abruptly, when he saw me, pointing to my trunk in the pas-
sage.

"Yes." He hoisted it on to the vehicle, which was a sort
of car, and then I got in: before he shut me up I asked him
how far it was to Thornfield.

"A matter of six miles."

"How long shall we be before we get there?"

"Happen an hour and a half."
He fastened the car door, climbed to his own seat outside,
and we set off. Our progress was leisurely, and gave me
ample time to reflect: I was content to be at length so near
the end of my journey; and as I leaned back in the comfort-
able though not elegant conveyance I meditated much at my
ease.

"I suppose," thought I, "judging from the plainness of the
servant and carriage, Mrs. Fairfax is not a very dashing per-
son; so much the better; I never lived amongst fine people
but once, and I was very miserable with them. I wonder if
she lives alone except this little girl; if so, and if she is in
any degree amiable, I shall surely be able to get on with her;
I will do my best; it is a pity that doing one's best does not
always answer. At Lowood, indeed, I took that resolution,
kept it, and succeeded in pleasing; but with Mrs. Reed I re-
member my best was always spurned with scorn. I pray God
Mrs. Fairfax may not turn out a second Mrs. Ree; but if she
does, I am not bound to stay with her; let the worst come to
the worst I can advertise again. How far are we on our road
now, I wonder?"

I let down the window and looked out; Millcote was behind
us; judging by the number of its lights, it seemed a place of
considerable magnitude, much larger than Lowton. We were
now, as far as I could see, on a sort of common; but there
were houses scattered all over the district; I felt we were in
a different region to Lowood, more populous, less pictur-
esque; more stirring, less romantic.

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."

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