3 Villette By Charlotte Brontë - Read By Stephanie Poppins

Villette is a 1853 novel written by English author Charlotte Brontë. After an unspecified family disaster, the protagonist Lucy Snowe travels from her native England to the fictional Continental city of Villette to teach at a girls' school, where she is drawn into adventure and romance.

In this episode, Paulina's father leaves for the continent.

Music by my brother: Jean-Miles Carter

Transcript

By Charlotte Bronte by Stephanie Poppins Music by John Myles Carter Chapter 3 The Playmates Mr. Holmes stayed two days. During his visit, He could not be prevailed upon to go out. He sat all day long by the fireside, Sometimes silent, Sometimes receiving and answering Mrs. Breton's chat, Which was just of the proper sort for a man in his morbid mood. Not over-sympathetic, Yet not too uncongenial, Sensible. And even with a touch of the motherly, She was sufficiently his senior to be permitted this touch. As to Paulina, The child was once happy and mute, Busy and watchful. Her father frequently lifted her to his knee. There she would sit, Until she felt or fancied he grew restless. Papa, Put me down, She would say. I shall tire you with my weight. And the mighty burden slid to the rug, And establishing itself on carpet or stool just at Papa's feet, The white work box and the scarlet speckled handkerchief came into play. This handkerchief, It seems, Was intended as a keepsake for Papa and must be finished before his departure. Consequently, The demand on the seamstress's industry was stringent. The evening, By restoring Graham to the maternal roof, Brought us an ascension of animation. A quality not diminished by the nature of the scenes pretty sure to be enacted between him and Miss Paulina, Graham would endeavour to seduce her attention by opening his desk and displaying its multifarious contents, Seals, Bright sticks of wax, Pen knives, With a miscellany of engravings, Some of them gaily coloured. Pretty little dog, Said she delighted, As he showed her the etching of a child playing with a blenhem spaniel. The dog's great eyes and long ears and the child's hat and feathers were irresistible. Nice picture, Was her favourable criticism. You may have it, Said Graham. Paulina seemed to hesitate. The wish to possess was strong, But to accept would be a compromise of dignity. She put it down and turned away. You won't have it then, Polly? I would rather not, Thank you. Shall I tell you what I will do with the picture if you refuse it? Paulina half turned to listen. Cut it into strips for lighting the taper. No! But I shall. Please don't. Come to me quickly or it is done. Paulina hesitated but complied. Now will you have it? Graham asked as she stood before him. Please? But I shall want payment. How much? A kiss. Papa sent him away. I shall not be sent away. With face still averted, Paulina held out her hand to keep him off. Then I shall kiss the hand, Said he. But at that moment it became a miniature fist and dealt him payment in a small coin that was not kisses. Graham, Not failing in his way to be as wily as his little playmate, Retreated apparently quite discomforted. He flung himself on a sofa and resting his head against the cushion lay like one in pain. Polly, Finding him silent, Presently peeped at him. What is the matter with him, Papa? She whispered. You'd better ask him, Polly. Is he hurt? He makes noises if he were. Mother, Suggested Graham feebly, I think you'd better send for the doctor or my eye. Let me see your eye. I didn't mean to touch it, Said Paulina, Only your mouth and I didn't think I hit it so very hard. It is all nonsense, My pet, Cried Mr. Holm. And Graham once more snatched Paulina aloft and she again punished him. And while she pulled his lines, His locks termed him the naughtiest, Rudest, Worst, Untruest person that ever was. On the morning of Mr. Holm's departure he and his daughter had some conversation in a window recess by themselves. Couldn't I pack my box and go with you, Papa? She whispered earnestly. He shook his head. Should I be a trouble to you? Yes, Polly. Because I'm little? Because you're little and tender. It's only great strong people that should travel. But don't look sad, My little girl. It breaks my heart. Papa will soon come back to his little Polly. Indeed, I'm not sad. I'm scarcely at all. Polly would be sorry to give Papa pain, Would she not? Indeed. I'm sorrier than sorry. Then Polly must be cheerful, Not cry at parting or fret afterwards. She will try. I see she will. Farewell, Then. It is time to go. Paulina held up quivering lips. Her father sobbed. But she, I remarked, Did not. Having put her down, He shook hands with the rest present and departed. When the street door closed, Paulina dropped on her knees at a chair with a cry. It was a long and low sound. Sort of, Why hast thou forsaken me? During an ensuing space of some minutes, I perceived she endured agony. She went through in that brief interval of her infant life emotions such as some never feel. It was in her constitution. She would have more of such instants if she lived. Nobody spoke. Mrs. Breton, Being a mother, Shed a tear or two. Graham, Who was writing, Lifted up his eyes and gazed at her. I, Lucy Snow, Was very calm. The little creature thus left unharassed did for herself what none other could do. She contended with an intolerable feeling and ere long in some degree repressed it. On the third evening, As she sat on the floor worn and quiet, Graham coming in took her up gently without a word. She did not resist. She rather nestled in his arms as if weary. When he sat down, She laid her head against him and in a few minutes she slept. He