hy,thereareoypeoplewhohaveheardyoucalledso,andtheworldtainshundredsofmillions.”

    “ButwhathaveItodowithmillions?Theeighty,Iknow,despiseme.”

    “Jane,youaremistaken:probablynotoheschooleitherdespisesordislikesyou:many,Iamsure,pityyoumuch.”

    “HowtheypitymeafterwhatMr.Brocklehursthassaid?”

    “Mr.Brocklehurstisnotagod:norisheeveandadmiredman:heislittlelikedhere;heookstepstomakehimselfliked.Hadhetreatedyouasanespecialfavourite,youwouldhavefoundenemies,declaredorcovert,allaroundyou;asitis,thegreaternumberwouldofferyousympathyiftheydared.Teachersandpupilsmaylookcoldlyonyouforadayortwo,butfriendlyfeelingsarecealedintheirhearts;andifyoupersevereindoihesefeelingswillerelongappearsomuchthemoreevidentlyfortheirtemporarysuppression.Besides,Jane”—shepaused.

    “Well,Helen?”saidI,puttingmyhandintohers:shechafedmyfingersgentlytowarmthem,aon—

    “Ifalltheworldhatedyou,andbelievedyouwicked,whileyourownsceapprovedyou,andabsolvedyuilt,youwouldhoutfriends.”

    “No;IknowIshouldthinkwellofmyself;butthatisnotenough:ifothersdon’tlovemeIwouldratherdiethanlive—Iotbeartobesolitaryandhated,Helen.Lookhere;togainsomerealaffefromyou,orMissTemple,oranyotherwhomItrulylove,Iwouldwillinglysubmittohavetheboneofmyarmbroken,ortoletabulltossme,ortostandbehindakighorse,adashitshoofatmychest—”

    “Hush,Jane!youthinktoomuchoftheloveofhumanbeings;youaretooimpulsive,toovehement;thesnhandthatcreatedyourframe,andputlifeintoit,hasprovidedyouwithotherresourcesthanyourfeebleself,orthauresf