by Charlotte Bronte
Adapted for broadcasting in eleven episodes by Barbara Couper
Episode 6
Produced by Howard Rose
Merry days were those at Thornfield Hall while the house party was in progress. Jane had come to love Mr. Rochester, but before long she realised that he was going to marry Blanche Ingram.
One day, when Mr. Rochester was absent from the house party owing to business, a Mr. Mason arrived to see him. On his return, Jane informed her master of th: stranger's presence, and he received the news with great agitation. Later, in the dead of night, the household was aroused by a savage and terrible cry. After calming his guests, Mr. Rochester bade Jane follow him to a room in which Mr. Mason lay severely hurt. There she spent a lonely vigil tending to the wants of the wounded man while her master hurried for the surgeon. From behind locked doors she could hear Grace Poole muttermg and snarling like some dreadful animal. At an early hour Mr. Mason left by post-chaise with the surgeon, and in the garden as the dawn song of the birds began, Mr. Rochester spoke to Jane in vague terms of his troubles.