then carried her upstairs to bed. I was not surprised the next morning. The first thing she demanded was, Where is Mr. Graham? It happened that Graham was not coming to the breakfast table. He had some exercises to write for that morning's class and had requested his mother to send a cup of tea into the study. Paulina deposited the cup on the carpet like a jailer putting a prisoner's pitcher of water through his cell door, Then retreated. Presently she returned. What will you have besides tea? What to eat? Anything good, He said. Bring me something particularly nice. That's a kind little woman. Paulina came back with a portion of whatever was best on the table. The league of acquaintanceship thus struck up was not hastily dissolved. On the contrary, It appeared that time and circumstances served rather well to cement and loosen it. Ill-assimilated, As Graham and Paulina were in age, Sex, Pursuits, Etc. They somehow found a great deal to say to each other. Paulina's little character never properly came out except with young Breton. As she got settled and accustomed to the house she proved tractable enough. With his mother, She would sit on a stool at that lady's knee learning her task or drawing figures with a pencil on a slate and never kindling wants to originality or showing a single gleam of the peculiarities of her nature. I ceased to watch her under such circumstances. Paulina was not interesting. But the moment Graham's knock sounded of an evening a change occurred and she was instantly at the head of the staircase. Now that Paulina's father was taken from her she nestled to Graham and seemed to feel by his feelings to exist in his existence. She learned the names of all his schoolfellows in a trice. She got by heart their characters as given from his lips. A single description of an individual seemed to suffice. She never forgot or confused identities. She would talk with him the whole evening about people she'd never even seen and appear completely to realise their aspect, Manners and dispositions. Some she learned to mimic. An undermaster who was an aversion of young Bretons had it seemed some peculiarities which she caught up in a moment from Graham's representation and rehearsed for his amusement. The pair indeed seldom quarrelled. Yet once a rupture occurred in which her feelings received a severe shock. One day, Graham on the occasion of his birthday had some friends, Lads of his own age, To dine with him. Paulina took much interest in the coming of these friends. She had frequently heard of them. They were amongst those of whom Graham often spoke. After dinner the young gentlemen were left by themselves in the dining room where they soon became very merry and made a good deal of noise. Chancing to pass through the hall I found Paulina sitting alone on the lowest step of the staircase her eyes fixed on the glossy panels of the dining room door. What are you thinking about, Polly? I asked. Nothing particular. I wish that door was clear glass that I might see through it. The boys seemed very cheerful. I want to go to them. I want to be with Graham and watch his friends. What hinders you from going? I feel afraid. Should I try, Do you think? May I knock at the door and ask to be let in? I thought perhaps they might not object to have her as a playmate and therefore encouraged the attempt. She knocked. Too faintly at first to be heard but on a second essay the door unclosed. Graham's head appeared. He looked in high spirits but impatient. What do you want, You little monkey? To come to you? Do you indeed? As if I would be trouble with you. Away to Mama now and Mistress Snow. Tell them to put you to bed. I had some thoughts of consoling her but she stopped me by putting her fingers in her ears at the first words I uttered. Graham forgot this impatience the same evening and would have accosted her as usual when his friends were gone. But Paulina wrenched herself from his hand. Her eye quite flashed. She would not bid him goodnight and she would not look in his face. The next day he treated her with indifference and she grew like a bit of marble. The day after he teased her to know what was the matter. But her lips would not unclose. Of course he could not feel real anger on his side. The match was too unequal in every way. Why was she so angry? He wondered. What had he done? By and by tears answered him. So he petted her and they were friends again. But she was one on whom such incidents were not lost. I remarked that never after this rebuff did she seek him or follow him or in any way solicit his notice. I told Paulina once to carry a book or some other article to Graham when he was shut up in his study. But she did not. I shall wait until he comes out, She said proudly. I don't choose to give him the trouble of rising to open the door. I was not long allowed the amusement of this study of Paulina. She had scarcely been at Breton two months when a letter came from her father signifying he was now settled among his maternal kinsfolk on the continent. As England was becoming wholly distasteful to him, He said, He had no thoughts of returning hither, Perhaps for years, And he wished his little girl to join him immediately. I wonder how she'll take the news, Said Mrs. Breton when she'd read the letter. I wonder too that I took it upon myself to communicate it. Polly, I said, Should you like to travel? Not just yet, Was the prudent answer, But perhaps in twenty years when I'm grown a woman as tall as Mrs. Breton, I may travel with Graham. We intend to go to Switzerland and climb Mount Blanc. Someday we shall sail over to South America and walk to the top of Khim Khim Horasa. But how would you