Jane Eyre Page #3

your room.

We've a nice, cozy fire burning there

for you,

and Leah's taken the chill off

the sheet with the warming pad.

You know, dear, I'm so glad you've come

Living here with no company

but the servants,

it's not too cheerful, I can tell you.

I do declare, not a living creature

but the butcher

and the postman has come to this house

since the hard weather ste in.

Shall I have the pleasure to

see Miss Fairfax tonight?

Miss Fairfax?

Oh, you mean Miss Adele.

Isn't she your daughter?

Oh, gracious, no. Adele is French.

I have no family, no family at all.

That's Mr. Edward's room.

He's abroad, of course,

but I always keep it ready for him.

His visits are always so unexpected

and sudden.

A wanderer on the face of the earth.

That's what Mr. Edward is, I'm afraid.

Mr. Edward. Who is Mr. Edward?

Why, the owner of Thornfield, of course

Oh, I thought this was your house.

My, bless your soul, child.

I'm only the housekeeper.

Thornfield belongs to

Mr. Edward Rochester,

and little Adele is his ward.

And here is your room, my dear.

It's quite small,

but I thought you'd like it better

than one of the large front chambers.

Oh, it's very beautiful.

I can't understand why a gentleman of

a house like this

so seldom comes to it

It is strange, but you'll find,

Miss Eyre, that in many ways,

Mr. Edward is a strange man.

Good night, my dear.

Good night.

Bonjour, mademoiselle.

Mama had a dress like that,

mademoiselle,

only she could dance

much more beautifully.

I can dance, too.

Do you wish to see?

Now? This very moment?

Now, you speak like Monsieur Rochester.

For him it is never the right moment,

Mais jamais.

Your name's Adele, isn't it?

Do you know what I was thinking, Adele?

I was just thinking that never in my

life have I been awakened so heavenly.

Do you like that, mademoiselle?

Very much, Adele.

A great of gentlemen and ladies

came to see mama,

and I used to dance before them,

or sit on their knees and sing to them.

I liked it.

And where was that?

In Paris. We lived always in Paris,

but then my mama had to go to

the Holy Virgin.

Monsieur Rochester came

and took me across the sea in a great

ship with a chimney that smoked,

and I was sick.

Do you like Monsieur Rochester?

I've not met him yet.

This is his chair.

He sits here and stares into the fire

and frowns like this.

Is he as bad as that?

Twice as bad. l cannot make

how bad he is.

But I'm sure he's very kind, too.

Oh, sometimes he brings me

beautiful presents,

but when he's angry, that's terrible.

And may the Holy Virgin give me grace,

and God bless make him polite

to mademoiselle,

so she will stay with me forevre

and ever. Amen.

Aah!

Can I do anything?

Stand out of the way.

I'm sorry I frightened your horse.

Apologies won't mend my ankle.

Down, Pilot!

Well, what are you waiting for?

I can't leave until I see you're fit

to ride.

A will of your own. Where are you from?

From Mr. Rochester's house just below.

You know Mr. Rochester?

No. I've never seen him.

You're not a servant at the hall.

I'm the new governess.

Oh.

You're the new governess.

Uhh.

Now, just hand me my whip.

Thank you.

Now, kindly get out of the way.

Quick, dear. Off with your things.

He's been asking to

see the new governess.

Who?

Why, Mr. Rochester, of course.

Rode in on us suddenly

without any warning,

and in such a vile humor.

Seems he had an accident.

I don't know what to do.

He won't let me send for the doctor.

Oh, my goodness, your bonnet.

Here is Miss Eyre, sir.

Well, Miss Eyre, have you no tongue?

I was waiting, sir,

until l was spoken to.

Very proper.

The next time you see a man on a horse,

don't run out in the middle of the road

till he's passed.

I assume, sir, it was not deliberate.

It may not have been deliberate.

It was, nonetheless, painful.

sit down, Miss Eyre.

Where do you come from?

From Lowood institution, sir.

Lowood? What's that?

It's a ch arity school.

I was there 10 years.

No wonder you have rather a look of

another world.

I marvelled where you got that sort

of face.

When you came on me in the mist,

I found myself thinking of fairy tales.

I had half a mind to demand

whether you'd bewitched my horse.

Indeed, I'm not sure yet.

Who are your parents?

I have none, sir.

Your home?

I have no home, sir.

Who recommended you to come here?

I advertised,

and Mrs. Fairfax hunted

the advertisements...

You came posthaste to be here in time

to throw me off my horse.

What did you learn at Lowood?

Do you play the piano?

A little.

Of course.That's the established answer

Go in the drawing room.

I mean, if you please.

Excuse my tone of command.

I'm used to saying, ''Do this,''

and it is done.

I cannot aIter my customary habits.

Take a candle with you.

Leave the door open.

Sit down at the piano. Play a tune.

Enough!

You play a little, I see,

like any other English schoolgirl.

Perhaps rather better than some,

but not well.

Good night, Miss Eyre.

Good night.

What sort of man was this master

of Thornfield...

So proud, sardonic, and harsh?

Instinctively,

I feIt that his malignant mood had

its source in some cruel cross of fate.

I was to learn that

this was indeed true,

and that beneath the harsh mask

he assumed,

lay a tortured soul, fine,

gentle and kindly.

Too much noise, Grace.

I've spoken to you before.

My dear, I'm so sorry.

I had to say something to Grace Poole.

She's a person we have to do the sewing

Not aItogether unobjectionable,

but she does her work.

How did you get on with Mr. Rochester,

my dear?

Is he always so changeful and abrupt?

He had his little peculiarities of

temper, of course,

but then allowances should be made.

Why for him more than for anyone else?

Partly because that's his nature,

and partly, too,

because he has painful thoughts.

What about?

Family troubles.

I think that's why he so seldom comes

to Thorfield.

It has unpleasant associations for him.

Good night, my dear.

Good night, Mrs. Fairfax.

Monsieur Rochester is very difficuIt,

but he brings

the most beautiful presents.

Look, mademoiselle. Mademoiselle!

Do you see? They suit me perfectly.

A ballet dress,

just like mama used to wear.

Isn't it beautiful, mademoiselle?

Beautiful, Adele.

I shall wear it when l dance always.

Miss Eyre.

(French)

(French)

Miss Eyre.

I'm not fond of the prattle of children

As you see, I'm a crusty old bachelor,

and I have no pleasant associations

connected with their lisp.

In this house, the only aIternative is

the prattle of a simple-minded old lady

which is nearly as bad.

Today, I feel disposed to be gregarious

and communicative,

and I believe you could amuse me.

You puzzled me a great deal that first

evening in the librarry, Miss Eyre.

I'd almost forgotten you since,

but now, I'm resolved to be at ease.

Doing what please me.

It please me now to draw you out,

to learn more of you.

Sit down, Miss Eyre.

No, not further back. Down just here.

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