Ext. A midsummer dawn. Thornfield the grounds

FEATURES -

JANE

Mr Rochester, it was a blunder.

I ought to have replied that

beauty is of little consequence -

ROCHESTER

Now you stick a knife under my

EAR -

JANE

You have other qualities, sir.

ROCHESTER

Just so; other qualities... When

I was your age I was a felling

enough fellow. I might have been

insulted then. You're blushing

Miss Eyre.

JANE

Not at all.

ROCHESTER

And though you're not pretty any

more than I am handsome, I must

say it becomes you.

(HE LAUGHS)

And now I see you're fascinated

by the flowers on the rug.

Jane senses his mockery.

ROCHESTER (CONT'D)

I'd like to draw you out. Come,

speak to me.

JANE

What about, sir?

ROCHESTER

The choice of subject is entirely

yours.

JANE

How can I introduce a subject

when I don't know what'll

interest you?

Jane Eyre adapted by Moira Buffini March 2008 47.

ROCHESTER

The fact is, Miss Eyre, I don't

wish to treat you like an

inferior.

JANE

Yet you'd command me to speak?

ROCHESTER

Well I probably have a right to

be a little abrupt and exacting

on the grounds of my superiority

in age. There must be twenty

years between us and a century's

advance in experience.

JANE

I don't think you have a right to

command me just because you're

older. Your claim to superiority

depends on the use you've made of

your time and experience.

ROCHESTER

I've made indifferent use of

both. And this is why I sit,

galled by my own thoughts - and

order you to divert me. Are you

very hurt by my tone of command?

Jane smiles.

JANE

There are few masters who'd

trouble to enquire whether their

paid subordinates were hurt by

their commands.

ROCHESTER

Oh yes... paid subordinate; I'd

forgotten the salary. Well on

that mercenary ground, will you

consent to speak with me as my

equal - without thinking that the

request arises from insolence?

JANE

I'd never mistake informality for

insolence, sir. One, I rather

like. The other, nothing free

born should ever submit to - even

for a salary.

ROCHESTER

Humbug. Most free-born things

would submit to anything for a

salary. But I mentally shake

hands with you for your answer.

(MORE)

Jane Eyre adapted by Moira Buffini March 2008 48.