Jane Eyre

sync ETHEO

Sir! Mr Rochester, Sir. Wake up!

For heaven's sake, sir, wake up!

Jane, are you hurt?

No, sir.

But you were nearly killed in your bed.

What happened here? I don't know.

I heard a noise and I followed it here.

Shall I fetch Mrs Fairfax?

No. What can she do?

I must fetch someone to help, sir.

No!

Sit, Jane, quietly.

Wait here for me.

Can you do that?

DISTANT DOOR CLOSES

It's settled. It is as I thought.

How, sir? I forgot. Did you say you saw anything, anyone?

No, I heard a laugh.

I think it was Grace Poole, sir.

Of course, you're right.

She is a singular sort of person.

She is often careless, and accidents happen.

We will say no more about it.

Go back to your room.

Servants will be up in an hour or two.

Are you going without saying good night?

Jane, you just...

You just saved my life.

You might at least shake hands.

I knew you'd do me good, the first time I met you.

I knew I wouldn't mind being in your debt.

There is no debt, sir.

There is no debt, sir.

I am glad I happened to be awake.

She saves me from an inferno and she's glad she happened to be awake. Still she tries to go.

I am cold, sir.

Of course.

Of course.

And we agreed that you'd never be cold again.

Well, if you must leave me...

..you must.

It's a mystery how he wasn't burnt in his bed.

He will read with a candle burning. I've told him how dangerous that is.

Morning, dear. Morning.

Morning, Miss.

Morning, Grace.

What has happened here?

Master was reading in bed again.

Fortunately, he woke up and no real harm was done.

That's very strange.

Did no-one hear anything?

Mrs Fairfax said she heard nothing.

She sleeps heavily.

You're young, Miss.

Maybe you heard a noise?

I did.

At first, I thought it was Pilot, but Pilot cannot laugh.

And I'm certain I heard a laugh.

A strange one.

Hardly likely the master would laugh, not when he was in such danger.

I think you must have been dreaming, Miss. I most certainly was not dreaming. Did you open your door?

Did you see who or what it was you thought laughed?

On the contrary. I locked my door.

Very wise.

It would be wise to lock your door the moment you go to bed.

Who knows what might happen?

You're not eating again. You ate very little at lunch time, Miss Eyre. I hope you're not sickening.

You're very flushed.

Oh, I'm very well, thank you.

Never better.

Oh, it's a fine night.

On the whole, a very good day for Mr Rochester's journey.

Journey? I didn't know he was going out.

Oh, he set off right after breakfast.

He's gone to Mr Eshton's place, over the other side of Millcote.

He'll likely stay a fortnight or more at the house party.

A fortnight?

Yes, I told you, he's hardly ever here for more than a few days.

And you can't say he hasn't been starved of company these last two months.

Oh, I mean fine and proper company of course, my dear.

When these fashionable, beautiful people get together they're in no hurry to separate.

Single gentlemen are especially sought after.

And Mr Rochester is so talented in society.

The ladies are very fond of him.

He's a very fine singer.

He sings? Oh, yes.

He and Miss Blanche Ingram sang at a Christmas party here some years ago.

This Miss Ingram, is she very beautiful?

Oh, good Lord, yes.

She has very fine features.

Brilliant eyes,

very striking. Well, she's the belle of the county.

She's not yet married? No. The Ingram's estate will pass to the son.

The daughters have only small fortunes.

But if she is so very beautiful, she must have wealthy suitors.

Mr Rochester, for example. Well, yes.

But there is a considerable difference in age. What of it?

There are more unequal matches made every day.

Why yes, dear, but I scarcely think Mr Rochester would think that a good idea.

You've eaten nothing again. I'm sure you're sickening for something and the master's away.

I must decide whether to send for Doctor Crawford.

I am perfectly well, as I said.

Never better.

'Are you sure you weren't mistaken, Miss Eyre?'

You were mistaken, Jane Eyre.

