Jane Eyre or Poor Relations by James Willing
Character: in Prologue

Mrs Reed
Georgina
Jane Eyre
John Reed
Miss Abbot

Children

 

Characters in Drama

Fairfax Rochester
Mr Brocklehurst
John Reed
Colonel Dem

rd Ingram
Mr Eshton
Mr Mason

Guests

 

Jane Eyre
Blanche Ingram
Mary Ingram
Dowager Lady Ingram
Louisa Eshton
Amy Eshton
Grace Poole
Bertha Mason
Mrs Fairfax
Geogina Reed
Adele

Prologue
Mrs Reed, Georgina and Eliza discovered

Mrs Reed: It's of no use seeking a quarrel. I lmow Jane's temper well enough.

Georgina: Little upstart. Having children of your own, l wonder how you could
burden yourself with your husband's sister ‘s child.

Mrs Reed: My dear Georgina, all regrets now are useless. I have repented my
promise ever since I made it. She was Reed’s sister's child and a 5rd
favourite with him; in his last illness, he had it brought contimially U
his bedside; and but an hour before he died, he bound me by W" ~

Georgina:

Miss Abbot:

Mrs Reed:

Miss A bbot:

Mrs ReedE

Miss Abbot:

Mrs Reedi
Georgina:

Mrs Reed:

Miss Abbot:

Mrs Reed:

Miss A bbot:

Mrs Reed:

James Willings Jane Eyre (1079) 287

keep the creature. I would as soon have been charged with a pauper
brat out of a workhouse: but he was weak, naturally weak. John does
not at all resemble his father; lam glad of it: John is like me and like
my brothers.

She",_ “'9 ' g“"“"“,Lookather
the other day when you pu her in the Red Room for her impertinence;
she waited until m. " ' r ’ ehalting the door violently,
screamed at the top of her voice — she had seen a ghost all on purpose
to frighten us. If she had been in pain one would have excused it, but
she only wanted to prevent our sleep. l know her wicked tricks.

I suppose you locked her up because she was a naughty girl.

Exactly. You see l have a very dimcult duty to perform, and not by
any means a pleasant one in bringing up this girl — in my family. She
has neither talents or application excepting for mischief. And she is
always quarrelling with my own children - on the occasion Georgina
was mentioning the little fury shrieked so loudly and worked herself
into such a passion that she became delirious and we had to send for a
doctor to her.

Your family physician?

No, indeed — l sent to the apothecary who usually physics the sewants
when any of them are ailing — l must have been mad to promise Reed
to take care of her.

Mr Reed has been dead about nine years l think?

Yes —

And knowing how deeply Mamma feels his loss, that little wretched
J“... ' ('g‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ "‘ "ghostbecause
the Red Room was the one in which he died. Oh, she is artful. That girl
will come to a bad end, she's no gratitude in her.

Mr Lloyd the doctor has suggested me sending her to school. l have
therefore communicated with Mr Brocklehurst of the Lowood Orphan
8::th A L L ‘a ‘c J L. I t ‘I’ a lcapwt
to Jane — and l shall be sincerely pleased to see the back of her.

Well, l must say l have before told you, Mrs Reed, my opinion about
the child — She's an underhanded little thing. l never saw a girl of her
age with so much cover.

Why should she think herself on an equality with my daughters and
my son because l kindly allowed her to be brought up with them?
Miss Abbot, my children will have money at my death — she will be a
beggar, 1 r J a ‘ 1., .... ....—hut her obstinate
spirit and pride prevents her trying to make herself agreeable to her
benefactress.

I wonder you don't beat her well.

l have — l do — but it's no use trying to flog out of the body that which
is bom in the flesh — the girl is wicked and deceitful to the backbone.

288 Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898
Jane looking in at back

Jane Eyre: Please, Aunt Reed, may l come in the room?

Mrs Reed: Don't call me Aunt Reed until you have learned to behave yourself
better.

Jane (meek/y): l've been trying to be good.

Georgina: Don‘t tell lies, Jane. How do you know what my feelings are?

Mrs Reed (strikes her): Take that and that — don't be so pert — there is something truly
forbidding in a child taking up her elders in that manner.

Georgina: Her elders and her betters.

Jane: My betters — Yes that story is always ding-donged into my ears - but
Aunt Reed — Mrs Reed — l do try to be good — indeed l do, though it
seems the more l try, the more often l'm called wicked.

Mrs Reed: “ ' "' a ‘ ’ ‘ and until youcanspeak pleasantly,
remain silent — come Georgina and Miss Abbot, let us go into the
drawing room. This girl's presence is hateful to me, l cannot brook
deceit. (goes out LC. door)

Georgina (following): And l hate liars. (Jane looks a! her.) 0h, l don’t mind your
looks, we don't believe in crocodile’s tears or vile tempers.

Miss Abbot (follows): Say your prayers, Miss Eyre, when you're by yourself, for if
you don't repent something bad might come down the chimney and
fetch you away.

Jane: If you're good people I shouldn't care to be fetched away by any thing
good; Eliza and Georgy always do right and John calls his mother
names and yet he's his mother’s darling boy — but everything l do they
call me naughty for however much l try to be good.

Enter Dr Lloyd

Dr Lloyd: Yes, certainly, l can find my way - so here you are. Well, missey, how
are you today? Come here, Miss Jane. Your name is Jane is it not?

Jane: Yes, Sir, Jane Eyre.

Dr Lloyd: Well, you have been crying, Miss Jane Eyre; can you tell me what
about? Have you any pain?

Jane: N0, Sir.

Dr Lloyd: What made you ill yesterday? Did you have a fall? - fall — why, that is
like a baby again!

Jane: I was knocked down, but that did not make me ill.

Dr Lloyd: The fall did not make you ill; what did then?

Jane: l was shut up in a room where there is a ghost, till afier dark.

Dr Lloyd: Ghost! What — you are a baby after all! You are afraid of ghosts.

Jane: Of Mr Reed's ghost I am: he died in that room, and was laid out
there.

James Willing’: Jane Eyre (I879) 289

Dr Lloyd: Nonsense! And is it that makes you so miserable? Are you afraid now
in daylight?

Jone: Nu. L.“ nigh. ' ‘ "m "g“"‘
- very unhappy, for other things.

Dr Lloyd: What other things?

Jane: For one thing, I have no father or mother, brothers or sisters.

Dr Lloyd: You have a kind aunt and cousins.

Jone: But John Reed knocked me down, and my Aunt shut me up in the Red
Room.

Ll‘ I JL u

' am unhappy

Dr Lloyd: Don't you think Gateshead Hall a very beautiful house? Are you not
very thankful to have such a fine place to live at?

Jone: It is not my house, Sir; and Abbot says I have less right to be here than
a servant.

Dr Lloyd: Pooh! you can't be silly enough to wish to leave such a splendid
place.

Jane: If I had anywhere else to go, l should be glad to leave it; but I can never
get away from Gateshead till I am a woman.

Dr Lloyzt Perhaps you may — who knows? Have you any relations besides Mrs
Reed?

Jane: I think not, Sir.

Dr Lloyd. None belonging to your father?

Jane: I don't know; I asked Aunt Reed once, and she said possibly l might
have some poor low relations called Eyre, but she knew nothing about
them.

Dr Lloyd: If you had such, would you like to go to them?

Jane: No; I should not like to belong to poor people.

Dr Lloyd: Not even if they were kind to you?

one: No.
Dr Lloyd: But are your relatives so very poor? Are they working people?
Jane: I cannot tell. Aunt Reed says if I have any, they must be a beggarly set;

I should not like to go a begging.

Dr Lloyd: Would you like to go to school?

Jane: John Reed hates his school — but what he hates l might like — he hates
me, he does — I should like to go to school.

Dr Lloyd: Well, well; who know what may happen? The child ought to have
change of air and scene. (To himself) Nerves not in a good state.

Enter Servant with John Reed

Dr Lloyd: Is that your mistress, nurse? I should like to speak to her before I go.
(Exit)

Servant: Miss Jane, come upstairs and take off your pinafore — Mrs Reed wants

to see you directly — come.
Jane: But I want to read, please.

290
John Reed:

Jane:

Jane Eyre on Slage, [848-1898

Don't you hear, Ma‘ wants you, you have no business to take our books,
you little rat, you are a dependent, mamma says: you have no money,
your father lefl you none; you ought to beg, and not to live here with
gentlemen's children like us, and eat the same meals we do, and wear
clothes at our Mamma‘s expense. Now, I'll teach you to rummage my
bookshelves: for they are mine; all the house belongs to me, or it will
do in a few years.

Mercy — let me alone — I'll go quietly, I will. (Exeum)

Enter Mrs Reed and Mr Bmcklehursr

Mrs Reed:
Mr Brock:

Mrs Reed:

Mr Brock:

Then it is understood, Mr Brocklehurst — Miss Eyre joins your
Establishment at Lowood.
A patron of that noble institution. We will see to her moral and
intellectual culture —
I should wish her to be brought up in a manner suiting her prospects, to
be made useful, to be kept humble; as for the vacations, she will, with
your permission, spend them always at Lowood.
Your decisions are perfectly judicious, madam; humility is a Christian
grace, and one peculiarly appropriate to the pupils at Lowood; I,
therefore, direct that special care shall be bestowed on its cultivation
amongst them. And, madam, I don’t allow the principal even to thwart
my pet theory. The other day I found two of the girls had dared to have
one extra clean tucker each in the week — I severely reprimanded them
— fancy the extravagance — two extra tuckers to be washed — but the
greatest act of disobedience to orders, l have yet to relate. In settling
accounts with the housekeeper I found a luncheon of bread and cheese
" ‘: “ ‘ ‘L a‘ ‘ r ' “ ’ u fortnight which the principal
accounted for by saying, the porridge of the children’s breakfast had
been so dreadfully burnt they could not eat it. Now, Madam, as I have
explained to you, my plan in bringing up these girls is, not to accustom
them to habits of luxury and indulgence, but to render them hardy,
patient, self-denying. Should any little accidental disappointment of
the appetite occur, such as the spoiling of a meal, the under or over
dressing ofa dish, “- ' " ‘ a“ ‘ ‘ L " ’ by replacing
with something more delicate the comfort lost, thus pampering the
body and obviating the aim of our institution, which ought to be the
improvement of the spiritual edification of the pupils, by encouraging
‘L . ' r I j j any tclnpuuuy pfiVBtion.Abfiefm
on these occasions should be substituted for the breakfast, wherein
a judicious instructor would take the opportunity of referring to the
sufferings of the primitive Christians, to the tonnents of martyrs. All.
madam, if we put bread and cheese, instead of burnt porridge, into thele
children’s mouths, we may indeed feed their little bodies — but whatdo
we do for their little souls?

 

Mrs Reed:
Mr Brock:

Mrs Reed:

Mr Brock

Mrs Reed:

Mr Brock.

Enter Jane
Mr Brock:

Mrs Reed:
Mr Brock:
Jane:

Mr Brock:

James Willingir Jane Eyre (1879) 291

Won’t you take a glass of wine?

With pleasure; thank you, Madam, l feel rather weak; I will take a
glass of wine. (Al luncheon) l have studied also how best to mortify
in them the worldly sentiment of pride and, only the other day I had
a pleasing proof of my success. My second daughter, Augusta, went
with her Mamma to visit the school, and on her retum she exclaimed,
Oh, dear Papa, how quiet and plain all the girls at Lowood look, with
their hair combed behind their ears, and their long pinafores, and those
little holland pockets outside their frocks — they are almost like poor
people’s L'uiidrcn, they I ' j 1 J 'S, 85 ifthey had
never seen a silk govvn before.

This is the state of things l quite approve; had l sought all England
over, l could scarcely have found a system more exactly fitting a child
like Jane Eyre. Consistency, my dear Mr Brocklehurst, l advocate
consistency in all things.

Consistency, Madam, is the first of Christian duties, and it has been
observed in every anangement connected with the establishment at
Lowood: plain fare, simple attire, unsophisticated accommodations,
hardy and active habits: such is the order of the day in the house and
its inhabitants.

Quite right, Sir. l may then depend upon this child being received as a
pupil at Lowood, and there being trained in conformity to her position
and prospects?

Madam, you may: she shall be placed in that nursery of chosen plants
— and l trnst she will show herself grateful for the inestimable privilege
of her election.

 

° “ ‘ L "“‘ a" r ' ,whumymlL n," ’ What
is her age?

Twelve —

Your name, little girl?

Jane Eyre, Sir.

Well, Jane — and are you a good girl?

Mrs Reed (shaking her head): Perhaps the less said the better, Mr Brocklehurst.
Mr Brock:

Jane:
Mr Brock:

Jme:
Mr Brock".

Sony indeed to hear it! She and l must have some talk. Come here — no
sight so sad as that of a naughty child, especially that of a naughty little
girl. Do you know where the wicked go afier death?

They go to — a pit full offire.

And should you like to fall into that pit, and to be burned there for
ever?

No, Sin

What must you do to avoid it?

292 Jane Eyre on Stage. 1848-1898

Jane: l must keep in good health, and not die.

Mr Bmck: How can you keep in good health? Children must die. I hope that sigh
is from the heart, and that you repent of ever having been the occasion
of discomfort to your excellent benefactress.

Jane: What is a benefactress, Sir? Everybody says that word to me — what
does it mean, benefactress?

Mr Brock: Well, ' ' r‘ ' ‘ ' g
you of yours - Mrs Reed to you has been a benefactress.

Jane: Oh, then benefactress means something disagreeable.

Mrs Reed: Mr Brocklehurst, l believe l intimated in the letter which l wrote to
you three weeks ago, that this little girl has not quite the character and
disposition l could wish: it will be necessary to guard against her worst
fault, a tendency to deceit l mention this in your hearing, Jane, that
you may not attempt to impose on Mr Brocklehurst.

Mr Brock: Deceit is, indeed a sad fault in a child, it is akin to falsehood and all
liars will go to — mustard, thank you — she shall be watched, Mrs Reed;
I will speak to Miss Temple and the teachers. She shall return with me
today. What say you, Madam — l myself will see her into the coach
and give her into the care of the guard — and will write to Miss Temple
to say she is to expect the new girl — in half-an-hour l will return for
her - au revoir. Madam - little girl, here's a book called “The Child’s
Guide" — read it, especially the account of Martha Gibbs, a naughty
child, addicted to falseth and deceit.

