At dawn, Jane rises to leave and find Mr. Rochester. St. John has left her a note, telling her he will pray for her hourly and begging her to avoid temptation. In her mind, Jane replies, “My spirit […] is willing to do what is right; and my flesh, I hope, is strong enough to accomplish the will of Heaven, when once that will is distinctly known to me” (1,055).

Jane takes a coach to Thornfield. On the ride, she reflects on the many events that have transpired over the last year, musing that she is no longer the “desolate […] hopeless […] objectless” (1,058) person she once was. As she nears Thornfield, she feels like she is coming home.

Jane is shocked to find Thornfield in a ruinous state, charred by a great fire. At a nearby inn, she learns that Bertha Mason set fire to the house several months ago. Though Mr. Rochester saved his servants and attempted to save Bertha, she ultimately flung herself from the roof. The fire badly burned, maimed, and blinded him. Jane learns that Mr. Rochester is now “a cripple” (1,076) living in a manor house in Ferndean, where he is cared for by two elderly servants.