srs. Aylott and Co. was
going on, Charlotte went to visit her old school-friend, with whom she
was in such habits of confidential intimacy; but neither then nor
afterwards, did she ever speak to her of the publication of the poems;
nevertheless, this young lady suspected that the sisters wrote for
Magazines; and in this idea she was confirmed when, on one of her visits
to Haworth, she saw Anne with a number of "Chambers's Journal," and a
gentle smile of pleasure stealing over her placid face as she read.

"What is the matter?" asked the friend. "Why do you smile?"

"Only because I see they have inserted one of my poems," was the quiet
reply; and not a word more was said on the subject.

To this friend Charlotte addressed the following letters:--

"March 3rd, 1846.

"I reached home a little after two o'clock, all safe and right
yesterday; I found papa very well; his sight much the same. Emily and
Anne were going to Keighley to meet me; unfortunately, I had returned
by the old road, while they were gone by the new, and we missed each
other. They did not get home till half-past four, and were caught in
the heavy shower of rain which fell in the afternoon. I am sorry to
say Anne has taken a little cold in consequence, but I hope she will
soon be well. Papa was much cheered by my report of Mr. C.'s opinion,
and of old Mrs. E.'s experience; but I could perceive he caught gladly
at the idea of deferring the operation a few months longer. I went
into the room where Branwell was, to speak to him, about an hour after
I got home: it was very forced work to address him. I might have
spared myself the trouble, as he took no notice, and made no reply; he
was stupified. My fears were not in vain. I hear that he got a
sovereign while I have been away, under pretence of paying a pressing
debt; he went immediately and changed it at a public-house, and has
employed it as was to be expected. --- concluded her account by
saying he was a 'hopeless being;' it is too true. In his present
state it is scarcely possible to stay in the room where he is. What
the future has in store I do not know."

"March 31st, 1846.

"Our poor old servant Tabby had a sort of fit, a fortnight since, but
is nearly recovered now. Martha" (the girl they had to assist poor
old Tabby, and who remains still the faithful servant at the
parsonage,) "is ill with a swelling in