Jane Eyre — CHAPTER XXVII

In the afternoon after the ruined wedding, Jane debates whether to leave Thornfield. Rochester finds Jane faint and brings her to the library, expressing remorse and love. When he tries to embrace her, Jane rejects him, citing his living wife, Bertha Mason.

Rochester anticipates her withdrawal and proposes removing Jane from Thornfield, sending Adèle to school, and retreating together. Pressed, he reveals his backstory: an avaricious father arranged a Jamaican marriage to Bertha Mason; after the honeymoon he discovered madness in her family and in Bertha, whose vices and later insanity destroyed their life. He secretly confined Bertha at Thornfield under Grace Poole’s care, known only to Grace and Dr. Carter, while he wandered Europe seeking companionship and kept mistresses, all of which he now despises.

Returning to England, Rochester fell in love with Jane and planned to marry her despite his hidden wife, believing his case exceptional. He pleads for a life together in France, promising fidelity. Jane acknowledges her love but refuses to be his mistress, insisting on conscience, law, and self-respect. Rochester grows desperate; Jane remains resolute, counsels him to trust God, and withdraws.

Alone, Jane sleeps and dreams a maternal voice urging her to flee temptation. Before dawn she quietly gathers a few belongings and money, slips past Mrs. Fairfax’s and Adèle’s rooms, resists pausing at Rochester’s door, and leaves Thornfield by a side wicket. She walks to a distant road, hires a coach with nearly all her money, and departs, praying amid anguish and fearing the harm her absence may bring him, yet holding to her decision.