Jane Eyre (1983) - Episode 3

BBC 1983 TV Mini-Series

Timothy Dalton ... Edward Rochester
Zelah Clarke ... Jane Eyre

Oh!

Shall I take your cloak, miss?

No, thank you, Barbara.

Is there anyone in the teachers' room?

I don't know, miss.

Shall I bring a pot of tea to warm you?

No, thank you. I wish
to be alone for a moment.

Miss Eyre, you are back at last.

You said I might go to
the village, miss Watts.

Yes. And I acceded to your plea

to perform an errand there yesterday,

and the day before, and every
day of my short time here.

I hope not been remiss in my duties.

Indeed, you perform them
well, as I was led to expect

when I took over the
superintendentship from miss Temple.

She spoke of you in
the most glowing terms.

I would not wish to have
disappointed you, miss Watts.

It is disconcerting when a teacher

I'd been led to expect
would give me strong support

quits the premises in such haste,

and if I may say so,
agitation, every afternoon.

One wonders what is the reason.

It shall not happen again, miss Watts.

Let us hope not.

Well, you know where she
goes. The post office.

Oh, how do you know?

Tongues wag. Especially
that old postmistress.

Oh, her. Well, she says anything.

Well, nigh every afternoon this week

into the post office comes miss Eyre

to see if there's a letter for "J. E."

And when she finds there's none, she
marches out with a face like a funeral.

I believe it is your turn

to take the girls'
study hour this evening.

Yes, miss Watts, and then I read

prayers to them and see them to bed.

Do not let them make you
late for teachers' supper.

"If J. E. is in a position to
give satisfactory references,

"a situation can be offered
where there is but one pupil,

"a little girl, where the
salary is 30 pounds per annum.

"All particulars to mrs. Fairfax,
Thornfield, near Millcote."

Very well, Barbara, but
do not let it occur again.

That is all. You may go.

Yes, ma'am.

Miss Watts?

You wish to speak with me, miss Eyre?

If I may, miss Watts.

It concerns a matter of
much importance to me.

I am very busy, miss Eyre,

but if it's urgent, speak now.

Miss Watts, I have the
possibility of another situation.

You wish to leave Lowood?

It is a situation where the salary
would be 30 pounds per annum,

double the amount I'm receiving now.

And you would like me to lay the

matter before mr. Brocklehurst?

If you would, I would be most grateful.

Mrs. Reed, as your natural guardian,

will need to be
approached for her consent.

Mrs. Reed will not
care what happens to me.

And then, miss Eyre, the matter

must be laid before the committee.

It may take some time,

but I have no doubt

that since you've always
conducted yourself well,

a testimonial of character and
capacity will be furnished you.

Thank you, miss Watts.

Oh, miss Eyre, I were
just coming for you.

There's a person just
arrived wishes to see you.

Oh, that'll be the carrier for my box.

No, no. This is a young woman.

The carrier won't come
for another half hour.

Now, he's to take my box to the inn.

I shall be there in the
morning to take the coach.

Who's the visitor?

It's her, I'm sure.

I could have told her anywhere.

Well, who is it?

You've not forgotten me, miss Eyre?

Oh, Bessie, Bessie, Bessie!

Oh! Oh!

Oh, Barbara, this is a very
dear old friend, Bessie.

She was my nuyrse at Gateshead.

The only one who was ever kind to me.

Oh, that'll be one more
for tea, then, miss Eyre.

Oh, dear. Where can we go and talk?

The teacher who shares my
room is studying up there.

The teachers' room is empty, miss.

Come. We've so much to talk about.

Bessie, you're married!

Yes, I've been married nearly 5 years.

To Robert Leaven, the coachman.

Oh, I remember him.
He's an excellent man.

We've a little boy named Bobby

and a little girl named... guess what?

- How?
- Jane!

What? Oh, Bessie, thank you.

And have you left Gateshead?

No. The old porter left
and we were put into lodge.

Oh.

You've not grown so
very tall, miss Jane,

nor so very stout.

I fear you're
disappointed in me, Bessie.

Come and sit down.

Well, no, not exactly.

You are gentel and now
you look like a lady,

and it's as much as I
ever expected of you.

Well, you were never
a beauty as a child.

I dare say you're clever, though.

