"You and your sisters have done me a great service, the greatest man can do a fellow-being; you have rescued me, by your noble hospitality, from death." ~ Jane Eyre about her cousins St John, Mary and Diana Rivers.

Letters & The Hospitable Relations

'Those cousins of yours,' Rochester said to Jane one day. Rochester and Jane would be united tomorrow, without any complications as was their first attempt at matrimony.

'Which cousins?' Jane asked looking down at her work on her lap for she was just embroidering a special embellishment on Adelé's frock for her birthday present.

'Your cousins Rivers that you stayed with.' Rochester answered. 'Have you had any communication with them?'

'No, I have not, for we have been busy these last few days.' Jane answered. Her eyes still not lifting from her work.

'Hm, well it might be worth your corresponding with them.' The latter explained. Until then, he had enjoyed hearing the thread being pulled in and out of the fabric of the frock that it put Rochester in a pensive state.

'You do have a point, for they do deserve to know my whereabouts.' Jane answered. She had been so much engaged with Mr Rochester all the time that she had come back to him that she had forgotten about her hosptiable cousins Rivers, much to her dismay.

'Not only this, Janet, but Ferndean is secluded. The only society is myself or the servants. You oughtn't subject yourself to isolation as I did to myself when I shunned all society. Please do not torture yourself as I once did for the sake of me.' Rochester prevailed hoping his Janet would be saved.

'Edward,' Jane looked up from her embroidery and lovingly smilled at her love even though he would not be able to see her, by this time, he could sense her mood. 'Be not anxious about my person, did I not persuade you that I am happy here, happy with you?'

Rochester was convinced, she had told him, a multitude of times that her being there was not burden. Though there always seemed to be some unburied doubt within him. Instead, Rochester insisted Jane correspond with her Cousins, if only to let them know of her being unharmed. It would be her decision if she would ask for their company.

From Jane Eyre to Mary and Diana Rivers, - June 18--

My Dear cousins,

Be not alarmed by my hasty decision to go away from Moorhouse without explaination. For I will now explain.

Your brother may have told you I used to be under the employ of a Mr Rochester of Thornfield hall. We became romantically attatched and almost married. After this I ran away and these events led me to be with you. Of course, in the interim a course of events happened that I feel could have been prevented. Thornfield had been burnt down, in a tragedy that claimed his insane wife, his own sight and arm, both he and I make our home at Ferndean. We shall be united by the time this letter reaches you.

Forever, I shall be eternally grateful for your hospitality and hope that one day you will come and visit me at Ferndean.

Yours respectfully,

J.Eyre

From Diana Rivers to Jane Eyre -- June 18--

Dearest cousin,

We must congratualate you in your marriage!

How pleased Mary and I are to hear of your safety in the home of Mr Rochester. Our brother was also most anxoius to know of your safety.

Mary and I have no objection to travelling to Ferndean. May we hear from you very soon.

Your humble servant,

Diana

From Jane Rochester to Diana and Mary Rivers June 18--

My Dear Cousins,

Most heartily glad to have heard from you. This week coming shall be perfect as we have no engagements for the coming week.

Yours respectfully,

Jane

~

'Your cousins Rivers, Jane,' Mr Rochester said one day before Mary and Diana were to visit her.

'What of them Sir?' Jane asked.

'Why, they have the audacity to call upon us, a mere week after our nuptials.' Rochester replied in his teasing way.

'Well, they were good to me. Accepted me and besides, darling, they are family.' The latter spoke as she took her last mouthful of soup.

'Hm of course Janet, I shall welcome them warmly tomorrow.' Rochester replied. He took the last of his bread, ate it and the pair moved onto other topics of conversation.

~

It was a fine June morning when a carriage pulled up infront of Ferndean manor. A secluded spot as it was, the servants knew who the vistors were, for it could not have been anyone, but the cousins of their Mistress. The view from Mary and Diana's carriage window was that of perfect solitude. Jane had not told her cousins about Mr Rochester and they had not heard of him before so a secluded home did not seem out-of-character for a man from so prominent a family as Rochester. Agreeing that the place was pleasant, the sisters were most excited in meeting their cousin and the illustrious Mr Rochester.

Meanwhile, in the Morning room, the Rochesters had their morning routine of reading after breakfast and a ramble. The night before they had agreed to welcome Jane's cousins warmly. A welcome change would come the pass as the couple would be more social. They discussed the situation that may come from their judgement of Edward's injuries. In Rochester's lack of confidence she reasured him of her cousin's understanding and empathy. However, Rochester, still cautious, endeavoured to not condemn the cousins' company.

A warm welcome was bestowed on Mary and Diana when they were handed out of their carriage. Words of welcome were exchanged and Rochester was introduced to Jane's cousins formally. They all entered into the house in a body, Jane showing Mary and Diana to their chambers to refresh themselves after their long, fatiguing journey. An ajoining room was picked by Jane to allow the sisters to be close together. Even though Ferndean was not as large as Thornfield, she felt their closeness in relationship permitted their rooms to be closely situated.

