The scene vanished and I found myself in a wide desert full of barren rocks and high mountains. As I was approaching one of the rocks, in which there was a large cave, my foot stumbled and I fell. Just then I heard a deep growl, and saw by the unearthly light of his own fiery eyes a royal lion rousing himself from his kingly slumbers. His terrible eye was fixed upon me, and the desert rang and the rocks echoed with the tremendous roar of fierce delight which he uttered as he sprang towards me. ‘Well, masther, it’s been a windy night, though it’s fine now,’ said Dennis, as he drew the window curtain and let the bright rays of the morning sun into the little old-fashioned room at the top of O’Callaghan Castle. C. BRONTË, _April 28th_, 1829. THE SEARCH AFTER HAPPINESS THE original manuscript of this story is in the possession of Mr. T. J. Wise. It appears to be the first manuscript which Charlotte Brontë attempted to complete in the form of a book, _i.e._ with a title-page and Preface. The title-page is written in capital letters resembling printing, and the Preface in the young authoress’s ordinary writing. The story contains the earliest known poem by Charlotte Brontë. I am indebted to Mr. T. J. Wise for the loan of the original manuscript, thus enabling me to correct and complete a copy of the story in my keeping, and to present an accurate text. The story was written by Charlotte Brontë at the age of thirteen years. C. W. H. THE SEARCH AFTER HAPPINESS A TALE BY CHARLOTTE BRONTË PRINTED BY HERSELF AND SOLD BY NOBODY &c. &c. AUGUST THE SEVENTEENTH EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINE PREFACE THE persons meant by the Chief of the City and his sons are the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Douro, and Lord Wellesley. The city is the Glass Town. Henry O’Donell and Alexander Delancy are Captain Tarry-not-at-home and Monsieur Like-to-live-in-lonely-places. CHARLOTTE BRONTË, _August the 17th_, 1829. CHAPTER I CHARACTER OF O’DONELL—CAUSE OF HIS TRAVELS NOT many years ago there lived in a certain city a person of the name of Henry O’Donell. In figure he was tall, of a dark complexion, and searching black eye. His mind was strong and unbending, his disposition unsociable, and though respected by many he was loved by few. The city where he resided was very great and magnificent. It was governed by a warrior, a mighty man of valour, whose deeds had resounded to the ends of the earth. This soldier had two sons, who were at that time of the separate ages of six and seven years. Henry O’Donell was a nobleman of great consequence in the city, and a peculiar favourite with the governor, before whose glance his stern mind would bow; and at his command O’Donell’s self-will would be overcome.