Part 16 (1/2)
”No, Miss Jane, not exactly: you are genteel enough; you look like a lady, and it is as much as ever I expected of you: you were no beauty as a child”
I smiled at Bessie's frank answer: I felt that it was correct, but I confess I was not quite indifferent to its ihteen most people wish to please, and the conviction that they have not an exterior likely to second that desire brings anything but gratification
”I dare say you are clever, though,” continued Bessie, by way of solace
”What can you do? Can you play on the piano?”
”A little”
There was one in the room; Bessie went and opened it, and then asked ive her a tune: I played a waltz or two, and she was charmed
”The Miss Reeds could not play as well!” said she exultingly ”I always said you would surpass the: and can you draw?”
”That is one of s over the chimney-piece” It was a landscape in water colours, of which I hadmediation with the colazed
”Well, that is beautiful, Miss Jane! It is as fine a picture as any Miss Reed's drawing- ladies themselves, who could not come near it: and have you learnt French?”
”Yes, Bessie, I can both read it and speak it”
”And you can work on muslin and canvas?”
”I can”
”Oh, you are quite a lady, Miss Jane! I knew you would be: you will get on whether your relations notice you or not There was so from your father's kinsfolk, the Eyres?”
”Never in my life”
”Well, you know Missis always said they were poor and quite despicable: and they entry as the Reeds are; for one day, nearly seven years ago, a Mr Eyre came to Gateshead and wanted to see you; Missis said you were at school fifty miles off; he see on a voyage to a foreign country, and the shi+p was to sail froentleman, and I believe he was your father's brother”
”What foreign country was he going to, Bessie?”
”An island thousands of miles off, where they ested
”Yes, that is it--that is the very word”
”So he went?”
”Yes; he did not stay h with hi tradesman' My Robert believes he was a wine-merchant”