Jane Eyre (1983) - Episode 5

BBC 1983 TV Mini-Series

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

It is as I thought.

How, sir?

You say you saw someone in the corridor?

No, only a candle on the floor.

But you heard an odd laugh.

You've heard that laugh
before, I should think,

or something like it.

There is a woman who sews here,

Grace Poole... she laughs in that way.

She's a singular person, sir.

You've guessed it.

Grace Poole... she is,
as you say, singular.

Very.

I shall reflect upon the matter.

But, sir...

Miss Eyre, you are the
only person beside myself

who knows the details
of tonight's incident.

You're no talking fool.
You will say nothing.

I will account for
this state of affairs.

Now...

go to your own room.

But you cannot sleep here, sir.

I shall do very well
on the library sofa.

It must be nearly 4:00.

In 2 hours, the servants will be up.

Good night, then, sir.

What? Are you quitting me already?

And in that way?

You said I might go, sir.

At least shake hands.

You've saved my life.

I have a pleasure in
owing y so immense a debt.

There is no debt or
obligation in the case, sir.

Oh, I knew you would
do me good in some way,

at some time.

I saw it in your eyes the
first time I beheld you.

And that expression and smile did not...

did not strike delight to my
very inmost heart so for nothing.

Oh, my cherished preserver.

Good night.

Good night, sir.

I am glad I happened to be awake.

What, you will go?

I am cold, sir.

Cold.

Yes.

Go on, Jane, go.

I think I hear mrs. Fairfax move.

Well, Jane, leave me.

Good night, sir.

What a to-do,
what a to-do.

Good morning, mrs. Fairfax.

Oh, a good morning, do you call it?

Have you seen the master's room?

He might have been burned
to a cinder in his bed,

and all for being
careless with a candle.

Oh, well, we shall have it
to rights within the day,

but there are so many
things to be moved.

I have Leah and John in there.

I must call the rest of the servants.

Jane, dear, take those

and put them on the master's bed.

Oh, I am so grateful he has gone.

Gone? For good?

Oh, dear me, no.

No. He's only gone to a house party.

He will be back. But I must get on.

Oh, Jane, keep an eye on Leah and John.

You know how they love
to waste time gossiping.

It's lucky he had this water jug full.

I wonder he did it himself

and waked nobody.

Why, miss Jane, what
do you make of all this?

I was looking for mr. Rochester.

Has he been in?

No, miss, but his
horse is to be saddled,

and he's riding over to the leas.

Oh, thank you, John.

Do you know, is he
expected to return soon?

I'm afraid not, miss.

Good morning, miss.

Good morning, Grace.

It is a strange affair, is it not?

I have been told what happened.

Did mr. Rochester wake no one?

Did no one hear him move?

The servants sleep too
far off to hear, miss.

Mrs. Fairfax heard nothing.

Elderly people often sleep heavy.

But you sleep nearby, miss,

and I should say that being
young you're a light sleeper.

Did you not hear a noise?

I did.

At first I thought it was Pilot,

but Pilot cannot laugh,

and I'm certain I heard a laugh...

a very strange one.

Well, it's hardly
likely master would laugh

when he was in such danger.

I should think, miss,
you must've been dreaming.

I was not dreaming.

You did not think of opening your door

and going out into the gallery?

Certainly not. I bolted my door.

I have not done so before,
but I shall in the future.

It will be a wise thing to do.

I have never heard of the hall
being attempted by robbers,

but there are hundreds
of pounds worth of plate,

and there are very few servants.

I always think it best
to err on the safe side.

A deal of people, miss, are
for trusting all to Providence,

but I say Providence

blesses those that help themselves.

Mrs. Poole, will you come
down to the servants dinner?

No. Just put my pint of porter

and a bit of pudding on a tray,

and I'll carry it upstairs.

You'll have some meat?

Oh, just a morsel...
and a taste of cheese.

That's all, Maria.

Mrs. Fairfax is looking
for you, miss, for dinner.

Thank you.

Mr. Rochester! Mr. Rochester!

What is it?

Grace Poole, sir.

She's in your bedroom, as bold as brass.

Well?

Well, why is she not in
custody or at least dismissed?

You as good as said she
was guilty last night, sir.

Why did you bind me to secrecy?

Is that all?

Has she some hold over you, sir?

Miss Eyre,

kindly confine your concerns

to matters which are
within your province.

10 days, and not a
word from mr. Rochester.

I wouldn't be surprised

if he doesn't go straight
back to the continent

and doesn't show his face in Thornfield

for another year or more.

Would he you know?

Mmm. No.

He has often left as
suddenly and without warning.

Oh, the tray is not
yet ready for you, Leah.

No, ma'am, but here's
a letter just come.

Oh. Thank you.

It is from the master!

Well.

Well, we are going to be busy now.

He is returning?

Indeed he is.

And within 3 days, he's bringing
a party of friends with him

and the honorable Blanche Ingram.