I 1 I
um

hy reminding

(Exit D.L.)
Mrs Reed: Now, Jane — get out of the room — put on your bonnet and shawl. I shall
be rid of you this day, and Lowood School will have a worthy addition
to the strings of paupers already there.
Jane (goes R. H. burning wilh rage): I want to speak to you aunt. (Exit Jane)
Mrs Reed: Don't Aunt me — go out of the room, return to the nursery.

Re- enter Jane

Mrs Reed: Go out of the room and return to the nursery until Mr Brocklehurst is
ready to take you to school.

Jane: Speak l must. I am not deceitful: if I were, l should say l loved you; but
l declare I do not love you: l dislike you the [worst] of anybody in the
world except John Reed; and this book about the liar, you may give it
to your own girl Georgina, for it is she who tells lies, and not I.

Mrs Reed: What more have you to say?

Jane: l am glad you are no relation of mine: l’ll tell everyone that you treated
me with miserable cruelty.

Mrs Reed: How dare you afiinn that, Jane Eyre?

Jane: l-low dare l, Mrs Reed? Because it is the truth. You think I have no
feelings, and that l can do without one bit of love or kindness; peopk

James Willing} Jane Eyre (I879) 293

think you a good woman, but you are bad; hard hearted. You are
deceitful!

Mi‘: Reed: Out of my sight — unless you'd draw down a curse upon your head — Mr
Bmcklehurst, Mr Brocklehurst, take her away at once — l feel anxious
to be relieved of a responsibility that has become unbearable.

Mr Brock (shakingJane): The spirit of“ " 'T ' ' ' "“' " Ungrateful
girl. It will be my duty to warn my scholars against you — to warn
them you are a cast-away. The teachers will be required to watch you
— keep their eyes on your movements — weigh your words, scrutinize
your actions, and your fell0w scholars must be warned to avoid your
company — for you are worse than many a little heathen who says its
prayers to Bramah — you are a liar.

Jane: Oh, pray don’t say that.

Mr Brock: It is the truth — Heavens, would you try to corrupt me into telling a lie
— my pupils must be prevented from associating with such an odious
little viper — from one who has repaid the kindness and generosity of
her benefactress by an ingratitude so bad, so dreadful that at last her
excellent patroness was obliged to separate her from her own young
ones lest she might by example contaminate their purity — we shall
crush that spirit, we shall combat the demon — come Miss Eyre - you
must be taught, you are a dependent, a pauper.

Jane: Goodbye, Aunt Reed — forgive me - Pm not a liar — l'm not deceitful,
indeed I'm not - say goodbye once?

Mrs Reed: No — begone, ungrateful girl, and never let me see you more.

ane: What would Uncle Reed say to you if he were still alive?

Mrs Reed: What?

Jane: My uncle Reed is in Heaven and can see all you do and think — So can
my poor Mamma and Papa — though you have never loved me, Aunt
Reed — and though you wish me dead and won't say good bye — I say
it to you, Good Bye, and when l say my prayers — I'll still say, Heaven
bless Aunt Reed.

Act l
Scene I
Thomfield Hall

Mrs Fairfax and Jane Eyre discovered

Mrs Fairfax: How do you like Thomfield?
Jane: I like it very much.

294 Jane Eyre on Stage, I 848-! 898

Mrs Fairfax: Yes, it is a pretty place, but l fear it will be getting out of order unless
Mr Rochester should take it into his head to come and reside here
permanently — or at least visit it rather ofiener — great houses and fine
grounds require the presence of the proprietor — what do you think of

Mr Rochester?
Jane: You said he was not strikingly peculiar.
Mrs Fairfax: Well —
Jane: I think ‘"' L ‘ ‘ ’ L our first meeting

 

three months ago did not greatly dispose me in his favour.

Mrs Fairfax: Oh, when you met him in the Hay Lane, when his horse had thrown him
—I never heard all about that — at all events he, usually so reserved, said
you showed great courage in holding his restive horse until he could
remount - he seemed quite taken with your tact and presence of mind
— said you were a woman of sense — and that’s more than he ever said
to me and it’s six years l‘ve been in his service.

Jane: And he thanked me by saying I was the cause of his accident - besides
the coarse tone in which he asked my name and the sneer — when he
learned I was only a governess — ‘twas bitterness itself.

Mrs Fairfax: l believe that was put on — no doubt he may appear rude to a stranger
but I am so accustomed to his manner l never think of it and then if he
has peculiarities of temper — allowance should be made.

Jane: Why?

Mrs Fairfax: Partly because it is his nature and we can none of us help our nature
— and partly he has painful thoughts, no doubt, to harass him and make
his spirits unequal.

Jane: What about?
Mrs Fairfax: Family troubles for one thing.
Jane: But you told me my little pupil was his ward - has he any family?

Mrs Fairfax: Not now, but he has had — or at least relatives — well, his father had
some misunderstanding and I believe was not quite fair to him — he is
not very forgiving, he broke with his family, and now for many years he
has led an unsettled kind of life since the death of his brother — I don't
think he has ever been resident at Thomfield for a fortnight together,
until you came here‘ when he seems suddenly to have found pleasure
in talking French with you - his brother died without a will and lefl
him master of the estate — (with meaning) he used to thoroughly shun
the old place.

Jane: Why should he shun it?

Mrs Fairfax (evasively): Perhaps he thinks it gloomy —

Jane: There is some mystery there. I feel sure of it.

Mrs Fairfax: Why?

Jane: You either are ignorant or conceal the real nature and origin of Mr
Rochester’s trials — don’t you remember when I first an'ived, when
ymi '- ‘L i M". hflw l W88 startled a dream

 

Mrs Fairfax:

Jane:
Mrs Fairfax:

Jane:
Mrs Fairfax:

Jane:
Mrs Fairfax:
ane:

Mrs Fairfax:

James Willingfs Jane Eyre (I879) 29$

laugh — that seemed to proceed from some demon — you told me it was
Grace Poole - who is she? and why does she always live here? — you
know her — you spoke to her — cautioned her to be quiet.
Shewasat'" “ “ ' L ' r ' and
assist Leah in her housemaid’s work ~ not altogether unobjectionable
in some points, but she does well enough.
Does she get good wages?
Yes, l wish I had as good.
Is she a valuable hand?
Ah! — she understands what she has to do — nobody better and it is not
every one could fill her shoes, not for all the money she gets. But Mr
Rochester has written to say he will bring over some friends today
- friends from the Leas, l believe there is quite a party assembled there;
Lord Ingram, Sir George Lynn, Colonel Dent and others — when these
fine fashionable people get together, they are so surrounded by elegance
and gaiety, they are in no hurry to separate, and Mr Rochester is so
talented and so lively in society, that I believe he is a general favourite
with the ladies, and Mr Rochester well knows the ladies at the Leas.
There are Mrs Eshton and her three daughters — very elegant young
.4- -, i L L .. -. m ,Mmylngmm;
most beautiful women, I suppose — indeed Miss Blanche Ingram came
here to a Christmas Ball and was considered the belle of the evening.
And this beautiful and accomplished lady you say is not manied.
It appears not.
But l wonder — no wealthy nobleman or gentleman has taken a fancy
to her — Mr Rochester for instance — he is rich is he not?
Yes, but their you aw ‘ ' ' ' ' ‘rm ' their ages. But
between ourselves I expect marriage will be the end of Mr Rochester ’s
visits to the Leas, and Miss Ingram — you’ve dropped your work Miss
Eyre - but here's your pupil coming — I'm glad she has taken to you so
kindly — her guardian Mr Rochester is very pleased with the progress
she has made - dear me there's Miss Adele she’s running over the
flower beds — oh, Miss Adele, Miss Adele —
Her guardian, Mr Rochester — my pupil’s guardian — for some weeks
I thought it might be his daughter — but he is not married — not even a
widower — she calls him Mr Rochester. This is certainly an agreeable
change from Lowood School — those eight years of servitude — an age
L ‘I " L’! "" a‘ mlnwnnd
I have never quitted it until now. All my vacations have been spent at
School. I have had no communication by letter or message with the
outer world, School Rules, School duties, School habits, notions and
voices and places and phrases and costumes — This is all I know of
existence after seven years of routine - I am now fi'ee — Mr Brocklehurst
— that petty tyrant — that tenor of the poor Children of Charity - he did

a

 

296 Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898

one good deed to tell against the years of misery he cost me — when

he gave me my testimonials from the School — he has lefi since I did

— and [to] think my advertisement for governess should have been so

:Vzl Rwilcawt r i l ‘ ' ‘ a
man — absent, gluff - I thought him ugly when l first came here — but
since his manners have changed, his features improved - Aunt Reed

— can I ever forgive the wrong you did on a helpless, friendless child,

one who was confided to your care and home — whilst the house you

found her was amongst strangers — the bread she broke — provided by

Charity. ‘A,v....5 ' J; ‘ e (I '- ' twu

years) is desirous of meeting with a situation in a private family where

the children are under fourteen. She is qualified to teach the usual
branches of a good English education, together with F rench, Drawing
and Music. Address J.E., Post Ofice, Lowood, Somersetshire.’

“' " g ‘- a ..., do... you speak my language

as well as Mr Rochester does; I can talk to you as I did to him, on the

ship that brought us to a huge city, with very dark houses and all smoky,
not at all like the pretty clean town I came from.

Jane: Adele, with whom did you live when you were in that pretty clean town
you speak of?

Adéle: I lived long ago with mamma, but she's gone to Heaven. Mamma used to
teach me to dance and sing, and to say verses. A great many gentlemen
and ladies came to see mamma and I used to dance before them, or to
sit on their knees and sing to them; I liked it.

Jane: I wonder who her parents can be!

“nu luv

 

Adéle:

Enter Rochester d’: Mason W.E.L.

Rochester: l tell you Mason, it's of no use. I know your anxiety — but think of the
anxiety and responsibility in the matter if harm came to you.

Mason: Harm, fiddlesticks, besides I've been before — but, however, if you think
it advisable — I'll go to London and see my ship in and then return later
on. I've some correspondence from Jamaica I think will interest you
— devilish good bargains on hand.

Rochester: Not the first time I've made good bargains in Jamaica, eh - Mason?

ason: Why? How you do run on the same string — you're not the only victim

in the world — Ha! Ha! Who is the Lady? Governess I presume, as I
see her with your protégée — not a bit like you Rochester.

Rochester. What matters — you'll stay tonight l hope, won't you?

Mason: No, I'm for Town by the coach as early as possible — strange, Rochester,
that governess of yours reminds me of some face I've seen abroad
- where did you pick her up? Some poor relation perhaps?

Rochester (R): No! Mrs Fairfax advertised for a governess — she seemed a good sort
of girl, known better days, superior sort of person.

Mason (L):

Rochester:

Mason:

Rochester.

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:
Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:

Mason:

Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:
Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:

James Willing 3' Jane Eyre (I879) 297

Ha! Ha! - Rochester — no tricks — no more French opera dancers.

By heavens, Mason -— silence, she is here in a position of trust. Beneath
any gentleman's roof her dependence would and shall be her safety
— what devil's mission has brought you to England?

Pastime. To see h0w you were getting on - have you any money — eh?
lf not l shall look in again before I leave - l'm on a very special mission
— Mr Brocklehurst, our new vicar here, has asked me to give him a call,
and then l set sail for Jamaica.

lf, for the sake of appearance, one must keep in with the parson — by
the bye - Brocklehurst — here — Miss Eyre?

Ya, Sir —

Wasn’t Brooklehurst the name of the man who directed the School at
Lowood?

Yes, Sir.

And you girls probably worshipped him?

Oh, no.

You are very cool! No, what, a novice not worship her priest! That
sounds blasphemous.

l disliked Mr Brocklehurst, and l was not alone in the feeling. He was
a harsh man, at once pompous and meddling; he cut off our hair; and
for economy's sake brought us bad needles and thread, with which we
could hardly sew.

That was very false economy — but Rochester — how will your
fashionable friends the lngrams the Marmadukes and others relish a
stingy parson? stingy brothers are bad enough — eh, Rochester — Ha!
l-la! You like Thomfield — eh? (Exit L.)
What is there in this young girl that so enthrals me — that so rivets me
to her presence — is it her simplicity — her candour — I can't say it's her
beauty - and there is the simple loving expression in her eyes tells me
l am not repulsive to her — or is she indifferent to me — no —l seem
compelled to draw her out — is it her dependence — her poverty — Fairfax
you are getting foolish — yet somehow Thomfield has lost its gloom
for me — since Adele had a governess. You examine me, Miss Eyre, do
you think me handsome?

No, Sir.

Ah! By my word! there is something singular about you, you rap out
a round rejoinder, which, if not blunt, is at least brusque. What do you
mean by it?

Sir, l was too plain: lbeg your pardon, ' F‘ L I," ’ ‘ tastes
difi'er.

“vv'ill, “ " r " g ‘formsand
phrases, without thinking that the ommision arises from insolence?

l am sure, Sir, l should never mistake informality for insolence: one
l rather like, the other nothing freebom would submit to, even for a
salary.

298

Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester.
Jane:

Enter Adele
Adele:

Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane Eyre on Stage, 18484898

l envy you your peace of mind, your clear conscience — nature meant
me to be, on the whole, a good man, Miss Eyre: one of the better sort,
and you see l am not so — yet I am not a villain, but only hackneycd
in all the poor petty dissipations with which the rich and worthless try
to get on life. When fate wronged me, then I degenerated. I wish I had
stood firm — Heaven knows I do — dread remorse when you are tempted
to err- Miss Eyre: remorse is the poison of life.

Repentance is said to be its cure, Sir.

It is not its cure. (Jane going) Where are you going?

To Miss Adele.

Monsieur, je vous remercie mille fois de votre bonté: - C’est comrne
cela que maman faisait, n’est — ce pas, monsieur?

Pre-eise-ly, and comme cela, she charmed the English gold out of my
British breeehes pocket. You must know, Miss Eyre, that Adele’s mother
was a French opera dancer - named Céline Varens, towards whom l once
entertained a grand passion — and Céline returned it, at least she said so,
with [such] superior ardour that I installed her in an Hotel — gave her
a complete establishment of servants, carriages, cashmeres, diamonds
- in short I began the process of ruining myself in the orthodox style
— like any other spooney - I had or l deserved to have the fate of all
other spoonies — strange that I should choose you for the confidante of
all this — but you with your naivety were made to be the recipient of
secrets.

