otte's life, 'the two little pieces
of private governess-ship excepted.' She went one day with Mr. Smith to
the Chapter Coffee House, where the sisters first stayed in London.
Another day she is in Yorkshire, where she makes the acquaintance of Miss
Wooler, which permitted, as she said, 'a more friendly manner of writing
towards Charlotte Bronte's old schoolmistress.' Again she is in
Brussels, where Madame Heger refused to see her, although M. Heger was
kind and communicative, 'and very much indeed I both like and respect
him.' Her countless questions were exceedingly interesting. They
covered many pages of note-paper. Did Branwell Bronte know of the
publication of _Jane Eyre_,' she asks, 'and how did he receive the news?'
Mrs. Gaskell was persuaded in her own mind that he had never known of its
publication, and we shall presently see that she was right. Charlotte
had distinctly informed her, she said, that Branwell was not in a fit
condition at the time to be told. 'Where did the girls get the books
which they read so continually? Did Emily accompany Charlotte as a pupil
when the latter went as a teacher to Roe Head? Why did not Branwell go
to the Royal Academy in London to learn painting? Did Emily ever go out
as a governess? What were Emily's religious opinions? Did _she_ ever
make friends?' Such were the questions which came quick and fast to Miss
Nussey, and Miss Nussey fortunately kept her replies.

TO MRS. GASKELL, MANCHESTER

'BROOKROYD, _October_ 22_nd_, 1856.

'MY DEAR MRS. GASKELL,--If you go to London pray try what may be done
with regard to a portrait of dear Charlotte. It would greatly
enhance the value and interest of the memoir, and be such a
satisfaction to people to see something that would settle their ideas
of the personal appearance of the dear departed one. It has been a
surprise to every stranger, I think, that she was so gentle and
lady-like to look upon.

'Emily Bronte went to Roe Head as pupil when Charlotte went as
teacher; she stayed there but two months; she never settled, and was
ill from nothing but home-sickness. Anne took her place and remained
about two years. Emily was a teacher for one six months in a ladies'
school in Halifax or the neighbourhood. I do not know whether it was
conduct or want of finances that prevented Branwell from going to the