Ext. A midsummer dawn. Thornfield the grounds

INT. EVENING. THORNFIELD - THE GALLERY

Bertha walks past an elegant vase. She tips it to the

floor. It smashes. Rochester pays it no heed.

INT. EVENING. THORNFIELD - THE LIBRARY.

Rochester has stood Bertha at his desk. A case of jewels is

open before her. She has put on a tiara, a diamond

necklace, bracelets. She is gazing at a ruby brooch. She

turns to Rochester. His expression is calm, resigned.

Bertha begins to laugh.

She takes the candelabra from the table. She admires

herself in the mirror; her white shift, the black feathers,

the jewels. She holds up the candelabra and sets the huge

curtains alight.

Jane Eyre adapted by Moira Buffini March 2008 116.

Rochester is impassive; he does nothing to stop her. As she

passes, Rochester realises he is bleeding. She has run the

brooch pin across him.