Jane Eyre — CHAPTER XXII

Jane remains at Gateshead a month beyond her leave. She helps Georgiana prepare to depart for London with their uncle Mr. Gibson, enduring Georgiana’s complaints. After Georgiana leaves, Eliza asks Jane to stay another week while Eliza secretly arranges her own departure for a religious house near Lisle, intending to examine Catholicism and possibly take the veil.

Released at last, Jane and Eliza part coolly. Jane notes, in retrospect, that Georgiana later marries a wealthy, jaded man of fashion, while Eliza does indeed become a nun and eventually the superior of her convent. Jane then undertakes the long journey back toward Thornfield, reflecting on Mrs. Reed’s death, the funeral, and her cousins’ contrasting futures.

On the road, Jane anticipates that Mr. Rochester is arranging marriage with Blanche Ingram, as Mrs. Fairfax’s letters suggested. She dreams of Miss Ingram barring her from Thornfield and steels herself for separation. Choosing to walk from Millcote unannounced, Jane reaches the meadows at dusk and unexpectedly encounters Mr. Rochester sitting by the stile, writing.

Mr. Rochester greets Jane with playful warmth, teasing about her month’s absence and speaking blithely of a carriage for “Mrs. Rochester.” Moved, Jane admits, “wherever you are is my home—my only home,” before hurrying on. At the house, Adèle and the servants welcome her affectionately; Mrs. Fairfax is calmly pleased, and Rochester seems gratified by their reunion.

Over the next two weeks, no wedding preparations appear. Mrs. Fairfax’s inquiry meets only Rochester’s joking deflection, and he makes no rides to Ingram Park. Jane begins to hope the match is broken off, as Rochester grows unusually kind and often summons her, while her love for him deepens despite her uncertainty.