Villette

here for generations, and bore, indeed, the name of their birthplace — Bretton of Bretton: whether by coincidence, or beca

large peaceful rooms, the well-arranged furniture, the clear wide windows, the balcony outside, looking down on a fine antique street

s a good deal taken notice of by Mrs. Bretton, who had been left a widow, with one son, before

ity that she had not conferred her complexion on her son, whose eyes were blue — though, even in boyhood, very piercing — and the colour of his long hair such as friends did not venture to specify, except as the sun shone on it, when they called it golden. He inherited the

hom was at that time fixed my permanent residence. I believe she then plainly saw events coming, whose very shadow I scarce

urn of Christian and Hopeful beside a certain pleasant stream, with “green trees on each bank, and meadows beautified with lilies all the year round.” The charm of variety there was not, n

d some concern. I thought at first it was from home, and trembled, expecting I know not what

ition to my own French bed in its shady recess, appeared in a corner a small crib, draped with white; and in

I asked. The answer was obvious. “A second gues

— separation by mutual consent, not after any legal process. Soon after this event, the lady having over-exerted herself at a ball, caught cold, took a fever, and died after a very brief illness. Her husband, naturally a man of very sensitive feelings, and shocked inexpressibly by too sudden communication of the news, could hardly, it seems, now be persuaded but that some over-severity on his part — some deficiency in patience and indulgence — had contributed to hasten her end. He had brooded over this idea till his spirits were seriously affected; the medical men insisted on

s scientific turn from a maternal uncle, a French savant; for he came, it seems; of mixed French and Scottish origin

one in the drawing-room waiting her coming; John Graham Bretton being absent on a visit to one of his schoolfellows who lived in the country. My

time to time. “What weather for her

I ran down into the hall; there lay a trunk and some band-boxes, beside them stood a person li

the child

, mi

to get a peep at the face, but it was has

th a sort of fastidious haste doffing the clumsy wrapping. The creature which now appeared made a deft attempt to fold the shawl; but the drapery was much too heavy and large to be

“Come and let me see if you are cold and d

pletely-fashioned little figure, light, slight, and straight. Seated on my godmother’s ample lap, she loo

e, but soon a smile answered her. Mrs. Bretton was not generally a caressing woman: even with her deeply-cherished son, her manner was

is

esides

papa cal

e content to

es home. Papa is gone away.” S

n to Polly, or

’am? Do you

hink

t: at least not for a

made a movement to leave her lap; it was at first resisted,

y. She said to me, “Take no notice at present.” But I did take notice: I watched Polly rest her small elbow on her small knee, her head on her hand; I observed her draw a square inch or two of pocket-handkerchief from the doll-pocket of her doll-skirt, and then I heard her weep. Other

urse was summ

,” said her little mistress. “

hat she had already

sleep with m

“you are to share this young

er eyes seek me. After some minutes’ sile

ght,” said she to Mrs. Bret

ht, Polly

e vanished from the drawing-room. We heard Harriet propose to carry her up-stairs. “No need,”

n in a sitting posture: her hands, placed one within the other, rested quietly on the sheet, with an old-fashioned calm most unc

y,” was t

ill take c

vered her shoulders. I suffered her to do as she pleased. Listening awhile in the dar

e washed and dressed, so small, busy, and noiseless. Evidently she was little accustomed to perform her own toilet; and the buttons, strings, hooks and eyes, offered difficulties which she encountered with a perseverance good to witness. She folded her night-dress, she smoothed th

d at the door.

e; “I have dressed myself, but I

dress yours

l” (meaning me, who now lay with my eyes shut). “I dr

want m

wanted you to go, but not now. Tie my sa

enough. What a particul

ed again. Plea

gone you must get that y

o acc

I hope you mean to behave prettily to

dress me on

l littl

straight through my hair, Harr

ll to please.

e should I go now

ou into the br

e, t

d to the door

is was papa’s house! I

od child

g her hand to her heart, and moaning

up, to check this scene wh

rning,” and then followed her nurse from the room. Harriet temporarily lef

Mary) seated at the breakfast-table, by Mrs. Bretton’s side; a mug of milk stood before her,

said Mrs. Bretton to me, “I don’t know: she tast

dence in the effects

he house, she would soon settle; but not til