One of this author's title characters is informed of the death of her gambling father at the end of the chapter "Mirth and Mourning." That character mercy-kills a brood of birds to prevent a sadistic seven-year old boy from plucking off their wings. 
One of this author's title characters is informed of the death of her gambling father at the end of the chapter "Mirth and Mourning." That character mercy-kills a brood of birds to prevent a sadistic seven-year old boy from plucking off their wings. Another novel by this author opens with a letter written to Jack (*) Halford by Gilbert Markham, who becomes infatuated with Helen Graham, a new resident of the title mansion. For 10 points, name this author of Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, the sister of authors Emily and Charlotte.
One of this author's title characters is informed of the death of her gambling father at the end of the chapter "Mirth and Mourning.
Anne Bronte [prompt on "Bronte"]