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Good evening and welcome to this sleepy bookshelf

where we put down our worries from the day and pick up a good book.

I'm your host, Elizabeth.

Thank you for choosing to be here this evening.

Tonight we are continuing with Villett.

But before we do, let's give ourselves some time to be present.

Lie or sit very still.

Uncross your legs and keep your arms by your eyes.

eyes and breathe evenly and naturally. Without altering your breath, just move your focus to the air coming into your body and leaving it.

Notice what is happening to your body while you breathe, and maybe say quietly to yourself,

I'm inhaling, I'm exhaling and use this to stay present.

If any thoughts creep in, just acknowledge them and let them slide away,

keeping your focus on your breath and my voice and remaining still and calm.

In our last episode, we met Lucy Snow, a young girl who visits her godmother, Mrs. Breton, in a lovely large house in the town of the same name twice a year.

One day a letter arrived for Mrs Breton and when Lucy returned to her room there was a small white crib in it.

A little girl showed up the next evening named Paulina Mary Home or Polly who was to stay with the Bretons while her widowed father was abroad looking after his health.

...