At
this juncture Ellen arrives with a good-sized parcel, which, when
opened, discloses the things I required, perfectly made and of
capital useful fabric; adorned too--which seemly decoration it is but
too probable I might myself have foregone as an augmentation of
trouble not to be lightly incurred. I felt strong doubts as to my
right to profit by this sort of fairy gift, so unlooked for and so
curiously opportune; on reading the note accompanying the garments, I
am told that to accept will be to confer a favour(!) The doctrine is
too palatable to be rejected; I even waive all nice scrutiny of its
soundness--in short, I submit with as good a grace as may be.
'Ellen has only been my companion one little week. I would not have
her any longer, for I am disgusted with myself and my delays, and
consider it was a weak yielding to temptation in me to send for her
at all; but, in truth, my spirits were getting low--prostrate
sometimes, and she has done me inexpressible good. I wonder when I
shall see you at Haworth again. Both my father and the servants have
again and again insinuated a distinct wish that you should be
requested to come in the course of the summer and autumn, but I
always turned a deaf ear: "Not yet," was my thought, "I want first to
be free--work first, then pleasure.
Pages:
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421