206 Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898
Jane Eyre by Mme von Heringen Hering

Dramatis Personae

Mrs Sarah Reed, a rich Widow

John, her Son, 15 years of age

Capt. Henry Wytfield, her Brother

Jane Eyre, an Orphan, 16 years of age in lst Act

Lord Rowland Rochester

Lady Georgine Clarence, a young widow, daughter of Mrs Reed
Mrs Judith Harleigh, a relation of Lord Roches[ter]

Dr Blackhorst, Superintendent of an education[al] establishm[ent]
Lady Clawdon

Lord Clawdon

Sir Francis Steenworth, Bart
Edw. Harder Esq.

Adele, a child, ll years of age
Grace Poole

Sam, Man-servant

Patrick, Groom.

Tom, an old Valet at Mrs Reed‘s

in Lord Rochester’s House

Act 1 is at Mrs Reeds Landed Pmperty; Act[s] II[—1 V] at Thornfield Hall, Lord

Rochester s Estate.

Act l

A room with book-cases and statues. Centre door in back scene, and side doors to right
and lefi. In the first coulisse t0 left of actors, is a high window with damask curtains,

before which a chair. To the right, a fire-place, and, above this, a life-size portrait of
a handsome gentleman of upwards of 40 years of age; before this, a sofa, and, by the

side of it, an arm chair and a table. Everything indicates wealth.

Music

Mme von Heringen Heringls Jane Eyre (1877) 207
[Scene I ]

Enter Jane fiom side door left. She first puts her head in, enters on tip-toe, and looks
around her cautiously and listens; then she hastens lightly over the stage, to the fire-
place; her face is pale and surrounded with dark, waving hair,‘ she is clad in a dark
cotton dress, over which she has on a black apmn, and a small white handkerchief
mund her neck; she stops before the picture, clasps her hands, and looks at it in a
melancholy way.

Jane (after a pause): Uncle Reed, my dear Uncle Reed! Do you see me? - You smile,
you do see me! Why do you smile? No, you should rather weep, as
they all of them say that I am wick[ed] and corrupt, and that l am an
ungrateful child — so [I] suppose it must be true! Ah, why did you leave
me[?] I loved you so dearly, and you were so fond of me, — the others
all hate me; am l then, to thank them for their hatred? That would only
amuse them, and the[y] would laugh at me. Yesterday it was Christmas
Da[y] — they made each other presents, but not one of them thought of
you, Uncle Reed — (She falls on her kn[ees]) although it is your birthday,
today; you gave them all the wealth they roll in; but they do not think
of you. Oh, Uncle Reed, I can bring you nothing but my tea[rs] — l have
nothing else, but accept them — I weep with love and gratitude — and
they say I am ungrateful — Do y[ou] believe it, Uncle? No, no, you do
not believe it. (Music ceases.)

[Scene 2]
Jane, Tom

Tom (entering from left): {God} bless rne! If I didn’t think so! Jane, what [are] you
doing here? You come in here, where you are forbid[den] to set foot!
One can’t leave you to yourself for a momen[t.] What are you doing
now?

Jane (jumps up with a wild look, when he enters): I have come to see Uncle Reed on
his birthday! I did so, Tom, because nobody else thinks of him.

Tom (perplexed): What say ...... is it really today?

Jane: Yes, the day afier Christmas Day, which was never forgotten while Uncle
Reed lived, and used to make presents to everyone in the house.

Tom (as before): But Jane, he died five years ago! . . . really one can’t think of everything
why, it’s an age since that happened.

Jane: Five years! Yes you are right indeed, it is an age. What a happy child
I was then! Before Uncle Reed died, l knew not that good people die
and that a poor orphan can be so wretched.

Tom: I know you had, nevertheless, at that time, lost both your father and
mother.

208 Jane Eyre on Stage, l848—1898

Jane (shaking her head sormwfiilly): I never knew my parents. Uncle Reed took me
in his arms, and was so tender and kind! While he live[d] I felt not that
I was an orphan! (With a wild burst of emotion) Oh! Uncle Reed, where
are you gone? When will you come and take me away with you?

Tom (sorrow/idly): Come, Jane, come! Now you are beginning the wild talk again,
to which you have accustomed you[r] self since you had the fever last
year! (Kindly) No[w] you are getting naughty again.

Jane: Why don’t you scold me as you used to do? W[hy] don’t you drive me
away? Why don’t you beat me, as Mrs Reed has ordered you to do?

