. Charlotte Brontë at home. n argument which certainly had greatweight with the dutiful daughter was voluntary pledge (kept religiouslyuntil Mr. Brontes death in 1861) that hewould be support and consolation to herfathers declining years. Her letters showhow poignant was her alarm at any andevery illness that attacked the old man, andhow abject the sense of her helplessnesswhen these were likely to be serious. Asentence in one of the half-dozen letters 258 Charlotte Bronte at Home written after her marriage is pregnant withmeaning, taken in this connection: Each time I see Mr. Nic
. Charlotte Brontë at home. n argument which certainly had greatweight with the dutiful daughter was voluntary pledge (kept religiouslyuntil Mr. Brontes death in 1861) that hewould be support and consolation to herfathers declining years. Her letters showhow poignant was her alarm at any andevery illness that attacked the old man, andhow abject the sense of her helplessnesswhen these were likely to be serious. Asentence in one of the half-dozen letters 258 Charlotte Bronte at Home written after her marriage is pregnant withmeaning, taken in this connection: Each time I see Mr. Nicholls put ongown or surplice, 1 feel comforted to thinkthat this marriage has secured Papa goodaid in his old age. If we wish, in reading it, that a mistressof nervous, pertinent English had usedsome other word than comforted, wetake refuge in Mr. Shorters assertion—and no more trustworthy evidence couldbe adduced—that the months of her mar-ried life, prior to her last illness, were thehappiest she was destined to CHAPTER XVIII MARRIAGE—MARRIED LIFE—ILLNESS AND DEATH c HARLOTTE BRONTES trousseauwas bought at Leeds. The sen-tence recurs to the memory of each mem-ber of the Bronte Cult, in passing throughthe busy, unromantic city. She plannedwhat gowns she should buy, and how theyshould be fashioned, in the course of a threedays visit to Mrs. Gaskell in May. Thewedding was to take place June 29. Sheconsulted her hostess, also, as to certaininexpensive alterations to be made in theParsonage. A small room back of the parlour, used,heretofore, for domestic stores—flour, coals,etc.,—was paved with coarse flagstones;the walls were rough-cast. Charlotte wouldhave a board floor laid upon the cold stones,although, if this were done, there would be259 2bo Charlotte Bronte at Home an awkward step up from the hall. one besetting physical ailmentwas a rheumatic tendency, and no carpetCharlotte could afford to buy, or that wouldbe congruous with the other appo
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