Ext. A midsummer dawn. Thornfield the grounds

INT. DAY. GATESHEAD - BESSIE'S PARLOUR.

Bessie, now housekeeper, is moving forward to meet Jane.

BESSIE

Bless you! - I knew you'd come.

They embrace.

JANE

Bessie... I'm not too late? How

is Mrs Reed?

BESSIE

She may linger yet a while. She's

spoken of you daily. At first we

couldn't tell what she was saying

but when her speech came clear we

heard 'Jane Eyre, get Jane Eyre.'

JANE

Shall I see her now?

BESSIE

I'll take you up directly. But look

at you. What a lady you've become.

Why you're almost pretty.

INT. DAY. GATESHEAD - MRS REED'S BEDROOM

Jane takes her aunt's hand. Mrs Reed looks very near death.

JANE

Aunt Reed? It is Jane Eyre. You

sent for me, and here I am.

Mrs Reed, with an effort, pulls her hand away from Jane's.

MRS REED

No one knows the trouble I have

with that child. Such a burden.

Left on my hands. Speaking to me

like a fiend. The fever at

Lowood. She should have died!