If any further evidence of the view Charlotte Brontë took of Branwell's conduct, and of that of the lady whose character has been so much calumniated be needed, her poem entitled 'Preference' is sufficient. We may indeed infer from it that Charlotte herself never believed the stories concerning Mrs. ---- which were in circulation at the time, and that she has left, in this production of her pen, her version of how the circumstances truly stood. The lady is represented in the poem as censuring the person who is making advances to her, and who is addressed as a soldier for whom she has a sisterly regard, while she is devotedly attached to one of whom she speaks in the warmest terms. 'Not in scorn do I reprove thee, Not in pride thy vows I waive, But, believe, I could not love thee, Wert thou prince, and I a slave.' She then tells him that he is deceiving himself in thinking she has secret affection for him, and that her coldness towards him is assumed. She appeals forcibly to her own personal bearing as proof that she has no love for him. 'Touch my hand, thou self-deceiver; Nay--be calm, for I am so; Does it burn? Does my lip quiver? Has mine eye a troubled glow? Canst thou call a moment's colour To my forehead--to my cheek? Canst thou tinge their tranquil pallor With one flattering, feverish streak?' Declaring that her goodwill for him is sisterly, she thus continues: 'Rave not, rage not, wrath is fruitless, Fury cannot change my mind; I but deem the feeling rootless Which so whirls in passion's wind. Can I love? Oh, deeply--truly-- Warmly--fondly--but not thee; And my love is answered duly, With an equal energy.' Then she tells him, if he would see his rival, to draw a curtain aside, when he will observe him, seated in a place shaded by trees, surrounded with books, and employing his 'unresting pen.' Here Charlotte places the 'rival' in an alcove, in the grounds of his mansion, privately employing his leisure in the retirement of his home; and makes the lady show her husband to the soldier who addresses her. She says: 'There he sits--the first of men! Man of conscience--man of reason; Stern, perchance, but ever just; Foe to falsehood, wrong, and treason, Honour's shield and virtue's trust! Worker, thinker, firm defender Of Heaven's truth--man's liberty; Soul of iron--proof to slander, Rock where founders tyranny.' She declares that her faith is given, and therefore the person she addresses need not sue; for, while God reigns in earth and heaven, she will be faithful to the man of her heart, to whom she is immovably devoted; and who is a 'defender of Heaven's truth'--her husband.