The Crimes of Charlotte Bronte (42 page)

Charlotte was delighted with the idea, but then Fate took a hand because Aunt Branwell died on 29 October 1842.

The sisters returned to Haworth in November, and there was a family conference. Eventually it was decided that Charlotte would return to Brussels alone. Anne would go back to Thorp Green Hall, and would be accompanied by Branwell, who had been engaged as tutor to the Robinsons' young son. As for Emily, she was more than content to remain at home to run the Parsonage and look after her father.

So, in January 1843, Charlotte went back to the Hégers, but she resigned at the end of the year and returned to Haworth. Homesickness was given as the reason for her resignation, but the truth of the matter was that she had fallen head over heels in love with Monsieur Héger, and his wife had realized the situation.

Over the next two years Charlotte was to write passionate, and sometimes pathetic, letters to her ‘only joy on earth', but never did M. Héger respond as she would have wished.

Once she was back from Belgium, Charlotte persuaded Emily that they should continue with the original plan and, in 1844, they opened their school – but at the Parsonage. That does not appear to have been the intention when the idea was conceived, but circumstances had changed. No longer was there any possibility of financial support from Aunt Branwell – although they had inherited shares from her, they did not wish to sell them – and there was growing concern about Mr Brontë. His eyesight was failing and, rumour had it, he was drinking far more than was good for him.

It was felt that using the Parsonage would solve both problems. Although not ideal for such a project, the accommodation was free and the sisters would be able to keep an eye on their father.

Unfortunately, and despite their enthusiasm and the distribution of many circulars, everything came to naught. There were no applications for places and the venture was abandoned.

Then, in late May 1845, the Reverend Arthur Bell Nicholls arrived on the scene.

He was the new curate, twenty-seven years old, handsome, but impecunious. A black-bearded Ulsterman, he had been born in Crumlin, County Antrim, of Scottish parents, on 6 January 1818. Orphaned at the age of seven, he was brought up by an uncle, Dr Alan Bell, who was the headmaster of the Royal High School in Banagher, King's County. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1844 and was ordained the following year.

It will be seen from this brief history of the earlier years of the Brontë sisters that little of note had occurred until 1845, the year at which Martha's account begins. Until then their lives had followed patterns which, if continued, would have destined them for obscurity. Had they known what the next few years were to bring they might very well have settled for what they had.

ADAM, H.L. –
Trial of George Chapman
(William Hodge & Co. Ltd, 1930)

BARKER, J.R.V. – ‘Subdued Expectations: Charlotte Brontë's Marriage Settlement' (
Brontë Society Transactions
19.1 & 2.33, 1986)
The Brontës
(Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1994)

BENTLEY, P. –
The Brontës and Their World
(Thames & Hudson Ltd, 1971)

EDGERLEY, C.M. – ‘Causes of Death of the Brontës' (
British Medical Journal
2 April 1932)

FRASER, R. –
Charlotte Brontë
(Methuen, 1988)

GERIN, W. –
Emily Brontë
(Oxford University Press, 1971)

GRUNDY, F. –
Pictures of the Past
(Griffith & Farrar, 1879)

HANSON, L. and E.M. –
The Four Brontës
(Oxford University Press, 1949)

LEYLAND, F. –
The Brontë Family
(E.J. Morten, 1973)

PARRISH, J.M. and CROSSLAND, J.R. –
The Fifty Most Amazing Crimes of the Last 100 Years
(Odhams Press Ltd, 1936)

PETERS, M. –
An Enigma of Brontës
(Robert Hale & Co., 1974)

WILSON, R.L. –
The Brontës
(Ward Lock Educational)

WISE, T.J. and SYMINGTON, J.A. –
The Brontës: Their Lives, Friendships and Correspondence
(Basil Blackwell Ltd, 1932)

The research for this book was carried out over many years and I consulted numerous people along the way. Unfortunately, as a result of other books intervening, and several moves, some of my records have gone astray. I must apologize, therefore, to those whom I have omitted from mention, but if they will contact me I shall ensure that their assistance is acknowledged in due course.

My deepest debts of gratitude, however, are to:

John Morrison
– a staunch friend. Although he has long held his own suspicions about how the Brontës really died, he has, over the years and with uncomplaining patience, allowed me to sound out my ideas to him. Generous to a fault, he has provided me with much material.

The Brontë Parsonage Museum
– with special thanks to Dr Juliet Barker, Ann Dinsdale, Jane Sellars and Kathryn White who were more than helpful and replied to my many enquiries with unfailing courtesy.

The late Dr F. D. M. Hocking
– a noted pathologist and the most entertaining of friends. Ever down-to-earth, and with an impish sense of humour, his help with the medical aspects of the Brontë deaths was invaluable. He is sorely missed.

Angela Skinner –
of Truro Public Library – who was always supportive, and constantly suggested and sought out books and information that she thought would aid me in my research.

My thanks are also due, in alphabetical order, to:

James Ansbro
– of County Mayo, Republic of Ireland – who was most helpful with my enquiries concerning Charlotte Brontë's honeymoon route.

Alison Carpenter
and
David Webb
– both of the Bishopsgate Institute Reference Library – who were, as always, friendly and efficient in answering my questions.

Finally, it would be very remiss of me were I not to pay tribute to:

David Blomfield
– my editor. Knowledgeable, friendly, patient and humorous, his logical mind and many suggestions saw us through several difficult patches. It was a great pleasure to work with him again.

Nick Robinson –
my publisher – and his excellent team for their enthusiasm, guidance and hard work. Their forbearance with the many idiosyncrasies of an aged author is much appreciated.