like to travel now if your papa was with you? Her reply, Not given till after a pause, Invents one of those unexpected turns of temper peculiar to her. Where is the good of talking in that silly way? Said she. Why do you mention papa? What is papa to you? I was just beginning to be happy with Graham and not think about him so much. And there it will be all to do all over again. Her lip trembled. I hastened to disclose the fact of a letter having been received, And to mention the directions given that she and Harriet should immediately rejoin her dear papa. Now, Polly, Are you not glad? I added. Polly made no answer. She dropped her book and ceased to rock her doll and gazed at me with gravity and earnestness. Shall you not like to go to papa? I pressed. Of course, She said at last in that trenchant manner she usually employed in speaking to me. A manner that was quite different from that she used with Mrs. Bratton, And different again from the one dedicated to Graham. I wished to ascertain more of what she thought, But no, She would converse no more. Hastening to Mrs. Bratton, She questioned her, And received the confirmation of my news. The weight and importance of these tidings kept her perfectly serious the whole day. In the evening, At the moment Graham's entrance was heard below, I found her at my side. She began to arrange a locket ribbon about my neck, And displaced and replaced the comb in my hair. While thus busied, Graham entered. Tell him bye and bye, She whispered. Tell him I'm going. In the course of tea time, I made the desired communication. Graham, It chance, Was at that time greatly preoccupied about some school prize for which he was competing. Polly going, He said. Little Miss Mousy, I shall be sorry to lose her. She must come to us again, Mama. Then hastily swallowing his tea, He took a candle and a small table to himself and his books, And was soon buried in study. Paulina crept to his side and lay down on the carpet at his feet, Her face to the floor. Graham was wholly unconscious of her proximity. A minute after, One little hand stalled out from beneath her face as to which it had been pressed and softly caressed his heedless foot. When summoned by her nurse, Paulina then rose and departed very obediently, Having bid us all a subdued goodnight. Once in bed, I asked her, Would you like to bid Graham goodnight again? He's not gone to his room yet. At once Paulina stretched out her little arms to be lifted, So folding a shawl around her, I carried her back to the drawing room. Graham was just coming out. She cannot sleep without seeing and speaking to you once more, I said. Polly does not like the thought of leaving you. I've spoiled her, Said he, Taking her from me with good humour. You care for me more than Papa now, He said, Kissing her hot little face. I do care for you, But you care nothing for me, Said Paulina. She was then assured to the contrary, Again kissed, Restored to me, And I carried her away. But she was not soothed. Paulina, You should not grieve that Graham does not care for you so much, I said. It must be so. Why? She asked. Because he is a boy and you are a girl. He's sixteen and you're only six. His nature's strong and gay and yours is otherwise. But I love him so much, He should love me a little. He does, He is fond of you, And you are his favourite. Now don't fret, But don't expect to see too much of him, Or else he will feel you to be troublesome, And then it's all over. All over, Said Paulina softly. I'll be good then, I'll try to be good, Lucy Snow. I put her to bed. There is no future, Said she. I'm going, Shall I ever see him again after I leave England? I returned an encouraging response, The candle being extinguished, A still half hour elapsed. I thought Polly asleep, When the little white sheep once more lifted itself in the crib. Do you like Graham, Miss Snow? Like him? Yes, A little. Only a little, Don't you like him as I do? I think not, Not as you do. Do you like him much? I told you I liked him a little, What's the use of caring for him so very much, He's full of faults. Is he? All boys are. More than girls? Very likely, Wise people say it's folly to think anybody perfect, And as to likes and dislikes, You should be friendly to all and worship none. Are you a wise person, Lucy Snow? I mean to try to be so. Now go to sleep. I cannot go to sleep. Have you no pain just here? She pointed to her breast. Wouldn't you think you shall have to leave Graham, For your home's not here? Surely, Polly, Said I, You should not feel so much pain when you're very soon going to rejoin your father. Have you forgotten him? Do you no longer wish to be his little companion? Dead silence answered this question. Lie down and sleep now, I urged. My bed is cold, Said she, I can't warm it. I saw the little thing shiver. Come to me then, I said. I wished yet scarcely hoped she would comply, For she was a most strange, Capricious little creature. She came, However, Instantly like a small ghost gliding over the carpet, And I took her in. She was chill, So I warmed her in my arms, And she trembled nervously. Thus tranquilised as I soothed her, She at last fell to a slumber. How will she ever get through this world or battle with this life? I thought. How will she bear the shocks and repulses, The humiliations and desolations? Which books and my own reason tell me are prepared for all flesh? The next day Paulina departed, Trembling like a leaf when she took leave. But she exercised self-command, Nevertheless.

Reviews

Listening to the first chapters of this story I've never heard off, I'm curious to how this will evolve. Thank you for reading it so captivating as you do Stephany 💟