ptoftheirjudgment.IknowthathadIbeenasanguine,brilliant,careless,exag,handsome,rompingchild—thoughequallydepeandfriendless—Mrs.Reedwouldhaveenduredmypresencemoreplatly;herchildrenwouldhaveeainedformemoreofthecordialityoffellow-feeling;theservantswouldhavebeenlessproomakemethescapegoatofthenursery.

    Daylightbegantoforsakethered-room;itastfouro’clodthebecloudedafternoonwastendingtodreartwilight.Iheardtherainstillbeatingtinuouslyoaircasewindow,andthewindhowlinginthegrovebehindthehall;Igrewbydegreescoldasastone,andthenmycesank.Myhabitualmoodofhumiliation,self-doubt,forlorndepression,felldampontheembersofmydegire.AllsaidIwaswicked,andperhapsImightbeso;whatthoughthadIbeenbutjustceivingofstarvingmyselftodeath?Thatcertainlywasacrime:andwasIfittodie?OrwasthevaultuhecelofGatesheadChurinvitingbourne?InsuchvaultIhadbeentolddidMr.Reedlieburied;ahisthoughttorecallhisidea,Idweltonitwithgatheringdread.Icouldnotrememberhim;butIkhathewasmyownuncle—mymother’sbrother—thathehadtakenmearentlessinfanttohishouse;andthatinhislastmomentshehadrequiredapromiseofMrs.Reedthatshewouldrearandmaintainmeasoneofherownchildren.Mrs.Reedprobablysideredshehadkeptthispromise;andsoshehad,Idaresay,aswellashernaturewouldpermither;buthowcouldshereallylikeaninterlopernotofherradunectedwithher,afterherhusband’sdeath,byamusthavebeenmostirksometofindherselfboundbyahard-wruostandieadofaparenttechildshecouldnotlove,andtoseeanungenialalienpermalyintrudedonherownfamilygroup.

    Asingularnotiondawneduponme.Idoubtednot—