Name: Jane Eyre by Charlotte BRONTË Chapter 11
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CHAPTER ELEVEN of Jane Eyre This is a Librivox recording.

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Recording by Elizabeth Klett Jane Eyre by Charlotte BRONTË Chapter Eleven

A new chapter in a novel is something like a new scene in a play; and

when I draw up the curtain this time, reader, you must fancy you see a

room in the George Inn at Millcote, with such large figured papering on

the walls as inn rooms have; such a carpet, such furniture, such

ornaments on the mantelpiece, such prints, including a portrait of George

the Third, and another of the Prince of Wales, and a representation of

All this is visible to you by the light of an oil

lamp hanging from the ceiling, and by that of an excellent fire, near

which I sit in my cloak and bonnet; my muff and umbrella lie on the

table, and I am warming away the numbness and chill contracted by sixteen

hours' exposure to the rawness of an October day: I left Lowton at four

o'clock a.m., and the Millcote town clock is now just striking eight.

Reader, though I look comfortably accommodated, I am not very tranquil in

I thought when the coach stopped here there would be some one

to meet me; I looked anxiously round as I descended the wooden steps the

"boots" placed for my convenience, expecting to hear my name pronounced,

and to see some description of carriage waiting to convey me to

Nothing of the sort was visible; and when I asked a waiter

if any one had been to inquire after a Miss Eyre, I was answered in the

negative: so I had no resource but to request to be shown into a private

room: and here I am waiting, while all sorts of doubts and fears are

It is a very strange sensation to inexperienced youth to feel itself

quite alone in the world, cut adrift from every connection, uncertain

whether the port to which it is bound can be reached, and prevented by

many impediments from returning to that it has quitted.

The charm of adventure sweetens that sensation, the glow

of pride warms it; but then the throb of fear disturbs it; and fear with

me became predominant when half-an-hour elapsed and still I was alone.

"Is there a place in this neighbourhood called Thornfield?"

I asked of the waiter who answered the summons.

I don't know, ma'am; I'll inquire at the bar."

I jumped up, took my muff and umbrella, and hastened into the

inn-passage: a man was standing by the open door, and in the lamp-lit

street I dimly saw a one-horse conveyance.

"This will be your luggage, I suppose?" said the man rather abruptly when

he saw me, pointing to my trunk in the passage.

He hoisted it on to the vehicle, which was a sort of car, and

then I got in; before he shut me up, I asked him how far it was to

"How long shall we be before we get there?"

He fastened the car door, climbed to his own seat outside, and we set

Our progress was leisurely, and gave me ample time to reflect; I

was content to be at length so near the end of my journey; and as I

leaned back in the comfortable though not elegant conveyance, I meditated

"I suppose," thought I, "judging from the plainness of the servant and

carriage, Mrs. Fairfax is not a very dashing person: so much the better;

I never lived amongst fine people but once, and I was very miserable with

I wonder if she lives alone except this little girl; if so, and if

she is in any degree amiable, I shall surely be able to get on with her;

I will do my best; it is a pity that doing one's best does not always

At Lowood, indeed, I took that resolution, kept it, and

succeeded in pleasing; but with Mrs. Reed, I remember my best was always

I pray God Mrs. Fairfax may not turn out a second

Mrs. Reed; but if she does, I am not bound to stay with her!

let the worst come to the worst, I can advertise again.

How far are we on our road now, I wonder?"

I let down the window and looked out; Millcote was behind us; judging by

the number of its lights, it seemed a place of considerable magnitude,

We were now, as far as I could see, on a sort of common; but there were houses scattered

all over the district; I felt we were in a different region to Lowood, more

populous, less picturesque; more stirring, less romantic.

The roads were heavy, the night misty; my conductor let his horse walk

all the way, and the hour and a half extended, I verily believe, to two

hours; at last he turned in his seat and said--

"You're noan so far fro' Thornfield now."

Again I looked out: we were passing a church; I saw its low broad tower

against the sky, and its bell was tolling a quarter; I saw a narrow

galaxy of lights too, on a hillside, marking a village or hamlet.

About ten minutes after, the driver got down and

opened a pair of gates: we passed through, and they clashed to behind

We now slowly ascended a drive, and came upon the long front of a house:

candlelight gleamed from one curtained bow-window; all the rest were

The car stopped at the front door; it was opened by a maid-servant;

"Will you walk this way, ma'am?" said the girl; and I followed her across