You flatter me - am I so excellent a confidante?

One of the best, because I believe the truest — well, one evening I
happened to call when Céline did not expect me - she was out - I
awaited her return on the balcony — I sat down; took out a cigar — I will
take one now if you will excuse me — suddenly a carriage drew up at
the door ~ I recognized it as the one given to Celine, she alighted — I
was about to call out - when a figure jumped from the can'iage afler
her, cloaked and with a spurred heel — (pause) you never felt jealousy,
did you, Miss Eyre?

I, Sir — l -

Of course not - l need not ask — because you never felt Love — your
soul sleeps — the shock is yet to be given that shall awaken it. But to
proceed. l closed the casement afier recognizing the intruder - entered
the chamber where the couple had gone — liberated Céline from my
protection, gave her notice to vacate her Hotel — so ended, as I thought,
my dream — but unluckily the Varcns, six months before, had given me
— this girl Adele whom she affirmed was my daughter — I took the poor
thing out of the slums of Paris, and transplanted it here — Mrs Fairfax

James Willingls Jane Eyre (1879) 299

found you to train it — but now you know that it is the illegitimate
offspring of a French opera girl, you may think differently of your post
and protégée (rises). ‘1.... L ' a ' L ' '
found another place and beg me to look out for another governess.

Jane: No, Adele is not answerable for either her mother’s faults or yours — l
have a regard for her — and now that I know who she is — in a sense
pmentless — as l am myself - forsaken by her mother- and owned only
out of charity by you — l shall cling closer to her than before —

Rochester: But see our visitors — I must meet the ladies — bye the bye — look well
at my choice — you will acknowledge — Fairfax Rochester has taste.
Exeunt L. U.E.

Jane: It's true then — what is it to me? If true or false, what interest to me?
Jane Eyre, fool - to think you are gified with the power of pleasing
him — a gentleman of family — a man of the world — and l a dependent,
despised by my rich relations — a novice — l must not forget it — it does
good to no woman to be flattered by her superior, who cannot possibly
intend to marry her, and it is madness in all women to let a secret love
kindle within them which if unrefllmml ' ‘ ‘ ‘ the
life that feeds it.

I
vu “a v v

Enter Misses Mary & Blanche Ingram, Lady Ingram, Amy & Louisa Eshton, Colonel
Dent, Lard Ingram, Mr Eshton & other guests; Blanche Ingram on Rochester Is arm,
Mary an the other; Miss Eshton on John Reed ‘s

Rochester (laughing): Really, Miss Ingram, there's no denying you any request.

c ' l never take a denial. You see, l have been spoiled — been used
to have my own way in anything and I flatter myself I know how to take
my own part and enforce obedience to my slightest wish.

John Reed (to Miss Eshton): l must tell him.

Miss Eshton: No, pray don't - Mr Reed?

Rochester: What’s that, a remark on me — well, let's hear it?

John Reed: A lady who shall be nameless, suggested Mr Rochester must be happy
— a thorn between two white roses.

Rochester: Ha! Ha! Some ladies might have reversed the saying and cal] it a rose

Mary: Certainly not, Mr Rochester, where would they expect to find thorns
— but at Thomfield.

Omnes: Very good — very good. (Mss Ingram retires & chats with J. Reed)

Adéle: Bonjour M[es]dames, et vous messieurs, je vous souhaite une reception
agreable

Blanche: What an odious little puppet —
: How came that brat here? Get out of the way.
Lady Ingram (whispers to them): My dears, that is Mr Rochester's ward, the French
girl I was speaking of.
Blanche: Mr Rochester — what a charming little thing.

Mary:
Jane:

Jane Eyre on Stage. 1848-1898

What a love of a child.

And this is Miss Ingram, this is to be Rochester's bride. He doesn't
look at me now, whilst surrounded by the halo of beauty and riches.
Yet l feel pleasure in regarding him like the thirst [a] perishing man
might feel who knows the well to which he has crept is poisoned, still
he stoops and drinks the divine draught.

Blanche (to Rochester): Mr Rochester, I thought you were not fond of children.

Rochester:
Blanche:

Rochester.
Blanche:

Rochester:
Blanche:

Jane:

Mary:

Rochester:
John Reed:
Rochester:
John Reed:

Rochester:
John Reed:

Blanche:

Nor am l.

Then, what induced you to take charge of such a little doll as that

— where did you pick her up?

I did not pick her up, she was lefl on my hands.

You should have sent her to school.

I could not afford it; schools are so dear.

Why, l suppose you have a governess for her: l saw a person with her

just now — has she gone? Oh, no, there she is by that tree. You pay her,

of course; l should think it quite as expensive — more so; for you have

them both to keep in addition.

Will Mr Rochester glance my way; no, the magnet holds him — l am

but the negative pole.

You should hear Mamma on the chapter of govcmesses — Blanche and

I have had, I should think, a dozen at least in our day, half of them

detestable and the rest ridiculous with their sallow half-starved look.

Idon’! find Miss '1 ‘ "' ‘ 1...!2' -.... .3. L L ' '

a rather carewom look.

How do you spell your governess ‘s name?

Eyre. Jane is her Christian name.

I knew a Jane Eyre once, not much good of her, used to be at Lowood

School, she is a distant relation of mine.

That must be the same, she came from Lowood, will you see her?

Oh hang it, Rochester you haven' ‘ v‘ L “ my pour

relations, I’m not interested in the products of ragged schools.

Oh do, please, change the subject; if govemesses, ragged schools and
pers are your only topics of conversation - Why ta - ta -

 

pau
Mary (going): Sooner than be plagued with a lot of poor people afler me I'd emigrate

Jane:

Blanche:

to Timbuctoo.

So that is John Reed, bitter and spiteful as a boy, cruel and revengeful
as a man.

Mr Rochester, do you mind accompanying us to the next mothers’
meeting; that clergyman is an old bore, makes us waste hour after hour
stuck round a table with a lot of antiquated old cats making clothing
for the wid0ws and orphans, for some unfortunate people who had no
business to have had widows or orphans — Ma makes us go, because it
is fashionable, because the Wiltons, and the Greys, go and we can't be
out of the swim.

Rochester:
Blanche:
John Reed:

James erlingfr Jane Eyre (1879) 30l

Mr Bmcklehurst is going to leave us.

Good news for his congregation.

lfl "1m" M‘ " ' ' ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Lowood-oh, Miss Ingram
— I lefi London to escape my creditors, and l arrive at Thomfield to
meet my pUUl ‘ ' ’ “" g idiot of a clergyman, who used
to be my horror as a lad.

 

Enter Mr Bmcklehurs!

Mary:
John Reed:
my:
John Reed:
Mary:
Rochester:
Blanche:

Mr Brock:

Mary:

Blanche (lo L

r I'OC

Oh — Mr Reed, you should see our clergyman on horseback —

Does he ride well?

He falls ofi' better.

Do you ride?

Not much — Blanche does -

Yes, Blanche adores the Hunt —

Indeed l do love the stirring sport. It puts fire into the blood — to guide
the steed and curb his temper is a trial worth undergoing — then as he
urges on his wild career, the hedges seem to fly away — no brooks or

 

the cry — Tally Ho — Tally Ho — there’s music in the sound of the sturdy
hoofs — there's fire in every sportsman’s breast - as like a lightning‘s
flash they clear the fields — the woods and streams, ne’er drawing rein
or staying pace until the brush is taken and the prize is won.
Good day, ladies, good day, gentlemen. Mr Rochester, l have accepted
your ofl'er for this evening as it may be the last l shall pass at Thomfield
-aflera blameless life, aflei L ‘ ' " I ‘ ’ ’
311‘ I L r 1 l I a .- yuuugu mull, by some ‘3681111685
boy, by some unfledged BA. from College — all the societies I have
started will lose their head, the meetings of mothers will lose their
Father and the great Anti-Social, Grand Junction Temperance Society,
will cease to exist and have the water cut ofi- (brings outpelilion) glad
to have your name to this most deserving case, three wooden legs in
one 5.....2, ’ " ' a ‘ ‘ ' ‘ mother deserving woman, only once
convicted and that when in self defence, she put her youngest child on
the hob, instead of the cradle, since becoming a teetotaler she is aware
it was wrong. Miss Ingram, you might subscribe to this — a Society for
supplying chignons to the ladies of Central Africa.
e are very sorry, Mr. Brocklehurst you are going to leave.

ady Ingram): Oh, Ma, didn't Mary say that as if she meant it.

And alter the reforms l have introduced - when l came to this diocese
l found the incumbent preached his sermons to meagre congregations
whilst whenever his curate, a young man, ascended the rostrum, all the
pews were occupied by the young ladies of the district. I reformed this.
l discharged the young curate and l introduced an aged man, toothless

302 Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898

and spectacled, with an impediment in his speech. This effectually put a
stop to the congregation of maidens, for I'll guarantee no church in the
city of London is more deserted than Mr Brocklehurst‘s at Thomfield.
l have subdued the vanity of the district. I have driven the poor beyond
the‘ ‘ y IL “ "'1 “ ‘L Ihaveraisedtherenls,
l have lowered the revenues, I have done my duty in every station of
life. I have had six children since I came to reside here, and yet I am
superseded ~ excuse this tear —

Rochester". Sorry to see you so affected.

Mr Brock". The sympathy of the congregation is the chief stipend of the Vicar.

Rochester: Mr Brocklehurst1 I find this subscription list is headed by you for five

guineas.
Mr Broclr. My duty —
Blanche: Mr Brocklehurst is down for five guineas.
Mr Brock: Clergymen must set the example.
Mary: And in mine!

Mr Brock: Charity begins at home.

Lord Ingram: Haw, in mine six little Brocklehursts and each supposed to have
contributed sums fiom one guinea to one shilling.

Mr Brock: Train up a child in the way it should go — (pause) isn't Mrs Brocklehurst
down?

Rochester: Let us look, my Lord? (Shakes his head)

Mr Brock: That’s a mistake — would you kindly put it d0wn for me — Mrs
Brocklehurst — three guineas.

Lord Ingram: And alter the total.

Mr Brock: No - don’t alter the total.

Blanche: Oh- I m .1...“ 12..., " L “ ’
contribution.

Mr Brock: Yes - It looks well to head the list — I put my name down on everything
as an example — on principle — but —

Mary: It looks charitable and it's cheap —

Rochester: Ladies, I’m afraid we shall have a wet evening. Do you see the clouds
yonder — a storm is brewing — we had better seek the shelter of the

n- r.‘

sI

t I \ . r.
r "lulvus ivu

house.
Jane (to Adele): Come, Adele - I will see you in — my poor heart will break.
(Exit L.H.) (Noise of rain)
Lady Ingram: Dear me, it‘s commencing to rain.
Blanche: We shall get wet through — and I've only got my thin shoes on.
Rochester. Stand under the trees. whilst we fetch some umbrellas from the house
— come gentlemen, volunteers this way.
Lord Ingram: We'll go with you - haw! what a confounded nuisance having to get
wet running atter the ladies. (Exit with Rochester & Eshron)
Mr Brock. Rain — I never travel unprovided for (Brings out oilskin mackintosh)
— ladies I require an umbrella. (Exit R.H.)

James Willinglr Jane Eyre (I879) 303

Blanche: Send the governess for our cloaks and umbrellas.
Lady Ingram: And the pattens.
Mary: And my goloshes.

Blanche: 0h, of course she's gone — like all the class thoroughly lazy — oh, Mr
Rochester has sent her out. Come here —

Enter Jane with cloaks & umbrellas

Blanche: Here's my cloak, put it roimd me. make haste — do.

Mary: Do stir yourself — Mr Reed, how proud you must be of your relations
— she moves like a tortoise.

Blanche: As lazy as she is high.

John Reed: What’s bred in the bone you know —

Lady Ingram: Oh, there's a drop of rain down my neck — my umbrella.

: One for me.

Blanche: Of course you've got one (snatches it) give it to me — rain will make

you grow — l‘m sure a few inches would be an advantage — don't stand
taring there — come Mr Reed.

John Reed: Ah, Blanche, there ‘s something nice in a shower of rain — it makes the
girl on your arm cling all the tighter for it ~ as one umbrella for two

Blanche: Plague on that girl, she’ ., ' l, , wll... ‘ r‘ J‘ "J
annoying. Where can Rochester loiter — he's a husband worth spooning
for:

Bmcklehurst crossing from R. to L.

M'rBrock: Confound it, took the wrong road. The idea of those ladies being
frightened at a few spots of rain — I don't fear a shower — umbrellas
are an useless expense. (Exit L.U.E.) (All om

Jane (sitting under tree): Why do I sit here — why do l linger in this storm? — if l
should die here Heaven knows l had not intended to love him - l have
tried to forget his position and mine — oh, Mother — Mother — why is
dependence branded as a crime and poverty as a reproach? — (pause)

Lightning & Thunder

Music

Enter Rochester hurriedly with cloak & umbrellas

Rochester:. What - all gone — just as well or they’d have been soaked — (sees Jane)
— what, Miss Eyre — here alone — why, you’ll catch your death of cold

— here, take my cloak and umbrella, or better still, take my arm — and
l'll hold the shelter.

304 Jane Eyre on Stage. 1848-1898
Jane: Oh, Mr Rochester — what will your rich friends say — let me go in
alone!

Rochester: They will say and think what they please, conscience shall be my guide,
and that tells me Fairfax Rochester always treats a lady with the respect
due to her sex, even if she is other fellows’ — poor relation.

Scene 2
A Chamber in Thornfield House (doors RH. & L.H.)
Enter Mason R.H.

Mason: Yes, l must be satisfied, l have lefl my name bel0w — Rochester knows
how to treat his friends — and l don't see why l shouldn‘t be amongst
them — this little business over and I'll return to the drawing room
- Grace — Grace - one moment — High — (Exits slowly LH.) (Pause)

Afeatfitl scream is heard ofl- scuflle 01]" stage

Mason (without): Help, Help, Help, Will no one come — Rochester for the love of
Heaven.

Rochester rushes on R.H
Rochester: Heavens — what has he done — l’m coming, l’m coming. (Noise etc.)
Enter hurriedly Jane, Miss Ingram and Omnes R.H.

