CHAPTER X 115
" That is one of my paintings over the chimney-piece." It was a landscape in water colours, of which I had made a present to the superintendent, in acknowledgment of her obliging mediation with the committee on my behalf, and which she had framed and glazed.
" Well, that is beautiful, Miss Jane! It is as fine a picture as any Miss Reed ' s drawing-master could paint, let alone the young 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 something I wanted to ask you. Have you ever heard anything 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 may be poor; but I believe they are as much gentry 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 it school fifty miles off; he seemed so much disappointed, for he could not stay: he was going on a voyage to a foreign country, and the ship was to sail from London in a day or two. He looked quite a gentleman, 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 make wine-- the butler did tell me-- "
" Madeira?" I suggested.