I resisted all the way: a new thing for me, and a circumstance

which greatly strengthened the bad opinion Bessie and Miss Abbot

were disposed to entertain of me. The fact is, I was a trifle

beside myself; or rather OUT of myself, as the French would say: I

was conscious that a moment's mutiny had already rendered me liable

to strange penalties, and, like any other rebel slave, I felt

resolved, in my desperation, to go all lengths.

"Hold her arms, Miss Abbot: she's like a mad cat."

"For shame! for shame!" cried the lady's-maid. "What shocking

conduct, Miss Eyre, to strike a young gentleman, your benefactress's

son! Your young master."

"Master! How is he my master? Am I a servant?"

"No; you are less than a servant, for you do nothing for your keep.

There, sit down, and think over your wickedness."

They had got me by this time into the apartment indicated by Mrs.

Reed, and had thrust me upon a stool: my impulse was to rise from

it like a spring; their two pair of hands arrested me instantly.

"If you don't sit still, you must be tied down," said Bessie. "Miss

Abbot, lend me your garters; she would break mine directly."

Miss Abbot turned to divest a stout leg of the necessary ligature.

This preparation for bonds, and the additional ignominy it inferred,

took a little of the excitement out of me.

"Don't take them off," I cried; "I will not stir."

In guarantee whereof, I attached myself to my seat by my hands.

"Mind you don't," said Bessie; and when she had ascertained that I

was really subsiding, she loosened her hold of me; then she and Miss

Abbot stood with folded arms, looking darkly and doubtfully on my

face, as incredulous of my sanity.

"She never did so before," at last said Bessie, turning to the

Abigail.

"But it was always in her," was the reply. "I've told Missis often

my opinion about the child, and Missis agreed with me. She's an

underhand little thing: I never saw a girl of her age with so much

cover."

Bessie answered not; but ere long, addressing me, she said--"You

ought to be aware, Miss, that you are under obligations to Mrs.

Reed: she keeps you: if she were to turn you off, you would have

to go to the poorhouse."

I had nothing to say to these words: they were not new to me: my

very first recollections of existence included hints of the same

kind. This reproach of my dependence had become a vague sing-song

in my ear: very painful and crushing, but only half intelligible.

Miss Abbot joined in "And you ought not to think yourself on an equality with the Misses

Reed and Master Reed, because Missis kindly allows you to be brought

up with them. They will have a great deal of money, and you will

have none: it is your place to be humble, and to try to make

yourself agreeable to them."




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