Chapter XXI Summary

Jane writes of premonitions, which she believes in. Once after Bessie has a dream about a baby, her younger sister dies. For a week now, Jane has been dreaming of a baby. Bessie's husband, Robert, arrives at Thornfield to say that Robert has killed himself and Mrs. Reed has had a stroke from the shock and is asking for Jane. Rochester elicits a promise that she will return. She asks that he send Adèle to a school if he marries Blanche. The parting is awkward.

Jane arrives at Gateshead and is greeted coldly by one sister and sarcastically by the other and told Jane cannot see Mrs. Reed that evening. Bessie shows Jane to Mrs. Reed's room anyway. Mrs. Reed rambles, saying that Mr. Reed loved Jane more than his own children. Ten days pass before Jane can visit Mrs...