Ext. A midsummer dawn. Thornfield the grounds

BLANCHE

(QUIETLY)

As long as he resembled you.

Rochester laughs loudly. Jane is heading for the door.

BLANCHE (CONT'D)

I am serious. To my mind, a man

is nothing without a spice of the

devil in him.

Jane closes the door on Blanche. She breathes in fresh air,

nauseous. Blanche's splendid prelude drifts out.

Rochester comes into the hall from the other door. Jane

instantly bends down and pretends to be tying her shoe.

ROCHESTER

Why did you leave the room?

JANE

I am tired, sir.

ROCHESTER

Why didn't you come and speak to

me? I haven't seen you for weeks.

It would have been normal and

polite to wish me good evening.

JANE

You seemed engaged, sir.

ROCHESTER

What have you been doing while

I've been gone?