Blanche: What’s the matter — where’s Mr Rochester?
Mary: What awful event has occurred? Speak - let us know the worst!

Rochester rte-enters laughing & with a candle

Rochester. Ha, Ha, — pray don't pull me down or strangle me, l’ll - all right, a
mere rehearsal of ‘Much ado about Nothing‘ — ladies please keep off
— return to the drawing room, remember the hour — Mrs Fairfax allowed
some of the servants to ret[ire] earlier than usual, and one has had the
nightmare, that’s all — she‘ ' r L ‘* ’
her‘I ' ‘ n '*' ‘ ' g ‘tha- w..-now then, come
along and we’ll get back to our concert — gentlemen, have the goodness
to set the ladies the example — Miss Ingram, l am sure you will not fail
in evincing superiority to idle tenors. Don't stay too long in the chill
gallery - come — it makes me laugh to see how scared you all looked
— you'll say there’s a ghost at Thomfield next — allons mes amis. (All
exeunt excepting Jane)

James Willingls Jane Eyre (I879) 305

Rochester (aside): l want you — have you a sponge in your room — fetch it and return
directly — come friends? (Long pause) (Groan heard)

Jane returns with sponge & basin of water: A demoniacal laugh heard, Ha, Ha, Ha.
Mason calls ‘Grace — Grace Poole '.

Jane: What mystery is this? — Grace Poole — someone calls her — who can
it be? — How still all appears — Nothing stirring. (Piano is heard very
indistinct/y as if a dance was going 0n in the drawing room — faint
laughter now & again) Dancing — joy on one floor — and a mystery
— perhaps a crime, here — and l am an accomplice — innocent — but,

who's there?
Rochester (entering): Have you any salts — volatile salts?
Jane: Here, Sir — and the sponge and basin. (Rochester locks door RJ-l. then

goes to LH. door, brings out Mason. his coat ofl& bleeding fiom the
throat, places him in a chair; bathes his forehead)
Rochester: You don't turn sick at the sight of blood.

 

Jane: l think l shall not — l have never been tried yet.

Rochester: Hold the candle, now the salts. (Sponges Mason ‘s wound)

Mason: ls there immediate danger?

Rochester". Pooh, no L den" “ , bear up! You'll
be able to be removed by morning l hope — Jane!

Jane: Yes, Sir

Rochester: l shall have to leave you in this room with this gentleman whilst l
calm my guests below; you will sponge the blood as l have done, if he
feels faint you will put the glass of water on that stand to his lips, and
your salts to his nose - you will not speak to him on any pretext — and
Richard — it will be at the peril of your life if you speak to her; open
your lips — agitate yourself — and l’ll not answer for the consequences
— remember no conversation. (Exit R.H door)

Jane: What crime is this, that lives incarnate in this sequestered mansion
and can neither be expelled nor subdued by the Owner? What mystery,
that breaks out, in blood, at the deadest hours of night? What creature
is it that, masked in an ordinary woman’s voice and shape, utters the
sound, now of a mocking demon, and anon of a carrion-seeking bird
of prey?

Rochester ne-enters R.H.

Rochester: Now, my good fellow, how are you?

Mason: She's done for me, l fear.

Rochester: Not a whit! — courage! You’ve lost a little blood; that's all, but how is
this? The flesh on the shoulder is torn as well as cut. This wound was
not done with a knife: there are marks of teeth here!

306

Mason:

Rochester:

Mason:

Rochester".

Mason:
Rochester:

Mason:
Rochester.
Mason:

Rochester:

Mason:
Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane enters

Rochester-2

Mason:

Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898
She bit me, she worried me like a tigress, when you got the knife from

her.

You should not have yielded — you should have grappled with her at
once.

But under such circumstances, what could one do? (Shuddering) And
I did not expect it: she looked so quiet at first.

l warned you — be on your guard when you go near her — besides you
might have waited till to-morrow, and had me with you — it was mere
folly to attempt the interview to night, and alone.

l thought I could have done some good.

You thought; yes, it makes me impatient to hear you, but, however, you
have sufiered, and are likely to suffer enough for not taking my advice;
so I'll say no more.

She cursed me and said she‘d kill me.

Come, be silent, Richard, and never mind her gibberish, don't repeat
1L

l wish l could forget.

You will when you are out of the country; when you get back to Spanish
Town, you may think of her as dead and buried — or rather, you need
not think of her at all.

Impossible to forget this night!

Now, Jane, go down stairs and see how the visitors are getting on.
Apologize for my absence if any remarks are made — but not without
— then return here.

Yes, Sir. (Em RH.)
l'll see to this indiscreet young man — now, Mason — come, rouse up
man — be of good cheer — you are better now, we shall have to get you
ofi' as quietly as possible, and it will be better, both for your own sake,
and for that poor creature yonder. For your sake l have striven to avoid
exposure, and l should not like it to come at last — where did you leave
your fun-ed cloak? You cannot travel a mile without that, l know, in
this cold climate. Jane!

Run down to Mr. Mason's room, the one next mine, and fetch a cloak
you will see there. What a mercy you are shod with velvet, Jane! a
clad-hopping messenger would never do at this juncture. Now, Jane,
trip on before us away to the back stairs, unbolt the side door, tell the
driver of the Post Chaise you will see in the yard - or just outside, for
l told him not to drive his rattling wheels over the pavement — to be
ready, we are coming: and Jane, if any one is about, come to the foot
of the stairs and give me a signal. (Exit)
Fairfax!

James Willinglr Jane Eyre (1879) 307

Rochester: Yes, what is it?

Mason: Let her be u'eated as tenderly as can be for my sake!
Rochester: l do my best — l have done and will still — yet would to Heaven there
was an end to all this! (Exeunl LH.)
Scene 3

The Drawing Room at Thor'rfield Hall. Folding doors leading to supper room C. Door
LC & Door lst Entrance L.H. Window lst Entrance R.H. with a recess — Piano 2nd
Entrance R.H. Ottoman — Fireplace L.H. — Very beautifilllyfilrmshed

As scene opens someone is playing Piano & another finishing last verse of song
- guests hanging about, some turning over music.

Omnes: Thank you Miss Eshton.
Lord Ingram: Charming really.

Mary: What a thin voice.

John Reed: And how out of tune — but —
Blanche: Charming nevertheless.
Mary: Now it’s over.

Enter Rochester & Jane L. l. E.

Blanche: Mr Rochester, l thought you had forgotten your guests.

ary: There’s that stupid governess again.

John Reed: Can't she be sent off, we don’t care about our conversation going the
rounds of the kitchen.

Mary: l noticed her, l am a judge of physiognomy, and in hers I see all the
faults of her class.

Rochester: What are they Madam?

ary: l will tell you in your private ear.
Rochester. But my curiosity will be past its appetite; it craves food now.
ary: Ask Blanche, she is nearer to you than l.

Blanche: Oh, don't refer him to me. l have just one word to say of the whole
tribe; they are a nuisance — not that l ever suffered much from them;
l took care to tum the tables. Henry, do you remember those nursery
days?

Lordlngram: Ya’as, to be sure l do — and the poor old stick used to cry out — oh,
you villains childs! — and then we sermonized her on the presumption
of attempting to teach such clever blades as we were — when she was
herself so ignorant.

Blanche: l move the introduction of a new topic.

Rochester. Miss Ingram — deign to favour us with one song?

Blanche: Are you particular to my mother tongue?

308 Jane Eyre on Stage. 1848-1898

John Reed: We prefer the daughter's tongue to her mother’s.

Blanche: Here's a little thing l learnt in Germany (plays). No — its useless, l can't
accompany myself — here, Mary - (Mary plays, Blanche sings German
song. After Ist verse): Oh, bother, l've forgotten my German

Mr Rochester: Try something — A la Mode de Paris.

Blanche: You help me then — Mr Rochester, your commands are law — what a
splendid guide and counsellor you would make.
Mary: Oh, l am so sick of the young men of the present day! Poor puny things

not fit to stir a step beyond papa’s park gates: nor to go even so far
without mamma‘s permission and guardianship.

John Reed: Ah, Blanche — there’s one heart always ready to do you homage.

Blanche: You’re a tease — (aside) now which is sincere? l always fail to grasp

L 06- L l l- ‘ L l ’ nelunn L“.

“cum... , a r pm..." w.
Mr Reed is — since report says he is a wild sort of fellow — but perhaps,
itlies-andafiera" “ ’ ‘ g “ ‘ L “‘ ‘ ‘
of husbands — whenever l many (pause) l am resolved my husband
shall not be a rival, but a foil to me. l will suffer no competitor near the
throne; l shall exact an undivided homage; his devotions shall not be
shared between me and the shape he sees in his mirror. Who‘ll oblige
by singing?

Lord Ingram: Dy’e think the governess can?

Blanche: Oh, no, she looks too stupid for that.

Mary: If this was an organ — she might blow the bellows, that's about the
extent of her accomplishments.
Jane: He has hardly said a word to me — how can l ever rival beauty such as

hers — vain hope.

Rochester: You don't seem happy, Miss Eyre — rather vexed?

Jane No, Sir, none can be vexed — when admiring.

Rochester: My future bride, Miss Ingram — a man must love such a handsome
noble, witty, accomplished lady.

Jane: Probably she loves you.

Rochester. Probably (aside) my person or my purse.

Enter Mr Bmcklehurst

Rochester. Now, Mr Brocklehurst, we are all anxiety.

Omnes: Oh, Mr Brocklehurst will oblige us.

Mr Brock: Where'ere I take my walks abroad. Good evening, ladies.
Blanche: Try Dr Watts, or the 22nd Psalm — get your night caps ready.
Rochester. Cruel as beautiful, Blanche.

John ReedE Charming always.

Mr Brocklehurst sings: ‘Village Blacksmith '.

Omnes: Very good —

James Willings Jane Eyre (I879) 309

[Lady] Ingram: Dear me — ladies, are you aware it’s l2 o'clock — we must really say

Blanche:
Mary:

Rochester.

good-night, Mr Rochester, gentlemen are of later hours.

Well, good-night, Mr Rochester.

Good night — good night, Mr Brocklehurst — no more ghosts, Mr
Rochester - did you ever walk in your sleep?

Not that I am aware of — besides — l sleep tonight at the bottom of
yonder corridor, in this wing of the house.

Mrs Fairfax rings bell — servants enter with lights & show 01f guests in difl'erent

directions

John Reed (to Blanche): Pleasant dreams to you, Miss Ingram —
BI I ‘ll ll‘)! t f‘ .1 -DLA M L

J . if it ‘ "
love alone the stakes - Mr Reed might win — but as it is - Mr Rochester
can turn the balance with his gold - I’m not well tonight. Mary.

Lady Ingram: What ails you, my pet.

Blanche:

Rochester.

Jane:
Rochester:
Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:

Rochester:
one:

Rochester:
ane:

Rochester:
ane:

Rochester:

Jane:

I'm jealous — can’t you see it — awfully, madly, grievously jealous
(Exit C. door)

Good night — Miss Eyre — the guests have been merry — they are full
of jests and gaiety.
Yes, Sir — Good night, Mr Rochester.
lf l ever require your services again like this evening?
I'll try at least to do all you wish.
I will try you — if all these people came in a body and spat at me, what
would you do, Jane?
Turn them out of the room, Sir, if I could.
But if l were to go to them, and they only looked at me coldly, and
whispered sneeringly amongst each other, and then dropt off and lefi
me one by one, what then? Would you go with them?
I rather think not, Sir; l should have more pleasure in staying with
you.
To comfort me?
Yes, Sir, to comfort you, as well as l could.
And if they laid you under a ban for adhering to me?
l should care nothing about it.
Then, you could dare censure for my sake?
I could dare it for the sake of any friend who deserved my adherence
as you, I am sure, do.
Good night my — Miss Eyre — I feel l cannot rest tonight.

(Exit with light)

What a beautiful night, and h ‘ ‘ ' y v lean
almost hear the beatings of my heart — why does it beat so loudly — am I
happier than at Lowood? Yes — am I happier than at Gateshead — he, John

Reed here — the libertine — his mother’s hope. Mr Brocklehurst told me

3 l0 Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898

he had been in prison for debt, a roue' in society — and [I] find him here
- a visitor in this house — does Miss Ingram know his true character?
or does she waver between Mr Rochester and him — no — there is no
choice. How strange it seems — tush - l am getting foolish again and, l
declare, a tear — l’ll stay here a little in the moonlight before going to
rest — rest — and dream — of blighted hopes — ambition unfulfilled — a
love rejected. (Falls asleep)

Rochester is door opens carefillly & the Maniac runs across — looks round, sees Jane
Eyre, about to strike her with fire irons — then goes to folding doors & lights a brand
from the fire & returns to door L.H. & disappears — Centre door opens

Grace Poole enters & rushes afier her — brings her back, struggling — they go through
Centre doors & slam them — the sound awakens Jane — who starts & listens —

Maniac laughs outside: Ha, Ha. Ha.

 

 

Jane: Who's there-thatcry-‘be ""“IL J L' ' a ‘c ',
— protect me — (kneels) - ah, what a singular smell - Grace Poole’s
laughter: ' ‘ r ' " " l’llseekMrsFairfax-ah

— there's something wrong - (Bursts door open L.H.) Mr Rochester's
door is open - and Heavens the bed is on fire — awake, Mr Rochester.
Awake. (Exits)

Jane runs back followed by Rochester

Rochester: In the name of all the elves in Christendom, is that Jane Eyre? What
have you done with me, witch, sorceress? Who is in the room besides
you? Have you plotted to kill me?

Jane: l will fetch you a candle, Sir; thank Heavens you are safe. Somebody
has plotted something: you cannot too soon find out who, and what it
lS.

Rochester. What has happened? Who has been in my room?

one: l saw your curtains in flames — who did it l cannot tell - but l heard
that dreadful laugh — and l threw the water over the burning curtains.

Rochester: You heard an odd laugh? You have heard that laugh before — or
something like it?

 

Jane: Yes, Sir: the woman who sews here, called Grace Poole — she laughs
in that way. She is a singular person.
Rochester: Just so ’" " ‘ L ‘ ‘ Qbe is, as you say - singular,

— very. Well, l shall reflect on the subject — meantime, l am glad that
you are the only person, besides myself, acquainted with the precise
details of to-night‘s incident — say nothing of this to anyone — l ask you
for secrecy — you can now retire.

