An English physician, with a large family of daughters, went to reside at Brussels, for the sake of their education.  He placed them at Madame Heger’s school in July, 1842, not a month before the beginning of the grandes vacances on August 15th.  In order to make the most of their time, and become accustomed to the language, these English sisters went daily, through the holidays, to the pensionnat in the Rue d’Isabelle.  Six or eight boarders remained, besides the Miss Brontes.  They were there during the whole time, never even having the break to their monotonous life, which passing an occasional day with a friend would have afforded them; but devoting themselves with indefatigable diligence to the different studies in which they were engaged.  Their position in the school appeared, to these new comers, analogous to what is often called that of a parlour-boarder.  They prepared their French, drawing, German, and literature for their various masters; and to these occupations Emily added that of music, in which she was somewhat of a proficient; so much so as to be qualified to give instruction in it to the three younger sisters of my informant.

The school was divided into three classes.  In the first were from fifteen to twenty pupils; in the second, sixty was about the average number—­all foreigners, excepting the two Brontes and one other; in the third, there were from twenty to thirty pupils.  The first and second classes occupied a long room, divided by a wooden partition; in each division were four long ranges of desks; and at the end was the estrade, or platform, for the presiding instructor.  On the last row, in the quietest corner, sat Charlotte and Emily, side by side, so deeply absorbed in their studies as to be insensible to any noise or movement around them.  The school-hours were from nine to twelve (the luncheon hour), when the boarders and half-boarders—­perhaps two-and-thirty girls—­went to the refectoire (a room with two long tables, having an oil-lamp suspended over each), to partake of bread and fruit; the externes, or morning pupils, who had brought their own refreshment with them, adjourning to eat it in the garden.  From one to two, there was fancy-work—­a pupil reading aloud some light literature in each room; from two to four, lessons again.  At four, the externes left; and the remaining girls dined in the refectoire, M. and Madame Heger presiding.  From five to six there was recreation, from six to seven, preparation for lessons; and, after that succeeded the lecture pieuse—­Charlotte’s nightmare.  On rare occasions, M. Heger himself would come in, and substitute a book of a different and more interesting kind.  At eight, there was a slight meal of water and pistolets (the delicious little Brussels rolls), which was immediately followed by prayers, and then to bed.

The principal bedroom was over the long classe, or schoolroom.  There were six or eight narrow beds on each side of the apartment, every one enveloped in its white draping curtain; a long drawer, beneath each, served for a wardrobe, and between each was a stand for ewer, basin, and looking-glass.  The beds of the two Miss Brontes were at the extreme end of the room, almost as private and retired as if they had been in a separate apartment.