CHAPTER XXIX 437
" Which, if you like, you have, in my opinion, a right to keep, both from St. John and every other questioner," remarked Diana.
" Yet if I know nothing about you or your history, I cannot help you," he said. " And you need help, do you not?"
" I need it, and I seek it so far, sir, that some true philanthropist will put me in the way of getting work which I can do, and the remuneration for which will keep me, if but in the barest necessaries of life."
" I know not whether I am a true philanthropist; yet I am willing to aid you to the utmost of my power in a purpose so honest. First, then, tell me what you have been accustomed to do, and what you CAN do."
I had now swallowed my tea. I was mightily refreshed by the beverage; as much so as a giant with wine: it gave new tone to my unstrung nerves, and enabled me to address this penetrating young judge steadily.
" Mr. Rivers," I said, turning to him, and looking at him, as he looked at me, openly and without diffidence, " you and your sisters have done me a great service-- the greatest man can do his fellow- being; you have rescued me, by your noble hospitality, from death. This benefit conferred gives you an unlimited claim on my gratitude, and a claim, to a certain extent, on my confidence. I will tell you as much of the history of the wanderer you have harboured, as I can tell without compromising my own peace of mind-- my own security, moral and physical, and that of others.
" I am an orphan, the daughter of a clergyman. My parents died before I could know them. I was brought up a dependant; educated in a charitable institution. I will even tell you the name of the establishment, where I passed six years as a pupil, and two as a teacher-- Lowood Orphan Asylum,-shire: you will have heard of it, Mr. Rivers?-- the Rev. Robert Brocklehurst is the treasurer."
" I have heard of Mr. Brocklehurst, and I have seen the school."