James Willingls Jane Eyre (I879) 3H

Jane: Good-night, then, Sir.
Rochester: What, are you quitting me already, and in that way?
Jane: You said I might go, Sir.

11-1 n1

 

Rochester. But nut without taking :w'v, m" "id-v... .- a
not, in short, in that brief, dry fashion — why — you have saved my life!
“ ‘r ‘ ‘ ' ' g J ‘L' at least shake hands?
I have a pleasure in owing you so immense a debt. I cannot say more:
but you: it is difi'erentzv I feel your benefits no burden, Jane. My Jane
Jane: Good-night again, Sir. There is no debt, benefit, burden, in the case.
Rochester: You would do me good in some way; I saw it in your eyes when I first
saw you - my cherished preserver, good-night my — that is Miss Eyre
(‘p/urea) lamp I‘- v o ‘n I I ,vau-SOlnefl'ling
that had better be said now — you’ll remember, Jane, when rumour
intimated to you that it was my intention to take Miss Ingram to my
bosom, it was you who first said to me, that in case I married Miss
Ingram — both you and little Adele had better leave. In about a month
I hope to be a bridegroom, and in the interim, I shall myself look our
for employment, and an asylum for you.

 

 

Jane: Thank you, Sir — I grieve to leave Thomfield.
Rochester: I regret it, as l have known you and -
Jane: And I have known you. It strikes me with terror and anguish to feel I

absolutely must be torn from you for ever. Yet I see the necessity of
departure, it is like looking on the necessity of death.
Rochester. Where do you see the necessity?

Jane: Where? You, Sir, have placed it before me.
Rochester. In what shape?
Jane: In the shape of Miss Ingram; a beautiful woman — your bride.

Rochester: My bride! What bride? — I have no bride!

Jan ' But you will have.

Rochester: Yes; l will! — And your will shall decide your destiny — I offer you my

d and heart, and a share of all my possessions.

Jane: Don't jest with a woman's heart.

Rochester: I ask you to pass through life at my side — Jane, I summon you as my
wife: it is you only I intend to many — Jane — consent to become my
wife.

Jane: Your bride stands between us.

Rochester (rising): My bride is here. (Clasping her) Jane, will you marry me? I could
not many Miss Ingram — I love you more than life. Fashion I despise
— you, poor and obscure, and small as you are — I entreat you to accept
me as a husband

Jane: What me, poor Jane! who has not a friend in the world but you — not a
shilling but what you have given me.

Rochester: Will you be mine? Say — can you love me?

312

Jane:
Rochester.
Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:
Mrs Fairfax:
Jane:
Mrs Fairfax:
Jane:
Mrs Fairfax:

Jane:
Mrs Fairfax:

Jane:
Mrs Fairfax:
Jane:

Mrs Fairfax:

Jane:

Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898

Can I? — Do you u'uly love me?

I do, and if an oath is necessary to satisfy you, I swear it ~

Then, Sir, I will many you.

Come to my heart, my own darling one, make my happiness as l will
make yours — it will atone — l will guard, cherish and solace you — I
know my maker sanctions what l do — for the world's judgement, l
wash my hands thereof — for man’s opinion — I defy it — she shall be
my wife.

Act II
Scene l

Now, Mrs Fairfax, tell me candidly, am l not carrying out your plan to
the letter?

And don’t you find it advantageous? When Mr Rochester told me you
were to be his wife — of course I was very much surprised.

But that’s so long ago now.

Three months preparation is none too much for such a serious
business.

But, Mrs Fairfax, you must admit you were mistaken.

No, I gave you good advice — try and keep Mr Rochester at a distance
— I said — distrust yourself as well as him —

Why did you say that?
Because, you nu: _, v 1 ’

be too careful - besides — equality of position and fortune is oflen
advisable in such cases — gentlemen in his station are not accustomed
to marry their govemesses ~ although l knew you were a pet of his
- there are times when, for your sake, l have been a little uneasy at
his marked preference, and have wished to put you on your guard — I
knew such an idea would shock, perhaps offend you; and you were so
discreet, and so thoroughly modest and sensible l hoped you might be
trusted to protect yourself.

Never mind that n0w — to-morrow sees the end of your anxiety.
To-morrow makes the governess the mistress.

I can hardly [believe?] the last hours of courtship are maintained — by
this time to-morrow, we shall be far off on our way to London. Mr
Rochester has written the labels for my boxes.

I'll go now and see the finishing touch given them — bye the bye - your
wedding veil is in the cupboard, there —l could never have thought it
— he is a proud man — are you sure he is going to many you for love?

.l I‘ I ' ' i “A.
.u. you cannot

Mrs Fairfax — for what else — he will many me be sure of that.

Mrs Fairfax:

Jane:

Mrs Fairfax:

James Willing's .lane Eyre (I879) 313

lt seems so strange — will he marry you —l am sorry to grieve you - but
in this case I do fear there will be something found to be different to
what either you or I expect.

Why — am I a monster? Is it impossible that Mr Rochester should have
a sincere affection for me.

No, and I dare say Mr Rochester is very fond of you — but — ah well
— time will show.

Jane (looking at labeLr): Mrs Rochester. Wendover Hotel. London. Mrs Rochester!

She does not exist: she would not be born till to-morrow, and I will
await to be assured she has come into the world alive, before l assign
to her all that property.

Enter Rochester C. door

Rochester.

Jane:
Rochester.

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:

Rochester.

Jane:

Rochester:
Jane:

Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester.

Jane:

Well, my smiling pretty bride — how charming you look. ls this my
pale, little elf‘? This little sunny-faced girl with the dimpled cheek and
rosy lips — and the radiant hazel eyes?

lt is Jane Eyre, Sir.

Soon to be Jane Rochester — in a few hours, Janet — do you hear that?
You blushed, and now you are white, Jane: what is that for?

Because you gave me a new name — and it seems strange.

Yes, Mrs Rochester; young Mrs Rochester — Fairfax Rochester‘s girl-
bride.

I am your plain Quakerish governess.

You are an angel — a sylph — ten years since, I flew through Europe
half mad, with disgust, hate, and rage, as my companions: now I shall
revisit it healed and cleansed, with a very angel as my comforter.
lam not an angel, and I will not be one till l die: Mr Rochester, you must
neither expect or exact anything celestial of me — for you will not get
it, any more than l shall get it of you: which I do not at all anticipate.
What do you anticipate of me?

For a little while you will perhaps be as you are now, and then you will
turn cool, and then you will be capricious. Yet afier all, as a friend and
companion, I hope never to become distasteful to my dear master.
Distasteful! and like you again! l think I shall like you again and yet
again: and l will make you confess I don’t only like, but love you — with
truth, fervour, constancy.

You are not capricious, Sir?

To women who please me only by their faces, l arn the very devil,
but you please me by your heart. Your influence is sweeter than l can
express. Why do you smile, J ane?

lWaS sif, yvu :lavc L U J ‘ a. in Ill, vuahuuahly,
which is much piqued on one point? —

314

Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester.

Jane:

Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:

Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester.
ane:

Rochester:

Jane:

Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898

What? Curiosity is a dangerous petition: it is well I have not taken a

vow to accord every request —

But there can be no danger in complying with this, Sir.

Utter it, Jane: but l wish that instead of a mere enquiry into, perhaps,

a secret, it was a wish for half my estate.

Why did you take such pains to make me believe you wished to marry

Miss Ingram?

Is that all? Thank Heaven, it is no worse! l may confess even though

l should make you a little indignant Jane. Well, I feigned courtship of

Miss lngram, because l wished to render you as madly in love with me,

as l was with you, and l knew jealousy would be the best ally l could

call in for the furtherance of the end.

Did you think nothing of Miss lngram’s feelings, Sir?

Her feelings are concentrated in one — pride: and that needs humbling

— were you jealous, Jane?

Never mind, Mr Rochester: it is in no way interesting to you to know

that — answer me truly once more. Do you think Miss Ingram will

not suffer from your dishonest coquetry? Won't she feel forsaken and

deserted?

lmpossible—“i" Ingram h L ‘ L “ ‘ “ ‘ -‘ J yet nut

through me — three months since, when she heard of Olll' engagement

— she flew into a violent temper and vowing vengeance on all my sex
1 . 1 r" by L ‘ w l a: rrur in warn ufarr admirer

- the tempter found her, so l hear, in the shape of Mr John Reed — and

three days after our engagement was made known — she lefl the Leas,

and eloped with Mr Reed.

He man'ied her?

I hope so — Mr Reed was not a marrying man —l fear she has become his
' ’ “ ‘ a ' , ....,I ' " London life, herwayward and

pm“: "4.2. will fur ' ‘ ' , "-itil he, tired of his plaything,

will cast it aside in the gutter and seek a new love elsewhere.

That is very sad — Mrs Fairfax is right — men are not to be trusted.

What, not l?

Seriously, l may enjoy the great good that has been vouchsafed to me,

without fearing that anyone else is suffering the bitter pang of jealousy

l myself felt a while ago?

That you may; there is not another being in the world has the same pure

love for me as yourself — for l lay that pleasant unction to my soul,

Jane, a belief in your affection. l will attire my Jane in satin and lace,

and she shall have roses in her hair — l will cover the head l love best

with a priceless veil.

And then you won't know me, Sir; and l shall not be your Jane Eyre

any longer, but an ape in a harlequin ‘s jacket. You need not look in that

way; if you do, l‘ll wear nothing but my old Lowood frocks to the end

Rochester.
Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:

Rochester.
Jane:

Rochester.
Jane:

Rochester:
Jane:

Rochester:
Jane:

Rochester:
Jane:
Rochester.
Ja '

Rochester:
one:

James erlingfr Jane Eyre (1879) 315

of the chapter. I only want an easy mind, Sir, not crushed by crowded

obligations — do you remember what you said of Céline Varens? — of

the diamonds and cashmeres you gave her? l will not be your English

Céline Varens. (Sits at table to eat)

You don’t eat?

I cannot.

Is it because you have the prospect of a journey before you, Jane? that

takes away your appetite.

l cannot see my prospects clearly, Sir; I hardly know what thoughts I

have in my head. Everything in life seems unreal.

Except me: l am substantial enough: — touch me?

You, Sir, are the most phantom-like of all: you are a mere dream. Listen!

you were from home last night? I had a dream last night, l dream‘t that

Thomfield Hall was a dreary ruin — the retreat of bats and owls — l saw
‘ r ‘ ‘ "hi... “LL ' ' "Mt-u“, insuperable

obstacles seemed to separate us.

Now, Jane is that all?

All the preface, Sir; the tale is yet to come; on waking, a gleam dazzled

my eyes: I thought — oh, it is daylight! but I was mistaken: it was only

candle light. Sophie, l supposed, had come in. There was a light on the

dressing table, and the door of the closet, where before going to bed,

I had hung my wedding dress and veil, stood open: I heard a rustling

there. A form emerged from the closet; it took the light, held it aloft

Mr Rochester, this was not Sophie, it was not Leah, it was not Mrs

Fairfax: it was not — no I was sure of it, and am still — it was not even

that strange woman Grace Poole.

It must have been one of them.

No, Sir. The shape standing before me l had never seen at Thomfield

Hall before; it seemed, Sir, a woman tall and large, with thick and dark

hair hanging down her back. I know not what dress she had on: whether

gown, sheet, or shroud, I cannot tell.

Did you see her features?

They were fearful and ghastly to me — oh, Sir, l never saw a face like

it! lt was a discoloured face — it was a savage face. I wish l could forget

the fearful look.

Ghosts are usually pale, Jane.

This, Sir, was purple; the lips were swelled; the brow fiirrowed; the

black eyebrows widely raised over the blood-shot eyes. Shall l tell you

of what it reminded me?

You may.

0f the foul German spectre — the vampire!

Ah!

Sir, it removed my veil from its gaunt head, rent it in two parts and

flung both on the floor, trampled on them. Aflerwards, It drew aside

vml ' ‘
a w 1

316 Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-! 898

the window curtains and looked at me, the fiery eye glared upon me
— she thrust up her candle close to my face, and extinguished it under
my eyes. I became insensible from terror.

Rochester: Who was with you when you revived?

Jane: No, one Sir, but the broad day. Now, Sir, tell me who and what that
woman was?
Rochester: The creature of an over-stimulated brain; that is certain.
one: I wish I could believe that, since you cannot explain to me the mystery
of [my] awful visitant.
Rochester: And since I cannot do it, Jane, it must have been unreal.
Jane: But, Sir, on rising this morning, I saw what gave the distinct lie to my

hypothesis, — the veil tom from top to bottom in two halves!

Rochester. Thank Heaven! That if anything malignant did come near you last
night, it was only the veil that was harmed - oh, to think what might
have happened! (Pause) Now, Janet, I'll explain to you all about it. It
was half-dream: a woman did, I doubt not, enter your room: and that
woman was — must have been — Grace Poole. When we have been
married a year and a day, l will tell you more, but not now. Are you
satisfied, Jane?

Jane: Yes — Yes.

Rochester: Your wedding mom. JuSt a nap, Jane, and then robe yourself for the day
— the clergyman will be ready early — a trusty watchman is on guard
— your husband — watching at your door.

Jane: He is my whole world — my more than world — my love — my life
— almost my hope of Heaven. (Exits R.H.)

Rochester. How I love this day: how l love the stemness and stillness of the world
under this frost. I like Thomfield now, its antiquity, its retirement; its
old crow trees and thorn u'ees; and yet how long have l abhorred the
very thought of it; shunned it like a great plague house! How I do still
abhor - ah — what was that — l seemed to be arranging a point with my
destiny. She stood there, by that beech trunk — a hag like one of those
who appeared to Macbeth on the heath of Forres. You like Thomfield,
she seemed to say — like it if you can! Like it if you dare! — But l will
like it — I dare like it, — and I will keep my word: I wish to be a better
man than I have been; than I am.

Mrs Fairfax laying breakfast things

Rochester: ls John getting the cam'age ready?
Servant: Yes, Sir.

Rochester: Is the luggage brought down?
Servant: They are bringing it down, Sir.

