Jane Eyre s01e02 Episode Script
Episode 2
Are you injured, sir? Get away from me, you witch.
What did you think of Master? He is very changeable.
You do not know what it is to feel jealousy do you, Jane? So you have no idea what it is to love.
I took the wrong path.
I must bear the blame for continuing on it.
Sir! Mr Rochester, Sir.
Wake up! For heaven's sake, sir, wake up! Jane, are you hurt? No, sir.
But you were nearly killed in your bed.
What happened here? I don't know.
I heard a noise and I followed it here.
Shall I fetch Mrs Fairfax? No.
What can she do? I must fetch someone to help, sir.
No! Sit, Jane, quietly.
Wait here for me.
Can you do that? DISTANT DOOR CLOSES It's settled.
It is as I thought.
How, sir? I forgot.
Did you say you saw anything, anyone? No, I heard a laugh.
I think it was Grace Poole, sir.
Of course, you're right.
She is a singular sort of person.
She is often careless, and accidents happen.
We will say no more about it.
Go back to your room.
Servants will be up in an hour or two.
Are you going without saying good night? Jane, you just You just saved my life.
You might at least shake hands.
I knew you'd do me good, the first time I met you.
I knew I wouldn't mind being in your debt.
There is no debt, sir.
There is no debt, sir.
I am glad I happened to be awake.
She saves me from an inferno and she's glad she happened to be awake.
Still she tries to go.
I am cold, sir.
Of course.
Of course.
And we agreed that you'd never be cold again.
Well, if you must leave me .
.
you must.
It's a mystery how he wasn't burnt in his bed.
He will read with a candle burning.
I've told him how dangerous that is.
Morning, dear.
Morning.
Morning, Miss.
Morning, Grace.
What has happened here? Master was reading in bed again.
Fortunately, he woke up and no real harm was done.
That's very strange.
Did no-one hear anything? Mrs Fairfax said she heard nothing.
She sleeps heavily.
You're young, Miss.
Maybe you heard a noise? I did.
At first, I thought it was Pilot, but Pilot cannot laugh.
And I'm certain I heard a laugh.
A strange one.
Hardly likely the master would laugh, not when he was in such danger.
I think you must have been dreaming, Miss.
I most certainly was not dreaming.
Did you open your door? Did you see who or what it was you thought laughed? On the contrary.
I locked my door.
Very wise.
It would be wise to lock your door the moment you go to bed.
Who knows what might happen? You're not eating again.
You ate very little at lunch time, Miss Eyre.
I hope you're not sickening.
You're very flushed.
Oh, I'm very well, thank you.
Never better.
Oh, it's a fine night.
On the whole, a very good day for Mr Rochester's journey.
Journey? I didn't know he was going out.
Oh, he set off right after breakfast.
He's gone to Mr Eshton's place, over the other side of Millcote.
He'll likely stay a fortnight or more at the house party.
A fortnight? Yes, I told you, he's hardly ever here for more than a few days.
And you can't say he hasn't been starved of company these last two months.
Oh, I mean fine and proper company of course, my dear.
When these fashionable, beautiful people get together they're in no hurry to separate.
Single gentlemen are especially sought after.
And Mr Rochester is so talented in society.
The ladies are very fond of him.
He's a very fine singer.
He sings? Oh, yes.
He and Miss Blanche Ingram sang at a Christmas party here some years ago.
This Miss Ingram, is she very beautiful? Oh, good Lord, yes.
She has very fine features.
Brilliant eyes, very striking.
Well, she's the belle of the county.
She's not yet married? No.
The Ingram's estate will pass to the son.
The daughters have only small fortunes.
But if she is so very beautiful, she must have wealthy suitors.
Mr Rochester, for example.
Well, yes.
But there is a considerable difference in age.
What of it? There are more unequal matches made every day.
Why yes, dear, but I scarcely think Mr Rochester would think that a good idea.
You've eaten nothing again.
I'm sure you're sickening for something and the master's away.
I must decide whether to send for Doctor Crawford.
I am perfectly well, as I said.
Never better.
GRACE: 'Are you sure you weren't mistaken, Miss Eyre?' You were mistaken, Jane Eyre.
'Miss Blanche Ingram is the most beautiful and accomplished young lady.
'She is right and proper company for the master.
' THEY LAUGH Who are you writing to, Miss Eyre? I thought you had no-one to write to.
I don't.
We are your family now.
I wish Mr Rochester would come back.
I am so bored.
I wouldn't wish for long.
Sometimes he leaves us for many a month, especially in the cold winter season.
Once, he left us for a whole year and a quarter.
Oh, that was a very long winter.
I can remember it well.
Miss Eyre, are you sick? Your cheeks are pink.
It is very hot in here this morning, Adele.
Oh, it's from the master.
Well SHE CLEARS HER THROA Well.
Mr Rochester is not likely to return home soon? He's returning all right.
Leah! Come quickly.
BELL RINGS Open all the rooms, all the windows.
Logs over here, please.
In the grate, not upstairs, thank you.
Mr Roberts, would you be so kind as to joint the meat for me, please? Thank you.
The silver needs a thorough polishing, please.
Thank you, Polly, in the scullery.
A thorough polishing.
Good, more flowers.
The flowers are so pretty.
Nice display in the centre there, thank you.
Oh, thank goodness! Now, I wanted an extra four pounds of baking apples and plums.
Can you check for me that they are here? I would prefer for you to use goose eggs.
If you come with me, I'll show you where we keep them.
Are you sure all this is necessary? Oh, yes, I think so.
We're not sure how many house guests he's bringing but we must be sure to have more than enough to feed them.
Oh, dear, I've never done this before.
But the master's never been home long enough to have a party.
Goose eggs.
Mrs Poole gets good wages, I suppose? Yeah, about five times what I get, and Master's not stingy.
I wonder I'll race you over to the river.
Oh, there they are at last.
Oh, my dear, how lovely it is to meet you.
I must go down and greet them.
That is Mademoiselle Ingram.
She has a French name, Blanche.
