Jane Eyre — CHAPTER XXVIII

Two days after leaving Thornfield, Jane is set down at Whitcross with no money and realizes she has forgotten her parcel. She seeks concealment on the moor, prays for Mr. Rochester, and sleeps outdoors. Morning brings hunger and resolve; she walks toward a village, ashamed yet determined to find work or food.

In the hamlet, Jane cannot barter her handkerchief or gloves for bread and finds no employment. She is repulsed at doors, receives only a slice of bread from a farmer and later cold porridge from a cottager’s child. Wet, weak, and near despair as night falls again, she contemplates dying rather than entering a workhouse grave.

Seeing a steady light across the marsh, Jane forces herself toward it and reaches a house among firs. Through a low window, she observes two refined young women, Diana and Mary, studying German, and their servant Hannah. Driven by need, Jane knocks and begs for shelter and bread, but Hannah distrusts her and bolts the door.

Collapsed on the step, Jane is discovered by St. John Rivers returning home. Overruling Hannah, he brings Jane inside, where Diana and Mary revive her with milk and bread. When questioned, Jane withholds details and gives the alias “Jane Elliott,” asking only to be spared further talk.

St. John instructs Hannah to avoid questions and to finish feeding Jane; the sisters prepare a room. Exhausted but grateful, Jane is undressed, warmed, and laid in a dry bed, at last finding safety after her ordeal.