Rochester:

Enter Jane
Rochester:
Servant:
Rochester.
Servant:
Rochester:
Jane:

Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:

James Willinglr Jane Eyre (I879) 317

Go you to the church, see if Mr Wood (the clergyman) and the clerk
are there: return and tell me. Jane!

Ah lingerer. My brain's on fire with impatience and you tarry so long
— is the carriage ready?

The horses are harnessing.

We shall not want it to go to church; but it must be ready the moment
we return: all "-- bfl'es and ' w a a ‘ ’ n , and the
coachman in his seat.

Yes, Sir.

.lane, are you ready? There are no groomsmen, no bridesmaids, no
relations to wait for marshal: none but Mr Rochester and his bride.

l haven't much appetite this morning.

Nor l — this very day bid farewell to single life — afier the ceremony, my
angel — l shall bear my treasure to regions nearer the sun — to French
vineyards and Italian plains.

Treasure — angel — no flattering.

Forgive me — arn l pardoned — one reconciling kiss. It is your time now,
little tyrant, but it will be mine presently: and when onoe l have fairly
seized you, to have and to hold, I'll just — figuratively speaking — attach
you to a chain like this — (touching his watch guard). Yes, bonny wee
thing, I'll wear you in my bosom, lest my jewel should tarnish — come
.lane Eyre — now to become Jane Rochester.

Scuflie without; Mason enters struggling with Maniac. She thmws him down &
brandishes knife. Rochester and Grace Poole thmw themselves on her [and] pinion

her: Jane in fright.
Mason: Help — Rochester - Help!
Rochester: Thousand furies, Mason — take her hence — away — away.
Mason: It's too late.
Jane: Merciful Heaven — that fearful form — Edward, speak — who is this
demon?
Mason This demon is that man's wife!
Jane‘ His wife!
Rochester: Lost! Lost!
ason: She is Bertha Mason.
Maniac: Ha! Ha! Ha!

End of Act

318

Jane Eyre on Stage. 1848-1898
Act Ill

[Scene 1]

A tract 0f snow

Enter Rochester hurriedly

Rochester:

0L L ‘1-,; n 1L L r I u I ~ “Luna”;
"w uu a lwvvun

above — I did wrong not to tell her all beforehand but I was fearful my
treasure would escape me — oh Jane, Jane — my wife — yes — yet l have
a wife — a fiend, a demon — a scourge - Jane saw my wife — beheld
the sole conjugal embrace I am ever to know — why did Mason release
that fiend —~ just as my hopes were about to be realized — Jane — Jane
— the echo of the hill alone answers me — I must find her, l cannot let
her leave — I was told a female answering her description was on the
road — for four whole days l have sought her in vain — she has taken
nothing with her to protect her from the cold — her money, jewels all
lefi behind, what can my darling do. Penniless, unprotected and alone,
the thought is madness - Jane — Jane (Rocherler calls) you must hear
me.

Enter Mason RJ-l.

Mason:

Rochester:

Rochester here — still seeking her’? is it not enough you have blighted
her life — but you must now seek the destruction of her soul? Rather
let her leave and forget you and thank Heaven was in time to prevent
the execution of your project in justice to your wife.

My wife — your sister Bertha Mason — a lunatic — a frantic dangerous
maniac" :mw L U L I I A L ‘L J l
are to solace my leisure hours. l feared the truth would be known and
always will be — but I'll shut up Thomfield Hall: l'll nail up the front
door, and board the lower windows; I’ll give Mrs Poole two hundred a
year to live here with my wife, as you term that fearful hag: Grace will
do much for money and she shall have her son, the Keeper at Grimsby
Retreat, to bear her company, and be at hand to give her aid, in the
paroxysms, when my wife is prompted by her familiar to bum people
in their beds at night, to stab them, to bite their flesh from their bones,
and so on as you well know. Oh my experience has been heavenly if
you only knew it — l had a charming partner — pure, wise, modest — you
can fancy with my wife how happy I must have been but hence, let me
never set eyes on her or you again; l have a right to deliver myself from
if l can; of the fanatic‘s burning etemity l have no fear: there is not a
future state worse than this present one — let [rne] break away, and seek

 

James Willinglr Jane Eyre (I879) 3l9

a home in the grave — Jane - Jane — where are you‘? (Exit)
Mason: l must follow or he may do himself a mischief; how he hates his lawful

wife. Yet how he loves Jane Eyre! (Exit)
Enter Brocklehurs!

Mr Brock: The golden fortune has deserted me - my living gone — my cash
reased — my family increased — my duties augmented, and still l

cannot prosper, I am alone — £50 a year, with six huge mouths to feed,

six graduating forms to clothe and six pairs of feet to be shod is not

the most luxuriated stipend — yet l live — my poor wife is no more, my

schools have lost their principal and with that loss £30 a year allowed

by the Vicar has fled my house —ah, Where e‘er l take my walks abroad

Jane outside

Jane (outside): Oh save me!

Mr Brock: What’s that, a woman’s voice — (goes & brings her on). Poor young
thing — you'll catch your death of cold sitting in the snow. -

Jane: Alas — Sir, l am starving.

Mr Bmclr: Starving — that's nothing — at my house we look forward to the time
when we can get used to it and live on balmy breezes — why it's Miss
Eyre —- my teacher from L0wood.

Jane: You know me — Mr Brocklehurst — oh, thank heaven l have found a
fi'iend -

Mr Brock: How came you here - this is not the condition I expected to find Mr
Rochester‘s bride — you don’t look as if you were only four days
married.

Jane: l am not man'ied — l am not a bride ~ l was an ardent expectant woman
almost a bride — but now a solitary girl again — my life a blight My
prospects desolate — my hopes dead — Mr Brocklehurst — Mr Rochester
has deceived me — he has a wife living!

Mr Brock: And he wanted another — l always \thought/ that man had pluck — but
tell me —

Jane: My love is shivered — Mr Rochester is not to me, what he has been,
for he is not what l thought him ~ l do not ascribe vice to him — I will
not say he has betrayed me — but he has lied to me, and l must go - he
has a wife living. And my love would be a crime — l lefl Thomfield,
hurried away l hardly knew whither — I slept on a stone last night, in
the fields the night previously — where to go l know not — neither do l
know where to get another meal.

Mr Bmclr. Well, we haven't much, Miss Eyre, but you shall have a meal if l have
to go without myself.

Jane:

.Iane Eyre on Stage. 1848-1898

0h thanks, but cannot I work for you — anything — cannot I teach — haven’t
you a school — something that I can d0 — to earn my living.

What can you do?

I will be a dressmaker. l will be a plain work-woman; I will be a servant,
a nurse girl, if l can be no better.

Mrs B is dead, so nurse girls I hope will not be required.

Then I shall have to — but I don’t pay rates and taxes.

No, not that — for I’m a rate payer — but Jane - a thought strikes me
— you loved Lowood — the life there l mean.

No, Sir — and yet —
You were a teacher.
Ah! —

You were a good one too — well will you join my schools — teach the
young Charity Children — poor cottagers’ daughters — neither very large
or clean — will you take the place of my defunct Araminta?

l will — I accept it with all my heart.

It's not mentally degrading - but it is not elevating — the salary is £30 a
year — and with my fifiy — we may again hold up our heads — and swim
clear of bread and water — come, Jane, I'll apply to the Vicar at once
— testimonials from Lowood — oh, let us be joyful, joyful - that is, I'll
be joyful. (Exit L.)
Oh, Rochester why did J J ' he ' L ’ g

parted for ever now — I shall never cross his path again or be a barrier
to his lawful love. (Exeun! L.H.)

“m on
wv mv

Scene 2

Interior of the Curale Is house

Jane sealed at table

Enter Mr Brocklehurst

Mr Brock:

Jane:
Mr Brock.

Jane:

Then we will consider that settled. I have been down to the Incumbent
and he has sanctioned the employment of my new governess - I hope
you are better after your nap — and not to lose any time I have arranged
[for] you to commence your duties today.

So soon, Sir. Well, I'm ready.

l wouldn't hurry you, but the allowance does not begin until the duties

I am deeply grateful to you, Sir. You have rescued me from starvation
and offered me a roof to shelter — you shall find l am neither unmindful
of your generosity or slow to acknowledge it. I will commence my
school duties at once — (aside) it will serve to quiet this rising at my

James Writings Jane Eyre (I879) 321

heart, to blot out the remembrance of sorrow, guide my thoughts from
him - the one whom I so deeply love — the one who has so cruelly
wronged me.

Mr Brock: There is my joy in the house — there is plenty in the hand — an extra
£30 a year income. But is it not only a temporary increase? She may
leave — yet who knows l am a widower — l arn handsome. The roses
are still on my cheeks and my limbs still rejoice in the suppleness of
youth — were she of my mind we might unite the incomes — she might
become Mrs Broeklehurst the 2nd — united incomes £80 a year — behold
the joyful picture — on the other hand, a new wife might bring a new
six mouths to feed, six extra suits of clothes to provide, six extra pairs
of boots, and no extra income — behold the warning — I'll chance the
wife — and trust to providence for the rest.

Enter John Reed door LE

Mr Brock: Mr Reed, this is indeed an honour. —

John Reed: l want you to serve me, Mr Brocklehurst.

Mr Brock (aside): Everyone seems seeking my services.

John Reedfi l have travelled from London to see you — are you quite alone?

Mr Brock: Quite —

John Reed You are surprised to see me?

Mr Brock. Yes, — and not pleased.

John Reed: How so? (Sits R.)

Mr Brock: Ugly stories were circulated about Miss lngram and you —

John Reed: People indeed will gossip — what did they say?

Mr Brock: — That you had eloped with her.

John Reed: Ha, l-Ia, - that she had eloped with me you mean — well the fact is
— the girl was spoony on me — clean gone and of course under those
circumstances a man makes his own bargain.

Mr Broclr. Bargain — (Sits L.)

John Reed: Yes — bargain.

Mr Brock". There's not much bargaining in taking a wife.

John Reed: Wife! — who's taken a wife?

Mr Brock: You haven't - you — Miss Ingram —

John Reed: Blanche lngram‘s not my wife — why the village idiots didn't imagine
l’d married the spoony girl?

Mr Bmck: Well, l believed you had — don't call the village idiots because they in
their ignorance perhaps, expected Mr John Reed to act as a gentleman
— (rises).

John Reed. What does it matter to me, what they think — we'll change the subject

- l have not seen Blanche Ingram (rises) for more than a month - l
lefl her in London ‘ ‘ a; L ' ' ,‘ L her
conduct and because I remonstrated — she asked me to marry her — of

 

322

Mr Brock:
John Reed:

Mr Brock:
John Reed:

Mr Brock:

Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-! 898

course I couldn't do that, so one word led to another and we parted.
But my business with you is to put you in the way of earning money.
Honestly?

Yes — l want you to sign a paper for me — you must know I've nearly
come to the end of my tether — funds are short — and there's about
twenty thousand pounds lefl me by a relative - at least it comes to me
providing we can prove the death of his niece; now this latter you can
certify — now you can assist me — the relative‘s name is John Eyre, of

JL ‘d

J [amnion ' lame

Eyre!

Jane Eyre!

Yes, she was at Lowood with you, some two years since. I sent to
Madeira to say she died at Lowood and now they want proof of that
— l found all the deeds amongst my mother's papers afler her death. lf
she were alive and tried to prove her claim, l'd throw them in the fire
before she should touch a penny — give me a pen and ink?

But she is not dead!

John Reed (giving notes): Did Jane Eyre die at Lowood?
Mr Brock: t

John Reed:
Mr Brock.
John Reed:

es — money — it means freedom, independence.
Here's the paper — l repeat — didn't Jane Eyre die at Lowood?
What shall l do — she is alive still.
Someone of that name may be ‘ but the Jane Eyre — the one — didn’t
she die at Lowood — no-one will ever question you on the subject. It is
between ourselves, there is £500 for your signature — didn’t Jane Eyre
die at Lowood?

Mr Brock (Iimidly): No! She‘s alive now!
John Reed @apers all on table): Come, sign — she's dead?

Mr Brock:

John Reed:
Mr Brock:

She's dead — no, l can’t — the lie sticks in my throat — Jane Eyre is now
under this roof - take back your money — take back your pride - Jane
Eyre. who was at Lowood, is living still — l accept my poverty and
honour - at Lowood we were weak in victuals, but strong in morals.
Fool - idiot — none will ever know it — none can prove against you.
Yes, a conscience!

Enter Jane: during this. seizes papers & stands C.

Jane:

John Reed:

Mr Brock:

And l have the papers also — Ah John Reed — Answer — ls Jane Eyre
now?

Fool — dupe — but you must have your claim — l am not defeated yet
—l leave you (aside) but not for long — when that Parson‘s gone — be
warned, Jane Eyre. (Exit L.H.D.)
lcan'tspeaktohernow-l‘ ' " "ICOuldcvclL “' “
an idea of wronging her. Miss Eyre — I'm going to the schools — will
you accompany me?

 

James Willingk Jane Eyre (1879) 323

Jane: Not yet — l’ll follow you.
Mr Brock: We ought to unite our incomes now - £20,000 and £30 pounds on her
side and £80 per annum on mine — whene‘er l take my walks etc. (Exit

D.F.)

Jane: My uncle dead? Lefi me rich - if not for me — why did John Reed keep
the document back — what is this? Aunt Reed's handwriting — Eternity
is before me — seek Jane — Jane Eyre — tell her all — all — A letter, with
the Madeira mark, and dated three years back. ‘Madam Will you
have the goodness to send me the address of my niece, Jane Eyre, and
to tell me how she is; it is my intention to write shortly and desire her
to come to me at Madeira. Providence has blessed my endeavours to
secure a competency; and as l am unmarried and childless, l wish to
adopt her during my life, and bequeath her at my death whatever l may
have to leave. l am, Madam &c &c John Eyre, Madeira.’ What is this
mystery? l cannot fathom it.

Enter J. Reed

John Reed: At last alone — Jane Eyre - you know me — as a boy you remember my
temper — as a man l have not improved — l am less likely to be trified
with. I come to demand my property - those papers.

Jane: They are not yours — how is it this letter [is] dated three years back,
and l have never heard of it?