And that is her sister.
I think it must be.
And that's Lady Ingram, her mother.
THEY LAUGH Master says you may join the ladies this evening.
Oh, I must start to prepare at once.
I must wear absolutely my best dress.
Adele, you think too much of your appearance.
It's the person inside you that matters.
No-one will love you for how pretty you are.
I do not think that can be right, Miss Eyre.
You must take her into the drawing room before the guests finish dinner.
Oh, no, surely I don't have to be there.
Adele can go with Sophie.
Master's orders.
He says you must be there, or he will come to your room and bring you down himself.
BELL RINGS Adele, come on.
Des amandes.
Adele, come on.
Ah, there's the pictures.
Beautiful, isn't it? DISTANT CHATTER You look alike, move alike, sound alike.
You are, if I may say so a particularly fine example of the split female embryo.
I hope you'll permit me to ask you some questions? Of course.
Everybody is.
Yes, that's right, everyone is interested in us.
Lady Ingram, you don't escape our argument so easily.
Rochester, I don't understand you.
If some people are rich and some poor, then that is God's will.
So be it, I am satisfied.
I'm sure you are if you are one of the predetermined rich.
And it is a scientific fact that there are so many more who are poor.
Adele! Adele.
Sit down, Adele.
Can't we talk about something else? There are children and servants present.
Oh, good Lord! What on earth is this? It is Mr Rochester's ward, I suppose.
The little French girl.
Mr Rochester, I thought you were not fond of children.
I'm not.
Then what on earth made you take on that little doll? Where did you pick her up? I didn't pick her up.
She was left in my hands.
Well, you should send her to school where she belongs.
Well, schools are expensive.
But you have a governess, I see.
There, hiding behind the screen.
Now that's expensive, for you have to feed them both.
What are you talking about now, Rochester? Oh, no.
We don't want Mother getting started on governesses.
We're talking of governesses, Lady Ingram.
Oh, don't mention them! I'm so glad that Blanche and Mary have no longer any need for them.
Governesses are a nuisance, all of them.
If they're not eating you out of house and home, they're carrying on with the tutor or, even worse, making eyes at the master of the house.
Really? You surprise me.
Mary, do you remember Miss Twisk or Twitt or whatever she was called? We pretended she was harbouring a passion for Bradstock.
It was your idea.
Yes, we were very naughty.
She was so boring, poor thing.
Mother had her leave instantly, in case she should set us a bad moral example.
You cannot be too careful, Rochester, with a young, impressionable mind in the house.
How do you do, Jane? I am very well, sir.
Why did you not come up and speak to me? I did not wish to disturb you.
You seemed engaged, sir.
It is a while since we've seen each other.
What have you been doing? Nothing in particular.
Teaching Adele, of course.
You look a good deal paler.
What's the matter? Nothing at all, sir.
Then return to the drawing room.
I am tired, sir.
Mm, and a little depressed, I think.
What about? Tell me.
I am not depressed.
I tell you that you are.
So depressed that you're almost Let me look at you.
You are about to cry.
Tell me, Jane, why are you crying? I am not crying.
Tonight you are excused.
But I expect you to appear in the drawing room every evening after dinner.
Every evening, mind.
It is my wish.
Where did I put it? I'm sure I left it somewhere here.
Miss Eyre.
Why are you not dressed for riding? I do not ride, sir.
Well, then you must learn.
Come, join us by the fire.
We will not be able to hunt today, I'm afraid, with the weather so changeable.
No, or go on a walk.
My book has gone missing again.
My book, you know, The Beast Within.
Oh, I wish you wouldn't, my dear.
How do you dare read those novels? Oh, but it's very exciting.
It is about a man who commits a crime.
He spends the dark hours raging about like an animal and then, in the morning, he goes about his business and no-one suspects a thing.
Nonsense! You don't think it possible that someone who seems perfectly serene and unspectacular from the outside could be capable of committing horrific crimes? Certainly not a Christian man.
Although I'm sure that Mr Eshton has all sorts of new ideas about that.
For once, I must admit ignorance.
The brain is a vast and wonderful landscape.
We have not even begun to navigate its mysteries.
We do not know why it malfunctions.
We are in the very infancy of its science.
Science again.
You make it all sound so very grand.
God gives people good blood and bad blood, and there is an end to it.
When Mary and I were in Paris we saw the savage boy, the one who lived in the woods and could only talk gibberish, if you could call it talked.
That's what I'm talking about.
That child had bad blood.
You can clean it, dress it up, but you will never make it good.
You were born bad, Jane Eyre, and you will die bad! Miss Eyre, is it your opinion that children are born the way God intended them to be, that bad blood will always be bad blood? Or can you discipline such a child? Excuse me? Of course you should.
That's common sense.
I think it wise that since we must live with the adult, I think it prudent to treat a child as if they had feelings.
Really? Feelings! A child has no more feelings than that dog over there.
I would have thought that if you Please, Miss Eyre, continue.
Mr Eshton wishes to hear your opinion.
I think that all children, whether they are thought to be of good blood or bad blood, deserve to be given the chance to love .
.
and to be loved.
I do not see the use of punishing a child with beatings and harsh words.
"What's the use of punishment?" From a governess! You must send that child off to school immediately, Rochester.
All this talk of tainted blood is wearisome.
I know my blood's up! You are the best horsewoman in the county.
Shall we ride? Oh, regarde! LAUGHTER Jane.
Where are you going? I have to speak to Mrs Fairfax.
She allows Adele to eat too many sugary things.
Afterwards, I'll join you in the drawing room.
You might even enjoy yourself.
We'll be playing games later.
Don't tell me you don't approve of games, Jane? What do you think of Miss Ingram, Jane? I suppose I must choose a bride, as all about me seem to wish it.
Is that what they're saying? To preserve this great estate of mine, I must have an heir.
Is that what the gossip requires? I know nothing of gossip, sir.
Well, then, Jane, your honest opinion.
Do you think Miss Ingram a good choice? Do you think I am in love with Miss Ingram, Jane? I know nothing of love, sir.