Within the room, Mary opened the adjoining door and her sister was on the other side doing the same thing. Doubtless, both had an opinion about Ferndean and Mr Rochester.

Mary started 'Well Diana?'

'Oh Mary, I am impressed with Cousin Jane's situation.' The latter remarked.

'Hm yes, she has made the most of a good situation.' Mary smilled. She had started to brush her hair and put her dress to rights.

'And what do you think Mary? Of Mr Rochester?' Her sister asked.

'Mr Rochester seems aggreeable. I do wonder what of his injures.' Mary mused. By this point she had finished refreshing herself and her sister had likewise stood in front of the mirror in a refreshed state.

A knock on the door stopped their conversation. It was Mary's door that was knocked and she called out to 'come in'. Leah came in, she curtsyed in front of the sisters and delivered her message. 'Beg pardon Misses, the Mistress would like to show you around Ferndean and would like me to guide you to her.'

The sisters agreed and were taken down the corridor and down the stairs to meet Jane. Greeting each and other, Jane asked about their journey. Both nodded in the affirmative that their journey went without a hitch.

'This is the entrance to the garden.' Jane pointed to the door and took the pair into the drawing room pointing that out and then the Morning room where she invited them to sit down. There was no fire lit, as it was the height of summer, but wood furnished the fireplace ready to be lit. Rising to ring for the tea, the silence was awkward. Jane sat across from Diana in her curved chair and proceeded to start the coversation. 'I trust St John was well when you left him.'

'Yes,' Diana answered. 'Our brother was very well when we left him. He is likely on his way to India now, to think that could have been your fate too.'

'I wish him well on his travels.' Jane answered, she felt endeared by Diana's concern for her.

'Mr Rochester keeps a lovely household.' Diana pointed out.

A maid came in with the tea and Jane told her to put it out in front on her. She thanked the maid and turned back to her companions. 'Indeed he does,' Jane stated pouring the tea and handed the sisters a cup and saucer each. 'he was quite fortunate after the fire to live in a place so secluded as Ferndean.'

The sisters nodded for much of the story was still shrouded in mystery and Mary asked what of this tradgedy. For she was the more inquisitive one.

'Ah, I believe I have not yet told you!' Jane related the unfortunate history of Mr Rochester. She told her cousins of his immense pain and suffering he endured during his first marriage. The betrayal of his own father and brother and ultimately, having to live with the face of Bertha Masen when she fell from the top of a burning Thornfield.

Shock seemed to be the main emotion the sisters gave, for now they were not uncomfortable when thinking of Mr Rochester. Jane's cousins were not vain, but upon first arrival seeing Mr Rochester's somewhat disheveled appearance did make them feel a slight unease that they were unwilling to admit to their dear cousin Jane. Even though they approved the match, they still felt unease and this perhaps convinced them that their union was that of obligation than a love match. Now, however, having heard all that Jane had to say about the history that Mr Rochester had to endure, the two sisters felt the couple were totally suited towards each and other in many ways than just one.

Both sisters appeared to have some outward contemplation as Jane raised an eyebrow in confusion. 'Please, dear cousins, I do hope that the story I related was not an over step of our familliarity and that you would forgive me if I did overstep propriety.'

Mary spoke in reasurance that no and her sister assented in agreement, they were not made uncomfortable by the story that Jane had told and now they understood her completely. Jane's relief spoke yards, for more than anything today, she wished to retain the familiarity with her cousins. Her cousins, Eliza and Georgianna Reed being out of the question her cousins Rivers in particular Mary and Diana, had every right to her affection and generosity.

Diana also added her own reasurance stating her first thoughts of Rochester for she knew her cousin Jane would appreciate the free talk. 'I must be frank with you Jane, Mary and I... Well, certainly I were slightly awe-stricken by your leaving us so abruptly, we were unsure whether you should trust Mr Rochester. For your sake, we worried for your safety and especially putting that safety in the hands of a man who had risked it before.' Diana paused as she gauged her cousin's expression. Jane did not seem angry or disappointed in Diana's judgement of her love, a neutral and patient attiutde fell over her.

'Though, now, be not forsaken by your story. I am perfectly content that you should have such a happy end to such a chronical. I have no doubt, Mary would concurr with me in this sentiment.' Mary finished. She and Jane embraced and they returned to their seats.

Mary made a similar speach to her cousin too, for of course she too was sceptical of Jane's situation which now seemed happy. A most fitting end to so charitable and humanitarian a lady.

The next few days and weeks that were spent at Fearndean only further convinced the sisters that their cousin was safe and happy. Mr Rochester was always kind to them, for he knew of their hospitality towards his wife, and his sharp teasing seemed always present in any conversations that they would have. This happy acquaintance would be one that would hold, much to the joy of the partakers. In observing the love shared between Rochester and Jane, Mary and Diana felt they would like to have this love too. So a season in town was organised by a friend of Mr Rochesters which lead to the happy resolution of both sister's marriage.