It is a beautiful midsummer’s night. As the sun sets, Jane walks around the gardens of Thornfield, enjoying the solemn purple that colors the sky. Smelling Rochester’s cigar from a window, Jane moves into the more secluded space of the orchard. But Rochester is now in the garden. Jane tries to escape unseen, but he speaks to her, asking her to look at an interesting moth. Although uncomfortable being alone with Rochester at night, Jane is unable to find a reasonable excuse for leaving him.
During their ensuing conversation, Rochester tells Jane she’ll soon need to leave Thornfield forever because he’s finally marrying Miss Ingram, whom he humorously calls “an extensive armful.” Rochester teasingly tells her of a governess position, undertaking the education of the five daughters of Mrs. Dionysius O’Gall of Bitternutt Lodge in Ireland. Together they sit on a bench under a chestnut-tree to discuss Jane’s trip. Now Rochester admits his strong feelings for Jane, and she reveals her love for him. He proposes marriage. At first Jane doesn’t believe he’s serious, but she reads the truth in his face and accepts his proposal. He savagely declares that God has sanctioned their union, so he doesn’t care what society thinks of the relationship.
A flash of lightning sends them rushing home through the rain. They are soaked, and when Rochester helps her out of her coat, he kisses her repeatedly. Jane looks up to see Mrs. Fairfax watching, pale and amazed. During the night, lightning splits the great chestnut tree in two.
