Jane Eyre - Page 82/412

"So he went?"

"Yes; he did not stay many minutes in the house: Missis was very

high with him; she called him afterwards a 'sneaking tradesman.' My

Robert believes he was a wine-merchant."

"Very likely," I returned; "or perhaps clerk or agent to a wine-

merchant."

Bessie and I conversed about old times an hour longer, and then she

was obliged to leave me: I saw her again for a few minutes the next

morning at Lowton, while I was waiting for the coach. We parted

finally at the door of the Brocklehurst Arms there: each went her

separate way; she set off for the brow of Lowood Fell to meet the

conveyance which was to take her back to Gateshead, I mounted the

vehicle which was to bear me to new duties and a new life in the

unknown environs of Millcote.