Page:The life of Charlotte Brontë (IA lifeofcharlotteb01gaskrich).pdf/116

 study economy under her careful aunt. Thus we see that, while her imagination received powerful impressions, her excellent understanding had full power to rectify them before her fancies became realities. On a scrap of paper, she has written down the following relation:—

"The following strange occurrence happened on the 22nd of June, 1830:—At that time papa was very ill, confined to his bed, and so weak that he could not rise without assistance. Tabby and I were alone in the kitchen, about half-past nine ante-meridian. Suddenly we heard a knock at the door; Tabby rose and opened it. An old man appeared, standing without, who accosted her thus:—

"Old Man.—'Does the parson live here?'

"Tabby.—'Yes.'

"Old Man.—'I wish to see him.'

"Tabby.—'He is poorly in bed.'

"Old Man.—'I have a message for him.'

"Tabby.—'Who from?'

"Old Man.—'From the Lord.'

"Tabby.—Who?

"Old Man.—'The Lord. He desires me to say that the bridegroom is coming, and that we must prepare to meet him; that the cords are about to be loosed, and the golden bowl broken; the pitcher broken at the fountain.'

"Here he concluded his discourse, and abruptly