Tom (perplexed): Because you are no longer a child because you are a big girl,
now.

Jane: Oh, that is not the reason; I have grown older, if you will, but I am
still a helpless, ignorant child. The r[ea]son is you dare not, because
you have not forgotten the night I was locked up in the room where
Uncle died, a[nd] from whence you carried me out, next morning, like
a corpse. Now you are frightened of killing me.

Tom: I am afraid of making Mrs Reed hate you stil[l] more than you yourself
have done and .. . well, I consider it my duty to spare you, because your
nerves . . . (he pauses). Come along with me, Jane. Only think if anyone
were to come and find you here

Jane (with defiance): I won’t go.

Tom: Jane! (In a supplicatory tone) Now be good, and don’t grieve me.
Jane: Ah, Tom, do not scold me, you know not what I suffer

Tom: Why what a strange girl you are! Now you are good again, but before
Jane: I cannot help it, Tom! You are so often unkind to me, and so seldom

indulgent! Do let me stop here a little! Nobody thinks of the books here,
today. I should also like to keep my Christmas, and read, for an hour!
It is so long since I had a book in my hand, because Georgine locks
them all up. Let me read a little, Tom, it is the only pleasure I have!

Tom (in conflict with his feelings): I should like you to have the pleasure, but, if
anyone saw you

Jane (hastens to a bookcase, takes out a book quickly and says joyfillly): N0 one, no
one shall see me! here it is! Hume’s History of England! (She comes
back with a face beaming with joy.) Do you see, I made no mistake, I
knew where to find it. (Hastens to the window, which has a very broad
sill, places the chair against it, and jumps on the chain Sits on the sill,
and says joyfitlly.) Just look, Tom, now l shall draw the curtains so that
nobody can see me, and then I can sit quietly, and study the history of
my country. (Pleased) That will do beautifully, won’t it? I ought to know
something, and they won’t let me learn anything at all.

Tom: Well, then, have your own way! I shall come and fetch you in an hour’s
time don‘t stir, and think of me, if you don't of yourself. You know
Mrs Reed!

Mme von Heringen Heringfs Jane Eyre (1877) 209

Jane (draws the curtains before her in such a way that she cannot be seen): Don’t
be afraid; I'll be as quiet as a mouse.

Tam (aside): Now Mrs Reed may scold as much as she likes — I haven't the hean to
deny the poor creature the only pleasure I can do her, and at Christmas,
too. (About to go; left)

[Scene 3]
The former
Enter John fiom door in back scene; he is very elegantly dressed

John (roughly): Tom, what are you doing here? stop here!

Tom @erplexed and fiightened): I have not time, Sir.

John (in a commanding way): You shall stop, I want somebody to talk to. Uncle
Wytfield, who has returned from Spain, talks nothing but nonsense that
no sensible person can stand, and Georgine sits as stiff as though she
had swallowed the poker, and makes grimaces like a fine lady, when I
only shoot a bread pill at her!

Tom: But it is not proper for you to sit and shoot bread at your sister. Miss
Georgine is older than you, and you ought, therefore to show her the
respect she is entitled to.

John (throws himself down on the sofa, with his hands in his pockets, and stretches out
his legs): Respect! for her! — I do not respect anyone, not even Mama.
They will, all of them, one day, be dependent on me, as this wretched
Jane Eyre is, now, on my mother! When I am of age, and take possession
of the Estate, then I‘m the master here, and he who does not obey my
orders, and do what I want, will rue it! Don’t forget that, Tom.

Tom (dry/y): Yes, but that won’t be just yet awhile.

John (jumping up): You bore me, Tom you don’t amuse me at all! What a pity
Mama has forbidden Jane to come here ......

Tom (as before): Yes, it really is a pity you have nobody to plague. Are you not ashamed
of yourself, John, to beat the poor child, as you have done so ofien! Is
that proper for a young gentleman of your position?

John: I beat her because l hate her! But it is some time since I thrashed her
last, and then she both scratched and bit me, the beastly cat!

Tom: So she did, but then she was in a state of desperation because you struck
her with a hammer, and the poor girl had nothing else to defend herself
with.

John: She had no right to defend herself at all, when I struck her, for I am the

master here, and she is only a beggar, who eats our bread. (Looking at
the curtain) But what‘s this! Look how the curtain’s moving.

Tom (looks also at the curtain, frightened): Yes, you’re right! Come, young gentleman,
let us go; perhaps it’s the ghost.

