Chapter XXIII Summary

Jane and Mr. Rochester inadvertently meet in the garden and sit and talk. He tells her he will be marrying Blanche and Adèle will go to school and Jane will need to find a new position. Indeed Rochester has already found her one in Ireland. Rochester says Jane will forget him and she sobs, confessing her feelings for him and her belief that Blanche is beneath him. He tries to embrace her, but she does not allow it. He asks Jane to marry him, explaining that he has found out that Blanche is just after his money. Jane says yes to the proposal. They part, but not before Mrs. Fairfax sees them kissing. The next morning, Adèle tells Jane the horse-chestnut tree in the orchard was hit by lightning the night before, splitting it in half.

Chapter XXIII Analysis