This scene should be placed in the middle of chapter 21. The morning after Richard Mason was attacked by Bertha. Jane receives a visit from a servant from Gateshead Hall, the home of her Aunt Reed. He informs her that her cousin John has ruined his family, both socially, and financially, and has killed himself. The shock has caused Mrs. Reed to have a stroke and she is now dying. She wishes to see Jane once more before she passes and has sent the servant to escort her back. Jane goes to Mr. Rochester to request a leave of absence.

"Well, Jane?" I said, as I rested my back against the school room door. I feared she had some dire news. She had come to me in the billiard room, interrupting my game with Miss Ingram to request a private audience. It was so unlike her to draw any attention to herself. I wondered what on earth could have induced her to do so?

"If you please, sir, I want a leave of absence for a week or two."

"What to do? Where to go?" I asked.

"To see a sick lady who has sent for me."

The longer I stood listening to her explanation the more incensed I became. It was ludicrous. Her Aunt Reed, the woman who had cast her off when she was but a child, had the gall to summon Jane all the way to Yorkshire to attend her sick bed. The hag could go to the devil.

The son, John Reed, had ruined them. His reputation had become so nefarious that the society gossip detailing his indiscretions and recent suicide had independently reached my ear all the way from London. This Lothario was Jane's cousin? Moreover, his wretched family had believed themselves too high to own a connection with my angel? To my account they deserved nothing but scorn for that act alone.

I could never allow it. She could do nothing for them now, she owed them nothing. But Jane was insistent. Ultimately, it was her kindness that won out. My considerate Jane had the goodness to set aside her contempt and now regretted the discord between them. She wished to make amends before it was too late. How could I deny her that? I reluctantly conceded to one week of leave.

She would make the journey, approximately a hundred miles southward. To travel such a distance she would require resources, and I had not yet paid her any salary. I did not recall the particulars of her contract, it had all been arranged by Mrs. Fairfax.

I inquired how much she had to her name. She pulled out her purse and emptied it into my palm. Five shillings. Hah! When I had my way, I would shower her in silk and jewels. I would make her the envy of society. But for now I would ensure she made this trip in comfort.

I inquired how much I owed her, she had been in my employ for six months?

"Fifteen pounds, sir."

I retrieved my pocketbook and handed her a fifty-pound note. I may as well have handed her a smoking hot iron, she didn't dare touch it. She would not take more than she was due. I marveled at her, such an independent will. I reconsidered.

"Right, right! Better not give you all now. You would, perhaps, stay away three months if you had fifty pounds. There are ten, is it not plenty?" I offered genially.

"Yes, sir, but now you owe me five."

"Come back for it then."

I was still chuckling jovially to myself when she struck a blow. She informed me that she intended to advertise for a new situation. What? How could she wish to leave me? I resisted the urge to reach out and shake her. I forced myself to remain calm.

It seemed my plan had worked too well, she believed it was inevitable that I would marry Miss Ingram. Hadn't I told her so myself while in my fortune teller's disguise? Blanch had made her opinion clear. She had overtly declared her loathing of all governesses the first night I had summoned Jane to join the party. I saw the sense in Jane's logic. Blanch would conspire to throw Jane out into the street the moment she became mistress of Thornfield, and Adèle would be sent to school.

"There's sense in the suggestion, not a doubt of it. Adèle, as you say, must go to school. And you, of course, must march straight to—the devil?" I prodded.

"I hope not, sir, but I must seek another situation somewhere," she responded coolly. It infuriated me that she could remain so calm while facing the prospect of separation.

"In course!" I exclaimed, the thought was too distasteful to entertain.

"And old Madam Reed, or the Misses, her daughters, will be solicited by you to seek a place, I suppose?"

"No, sir. I am not on such terms with my relatives as would justify me in asking favors of them—but I shall advertise."

"You shall walk up the pyramids of Egypt!" I growled. "At your peril you advertise! I wish I had only offered you a sovereign instead of ten pounds. Give me back nine pounds, Jane; I've a use for it."

"And so have I, sir," she rejoined, hiding her purse behind her. "I could not spare the money on any account."

"Mercenary girl! Refusing me a pecuniary request! Give me five pounds, Jane."

"Not five shillings, sir; nor five pence," she said seriously.

"Just let me look at the cash," I goaded.

"No, sir; you are not to be trusted." She smiled.

My anxiety was allayed somewhat when I made her promise not to advertise. I pledged I would find a place for her. It was a vow easily made, for indeed I already had a position in mind for her. On my arm.

"You go tomorrow, then?" I said solemnly.

"Yes, sir. Early."

"Shall you come down to the drawing room after dinner?"

"No, sir, I must prepare for the journey."

"Then you and I must bid goodbye for a little while?" It pained me to think of waking in the morning to a house devoid of her presence.

"I suppose so, sir."

"And how do people perform that ceremony of parting, Jane? Teach me, I'm not quite up to it."

"They say, farewell, or any other form they prefer."

"Then say it," I said sternly.

"Farewell, Mr. Rochester, for the present."

"What must I say?"

"The same, if you like, sir."

"Farewell, Miss Eyre, for the present. Is that all?"

"Yes?"

"It seems stingy to my notions, and dry, and unfriendly." I said morosely. "I should like something else, a little addition to the rite. If one shook hands, for instance, but no—that would not content me either. So you'll do no more than say farewell, Jane?"