Good morning, ma'am.

Welcome to Thornfield.

Welcome home, sir.

Thank you, mrs. Fairfax.

I have enjoyed the company

of my only equal on
horseback in the county

we've outpaced our friends by 5 minutes.

I always adore this house.

It is graced with an adorable guest.

Rogers, who is that lady?

That's the honorable
miss Blanche Ingram, miss.

Thank you.

Let me show you to your room.

Mrs. Fairfax will attend upon you

until your servant arrives.

Mais qu'elle est belle.

She is very beautiful.

The carriages are ready, sir.

Thank you, John.

En avant, mes amis.

They have a fine day
for their excursion.

And do not mr. Rochester and
miss Blanche make a fine couple?

He evidently prefers her

to any of the other ladies.

Oh, it is clear he admires her.

Yes, it is.

Ah, but you see, my dear,

the gentry have more to
consider than themselves.

Marriage is a duty.

It involves fortunes, family trees,

the bringing together of estates.

And there must come a time

when any gentleman has
to consider his duty.

She is indeed beautiful.

Oh, you will see her at
her best this evening.

I happened to mention to mr. Rochester

how much Adele wished to
be introduced to the ladies,

and he said, "let her come into

the drawing room after dinner."

Oh, she will be in ecstasies.

And he said, "let miss
Eyre accompany her."

Oh, no. He was only
speaking out of politeness.

I told him you were shy,

and he said "Said her it is my wish.

If she resists, I shall
come and fetch her."

To speak truth,

I did not greatly care
for mr. Rochester's guests.

Most of them, miss Ingram especially,

seemed to me to be shallow,

haughty, and contemptuous

towards those not of their own station.

Of course, you have a governess for her.

Where is she now? Is she gone?

Oh, no, there she is still.

You should hear mama about

the subject of governesses.

I had a half a dozen at least,

all either detestable or ridiculous.

I used to quiz my governess,

but she was such good teacher

I might ransack her desk
or upset her workbox.

She would bear anything.

I suppose we shall now have an abstract

of the memoirs of all the governesses

of all our families.

May I play you something instead?

Oh, do, please.

Please do.

How do you do?

I am very well, sir.

Why didn't you come and
speak to me in the room?

I did not wish to disturb you,

as you seemed engaged, sir.

Well, what have you been
doing during my absence?

Nothing particular,

teaching Adele, as usual.

You're looking a good
deal paler than you were.

What's the matter?

Nothing's the matter, sir.

Did you catch a cold

that night you half-drowned me?

Not the least, sir.

Return to the drawing room.

You're deserting too early.

I am tired, sir.

And a little depressed.

What about?

Tell me.

I'm not depressed.

But I affirm that you are...

so much depressed that a few more words

would bring tears to your eyes.

If I had time, I'd know
what all this means.

Well...

tonight, I excuse you, but remember,

so long as my visitors stay,

I shall expect you in the
drawing room every evening.

It is my wish.

Don't neglect it.

Now go.

Send Sophie for Adele.

Good night.

One evening,

a change of entertainment was proposed.

They spoke of playing charades,

but in my ignorance I did
not understand the term.

Oh, yes, a wedding.

Why, it's a marriage.

What a magnificent couple they make.

Whatever can it be?

Was not the second syllable "well,"

and does that not make the
entire word "Bridewell"...

the London prison?

Bravo!

I got it.

I got it.

My dear, come down.

Let me help you down.

Amy, that was quite exciting.

And remember, miss Ingram,

you are now my wife.

We were married just now in
front of all these witnesses.

I saw he was going to marry her

for her family, rank, and connections.

I was not jealous, or only rarely so,

but I suffered an ever-torturing pain,

for I knew he did not love her.

He told us next day

that he had been summoned
to Millcote on business

and would not be back until late.

That same afternoon,

a stranger arrived at Thornfield.

It appears I arrive at an
inopportune time, madam,

when my friend mr.
Rochester is from home,

but I arrive from a very long journey,

and I think I may presume

so far an old and intimate acquaintance

as to install myself until he returns.

My name's Mason.

I am but just arrived in England.

I spent some time on the
West Indies Station, sir.

Do I detect...?

You have an acute ear, sir.

I am from Kingston, Jamaica.

Ha. I know it well.

It was there that I met mr. Rochester.

I did not know that mr. Rochester

had ever been to the West Indies.

Oh, Rochester has been everywhere.

But allow me to introduce
you to the company, mr. Mason.

Lady Ingram, permit me to present

mr. Mason formally to you.

Most certainly.

Rochester did not like the West Indies.

Hurricanes and heat and
the appalling rainfall

were too much even
for his heroic tastes.

Beg pardon, sir.

There's an old woman in
the hall refusing to leave.

A gypsy, sir.

Well, tell her I'm a magistrate

and shall have her put in the stocks

if she does not take herself off.

No, wait. Sam, did I hear
you say she was a gypsy?