210 Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898

John (triumphantly): The ghost? Not a bit of it; there must be someone behind. I bet
it is the cat herself — (running to the curtain, which he throws aside)
Right, by Jove! What are you doing here, you beast? (Aside) Good
heavens! Didn’t I just think so?

Jane (sits, as before, on the window-sill, with her feet on the chair; holding the book
on her knee with both hands; she has a wild look, she trembles in every limb, and
stares at John in a threatening way.)

John (recedes somewhat abashed): Well, what are you staring at me for? Why don’t
you answer? Why do you hide yourself here, to frighten people? I’ll
pitch you down, if you don’t answer me at once, you beast. (Stretches
out his hand to take hold of her)

Jane (as before): Don’t touch me, John! A year ago, I was still a cat and scratched
you, because I would not let you kill me with a hammer, but now Pm
bigger!

John (laughs scornfully): I suppose you think I dare not beat you now? You shall soon
see (Goes towards her)

Jane (with flashing eyes, but without moving): If you do that, John, I shall not scratch
you (she jumps fi'om the window-sill to the ground) but I will kill you!
So you had better let me be!

John (receding, frightened): Oh, ho! I dare say you’ll take care not to do that.

Jane (calmly): Yes, if you don’t beat me.

Tom: (takes her kindly by the hand): Come along with me, Jane.

Jane (without taking her eyes from John): No, he shall go first.

[Scene 4]
The former
Enter Mrs Sarah Reed and Henry W'yqield

Mrs Reed (a tall lady upwards of 40 years of age, proud, repulsive and dark; very
elegantly and splendidly dressed, her manner calm, cold and not
without dignity): What is the matter here? (Sees Jane, and turns away
with a look of considerable disgust.) What is that creature doing here?
How can she dare

John (going to her): Mama, Jane has hidden herself behind the curtain, and she
threatens to kill me, if I come near her!

Mrs Reed (trying to control herself): Why did you have anything to do with her? It
is your own fault, you have not done as I told you. — (To Jane) What
do you want here?

Jane (who, from the moment Mrs Reed entered has stood trembling and motionless;
looking down, soflly): I was reading, Aunt Sarah.

Mme von Heringen Hering s Jane Eyre (I877) 211

Mrs Reed (with self-control, but still coldly and seriously): l-Iave you not been
forbidden to come into these rooms[?]

Jane: Yes.

Mrs Reed: How can you then dare to secrete yourself here, when you know my
orders?

Jane: Georgine and John have locked up all the books, likewise those which

Uncle Reed was so kind as to give to me. You have given me an attic,
where it is cold and wretched. I longed so dreadfully for a good book,
and here it is quiet and warm.

Henry (shaking his head; to Mrs Reed): Sarah, let her read!

Mrs Reed (gives him a threatening look; then says in the same tone as before to
Jane): You could have asked me for a book, then you would not have
been disobedient.

Jane (with a sharp look): I did not come here on account of the book{s} alone.

Mrs Reed: What did you come for, then? To listen to what was going on here, I
suppose?

Jane: No, but to visit Uncle Reed (pointing to the picture) and to send him a
grateful thought, as I have no flowers to adorn his portrait with, on his
birthday.

Mrs Reed (startled, biting her lips; aside): The serpent.

Henry (with a look of astonishment at Mrs Reed): Yes — it really is the day afier
Christmas day! In my brother-in-law’s time, it was always a great
festival here; but now, it seems to be quite forgotten.

John (puffed up): lt’s a long time since Papa died; one can’t always be thinking of
that

Mrs Reed (commanding): Silence! (To Henry) I can understand perfectly well, that
Jane Eyre remembers this day; my late husband was always spoiling
her, and that is how her stubbornness and obstinacy originated. (Looking
gloomily at her) Have I not forbidden you to curl your hair? Do you not
know that Georgine cannot bear it? This mode of dressing the hair, is
only fit for the daughters of high families, like my Georgine, who are
meant to command, but not for those who, like yourself, are destined
to serve and obey. Why do you do this? Answer!

Jane (putting her fingers dreamily through her hair): I did not know my hair had been
dressed; I do nothing with it, Aunt Sarah, but it curls naturally. My hair
is so stubborn and it will not set otherwise.

Mrs Reed: Then your hair is an emblem of your character! Did you threaten to kill
John?

Jane (calmly): Yes, if he beat me again, as he did before.

Mrs Reed: Then beg his pardon!

Jane (looks down, without moving)

Mrs Reed (with a piercing look): You won’t?

