I resisted all the way: a new thing for me, and a circum-
stance which greatly strengthened the bad opinion Bessie
and Miss Abbot were disposed to entertain of me. The fact
is, I was a trifle beside myself; or rather out of myself, as the
French would say: I was conscious that a moment's mutiny
had already rendered me liable to strange penalties, and, like
any other rebel slave, I felt resolved, in my desperation, to go
all lengths.

"Hold her arms, Miss Abbot: she's like a mad cat."

"For shame! for shame!" cried the lady's-maid. "What
shocking conduct, Miss Eyre, to strike a young gentleman,
your benefactress's son! Your young master."

"Master! How is he my master? Am I a servant?"

"No; you are less than a servant, for you do nothing for
your keep. There, sit down, and think over your wickedness."

They had got me by this time into the apartment in-
dicated by Mrs. Reed, and had thrust me upon a stool: my
impplse was to rise from it like a spring; their two pair of
hands arrested me instantly.

"If you don't sit still, you must be tied down," said Bessie.
"Miss Abbot, lend me your garters; she would break mine
directly."

Miss Abbot turned to divest a stout leg of the necessary
ligature. This preparation for bonds, and the additional
ignominy it inferred, took a little of the excitement out of me.

"Don't take them off," I cried; "I will not stir."

In guarantee whereof, I attached myself to my seat by
my hands.

"Mind you don't," said Bessie; and when she had ascer-
tained that I was really subsiding, she loosened her hold of
me; then she and Miss Abbot stood with folded arms, look-
ing darkly and doubtfully on my face, as incredulous of my
sanity.

"She never did so before," at last said Bessie, turning to
the Abigail.

"But it was always in her," was the reply. "I've told
Missis often my opinion about the child, and Missis agreed
with me. She's an underhand little thing: I never saw a girl
of her age with so much cover."

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