What can you do? Can you play on piano?

A little.

Oh, the miss Reeds
could not play as well.

I always said you could
surpass them and you have.

What else can you do? Can you draw?

Oh, well, that is one of my paints.

Oh, well, that is beautiful.

Bessie... did my aunt send you?

Oh, Lord, no. But she did have a letter

saying you were going
away to another place,

so I thought I'd set off and have a

look at you before you went quite away.

Oh, God bless you.

You'll want to hear about family.

Well, miss Georgiana is very handsome

and nearly ran off with lord,

but her sister told on her and now

they quarreld nearly like cat and dog.

Mr. John is a great disappointment.

He were put to study
law, but it were no use,

and now he's ruining his
health with bad living.

Your aunt is well enough to look at,

but she's breaking her
heart over mr. John,

and I fear he'll be the
death of her. For only...

Bessie, please. I want
no news of the family.

They've never sought any of
me. Let us talk of ourselves.

What, never?

Well, did missus not write
and tell you when man came?

What man?

Well, you know how mrs. Reed always said

your father's people
were poor and despicable.

Oh, they may be poor, but I believe

they're as much gentry as the Reeds are.

For one day, oh, it must be 7 years ago,

a mr. Eyre came to
Gateshead asking to see you.

I was sure missus must
have written to tell you.

She's never written.

Oh, dear.

Well, missus told him you were
at school some 50 miles off.

He seemed so much disappointed,

for he was going away
to a foreign country

and his ship was to
sail in a day or two.

He looked very much the gentleman

and I think he was
your father's brother.

And what foreign country
was he going to, Bessie?

Oh, an island, thousands of miles off.

Where they make wine. The
butler did tell me. Oh...

Madeira?

Yes. Yes, that's it.
That's the very word.

And he went away?

Yes, he did not stay
many minutes in the house.

Missus were very high with him.

Afterwards, she called
him a sneaking tradesman.

My Robert believes he
were a wine merchant.

Perhaps. Or a clerk or an
agent to a wine merchant.

Miss Jane, I cannot stay long.

A waggoner's passing
who will carry me home.

Not until you've had
a good meal and a rest.

Come. Barbara must have
that tea ready by now.

We'll go into the kitchen
and talk and talk and talk.

I must tell you what has happened,

for I'm starting a new life.

- No!
- Yes!

Welcome to Thornfield, ma'am.

Thank you.

Please come in. John will
take your box up to your room.

Aye. It's always John.

Will you walk this way, ma'am?

Miss Eyre, ma'am.

How do you do, my dear?

How do you do, ma'am?
Mrs. Fairfax, I think?

Yes, you are right.

I'm afraid you've had a
tedious ride from Millcote.

John drives slowly. And were you
long in the coach before that?

The coach left Lowton at
four o'clock this morning.

I had to rise before three o'clock.

Oh, you must be tired.
Come and sit down.

Is this not your chair?

Oh, I shall be comfortable enough here.

And your hands look numb with cold.

- Leah, are the refreshments ready?
- Yes, ma'am.

And make some negus as well.

The water's boiling, ma'am.

I hope I shall have the pleasure
of seeing miss Fairfax tonight.

I was glad to arrive before night fall,

hoping to see my young
pupil. Miss Fairfax.

Miss Fairfax? Oh! You mean miss Varens.

Varens is the name of your future pupil.

- Varens?
- Yes.

Oh, yes, thank you, Leah.

Now, sip that negus and warm yourself.

Indeed, then, she is not your daughter?

No, I have no family.

But I am so pleased you are come.

It will be quite pleasant
having someone with whom to talk.

Thornfield is a fine old hall,

but in the quiet season, you know,

one feels dreary, quite alone.

Well, I say quite alone.

Leah, my maid, is a nice
enough girl to be sure,

and John and his wife,
well, are very decent people,

but then, you'll see,
they are only servants.

Well, eat that food, miss Eyre.

Don't stand on ceremony.

You may eat and listen to me prattling.

I have had the room next
to mine prepared for you.

It is only a small apartment,

but I thought you would like it better

then one of the large front chambers.

To be sure, the small
chambers had better furniture,

but they are so large and solitary

I never sleep in there
myself. Here we are.