212 Jane Eyre on Stage, I 848-1898

Jane (calmly): No.

Mrs Reed: You will not beg his pardon?

Jane: Yes, when he has begged mine first, for all the abusive names he has
heaped on ‘the beggar’.

Mrs Reed (to Plfifield): Do you hear, Henry, do you hear? (To Jane) Go.

Jane (holds her head down, and is about to go)

Mrs Reed: Put the book down, first.

Jane (turns round and puts it on the table)

Mrs Reed: You will only come here once more; but l shall send for you first.
Jane (looks inquiringly at her)

Mrs Reed: Go, and let me be rid of the sight of a wicked and ungrateful
creature!

Exit Jane, left ( with head down)

John (triumphantly to Tom): Well, I must go and tell Georgine this at once. How it
will amuse her. (Runs our of door in back scene)

Tom (follows him shaking his head.'— Exit)
[ Scene 5]
Mrs Reed, Henry

Mrs Reed (her exasperation breaking out): Now you have seen and heard her, the
serpent, who has disturbed the peace of this house, ever since she set
foot in it. Can you now conceive what I have suffered in fulfilling the
duty my husband was unreasonable enough to impose on me’? Thank
{God} \goodness/ it is now over.

Henry: I have been away from here too long to \be able to/ comprehend all
the details of this case, at so short notice, but so much I can see: that
this poor orphan has received but a very indifferent education, and is
suffering under your hatred.

Mrs Reed: Yes, I hate her! I may, possibly, not have understood how to bring her
up, or would not understand it; I only know that this creature has grown
up among us, as a weed and a perfect plague to me and my children,
and l have been a conscientious fool for putting up with it so long! I
have tried everything to make her obedient and tractable but she is

Mme van Heringen Heringls Jane Eyre (I877) 213

incon'igible — \she hates my children and defies me/ — she must go, as
I can only have peace in my house again in this way, for she is as like
her mother, as she possibly can be, and every bit as stifl' and obstinate
as she was.

Henry (shaking his head): To the best of my recollection, you had a similar antipathy
for her mother.

Mrs Reed: And was l not right? She has covered our name with shame; she ran
ofi' with a poor naval officer, married this creature who squandered her
fortune, and, some few years afterwards, she was a beggar, a penniless
widow! l can’t tell you what I suffered, the evening she came to our
house, with her child, and the weak-minded, romantic Reed received her
with open arms! I was obliged to put up with the sight of her, l had to
nurse and attend her, until death released me of this martyr! I breathed
freely, I imagined my cup of bitterness was drained; but I deceived
myself — \the worst was still to come/ ; she had lefl the child to his care!
Then you went to Spain, and knew not what a cross l was called on to
bear! Reed was a severe, obstinate man, and l dared not let him suspect
how much l hated the little wretch he was so passionately fond of! He
made a perfect idol of the child, could sit for hours \together/ with her
on his knee, playing with her hair and listening to her prattle! For her
sake, he neglected his own children; indeed, when they all three of them
had the Scarlet fever, he sat, day and night, by Jane’s bedside — his only
thought was for her, and he lefi his own children to me and their fate! I
was obliged to submit in silence; even when death suddenly overtook
him, his last thoughts were with this horrid creature, for he made me
take an oath that I would never abandon the child, but consider it as
entitled to the same rights as my own! The same rights! This beggar!
Thus, in his last moments, he heaped a fresh burthen on my shoulders;
but I have borne it long enough for my conscience not to smite me for
throwing it ofi', so as to breathe freely again in my own house, afier the
lapse of fourteen long years!

Henry (astonished): But what do you intend to do with her?

Mrs Reed: I shall send her to the Establishment at Lowood; l have settled with the
Director, who was here yesterday, and l expect him, every minute, to
fetch her.

Henry: The Establishment at Lowood? ls not that an Orphan Asylum, a kind of
charity school supported by voluntary contributions, in a very unhealthy
neighbourhood, forty miles from hence?

Mrs Reed (coldly): It certainly is an Orphan Asylum. I am not acquainted with the
locality, but I know that young girls are brought up, there, in humility
and the fear of God, and that they learn to do something usefiil. l am to
pay £18 a year for her, there, and will pay this sum, in advance, for four
years. Jane Eyre will receive the education suitable for her station, and,
from thence, she can look out for a place either as servant or governess,

214 Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898

according to the way she may avail herself of the four years she has
before her. In this way, I believe I confer a real benefit on her, and fulfil
my duty at the same time.

