Rochester
From whence do you hail? What is your tale of woe?
Jane
[confused]
Pardon?
Rochester
All governesses have a tale of woe. What is yours?
Jane
I was brought up by my aunt, Mrs. Reed of Gateshead, in a house even finer than this. I then attended Lowood school where I received an education as good as I could hope for. I have no tale of woe, sir.
Rochester
Where are your parents?
Jane
Dead, sir.
Rochester
Do you remember them?
Jane
No.
Rochester
And why are you not with Mrs. Reed at Gateshead now?
Jane
She cast me off, sir.
Rochester
Why?
Jane
Because I was burdensome and she disliked me.
Rochester
[Incredulous]
No tale of woe?
Rochester
[after Jane and Mr. Rochester have put out a fire that was set to his bed]
Say nothing about this. You are no talking fool.
Jane
But...
Rochester
I'll account for the state of affairs. Say nothing.
Jane
Yes, sir.
Rochester
Is that how you would leave me? Jane, fire is a horrible death. You've saved my life. Don't walk past me as if we were strangers.
Jane
What am I to do, then?
Rochester
[Rochester offers his hand, which she hesitates before taking. He covers her hand with his and draws closer]
I have a pleasure in owing you my life.
Jane
There is no debt.
Rochester
I knew you would do me good in some way. I saw it in your eyes when I first beheld you. Their expression did not strike my very inmost being so for nothing. People talk of natural sympathies. You...
Jane
Good night then, sir.
Rochester
You will leave me, then.
Jane
I am cold.
Rochester
Go.
Rochester
I know you; you're thinking. Talking is of no use, you're thinking how to act.
Jane
All has changed sir. I must leave you.
Rochester
No. No. Jane do you love me.
Rochester
[Jane nods]
Then the essential things are the same. Be my wife.
Jane
You have a wife.
Rochester
I pledge you my honor, my fidelity...
Jane
You cannot.
Rochester
...my love until death do us part.
Jane
What of truth?
Rochester
I would have told you the truth.
Jane
You are deceitful sir.
Rochester
I was wrong to deceive you. I see that now, it was cowardly. I should have appealed to your spirit as I do now. Bertha Antoinette Mason, she was wanted by my father for her fortune. I hardly spoke with her before the wedding. I lived with her for 4 years. Her temper ripened, her vices sprang up, violent and unchaste. Only cruelty would check her and I'd not use cruelty. I was chained to her for life Jane. Not even the law could free me. Have you ever set foot in a mad house Jane?
Jane
No sir.
Rochester
The inmates are caged and baited like beasts. I spared her that at least. Jane?
Jane
Yes I pity you sir.
Rochester
Who would you offend by living with me? Who would care?
Jane
I would.
Rochester
You would rather drive me to madness than break some mere human law.
Jane
I must respect myself.
Rochester
Listen to me. Listen. I could bend you with my finger and my thumb. A mere reed you feel in my hands. But whatever I do with this cage, I cannot get at you, and it is your soul that I want. Why can't you come of your own free will?
Jane
God help me.
Rochester
Who's there? This hand. Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre.
Jane
Edward, I'm come back to you. Fairfax Rochester with nothing to say.
Rochester
You're altogether a human being Jane.
Jane
I conscientiously believe so.
Rochester
I dream.
Jane
Awaken then.
