Act 3 — SCENE II.—Enter JOHN, L. H., meeting Jane Eyre.

John. Please, miss, the gipsy won’t go without seeing you.

Jane. You mistake, John, it must be one of the visitors he wishes to see.

John. No, miss, he must be something not right, for he described you wonderful. What shall I tell him?

Jane. That I will go, by all means. He may be in want of something; it’s only those who have felt privation themselves who ever think that there is such a thing in the world as want.

John. If you like, miss, I’ll wait in the hall, and if he frightens you, call out and I’ll see if the ditch water agrees with his gipsy stomach.

Jane. No, John, return to the kitchen; I am not in the least afraid.

[Exit Jane, L. H.

John. Oh, Lord! the mysteriousness gets thicker than ever. Not content with having a ghost in the house, we must have a gipsy now. I wish the fellow would tell me my fortune. No I don’t; for I’d rather not know it, if it’s at all shy; and in the natural course of events I don’t see any other chance for poor me. I only wish I was married and settled out of this nest of hobgoblins. That there Grace would make a good sort of wife for a chap, she’s so chary with her syllables, and that’s a good point. I wonder where she is? it’s nice and dark and romantic; just the time to whisper soft nonsenses. I’ve a great mind to find her. I will too. I’ll just take a glass of strong beer, and open my heart to her like a house a-fire.

GRACE appears at D. in F. with plate, &c.

Grace. That inquisitive fool here. I’ll soon get rid of him.

(Re-enters door. A groan heard.)

John. Good gracious, what’s that? I’ll swear I heard a groan in that room. (Goes towards door.) Pshaw! the keyhole’s stuffed up. (A crash of crockery and loud laugh.) The ghost! the ghost! oh, lord!

[Exit hastily, R. H.

Enter GRACE.

Grace. It’s well for us he’s such a coward. Now to relieve his terror. John, what’s the matter?

[Exit R. H.