Emily - A Story of the Brontes Part II

Emily hated the streets of Brussels. Walking on hard pavements, rather than the grass of the moors. More and more, she wanted to go home. She did not care for the elaborate Catholic churches, nor the narrow society of the English community in the city. But she knew she had to go back to the Pennsionnat. She could only escape for short times. So she retraced her steps. "There is a letter from Anne, dear," Charlotte said as she came into the dormitory. "I've saved it so we could both read it." Emily smiled and took off her cloak and bonnet. "That's good news. Let me sit down and we can be comfortable." Charlotte slit open the letter and with Emily leaning over her shoulder, they started to read. The letter was short, and shocking. Aunt Branwell was seriously ill. They should come home at once if they wanted to see her. "I'll go and see Madame. We will have to pack at once, Emmy." Emily sat on the bed. She was shaken but the truth was that she had never been close to her aunt. It seem as if she was not likely to recover. She sat there til Charlotte returned. Her sister was flurried and told Emily to start packing. "Madame says we must go at once. I am afraid we will not be away for long". "I will", Emily retorted. "If I go, I won't be back." "But we must come back. Come along, let's get our valises." Emily pulled out her valise from under the bed. She flung things in untidily, not folding her dresses or packing her boots nicely. The following morning, they left to drive to get the boat to England. Emily, Charlotte realised, had packed all her clothes and possessions. It was clear she wasn't coming back. Knowing how stubborn she was, she decided not to argue about it until they got home.