her repulse me with double scorn； thereby re…exciting every turbulent impulse of my nature。
I would fain exercise some better faculty than that of fierce speaking； fain find nourishment for some less fiendish feeling than that of sombre indignation。 I took a book—some Arabian tales； I sat down and endeavoured to read。 I could make no sense of the subject； my own thoughts swam always between me and the page I had usually found fascinating。 I opened the glass…door in the breakfast…room： the shrubbery was quite still： the black frost reigned； unbroken by sun or breeze； through the grounds。 I covered my head and arms with the skirt of my frock； and went out to walk in a part of the plantation which was quite sequestrated； but I found no pleasure in the silent trees； the falling fir…cones； the congealed relics of autumn； russet leaves； swept by past winds in heaps； and now stiffened together。 I leaned against a gate； and looked into an empty field where no sheep were feeding； where the short grass was nipped and blanched。 It was a very grey day； a most opaque sky； “onding on snaw；” canopied all； thence flakes felt it intervals； which settled on the hard path and on the hoary lea without melting。 I stood； a wretched child enough； whispering to myself over and over again； “What shall I do？—what shall I do？”
All at once I heard a clear voice call； “Miss Jane！ where are you？ e to lunch！”
It was Bessie； I knew well enough； but I did not stir； her light step came tripping down the path。
“You naughty little thing！” she said。 “Why don’t you e when you are called？”
Bessie’s presence； pared with the thoughts over which I had been brooding； seemed cheerful； even though； as usual； she was somewhat cross。 The fact is； after my conflict with and vict