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is never peevish； never impatient； only anxious and dejected。〃
For the reason just given； Charlotte declined an invitation to the only house to which she was now ever asked to come。 In answer to her correspondent's reply to this letter； she says：…
〃You thought I refused you coldly； did you？ It was a queer sort of coldness； when I would have given my ears to say Yes； and was obliged to say No。 Matters； however； are now a little changed。 Anne is come home； and her presence certainly makes me feel more at liberty。 Then； if all be well； I will come and see you。 Tell me only when I must come。 Mention the week and the day。 Have the kindness also to answer the following queries； if you can。 How far is it from Leeds to Sheffield？ Can you give me a notion of the cost？ Of course； when I come； you will let me enjoy your own company in peace； and not drag me out a visiting。 I have no desire at all to see your curate。 I think he must be like all the other curates I have seen； and they seem to me a self…seeking； vain； empty race。 At this blessed moment； we have no less than three of them in Haworth parishand there is not one to mend another。 The other day； they all three； accompanied by Mr。 S。； dropped； or rather rushed； in unexpectedly to tea。 It was Monday （baking day）； and I was hot and tired； still； if they had behaved quietly and decently； I would have served them out their tea in peace； but they began glorifying themselves； and abusing Dissenters in such a manner； that my temper lost its balance； and I pronounced a few sentences sharply and rapidly； which struck them all dumb。 Papa was greatly horrified also； but I don't regret it。〃
On her return from this short visit to her friend； she travelled with a gentleman in the railway carriage； whose features and bearing betrayed him； in a moment； to be a Frenchman。 She ventured to ask him if such was not the case； and； on his admitting it； she further inquired if he had not passed a considerable time in Germany； and was answered that he had； her quick ear detected something of the thick guttural pronunciation； which； Frenchmen say； they are able to discover even in the grandchildren of their countrymen who have lived any time beyond the Rhine。 Charlotte had retained her skill in the language by the habit of which she thus speaks to M。 Heger：…
〃Je crains beaucoup d'oublier le francaisj'apprends tous les jours une demie page de francais par coeur； et j'ai grand plaisir e apprendre cette lecon； Veuillez presenter e Madame l'assurance de mon estime； je crains que Maria…Louise et Claire ne m'aient deje oubliees； mais je vous reverrai un jour； aussitot que j'aurais gagne assez d'argent pour alter e Bruxelles； j'y irai。〃
And so her journey back to Haworth； after the rare pleasure of this visit to her friend； was pleasantly beguiled by conversation with the French gentleman； and she arrived at home refreshed and happy。 What to find there？
It was ten o'clock when she reached the parsonage。 Branwell was there； unexpectedly； very ill。 He had come home a day or two before； apparently for a holiday； in reality； I imagine； because some discovery had been made which rendered his absence imperatively desirable。 The day of Charlotte's return； he had received a letter from Mr。 …； sternly dismissing him； intimating that his proceedings were discovered； characterising them as bad beyond expression； and charging him； on pain of exposure； to break off immediately； and for ever； all communication with every member of the family。
Whatever may have been the nature and depth of Branwell's sins； whatever may have been his temptation； whatever his guilt；there is no doubt of the suffering which his conduct entailed upon his poor father and his innocent sisters。 The hopes and plans they had cherished long； and laboured hard to fulfil； were cruelly frustrated； henceforward their days were embittered and the natural rest of their nights destroyed by his paroxysms of remorse。 Let us read of the misery caused to his poor sisters in Charlotte's own affecting words：…
〃We have had sad work with Branwell。 He thought of nothing but stunning or drowning his agony of mind。 No one in this house could have rest； and； at last； we have been obliged to send him from home for a week； with some one to look after him。 He has written to me this morning； expressing some sense of contrition 。 。 。 but as long as he remains at home； I scarce dare hope for peace in the house。 We must all； I fear； prepare for a season of distress and disquietude。 When I left you； I was strongly impressed with the feeling that I was going back to sorrow。〃
〃August； 1845。
〃Things here at home are much as usual； not very bright as it regards Branwell； though his health； and consequently his temper； have been somewhat better this last day or two； because he is now FORCED TO abstain。〃
〃August 18th； 1845。
〃I have delayed writing； because I have no good news to communicate。 My hopes ebb low indeed about Branwell。 I sometimes fear he will never be fit for much。 The late blow to his prospects and feelings has quite made him reckless。 It is only absolute want of means that acts as any check to him。 One ought； indeed； to hope to the very last； and I try to do so； but occasionally hope in his case seems so fallacious。〃
〃Nov。 4th； 1845。
〃I hoped to be able to ask you to come to Haworth。 It almost seemed as if Branwell had a chance of getting employment； and I waited to know the result of his efforts in order to say； dear …； come and see us。 But the place （a secretaryship to a railway committee） is given to another person。 Branwell still remains at home； and while HE is here； YOU shall not come。 I am more confirmed in that resolution the more I see of him。 I wish I could say one word to you in his favour； but I cannot。 I will hold my tongue。 We are all obliged to you for your kind suggestion about Leeds； but I think our school schemes are； for the present； at rest。〃
〃Dec。 31st； 1845。
〃You say well； in speaking of …； that no sufferings are so awful as those brought on by dissipation； alas！ I see the truth of this observation daily proved。 andmust have as weary and burdensome a life of it in waiting upon their unhappy brother。 It seems grievous； indeed； that those who have not sinned should suffer so largely。〃
In fact； all their latter days blighted with the presence of cruel； shameful suffering；the premature deaths of two at least of the sisters；all the great possibilities of their earthly lives snapped short；may be dated from Midsummer 1845。
For the last three years of Branwell's life； he took opium habitually； by way of stunning conscience； he drank moreover； whenever he could get the opportunity。 The reader may say that I have mentioned his tendency to intemperance long before。 It is true； but it did not become habitual； as far as I can learn； until after he was dismissed from his tutorship。 He took opium； because it made him forget for a time more effectually than drink； and； besides； it was more portable。 In procuring it he showed all the cunning of the opium…eater。 He would steal out while the family were at churchto which he had professed himself too ill to go and