y a good
scolding. She had been brought up rather in a school of Spartan
endurance than in one of maudlin self-indulgence, and could bear many a
pain and relinquish many a hope in silence.

After she had been at home about a week, her friend proposed that she
should accompany her in some little excursion, having pleasure alone for
its object. She caught at the idea most eagerly at first; but her hope
stood still, waned, and had almost disappeared before, after many delays,
it was realised. In its fulfilment at last, it was a favourable specimen
of many a similar air-bubble dancing before her eyes in her brief career,
in which stern realities, rather than pleasures, formed the leading
incidents.

"July 26th, 1839.

"Your proposal has almost driven me 'clean daft'--if you don't
understand that ladylike expression, you must ask me what it means
when I see you. The fact is, an excursion with you anywhere,--whether
to Cleathorpe or Canada,--just by ourselves, would be to me most
delightful. I should, indeed, like to go; but I can't get leave of
absence for longer than a week, and I'm afraid that would not suit
you--must I then give it up entirely? I feel as if I _could not_; I
never had such a chance of enjoyment before; I do want to see you and
talk to you, and be with you. When do you wish to go? Could I meet
you at Leeds? To take a gig from Haworth to B., would be to me a very
serious increase of expense, and I happen to be very low in cash. Oh!
rich people seem to have many pleasures at their command which we are
debarred from! However, no repining.

"Say when you go, and I shall be able in my answer to say decidedly
whether I can accompany you or not. I must--I will--I'm set upon
it--I'll be obstinate and bear down all opposition.

"P.S.--Since writing the above, I find that aunt and papa have
determined to go to Liverpool for a fortnight, and take us all with
them. It is stipulated, however, that I should give up the Cleathorpe
scheme. I yield reluctantly."

I fancy that, about this time, Mr. Bronte found it necessary, either from
failing health or the increased populousness of the parish, to engage the
assistance of a curate. At least, it is in a letter written this summer
that I find mention of the first of a succession of curates, who
henceforward revolved round Haworth Parsonage, and made an impression on
the mind of one of its inm