The Missing Chapter of Bronte's Jane Eyre

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The Missing Chapter of Bronte's Jane Eyre A dusk sky always appeared grey in January; snow would daub the world below and leave their cold clouds stained across the heavens like discarded scraps of paper. Any sunlight that did manage to filter through, earlier in the day, was a cruel cold illusion of the usual brightness that illuminated the day. The weather, however, was never of any great interest to me. My days and nights alike were confined to the nursery and never would I venture into the corridor let alone the gardens. It was on rare occasion that I had been invited down before, and after my outbursts to aunt Reed my seldom had become never. Even my company was limited these days. The children had been forbidden to grace me with their presence, so Bessie soon became my lone companion. All food was brought to me, and I was forced to find some way to occupy my time. I would try to sneak downstairs, where I could retrieve a book to read, or persuade Bessie to do so for me, but that was not always possible. I would help her clean the nursery of my own accord, just to try to fend off the boredom that threatened to ensnare me. I was glad for parts of my imprisonment were benefits; the distance from my cousins was a blessing I felt strongly. The relief at being away from them, John especially, was resonant; and if ever I was temped to journey into other parts of the house, the simple thought that I might contact one of them was enough to make me stay put. And this way I would have gladly stayed, had not Bessie feared for me living in such a manner. I did not know the exact cause of her anxiety but somehow she had got into her... ... middle of paper ... ...one, intending to leave me to my cold grave, and so that may have been had not Bessie's short search for me led her to the melted puddles upon the breakfast room floor. She flung open the door and pulled me in with a single arm. She carried me up to the Nursery, changed my clothes and put me straight to bed. She was fussing the whole time but I heard none of it; I just remember weeping as the feeling came back to my limbs and brought with it insurmountable pain, weeping of the shock at what had just happened. Bessie fetched me a clay hot water bottle from the kitchens and soon I was sleeping. I spent a great deal of time asleep over the next few days and all of them confined to my bed. Bessie scolded me dearly for venturing outside and if she believed me when I told her John was the cause then she said nothing to me.

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