Henry: lt is somewhat late to take this step, Sarah. Some years ago, she might
have been able to stand so terrible a change, but at present, she is too
old to be sent to such an establishment. Besides, it seems to me that,
in this {way} manner, you do not keep the promise you made to your
late husband: he certainly cannot have wished she should have been
brought up at an Orphan Asylum.

Mrs Reed (bitterly): No, that is certain! According to his ideas, the first educational
establishment in London, would not have been good enough for her, and,
if he had had time to make a Will, he would, doubtless, have remembered
her liberally to the detriment of his own children! But God is just, and
willed it otherwise. (Turning quickly to him) For the rest, if, as it seems,
you do not approve of my plan, you are quite at liberty to provide better
for her future welfare. l leave her to you, with pleasure.

‘Henry: You jest at my expense, Sarah. You must remember that you had
nothing before Reed made a rich lady of you, and that I am a soldier
without fortune. My circumstances do not allow me to provide for this
orphan.

Mrs Reed (coldly): Then you had better leave her to the fate l have marked out for
her. l am commended, by the whole county, for What I have done for
this strange child, and I believe I merit the praise.

Henry (shrugging his shoulders): It is well for you, if your conscience do not say
the reverse!

Mrs Reed (is about to give a sharp reply)

[Scene 6]
The former; Tom, Blackhorst; afterwards Jane
Tom (comes in from door in back scene): If you please, Ma’am, Mr Blackhorst wishes
Mrs Reed (enlivened): Ah, he is welcome; call Jane Eyre!
Tom: I have sent .lames for her; she will be here directly. (Goes and opens

door for Mr Blackhorst)

Enter Blackhorst (dressed in black, in a sort of clerical costume, about 50 years of
age; he is submissive towards Mrs Reed, but his features are hard and cold.)

Blackhorst: You allowed me, Madam

Mrs Reed (whose expression, when he enters, suddenly changes, and becomes mild
and aflable): You are very welcome, my dear Sir! (Goes to the sofa, and
points to a chair by the side of it) I have been quite longing for you.

Mme von Heringen Herings Jane Eyre (1 87 7) 215

Blackhorst (sits down, after having bowed to Henry): You are really too good,
Madam.

Mrs Reed (sanctimoniously): Yes, I may say I have longed for you, for I see, in you,
the servant whom the Almighty has ordained to lead em'ng hearts, with
firmness, to the right path.

Blackhorst: Sometimes even with harshness, Mrs Reed, when harshness is the only
remedy! God Himself has indeed chosen me for such a servant, and
I will praise Him, if, by His goodness, I may succeed in leading the
young lamb back, which, notwithstanding all your charitable deeds, of
which you wrote me, has strayed from the flock.

Mrs Reed: I considered it my duty to name this lamentable fact, to lighten your
task.

Enter Jane (from left entrance; remains standing near door)

Mrs Reed (penceives her; and beckons her to approach): Come here, you shall not
say l have spoken ill of you behind your back.

Jane (astonished, approaches timidly)

Mrs Reed: I have done, for {you,} Jane Eyre, what {God} \we are/ commanded
{us} to do for the fatherless. Since she was two years old, she has lived
under my roof, she has shared everything with my children, and has
been brought up with them, But the seeds of my benevolence, have
fallen on barren ground, (with a deep sigh) for she has no heart! She
is ungrateful [—] she tells falsehoods and is a hypocrite, and I feel that
for her future welfare, it is necessary that she should be under the care
of a stricter person than I am.

Blackhorst: What you tell me is perfectly dreadful! But you need be under no
apprehension whatsoever. I have already soflened many a youthful
disposition, \many a hardened heart./ With God’s help I shall likewise
succeed in this case, though it is already somewhat late, in bringing the
young lamb back to the fold.

Mrs Reed: Jane Eyre. You see this excellent gentleman. From this time forward he
will take charge of your future welfare. In a few days, you will leave
for the Institution at Lowood, where I have settled for your remaining
for four years.

Jane (with a burst of joy): Indeed? Shall I really leave here?

Mrs Reed: I suppose you heard what I said.

Jane: You will send me to a school?

Blackhorst: Where young girls are taught to fear God.

Jane (looking at him fi'om top to toe): You can spare yourself that trouble, Sir, for
Uncle Reed has taught me that — I fear and love God, who mercifully
takes me away from this house — but tell me, Sir, what else can I learn
there?

214 Jane Eyre on Stage, 1848-1898

according to the way she may avail herself of the four years she has
before her. In this way, I believe I confer a real benefit on her, and fulfil
my duty at the same time.

