“I consider it kind in aunt to consent to an extra sum for a separate room.  We shall find it a great privilege in many ways.  I regret the change from Brussels to Lille on many accounts, chiefly that I shall not see Martha.  Mary has been indefatigably kind in providing me with information.  She has grudged no labour, and scarcely any expense, to that end.  Mary’s price is above rubies.  I have, in fact, two friends—­you and her—­staunch and true, in whose faith and sincerity I have as strong a belief as I have in the Bible.  I have bothered you both—­you especially; but you always get the tongs and heap coals of fire upon my head.  I have had letters to write lately to Brussels, to Lille, and to London.  I have lots of chemises, nightgowns, pocket- handkerchiefs, and pockets to make; besides clothes to repair.  I have been, every week since I came home, expecting to see Branwell, and he has never been able to get over yet.  We fully expect him, however, next Saturday.  Under these circumstances how can I go visiting?  You tantalize me to death with talking of conversations by the fireside.  Depend upon it, we are not to have any such for many a long month to come.  I get an interesting impression of old age upon my face; and when you see me next I shall certainly wear caps and spectacles.”

CHAPTER XI

I am not aware of all the circumstances which led to the relinquishment of the Lille plan.  Brussels had had from the first a strong attraction for Charlotte; and the idea of going there, in preference to any other place, had only been given up in consequence of the information received of the second-rate character of its schools.  In one of her letters reference has been made to Mrs. Jenkins, the wife of the chaplain of the British Embassy.  At the request of his brother—­a clergyman, living not many miles from Haworth, and an acquaintance of Mr. Bronte’s—­she made much inquiry, and at length, after some discouragement in her search, heard of a school which seemed in every respect desirable.  There was an English lady who had long lived in the Orleans family, amidst the various fluctuations of their fortunes, and who, when the Princess Louise was married to King Leopold, accompanied her to Brussels, in the capacity of reader.  This lady’s granddaughter was receiving her education at the pensionnat of Madame Heger; and so satisfied was the grandmother with the kind of instruction given, that she named the establishment, with high encomiums, to Mrs. Jerkins; and, in consequence, it was decided that, if the terms suited, Miss Bronte and Emily should proceed thither.  M. Heger informs me that, on receipt of a letter from Charlotte, making very particular inquiries as to the possible amount of what are usually termed “extras,” he and his wife were so much struck by the simple earnest tone of the letter, that they said to each other:—­“These are the daughters of an English pastor, of moderate means, anxious to learn with an ulterior view of instructing others, and to whom the risk of additional expense is of great consequence.  Let us name a specific sum, within which all expenses shall be included.”