Джейн Эйр / Jane Eyre

’

�And shall I see you again, Helen, when I die?’

�You will come to the same region of happiness; be received by the same mighty, universal Parent, no doubt, dear Jane.’

Again I questioned, but this time only in thought. �Where is that region? Does it exist?’ And I clasped my arms closer round Helen; she seemed dearer to me than ever; I felt as if I could not let her go; I lay with my face hidden on her neck. Presently she said, in the sweetest tone:

�How comfortable I am! That last fit of coughing has tired me a little; I feel as if I could sleep; but don’t leave me, Jane; I like to have you near me.

’

�I’ll stay with you, dear Helen; no one shall take me away.’

�Are you warm, darling?’

�Yes.’

�Goodnight, Jane.’

�Goodnight, Helen.’

She kissed me, and I her, and we both soon slumbered.

When I awoke it was day; an unusual movement roused me; I looked up; I was in somebody’s arms; the nurse held me; she was carrying me through the passage back to the dormitory.

I was not reprimanded for leaving my bed; people had something else to think about; no explanation was afforded then to my many questions; but a day or two afterwards I learned that Miss Temple, on returning to her own room at dawn, had found me laid in the little crib; my face against Helen Burns’s shoulder, my arms round her neck. I was asleep, and Helen was – dead.

Her grave is in Brocklebridge churchyard; for fifteen years after her death it was only covered by a grassy mound; but now a grey marble tablet marks the spot, inscribed with her name, and the word �Resurgam.

’

Chapter X

Hitherto I have recorded in detail the events of my insignificant existence. To the first ten years of my life I have given almost as many Chapters. But this is not to be a regular autobiography. I am only bound to invoke Memory where I know her responses will possess some degree of interest; therefore I now pass a space of eight years almost in silence; a few lines only are necessary to keep up the links of connection.

When the typhus fever had fulfilled its mission of devastation at Lowood, it gradually disappeared from thence; but not till its virulence and the number of its victims had drawn public attention on the school. Inquiry was made into the origin of the scourge, and by degrees various facts came out which excited public indignation in a high degree.