Don't be late, Jane.
It won't be long before the games begin.
Shall we go? Oh, now, there it is! There is my book, The Beast Within, sitting there all the time.
No, but I'm sure I looked there this morning.
Maybe the ghost took it.
The ghost? The ghost.
Sophie says it walks the corridors at night.
It eats the gateaux from the kitchen and it laughs in the dark.
THUNDERCLAP, THEY SCREAM A ghost at Thornfield.
How exciting! You never mentioned it.
She walks in the corridor with the painting of the mad people.
Sophie says she goes cold and shivers when she Sophie is from Marseilles, which means that she wears three or four outer garments even in July.
Our English weather feeds her overactive French imagination.
Oh, you disappoint me.
Maybe we could tell each other ghostly stories.
I'm in need of a little danger.
Ghost stories are not of interest.
How do you know if they're true? But, my dear Blanche, if the ladies are interested, I know a game, if you're not afraid of things that we might not be able to explain? The supernatural! What are you up to, Edward? You're interested in experiments, aren't you? Well, I hope you know what you're doing.
ALL: L .
.
O .
.
V.
.
.
.
E.
Love.
Who's next? Blanche.
Are you ready? Of course I am.
H .
.
E.
.
.
.
A .
.
R .
.
T H-E-A-R-T.
Heart.
Oh, Blanche.
It means that you have given your heart to someone.
Do tell us As if we didn't know! THEY LAUGH L .
.
E .
.
S .
.
S.
Less heart.
What can that mean? Less Heart, Heart Less Heartless! Oh, dear Blanche.
I'm sure it's made a mistake.
It must think you're someone else.
You were right, Mr Eshton.
This is a silly game.
I am rather tired.
I think I will read in bed.
Be careful of your candle, my darling.
GHOSTLY CRIES Morning.
ESHTON: 'You don't think it possible that someone who seems perfectly serene 'and unspectacular from the outside could hide a beast within them?' I'll be away all day on business.
I'm sure you'll be able to amuse yourselves.
Don't be too late.
I'll be back by sundown.
Don't misbehave now.
I think that gown Miss Blanche Ingram has, the blue, I think it the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.
SOUND OF HORSES HOOVES It is Mr Rochester! He is back.
You said we could finish.
He's early.
Oh! Who is this? He is tres beau, Mademoiselle, n'est-ce pas? A foreigner, I think.
Although quite a nice chap.
Mason's the name.
Says he met Rochester in the West Indies.
I think the twins have taken a bit of a shine to him.
Speak up, man.
What's the matter? It's an old gypsy lady, Madam.
Come to tell fortunes.
She refuses to leave and with the Master away Tell her to go or we'll set the dogs on her.
No, no, tell her to stay.
There are ladies present who wish to have their fortunes told.
But what would Rochester say? Well, he's not here, is he? I am brave enough, if you aren't.
Ah! Bonjour! Bonjour, mon cherie.
Blanche! What happened? What did the gypsy lady say to you? Oh.
Rochester was right.
she talked absolute nonsense.
Nothing in it! You can amuse yourselves with her if you want.
I'm sorry, Miss.
she said she wouldn't leave until she had seen everyone and you are the only person who hasn't had their fortune told.
She would not leave until I had brought you here.
That's all right, George.
Don't worry.
I'll wait outside in case there's trouble.
No, George.
You may go, I'm not frightened.
You're not afraid? Of course not.
Do you wish me harm? The others were afraid of my magic Of my dark arts.
Of what I knew of their worst thoughts and desires.
Surely you noticed that some who entered this room with confidence are now disappointed with what I revealed? Do you not believe in hell and the supernatural, Miss Eyre? I believe what I believe.
You are a very confident young woman for someone who has never loved .
.
who has had only had one true friend who was snatched away prematurely.
Where was it? Lowood School.
There now! I've impressed you.
These matters are not generally known, for sure.
But they are facts.
They are the truth.
You might have found them out by mortal means.
Well said, Miss Eyre.
I can see I am going to have to prove my powers.
To see into your soul, to reveal a hidden secret that no-one else could possibly know.
What were your thoughts, for instance, when you came to me this evening? It's very pleasant company is it not, such as you've never known, and after the long months here alone at Thornfield with only the child and the housekeeper.
What do you think of them? I do not think of them.
Of their opinions and their tastes.
I do not care for theirs any more than I'm sure they care for mine.
Is there no-one in the company who you share feelings with? What about the master of the house? He is not here today.
He is soon to be married, is he not, to the beautiful Blanche Ingram? I don't know.
I thought it was you who could predict the future.
Anyway, I have paid you for MY future, not Mr Rochester's.
Mr Rochester is to be married.
I know that for sure, everyone does.
Oh I see that this news affects you.
You talk nonsense, old lady.
I shall leave you and send in the next fool.
It is over.
What do you wish me to do? What is it? Who is there? Show yourself immediately or I'll call a servant! Sir! Thank you.
You have done well today.
You've given me a deal to think about and amused me greatly.
Now Jane don't be too cross.
I am not angry.
I am surprised.
Surely you don't begrudge me this little diversion.
The old lady provided me with an afternoon's amusement and our guests were given a mirror to hold up to themselves.
Not undeservedly, surely? They are your guests, sir, not mine.
But I believe you got that woman to talk nonsense to me so that I might talk nonsense back and that was not fair, sir.
No.
No, it was not fair but how else am I to find out what you think, Jane? But don't worry, you did not talk nonsense so all's well, isn't it? And you are not angry with me? I don't know.
I'll have to think about it.
But I expect I'll manage to forgive you eventually.
Aren't you curious to find out what my gypsy predicted for Miss Ingram? I bet the drawing room's buzzing with excitement? They have plenty to discuss, sir.
Even the stranger who arrived this morning.
What stranger? His name is Mason.
I believe he's visiting from overseas.
What is it, sir? Oh, Jane! I wish I were on a desert island somewhere .
.
with only you for company.
Tell me.
If all those people in the drawing room If they cast me out and spat at me .
