THE LETTERS 1829-1847 313 8. Since the Wheelwrights (see Heger to PB 5.11.1842 n. 7) did not leave Brussels until the end of Aug,, it is surprising that CB does not mention them. The chaplain’s wife, Mrs Jenkins, and her sons had found the Bronté sisters taciturn and difficult, and she had ceased her regular invitations to visit. See Gérin CB 200. 9. Mary Walker, daughter of the Revd John Walker, who was a cousin of Ellen’s father, may be referred to here. = 10. Mary Taylor. u1. These words form part of a corner of the second leaf, once cut off but now reattached. See n. 13 below. 12. The wife of Dr George Allbutt, b. 1812, LSA 1837, who had practised in his home-town of Hanley, Staffs., and then in Batley, Yorks., where he is listed as a surgeon in Pigot’s Directory for 1842. He was the brother of the first Mrs William Moore Wooler, and of the Revd Thomas Allbutt, husband of Marianne (née Wooler). EN and her family were friendly with the Allbutts, and her Diary for 1844 records e.g. visits from ‘Mrs G. Allbutt’ on 16 May, 20, and 21 June, probably for meetings of the Batley Parish Dorcas Society. On this see Whitehead 157. 13. The last half-page of the letter contains a sketch by CB of herself, diminutive and plain, waving “Good bye’ across the sea to an attractively dressed Ellen Nussey, now ‘Mrs O P Vincent’, accompanied by a top-hatted bespectacled gentleman, ‘The Chosen’. The names ‘Ellen Nus- sey and ‘Vincent’ have been deleted. Only the figures of CB and EN were left visible on the fragment which was later cut away. See illustration, pl. 3. To Mary Dixon,’ [early 1843] [Brussels] My dear Miss Dixon I find I cannot come on Thursday; when I asked Mde Heger’s leave, she said she had formed a prior engagement for me to go out with herself and Mr Heger. However I will come on Friday afternoon at two p.m if that hour will suit you—I must be back by four as M Heger will want his English lesson* after-dinner. I surrender my unfortunate head to you with resignation—the features thereof may yield good practice as they never yet submitted to any line of regularity—but have manifested each a spirit of independance, <?won> edifying to behold—You are mistaken however in your benevolent idea that my portrait’ will yield pleasure to Mary Taylor—do not give it to her, or if you do—do not expect thanks in return—she likes me well enough—but my face she can dispense with*—and would tell you so in her own sincere and truthful language if you asked her Do not think I am quite disinterested in so readily consenting to serve you for a model—I shall have pleasure in coming and sitting with you for a little while, even though according to the custom of artists, you may not allow me to speak or turn my head. I am dear Miss Dixon Yours sincerely C Bronté 314 THE LETTERS 1829-1847 Tuesday morning I send a letter for Mary—to be enclosed in your packet.’ MS Berg, with envelope. Gérin CB 2109. Address (envelope): Miss Dixon. PM: none. Annotation on envelope by George Dixon: Lest you should think that this comes from some handsome mustachioued young gent”. I beg to inform you that it is from Miss Bronté, & may be forwarded with propriety GD [Probably Mary’s brother George was the bearer of her invitation to CB and of CB’s reply and enclosure. For George Dixon, see MT to EN 30.10.1842 and 1.11.1842 n. 4.| Date: between CB’s arrival in Brussels on 30.1.1843 and Mary Dixon’s departure from the city inJune 1843. See Stevens 41. CB used mourning paper resembling that of her letter to EN of 10.11.1842, after Elizabeth Branwell’s death. 1. For Mary Dixon see MT to EN 30.10.1842 and 1.11.1842 n. 4. 2. cf. the previous letter. 3. CB either drew or was given in exchange a portrait of Mary Dixon. See M. Dixon 16.10.1843. 4. Mary Taylor had been frankly uncomplimentary about CB’s appearance. In a letter to Mrs Gaskell, Mary recalled that when they were both pupils at Roe Head, she had told CB ‘she was very ugly. Some years afterwards, I told her I thought I had been very impertinent. She replied, “You did me a great deal of good, Polly, so don’t repent of it”.’ (Life i. 109.) 5. See the next letter. Mary Dixon, a cousin of the Taylors, was probably able to send a ‘packet’ to Mary Taylor in Germany either by one of her own brothers or by Mary’s. To Ellen Nussey, [?April 1843] [Brussels] Dear Ellen One ought to praise where praise is due and really that last letter of yours merits a good dose of panegyric—it was both long and interesting—send me quickly such another longer still if possible. You will have heard of Mary *Taylor’s resolute and intrepid proceedings'— Her public letters will have put you in possession of all details—nothing is left for me to say except perhaps to express my opinion of it—I have turned the matter over on all sides and really I cannot consider it otherwise than as very rational—Mind | did not jump to this opinion at once but was several days before I formed it conclusively. You say you know what I shall say and think after having read the first part of your letter (which refers principally to *Joe *Taylor)—but that you do not mind—I may think what I please—Dear Nelly I should have thought nothing particular—if it had not been for this little defiance, and that made me think a good deal—Protect your heart Ellen—try to keep it whole and free—but this counsel is not needed—you are a sensible girl and will not surrender that citadel without capitulation Is there ever any talk now of your coming to Brussels? During the bitter cold