'Miss Blanche Ingram is the most beautiful and accomplished young lady.

'She is right and proper company for the master.'

THEY LAUGH

Who are you writing to, Miss Eyre?

I thought you had no-one to write to.

I don't. We are your family now.

I wish Mr Rochester would come back. I am so bored.

I wouldn't wish for long. Sometimes he leaves us for many a month, especially in the cold winter season.

Once, he left us for a whole year and a quarter.

Oh, that was a very long winter.

I can remember it well.

Miss Eyre, are you sick?

Your cheeks are pink. It is very hot in here this morning, Adele.

Oh, it's from the master. Well...

SHE CLEARS HER THROAT

Well.

Mr Rochester is not likely to return home soon?

He's returning all right.

Leah! Come quickly.

BELL RINGS

Open all the rooms, all the windows.

Logs over here, please. In the grate, not upstairs, thank you. Mr Roberts,

would you be so kind as to joint the meat for me, please? Thank you.

The silver needs a thorough polishing, please.

Thank you, Polly, in the scullery.

A thorough polishing. Good, more flowers.

The flowers are so pretty.

Nice display in the centre there, thank you. Oh, thank goodness!

Now, I wanted an extra four pounds of baking apples and plums.

Can you check for me that they are here?

I would prefer for you to use goose eggs.

If you come with me, I'll show you where we keep them.

Are you sure all this is necessary?

Oh, yes, I think so.

We're not sure how many house guests he's bringing but we must be sure to have more than enough to feed them.

Oh, dear, I've never done this before. But the master's never been home long enough to have a party.

Goose eggs.

Mrs Poole gets good wages, I suppose?

Yeah, about five times what I get, and Master's not stingy.

I wonder...

I'll race you over to the river.

Oh, there they are at last.

Oh, my dear, how lovely it is to meet you.

I must go down and greet them.

That is Mademoiselle Ingram. She has a French name, Blanche.

And that is her sister. I think it must be.

And that's Lady Ingram, her mother.

THEY LAUGH

Master says you may join the ladies this evening.

Oh, I must start to prepare at once.

I must wear absolutely my best dress.

Adele, you think too much of your appearance.

It's the person inside you that matters.

No-one will love you for how pretty you are.

I do not think that can be right, Miss Eyre.

You must take her into the drawing room before the guests finish dinner.

Oh, no, surely I don't have to be there.

Adele can go with Sophie.

Master's orders. He says you must be there, or he will come to your room and bring you down himself.

BELL RINGS

Adele, come on.

Des amandes.

Adele, come on.

Ah, there's the pictures. Beautiful, isn't it?

DISTANT CHATTER

You look alike, move alike, sound alike.

You are, if I may say so a particularly fine example of the split female embryo.

I hope you'll permit me to ask you some questions?

Of course. Everybody is. Yes, that's right, everyone is interested in us.

Lady Ingram, you don't escape our argument so easily.

Rochester, I don't understand you.

If some people are rich and some poor, then that is God's will.

So be it, I am satisfied.

I'm sure you are if you are one of the predetermined rich.

And it is a scientific fact that there are so many more who are poor. Adele!

Adele. Sit down, Adele.

Can't we talk about something else?

There are children and servants present.

Oh, good Lord! What on earth is this?

It is Mr Rochester's ward, I suppose.

The little French girl.

Mr Rochester, I thought you were not fond of children. I'm not.

Then what on earth made you take on that little doll? Where did you pick her up?

I didn't pick her up. She was left in my hands.

Well, you should send her to school where she belongs.

Well, schools are expensive.

But you have a governess, I see. There, hiding behind the screen.

Now that's expensive, for you have to feed them both.

What are you talking about now, Rochester?

Oh, no. We don't want Mother getting started on governesses.

We're talking of governesses, Lady Ingram.

Oh, don't mention them!

I'm so glad that Blanche and Mary have no longer any need for them.

Governesses are a nuisance, all of them.