.
what would you do? I should try to comfort you, sir.
Can I help you, sir? I would do anything for you.
What if I asked you to do something for me that was wrong? I know.
I know the answer, Jane.
You could not.
Thank you.
Jane.
Do you believe in redemption? If you have sinned, you can be redeemed.
DOOR SHUTS Do you mind if I ask you some questions about your habits? How about your clothes - did you come down in the morning and find that you had dressed the same? Yes.
Mason! My dear fellow.
What a surprise! How good to see you again.
SHE SCREAMS What was it? Did you hear it? Really.
I only go away for a day on business and you over-excite yourselves like children with your occult games and conversations.
But we all heard a cry! Didn't we, Lady Lynn? Yes.
Surely we all heard something? Someone had a bad dream, brought on by a combination of the visit from our gypsy friend and too much grouse at dinner.
Are you sure? We are all safe? I am sure.
Anyway, my Amazon, what have you to fear from the night hours? It's bad enough to have strange shrieking, never mind governesses creeping up on us.
She's pale as a ghost! Well, my lady.
I shall escort you back to your bedroom personally.
Come everyone, back to bed.
KNOCK ON DOOR I'm ready.
Are you hurt, sir? It is nothing.
Come, we must be silent.
Are we going to the North Tower? Do you want to go back? No, sir.
I forgot to ask.
Do you faint at the sight of blood? I don't know.
Wait here.
Here.
UNLOCKS BOLTS Richard.
Jane.
Come here.
You must press this hard on the wound.
I am going now to get the doctor.
He'll have you good as new by morning.
(Richard, do not say anything of what has happened or I will not be responsible.
) Jane.
I have to leave you here while I'm gone for an hour or so.
No conversation.
I could not stop her.
Ssh! Be calm.
She has killed me.
RATTLING You will not die.
I will not let you die.
KEYS JANGLE She's, she's done for me! Nonsense.
The doctor's here, you are in no danger.
There are teeth marks here? She sucked my blood.
She said she would drain my heart.
I warned you.
I told you not to do anything until I could be with you.
Hurry up, Carter.
We need him out of here before sunrise.
Take care of him at your house.
I'll ride over in a day or two to see how he does.
Very well.
Edward, take care of her as tenderly as you can.
I'll do my best.
As I always have and always will.
Stay a while outside with me.
This house is a dungeon.
It's a prison.
It's a lovely morning .
.
after such a turbulent night eh, Jane? Yes, sir.
Were you frightened? I was afraid, sir.
DISTANT CHATTER Quietly go in the back entrance.
Everything all right, Miss? What do you want? Mrs Fairfax asked me to tell you that you have a visitor.
Oh, excuse me, Miss.
It is you, Miss Jane.
Don't you recognise me? Bessie! Oh, look at you! Miss Eyre.
I always said Jane Eyre would grow up to be a fine, accomplished young lady.
Not quite a beauty, all told.
But .
.
a credit to us.
I'm glad not to be of discredit to you, Bessie.
Oh, Bessie, what's happened? And I'm hoping you are not going to disappear once more on your travels.
I suppose you might like to travel yourself one day.
Does Miss Eyre need to speak to you? Excuse me.
Well, Jane? Sir, I need to have a leave of absence for a week or two.
To see a sick lady who has asked for me.
What sick lady? Her name is Reed.
She is my uncle's wife.
Uncle? You told me you had no family.
My aunt cast me off when I went to school.
Why? Because I was poor.
And she did not like me.
And she sent you to Lowood without so much as a word or a visit for nearly 10 years? So why does she suddenly wish to see you now? Her son John is dead.
He ruined himself.
She is now struck down with his misfortune.
I will only be gone two weeks, I hope.
Two weeks! That's not possible.
And you have company, sir.
Very well.
But promise me you will not stay with this undeserving aunt more than a week.
I cannot promise, she is dying.
I cannot set a time on that.
Of course you will go.
How have I the power to stop you? Well, you must have some money.
You can't travel without money.
I haven't given you any salary yet, remember? How much have you, Jane? In all the world? Five shillings, sir.
Here.
Take £50.
No, sir.
You only owe me 15, I have no change.
I don't want change, Jane.
You know that.
Take your wages.
You're right.
Better not give you all that.
You might stay away for three months.
Here, there's 10.
Isn't that enough? Yes, sir.
But you will still owe me five.
Then come back for it.
Sir! I have to ask you something else.
A matter of business.
You have as good as said you intend to be married.
Really? That's been settled then, has it? You've decided Miss Ingram is to be my bride.
Now I see it! You are going to prevail upon this miserable "family" to find you a new situation.
Ungrateful girl! No, sir.
I told you.
They do not like me, sir.
To offer such a service I shall advertise.
Devil you will! Advertise! I wish I had only offered you a sovereign not ten whole pounds.
Give me back nine.
Jane.
I have need of it.
No, sir.
I do not trust you.
So Jane - etiquette.
How do we say goodbye? Teach me.
I'm not quite up to it.
You say, farewell Or anything else we might prefer.
Farewell, Mr Rochester.
For the present.
And what must I say in return? The same, if you like.
Then I will say .
.
"Don't go, Jane.
" What will I do without your help? Sir, you will not be in danger.
Rochester! Edward! Sir, please! STEADY BREATHING Ben! Ben! Have you seen my keys? Keys, keys, keys SHE SIGHS God's sake.
Ben! Karen! No bin bag! Brilliant.
CHILDREN SHOU Ben and Karen, are you getting ready? We've missed the walking bus! Again.
We'll have to take the car.
Shoes, teeth, and hair! Why can't people just leave them What are you doing with Daddy's computer? I'm taking it to Show And Tell.
No.
Show And Tell's on Friday and today's Tuesday, so They've changed it.
They haven'thave they? Yeah.
Since when? Last Wednesday.
Who changed it? Problems on the District Line! Let go, we're gonna put it back.
I want to take it.
You can't.
People take pets! Come outside and put Ben, look, you'll be late.
