CHAPTER VIII 91
We feasted that evening as on nectar and ambrosia ; and not the least delight of the entertainment was the smile of gratification with which our hostess regarded us , as we satisfied our famished appetites on the delicate fare she liberally supplied .
Tea over and the tray removed , she again summoned us to the fire ; we sat one on each side of her , and now a conversation followed between her and Helen , which it was indeed a privilege to be admitted to hear .
Miss Temple had always something of serenity in her air , of state in her mien , of refined propriety in her language , which precluded deviation into the ardent , the excited , the eager : something which chastened the pleasure of those who looked on her and listened to her , by a controlling sense of awe ; and such was my feeling now : but as to Helen Burns , I was struck with wonder .
The refreshing meal , the brilliant fire , the presence and kindness of her beloved instructress , or , perhaps , more than all these , something in her own unique mind , had roused her powers within her . They woke , they kindled : first , they glowed in the bright tint of her cheek , which till this hour I had never seen but pale and bloodless ; then they shone in the liquid lustre of her eyes , which had suddenly acquired a beauty more singular than that of Miss Temple ' s -- a beauty neither of fine colour nor long eyelash , nor pencilled brow , but of meaning , of movement , of radiance . Then her soul sat on her lips , and language flowed , from what source I cannot tell . Has a girl of fourteen a heart large enough , vigorous enough , to hold the swelling spring of pure , full , fervid eloquence ? Such was the characteristic of Helen ' s discourse on that , to me , memorable evening ; her spirit seemed hastening to live within a very brief span as much as many live during a protracted existence .
They conversed of things I had never heard of ; of nations and times past ; of countries far away ; of secrets of nature discovered or guessed at : they spoke of books : how many they had read ! What stores of knowledge they possessed ! Then they seemed so familiar with French names and French authors : but my amazement reached its climax when Miss Temple asked