[00:01.02] Chapter 29.
[00:03.07] More House.
[00:05.02] I lay ill for three days and came to know the people who took care of me.
[00:11.83] The young man was called Sinjin Rivers, and the young women were Diana and Mary, his sisters.
[00:20.56] The servant Hannah did not quite trust me, but the sisters were always kind and concerned.
[00:30.77] On the fourth day, I got up and found my clothes had been washed and ironed.
[00:37.42] A warm, earthy smell of fresh bread came from the kitchen, where I found Hannah baking.
[00:46.85] When she found me clean, tidy, and willing to help, she began to like me a little better.
[00:56.79] She talked freely as she baked.
[01:00.80] I learned that the house was named More House and had belonged to the Rivers family for generations, but they were rarely home.
[01:12.40] Sinjin was the vicar of a parish called Morton, a few miles away and lived there.
[01:21.95] Diana and Mary both worked away from home as governesses and were only back at More House for a short time.
[01:33.00] They were a close, loving family, and the sisters, especially Diana, became my dear friends.
[01:43.66] Sinjin was, I think, nearly 30, tall, fair, and slender, and very handsome, with an earnest, intense way of speaking.
[01:59.64] I was aware of his careful observation, as if no detail should ever be missed.
[02:09.29] He persistently asked about where I was from, and who my friends and family were, even though the subject brought me close to tears.
[02:22.22] But I felt I owed them some explanation.
[02:28.38] I have no family, I said.
[02:32.27] I never knew my parents.
[02:36.95] My father was a clergyman.
[02:41.30] I lived with relations, went to Lowood school, and worked as a governess.
[02:51.20] I can't tell you why I left, but you must understand that I cannot be blamed for anything that happened.
[02:59.86] I left quietly and secretly, and if not for your kindness, I would have died.
[03:08.87] Leave her alone, Sinjin, said Diana.
[03:14.34] Sit down, Miss Elliot.
[03:17.98] I had forgotten about the false name and did not answer to it.
[03:23.28] Sinjin noticed.
[03:26.54] Is that not your real name?
[03:31.70] I dare not give my real name, I said.
[03:35.54] I could be discovered.
[03:40.36] I understand, said Diana.
[03:43.89] Sinjin, leave her in peace.
[03:48.98] He did, but not for long.
[03:54.93] What do you mean to do next? he asked.
[03:59.93] Find work and earn my own living, I said.
[04:05.22] Will you help me?
[04:08.30] Any honest work will do.
[04:10.67] I don't mind being a servant.
[04:17.14] And may I stay here, please, until I find a home of my own?
[04:23.79] You must, said Diana.
[04:28.98] My sisters would like to keep you as a pet, remarked Sinjin.
[04:36.65] But I would rather help you become independent.
[04:43.12] And he returned to his book, leaving me exhausted by the conversation.