Can I take this for History Week? No, you can't take it! Turn it off.
What did you think of Master? He is very changeable.
You do not know what it is to feel jealousy do you, Jane? So you have no idea what it is to love.
I took the wrong path.
I must bear the blame for continuing on it.
Sir! Mr Rochester, Sir.
Wake up! For heaven's sake, sir, wake up! Jane, are you hurt? No, sir.
But you were nearly killed in your bed.
What happened here? I don't know.
I heard a noise and I followed it here.
Shall I fetch Mrs Fairfax? No.
What can she do? I must fetch someone to help, sir.
No! Sit, Jane, quietly.
Wait here for me.
Can you do that? DISTANT DOOR CLOSES It's settled.
It is as I thought.
How, sir? I forgot.
Did you say you saw anything, anyone? No, I heard a laugh.
I think it was Grace Poole, sir.
Of course, you're right.
She is a singular sort of person.
She is often careless, and accidents happen.
We will say no more about it.
Go back to your room.
Servants will be up in an hour or two.
Are you going without saying good night? Jane, you just You just saved my life.
You might at least shake hands.
I knew you'd do me good, the first time I met you.
I knew I wouldn't mind being in your debt.
There is no debt, sir.
There is no debt, sir.
I am glad I happened to be awake.
She saves me from an inferno and she's glad she happened to be awake.
Still she tries to go.
I am cold, sir.
Of course.
Of course.
And we agreed that you'd never be cold again.
Well, if you must leave me .
.
you must.
It's a mystery how he wasn't burnt in his bed.
He will read with a candle burning.
I've told him how dangerous that is.
Morning, dear.
Morning.
Morning, Miss.
Morning, Grace.
What has happened here? Master was reading in bed again.
Fortunately, he woke up and no real harm was done.
That's very strange.
Did no-one hear anything? Mrs Fairfax said she heard nothing.
She sleeps heavily.
You're young, Miss.
Maybe you heard a noise? I did.
At first, I thought it was Pilot, but Pilot cannot laugh.
And I'm certain I heard a laugh.
A strange one.
Hardly likely the master would laugh, not when he was in such danger.
I think you must have been dreaming, Miss.
I most certainly was not dreaming.
Did you open your door? Did you see who or what it was you thought laughed? On the contrary.
I locked my door.
Very wise.
It would be wise to lock your door the moment you go to bed.
Who knows what might happen? You're not eating again.
You ate very little at lunch time, Miss Eyre.
I hope you're not sickening.
You're very flushed.
Oh, I'm very well, thank you.
Never better.
Oh, it's a fine night.
On the whole, a very good day for Mr Rochester's journey.
Journey? I didn't know he was going out.
Oh, he set off right after breakfast.
He's gone to Mr Eshton's place, over the other side of Millcote.
He'll likely stay a fortnight or more at the house party.
A fortnight? Yes, I told you, he's hardly ever here for more than a few days.
And you can't say he hasn't been starved of company these last two months.
Oh, I mean fine and proper company of course, my dear.
When these fashionable, beautiful people get together they're in no hurry to separate.
Single gentlemen are especially sought after.
And Mr Rochester is so talented in society.
The ladies are very fond of him.
He's a very fine singer.
He sings? Oh, yes.
He and Miss Blanche Ingram sang at a Christmas party here some years ago.
This Miss Ingram, is she very beautiful? Oh, good Lord, yes.
She has very fine features.
Brilliant eyes, very striking.
Well, she's the belle of the county.
She's not yet married? No.
The Ingram's estate will pass to the son.
The daughters have only small fortunes.
But if she is so very beautiful, she must have wealthy suitors.
Mr Rochester, for example.
Well, yes.
But there is a considerable difference in age.
What of it? There are more unequal matches made every day.
Why yes, dear, but I scarcely think Mr Rochester would think that a good idea.
You've eaten nothing again.
I'm sure you're sickening for something and the master's away.
I must decide whether to send for Doctor Crawford.
I am perfectly well, as I said.
Never better.
GRACE: 'Are you sure you weren't mistaken, Miss Eyre?' You were mistaken, Jane Eyre.
'Miss Blanche Ingram is the most beautiful and accomplished young lady.
'She is right and proper company for the master.
' THEY LAUGH Who are you writing to, Miss Eyre? I thought you had no-one to write to.
I don't.
We are your family now.
I wish Mr Rochester would come back.
I am so bored.
I wouldn't wish for long.
Sometimes he leaves us for many a month, especially in the cold winter season.
Once, he left us for a whole year and a quarter.
Oh, that was a very long winter.
I can remember it well.
Miss Eyre, are you sick? Your cheeks are pink.
It is very hot in here this morning, Adele.
Oh, it's from the master.
Well SHE CLEARS HER THROA Well.
Mr Rochester is not likely to return home soon? He's returning all right.
Leah! Come quickly.
BELL RINGS Open all the rooms, all the windows.
Logs over here, please.
In the grate, not upstairs, thank you.
Mr Roberts, would you be so kind as to joint the meat for me, please? Thank you.
The silver needs a thorough polishing, please.
Thank you, Polly, in the scullery.
A thorough polishing.
Good, more flowers.
The flowers are so pretty.
Nice display in the centre there, thank you.
Oh, thank goodness! Now, I wanted an extra four pounds of baking apples and plums.
Can you check for me that they are here? I would prefer for you to use goose eggs.
If you come with me, I'll show you where we keep them.
Are you sure all this is necessary? Oh, yes, I think so.
We're not sure how many house guests he's bringing but we must be sure to have more than enough to feed them.
Oh, dear, I've never done this before.
But the master's never been home long enough to have a party.
Goose eggs.
Mrs Poole gets good wages, I suppose? Yeah, about five times what I get, and Master's not stingy.
I wonder I'll race you over to the river.
Oh, there they are at last.
Oh, my dear, how lovely it is to meet you.
I must go down and greet them.
That is Mademoiselle Ingram.
She has a French name, Blanche.
And that is her sister.
I think it must be.