Oh, it is beautiful!

Thank you, mrs. Fairfax.

And thank you for your kindness.

Kindness? Oh, rubbish.

Now I have someone with whom I can talk.

But I won't come in and keep you

from your bed with my chatter.

Good night, my dear.

Good night, mrs. Fairfax.

Ah! Good morning, my dear.

I see you are an early riser.

It's all so beautiful.
Every moment is precious.

Come in, my dear. I
have some tea in my room.

The tea is just right.

And how do you like Thornfield?

Oh, I like it very much.

Yes, it is a pretty place.

But I fear it will be
getting out of order

if mr. Rochester doesn't take it

into his head to come and
reside here permanently.

Mr. Rochester? Who is he?

Why, the owner of Thornfield.

Did you not know his name was Rochester?

I thought Thornfield belonged to you.

To me? Oh!

Bless you, child! What an idea!

No, I am only the housekeeper.

The manager.

To be sure, I am distantly
related to the Rochesters,

or rather, my husband was.

He was a clergyman, you know.

Incumbent of Hay, the little
village beyond the hill.

The present mr. Rochester's
mother was a Fairfax

and second cousin to my husband.

But I never presume on the connection.

My employer is always civil
and I expect nothing more.

And the little girl? My pupil?

Oh, she is mr. Rochester's ward,

and he asked me to engage
a governess for her.

I hear her. Come, let me introduce you.

And after your schoolwork is finished,

I shall show you round the house.

Ooh la la!

Viens vite, Sophie!

Adčle, pas si vite! Attends!

Ah, la voilŕ!

Good morning, miss Adčle.

Come and meet the lady
who is to teach you

and turn you into a
clever woman one day.

Vas-y.

Bonjour, madame Fairfax.

Enchanté, Mademoiselle.

Alors, tu es francaise?

I did not imagine I had a foreign pupil.

Yes, Adčle was born on
the continent, I believe,

and has been in England only 6 months.

She speaks english quite well,

but is rather unwilling to do so.

I can get little out of her.

This is Sophie, her bonne,
as she calls her nurse.

Mademoiselle.

Nous aurons bien de choses
ŕ faire ensemble, Sophie.

Ah, oui. Bien sűr.

Ah, elle parle parfaitment franais!

Hmm?

Yes, my dear. I had a very good teacher.

And I practiced every
day for many years.

Do you understand me?

Yes, mademoiselle.

Excellent, and since
you are to speak english

like an english lady,

from now we will speak only english.

I will try, mademoiselle,
mais quelquefois...

Try? You will succeed.

What is your name?

Jane Eyre.

Aire.

I wish you could ask her some
questions about her parents.

You will learn more than I could.

Adčle, you will learn
more live in Paris?

Mais oui, mademoiselle.

Yes, mademoiselle.

With whom did you live?

I lived long ago with mamma,

but she's gone to the Holy Virgin.

Oh, poor little lamb.

And after that?

We live with some poor people.

But mr. Rochester est venu... he came.

He asked if I would like
to live with him in England.

For I knew him when my mamma was alive

and he gave mede belles
robes et des jouets.

Pretty dresses and toys.

But now he has left me
all alone and is not here.

He has had to go abroad again.

I can sing and dance
and speak many poems.

Shall I dance? Et vous verrez.

Not now, dear.

We have a lovely
schoolroom ready for you,

with a pianoforte and globes
and all that you will need.

Shall I show it to you?

Please do, mrs. Fairfax.

Sophie, you will have much
to do during lesson time.

Madame?

Oh. Sophie,

vous aurez des choses ŕ
faire pendant nos lecons.

Oh, oui, mademoiselle.

Come along, then.

Come, my dear.

I wish to play in the garden first!

Afterwards.

In England, little girls
do as they are told.

Come along. I want to hear you sing.

Trčs bien!

Ah, come in, my dear.

Your morning school hours are over now?

Yes. The school room is admirable.

You keep everything in such good order.

Why, miss Eyre, although mr.
Rochester's visits here are rare,

they are always sudden and unexpected.

So I keep his house
in instant readiness.

Is mr. Rochester such an
exacting fastidious man?

Well, he has a gentleman's
tastes and habits.

He expects to find his house

managed in accordance with them.

