That forest dell, where Lowood The Master of the Kendall
lay, was the cradle of ... Institution ... had ... been
fog-bred pestilence, which ... very much shocked by the ravages
crept into the Orphan Asylum, of typhus fever, and since the
breathed typhus through [it] ... reports of Agnes's health had
and transformed the seminary become serious, had sent several
into a hospital.... One evening times to ascertain how she
... Mr. Bates came out, and ... was.... "Miss Bell, I am come to
a nurse.... I ran up to her. inquire after our friend, Miss
Jones."
"How is Helen Burns?"
"... Agnes is always calm and
"Very poorly," was the easy-minded.... This is very
answer.... Two hours later ... I kind of you."
reached ... Miss Temple's room,
... I looked in. My eye sought ... As I was preparing to lie
Helen, and feared to find down in the room, Agnes called
death.... "Helen!" I whispered to me:--
softly; "are you awake?"
"Catherine, my dear, I feel
... I got on to her crib and rather cold to-night; will you
kissed her: her forehead was sleep with me?"
cold, and her cheek both cold
and thin, and so were her hand Of course I complied, and we lay
and wrist, but she smiled as of talking in each other's arms
old. until the sweet dove fell
asleep. Poor Agnes, she was
"Jane, ... lie down and cover indeed cold; a strange chill
yourself with the quilt." came through me as I lay by her
side.... I still heard my sister
I did so: she put her arm over orphan breathe and pant.... Why
me, and I nestled close to her. did I listen ... so greedily?
Why--when the poor thing turned
... I clasped my arms closer round once in the night, and
round Helen; she seemed dearer said: "Another kiss,
to me than ever; I felt as if I Catherine!"--why did I feel in
could not let her go; I lay with giving it her, as if a hundred
my face hidden on her neck. steel arrows had gone through my
Presently she said:--"... Don't heart? How long I lay awake and
leave me, Jane; I like to have thinking--wondering at the cold
you near me." emerging from the pure body at
my side, I know not! I must have
"I'll stay with you, _dear_ slept, too; for I remember
Helen; no one shall take me opening my eyes with the first
away."... She kissed me, and I dawn, before the bells rang.
her; and we soon slumbered. When
I awoke it was day; an unusual "Agnes!" said I, softly; "are
movement roused me. you awake?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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