The roads were heavy，the night misty; my conductor let his horse walk all the way，and the hour and a half extended，I verily believe，to two hours; at last he turned in his seat and said-

"You"re noan so far fro" Thornfield now."

Again I looked out: we were passing a church; I saw its low broad tower against the sky，and its bell was tolling a quarter; I saw a narrow galaxy of lights too，on a hillside，marking a village or hamlet. About ten minutes after，the driver got down and opened a pair of gates: we passed through，and they clashed to behind us. We now slowly ascended a drive，and came upon the long front of a house: candlelight gleamed from one curtained bow-window; all the rest were dark. The car stopped at the front door; it was opened by a maid-servant; I alighted and went in.

"Will you walk this way，ma"am?" said the girl; and I followed her across a square hall with high doors all round: she ushered me into a room whose double illumination of fire and candle at first dazzled me，contrasting as it did with the darkness to which my eyes had been for two hours inured; when I could see，however，a cosy and agreeable picture presented itself to my view.

A snug small room; a round table by a cheerful fire; an arm-chair high-backed and old-fashioned，wherein sat the neatest imaginable little elderly lady，in widow"s cap，black silk gown，and snowy muslin apron; exactly like what I had fancied Mrs. Fairfax，only less stately and milder looking. She was occupied in knitting; a large cat sat demurely at her feet; nothing in short was wanting to plete the beau-ideal of domestic fort. A more reassuring introduction for a new governess could scarcely be conceived; there was no grandeur to overwhelm，no stateliness to embarrass; and then，as I entered，the old lady got up and promptly and kindly came forward to meet me.

"How do you do，my dear? I am afraid you have had a tedious ride;