The name of the place where, and of the person with whom I lived, is my
secret,« I replied, concisely.
    »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.«
    »I left Lowood nearly a year since to become a private governess. I obtained
a good situation, and was happy. This place I was