etimes hear small fragments of
gossip which amuse me. Somebody professes to have authority for
saying that "When Miss Bronte was in London she neglected to attend
divine service on the Sabbath, and in the week spent her time in
going about to balls, theatres, and operas." On the other hand, the
London quidnuncs make my seclusion a matter of wonder, and devise
twenty romantic fictions to account for it. Formerly I used to
listen to report with interest and a certain credulity; I am now
grown deaf and sceptical. Experience has taught me how absolutely
devoid of foundations her stories may be.

'With the sincere hope that your own health is better, and kind
remembrances to all old friends whenever you see them or write to
them (and whether or not their feeling to me has ceased to be
friendly, which I fear is the case in some instances),--I am, my dear
Miss Wooler, always yours, affectionately and respectfully,

'C. BRONTE.'

TO MISS WOOLER

'HAWORTH, _July_ 14_th_, 1851.

'MY DEAR MISS WOOLER,--My first feeling on receiving your note was
one of disappointment; but a little consideration sufficed to show me
that "all was for the best." In truth, it was a great piece of
extravagance on my part to ask you and Ellen together; it is much
better to divide such good things. To have your visit in _prospect_
will console me when hers is in _retrospect_. Not that I mean to
yield to the weakness of clinging dependently to the society of
friends, however dear, but still as an occasional treat I must value
and even seek such society as a necessary of life. Let me know,
then, whenever it suits your convenience to come to Haworth, and,
unless some change I cannot now foresee occurs, a ready and warm
welcome will await you. Should there be any cause rendering it
desirable to defer the visit, I will tell you frankly.

'The pleasures of society I cannot offer you, nor those of fine
scenery, but I place very much at your command the moors, some books,
a series of "curling-hair times," and an old pupil into the bargain.
Ellen may have told you that I have spent a month in London this
summer. When you come you shall ask what questions you like on that
point, and I