She was waiting for me to dismiss her, but I did not. I would not be satisfied with a simple valediction. I took her face in my hands. I ran my thumb longingly over her lower lip. I had given my consent, now I wanted something in return.

"Would you do something for me Jane? Give me something to think of while we are parted?" I entreated.

"What is it sir?"

"I would have you pleasure me with your mouth."

She puzzled over the suggestion for a moment, then answered "I will try, only, you must tell me what I am to do."

The blood surged in my veins, rousing me. I placed her hand over the front of my breeches, pressing it against my growing hardness.

"Just the thought of your mouth on me makes me stand."

She rubbed her palm over me.

"I wish to please you, sir," she said quietly.

I groaned, I suddenly felt as if all the organs had dropped out of my gut. I swallowed hard. I opened my mouth, but I had difficulty speaking.

"You must start by -kneeling down."

She did so directly, obediently dropping to her knees before me. She hesitated, unsure how to proceed. I unfastened the flap of my breeches and freed my cock. I stroked it before her eyes, a small bead of fluid appeared on the head. I pressed it to her lips. She opened and ran her tongue over the tip experimentally. I closed my eyes and groaned.

"Take me into your mouth," I said with some urgency.

She circled her lips around me and took me into her warm wet mouth. Oh God, I felt my knees weaken, and I had to brace myself against the door to maintain upright.

"Just so, slide your lips over me, with a bit of suction."

She tightened her lips and sucked as she withdrew. There was a slight pop as she released me. I made a sound of approval. She went on at my urging, taking me deeper into her mouth. I guided her hand, wrapping her fingers around me and instructed that she should stroke as well. Her hand worked in time with the movement of her mouth. I relaxed my weight back against the door, now thoroughly enjoying myself. I lifted and rolled my bollocks in my hand while I allowed her to pleasure me.

"Yes," I moaned, "yes Jane, suck my cock with that sweet mouth." It was ecstasy.

My breathing became shallow and uneven. As she gauged my response she increased both pressure and speed. Swirling her tongue assiduously over the tip between each successive plunge. My whole body began to stiffen with anticipation as I neared release.

Then suddenly she stopped. My brows furrowed as my mind groped desperately to retain a hold on the fleeting sensation of pleasure. I looked down at her. What in God's name was the matter?

"Now sir, don't be cross" she said, smiling wryly as she repeated my own words back to me, in the same tone I had used to tease her the preceding night.

My mouth actually fell open in astonishment.

"You unearthly thing," I admonished, pinching her chin between my thumb and forefinger.

She giggled, but having played her joke, she returned to her task without delay. She slid her mouth over me again, sucking and stroking. She lifted my bollocks in her hand, feeling their weight, gently massaging them in her palm as she had seen me do. My hips rocked forward in time with her motion. She steadied the pace, bringing me so dangerously close to completion.

"You witch, you sorceress," I groaned. "For the love of God, don't trifle with me." I was completely in her power.

"Ohhh, Jane, I'm going to come," I gasped.

In the last second I tried to pull away, but she gripped my britches and held me fast. My seed spilled into her mouth, warm and thick, filling her throat. She looked momentarily surprised, then she swallowed audibly, taking in every drop.

"Good God Jane, you amaze me," I gasped as I sunk to my knees, taking her in my arms. "Whatever induced you to do such a thing?"

"I feared if you withdrew it would stain my dress."

She was perfect, so innocent. I pushed her roughly to the floor, covering her with my body while I plundered her mouth. Far from sated, my passion was incensed. Already hard again, I had to have her now! I pulled frantically at her skirts, swearing in frustration as I tried to find her in the surplus of petticoats. At last, my hand alighted on her knee, and I followed her leg up to its source. Parting her undergarments, I found what I sought.

Wasting no time, I thrust into her. She arched her hips in welcome. The weight of her imminent departure made me pervious to fear and doubt. She was mine, I wanted to control, to claim her. To convince myself that she would never leave me. I pinned her wrists to the floor above her head. Hovering possessively over her. My eyes bore into hers with a look that restrained her as sound as my grasp. My gaze never leaving hers, I observed the result of each hard deliberate thrust.

"You are mistaken if you think you can attempt to master me without recompense." I said with some difficulty. "You are mine; your pleasure is mine."

I was determined to conquer. I watched her countenance as I brought her helplessly to ecstasy. My hand clamped over her mouth to smother her cries of passion as her climax peaked.

"Mine," I repeated quietly, almost to myself. I went on thrusting with all my power until I reached oblivion. Maddened beyond all thought, I failed to withdraw. With depraved gratification, I filled her with my seed.

We lay there in a heap of tousled skirts and tangled limbs stunned and panting. I could hardly believe how I had behaved, mauling her like a beast, when at any moment a servant, Sophie, or even little Adèle could have entered the school room and discovered us.

I pulled her to her feet and hastily set my clothing back to rights. She moved slowly, staring at something inward, something unseen. I took her hands in mine and finally she looked at me. We stood there a moment. I could think of nothing to say. What must she think of me? I wanted to apologize, but at length I only said, "Go, see to your aunt, then return to me."

The dinner-bell rang, and I bolted from the room, without another syllable. I saw her no more during the day, nor that evening. In the morning, I watched from my window as her carriage disappeared down the drive.