And that's Lady Ingram, her mother.
THEY LAUGH Master says you may join the ladies this evening.
Oh, I must start to prepare at once.
I must wear absolutely my best dress.
Adele, you think too much of your appearance.
It's the person inside you that matters.
No-one will love you for how pretty you are.
I do not think that can be right, Miss Eyre.
You must take her into the drawing room before the guests finish dinner.
Oh, no, surely I don't have to be there.
Adele can go with Sophie.
Master's orders.
He says you must be there, or he will come to your room and bring you down himself.
BELL RINGS Adele, come on.
Des amandes.
Adele, come on.
Ah, there's the pictures.
Beautiful, isn't it? DISTANT CHATTER You look alike, move alike, sound alike.
You are, if I may say so a particularly fine example of the split female embryo.
I hope you'll permit me to ask you some questions? Of course.
Everybody is.
Yes, that's right, everyone is interested in us.
Lady Ingram, you don't escape our argument so easily.
Rochester, I don't understand you.
If some people are rich and some poor, then that is God's will.
So be it, I am satisfied.
I'm sure you are if you are one of the predetermined rich.
And it is a scientific fact that there are so many more who are poor.
Adele! Adele.
Sit down, Adele.
Can't we talk about something else? There are children and servants present.
Oh, good Lord! What on earth is this? It is Mr Rochester's ward, I suppose.
The little French girl.
Mr Rochester, I thought you were not fond of children.
I'm not.
Then what on earth made you take on that little doll? Where did you pick her up? I didn't pick her up.
She was left in my hands.
Well, you should send her to school where she belongs.
Well, schools are expensive.
But you have a governess, I see.
There, hiding behind the screen.
Now that's expensive, for you have to feed them both.
What are you talking about now, Rochester? Oh, no.
We don't want Mother getting started on governesses.
We're talking of governesses, Lady Ingram.
Oh, don't mention them! I'm so glad that Blanche and Mary have no longer any need for them.
Governesses are a nuisance, all of them.
If they're not eating you out of house and home, they're carrying on with the tutor or, even worse, making eyes at the master of the house.
Really? You surprise me.
Mary, do you remember Miss Twisk or Twitt or whatever she was called? We pretended she was harbouring a passion for Bradstock.
It was your idea.
Yes, we were very naughty.
She was so boring, poor thing.
Mother had her leave instantly, in case she should set us a bad moral example.
You cannot be too careful, Rochester, with a young, impressionable mind in the house.
How do you do, Jane? I am very well, sir.
Why did you not come up and speak to me? I did not wish to disturb you.
You seemed engaged, sir.
It is a while since we've seen each other.
What have you been doing? Nothing in particular.
Teaching Adele, of course.
You look a good deal paler.
What's the matter? Nothing at all, sir.
Then return to the drawing room.
I am tired, sir.
Mm, and a little depressed, I think.
What about? Tell me.
I am not depressed.
I tell you that you are.
So depressed that you're almost Let me look at you.
You are about to cry.
Tell me, Jane, why are you crying? I am not crying.
Tonight you are excused.
But I expect you to appear in the drawing room every evening after dinner.
Every evening, mind.
It is my wish.
Where did I put it? I'm sure I left it somewhere here.
Miss Eyre.
Why are you not dressed for riding? I do not ride, sir.
Well, then you must learn.
Come, join us by the fire.
We will not be able to hunt today, I'm afraid, with the weather so changeable.
No, or go on a walk.
My book has gone missing again.
My book, you know, The Beast Within.
Oh, I wish you wouldn't, my dear.
How do you dare read those novels? Oh, but it's very exciting.
It is about a man who commits a crime.
He spends the dark hours raging about like an animal and then, in the morning, he goes about his business and no-one suspects a thing.
Nonsense! You don't think it possible that someone who seems perfectly serene and unspectacular from the outside could be capable of committing horrific crimes? Certainly not a Christian man.
Although I'm sure that Mr Eshton has all sorts of new ideas about that.
For once, I must admit ignorance.
The brain is a vast and wonderful landscape.
We have not even begun to navigate its mysteries.
We do not know why it malfunctions.
We are in the very infancy of its science.
Science again.
You make it all sound so very grand.
God gives people good blood and bad blood, and there is an end to it.
When Mary and I were in Paris we saw the savage boy, the one who lived in the woods and could only talk gibberish, if you could call it talked.
That's what I'm talking about.
That child had bad blood.
You can clean it, dress it up, but you will never make it good.
You were born bad, Jane Eyre, and you will die bad! Miss Eyre, is it your opinion that children are born the way God intended them to be, that bad blood will always be bad blood? Or can you discipline such a child? Excuse me? Of course you should.
That's common sense.
I think it wise that since we must live with the adult, I think it prudent to treat a child as if they had feelings.
Really? Feelings! A child has no more feelings than that dog over there.
I would have thought that if you Please, Miss Eyre, continue.
Mr Eshton wishes to hear your opinion.
I think that all children, whether they are thought to be of good blood or bad blood, deserve to be given the chance to love .
.
and to be loved.
I do not see the use of punishing a child with beatings and harsh words.
"What's the use of punishment?" From a governess! You must send that child off to school immediately, Rochester.
All this talk of tainted blood is wearisome.
I know my blood's up! You are the best horsewoman in the county.
Shall we ride? Oh, regarde! LAUGHTER Jane.
Where are you going? I have to speak to Mrs Fairfax.
She allows Adele to eat too many sugary things.
Afterwards, I'll join you in the drawing room.
You might even enjoy yourself.
We'll be playing games later.
Don't tell me you don't approve of games, Jane? What do you think of Miss Ingram, Jane? I suppose I must choose a bride, as all about me seem to wish it.
Is that what they're saying? To preserve this great estate of mine, I must have an heir.
Is that what the gossip requires? I know nothing of gossip, sir.
Well, then, Jane, your honest opinion.
Do you think Miss Ingram a good choice? Do you think I am in love with Miss Ingram, Jane? I know nothing of love, sir.
Don't be late, Jane.
