Chapter-13
Next day, Jane Eyre was called to the room of Mrs Fairfax. Someone had come to Thornfield Hall to meet Jane. When Jane reached the room, she saw Robert Leaven, Mrs Reed’s coachman, who later married Bessie. He had come there to inform Jane of the bad health of Mrs Reed. He told Jane that Mrs Reed was on death-bed and missing her very much.
Jane forgot all her miseries at Gateshead and decided to see Mrs Reed. She took the permission of Mr Rochester and promised him that she would return within a week. Before letting her go Mr Rochester said, “Jane! do come back within a week. I am going to marry Miss Ingram next month.”
When Jane bade him goodbye, Mr Rochester gave her some money. Thus accompanied by Robert Leaven, Jane reached Gateshead. She was warmly welcomed by Bessie who felt very happy to see Jane back. Jane said to Bessie, “How is aunt?”
Bessie replied, “Dear Jane! Mrs Reed has suffered a heartstroke on hearing of her son’s untimely death. John, Mrs Reed’s son, ruined his health and wealth and died three weeks ago.”
“The doctor says that she may linger a week or so. Yet, he hardly thinks that she will finally recover.
“Has she mentioned me lately,” Jane asked Bessie in a pathetic tone.
Bessie replied, “She was talking of you only this morning and wishing you would come. But she is sleeping now. She generally lies in a kind of lethargy all the afternoon and wakes up about six or seven. Will you rest yourself here an hour? Then, I will go up with you.”
In the meantime, Robert entered. Bessie laid her sleeping child in the cradle and went to welcome him. Afterwards, she insisted on Jane taking off her bonnet and having some tea, for she said that Jane looked pale and tired. Jane was glad to accept her hospitality. Jane submitted to be relieved of her travelling garb just as passively as she used to let Bessie undress her when she (Jane) was a child.
Old times crowded fast back on Jane as she watched her bustling about—setting out the tea-tray with her best china, cutting bread and butter, toasting a tea-cake, giving little Robert an occasional tap or push, just as she used to give Jane in former days. Bessie had retained her quick temper as well as her light foot and good looks.
Bessie wanted to know if Jane was happy at Thornfield Hall, and what sort of a person her mistress was. Jane told her there was only a master. He was rather an ugly man, but quite a gentleman. Then, she went on to describe to her the gay company that had lately been staying at the house. Bessie listened to these details with interest. They were precisely of the kind she relished.
Led by Bessie, Jane entered the room where Mrs Reed was lying motionless in bed. Her two daughters, Eliza and Georgiana, were standing beside her. Seeing Jane there both the sisters welcomed her with some resentment. They put on plastic smiles on their lips.
Jane went near Mrs Reed, stooped down a little bit and kissed her on the forehead. Mrs Reed opened her eyes a little bit and uttered with great difficulty, “Are you Jane Eyre?”
Jane Eyre replied, “Yes, aunt Reed. I am your Jane.” Jane Eyre sat beside Mrs Reed who recollected everything that had gone into the past. Now, Mrs Reed had no malice towards Jane. Her heart had become pure. There were tears of joy in her eyes as she had met Jane after a long separation. Jane sought forgiveness from Mrs Reed for her rude behaviour towards her during her childhood at Gateshead.
Mrs Reed gave Jane Eyre a letter from her uncle John Eyre which the former received three years ago from Jane’s uncle.
At last, Mrs Reed breathed her last. After the funeral, Jane Eyre returned to Thornfield Hall after a month. She was expecting a scolding from Mr Rochester. When Jane appeared before Mr Rochester, he said nothing to her. Adele felt extremely happy to see Jane back. As usual, Jane Eyre set about the business of taking care of Adele.
Time rolled by. A fortnight had passed at Thornfield Hall since Jane returned from Gateshead. Nothing was said of Mr Rochester’s marriage with Miss Ingram. There was no preparation going on for the event.
