Ext. A midsummer dawn. Thornfield the grounds

JANE

I cannot come as your wife.

ST JOHN

Why this refusal? It makes no

sense!

JANE

If I were to marry you, you'd

kill me. You're killing me now.

ST JOHN

(FURIOUS)

I'd kill you? I am killing you?

Your words are violent, unfeminine

and untrue -

JANE

You'd kill me without drawing any

blood or receiving on your

conscience any stain of crime.

ST JOHN

What nonsense is this?

JANE

You'd experience no pain - but I

tell you it would kill me!

ST JOHN

Why?

JANE

Because I would inevitably come to

conceive love for you, because you

are so talented and good, because

there is such grandeur in your

look. You wouldn't want this

strange and torturing love; if I

showed it you would find it

unbecoming. And my lot would be

wretched.