"Villette" was first published in 1853 - on January 28th. In a letter to Miss Wooler, dated January 27 th, 1858, Charlotte Bronte wrote: "Villette is to be published to-morrow. Its appearance has been purposely delayed hitherto, to avoid discourteous clashing with Mrs. Gaskell's new work." The story was received, as its writer's friend and biographer tells us, "with one burst of acclamation"; but the laudatory notices only served to make the author's heart "swell with thankfulness to Him who takes note both of suffering, and work, and motives." But it seemed fated that each of her books should bring with it some jar in friendship or some disappointment in expectation. "Jane Eyre was the centre of a very vortex of discussion; "Shirley" touched for its writer the weakness in Greorge Henry Lewes's character; and now "Villette" brought forth a review in the Daily News which disappointed her in Harriet Martineau.