whosaidthatMrs.Reedmustbewrittento,asshewasmynaturalguardian.Anotewasacclyaddressedtothatlady,whoreturnedforahat“ImightdoasIpleased:shehadlongrelinquishedallinterferenmyaffairs.”Thistheroundoftheittee,andatlast,afterearedtomemosttediousdelay,formalleavewasgiveobettermyditionifIcould;andanassuranceadded,thatasIhadalwaysductedmyselfwell,bothasteacherandpupil,atLowood,atestimonialofcharacterandcapacity,sigheiorsofthatinstitution,shouldforthwithbefurnishedme.

    ThistestimonialIacclyreceivedinaboutamonth,forwardedacopyofittoMrs.Fairfax,andgotthatlady’sreply,statingthatshewassatisfied,andfixingthatdayfhtastheperiodformyassumiofgovernessinherhouse.

    Inowbusiedmyselfinpreparations:thefhtpassedrapidly.Ihadnotaverylargewardrobe,thoughitwasadequatetomywants;adaysufficedtopackmytrunk,—thesameIhadbroughtwithmeeightyearsagateshead.

    Theboxwascorded,theailedon.Inhalf-an-hourthecarrierwastocallforittotakeittoLowtoherImyselfwastorepairatanearlyhourthemtomeetthecoach.Ihadbrushedmyblackstufftravelling-dress,preparedmybo,gloves,andmuff;soughtinallmydrawerstoseethatnoarticlewasleftbehind;andnowhavingnothingmoretodo,Isatdownandtriedtorest.Icouldnot;thoughIhadbeenonfootallday,Icouldnotnowreposeaninstant;Iwastoomuchexcited.Aphaseofmylifewasclosingto-night,anewoneopeningto-morrow:impossibletoslumberierval;Imustwatchfeverishlywhilethegewasbeingaplished.

    “Miss,”saidaservantwhometmeinthelobby,whereIwaswanderinglikeatroubledspirit,“apersonbelowwishestoseeyou.”

    “Thecarrier,n