She could bear much for herself; but she could not patiently bear the sorrows of others, especially of her sisters; and again, of the two sisters, the idea of the little, gentle, youngest suffering in lonely patience, was insupportable to her.  Something must be done.  No matter if the desired end were far away; all time was lost in which she was not making progress, however slow, towards it.  To have a school, was to have some portion of daily leisure, uncontrolled but by her own sense of duty; it was for the three sisters, loving each other with so passionate an affection, to be together under one roof, and yet earning their own subsistence; above all, it was to have the power of watching over these two whose life and happiness were ever to Charlotte far more than her own.  But no trembling impatience should lead her to take an unwise step in haste.  She inquired in every direction she could, as to the chances which a new school might have of success.  In all there seemed more establishments like the one which the sisters wished to set up than could be supported.  What was to be done?  Superior advantages must be offered.  But how?  They themselves abounded in thought, power, and information; but these are qualifications scarcely fit to be inserted in a prospectus.  Of French they knew something; enough to read it fluently, but hardly enough to teach it in competition with natives or professional masters.  Emily and Anne had some knowledge of music; but here again it was doubtful whether, without more instruction, they could engage to give lessons in it.

Just about this time, Miss W—–­ was thinking of relinquishing her school at Dewsbury Moor; and offered to give it up in favour of her old pupils, the Brontes.  A sister of hers had taken the active management since the time when Charlotte was a teacher; but the number of pupils had diminished; and, if the Brontes undertook it, they would have to try and work it up to its former state of prosperity.  This, again, would require advantages on their part which they did not at present possess, but which Charlotte caught a glimpse of.  She resolved to follow the clue, and never to rest till she had reached a successful issue.  With the forced calm of a suppressed eagerness, that sends a glow of desire through every word of the following letter, she wrote to her aunt thus.

   “Dear Aunt,

   “Sept. 29th, 1841.

“I have heard nothing of Miss W—–­ yet since I wrote to her, intimating that I would accept her offer.  I cannot conjecture the reason of this long silence, unless some unforeseen impediment has occurred in concluding the bargain.  Meantime, a plan has been suggested and approved by Mr. and Mrs. —–­ " (the father and mother of her pupils) “and others, which I wish now to impart to you.  My friends recommend me, if I desire to secure permanent success, to delay commencing the school for six months longer, and by