It won't be long before the games begin.
Shall we go? Oh, now, there it is! There is my book, The Beast Within, sitting there all the time.
No, but I'm sure I looked there this morning.
Maybe the ghost took it.
The ghost? The ghost.
Sophie says it walks the corridors at night.
It eats the gateaux from the kitchen and it laughs in the dark.
THUNDERCLAP, THEY SCREAM A ghost at Thornfield.
How exciting! You never mentioned it.
She walks in the corridor with the painting of the mad people.
Sophie says she goes cold and shivers when she Sophie is from Marseilles, which means that she wears three or four outer garments even in July.
Our English weather feeds her overactive French imagination.
Oh, you disappoint me.
Maybe we could tell each other ghostly stories.
I'm in need of a little danger.
Ghost stories are not of interest.
How do you know if they're true? But, my dear Blanche, if the ladies are interested, I know a game, if you're not afraid of things that we might not be able to explain? The supernatural! What are you up to, Edward? You're interested in experiments, aren't you? Well, I hope you know what you're doing.
ALL: L .
.
O .
.
V.
.
.
.
E.
Love.
Who's next? Blanche.
Are you ready? Of course I am.
H .
.
E.
.
.
.
A .
.
R .
.
T H-E-A-R-T.
Heart.
Oh, Blanche.
It means that you have given your heart to someone.
Do tell us As if we didn't know! THEY LAUGH L .
.
E .
.
S .
.
S.
Less heart.
What can that mean? Less Heart, Heart Less Heartless! Oh, dear Blanche.
I'm sure it's made a mistake.
It must think you're someone else.
You were right, Mr Eshton.
This is a silly game.
I am rather tired.
I think I will read in bed.
Be careful of your candle, my darling.
GHOSTLY CRIES Morning.
ESHTON: 'You don't think it possible that someone who seems perfectly serene 'and unspectacular from the outside could hide a beast within them?' I'll be away all day on business.
I'm sure you'll be able to amuse yourselves.
Don't be too late.
I'll be back by sundown.
Don't misbehave now.
I think that gown Miss Blanche Ingram has, the blue, I think it the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.
SOUND OF HORSES HOOVES It is Mr Rochester! He is back.
You said we could finish.
He's early.
Oh! Who is this? He is tres beau, Mademoiselle, n'est-ce pas? A foreigner, I think.
Although quite a nice chap.
Mason's the name.
Says he met Rochester in the West Indies.
I think the twins have taken a bit of a shine to him.
Speak up, man.
What's the matter? It's an old gypsy lady, Madam.
Come to tell fortunes.
She refuses to leave and with the Master away Tell her to go or we'll set the dogs on her.
No, no, tell her to stay.
There are ladies present who wish to have their fortunes told.
But what would Rochester say? Well, he's not here, is he? I am brave enough, if you aren't.
Ah! Bonjour! Bonjour, mon cherie.
Blanche! What happened? What did the gypsy lady say to you? Oh.
Rochester was right.
she talked absolute nonsense.
Nothing in it! You can amuse yourselves with her if you want.
I'm sorry, Miss.
she said she wouldn't leave until she had seen everyone and you are the only person who hasn't had their fortune told.
She would not leave until I had brought you here.
That's all right, George.
Don't worry.
I'll wait outside in case there's trouble.
No, George.
You may go, I'm not frightened.
You're not afraid? Of course not.
Do you wish me harm? The others were afraid of my magic Of my dark arts.
Of what I knew of their worst thoughts and desires.
Surely you noticed that some who entered this room with confidence are now disappointed with what I revealed? Do you not believe in hell and the supernatural, Miss Eyre? I believe what I believe.
You are a very confident young woman for someone who has never loved .
.
who has had only had one true friend who was snatched away prematurely.
Where was it? Lowood School.
There now! I've impressed you.
These matters are not generally known, for sure.
But they are facts.
They are the truth.
You might have found them out by mortal means.
Well said, Miss Eyre.
I can see I am going to have to prove my powers.
To see into your soul, to reveal a hidden secret that no-one else could possibly know.
What were your thoughts, for instance, when you came to me this evening? It's very pleasant company is it not, such as you've never known, and after the long months here alone at Thornfield with only the child and the housekeeper.
What do you think of them? I do not think of them.
Of their opinions and their tastes.
I do not care for theirs any more than I'm sure they care for mine.
Is there no-one in the company who you share feelings with? What about the master of the house? He is not here today.
He is soon to be married, is he not, to the beautiful Blanche Ingram? I don't know.
I thought it was you who could predict the future.
Anyway, I have paid you for MY future, not Mr Rochester's.
Mr Rochester is to be married.
I know that for sure, everyone does.
Oh I see that this news affects you.
You talk nonsense, old lady.
I shall leave you and send in the next fool.
It is over.
What do you wish me to do? What is it? Who is there? Show yourself immediately or I'll call a servant! Sir! Thank you.
You have done well today.
You've given me a deal to think about and amused me greatly.
Now Jane don't be too cross.
I am not angry.
I am surprised.
Surely you don't begrudge me this little diversion.
The old lady provided me with an afternoon's amusement and our guests were given a mirror to hold up to themselves.
Not undeservedly, surely? They are your guests, sir, not mine.
But I believe you got that woman to talk nonsense to me so that I might talk nonsense back and that was not fair, sir.
No.
No, it was not fair but how else am I to find out what you think, Jane? But don't worry, you did not talk nonsense so all's well, isn't it? And you are not angry with me? I don't know.
I'll have to think about it.
But I expect I'll manage to forgive you eventually.
Aren't you curious to find out what my gypsy predicted for Miss Ingram? I bet the drawing room's buzzing with excitement? They have plenty to discuss, sir.
Even the stranger who arrived this morning.
What stranger? His name is Mason.
I believe he's visiting from overseas.
What is it, sir? Oh, Jane! I wish I were on a desert island somewhere .
.
with only you for company.
Tell me.
If all those people in the drawing room If they cast me out and spat at me .
.
what would you do? I should try to comfort you, sir.
