'FagmentWelcome to consult...pointed, fo he could not stay: he was going on a voyage to a foeign county, and the ship was to sail fom London in a day o two. He looked quite a gentleman, and I believe he was you fathe’s bothe.” “What foeign county was he going to, Bessie?” “An island thousands of miles off, whee they make wine—the butle did tell me—” “Madeia?” I suggested. “Yes, that is it—that is the vey wod.” “So he went?” “Yes; he did not stay many minutes in the house: Missis was vey high with him; she called him aftewads a ‘sneaking tadesman.’ My Robet believes he was a wine-mechant.” “Vey likely,” I etuned; “o pehaps clek o agent to a wine-mechant.” Bessie and I convesed about old times an hou longe, and Chalotte Bont. ElecBook Classics fJane Eye 133 then she was obliged to leave me: I saw he again fo a few minutes the next moning at Lowton, while I was waiting fo the coach. We pated finally at the doo of the Bocklehust Ams thee: each went he sepaate way; she set off fo the bow of Lowood Fell to meet the conveyance which was to take he back to Gateshead, I mounted the vehicle which was to bea me to new duties and a new life in the unknown envions of Millcote. Chalotte Bont. ElecBook Classics fJane Eye 134 Chapte XI Anew chapte in a novel is something like a new scene in a play; and when I daw up the cutain this time, eade, you must fancy you see a oom in the Geoge Inn at Millcote, with such lage figued papeing on the walls as inn ooms have; such a capet, such funitue, such onaments on the mantelpiece, such pints, including a potait of Geoge the Thid, and anothe of the Pince of Wales, and a epesentation of the death of Wolfe. All this is visible to you by the light of an oil lamp hanging fom the ceiling, and by that of an excellent fie, nea which I sit in my cloak and bonnet; my muff and umbella lie on the table, and I am waming away the numbness and chill contacted by sixteen hous’ exposue to the awness of an Octobe day: I left Lowton at fou o’clock a.m., and the Millcote town clock is now just stiking eight. Reade, though I look comfotably accommodated, I am not vey tanquil in my mind. I thought when the coach stopped hee thee would be some one to meet me; I looked anxiously ound as I descended the wooden steps the “boots” placed fo my convenience, expecting to hea my name ponounced, and to see some deion of caiage waiting to convey me to Thonfield. Nothing of the sot was visible; and when I asked a waite if any one had been to inquie afte a Miss Eye, I was answeed in the negative: so I had no esouce but to equest to be shown into a pivate oom: and hee I am waiting, while all sots of doubts and feas ae toubling my thoughts. It is a vey stange sensation to inexpeienced youth to feel Chalotte Bont. ElecBook Classics fJane Eye 135 itself quite alone in the wold, cut adift fom evey connection, uncetain whethe the pot to which it is bound can be eached, and pevented by many impediments fom etuning to that it has quitted. The cham of adventue sweetens that sensation, the glow of pide wams it; but then the thob of fea distubs it; and fea with me became pedominant when half-an-hou elapsed and still I was alone. I bethought myself to ing the bell. “Is thee a place in this neighbouhood called Thonfield?” I asked of the waite who answeed the summons. “Thonfield? I don’t know, ma’am; I’ll inquie at the ba.” He vanished, but eappeaed instantly— “Is you name Eye, Miss?” “Yes.” “Peson hee waiting fo you.” I jumped up, took my muff and umbella, and hastened into
