The Life of Charlotte Brontë — Volume 2Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn
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The Life of Charlotte Brontë — Volume 2
Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn
Brontë, Charlotte, 1816-1855; Novelists, English -- 19th century -- Biography
"Since I came home I have been very busy stitching; the little new
room is got into order, and the green and white curtains are up; they
exactly suit the papering, and look neat and clean enough. I had a
letter a day or two since, announcing that Mr. Nicholls comes to-morrow.
I feel anxious about him; more anxious on one point than I dare quite
express to myself. It seems he has again been suffering sharply from
his rheumatic affection. I hear this not from himself, but from another
quarter. He was ill while I was in Manchester and B----. He uttered no
complaint to me; dropped no hint on the subject. Alas he was hoping
he had got the better of it, and I know how this contradiction of his
hopes will sadden him. For unselfish reasons he did so earnestly wish
this complaint might not become chronic. I fear--I fear; but if he is
doomed to suffer, so much the more will he need care and help. Well!
come what may, God help and strengthen both him and me! I look forward
to to-morrow with a mixture of impatience and anxiety."
Mr. Brontë had a slight illness which alarmed her much. Besides, all
the weight of care involved in the household preparations pressed on
the bride in this case--not unpleasantly, only to the full occupation
of her time. She was too busy to unpack her wedding dresses for several
days after they arrived from Halifax; yet not too busy to think of
arrangements by which Miss Wooler's journey to be present at the
marriage could be facilitated.
"I write to Miss Wooler to-day. Would it not be better, dear, if you and
she could arrange to come to Haworth on the same day, arrive at Keighley
by the same train; then I could order the cab to meet you at the
station, and bring you on with your luggage? In this hot weather walking
would be quite out of the question, either for you or for her; and I
know she would persist in doing it if left to herself, and arrive half
killed. I thought it better to mention this arrangement to you first,
and then, if you liked it, you could settle the time, etc., with Miss
Wooler, and let me know. Be sure and give me timely information, that I
may write to the Devonshire Arms about the cab.
"Mr. Nicholls is a kind, considerate fellow. With all his masculine
faults, he enters into my wishes about having the thing done quietly, in
a way that makes me grateful; and if nobody interferes and spoils his
arrangements, he will manage it so that not a soul in Haworth shall be
aware of the day. He is so thoughtful, too, about 'the ladies,'--that
is, you and Miss Wooler. Anticipating, too, the very arrangements I was
going to propose to him about providing for your departure, etc. He and
Mr. S---- come to ---- the evening before; write me a note to let me
know they are there; precisely at eight in the morning they will be in
the church, and there we are to meet them. Mr. and Mrs. Grant are asked
to the breakfast, not to the ceremony.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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