Page:The life of Charlotte Brontë (IA lifeofcharlotteb02gaskrich).pdf/341

 sad days and broken nights. Write and tell me about Mrs. 's case; how long was she ill, and in what way? Papa—thank God!—is better. Our poor old Tabby is dead and buried. Give my kind love to Miss Wooler. May God comfort and help you. 2em

The other—also in faint, faint pencil marks—was to her Brussels schoolfellow.

1em

"A few lines of acknowledgment your letter shall have, whether well or ill. At present I am confined to my bed with illness, and have been so for three weeks. Up to this period, since my marriage, I have had excellent health. My husband and I live at home with my father; of course, I could not leave him. He is pretty well, better than last summer. No kinder, better husband than mine, it seems to me, there can be in the world. I do not want now for kind companionship in health and the tenderest nursing in sickness. Deeply I sympathise in all you tell me about Dr. W. and your excellent mother's anxiety. I trust he will not risk another operation. I cannot write more now; for I am much reduced and very weak. God bless you all.—Yours affectionately, 2em

I do not think she ever wrote a line again. Long days and longer nights went by; still the same relent-