Ext. A midsummer dawn. Thornfield the grounds

INT. DAY. THORNFIELD - THE THIRD FLOOR.

The tapestried room. Rochester glances at Mason. He unlocks

the inner door with one hand; the other won't let go of

Jane. Grace Poole sits by a strongly guarded fire, stirring

something in a pot.

Rochester leads Jane and the men into the room. There is no

window, no furniture except for Grace's chair; only a

mattress on the floor.

GRACE

Sir, you can't be bringing folk

in here. It's madness.

Bertha Antoinetta Mason stands, amazed at the sight of her

visitors. She wears a white shift. There are black rook

feathers twined in her hair; her only ornament.

ROCHESTER

This clothed hyena is my wife.

Bertha's pose is dignified, her expression grows

triumphant. She approaches Rochester - her eyes locked with

Jane's. Jane gazes: fear, disgust, compassion.