John Reed: n‘ '“ " I IIIII I I, n I ‘T I cvu lu icnduhandlll
lifling you to prosperity. l could not forget your conduct to my mother,
Jane — the fury with which you once turned on her, the tone in which
you declared you abhor-red her the worst of anybody in the world. l
could not forget it; and l took my revenge; for you to be adopted by
your uncle, and placed in a state of ease and comfort was what l could
not endure. l wrote to him; I said l was sorry for his disappointment,
but Jane Eyre was dead: she died of typhus fever at Lowood.

Jane: You wrote that — knowing it was a lie.

John Reed: Yes, but it profited me — because l hate you — l sent also to Mr Briggs
the solicitor - he wrote to me of a Jane Eyre — he enquired himself — he
waited on me, to say that Mr Eyre of Madeira, your uncle, was dead
— that he had left you all his property.

Jane: All?

John Reed: But you are dead — you cannot prove your identity — so it comes to me
— my scheme is matured and do you think l will tarnely submit to have
my hopes blasted now - no.

Jane: They are mine.

John Reed: Bah! You give me up those papers, or by Heavens l have a murder on

m .
Jane: Yes, a fitting termination to the life of a heartless seducer.

324 Jane Eyre on Stage, I848—1898

John Reed: You upbraid me — Ha, Ha, — my highly moral Jane Eyre — the mistress
of Mr Rochester.

Jane: You lie, I am not his mistress.

John Reed: You tried to make him commit a crime to many you, when he had
already a wife — you’ll come down yet - he turned you out of doors

— that's the report.

Jane: Heavens how unjust.

John Reed: Give me those papers, Jane Eyre! - You've raised the devil in me — give
them to me!

one: Coward to attack a woman!
John Reed. Give ‘em me! (Seizes her, struggles)
Jane: I’ll die first — is there no help — I'll raise the village — Help! Help!
Rochester — Rochester!

Rochester runs in at door: siezes Reed, throws him round

Rochester: At last — At last!

John Reed: Didn’t l say right — be happy with your Paramour. (Business)

Rochester. Wretch.

John Reed: You are a noble example — worthy champion of a cast-off mistress
— Ha, Ha, the atmosphere is not clear, immorality abounds — I'll seek

 

purer TENN‘ I G ul a
men's mistresses, it serves me right for conversing with a lot of poor
relations.

Rochester: Well, Jane, not a word of reproach? Nothing bitter — nothing to cut a
feeling or sting a passion? You regard me with a weary, passive look.
Jane, I never meant to wound you thus. If the man who had but one little
ewe lamb that was dear to him as a daughter, that ate of his bread and
drank of his cup, and lay in his bosom, had by some mistake slaughtered
it at the shambles, he would not have rued his blunder more than I rue
mine. Will you ever forgive me?

Jane: Mr Rochester.

Rochester. You know I am a scoundrel, Jane.

Jane es.

Rochester: Then tell me roundly and sharply — don't spare me.

Jane: I cannot: l am tired and sick. If l could go out of life now, without too

sharp a pang, it would be well for me.

Rochester (goes to kiss her, she repulses him): What! How is this? you won’t kiss
the husband of Bertha Mason? You consider my arms filled, and my
embraces appropriated?

Jane: At any rate, there is neither room nor claim for me, Sir.

Rochester: Why, Jane? l will answer for you — because I have a wife already. You
‘ s, “ '1 I ' ’ M ‘ ’ you will shun
me, keep out of my way — just now you refused to kiss me.

 

Jane:

Rochester.

Jane‘.
Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:

Rochester:

Jane:

Rochester.

Jane:

Rochester:
Jane:

Rochester:

Jane:

James Willings Jane Eyre (I 879) 325

All is changed about me, Sir, l must change too. Was Adele to have a
new governess, Sir?

Adele will go to school — l have settled that already, nor do I mean
to torment you with the hideous associations and recollections of
Thomfield Hall, where the Maniac dwells you call my wife.

You speak of that unfortunate lady with hate. lt is cruel, she cannot help
being mad.

Jane, my darling Jane, you misjudge me again, it is not because she is
mad l hate her. 1f you were mad, do you think l should hate you?

l do indeed, Sir.

Then you are mistaken — every atom of your flesh is as dear to me as
my own, your mind is my treasure, and if it were broken, l should not
shrink from you with disgust as l did from her- but why do l follow that
train of ideas? l was talking of removing you from here. l have a place
to repair to, secure fi'om unwelcome intrusion - even from falsehood
and slander.

And take Adele with you. She will be a companion for you.

What do you mean, Jane? l told you l would send Adele to school: and
what do l want with a child for a companion?

You spoke of retirement. and retirement and solitude are too dull for

you.
Solitude! — l see l must come to an explanation. You are to share my
solitude. Do you understand? Jane, will you hear reason? if you don’t
I’ll try violence.

Sit down; l'll talk to you as long as you like, and hear all you have to
say heartily, but l cannot while you are in such a passion.

But l am not angry, Jane: l only love you too well; hush now, I wipe
your eyes, you don’t love me then? It was only my station, that you
valued? Now that you think me disqualified to become your husband,
you recoil from my touch, as if l were a viper.

l do love you, more than ever: but I must not indulge the feeling: and
this is the last time l must express it.

The last time, Jane?

I must part with you for my whole life: l must begin a new existence
amongst strange faces and strange scenes.

You mean you must become a pan of me. You shall yet be my wife: l
am not married. l shall keep only to you so long as you and l live. You
shall go to a place l have on the shores of the Mediterranean. There
you shall live a happy and most innocent life. Why do you shake your
head? Jane, you must be reasonable or in truth l shall again become
frantic.

Sir, your wife is living. If l lived with you as you desire, l should be
your mistress.

326
Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester.

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:
Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:

Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898

Jane, you forget l am not long enduring. Out of pity to me and
yourse f -

l-leaven help me!
I am a fool! I keep telling her I am not married, and do not explain to
her why. I forget she knows nothing of the character of that woman
— can you listen to me?
Yes, Sir, for hours if you will.
I ask only minutes, Jane — it was my father's and eldest brother-‘s
resolutions to keep the property together; they could not bear the idea
that a younger son should be a poor man. I must be provided for by a
wealthy marriage. My father sought me a partner, the daughter of a Mr
Mason, a West India planter, with a fortune of thirty thousand pounds:
When I lefi college I ‘ tn lamaim, ‘ r L "‘ ' ‘L,
courted for me. Her relations encouraged me; competitors piqued me;
she allowed me; a marriage was achieved almost before I knew where
I was. I never loved, I never esteemed, I did not even know her. But
I married her: gross, grovelling, mole, that l was. My bride’s mother
I had never seen. l understood she was dead - the honeymoon over, I
learned my mistake; she was only mad and shut up in a lunatic asylum
— insanity was in the family‘ My father and my brother Rowland knew
all this; but GIG)‘ I w‘ ‘I ufirLlc thirty I J r J andjfiinm
How fearful ‘we-e“- ‘ r r " ‘ " A me! Bertha
Mason, the true daughter of an infamous mother, dragged me through
all the hideous and degrading agonies which must attend a man bound
iuu " ‘ ' r ‘ ‘ ..._, fatherdied. l was rich
enough now — the doctors now discovered that my wife was mad — her
excesses had prematurely developed the germs of insanity.
I do pity you.
She was a helpless, dangerous lunatic.
What did you do when you found she was mad?
Friends [advised me] — take her to Europe, place her in safety and
" ‘ ‘ her ’ waded“. ' ‘ and leave her To England
l conveyed her — a fearful voyage l had with such a monster in the
vessel. Glad was l when I at last got her to Thomfield, and saw her
safely lodged in that third story room, of whose secret inner cabinet
she has now for ten years made a wild beast’s den — a goblin’s cell. I
hired Grace Poole, as an attendant for her.
What did you do when you had settled her here? Where did you go?
What did I do, Jane? l transformed myself into a will o’the wisp. I sought
the continent, and went through all its lands. My fixed desire was to
seek a good and intelligent woman, whom I could love: a contrast to
the fury I lefl at Thomfield.
But you could not marry.

 

Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:

James Willing’: Jane Eyre (I879) 327

I had determined, and was convinced that I could and ought. For ten long
years I roved about, living first in one place, then in another — I could
chm..., ‘i ' ' ‘ ’ u‘ lwasrecalled
to England. 0n a frosty winter aflemoon — my horse stumbled in Hay
Lane, when I was just in sight of Thornfield — a little fairy — yourself,
came to assist me. When once I'd pressed your fair shoulder — all love
seemed to return to me — I found you were at my house — I could see
you oflen, I was delighted by your freedom of manner — your winning
smile — in short — I loved you.

Don't talk any more of those days.

No Jane, no need to dwell on the past — the future is brighter — alter a
life of solitude, I have found you — I love you — you are my life — you
are my wife — l have no other — no demon — I was wrong to deceive
you - I should have asked you a pledge of fidelity — give it me now,
Jane? Why are you silent? Jane, I want of you — this promise — say — I
will be yours, Mr Rochester?

Mr Rochester — l will not be yours!

Do you mean that, Jane?

I do —

Jane — do you mean it now?

I do.

 

Rochester (kissing her): And now?
d

Jane:
Rochester:
Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:

Rochester:
one:

Rochester:
ane:

This is bitter — it cannot be wicked to love me?

It would be to obey you.

Oh, comply, Jane — consider the despair in which you leave me. — soothe
me, love me — tell me you love me and will be mine — who in the world
cares for you but I? — Who will be injured by what you do?

I care for myself — Mr Rochester, I love you — but you see before you
a woman who prizes honour as the noblest gifl bestowed.

I am losing my senses - Jane, come with me?

No, farewell —

Farewell, Jane — Heavens ~

Farewell — for ever —l (Sinks into chair)

Scene 3

A Country Lane. Night.

John Reed:

Well, l feel rather better atter that short nap. I can get a horse at the
next village and then I intend to retum and watch my little cousin. If
she has looked through those papers, she'll find Briggs‘s address — she

. . L Hm , . . L. r

Illa] 'v r r
her identity, then goodbye to my £20,000 — I'd no idea that little imp

328

Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898

was under Brocklehurst’s roof — what’s she doing there — will she leave
him now? I watched the house some hours afler dusk — Rochester lefi
her early in the day — mounted his horse and rode away. But she never
crossed the threshold (looks at watch). By Jove, it’s very late, one whole
day wasted through my cursed folly — but I must have — those papers
back — she must never see the solicitor with those in her possession
— that's a rare blaze yonder, I suppose a hay rick on fire - rather in the
direction of 'I'homficld — it’s been burning some time - I‘d give a trifle
if it was Rochester’s place — and Rochester and his mistress were in
it - and burnt to a cinder - they and the precious documents she stole
from me — but l never have any luck in my wishes — now, Jane, I’ll
have a short excursion to the nearest Inn — come what may — you shall
never prove your claim — (Exit LH.)

Blanche Ingram appears L.H.

Blanche:

It is he - John Reed — I saw him hastily cross the road a short time
since - I thought I should catch up with him. Ah, he mounts a horse
and rides in the direction of the fire yonder — you shall not escape me
— you are known - your victim is here — I’ll follow whilst life remains
— I'll dog your steps and cross your path at every turn — justice shall
sleep no more. (Exit L.H.)

Scene 4

Interior ofCurate Is house as before

Jane:

Well — here I am ready for School — I have written to Mr Briggs to
the address on his note, and begin already to feel the responsibility of
independence — l must not neglect my school duties — yet — a knock
~ who can that be so early?

Opens door — Blanche Ingram enters

Blanche:

Jane:
Blanche:
Jane:
Blanche:
Jane:
Blanche:
Jane:

Pardon me, Miss — my strength is failing ~ I crave a morsel of bread
and a drink of water, and one moment's shelter from this drenching
rain — then I will go on my way again — I fear to die yet —

Die — my good woman! here. (Gets glass of water)

Though why l struggle to live, I know not, my life is valueless.
Surely I know that face!

Know me — you — ah — yes, your name is Jane Eyre!

And yours was - Blanche Ingram.

And I have received charity fi-om you — charity from your hands.
This is indeed a change.

Blanche:

Jane:
Blanche:

Jane:

Blanche:
Jane:

Blanche:

Jane:

Blanche:

Jane:

Blanche:

Jane:

James Willinglr Jane Eyre (1879) 329

Yes, a change — but who wrought the change — whose fault was it that
I fled with that villain - yours, Jane Eyre! - The guilt, the sin of my
elopement lies at your door — I loved Fairfax Rochester — you, with
your smooth face and mock humility, tore his love away, and crushed
my heart - John Reed poured into my ears the taunt — l was a jilted
woman. Furious at Rochester's preference for you, l threw myself into
the tempter‘s arms — he promised marriage — I, too credulous dupe,
believed him, trusted him — loved him — but he robbed me of the choicest
jewel of a woman’s life - and then flung aside the empty casket — my
love turned to hate - my hatred to revenge - I hate him — myself and
all the world.
The story then was true?
True — true — what am l now? How can l seek again my happy home
— how crawl back to the deserted fireside — the family l have disgraced
— how ask forgiveness of that mother’s heart, whose precepts I have set
at naught — whose example l have defiled — pointed at with scorn — how
can l mingle with my friends of old - a cast off mistress — a woman of
thestreets-thewoman, L m ‘ “ g ‘ “ ‘ ‘w "
friends, station, is an outcast whose momentary sin no repentance can
palliate, no reparation condone — the man, the betrayer, whose base
' ‘ ' " L r‘ L "' “ “‘ ‘societyreceives
r ' hurries, and send more innocent
, , n. ,,, , \,_ "nun! . ‘L . . .
I

thou canst send — in answer to a betrayed woman's prayer :grant' my
curse the power to blast the seducer’s prospects, as he has withered my
youthful life.

 

r
'aL L ~1;

- This is terrible — Miss Ingram — stay your curses — with sincere

repentance, peace of mind will return — trust in Heaven —
You were the cause of all!
lndeed you wrong me — l could not help loving him — but ‘tis past now

Past — how?

Surely you have heard Mr Rochester was already married?

Then you too, have been deceived?

Cruelly — but —

Not — fallen — you would say — don't spare me — l deserve it all — l
deserve the bitterest things — oh fool — oh dupe —

Don't weep any more, Miss Ingram. lf l did you any wrong, it was
unintentional — and you say you cannot return to your parents‘ roof?

l would sooner beg from door to door than enter the house — l have
so disgraced — the Workhouse ~ a Pauper‘s grave are all l pray for
— excepting revenge!

