Ext. A midsummer dawn. Thornfield the grounds

MRS FAIRFAX (CONT'D)

Have I done wrong?

ROCHESTER

Not at all. Please tell him I'll

see him directly.

Mrs Fairfax goes.

ROCHESTER (CONT'D)

Oh Jane - Jane. This is a blow.

JANE

Can I help you sir?

In the drawing room, Blanche's prelude finishes to

enthusiastic applause. Rochester has Jane's hand.

Jane Eyre adapted by Moira Buffini March 2008 68.

ROCHESTER

Jane, if all those people came and

spat at me, what would you do?

JANE

Turn them out of the room sir, if

I could.

ROCHESTER

And if they cast you out for

adhering to me?

JANE

I should care nothing about it.

ROCHESTER

You'd dare censure for my sake?

Jane is frightened of his passion.

JANE

For the sake of any friend who

deserved it.

Rochester lets her hand go. He steps back. He goes to the

morning room. Jane peers through the door, worrying how her

last words have given offence.

She sees a man rising to meet Rochester; handsome but gaunt

and painfully thin. His smile doesn't reach his eyes - as

if his soul is not quite his own.