CHAPTER XXII 305
CHAPTER XXII
Mr . Rochester had given me but one week ' s leave of absence : yet a month elapsed before I quitted Gateshead . I wished to leave immediately after the funeral , but Georgiana entreated me to stay till she could get off to London , whither she was now at last invited by her uncle , Mr . Gibson , who had come down to direct his sister ' s interment and settle the family affairs . Georgiana said she dreaded being left alone with Eliza ; from her she got neither sympathy in her dejection , support in her fears , nor aid in her preparations ; so I bore with her feeble-minded wailings and selfish lamentations as well as I could , and did my best in sewing for her and packing her dresses . It is true , that while I worked , she would idle ; and I thought to myself , " If you and I were destined to live always together , cousin , we would commence matters on a different footing . I should not settle tamely down into being the forbearing party ; I should assign you your share of labour , and compel you to accomplish it , or else it should be left undone : I should insist , also , on your keeping some of those drawling , half-insincere complaints hushed in your own breast . It is only because our connection happens to be very transitory , and comes at a peculiarly mournful season , that I consent thus to render it so patient and compliant on my part ."
At last I saw Georgiana off ; but now it was Eliza ' s turn to request me to stay another week . Her plans required all her time and attention , she said ; she was about to depart for some unknown bourne ; and all day long she stayed in her own room , her door bolted within , filling trunks , emptying drawers , burning papers , and holding no communication with any one . She wished me to look after the house , to see callers , and answer notes of condolence .
One morning she told me I was at liberty . " And ," she added , " I am obliged to you for your valuable services and discreet conduct ! There is some difference between living with such an one as you and with Georgiana : you perform your own part in life and burden no one . To-morrow ," she continued , " I set out for the Continent . I shall take up my abode in a religious house near Lisle -- a nunnery you would call it ; there I shall be