«
    Again I questioned; but this time only in thought. »Where is that region?
Does it exist?« And I clasped my arms closer round Helen; she seemed dearer to
me than ever; I felt as if I could not let her go; I lay with my face hidden on
her neck. Presently she said in the sweetest tone, -
    »How comfortable I am! That last fit of coughing has tired me a little; I
feel as if I could sleep: but don't leave me, Jane; I like to have you near me.«
    »I'll stay with you, dear Helen: no one shall take me away.«
    »Are you warm, darling?«
    »Yes.«
    »Good-night, Jane.«
    »Good-night, Helen.«
    She kissed me, and I her; and we both soon slumbered.
    When I awoke it was day; an unusual movement roused me; I looked up; I was
in somebody's arms; the nurse held me; she was carrying me through the passage
back to the dormitory. I was not reprimanded for leaving my bed; people had
something else to think about: no explanation was afforded then to my many
questions; but a day or two afterwards I learned that Miss Temple, on returning
to her own room at dawn, had found me laid in a little crib; my face against
Helen Burns's shoulder, my arms round her neck. I was asleep, and Helen was -
dead.
    Her grave is in Brocklebridge churchyard: for fifteen years after her death
it was only covered by a grassy mound; but now a gray marble tablet marks the
spot, inscribed with her name, and the word »Resurgam.«
 

                                   Chapter X

Hitherto I have recorded in detail the events of my insignificant existence: to
the first ten years of my life, I have given almost as many chapters. But this
is not to be a regular autobiography: I am only bound to invoke memory where I
know her responses will possess some degree of interest; therefore I now pass a
space of eight years almost in silence: a few lines only are necessary to keep
up the links of connection.
    When the typhus fever had fulfilled its mission of devastation at Lowood, it
gradually disappeared from thence; but not till its virulence and the number of
its victims had drawn public attention on the school. Inquiry was made into the
origin of the scourge, and by degrees various facts came out which excited
public indignation in a high degree. The unhealthy nature of the site