Can I help you, sir? I would do anything for you.
What if I asked you to do something for me that was wrong? I know.
I know the answer, Jane.
You could not.
Thank you.
Jane.
Do you believe in redemption? If you have sinned, you can be redeemed.
DOOR SHUTS Do you mind if I ask you some questions about your habits? How about your clothes - did you come down in the morning and find that you had dressed the same? Yes.
Mason! My dear fellow.
What a surprise! How good to see you again.
SHE SCREAMS What was it? Did you hear it? Really.
I only go away for a day on business and you over-excite yourselves like children with your occult games and conversations.
But we all heard a cry! Didn't we, Lady Lynn? Yes.
Surely we all heard something? Someone had a bad dream, brought on by a combination of the visit from our gypsy friend and too much grouse at dinner.
Are you sure? We are all safe? I am sure.
Anyway, my Amazon, what have you to fear from the night hours? It's bad enough to have strange shrieking, never mind governesses creeping up on us.
She's pale as a ghost! Well, my lady.
I shall escort you back to your bedroom personally.
Come everyone, back to bed.
KNOCK ON DOOR I'm ready.
Are you hurt, sir? It is nothing.
Come, we must be silent.
Are we going to the North Tower? Do you want to go back? No, sir.
I forgot to ask.
Do you faint at the sight of blood? I don't know.
Wait here.
Here.
UNLOCKS BOLTS Richard.
Jane.
Come here.
You must press this hard on the wound.
I am going now to get the doctor.
He'll have you good as new by morning.
(Richard, do not say anything of what has happened or I will not be responsible.
) Jane.
I have to leave you here while I'm gone for an hour or so.
No conversation.
I could not stop her.
Ssh! Be calm.
She has killed me.
RATTLING You will not die.
I will not let you die.
KEYS JANGLE She's, she's done for me! Nonsense.
The doctor's here, you are in no danger.
There are teeth marks here? She sucked my blood.
She said she would drain my heart.
I warned you.
I told you not to do anything until I could be with you.
Hurry up, Carter.
We need him out of here before sunrise.
Take care of him at your house.
I'll ride over in a day or two to see how he does.
Very well.
Edward, take care of her as tenderly as you can.
I'll do my best.
As I always have and always will.
Stay a while outside with me.
This house is a dungeon.
It's a prison.
It's a lovely morning .
.
after such a turbulent night eh, Jane? Yes, sir.
Were you frightened? I was afraid, sir.
DISTANT CHATTER Quietly go in the back entrance.
Everything all right, Miss? What do you want? Mrs Fairfax asked me to tell you that you have a visitor.
Oh, excuse me, Miss.
It is you, Miss Jane.
Don't you recognise me? Bessie! Oh, look at you! Miss Eyre.
I always said Jane Eyre would grow up to be a fine, accomplished young lady.
Not quite a beauty, all told.
But .
.
a credit to us.
I'm glad not to be of discredit to you, Bessie.
Oh, Bessie, what's happened? And I'm hoping you are not going to disappear once more on your travels.
I suppose you might like to travel yourself one day.
Does Miss Eyre need to speak to you? Excuse me.
Well, Jane? Sir, I need to have a leave of absence for a week or two.
To see a sick lady who has asked for me.
What sick lady? Her name is Reed.
She is my uncle's wife.
Uncle? You told me you had no family.
My aunt cast me off when I went to school.
Why? Because I was poor.
And she did not like me.
And she sent you to Lowood without so much as a word or a visit for nearly 10 years? So why does she suddenly wish to see you now? Her son John is dead.
He ruined himself.
She is now struck down with his misfortune.
I will only be gone two weeks, I hope.
Two weeks! That's not possible.
And you have company, sir.
Very well.
But promise me you will not stay with this undeserving aunt more than a week.
I cannot promise, she is dying.
I cannot set a time on that.
Of course you will go.
How have I the power to stop you? Well, you must have some money.
You can't travel without money.
I haven't given you any salary yet, remember? How much have you, Jane? In all the world? Five shillings, sir.
Here.
Take £50.
No, sir.
You only owe me 15, I have no change.
I don't want change, Jane.
You know that.
Take your wages.
You're right.
Better not give you all that.
You might stay away for three months.
Here, there's 10.
Isn't that enough? Yes, sir.
But you will still owe me five.
Then come back for it.
Sir! I have to ask you something else.
A matter of business.
You have as good as said you intend to be married.
Really? That's been settled then, has it? You've decided Miss Ingram is to be my bride.
Now I see it! You are going to prevail upon this miserable "family" to find you a new situation.
Ungrateful girl! No, sir.
I told you.
They do not like me, sir.
To offer such a service I shall advertise.
Devil you will! Advertise! I wish I had only offered you a sovereign not ten whole pounds.
Give me back nine.
Jane.
I have need of it.
No, sir.
I do not trust you.
So Jane - etiquette.
How do we say goodbye? Teach me.
I'm not quite up to it.
You say, farewell Or anything else we might prefer.
Farewell, Mr Rochester.
For the present.
And what must I say in return? The same, if you like.
Then I will say .
.
"Don't go, Jane.
" What will I do without your help? Sir, you will not be in danger.
Rochester! Edward! Sir, please! STEADY BREATHING Ben! Ben! Have you seen my keys? Keys, keys, keys SHE SIGHS God's sake.
Ben! Karen! No bin bag! Brilliant.
CHILDREN SHOU Ben and Karen, are you getting ready? We've missed the walking bus! Again.
We'll have to take the car.
Shoes, teeth, and hair! Why can't people just leave them What are you doing with Daddy's computer? I'm taking it to Show And Tell.
No.
Show And Tell's on Friday and today's Tuesday, so They've changed it.
They haven'thave they? Yeah.
Since when? Last Wednesday.
Who changed it? Problems on the District Line! Let go, we're gonna put it back.
I want to take it.
You can't.
People take pets! Come outside and put Ben, look, you'll be late.
Can I take this for History Week? No, you can't take it! Turn it off.