Yes, sir. She insists
on being brought in

before quality to tell fortunes.

Well, we have no plans
for entertainment.

Let her entertain us.

Surely, colonel Dent,

you would not encourage
such a low imposter.

What is she like?

A shocking ugly old creature, miss,

almost as black as them coals.

Let's have her in.

To be sure. Why throw away

the chance of a little fun?

Show her into the library.

Well, that is what she wants, miss.

She says she'll not appear
before the vulgar herd.

I think I had better go first.

No, sir. She wants no gentlemen...

ladies only, and only them
that's young and single.

By Jove, she has taste.

Oh, my best, my dearest,

pause, reflect.

What did she say, Blanche?

Well, Blanche?

She pawed my palm and told me

what such people usually tell.

It is my turn now.

Oh, my dear.

I am sure she is something not right.

She told me such things...

She knows all about us.

If you please, miss,

gypsy says there is another
young single lady in room,

and she'll not go on
until she's seen thee.

The governess, indeed.

I will go, by all means.

Ah, I can make nothing
of such a hand as that.

It's too fine.

Kneel on the rug.

It's in the face.

It's about the eyes,

in the set of the mouth.

I wonder with what feelings

you came to me tonight.

You have no secret hope

that whispers to you of a sweet future?

The utmost I hope is
to save enough money

for a little school some day.

Mean food for the heart.

And when you're sitting
in that window seat...

Oh, yes, I know your habits.

You have been speaking to the servants.

Oh, one of them.

You're sharp. You're quick.

Mrs. Poole.

Oh, don't be alarmed. She's
a safe hand is mrs. Poole.

She can be trusted.

Now, when you're sitting
in that window seat,

do you think of nothing
but your future school?

Is there not one of your
companions you think about?

Is there not one face that you study?

I like to observe all faces.

You are forced to observe your master.

He is not at home.

Does that blot him, as
it were, out of existence?

I can scarcely see

what mr. Rochester
has to do with my ways.

Amid all this society,

have you not seen love in his face?

I did not come here to confess.

Is it known that mr.
Rochester is to be married?

Aye, and to the beautiful miss Ingram.

Shortly?

Appearances would make it seem so.

But, mother, I did not come here

to hear mr. Rochester's fortune.

I came to hear my own.

Your fortune is yet doubtful.

Chance has offered you
a measure of happiness.

It depends on yourself

to stretch out your hand and take it up.

Whether you will do so is the question.

Kneel again on the rug.

Do not keep me long. The fire burns me.

Ah, the flame flickers in the eye.

The eye shines. It's
soft and full of feeling.

The eye is favorable.

The mouth...

at times delights in laughter.

The brow's the enemy.

That brow says, "I can live
alone if self-respect requires it.

I needn't sell me soul to buy bliss."

That forehead declares,

"reason sits firm and holds the reins.

"It will not let her feelings burst away

"and hurry her to wild chasms.

"Strong wind, earthquake shock and fire

"may pass by,

"but I will follow the guiding

"of that still, small voice

called conscience."

Well said, conscience.

Your voice shall be respected.

Well, Jane, do you know me now?

Off ye lendings.

It was well carried
out, don't you think?

This was no party game.

You have been trying to draw me out.

Oh, Jane, do you forgive me?

I don't know.

I shall have to have
time to think about it.

Mr. Rochester,

are you aware there is a
stranger waiting to see you?

Mr. Mason of the West Indies.

Mason?

The West Indies?

Are you ill, sir?

Oh, Jane, I've got a...

I've got a blow, Jane.

Where is he?

In there with the others.

No whispering.

They're laughing and talking.

He seemed sociable.

Sociable?

Jane, if all those people
turned their back on me,

went away from here,

would you go, too?

I would stay with any
friend. I will stay with you.

But why?

Jane, go in there.

Step quietly up to Mason.

Whisper in his ear.

Tell him that Rochester is here

and waiting to see him.

Show him in then, then leave us.

I am sorry to arrive without warning.

Well, I must declare,

you're looking well, Richard.

Yes, Edward,

time has been kinder to me
than I would have imagined.

Would that I could say the same.

Mason, I don't like you
going up there tonight...

not on your own.

Wait until tomorrow.

I must go up now.

I could not sleep otherwise.

Help!

Help!

For God's sake, come!

Henry, my dear boy, did you hear that?

Where in the devil is Rochester?

Here I am. Be calm, all of you.

What awful thing has happened?

Don't strangle me.

All is right, do you hear? All is right.

What the deuce was that noise, then?

Yes. One of the
servants had a nightmare.

That's all.

Now I must ask you all
to return to your rooms.

We must get the house settled.

And, gentlemen, have the goodness

to set the ladies an example.

Miss Ingram, I know I can count on you.

Ladies, you will catch
your death of cold

in this gallery.

Come on, come on.

Who is it?

Open the door.

Have you got any smelling salts?

- Yes, sir.
- Bring them.