassedwithmynewguide:sheshutandlockeditbehindher。Therewasnowvisibleahouseorhouses—forthebuildingspreadfar—withmanywindows，andlightsburninginsome;wewentupabroadpebblypath，splashingwet，andwereadmittedatadoor;thentheservantledmethroughapassageintoaroomwithafire，wheresheleftmealone。