Miss Ingram — be composed — promise to forego your thoughts of
vengeance and leave your betrayer to answer a higher tribunal.

330

Blanche:

07181

Blanche:

Jane:

Blanche:

Jane:

Blanche:

Jane:

Blanche:

Jane:

Jane:

Blanche:

Jane:
Blanche:

Jane:

Blanche:

Jane‘

Blanche:

Jane:

Blanche:

Jane:

Jane Eyre on Stage. 1848-1898

You counsel this?

Yes — Miss Ingram - suddenly I have learned that I am heiress to my
uncle's property.

You — the despised governess?

Yes — I — and you are aware I am without sisters, relations or friends
— save one I have lost — Miss Ingram — Blanche, l ofi'er you a home
— the independence — the aflIuence which will be mine — I offer you to
share it — I long for the ties of home and friends — Blanche, will you be
my sister’?

Your —- sister — am I awake — you pity me — you offer me a home — the
companionship of all that is good and virtuous — Heaven bless you
— forgive me? — I came here to curse you — and I stay — to bless ~ to
adore you. (Embraces)

There, there — drive out all these bitter recollections of the past — think
of the future as a new existence.

The future — how shall I ever repay your kindness — stay - ah - I had
forgotten, Miss Eyre — Jane - answer me one question — do you still
love Mr Rohester’?
What do you mean?
Du “In L l L L vfllLlC uuau L l . I yuu'.I D0 you
still love Mr Rochester?
With all my heart and soul —
What would you do for him?
What would you do for the man you loved? —

Brave all dangers - sacrifice my life; if needs be —

So would I willingly.

Listen — Jane - last night as I lay on the ground beneath the hedge — I
saw a fire reflected on the sky - bitterly cold on the ground, I rose and
went towards the spot — and there learned that Thomfield Hall was a
smoldering ruin.

His house? —

I pressed on and curiosity Ied me to enquire concerning it — this is what
I heard — the fire broke out at dead of night —

Always — the fatal hour at Thomfield!

Amidst the roaring of flames, a tall female figure was seen at one of
the windows — the people saw it was a Maniac — Mr Rochester called
her Bertha — he rushed through the burning rooms - he was seen
approaching to save her, when with one yell - she sprang from the
window and the next minute lay smashed on the pavement.

Dead — And Mr Rochester — is he alive?

Yes — but many think he had better have died.

How? — speak quickly?

Mr Rochester was dragged from the ruins.

Alive — Thank Heaven.

James Willing's Jane Eyre (1879) 33]

Blanche: But with a Broken arm — a cripple.
Jane: Joy — no worse.
Blanche: Yes — worse — he is blind!
Jane: Great Heavens — a cripple and blind!
Blanche: Jane — do you still love Mr Rochester?
Jane: l love him now — more than ever —
Blanche: Jane — sister — come, follow rne!
Jane: Where?
Blanche: To help the cripple - to give sight to the blind!
Jane: I'm ready. ([They] hurry out of door.)
Act drops quickly
Act IV
Scene l

Interior of the Library at F earndean

Rochester discovered sitting in Arm Chair; doctor with him

Rochester: So, Doctor, if you can manage to keep the secret —

Doctor: Never fear, Mr Rochester —— we medical men are not the most

communicative creatures in creation.

Enter Mrs Fairfax R. D.

 

Doctor: All you have to do now is to rest — and, Mrs Fairfax, see that his eyes
are bathed regularly. ‘ ’ L" “ L‘ '
will allow.

Mrs Fairfax: He can't expect in a few ‘ ‘ J “ -‘ “ L‘

 

it took him years to get together at Thomfield — I think if he could only
see what is being done for him — he'd approve of all the arrangements
— don’t you think so, Doctor.

Doctor: I'm certain he would — good day, Mr Rochester — keep easy in your
mind — don’t give way to fits of temper — don't be despondent — it’s an
unfortunate affair — but it might have been worse.

Rochester: lt couldn’t have been worse.

[Doctor]: You might have met the fate of your wife!

Rochester". Don't mention her, Doctor - l wish l had — I have nothing to live for
— Jane has deserted me — don't say wife again please?

Doctor. Well, well. l’ll be quiet — I know the subject was never pleasant to you
— Mrs Fairfax — if any visitors should call — any that he has no objection

332 Jane Eyre on Stage. 1848-1898

to - let them come to him - conversation will brighten his spirits and
divert his thoughts fi'om his sufferings - come, Mr Rochester, tread

carefully — lean on me? (Exit with Rochester R.)
Mrs Fairfax: It's no use talking to him — he snubs me — calls me an ignorant old
woman — I L" ‘ ‘ L‘ ' .2..,..::. — when he blowed

 

me up —l told him l thought he wanted a certain young lady as was
a governess once to wait on him — it was all very well for my poor
governess to improve her position by trying to marry a rich handsome
man,but when ' L J ‘a L 'rr' J L L "v
eye loses its fascination — you, fine marm — don't care to be a nurse
— when l was young - girls took their husbands for better or worse — but
now they cling to them in the sunshine, but desert at the first approach
of rough weather — that is not love — the downright old-fashioned true
love twines round the heart like [iv]y round a tree engrafling its roots
so strongly into the sturdier stem — the rougher the storm — the tighter
it clings — that's how I loved once ~ but the villain jilted me. -

Enter Jane

Jane (entering): What a strange place — how different to Thomfield — will he love me

now? — Here,
Mrs Fairfax: Well if you're not the very last person l should have expected to see.
Jane: Yes. You didn't think l should return.

Mrs Fairfax: That l didn't — oh, lor - l had such a bad opinion of you — Miss Eyre

Jane: Well you'll change it now, when I tell you l've come to take care of
your patient —
Mrs Fairfax: What, Mr Rochester?

Jane: Yes —
Mrs Fairfax: Ah, that’ll about please him, I'm not sorry — when will you begin your
nurse's duties?

Jane: At once — Mrs Fairfax — show me where the things are — the tea things
— the invalid's broth? &c

Mrs Fairfax: Shall l put d0wn your parcel?

Jane: 0h, thank you — stay — haven't you a drawer somewhere — to lock

Mrs Fairfax: There's a spare drawer there.

Jane: That will do — these papers are of great importance to me — (goes to
drawer). Why, there's no key here!

Mrs Fairfax: Well, they're no thieves in the house. ls that the way you're going to
begin your duties - calling us all thieves and locking up everything of
value?

Jane: Oh, forgive me — there, l'll leave it as it is — l didn't mean to offend
you.

James Willingir Jane Eyre (1879) 333
Mrs Fairfax: Now you'd better come and see the patient. Oh! Here’s the Doctor
bringing him back. (Exit Mrs Fairfax)

Re-enter Doctor & Rochester

Doctor: Here, Mr Rochester — in your old chair again.

Rochester: Yes — thanks — Doctor. for your assistance — you won’t forget what I
asked you?

Doctor. No - rely on me. (Exit LH.)

Rochester (in chair): Give me the water, Mary?
. Will you have a little more, Sir’? l have spilled half.

Rochester: Who spoke? Where is the speaker? Whoever you are, be perceptible to
the touch — the voice l know.

Jane (going to him): 'Tis l, Sir — my — Mr Rochester.

Rochester: Her very fingers — her small slight fingers — if so there must be more
of her. (Seizes Jane & embraces her) ls it Jane?

Jane: Yes, Sir — bless you, I'm so glad to be near you again.

Rochester: Jane Eyre — my Jane!

Jane: My dear Edward. l am come back to you.

Rochester: I felt that you loved me, and trusted you would not leave me.
Jane: Which l never will from this day.

Rochester: And you are not an outcast amongst strangers?

Jane: My uncle in Madiera is dead and has lefi me a fortune.

Rochester. But since you are rich, Jane — you now must have friends who will look
after you — and not suffer you to devote yourself to a blind cripple like

me.
Jane: You forget l am my own mistress.

Rochester: And you'll stay with me.

Jane: Certainly, unless you object — I'll be your companion — wait on you.

Read to you. Walk with you — be your eyes and hands.

Rochester. But my seared vision — my crippled strength — l am no better than the
old lightning-struck chestnut tree in Thomfield orchard — what right
would that ruin have to bid a budding woodbine cover its decay with

freshness?
Jane: You are no ruin — one can love you still.
Rochester: But, Jane — I want a wife?
Jane: Do you?
Rochester: Is it unwelcome news?
Jane: That depends on circumstances, or your choice.
Rochester: Which you shall make for me.
Jane: Choose then, Sir — her who loves you best.

Rochester. I will choose at least — her I love best — Jane, will you many me?

Jane (playfully): Yes, Sir - I think I might — if I tried — let's look — yes l think I'd
chance you for a husband.

Rochester: A poor blind man, whom you will have to lead about by the hand.

334

Jane:
Rochester:

Jane:
Rochester:
Jane:
Rochester:
Jane:

Jane Eyre on Stage. 1848-1898

Y _
A crippled man twenty years your senior whom you will have to be
nurse to —
Yes —
Truly — Jane?

ost truly - dear Sir.
My darling — Heaven bless you, and reward you - my wife!
My husband - never to pan more. (Embraces)

Enter Mr Brocklehurst slowly L.H. — looks out of window

Mr Brock:
Rochester.
one:

Mr Brock:

Rochester:

Mr Brock:

Rochester:

Mr Brock:
Rochester:
Mr Brock:
Rochester:
Mr Brock:
Rochester.
Mr Brock:

Rochester:
Mr Brock:
Rochester:
Mr Brock:

Rochester:
Mr Brock:
Rochester:

There goes £30 a year out of my income — hem — hem.

Who’s that?

Mr Brocklehurst - The Reverend Gentleman at whose house l was so
welcomed and cared for. He offered me a situation as teacher at his
schools at £30 per annum.

 

Ant," ‘ L L J . j ' U “Jaw: llfliblLlCI'
— Miss Eyre — the school duties have commenced — the scholars wait
their mistress — if 1..., ' ' ‘ ‘ ' ‘ ‘ ' the

 

sooner the holidays occur, the better for the morals of the[ir] school.
(To Rochester): What do you think of the present I have brought.
Thanks, Sir — thanks — you could not have brought me one I value more
(to himselj) I thank you for the care of her. She is charming.

Perfect to the eye at first sight — but the manufacture has been rather
(looking at clock) scamped - not a good foundation.

How do you know — it's true she was reared in poverty — has her face
alte ?

Not much — excepting there's a scratch under the one —

Her face scratched —

You'll excuse it not being better polished —

She is polished — naturally —

I never heard anyone say so before -

Never mind her defects, Sir —

I thought it would be so useful for you — its merry tick will be a
companion for you through the weary nights.

Sir - I'll hear no more — I am satisfied with her as she is.

If it don't suit you afier a week or so — you can change it for another.
Change — Sir

Yes — the man I had her from said he'd change it till you were suited,
there she goes.

l don't want her to go, Sir ~ l want her to stop.

Well, you have a funny idea of these things.

Insulting — silence. Sir — or you may find the mischief difficult to
repair.

James min-"gs Jane Eyre (1879) 335

Mr Brock: Repairs — yes repairs are difficult. but not expensive — there's one of
my congregation puts a new spring for 5/ — or entire new movement
for £1 — pendulum extra —

Rochester: Man — what are you talking about?

M Brock: This clock - and you -

Rochester: l spoke of Jane Eyre.

Mr Brock: Oh, this is a winding-up arrangement —

Rochester. a, a, , —

Mr Brock: You'll excuse me, Mr Rochester. (Exit L.H.)

thdow opens slowly - John Reed enters

John Reed: Only the blind man, so, so, Pm safe .hls is L L r ‘ ’ ‘ r r
— now to see what the lock is made of - ah not closed — yes, here they
are — ha! — sofi — Jane Eyre — now prove your case ifyou can — l defy
you - you cannot do it ~

Blanche (in at window): But I can — wretch!

John Reed (locks door): Blanche.

Blanche: Yes, your victim — who received kindness from the girl you would rob
— and who will defend a sister's rights with my life.

Rochester: Who is that — what is it?

Blanche: Help — thieves — thieves — help!

John Reed: Fool — there is none here to detain me. (Dashes her down and is making
to window; when Rochester; who has risen, meets him)

Rochester: You lie, John Reed.

John Reed: Blind idiot, let go —

Rochester: Never - (tears oflbandage)

John Reed: Great Heaven, he is not blind, he sees!

Rochester: Yes — he can see — l was blind even to the one l loved — blind to learn if
her love was deep enough to fly to my side as a cripple — but blind no
longer to see my darling’s heritage stolen by a robber and a scoundrel

 

Noise, all doors broken open — Brocklehurst enters

Jane: Rochester — Edward — you can see.

Rochester: Yes. Pardon the deception, Jane — my sight is slightly injured but it was
given out I was stone blind. And anxious to test the sincerity of your
love — l feigned blindness. That was the secret l told you l had, and
which l longed to tell you - when you had consented to link your life
to one you thought abandoned by the world.

Jane: Edward — 0h joy —

John Reed: lt seems l’m not wanted here.

3 36
Mr Brock:

Jane:
Rochester:

Mr Brock:

John Reed:
Blanche:
one:
Blanche:
Jane:
Rochester.

Jane:

Curtain

Jane Eyre an Stage. 1848-1898

Young man - you are a superfluous party — l scom to number you
amongst my flock - Miss Eyre — here is a lett[er.]

For me — yes from Mr Briggs, he admits my claim — Jane Eyre — is rich
— but richer far in the love of the man she loves.

Mr Brocklehurst, I've taken your teacher away — but in honour, l am
bound to allow you her salary.

I must look forward a bit, and if, , r

of my little school, when your married, give me your promise, all the
little Rochesters shall be educated at my establishment. Mr Reed — that
is the way out.

Curse you all — well — Blanche l suppose you’ll come with me? — you
can't both marry Mr Rochester.

Tempter — l am proof against you now. (Exit Reed L.H. door)
My home shall be yours, Blanche.

Call me Sister?

Sister — dear sister. (To Rochester): to Blanche you ewe my early
presence with you.

My love — my life — to-morrow will see our hands united as our hearts
have long since been — my Jane — my darling Jane Eyre.

To-morrow, indeed to become, Jane Rochester.

v.1 LL a

