For that house, which was to be regarded as an occasional home for their brother, could hardly be a fitting residence for the children of strangers.

They had, in all likelihood, become silently aware that his habits were such as to render his society at times most undesirable.

Possibly, too, they had, by this time, heard distressing rumours concerning the cause of that remorse and agony of mind, which at times made him restless and unnaturally merry, at times rendered him moody and irritable.
In January, 1845, Charlotte says:--"Branwell has been quieter and less irritable, on the whole, this time than he was in summer.

Anne is, as usual, always good, mild, and patient." The deep-seated pain which he was to occasion to his relations had now taken a decided form, and pressed heavily on Charlotte's health and spirits.

Early in this year, she went to H.to bid good-bye to her dear friend "Mary," who was leaving England for Australia.
Branwell, I have mentioned, had obtained the situation of a private tutor.