To begin with, it was a cold winter evening in the bleak November. The driver had opened the gates and now he was driving the horse along an avenue; the large front of a house could be discerned through the darkness and the heavy rain among the gloomy trees. The mansion was spectacular. The said driver got down, took my trunk to the door and left. I knocked at the door.
A bit later I was ushered in by a manservant. He led me to a room furnished as a library. When I entered it, a bright fire was glowing and there were also two candles burning on the table and two more on the mantelpiece. `Will you wait here, madam?´, said he. After having a quick look I sat down on an easy-chair. Even though the two French windows were shut, I coul hear the north wind blowing furiously and the raindrops winking on the window panes. I shivered. I got up and advanced to the fire, removing my gloves. My hands as well as my feet were almost numbed with cold. By the fire my mind buried itself in conjectures on the meeting about to take place: `What I can do if I am rejected I know not.´ The old clock on the wall struck seven. I quitted the hearth and came back to the easy-chair.
Soon after, the door opened suddenly. A butler came in. `Will you walk this way, madam?´ I followed him across the wall to a drawing-room, where an old gentleman stood by the fire filling his pipe and a lady was sitting on a couch knitting.
- `My Lord, my Lady, Miss Anne Redcombe´, announced the butler.
- `Please, do sit down´, said he, the master.
Meanwhile, the mistress kindly came forward to meet me. `You are completely soaked, my dear. If you do not change your clothing you will ge sick´, she told me with a motherly tenderness, and adressing him, she added, `she'd rather go to her bedroom. Besides, she must be tired after so long a journey. Poor little girl!´ `Yes, indeed´, ejaculated the master. `Go up to your chamber and have a good rest. We can talk tomorrow morning. We do hope you will find everything suitable and all the inmate here agreeable´. She rang the bell. They bid me good night and I left the room, accompanied by the butler, who had just come in. A strong feeling of gratitude invaded my heart.
A long time elapsed since then. A never-ending period of happiness has followed that brief encounter. Even nowadays, some years later, every cold winter evening reminds me the first time I came into this house, my home, the very first moment I got in contact with these extraordinary creatures, now so deeply hooked in my heart and as dear to me as if we were the same blood, as if a strong family link made us remain together. They bestowed their affection and confidence on me, who shoud have been just a governess.
I have been alone no more, nor have I felt any longer the heavy burden oppressing my shoulders and my soul. We are intimately attached to each other. There is a close interdependence among us: they need me and love me as much as I long for their sweet support!
Dedicated to C. B.