Henry: It is somewhat late to take this step, Sarah. Some years ago, she might
have been able to stand so terrible a change, but at present, she is too
old to be sent to such an establishment. Besides, it seems to me that,
in this {way} manner, you do not keep the promise you made to your
late husband: he certainly cannot have wished she should have been
brought up at an Orphan Asylum.

Mrs Reed (bitterly): No, that is certain! According to his ideas, the first educational
establishment in London, would not have been good enough for her, and,
if he had had time to make a Will, he would, doubtless, have remembered
her liberally to the detriment of his own children! But God is just, and
willed it otherwise. (Taming quickly to him) For the rest, if, as it seems,
you do not approve of my plan, you are quite at liberty to provide better
for her future welfare. I leave her to you, with pleasure.

‘Henry: You jest at my expense, Sarah. You must remember that you had
nothing before Reed made a rich lady of you, and that I am a soldier
without fortune. My circumstances do not allow me to provide for this
orphan.

Mrs Reed (coldly): Then you had better leave her to the fate I have marked out for
her. I am commended, by the whole county, for what I have done for
this strange child, and I believe I merit the praise.

Henry (shrugging his shoulders): It is well for you, if your conscience do not say
the reverse!

Mrs Reed (is about t0 give a sharp reply)

[Scene 6]
The former; Torn, Blackhorst: afterwards Jane
Tom (comes in from door in back scene): If you please, Ma’am, Mr Blackhorst wishes
Mrs Reed (enliuened): Ah, he is welcome; call Jane Eyre!
Tom: I have sent James for her; she will be here directly. (Goes and opens

door for Mr Blackhorst)

Enter Blackhorst (dressed in black, in a sort of clerical costume, about 50 years of
age; he is submissive towards Mrs Reed, but his features are hard and cold.)

Blackhorst: You allowed me, Madam

Mrs Reed (whose expression, when he enters, suddenly changes, and becomes mild
and afi'able): You are very welcome, my dear Sir! (Goes to the sofa, and
points to a chair by the side of it) I have been quite longing for you.

Mme van Heringen Hering s Jane Eyre (I877) 215

Blackhorst (sits down, after having bowed t0 Henry): You are really too good,
Madam.

Mrs Reed (sanctimoniously): Yes, I may say I have longed for you, for I see, in you,
the servant whom the Almighty has ordained to lead erring hearts, with
firmness, to the right path.

Blackhorst: Sometimes even with harshness, Mrs Reed, when harshness is the only
remedy! God Himself has indeed chosen me for such a servant, and
I will praise Him, if, by His goodness, I may succeed in leading the
young lamb back, which, notwithstanding all your charitable deeds, of
which you wrote me, has strayed from the flock.

Mrs Reed: I considered it my duty to name this lamentable fact, to lighten your
task.

Enter Jane (from left entrance; remains standing near door)

Mrs Reed (perceives her; and beckons her to approach): Come here, you shall not
say I have spoken ill of you behind your back.

Jane (astonished, approaches timidly)

Mrs Reed: I have done, for {you,} Jane Eyre, what {God} \we are/ commanded
{us} to do for the fatherless. Since she was two years old, she has lived
under my roof, she has shared everything with my children, and has
been brought up with them. But the seeds of my benevolence, have
fallen on barren ground, (with a deep sigh) for she has no heart! She
is ungrateful [—] she tells falsehoods and is a hypocrite, and I feel that
for her future welfare, it is necessary that she should be under the care
of a stricter person than l am.

Blackhorst: What you tell me is perfectly dreadful! But you need be under no
apprehension whatsoever. I have already softened many a youthfiil
disposition, \many a hardened heart./ With God’s help I shall likewise
succeed in this case, though it is already somewhat late, in bringing the
young lamb back to the fold.

Mrs Reed: Jane Eyre. You see this excellent gentleman. From this time forward he
will take charge of your future welfare. In a few days, you will leave
for the Institution at Lowood, where I have settled for your remaining
for four years.

Jane (with a burst of joy): Indeed? Shall I really leave here?

Mrs Reed: I suppose you heard what I said.

Jane: You will send me to a school?

Blackhorst: Where young girls are taught to fear God.

Jane (looking at him fiom top t0 toe): You can spare yourself that trouble, Sir, for
Uncle Reed has taught me that — I fear and love God, who mercifully
takes me away from this house - but tell me, Sir, what else can I learn
there?