Do you like him? Is he generally liked?

Oh, yes. The Rochesters have owned

most of the land here

time out of mind,

and the family have
always been respected.

But do you like him?

Well, I have no cause but to like him,

and so do his tenants,
to whom he is generous,

although he is hardly ever among them.

But has he no peculiarities?

I mean, what is his character?

He is a very good master.

Is that all you know of him?

Well, his character is
unimpeachable, I suppose.

I dare say, he is peculiar.

He travels

a great deal and has seen
a great deal of the world,

I should think. I dare say he is clever,

but I have never had much
conversation with him.

In what way is he peculiar?

I don't know. It is
not easy to describe.

You feel it when he speaks to you.

You cannot really be sure
whether he is in jest or earnest,

whether he is pleased or the contrary.

You do not thoroughly understand him,

or at least, I do not.

But he is a very good master.

Now... I promised to show you
around the house, didn't i?

Thank you.

Oh...

I did not imagine you
had such grand apartments.

I dared not hope to see
anything like it in my life.

It is only the dining
room and the drawing room.

I open the curtains every
day to air the rooms.

And every bedroom ready for use?

Oh, the master will
not catch me napping.

Well, now you have seen the whole house.

I have not seen the upper floor yet.

Oh, there is nothing to see.

You told me there was a
wonderful view from the leads.

You wish to go up on the roof?

Oh, well... very well.

The view indeed was splendid,

but I saw that mrs. Fairfax
for some reason was uneasy

lest I should prolong
my enjoyment of it.

Thank you for taking so much trouble.

I would not have missed
such a pleasing prospect.

This is a grand country.

Do the servants sleep in these rooms?

Oh, no. The servants sleep at the back.

No one sleeps here.

Oh, surely you have a ghost.

Ghost? Oh, not that I know.

Mrs. Fairfax, did you
hear that laugh? Who is it?

One of the servants most
likely. Perhaps Grace Poole.

She sews up here

and sometimes Leah is with
her and they are noisy.

Grace?

Grace!

Too much noise, Grace.

Remember directions.

She does the sewing and
helps with the housework.

She's a little too fond of porter,

but she works well enough.

Let us go down. It is
too disagreable here.

We do not want our dinner cold, do we?

Mmm.

I could sit and dream
on those leads for hours.

I should not go up there
again if I were you.

Wind... it can come in terrible gusts.

It is dangerous.

Anyone may blame me who likes,

but often in the next few months,

when I was free, I climbed to the roof,

where I could look
out to the far skyline

and longed to reach past
it to the busy world beyond.

I had the promise of a smooth career.

My pupil had been spoiled and indulged,

but soon became obedient and teachable.

Yet in spite of my blessings,

I was restless at my tranquility.

I could not help it.

The restlessness was in my nature.

There must be millions like me,

I thought, who must have action.

Women especially,

who wish for more than their narrow lot.

What is the matter, mrs. Poole?

Are you not well?

This'll cure it, miss.

Oh, miss Jane, you're not going out?

I'm going to the village to
post a letter for mrs. Fairfax.

But it's two miles over hill,

and it's bitter cold
up there most times,

and it will get dark terrible soon.

I shall enjoy the walk,
and I like the dark.

Damnation!

Are you hurt, sir? Can I help you?

Stand aside!

I can fetch help, sir.

I've no broken bones.
It's only a sprain.

I shall stay with you until I
can see you can mount your horse.

You should be at home.

Where do you come from?

Thornfield Hall.

I've been to post a letter.

Thornfield?

I am a governess there.

Ah, yes.

The governess.

Come here.

Excuse me.

Necessity compels me to make you useful.

Stand aside.

Thank you.

Pilot!

Pilot?

Pilot... hello.

Ah, thank goodness, Jane. There you are.

The master is here. He has had a fall.

His ankle is sprained.

I have just taken mr.
Carter, the surgeon, to him.

He cannot even get up.

Of course he can.

You should not be standing up, sir.

Dr. Carter, I have the
aid of your good self.

You are mr. Rochester.

An intelligent deduction, miss Eyre.

Miss Eyre!

Miss Eyre!

I should be glad if you would
take tea with me tomorrow.

Good night, miss Eyre.

Yes, sir. Good night, sir.