The sisters had kept the knowledge of their literary ventures from their father, fearing to increase their own anxieties and disappointment by witnessing his.... Once, Charlotte told me, they overheard the postman, meeting Mr. Brontë, as the latter was leaving the house, and inquiring from the parson where one Currer Bell could be living, to which Mr. Brontë replied that there was no such person in the parish.... Now, however, when the demand for the work had assured success to ‘Jane Eyre,’ her sisters urged Charlotte to tell their father of its publication. She accordingly went into his study one afternoon after his early dinner, carrying with her a copy of the book, and one or two reviews, taking care to include a notice adverse to it. She informed me that something like the following conversation took place: “Papa, I’ve been writing a book.” “Have you, my dear?” “Yes, and I want you to read it.” “I am afraid it will try my eyes too much.” “But it is not in manuscript: it is printed.” “My dear! you’ve never thought of the expense it will be! It will be almost sure to be a loss, for how can you get a book sold? No one knows you or your name.” “But, papa, I don’t think it will be a loss; no more will you, if you will let me read you a review or two, and tell you more about it.” So she sat down and read some of the reviews to her father; and then, giving him the copy of ‘Jane Eyre’ that she intended for him, she left him to read it. When he came in to tea, he said, “Girls, do you know Charlotte has been writing a book, and it is much better than likely?” MRS. GASKELL: ‘Life of Charlotte Brontë.’ * * * * * [Sidenote: Charlotte’s subsequent portrait of Emily.]